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The Byron Shire Echo Issue 40.16 - September 24,2025

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‘SOMEDAY YOU WILL BE OLD ENOUGH TO START READING FAIRY TALES AGAIN.’ – CS LEWIS

The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #16 • September 24, 2025 • www.echo.net.au

Young woman murdered in Mullumbimby A man has been charged after a woman was found deceased in Mullumbimby last Friday, 19 September. About 11.55pm, on Friday police were called to a unit on Poinciana Street, Mullumbimby, following reports of a domestic incident. Officers attached to Tweed-Byron Police District attended and located 23-year-old woman, Ashleigh Grice, deceased inside the unit. A 29-year-old man, Jai OdenJenkins, was arrested at the scene and taken to Byron Bay Police Station. Police established a crime scene and Tweed-Byron detectives commenced Strike Force Deston to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Following inquiries, the 29-yearold was charged with murder domestic violence (DV) on Saturday, 20 September. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday, 21 September. Mr OdenJenkins made no application for bail. This matter is listed for committal on 26 November, 2025 before the Lismore Local Court.

Help needed? If you are experiencing DV call 1800RESPECT (1800 65 64 63) – it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an emergency call 000.

Ashleigh Grice vigil A vigil for Ashleigh is being held on Friday, 26 September from 5pm at the Byron Shire Council Chambers in Mullumbimby, and on ▶ Continued on page 2

Flood-prone Belongil site seeking more houses ▶ p5

Locals and visitors charge up Mount Chincogan

Close to 400 people took part in the annual Chinny Charge, running and walking up Mullumbimby’s Mount Chincogan on Saturday afternoon. Runners, walkers and volunteers were all glad the rain held off allowing everyone to get up and down the mountain safely. Find out who won at The Echo online: www.echo.net.au. Photo Jeff Dawson

Will Council refuse community engagement over carpark development? Paul Bibby How will Byron’s elected councillors respond to the largest community petition they have received this year? This is the question facing our elected officials at this week’s Council meeting as they consider a petition personally signed by 2,411 locals opposing the construction of an

How to avoid a shark attack ▶ p13

affordable housing development in the centre of Mullumbimby. The ink-on-paper petition, organised by the Mullumbimby Residents Association, calls for Council to abandon the public carpark at 57 Station Street as the chosen location for its housing project. ‘We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the Mayor and Councillors or

Byron Shire Shire Council to relocate the above proposal to an alternative more suitable site for affordable housing within Mullumbimby.’ So far councillors of all political persuasions have maintained a united front in support of the project, with most electing not to comment publicly. However, Council guidelines state that when

The role algae can play in removing PFAS ▶ p14

a compliant petition with more 1,000 signatories comes before Council, councillors are required to ‘consider initiating community engagement on the topic’. The question of whether they will do so may well be answered at this Thursday’s Council meeting. In a report to councillors in this week’s agenda Council’s Director of

How to entertain the kids these school holidays ▶ p19

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Corporate and Community Services has recommended to councillors that, despite the very large number of signatures, they should not engage in any further community engagement on the topic. The director said that the project had followed ‘a transparent and accountable decisionmaking process’. ▶ Continued on page 7

Explore the Rail Trail from Casino to Tweed ▶ p24

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Jonson Street, Byron Bay • 02 6685 6878 • www.byronbayservicesclub.com.au


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The Byron Shire Echo Issue 40.16 - September 24,2025 by Echo Publications - Issuu