Community Newsroom: weekly program

Join us this week on the Community Newsroom as we bring you stories from near and far. We'll be taking a closer look at the Byron Bay Sandhills Wetlands restoration project, which has just received national recognition after winning the Landscape category at the 2026 National Trust Heritage Awards. We'll also be speaking with the Federal Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, not only about the wetlands project but also about recent changes announced in the Federal Budget and what they could mean for communities across the Northern Rivers. Ballina Shire residents could also be facing higher rates next financial year if the council's application to the state's Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is approved. Ballina Shire Council is one of several local governments seeking additional revenue, and we'll hear from Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, who spoke with Mia Armitage earlier this month. Mia will also be reporting on what the New South Wales Government is calling the largest pay rise for nurses and midwives in decades, following years of sustained union campaigning. She sits down with New South Wales Nurses and Midwives' Association Byron Central Branch President Liz McCall to discuss what the changes mean for healthcare workers and the communities they serve. We'll also touch on an interview Mia conducted this week with activists involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, who returned to Australian shores earlier this week, bringing firsthand accounts of their mission and experiences. All that and more, coming up on this week's Community Newsroom.

We hear a lot about affordable housing but the definition seems to differ depending where you look. We hear how the Byron Shire Council plans to address the confusion when Greens Councillor Elia Hague joins us to discuss some of the items raised in this week’s council meeting. One of her other notices of motion related to building on floodplains, and we hear some related matters when Echo Publications Editor Aslan Shand joins us to discuss an audit report released this week of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, fresh from an interview with two key agency representatives. It's National Road Safety Week and we hear from a father in a family driven by the preventable death of their daughter on the country’s busiest highway to campaign for the survival of others on Aussie roads. Sarah’s national road safety legacy featuring Safer Australian Roads And Highways (SARAH) group founder Peter Fraser (Emma Setterfield-Smith) Lismore City Council media policy likely unlawful, says dissenting councillorfeaturing Labor Lismore City Councillor Jasmine Knight-Smith (Mia Armitage) Zero homes delivered through key disaster recovery program featuring The Byron Shire Echo Editor Aslan Shand Grandson of Nakba survivor speaks in Brisbane against QLD hate speech laws featuring Nakba survivor descendent Zack; lawyer Nick Hannay (Dr John Jiggens) A place to (temporarily) call home for Queer Family featuring Queer Family Inc spokesperson Aiden Gentle; Greens Byron Shire Councillor Elia Hague Defining affordable housing featuring Greens Byron Shire Councillor Elia Hague Rail trail funding denied featuring Greens Byron Shire Councillor; Byron resident and Bay FM presenter Judy Shelly Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed (Karen Crick) executive producer: Mia Armitage assistant producer: Emma Setterfield-Smith  Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC (L-R): Mia Armitage, Byron Shire Cr Elia Hague, Emma Setterfield-Smith (Gayle Cue)

CN 15-05-26 Byron rallies to save beached yacht; No support for renters in Federal Budget; Public meeting to discuss old Byron rail line; The Northern Rivers print-your-own newspaper putting local stories on the record Gov’t accused of missed opportunities in Federal Budget featuring Independent ACT Senator David Pocock (Noah Secombe, National Radio News) No support for renters in Federal Budgetfeaturing House You spokesperson Chels Hood Withey Byron rallies to save beached yacht featuring skipper Jeff Sutton (Emma Setterfield-Smith) Public meeting to discuss old Byron rail line featuring Byron Shire Councillors David Warth and Michelle Lowe and Byron resident and Bay FM presenter Judy Shelly (Mia Armitage with Emma Setterfield-Smith) The Northern Rivers print-your-own newspaper putting local stories on the record featuring NSW Local Woman of the Year and Indy NR Editor Susanna Freymark Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed (Karen Crick) executive producer: Mia Armitage assistant producer: Emma Setterfield-Smith  Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: in Community Newsroom 15-05-26 (Michael Magee)  

Join us for this week’s Community Newsroom. This week, we take a moment to reflect on the tragic loss of two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers who died while attempting to save a skipper aboard a yacht in distress. The yacht operator also lost their life during the rescue mission. We hear from Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews, Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib, Marine Rescue Ballina Unit Commander Peter Hill, and Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, as they share their thoughts on the tragedy and pay tribute to those who were lost. We’ll also be speaking with Member for Ballina Tamara Smith about her decision not to contest next year’s state election after serving three terms. Later in the program, we hear from Ella Bancroft, CEO of The Returning Indigenous Corporation — a women-led not-for-profit organisation working across communities from Evans Head to Brisbane. The organisation is currently running an exciting program for girls aged 13 to 17, with a mission to reconnect people with community, culture, and Country. And finally, we’ll hear from Peter Greste, the Australian journalist who was sentenced to seven years in prison in Egypt after being accused of “airing false news” while reporting for Al Jazeera.  

