16 PAGE LIFTOUT
THE ART OF
THE SKY’S NOT THE LIMIT IF YOU CAN GET OFF THE GROUND The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #08 • July 30, 2025 • www.echo.net.au
LIVING IN THE
NORTHERN
RIVERS
Living Now
lift-out feature
Byron rises to the challenge of its future Aslan Shand The Byron Bay community came out in force last Tuesday evening over concerns that the proposed Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) for Byron will entrench negative outcomes for the town with extended operating hours and liquor licencing for venues. The meeting room at the Byron Community Centre was filled to capacity with people being turned away. Concerns were raised about the lack of community consultation, the potential for the SEP to exacerbate existing issues of violence, rape and sexual assault in the town, and the fact that local services such as the police, the Byron hospital emergency department and the NSW Ambulance are already stretched. For many attendees, who have worked on previous community initiatives like ‘Last Drinks’ that were set up to reduce alcohol-related violence and antisocial behaviour in Byron Bay historically, it felt like ‘Groundhog Day’. Key questions raised at the meeting were around how much control the community had over what was contained in the SEP, how easily it could be wound back if the community felt it didn’t work and what resources would be provided to Byron Bay in relation to lighting, transport, infrastructure and essential services. NSW Minister for the Night-time Economy, John Graham, who is also the minister for music and various other portfolios including transport, ▶ Continued on page 6
‘All I Wanna Do is Get High’ a winner ▶ p3
Inaugural Lindy Hop festival swings into the Bay this October Lindy Hop festival directors Chrissy and Ray Keepence are sharing their excitement at the upcoming Byron Bay Lindy Exchange festival they have planned for Byron Bay in October. Photo Jeff ‘Broken Hip Hop’ Dawson This October will see the inaugural Byron Bay Lindy Exchange (BBLX), a three-day swing dance festival taking place. The festival is the brainchild of dance lovers Chrissy and Ray Keepence who started the Swing On In dance school in 1996. They say that the festival will be a celebration of swing dancing, live music, connection, community,
The Saddle Road to become industrial precinct ▶ p7
and vintage culture. ‘We invite everyone, dancers and non-dancers alike, to step back in time and soak up the joy, colour, and charisma of the swing era in the heart of Byron Bay,’ says Chrissy.
Free swing dance classes Chrissy and Ray will also be providing free swing dance classes for locals in the lead-up to the three
What do new mums want? ▶ p8
-day festival on 17–19 October. The school will also continue to run its regular Thursday night classes in Mullumbimby. ‘This festival is about more than just dancing – it’s about bringing people together through music, movement, and shared joy,’ says Chrissy. ‘We want to make everyone feel welcome, whether you’re an
The nuclear power distraction ▶ p10
experienced dancer or just want to tap your toes and enjoy the atmosphere.’ The festival wil include picnics, yoga, Charleston classes and Mystery Bus tours as well as national and international dancers coming together to celebrate Lindy Hop culture. Find out more at www.swingonin.com.au.
Parliament returns with tears ▶ p13
Seven days of entertainment ▶ p37