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Spring 2011

Byron Shire Sustainable Food Directory Launched

Byron Shire Council has produced a new Sustainable Food Directory that lists Byron Shire businesses and community enterprises that stock locally-grown produce, free range eggs, fair trade products, certified organic produce and are plastic bag free.

From small, local businesses to the Shire’s highly regarded Farmers’ Markets, the handy pocket sized guide is a great snapshot of which of our businesses recognise the need to balance people, prosperity and planet.

Pick up a copy of the new Directory at listed businesses, from Council's administration centre in Mullumbimby or download here: Byron Shire Sustainable Food Business Directory.

To have a hard-copy Directory posted out to you, email: graeme.williams@byron.nsw.gov.au

The Sustainable Food Directory aims to encourage residents and visitors to shop locally and purchase sustainably

The new Directory was launched at a Sustainable Business Forum on Friday 12 August.

Brunswick Heads Sustainable Street Starts Up!

10 September 2011

Brunswick Heads is the latest community in Byron Shire to join Council’s free Sustainable Streets program.

Sustainable Streets aims to empower residents with sustainable living tips, while providing the tools for residents to reduce their utility bills and build connections in the neighbourhood.

The new Brunswick Heads group will meet on the 2nd Sat. of each month in the Uniting Church hall from 10am – 12pm. The next meeting will be Sat. 10 September and will focus on energy saving skills, with future workshops on organic gardening, backyard biodiversity and green cleaning also in the pipeline. 

Download the full Brunswick Heads Sustainable Streets Program here.

For more information or to join the new group, contact Council’s Sustainability Officer Graeme Williams on 6626 7305 or visit: www.byron.nsw.gov.au/sustainable-streets-program.

Download the Brunswick Heads Sustainable Streets Newsletter #1 here.

Sustainable House Day 2011 - Public Forum on Affordable Eco-housing in the Byron Shire

11 September 2011

Transition Byron Shire are holding a public forum on Affordable Eco-housing on Sun. Sept 11 from 2 - 4pm at Byron Region Community College, cnr Burringbar and Gordon Streets, Mullumbimby.

Find out about SASHTA - 'Sustainable Affordable Secure Housing Tenant Alliance' and hear presentations about sustainable building styles and innovative designs and materials.


The forum will also discuss various types of housing that aim to share resources and reduce our eco footprint with a community planning approach. Entry by donation. For more info, contact Gabi at: housing@transitionbyronshire.org

Organized by: Transition Byron Shire. Sponsored by 'Sustainable Futures Australia'

Solar Hot Water Roll Out across Council Facilities

As part of ongoing efforts to reduce the Shires’ greenhouse gas emissions, Council is undertaking a bulk installation of solar hot water heaters across local community buildings, including

  • Ocean Shores Community Centre,
  • Suffolk Park Community Centre,
  • Byron Bay Council Depot,
  • Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre, and
  • Brunswick Valley Community Centre.

The bulk retrofit is an action under Council’s Greenhouse Action Strategy, which assists Council in reducing its greenhouse emissions and move towards a low carbon future.

It is expected that the retrofit will save over 15 tonnes of C02 per annum.

New Sustainability Courses with Byron Region Community College

Want to set up a new garden and not sure if your soil is good enough? Or perhaps you are already growing, but not getting the results you want! Check out the latest course offerings from Byron Region Community College and Northern Rivers Food Links.

Soil Basics - Sun 17 Sept.
Join tutor Loretta Faulkner at Mullumbimby Community Garden to find out everything you need to know for a healthy and productive garden.

Propagation for Beginners - Sun 10 Sept.
Find out how to multiply all kinds of plants to save money and discover the pleasure of propagation.

Food Growing for Renters - Sat 17 Sept.
Restrictive rental agreements, short-term tenancies and having to move on (again...) are frustrating realities for renters. But don’t let renting stop you growing your own fresh healthy produce. Only $10. 

Byron Region Community College has a full program of sustainability courses at very affordable prices.

For term 4 courses, see: www.byroncollege.org.au/archives/category/general-courses/living-and-working-sustainably

All bookings are made though Byron Community College. Call 6684 3374

Recycle Shop at Myocum Landfill - grab a bargain

Have something that you feel is too good to throw into the garbage and could still be of use to someone? Then why not drop it into the new Myocum Recycle Shop!

Staff have been sorting through items dropped at the landfill over the past few months and there are some great bargains to be had, including bikes, toys, furniture and building materials.

In addition to saving items going into landfill, the project provides low cost goods to the community and supports the recycling of goods.

Open Hours

  • Wednesday to Friday              -           9am to 3pm
  • Saturday and Sunday              -           9am to noon
  • Monday and Tuesday              -           CLOSED for restocking

Permaculture Film Premier - 'Anima Mundi'

22 September 2011

Will we survive the transition of human industrial civilization happening now due to peak oil and climate change? Anima Mundi is an innovative documentary about the planetary animal called Gaia and the human animal we deny at our own peril.

There will be a special regional screening of the film Anima Mundi at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall on Thurs. 22 Sept, with guest speakers Dr Lilliana Corredor and Robyn Francis. The screening will raise funds to support local members of the Australian Youth Climate Change Coalition.

Tickets available at SANTOS stores and at the door for $12/$10 con. Contact Santos Ethics Controller - Joel Orchard ethics@santostrading.com.au

Download the Anima Mundi Flyer here.

2011 Organics Roadshow comes to Byron Shire

4 October 2011

Celebrate Organics Week by hearing from two of the world’s most renowned speakers on biological farming who will be presenting at Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall on Tues. 4 October as part of the BFA's 2011 Organics Roadshow.

With the current boom in biological farming, the roadshow will be a great and inexpensive opportunity for all those working in the agricultural industries to learn more about biological production methods and hear world renowned experts share their knowledge.

Gary Zimmer manager of the Bio-Ag Centre in Wisconsin USA, and prominent author was recently described as ‘a world leading exponent and educator on biological farming.’

Graeme Sait is co-founder of Australian company Nutri-Tech Solutions, a prolific writer, author and inspirational international speaker.

Cost: Earlybird Tickets: $40 members; $60 non-members
Bookings: W: www.bfa.com.au; T: 1300 331 309; E: events@bfa.com.au