It’s time to play… sport, that is, especially for women and girls in NSW, where a new program is already kicking goals. Meanwhile, a couple of women from Bay FM who prefer to play music and other audio pleasures in support of artists share news of a national award nomination and how aspiring songwriters on the Northern Rivers can have a chance at having their work recorded to industry standard. Further inland, Nimbin’s annual Mardi Grass protestival is happening this weekend with the usual forecast rain, cannabis experts from near and far, Sunday parade and police presence. Support for women in sport featuring featuring NSW Office of Sport Play Her Way Partnerships and Participation Manger Kerry Turner (Emma Setterfield-Smith) Who will roll up at this year’s Nimbin Mardi Grass featuring Hemp Embassy President Michael Balderstone (Dr John Jiggens) Longtime Bay FM volunteer nominated for national award featuring Bay FM Arts Canvass Producer/Presenter and creator of The Narratives Library Karena Wynn-Moylan  and author Trent Dalton (Mia Armitage) The only songwriting comp on the Northern Rivers is back featuring Bay FM Northern Rivers Music Box Producer/Presenter and BaySounds founder Ange Kent (Mia Armitage) Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick executive producer: Mia Armitage assistant producer: Emma Setterfield-Smith  Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: in the Community Newsroom with Bay FM producers (faces visible L-R) Mia Armitage, Emma Setterfield-Smith (back) and Karena Wynn-Moylan (pic by Peter Wynn-Moylan)

Join us for this week's Community Newsroom.  On this week’s show, we hear from former Australian Forces member David Baikie, as he reflects on his time in service and what ANZAC Day means today. Mia Armitage sits down with Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader to talk about how crown lands are managed, new changes and what that could mean for local communities. The Wire's Eduardo Jordan speaks with Multicultural Affairs Minister Anne Aly about the vital role migrants play in opening businesses and shaping Australia’s economy. We also dive into the environment, with Water Expert Ian Wright from University of Sydney. We unpack the growing issue of microplastics in NSW waterways and see if it's already too late to implement change.  Plus, Tune FM’s Ash Taylor reports on a new approach to detecting trafficked wildlife in shipping containers, speaking with Georgia Moloney from University of Adelaide about innovations like sniffer dogs and air extraction technology. And finally, we look to the coast - as Chris Weir from the Department of Primary Industries explains new artificial reefs being installed along NSW, aimed at boosting marine life and fishing tourism. You won’t want to miss it!

Join us in the Community Newsroom this week! We speak with Kylie Jacky who leads Aboriginal Initiatives at the NSW Environment Protection Authority and serves as chairperson of the Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council. She discusses an upcoming international delegation, with eight members travelling to New York for a United Nations summit. The group will raise concerns about the displacement of Cabbage Tree Island residents following the 2022 floods, bringing local voices to a global stage. We also hear from Greens councillor Michelle Lowe from the Byron Shire Council. She will be discussing a Notice of Motion, calling for an independent study into the financial impacts of tourism on the region. If adopted, the proposal would see Council partner with a university to carry out a comprehensive look at how tourism is shaping Byron’s economy—and what that means for the future of the Shire. And closer to home, our very own Robbie Armfield shares his experience of a fire that broke out at an e-bike shop just across the road from the Bay FM studios.  We will also be updating you on some of recent updates within the Byron Shire Council. 

