STILL PAYING MORE TAX THAN EXXON, SANTOS, VIRGIN AND AMCOR The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 39 #13 • September 4, 2024 • www.echo.net.au
‘Council doesn’t have the resources’ election special
On stage on Monday night were four mayoral candidates, three of which are already on Council: Greens Cr Sarah Ndaiye (second from left, front), Labor Cr Asren Pugh (third from right front) and independent Mayor Michael Lyon (third from left, front). Independent David Warth (far right, front) is also contesting the mayoral spot.
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onday’s ‘meet the candidates’ event at the Byron Theatre saw a full house, with Council aspirants for the September 14 election well supported by their supporters. Questions from the community included how to increase services for local Aboriginal people, giving youth a platform, improving public transport, animal welfare and providing a space for LGBQTIA-plus people. The issue of electric bicycles posing a danger to the public was also discussed.
Short-term rental accom
Joining them were independent councillor candidates Jack Dods (far left, front) and Lucy Vader (second from right, front). Bay FM’s Mia Armitage was MC (centre), with The Echo’s Aslan Shand (sitting next to her) vigilantly preventing all candidates from speaking past their allocated time. Photo Jeff ‘Pabulum and Platitudes’ Dawson
Vader joked she would inspect every home with her pet dog, and added that the laws are not stringent enough and too punitive in some areas. Most candidates agreed enforcement will be an issue, given Council’s cash-strapped finances. Cr Lyon warned that the powerful Airbnb lobby are planning to undermine the new regulations and want to push for a national code. Cr Ndaiye invited the community to be a part of the solution, while David Warth said he had an affordable housing plan for a rural residential park.
planning instruments, all candidates agreed. David Warth added that the Shire is no better prepared for the next big event. ‘I was in South Golden Beach recently, and nothing has been done, except spending enormous funds on consultant fees’, he said. Cr Lyon supported updating the data, adding that the state government leads such projects. Cr Ndaiye deferred to her fellow candidate and flood engineer, Elia Hauge, who said that all Council’s climate modelling needs updating.
Floodplain development
As for developing on Councilowned land, Jack Dods said while he wanted to retain ownership of the Mullum Hospital land, he conceded that Council will need
The question of how to enforce the new short-term rental accommodation (STRA) regulations, which are about to come into effect, was also canvassed. Candidate Lucy
Asked whether candidates would oppose floodplain development and add the 2022 flood data into
A closer look at what’s at stake on September 14 ▶ p4
What if everyone paid their fair share? ▶ p14
Housing
Q&A with David Helipern on DV laws ▶ p22
to partner with a developer unless the NSW government steps in. Cr Lyon went further, claiming that he will sell half of the valuable land to pay for the land’s $5m remediation debt. Cr Pugh agreed Council has no expertise in building houses, and wanted to tap into the NSW government’s $5b social housing fund and $100m fund for innovative solutions for homelessness. Cr Ndaiye wants to retain all public land as much as possible, but said that an expression of interest process can specify which developer Council partners with. Lucy Vader made the point that any development needs to be underpinned by infrastructure, something which she is not sure is in good condition.
Mur’bah is a magical place ▶ p25
Biz support, or lack of With Lawson Street businesses claiming they will be forced to close if planned road/drainage works proceed during the busy spring and summer trading period, candidates predictably expressed concern. Byron Chamber president, Matt Williamson, asked how councillors can improve processes and communications around such important decisions. David Warth said as a commercial landlord, he lost a tenant after Council road works prevented them from trading. ‘There was no parking, and then no trade for three months.’ ‘This needs better timing’, he said.
▶ Continued on page 2
Sample delicious food this Sat ▶ p30
Northern Rivers artists in focus ▶ p32
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