Latest news with #ByronShire
ABC News
31-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Key workers to be offered pod housing in Byron shire amid social housing builds
Teachers, police and other "key workers" looking to move into the Byron Shire will be offered accommodation in pod-style cabins originally built to house survivors of the 2022 floods. Byron Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said securing the pods at Brunswick Heads as homes for key workers and others in housing stress was "fantastic" news. "We really do need houses as soon as possible … everything just takes too long and when we have many people, as we do, that are homeless or in extreme housing stress, we need to be able to deliver as soon as possible," she said. "Main thing is … that this great resource, that a lot of money was spent on, isn't going to go to waste and that we are going to be able to utilise it. "We need to deliver some long-term affordable housing options for people." NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson said she was keen to see other councils in the region follow Byron's lead. "We want to have a future for every single one of those pods, none of them are going to end up in landfill," she said. Tweed Shire Council had previously rejected an offer for a similar strategy at its Kingscliff pod village, but Mayor Chris Cherry said she was open to it. "I would be hopeful that our councillors may be able to think about it again and I'd certainly be happy if the state government asked about whether we would reconsider it," she said. The move was announced as the NSW government unveiled plans for a "historic pipeline of housing", which included more than 355 public and community homes to be built across the Northern Rivers by mid-2027. The Tweed Shire is set to get 133 new homes, 69 are slated for the Richmond Valley, and Lismore, Ballina and the Clarence Valley will get about 50 each. "It's actually the largest [housing] pipeline in any part of regional NSW, so we are delivering more homes in this region than we are in the rest of the state," Ms Jackson said. The government announced in February it would transform a former Tweed Heads retirement village into 70 supported temporary accommodation units under its Housing Innovation Fund. It has now purchased the site to make the arrangement permanent. Elderly couple Gloria and Lindsay Judd said they were on the verge of homelessness when they had to move out of their rental home of 30 years, until space was found for them in the temporary accommodation facility. "I was down in the dumps really bad … and I told Linds, 'I'll buy a tent and we can live in a tent on the road'," Ms Judd said. NSW Premier Chris Minns said innovative projects were crucial in a region with more than 4,100 people on the social housing waitlist, including more than 1,200 on the priority list. "We need to be in a situation where we're looking at new ideas to house people in desperate, desperate situations and desperate circumstances," he said. Theresa Mitchell, who operates nearby homelessness outreach service Agape, said 133 new social housing properties in the Tweed was "nothing" compared to the number of homeless people in the area. Ms Mitchell said one client recently entered social housing after 21 years on the waitlist. "It's not going to solve the problem, it's not even going to halve the problem, or a third," she said.
News.com.au
17-06-2025
- News.com.au
‘Immersed in nature': Hidden Airbnb Aussies are obsessed with
A 'magical' property in New South Wales has been revealed as one of Airbnb's Most Wishlisted stays in Australia. Set among trees, perched in a tropical oasis is a romantic and secluded cabin overlooking a creek in Main Arm, located in the Northern Rivers Region. The 'Balinese feel' property has been branded a 'magical paradise' by guests. But owner Peta said the cabin, which was built in the 1980s, never looked like this before. It was originally a 25-seat restaurant and once the previous owner moved out, Peta and her husband Mick gave it a complete makeover that took two years to complete. 'It was really run down and needed a bit of work,' Peta told 'We initially were going to just rent it again to another long term tenant, but my cousin who was already a host of Airbnb, introduced us to the idea of being a host too. 'We saw the uniqueness in the space and decided it needed to be shared with others.' The property located in the Byron Shire is currently New South Wales' Most Wished Airbnbs. It has a rating of 4.98 per cent based on 986 reviews, making it a 'guest favourite'. Susan Wheeldon, Country Manager, Airbnb Australia, said the listing is so popular because the hosts go above and beyond to ensure their guests have a standout stay. 'The peaceful setting in nature is also a drawcard for those looking to escape for a quiet getaway,' Ms Wheeldon told The cabin is in the top 5 per cent of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews and reliability. It has a perfect five out of five record for cleanliness, accuracy, check-in, communication and location. Value isn't far off at 4.9. 'We are really thrilled to be considered such a high honour, but also not so shocked as we know just how special and unique the cabin and location is,' Peta said. 'Year after year we get such positive feedback from guests and have so many returning. Even after 10 years of hosting, we still take a moment during a regular cabin clean to stop and take in the magic of the place.' As part of the renovations, Peta and Mick turned the basic restaurant kitchen and outdoor customer male/female toilets into a bedroom and ensuite. The kitchen was then built into the open plan living space. 'There are a lot of factors that the guests love about the cabin,' she said. 'The wooden bridge with fairy lights always gets the first biggest reaction. The location is completely immersed in nature which is another major hit as a lot of guests are looking for a nature based getaway from the city, but still with comforts and close to town. 'The woodfire is always popular in the cooler months and glow worm spotting along the creek bank adds an extra bit of magic guests love to discover.' Peta added that the creek changes with each season with the 'magic of fireflies and glow worms'. 'The location is secluded and immersed in nature,' she said. 'I love sitting on the veranda, overlooking the creek, watching and listening to the birds, feeling connected to nature.' She said guests predominantly stay for two or three nights. 'The majority of guests are couples, some celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons and even preparing for marriage proposals. We also get singles staying for a solo getaway and recharge and best friends.'
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- News.com.au
‘Hearts are hurting': Loved ones mourn ‘unfathomable' loss after body of missing woman Esme Caverly found
The loved ones of a young woman who was found dead in a NSW state forest have described her as a 'force of nature' whose 'absence is unfathomable'. Esme Caverly, 25, was reported missing in May. She was last seen at the Minyon Falls Lookout in the Whian Whian State Forest, an area she was known to frequent about 20km of Lismore. Ms Caverly's body was found days later. Police said her death was not suspicious. One of Ms Caverly's closest friends described the 25-year-old as vibrant, creative and witty and said 'many hearts are hurting' following her death. 'Esmé's recent and unexpected death has deeply affected her family, friends, colleagues and the Byron Shire Community. Her absence is unfathomable and many hearts are hurting,' her friend wrote for a fundraiser. 'Esmé was kind, gentle, inclusive and compassionate – her innate ability to connect with and comfort others was astounding. 'A young woman who moved through life with both strength and softness; she was a force of nature.' The GoFundMe was launched to raise money for Ms Caverly's funeral and for her final resting place in Byron Bay, allowing her loved ones to 'continue to be close to her'. 'The cost of a burying a loved one is significant, especially for a pensioner,' the fundraiser read.