Join us this Easter Friday for a vibrant celebration of sound, featuring a curated selection from the Australian Music AirPlay Project. From pop and reggae to blues and electronic, you’ll experience a rich mix of genres—each bringing its own unique energy. Most importantly, every track showcases the powerful voices and creativity of First Nations artists. For more information, you can find the artists and song titles below: 0:00 - Gary Kennedy, Loving you Tonight 4:40 - Adam James, Blame it on the Weather 7:25 - Grace Alexandra, Spotlight 11:00 - Justin Standley, My Eternal Blue eyes  15:10 - Justin Standley, That's Not Love  19:05 - Mia Lovelock, Dance All In The Sun 21:40 - Nathan May, Love From Me 25:43 - Ray Dimakarri Dixon - Crayfish 30:15 - GLVES, Change 34:30 - Ron Callaghan, Poor Man 38:30 - Sunny Luwe, Blue Skies  40:00 - The Country Gospel Band, Lonely Road To Calvary  44:30 - Velvet Trip, Burnin' Up  48:00 - Roger Knox, T is For Today  51:10 - Joan & The Giants, Still Breathing  55:00 - Naomi Diane, Same Sky  58:00 - Kirsty Lee Akers, It's The Little Things  

Today we follow the money, in the Byron Shire at least, with an expert guide to ‘developer contributions’ ie. fees… but not always, as we learn thanks to the council’s assets and major projects manager, who joins us in the studio to explain how you can have a say in how the funds are spent. Something’s frothing at Clarkes Beach but it ain’t the surf… we find out what’s up with thanks to a long-term local who reckons he’s been keeping tabs on a possibly illegal drain spewing toxic brown water onto the beach for the past 16 years. All isn’t well over in New Zealand when it comes to relations between the government and Maori representatives but we hear how generational changes could alter dynamics; and how a new film accidentally caught the last days of one of Russia’s only independent TV news outlets. 18 years since the National Apology featuring former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Took the children away by Archie Roach (Fernando de Freitas) Following the $$ in Byron Shire and how to have your sayfeaturing Byron Shire Council Assets and Major Projects Manager Christopher Soulsby NZ gov’t accused of racist politics featuring Auckland University Māori Studies Professor and Ngāti Kahu leaderMargaret Mutu (Harrison Pederson, The Wire) The Byron beach frothing in a bad way featuring Byron resident George Graham (Emma Setterfield-Smith) Filming the last days of independent Russian TV featuring Julia Loktev, director of My Undesirable Friends, Part 1: Last Air in Moscow (Stephen Hill, The Wire) Northern Rivers News with Emma Setterfield-Smith (Karen Crick) *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: brown stormwater discharge on Clarkes Beach (pic supplied)

Join us for our first live show of 2026 — we’re thrilled to be back in the Community Newsroom. To open the program, we speak with Australia Day 2026 Honours List recipient Nicole Lockie, a remarkable local woman from the Northern Rivers who has made an extraordinary contribution to our community. Nicole is a long-term volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW, serving at the Point Danger Unit in the Tweed Shire. As a coxswain, she has dedicated more than 24 years to marine rescue. Nicole reflects on some of her most challenging moments on the water, including helping to rescue a trawler off the Tweed Coast in 2017 and carrying out six rescues in a single day. Newsroom Cadet Emma Setterfield-Smith also speaks with Maiy Azize, National Spokesperson for housing campaign Everybody’s Home, about the end of the National Rental Affordability Scheme. Introduced in 2008 to increase access to affordable housing for low to middle income earners, the scheme’s end is expected to push many people into the private rental market. Maiy shares her concerns about the impacts and discusses what steps the Federal Government should take next. Midway through the program we are joined by Aslan Shand from Echo Publications, who has just announced a change of role within the organisation. Aslan and former editor Hans Lovejoy have swapped positions, marking a new chapter for the publication. We hear what prompted the change, the plans ahead and how The Echo has continued to remain a trusted voice within the Byron Shire community. We also hear the mid-day Northern Rivers News with Anny Reid, with production assistance from Karen Crick. *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org NRN Community News Room Pic: Aslan Shand, Print Editor of Echo Publications (Emma Setterfield-Smith)   

Steve Snelgrove presented his last Radio Mundial program for Bay FM in March 2025, after 24 years. Hear how a boy from Sheffield, UK, who had no sense of sound for his first four years of life, came to become an avid fan of a genre record companies called “world music,” he says, because “they couldn’t think of anything else”. From reggae and punk to music from parts of Africa and around the globe, Steve has constantly relished the new, the long-forgotten, and the re-discovered, sharing his passion with community radio every week for decades. Enjoy this special feature interview with Steve, featuring just some of the music to have marked his radio journey from the ‘80s to 2025. 1 . From Sheffield to the Bay: cheerio Radio Mundial P1 featuring former Bay FM Radio Mundial presenter Steve Snelgrove (Part 1 of 2-part interview) 2. From Sheffield to the Bay: cheerio Radio Mundial P2 featuring former Bay FM Radio Mundial presenter Steve Snelgrove (Part 2 of 2-part interview) *producer: Mia Armitage. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Steve Snelgrove (Mia Armitage)

