IN THE MEDIA
Short term letting law means less choice for locals
Media Release 15 August 2018 The Liberal/National Party last night voted against Greens amendments that would have given communities like Byron Bay and local councils more power to regulate short-term rental accommodation including Airbnb. The Greens support the sharing economy and the new business models and opportunities it provides....
E news 3 August 2018
Sea Shepherd visits Byron It was my pleasure to meet Mal Holland, the captain of Sea Shepherd's flagship vessel the M/Y Steve Irwin, when it called in to Byron Bay, and to hear about his commitment to stopping the $16.5 billion coal mine, rail link and coal port proposed by Adani...
Shark policy should be guided by science not polls
Media Release 3 August 2018 A turtle caught in a shark net Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith said today the NSW Government should listen to the science on the ineffectiveness of shark nets, not make it a popularity contest.
Celebrating environmental campaigners at Bryon Writers Festival
Tamara Smith, Member for Ballina, Christine Milne, and climate scientist Joelle Gergis, author of Sunburnt Country. Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith is celebrating the achievements of strong women environmental campaigners at this year’s Byron Writers Festival.
MPs join local Greens for No Plastic party
It was inspiring to join the North Coast Greens family to welcome NSW Greens MPs Jamie Parker and Jenny Leong, along with the Greens MP for Maiwar, Michael Berkman, to our Plastic Free July celebration at Wildspace on Main Arm Road at the weekend. It was quite a party, and 💯 per cent free from disposables!
Local pools open with a splash
It was a gala day for pool openings on Saturday. The weather was ideal for the re-opening of both the Ballina and Alstonville pools. As the patron of the Ballina RSL Sub-branch I was particularly delighted to see the Ballina Memorial Pool looking so wonderful. Congratulations to Ballina Shire Council for delivering...
Theme parks not communities: unregulated holiday letting
New holiday letting laws could mean the end of our communities Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith says proposed legislation expected to be voted on in August could mean the end of communities as we know them in many areas of Byron and Ballina.
Community "NO" stops sand mine
E News Update I share the joy and relief of the Lennox and wider community at the withdrawal of the DA for the expanded sand mine at Newrybar Swamp Rd.
RMS inquiry and Ombudsman needed
After attending a meeting between the RMS and Meerschaum Vale and Wardell residents on Monday, Tamara Smith says it's time for a dedicated RMS Ombudsman and for an inquiry into how highways are built in New South Wales.
Our koala disgrace goes global
The shocking number of koala deaths in the region has made headlines in the UK, where the tabloid Daily Mail has published an image of four dead animals saying it "highlights the growing threat posed to the native animal in parts of Australia". Seven koalas have been killed in Byron...