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EXCLUSIVE TO PREMIUM AND CONCIERGE MEMBERS SINCE 1986 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 36 #26 • December 8, 2021 • www.echo.net.au
Magazine actually in this issue!
Independents clear election winners
Targetted acts of kindness
the vote counted on Monday (2,688 votes). Greens candidate Duncan Dey is at 14.88 per cent, followed by Independent councillor, Cate Coorey at 14.47 per cent. Labor’s Asren Pugh gained 11.79 per cent of the vote (1,721 votes). Conservative Independent Councillor, Alan Hunter, secured seven per cent, while independent candidate, Bruce Clarke, secured 5.54 per cent as of Tuesday. At the tail end, John Anderson received 3.40 per cent of the vote (496 votes) and Chris McIlrath 1.38 per cent of the vote (202 votes). It is likely that the new Council (eight seats plus the mayor), will include Cr Lyon and perhaps two from his ticket; former councillor Duncan Dey, and current Cr Sarah Ndjaye (both Greens); Mark Swivel; Cr Cate Coorey, and Labor's Asren Pugh. It’s unclear whether Cr Alan Hunter and Bruce Clarke will be elected to Council.
Qld-NSW border to open sooner
Independent candidate Michael Lyon looks to have secured enough votes to be elected Mayor, with 3,372 votes, or 23.11 per cent of the total votes counted on Tuesday. The Greens vote has diminished over 30 per cent from the previous election, while the Labor vote has also seen a decline. While ivotes and pre-polling votes are still to be tallied, and preferences distributed in the coming days, Cr Lyon's lead should be enough to secure the top spot. Cr Lyon served the previous Council term, and was originally elected on the Greens ticket before quitting the party to become Independent in the last term. He was voted interim mayor after the resignation of the previous Greens mayor, Simon Richardson earlier this year. So far, Independent candidate, Mark Swivel, is second in the mayoral race, with 18.42 per cent of
Local businesses can look forward to an ‘epic summer’ following the easing of Qld border restrictions, the Byron Business Chamber says. The Chamber’s incoming President, Jason Bentley, welcomed the move by the Qld Government, saying it would boost both visitation and the supply of desperately needed hospitality staff. ‘Eighty per cent of visitation [to the Shire] comes from Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland, so this announcement is great from that perspective,’ Mr Bentley said. ‘But it’s also big in terms of access to skilled and migrant workers. ‘Many of our local businesses
Independent candidate Michael Lyon (left) is likely to be Byron Shire's next Mayor. He is pictured left with supporters on election night. Photo Jeff ‘Resurrections’ Dawson
Local philanthropic organisation, Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF), have announced the recipients of the latest round of their Community Grants Program. Organisers say $327,177 in total was distributed among 49 recipients, which is a record number for both funding and applicants. One donation, of $10,000, was awarded to the End Street Sleeping Collaboration, which will coordinate and train volunteers to assist with Connections Week 2022. Pictured is musician Shai Shriki with NRCF staff and supporters. Photo Jeff Dawson
End of an era as Mullum Scouts fold ▶ p3
have only been operating at 50 per cent capacity because of the difficulty of finding vaccinated workers. ‘For example, you’ve got restaurants that would normally be open seven days a week, just opening from Wednesday to Sunday. We’re hoping that will now be able to change’.
Need to be vaccinated Under the changes, announced by Qld Labor Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, the state will open its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from interstate hotspots from 1am on Monday, December 13, without a quarantine requirement.
Results for the Ballina, Tweed, and Lismore LGA elections ▶ p10
Of particular benefit to those living in the Byron Shire and surrounds is the reopening of the border bubble. From 1am next Monday, any border zone resident can travel to Queensland for any reason, assuming they are fully vaccinated. Border passes will still be required; however, COVID-19 tests will not be required for vaccinated border zone residents. Those living outside the border zone will need a negative COVID-19 test within the 72 hours of arrival. Anyone who is not fully vaccinated will need to arrive by air and undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine.
Minister causes serious harm to State forest ▶ p15
Bring back public university! ▶ p19
The festive season is upon us! ▶ p31
Loving Lismore ▶ p36