Two days into the new year, with the silly season pretty well over, seems the perfect time to reflect on some of the people and stories that captured our attention in 2025 as we slow down with summer and take stock of how far, or otherwise, we’ve come. Poetry is often a perfect partner for reflection and we spend a few minutes towards the end of the hour listening to some original words by Schwartz Media CEO and editor-in-chief Eric Jensen, who was in the Byron Shire last year for what ended being a washed-out and largely cancelled  Byron Writers Festival in Bangalow. Most of the conversation is related to the news industry in Australia and the contributions of independent journalism like that at Schwartz Media but Erik Jensen also happens to be a wonderful and generous published poet, so we get the best of both worlds in today’s program. We also listen back to how a few major turning points played out in Australia’s legal systems in 2025, including compensation for victims of police strip searches at the 2018 Splendour in the Grass music festival here in Byron; a summary of final submissions in the live-streamed so-called ‘Save Wallum’ case featuring activists, housing developers and threatened species over at Brunswick Heads; and we start with the status of whistleblower protection in Australia, as back in May we heard of two important cases, the failed appeal for Australian Afghan Files whistleblower David McBride and separately, the jail sentence for prominent Australian whistleblower, Richard Boyle, formerly of the Australian Taxation Office. Double blow for whistleblower protection in Australia featuring Greens Senator and party spokesperson for justice David Shoebridge (Dr John Jiggens) Lismore lawyer for teen illegally strip-searched at Splendour in the Grass welcomes Supreme Court findings featuring Tracey Randall Legal Principal Solicitor Tracey Randall Five threatened species take to the stand featuring Save Wallum campaigner Svea Pittman (Michelle Michels, Eco Futures) Poetry in the rain with Schwartz Media CEO Erik Jensen featuring Schwartz Media CEO and Editor in Chief Erik Jensen  *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Schwartz Media CEO and Editor in Chief Erik Jensen, Byron Writers Festival 2025(Mia Armitage)

Nan’s The Word – Bumpy Shadows – Cooee Take Me to The River – Emma Donovan Wild Horses and Broken Hearts – KYARNA Jensen’s Swap – Justin Standley At least for now (feat.Anthony Liddell, Jake Amy, Kasinda Faase) – Kee’ahn & Pataphysics The Fixer (feat.Quarralia Knox & Kutcha Edwards) – KYARNA Swat My Way – Nancy Bates What You’re Missing – Ray Dimakarri Dixon Moth To The Flame – The DK Effect Always (Low Lights Version) – Tia Gostelow Cool Life – Toni Janke Walk Me To The End Of The Marsh – Victor Patrick Hold on To Me – Ron Callaghan Darwin Son – Nathan May Rain Song – Kallum Mungulu Playlist curated by Emma Setterfield-Smith all tracks available via AMRAP PIC Mia Armitage

Today’s program is our last official program for the year and we spend some time listening back to some highlights from the year gone. We hear about turtle eggs rescued across the NSW north coast before tidal surges from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred; how community groups across the region including here in the Byron Shire are preparing for future climate disasters such as the floods and landslides of 2022; and what the local Labor member for Richmond, Justine Elliot, had to say when she was re-elected in Labor’s landslide election win earlier this year, her eighth election win in Richmond in a row. It’s not all serious, stay tuned for some comedy later in today’s program when we listen to what was officially a Virgins Sacrifice from Mandy Nolan’s last comedy course, our very own former Community Newsroom reporter Adele Smout. First though, some local news about a new picnic and recreation area to be created in the hinterland, our cadet Emma Setterfield-Smith has the story. Grand plans for old Bexhill quarry w Emma Setterfield-Smith Thousands of turtle eggs saved from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfredfeaturing NSW National Parks and Wildlife Project Officer Andy Marshall Migrant worker with impaired vision sees a way featuring International Day of People with Disabilities AmbassadorSantiago Velasquez (Emma Meyers, Powered Media) Labor’s Justine Elliot wins eighth federal election in Richmond electorate Prepping for disaster in the Byron Shire featuring Wilsons Creek, Huon Brook and Whanganui Community Association President Steven Millard and South Golden Beach, New Brighton and Ocean Shores Community Resilience Hub President Bec McNaught (Julie Beesley, Eco Futures) Anything but boring: former newsreader tries stand-up featuring Adele Smout *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot (Tree Faerie, Echo Publications)

