I’M A BLUNT INSTRUMENT IF YOU KNOW HOW TO FOLD ME The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 39 #23 • November 13, 2024 • www.echo.net.au
Northern Rivers tops for melanoma Paul Bibby The Cancer Institute of NSW has issued a sobering reminder to locals to protect themselves from the sun this summer. The Institute’s new melanoma hotspot map shows that local government areas in the Northern Rivers account for eight of the top ten areas with the state’s highest rates of melanoma. Topping the list is Ballina, followed by Lismore, Byron, the Clarence Valley, with Coffs Harbour rounding out the top five. Nearly 350 cases are projected to be diagnosed in those areas in 2024. Tweed, Kempsey, and the Richmond Valley are also among the state’s top melanoma hotspots. NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM said Australia had one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world and the release of the hotspots was ▶ Continued on page 2
Who is running this pony ride? While the trotters never fail to thrill at the Mullum Show, it was the mini-trotters, like this little guy, Chuck Norris, driven by young Lara Whitaker, who stole the show. The weekend show was again a massive drawcard for the town, with plenty of locals and visitors taking part. Photo Jeff ‘Trotts’ Dawson
Byron Chamber pans Council’s biz strategy No vision, says biz pres
Former Greens mayor Jan Barham has joined the Byron Chamber of Commerce in a blistering critique of Council’s latest business strategy. Submissions for the Draft Business, Industry and Visitor Economy Strategy closed last week. The 41-page document aims to ‘provide Council with specific
guidance and direction to manage future economic growth in a sustainable and ethical manner’. Newly-elected mayor, Sarah Ndiaye (Greens) told The Echo that while she acknowledges the critical feedback, she said, ‘This is exactly what the process is designed to do – gathering and reviewing input from a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the strategy reflects the
needs of the community’. She did not say whether the strategy should go back to the drawing board, when queried by The Echo. The draft strategy largely outlines key industries with statistical data, along with identifying ‘strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)’ and an implementation plan. Three key themes are presented for the
future: ‘foster business engagement’; ‘celebrate our business and brand identity;’ and ‘plan for a sustainable economy’. Yet the ‘sustainable economy’ details are light. The strategy’s ‘sustainable economy’ section focuses on how Council are facilitating development through forward planning documents and housing projects.
Chamber President, Matthew Williamson, said in the submission: ‘In summary, our view is the strategy, in its current form, is a document that says very little, makes no meaningful plan for the future and fails to accurately reflect on the role that Council actually has ▶ Continued on page 2
Australia’s first orbital launch permit granted ▶ p4
Vision presented for Byron’s foreshore ▶ p5
Deportations and tariffs ahead for US? ▶ p12
Byron’s summer of markets is coming ▶ p22
All the fun of the Bangalow Show this weekend ▶ p25
Hans Lovejoy
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