NOLEGE IS POWER – SINCE 1986 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 38 #05 • July 12, 2023 • www.echo.net.au
The two-tier economy Paul Bibby Have you tried to get a tradie recently? How about booking your car in for a service, or hiring a removalist that can fit you in before Christmas? If you’ve tried calling any of these local businesses recently, you’ve probably discovered that demand for basic services like these is majorly outstripping supply. Welcome to the north coast’s two-speed economy. While the local retail sector struggles under the dual pressures of rising interest rates and the increased cost of living, industries involved in providing basic, grass roots services are booming. Many tradies have waiting periods of two months for an average-sized job, while some, such as carpenters and tilers, are almost impossible to get, unless you’re willing to pay a premium. The average wait to book your car in for a service in the Shire is two-to-four weeks, and if you’re moving house within the local area you’ll want to plan at least eight weeks ahead. A series of interviews conducted by The Echo with experts and those working in these industries suggest the boom and consequent shortages in these industries are the outcome of multiple factors. They include the increase in demand for the building industry brought about by the 2022 floods, and the mass migration to the Northern Rivers during covid. At the same time, there is a critical shortage of workers in some of these areas, particularly in the trades sector.
MP Rose Jackson Q&A ▶ p4
Jason Bentley, from the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce, said the region was ‘definitely seeing different industries at different levels.’ ‘The trade sector is going gang busters. Some are struggling to keep up with demand. ‘But at the same time, others are having to close down their operations or move out of the area.’ Jane Laverty, President of the Northern Rivers chapter of Business NSW, said businesses in the region typically fell into one of three lanes: those that were really struggling, those who were hanging in there, and those who were seeing ongoing very high demand.
Gen deadly
Golden triangle ‘All of these businesses are facing what I call the golden triangle, which is housing, staffing and skills,’ she said. ‘These are the three biggest challenges that pretty much everyone is facing’. ‘Even those businesses that are doing well are facing the challenges of finding skilled staff who can actually afford to live in the area.’ These comments are backed up by the experience of local business owners like plasterer, Rob ‘Tymbomb’ Tyman, whose business Tyman Plastery has been in hot demand for nearly three years. ‘I’ve basically been flat out since covid started, but even busier since the floods,’ Mr Tyman said. ‘It’s owing to people leaving the cities and moving here… People buying homes, renovating them. But of course, since the floods, there’s a lot of repair work coming in.’ The experience of local mechanics contacted by The Echo suggests ▶ Continued on page 2
Kyrie Kelly, Yalla Wiri Hippi, Xanda Hippi, and Clarence Kelly were part of the Dubai Dance Troupe, who helped entertain the assembled friends and supporters at Thursday’s NAIDOC celebrations, held on Byron’s Main Beach. The annual event has its roots in the 1938 Day of Mourning, and became a week-long event from 1975. The acronym NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines’ and Islanders’ Day Observance Committee. Photo Jeff ‘Observing Since 1986’ Dawson
No consulation with new planning body The NSW Reconstruction Authority has released a draft document, Protocols – exercise of powers and functions under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, outlining its powers to act in relation to promoting ‘community resilience to the impact of disasters in NSW’. The Authority has absorbed both the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) and Infrastructure NSW’s Hawkesbury– Nepean Valley Flood Risk Management Directorate (HNV). The ‘NRRC retains its Northern
Let’s unpack the Labor–Greens fracas over social housing inaction! ▶ p6
Rivers identity and continues to focus on rebuilding communities in the Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas. This includes delivering the Resilient Homes Program,’ states the NSW Reconstruction Authority. While the draft document outlines that it seeks ‘transparency and engagement’ with stakeholders, the ‘Overview of NSW Reconstruction Authority’s key powers’ clearly identifies that no consultation is required by the authority
Robodebt unveiled in all its horror ▶ p16
with councils, landowners (and therefore individuals) etc for them to act. However, notice is required in most circumstances when the authority is seeking to implement any activities or development. Feedback on the draft Protocols document is open until Friday July 14, 2023 and can be found at www.dpie.nsw. gov.au/about-us/our-agencies/ nsw-reconstruction-authority. You can provide your feedback by emailing: legal@reconstruction. nsw.gov.au.
Great local biz by the scoopful ▶ p22
Fresh Eyes on Byron Bay ▶ p24