Cass Lillis is from Crabbes Creek, she’d been struck down with a virus and had no home reception when she spoke to me yesterday from somewhere near Crabbes Creek but she sat in her car on the side of the road to share over the phone what she has seen and heard in a place where most reporters fear to tred: Gaza. The second half of the program includes another special feature, a deep dive into how streaming platforms are impacting artists and the music scene in general in Australia. And stay tuned for some good news when our cadet Emma Setterfield-Smith finds out what the Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital plans to do with $2 million in recently announced federal funds, an election promise made and it seems kept by Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot. Northern Rivers ICU nurse returns from Gaza featuringclinical nurse specialist in critical care Cass Lillis Community radio kills the streaming star featuring Triple R Breakfasters Presenter Jas Moore, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Music Director Andrew Khedoori, Musician David Bridie (Noah Secomb) Enough for a year: how Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital will spend $2 million in fed funds featuring Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital Strategy and marketingGeneral Manager Russell Mills (Emma Setterfield-Smith) Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Northern Rivers clinical specialist in critical care Cass Lillis in Gaza (pic supplied)

Community spirit has been strong on the Northern Rivers, with record attendance at the Ballina march for an end to domestic violence and more than $100,000 raised in less than a week to try to have the Bangalow Bowlo in community hands. Ballina marches against domestic violence w Emma Setterfield-Smith Something fishy about Tassie salmon featuring Bob Brown Foundation Marine Campaigner Alistair Allen(Rosh Vee, The Wire) Community raises more than $100K to save bowlo w The Bangalow Herald Editor Sally Schofield Will Trump deploy the national guard in next presidential elections? w Kate Payne Christmas fundraiser for Gaza w Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine Member and former Independent Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed and Emma Setterfield-Smith (produced by Karen Crick) *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: (L-R) CN reporters past and present Anny Reed; Mia Armitage; Kate Payne; Emma Setterfield-Smiith in Byron Bay (anonymous)

‘Tis the season for Schoolies, and Byron is one of the famously popular Australian school-leaver destinations. The event has a long and varied history in Byron, from heady, alcohol-fuelled days earlier this century to some distinctly more sober affairs in recent times. Today we hear what police are planning for this year in terms of safety operations for Schoolies in Byron, and also about a safety campaign for schoolies planning to travel overseas for their rite of passage. Elsewhere, we hear what the experts and advocates have to say about the outcomes or otherwise of this year’s United Nations climate forum, and a special guest joins us late in the program to let us know about a local Christmas campaign for the needy. Last week on the program we caught up with Greens Byron Shire Councillor Elia Hague about changes announced to state planning laws that reduce council powers, housing projects in the Byron Shire including the Station Street units proposal and the former Mullumbimby hospital site. A couple of those topics and more came up at this week’s ordinary council meeting, the first one for our new cadet, Emma Setterfield-Smith, who lets us know what public access at a council meeting is really like since it’s one of the aspects of meetings to be restricted in new changes brought in by the state government. Hopes for another zero-arrests Byron Schoolies featuringTweed Byron Police District Detective Acting Inspector Donna Tutt Warning to Schoolies headed OS featuring DrinkWise CEO Simon Strahan (Azucena Carrasco) A cadet’s first Byron Shire Council meeting w Emma Setterfield-Smith Slow progress at COP30 featuring Professor Matthew Harrison - climate Resilience Leader at the University of Tasmania; Rebekkah Markey - Towler - research fellow at Melbourne Climate Futures and PhD candidate at the Melbourne Law School (Sam Georgiou, The Wire) Byron’s Christmas hamper call-out for the needy featuring Liberation Larder President John Morgan Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Liberation Larder Christmas hamper donations call-out 2025, Byron Bay (Mia Armitage)

