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The Byron Shire Echo Issue 40.04 – July 2, 2025

Page 17

Sport / Local News Kate scoops bowling championships

Prosperity, with localisation

Kristine Pryor Congratulations to Kate Baker for winning the Minor Single Championships that was played at Brunswick Heads Bowling Club. Kate and her worthy opponent, Judy Smith, were both fraught with injuries going into the game. One had a stretched calf muscle and the other back pains. But like true professionals, they continued to play. Both played to a very high standard, and by the 18th end, they were even at 14 each. Over the next seven ends however, Kate was able to

From left, Kate Baker and Judy Smith. Photo supplied pull further ahead with the end result being 21 to 16. Thank you to Margaret Darby (our president), for being the marker for this match. This was Kate’s first year

of playing, so we can all see a future star in the making. Q Kristine Pryor is Publicity Officer of Brunswick Heads Women Bowling Club.

EPA report outlines declining ecosystems

T

he latest snapshot around the health of the biodiversity and ecology in NSW has been released, with figures showing more decline of threatened species and the ecosystems that support them. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Chief Executive Officer, Tony Chappel, outlined the impacts of climate change in the State of the Environment report. He added, ‘The ability of remaining habitats in NSW to support native plants, animals and ecosystems has dropped to 29 per cent of their original capacity since pre-industrialisation’. ‘The number of threatened species listings in NSW has increased by 36 since December 2020. In 2024, more than 600 plant species and 300 animal species in NSW are threatened and risk extinction. ‘River condition remains poor or very poor for many areas of the Murray-Darling Basin. Coastal rivers are

State of the Environment report generally in better condition, particularly on the southern coasts’.

Delayed report Greens MLC Sue Higginson said the 676-page report was delayed for release for nearly eight months by the government. She said in a statement, ‘The delayed report has confirmed that the natural systems in NSW that we all rely on are continuing to decline, and comes just one day after the government revealed they underspent on

environment protection by $446 million in the last year’. ‘We should all be furious at the NSW government underspending on environment protection by $446 million. ‘It’s a clear sign that they are just not taking this crisis seriously. ‘They have spent the lowest proportion on environment protection of any government since at least 2016, and the results today in this report show what their disregard has bought’, she said.

Very little improvement ‘Of the 70 key indicators covered in this report, just seven of them show any improvement. ‘The number of indicators that are going backwards is more than three times higher with close to double remaining unknown. ‘I have come to realise this city-based, city-focused Labor Party is not getting it. When Country suffers, we all suffer,’ Ms Higginson said.

As part of World Localisation Day, Relocalise Northern Rivers held an event at Marvell Hall last Saturday to connect and work towards a more localised economy and community resilience. Pictured are Susan Warmer, Sally Cusack, Graham Truswell, Jason Lasky, Alison Drover and Chels Hood Withey. Photo Jeff Dawson

Local woman’s car stolen, trashed after police pursuits Eve Jeffery A local woman was hit by her own car when it was stolen last Friday from Left Bank Road, Mullumbimby Creek. NSW Police say a woman will face court over the alleged break and enter, and three police pursuits from Mullumbimby and through Clunes. The woman, who does not want her name published, says she was preparing herself, her daughter and her car for an outing and was shocked to see someone in the driver’s seat. ‘She fully just ran into me with the car. She was going fast enough to run me down, for sure.

Riding the bonnet ‘Somehow, the way I was standing as she hit me, I sort of leaped onto the bonnet. ‘I didn’t actually get hurt from the impact of the car. I was on the bonnet for a little while, and then I remember

looking down and thinking, “she’s going pretty fast – how am I going to get off? I’ve got to make sure I don’t get underneath”.’ ‘I managed to kind of roll off as she left the driveway and went around the corner.’ The woman says she is largely uninjured, but she has a sore knee and bruises. ‘It’s all a bit of a blur for me. Yesterday I was able to go to where the car is impounded in Lismore. It’s a write off.’ NSW Police say they spotted the car just after 9am on Mullumbimby Road, Mullumbimby, when they attempted to stop the vehicle as checks alleged the vehicle was stolen from the Mullum Creek home. Police say when the vehicle failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated but was terminated owing to a safety concern. Another pursuit was initiated when the car was spotted later, but again terminated in Clunes, owing

to safety concerns. The car was found at Howards Grass, north of Lismore, where it allegedly crashed into a fence before it hit a marked police vehicle. The driver left the scene on foot. A short time later, police say they arrested the 26-year-old woman nearby. She was taken to Lismore Police Station where she was charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, police pursuit, driving dangerously (two counts), use of offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, and stealing property. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Mullumbimby Local Court on July 9. The Mullum woman says she is now without a car, and she and her daughter are stranded at home. A fundraiser has been mounted to help her purchase another car – www.gofundme.com/f/raising-money-for-shivanas-car.

CALLING ALL

SPORTS The Echo wants to support you.

Please send stories, pics, match reports, upcoming events, tall tales (not too tall mind you), results and anecdotes to sport@echo.net.au. www.echo.net.au

`ƖōƷ ǩǽ ǩǧǩǬ The Byron Shire Echo 17


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