‘THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT’ – MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #34 • January 28, 2026 • www.echo.net.au
Celebrating Australia’s Survival Day 2026
Survival Day at the Byron beachfront always draws an enthusiastic crowd. Cr Delta Kay delivered a positive and inspiring speech, and is pictured here with her partner Jason and her daughters and grand-jarjums. Meanwhile in Brunswick Heads, the spectacular sight of the gigantic, silk, Aboriginal flags floating in the breeze never fail to delight. The flags grace the Bruns bridge which leads to the Torakina Reserve where the Bundjalung Minjungbal Jugun crew hold Connection Day exploration of culture, connection to country and celebration through story, music and dance. Pictured is Minjungbal, Uncle Bulagun. Photos Jeff Dawson
Refused DA at 8 Marvell Street, Byron heads to Land and Environment Court Aslan Shand Byron Shire Council (BSC) refused the mixed-use development application (DA) for 8 Marvell Street, Byron Bay on 15 October. The developer has now taken Council to the Land and Environment Court (L&EC) and a L&EC conciliation meeting is taking place this Friday, 30 January. The DA for the demolition of the
existing single-storey cottage on the site to be replaced by ground floor retail uses and 12 residential apartments above was refused on nine grounds by BSC. The refusal letter stated that, ‘the application does not demonstrate that the proposed development makes provision of essential services, flood planning, stormwater management or waste management and the design of the
proposed development is suitable with regards the scale and nature of the proposed development.’
Not in the public interest It was also refused on the basis that ‘the consent authority cannot be satisfied that the application provides sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed development is in the public interest and meets the objects of
the Act to facilitate ecologically sustainable development by integrating relevant economic, environmental and social considerations; to promote the orderly and economic use and development of land; and to promote good design and amenity of the built environment’ and that, ‘the consent authority, cannot be satisfied that the application provides sufficient information to demonstrate
that the proposed development is acceptable with consideration for relevant issues raised in public submissions.’ Local residents objected to the DA, saying it significantly exceeds the height limit of 11.5m with its proposed 14.95m height, as well as its proposed use of ‘every millimetre of the site’ and it ‘does not incorporate any setbacks’. ▶ Continued on page 4
Ceramics take Refugee sisters Budding litterateurs’ Making Spaces – Byron’s Arts & All sorts centre stage in given the chance entries in our short home improvement Industry is well of gigs in Mullum ▶ p4 to shine ▶ p7 story comp ▶ p10 extraordinaires ▶ p16 worth a look ▶ p18 Seven ▶ p20 MEMBERS NIGHTS! MONDAY = Steak Night TUESDAY = Parmi Night THURSDAY = Bangers Night SATURDAY = Pizza Night SUNDAY = Roast Dinner Night
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