Greens Byron Shire Councillor Elia Hague joins us in the studio to discuss changes announced to state planning laws that reduce council powers, the controversial Station Street units proposal in Mullumbimby and the prospect of retaining public land at the old Mullum hospital site for housing. We also hear about this week’s buyback house auction in Lismore, thanks to our new newsroom cadet Emma Setterfield-Smith, a regen group proud to be planting their millionth tree,  and how NSW Police’s Operation Amarok the Twelfth targeting domestic violence offenders went on the Northern Rivers. 21 DV arrests on the Northern Rivers as police prepare to march in Ballina featuringRichmond Police Acting Superintendent Susie Johnston and Tweed Byron Police District Detective Acting Inspector Gary Sheehan (Parts 1 and 2 of 2-part interview )mpulse buying at the latest buybacks auction in Lismore featuring PRD Northern Rivers Principal Rob Horder (Emma Setterfield-Smith) Greens Byron Shire Councillor Hague on loss of planning powers, selling public land in Mullum and her support of carpark units proposal featuring Greens Byron Shire Cr Elia Hague Regen group celebrates millionth tree planting featuring ReForest NOW CEO Maximo Bottaro Northern Rivers News with Emma Setterfield-Smith (Karen Crick) *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Greens Byron Shire Councillor Elia Hague (Emma Setterfield-Smith)

PIC (L-R): Labor Byron Shire Councillor Asren Pugh and The Bangalow Herald Editor Sally Schofield (PIC: Gayle Cue)  

We catch up with Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye about reported business closures owing to the Mullumbimby Road upgrades, pokies in the Bangalow pub and did you hear the Bangalow Bowlo has closed? Listen in to find out more, as well as how you can let the minister for regional transport know your thoughts on public transport. We also hear a tribute to a young Palestinian photo journalist killed on duty as part of the UN’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists and of calls to ban nudifying apps, currently threatening the safety of children and women, in particular. End of era for iconic Byron businesses featuringByron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye (Parts 1 and 2 of 4-part interview) RIP Alfred featuring Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye and SONG, The Long Road performed by Eddie Vedder and Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Free apps available for kids to virtually strip female classmates naked and more featuring Collective Shout Campaign Leader Caitlin Roper Remembering journos killed on the job featuring The Age Editor and Senior Journalist Maher Mughrabi (Dr John Jiggens) Northern Rivers News with Anny Reed (Karen Crick) *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye (Robbie Armfield)

Last week’s class action resulted in a $93,000 payout from police for a lead claimant strip-searched at Splendour in the Grass 2018 and today we hear from a local lawyer who also represented someone strip-searched at the same festival that year to find out how the two cases compare and contrast. Seven activists from Australia who were part of a protest flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza are still in Jordan, after Israeli troops bombed, then stormed the ships before detaining them, allegedly torturing at least one, and then sent them to Jordan. We hear from Northern Rivers local Anandan McEwen, whose brother Surya McEwen is the very activist alleged to have been captured, detained, tortured and sent to Jordan. Bushfire danger season in the Byron Shire featuringRural Fire Service Far North Coast Operations Manager Brother of Byron activist allegedly tortured by Israeli Defence Force reports featuring Anandan McEwen and former Independent Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey, both members of Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine Lismore lawyer for teen illegally strip-searched at Splendour in the Grass welcomes Supreme Court findings featuring Tracey Randall Legal Principal Solicitor Tracey Randall Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRNPIC: Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine members Anandan McEwan and Cate Coorey (Gayle Cue)

It’s been a big week locally and in federal politics this week. We hear about the long-awaited national climate risk assessment report as well as this week’s buyback house auction in Lismore and of the argument in support of the NSW government’s proposal to allow magistrates to be referred to as judges, with former magistrate David Heilpern explaining the differences and similarities. On Thursday, protestors took to the roof top of MP Justine Elliot’s electorate office in the Tweed. Ms Elliot is the long running federal Labor member for Richmond and the protestors were rallying for stronger national government action in support of Palestine, we hear more from lead protest spokesperson, former Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey. Disagreement over definition of antisemitism promoted at mayoral summit featuring  Combat Anti-Semitism Movement board Advisory Member Dr Ron Weiser; Independent journalist Michael West media Yaakov Aharon (Liz Cush, The Wire) Shouting support for Palestine from MP’s office rooftop featuring former Independent Byron Shire Councillor and Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine member Cate Coorey Australia’s dire climate risk assessment finally released featuring Greenpeace member Dr Simon Bradshaw (Mary-Kate Hannagan, The Wire) Buyback houses auctioned off in Limsore featuring Wal and Murrays First National Real Estate Salesperson Ben Conte HIV rates down but STI rates up in Australia featuring Kirby Institute Epidemiologist Dr Sky McGregor (Eduardo Jordan, The Wire) Yes, Your Honour: Labor bill for magistrates to be called judges featuring former Southern Cross University Dean of Law and former NSW magistrate David Heilpern Northern Rivers News with Mia Armitage *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: former Independent Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey on the roof of MP Justine Elliot’s electorate office Thursday 18th September 2025 (supplied)

