‘ F U C K I C E I S A L L I R E A L LY W A N T TO S A Y ’ – B I L L I E E I L I S H The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #35 • February 4, 2026 • www.echo.net.au
Mullum Old school stone to create the future locals raise concerns over 50-unit Nest DA Aslan Shand A packed community meeting in Mullumbimby saw concerned locals and residents come together to discuss the proposed $8.2 million, 50-unit, co-living development called The Nest proposed for 115119 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby. This is a private development that will see a ‘high-density residential building’ in a lowdensity area according to Heath Milton who lives opposite the development site. The presenters to the meeting identified 11 objections that they addressed throughout the meeting. They say E1 zoning is not appropriate for the current cafe and artists residences provided on the ground floor. They have concerns over parking and road congestion, lack of public transport, flooding, stormwater, and draining, as well as the bulk, scale, heritage and character of the development. ‘Under the E1 zoning it is supposed to be a commercial focus but this is a primarily residential development. Over time these types of developments that push the limits of the planning controls change the town. It creates a town that isn’t in the public interest,’ Mr Milton told the meeting. ▶ Continued on page 4
‘No dogs or cats allowed’ supported by NCAT ▶ p6
On site at The Farm. Damian Cudmore (front) with site manager, Angel (in front of him) is teaching Sam (back left) and Gabe (back right) the fine art of stone work and stone buliding. Photo Jeff ‘Everybody Must Get Stone’ Dawson Aslan Shand
Everyone welcome
Stone craft is a skill that everyone can access and have fun learning, says Damian Cudmore who is currently teaching students the skills needed to create the style of 19thcentury stone work at The Farm in Byron Bay.
‘I’m teaching stone craft to people from eight to 80,’ he told The Echo. ‘I am teaching people of all skill levels and experience in the style of 19th-century stone cottages. My experience is that the 19th century
Carving up the chilled-out surfer stereotype ▶ p7
Would you buy a used car from Angus Taylor? ▶ p10
is where we get the most elegant experiences and expressions of architectural stone.’ Students are helping Damian to build a stone shelter for The Farm’s goats (who also like to climb on the work in action and have now been confined to the field next door) as a way to learn stone craft skills.
Get amongst it – now’s the time to sign up ▶ p16
Damian says that people can join up for one day or more but that it takes about four days to give you the basic skills to take something away from the course to start a home project or begin developing real skills. ‘It is amazing, the one ▶ Continued on page 2
All you need is love ▶ p19
Artistic endeavours of all kinds ▶ p22
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