‘NOW CHAMPIONING MASS CENSORSHIP’ The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #17 • October 1, 2025 • www.echo.net.au
Flags up Last weekend saw the beginning of beach patrols up and down the NSW coast for the summer season with Brunswick Surf Patrol’s Dave Kyle-Robinson, Susan Asherg, Kyle Dunsire, and Patrol Captain Craig Reid ensuring we have safe local beaches. Photo Jeff ‘Beyond Rescue’ Dawson
Mullumbimby Road closure to cripple community Aslan Shand From now through to the new year is the high point for many businesses in Mullumbimby. It is the time when they have the highest turnover and make the money they need to see them through the leaner times of the year. The current roadworks on Mullumbimby Road between Mullumbimby and the M1 have already seen some local businesses experience a downturn in business with one business, who asked not to be named, saying they have seen a 10-15 per cent drop on this time last year. Longtime Made In Mullum member Lally Marshall agrees,
Mullumbimby mourns Ashleigh Grice ▶ p2
telling The Echo that, ‘Even with the current roadworks, we’ve already seen a drop in foot traffic. If Mullumbimby becomes too hard to access over Christmas, it could be devastating, not just for us and the 70-plus small businesses we support but for the economic resilience of Mullumbimby as a whole.’ Stage 2 of the roadworks will see outbound traffic closed to all but emergency vehicles and school buses for at least four months from 13 October. The predicted closure has seen a significant outcry from local businesses and the community who say this is unacceptable. ‘This upgrade is long overdue. I have been in business in Mullum for over 45 years and this upgrade
Council comes back around to a Suffo roundabout ▶ p4
should have been done many years ago,’ said John Waterhouse who owns Mullum InStyle Living with Jo Newman. ‘My main concern is what impact Stage 2 will have leading up to Christmas and the Christmas school holidays. December and January are by far our best trading months. Without these my business will struggle to cover costs for the year.’ ‘Also, customers from Ocean Shores, Tweed and further north will be reluctant to use Coolamon Scenic Drive to leave Mullum. It is a very narrow, winding road and is a recipe for serious road accidents. I have two staff members who live in Ocean Shores and they are very reluctant to use this road.
Remembering how to communicate ▶ p10
‘Night works have been thrown up as an option, but I do understand that there are delivery, extra costs and safety issues. If night works are not an option then the day works must be structured so that there is two-way traffic, albeit using stopand-go one lane at a time, all day every day until completion.’ Paul Prior, President of Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce agrees telling The Echo that, ‘The Chamber can’t understand why a stop-and-go system is not in place during roadworks. If buses and emergency vehicles can get through, why can’t those who need to use the road, use it? To cut off access for four months is unheard of.’
Some summer sport sign-ons ▶ p17
‘Byron Shire Council should not have had the roadworks go ahead without access for the town that won’t damage local businesses and the community.’ According to local businesswoman Sharon McGrath, Byron Shire Council has been presented with two independent construction assessments that make it clear night works are possible. The Echo approached Federal MP Justine Elliot and State MP Tamara Smith to ask if they were advocating for either night work funding or alternative options to closing the road for four months. ‘These are all matters for Byron Shire Council,’ Mrs Elliot said. ▶ Continued on page 3
Holiday activities galore ▶ p20
The arts in focus ▶ p22
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