In a week that started with tens of thousands of protesters marching in support for Palestine across Australia, advocacy from the Northern Rivers has been loud and highly visible. Reporter Hannah Rowles was at Brisbane’s march, where about 150 Northern Rivers’ representatives showed up, most wearing pretend blue ‘media vests’ displaying the names of journalists killed in Palestine since the October 7 Hammas attack in Israel in 2023. Later, passionate debate was heard at the Byron Shire Council meeting about taking stronger local action against companies that profit from human rights abuses in Gaza and we hear some of the key speeches shared in public access in response to a motion from Greens Councillor Elia Hague. Greens NSW Member of the Legislative Council Cate Faaehrmann has been speaking out in parliament against public funds being given to certain music festivals in Sydney, she joins us to explain her concerns. Bay FM has some more exciting news to share this week, Belly host Rasela Torise joins us to reveal which of her projects has been selected for national broadcast and which has been selected for renewed funding. The college still operating in Gaza featuring Senior Advocacy Advisor at The Alannah and Madeline Foundation Stephen Bendle (Sam Georgiou, The Wire) Byron Shire Council debates procurement policy in relation to Palestine featuring Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, speakers in public access, Greens Councillor Elia Hague, Labor Councillor Asren Pugh Greens MP calls for micro-festivals to receive funding featuring Greens NSW Member of the Legislative Council Cate Faehrmann Wise Older Women to air nationally as second Bay FM series production announced featuring WOW producer and Belly presenter Rasela Torise Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: former Independent Byron Shire Councillor Cate Coorey (centre) with other Palestine supporters at Brisbane march Sunday 24th August 2025 (supplied)

Today we hear from Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith after a busy season of parliamentary sittings in Sydney. Calls for an inquiry into police investigations of Lindy Lucena’s death in Ballina nearly two years ago, a hunter’s rights bill described as the most regressive move on gun rights since the Port Arthur massacre, and the controversial proposal for a trial of a Special Entertainment Precinct in Byron Bay are all items on the agenda for discussion. Bay FM has some exciting news to share in the likes of newly funded content, Make A Change host Dione Green joins us to reveal details of a new current affairs segment to feature on the long-running Wednesday morning program this Spring. NSW hunting bill sent for inquiry featuring Senior Advocacy Advisor at The Alannah and Madeline Foundation Stephen Bendle (Sam Georgiou, The Wire) The ‘renoviction’ loophole featuring University of Sydney Institute for Public Policy and Governance Sociologist Professor Alan Morris(Thomas Koutis, The Wire) Pressure on federal gov’t to ‘make polluters pay’ featuring Make Big Polluters Pay Australia Strategic Campaign Lead Julie-Anne Richards (Mary-Kate Hannagan, The Wire) Business backs consumer-focussed soft plastics recycling featuring University of Tasmania Behavioural Economist Robert Hoffman (Delaney Carter, The Wire) Ballina MP ‘not taking sides’ featuring Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith New Queer’d News to come to Bay FM featuring Bay FM Make A Change presenter and Queer’d News producer Dione Green Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: buyback housing demolition in Lismore (supplied)

Homeless camp outside minister’s office; More on Byron’s Special Entertainment Precinct; Poetry in the rain with Schwartz Media CEO Erik Jensen; Productivity, climate change and AI; Tassie bans greyhound racing Byron community still concerned about prospect of Special Entertainment Precinct Hannah Rowles Tassie moves to ban Greyhound racing featuring RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins (Maeve Groom, The Wire) Climate action an economic priority for productivity commission featuring Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie(Mary-Kate Hannagan, The Wire) Productivity commission pitches tax breaks for AI copy/paste featuring Australian Copyright Council CEO Eileen Camilleri (Jordan Zerella, The Wire) Homeless camped outside minister’s office featuring House You founder Chels Hood Withey Poetry in the rain with Schwartz Media CEO Erik Jensen featuring Schwartz Media CEO and Editor in Chief Erik Jensen Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Schwartz Media CEO and Editor in Chief Erik Jensen (Mia Armitage)

