A S S I M P L E A S A P I M P L E I N A Z I T FA R M The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 37 #32 • January 18, 2023 • www.echo.net.au
Shire’s premier literary event moves
B
yron Writers Festival have announced that their 2023 event will be held at Bangalow Showgrounds, from August 11 till 13. The festival’s new artistic director, Zoë Pollock, says, ‘As with all good things, an end has now eventuated and the Elements site is destined to a new owner and a new future. We are excited to be presenting the 2023 festival at the Bangalow Showgrounds; a picturesque heritage site nestled in the heart of the township of Bangalow that is home to a vibrant and creative community’. ‘I can’t wait to create a special event for those who love literature and stories to meet their favourite authors, discover brilliant new books and soak up the atmosphere of being in a place where ideas are cherished. ‘We are grateful to Elements for generously hosting the festival for so long and will treasure the many wonderful memories we all share’.
Hans Lovejoy Given the broken promise by the NSW Liberal-Nationals government on allowing Council to regulate the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) sector in the Byron Shire, The Echo asked NSW Labor what they would do if elected in March.
The full festival program will be announced on June 28, while extra early bird three-day passes will be on sale for one week only from March 29 to April 5, and early bird three-day passes from June 14–21. Pictured are Byron Writers Festival crew Aarna Hudson, Shien Chee, director Zoë Pollock and Emily Brugman at the Writers Festival’s new home in the Bangalow Showground. Details and updates available at byronwritersfestival.com/festival. Photo Jeff ‘Literally’ Dawson
Announcing a $100 million boost for jobs in regions NSW last Wednesday, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, visited the Cape Byron Distillery at Byron Bay. However, the issues of affordable housing and the risks of building in floodplains quickly became key issues for the assembled media pack. Minister Toole said the $100 million Regional Job Creation Fund Round Three will provide grants for regional businesses to expand their operations, and attract interstate
Ballina vigil remembers DV victim, Lindy Lucena ▶ p6
and international businesses to relocate to regional NSW. Questions were then asked regarding where these new workers would be housed, as there is little affordable housing in the region. ‘I welcome the funding to help businesses in regional NSW, providing potential employment opportunities in both skilled and unskilled roles,’ said Byron Shire Council Mayor, Michael Lyon. ‘Byron Shire has seen good growth in the business sector, which is great in terms of providing opportunities for our young people to work and remain in the area.
‘It needs to be recognised however that the deepening housing crisis means the creation of jobs through initiatives like this will be meaningless if we don’t have places for workers to live.’ Following the announcement, Mayor of Tweed Shire Council, Chris Cherry, supported the comments of Mayor Lyon, telling The Echo, ‘Across the Tweed we have so many businesses crying out for workers. The problem is that we have nowhere to house them,’ she said. ‘Short-term holiday lets take up so many of our dwellings. Until we get that stock back [and] available
Cr Swivel Q&A over his not-so-secret STRA letter to the planning minister ▶ p7
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NSW Labor’s candidate for Ballina, Andrew Broadley, refused to comment.
‘We know that building a house is not going to occur overnight, building a house is going to take time,’ said Minister Toole. ‘And again, it won’t be just the state government. It has to be ▶ Continued on page 3
Local Labor candidate for Ballina, Andrew Broadley, told The Echo, ‘I do not wish to comment further on the STRA issue’. There is no record of any previous comment on the issue by Broadley, according to a search of his social media posts and website matierals. He added, ‘I will be making a submission to the public hearings that the IPC has planned for later in February. I wouldn’t be surprised if the hearings are cancelled at the last minute – considering the track record of the government’. The Echo also asked NSW Labor’s Courtney Houssos, Shadow Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, ‘If elected, will Labor restore integrity to this process by allowing ▶ Continued on page 2
Make time for wellness ▶ p18
So much sunshine to the square inch... Hello Summer ▶ p19
mëƐƆ l īſĶōōĕĎ şưĕſ ǖşşĎżōëĶŕ ſĶƆŊƆǽ ëǔşſĎëćōĕ IJşƖƆĶŕī Aslan Shand
NSW Labor’s position on holiday letting
for people to live in, we will not have affordable housing for workers.’ Minister Toole said that a range of initiatives to address the housing problem have been undertaken by businesses in different parts of the state, with some providing accommodation for their workforces.
Will take time, says MP
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