Today we hear from Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, as she explains what the council hopes to achieve now the government has approved Byron Bay for the state’s first Special Entertainment Precinct. Stay tuned to hear her vision for the old Byron Bay Hospital to be used to house key workers like nurses after she met one living in her van. Later in the show we head to the Clarence Valley, where the council has joined with community group Clarence Catchment Alliance to call for greater water protections against pollution impacts from critical mineral mining and exploration, something that may well become an issue in the Byron Shire in coming years. Reporter Dr John Jiggens was down in Myall Creek last week for commemorations of the massacre memorial there, and brings us a special account of the occasion as we continue to work towards reconciliation here on the Northern Rivers. All that and more on today’s show, including Sydney heading fully electric. Byron’s Special Entertainment Precinct (part 1 of 2) featuring Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye Byron mayor pushes for old hospital to be used as housing (part 2 of 2) featuring Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye Sydney goes fully electric featuring University of Sydney School of Social and Political Sciences Senior lecturer Dr. Lee White(Jordan Zerella, The Wire) Aussie queer community doubles featuring Charles Darwin University Lead Researcher Fiona Shalley (Sihang Wang, The Wire) Concerns over water pollution from rare earth mining Featuring Clarence Catchment Alliance spokesperson Shae Fleming Myall Creek Massacre Memorial 25 years on (Dr John Jiggens) SONG: Lest we forget performed by the Ozy Youth Choir Honouring Defence Service (Emma Myers) Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick *producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: mapping of exploration licences for rare earth mining around the Clarence Valley catchment (supplied)

Today we’re joined by Byron Echo Publications editor Hans Lovejoy for a final take on the Byron Shire Council as they enter their winter break ten months after election in September last year.  Later in the show we hear about this week’s release of a report on phase two of the national science agency’s $11.4 million Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative.  We’ll also catch up on last week’s Fair Work Commission decision on the case between the ABC and former employee Antoinette Lattouf. Byron Shire Council accused of behind-closed-doors decisions featuring Byron Shire Echo Editor Hans Lovejoy ‘A win for journalism and democracy,’ says Kostakidous of Lattouf case featuring acclaimed Australian journalist Mary Kostakisous (Cathy Vogan, Consortium News) Light planes and tiny boats used to flood-map Norhern RIvers featuring CSIRO NRRI Principal Lead Researcher Jai Vaze Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick producer: Mia Armitage. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org*with production assistance from Karen CrickFacebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: Byron Shire Echo Editor Hans Lovejoy (Mae Soper)

Today we turn our attention to the law as we catch up on the recent failed appeal for Afghan Files whistleblower David McBride, final submissions in the Save Wallum federal court case against the Wallum Estate developers, Clarence Property, changes brought into effect this week for Australian family law and the country’s racial discrimination act fifty years after its introduction. Stay tuned later in the show to hear how scientists are using tracking technology to try to help improve species numbers of marine megawildlife. Double blow for whistleblower protection in Australia featuring Greens Senator and party spokesperson for justice David Shoebridge (Dr John Jiggens) Pets recognised as companion animals instead of property featuring Burke-Mangan Lawyers Director Kylie Burke (Jordan Zerella, The Wire) Renewed calls for Australian human rights act 50 years after racial discrimination act featuring Whitlam Institute Research and Policy Director Professor Azadeh Dastyari (Calvin Lee, The Wire) Final submissions on behalf of threatened species heard in Wallum fed court case featuring Save Wallum campaign spokesperson Svea Pittman (Michelle Michels, Eco Futures, Bay FM) From the mountains to the sea: prepping in the Byron Shire featuring President of the Wilsons Creek, Huon Brook and Whanganui Community Association Steven Millard and President of the Community Resilience Hub for South Golden Beach, New Brighton and Ocean Shores Bec McNaught (Julie Beesley, Eco Futures, Bay FM) Scientists combine satellite data to track marine megafauna featuring Australian National University Research School of Biology Group Leader Associate Professor Ana Sequeira(Toni Pankaluic , The Wire) Northern Rivers News with Karen Crick producer: Mia Armitage. Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN PIC: David McBride (Mia Armitage)