It’s been scientifically proven that marine parks boost fish numbers by about eight times, but only after they have been in place for at least a decade.

The landmark survey of sea life in 40 countries, published this morning in the journal Nature, found little difference between most conservation zones and areas opened to fishing. But well-established and managed sanctuary areas were teeming with life, averaging twice as many species, eight times as many large fish and 14 times as many sharks - mainly bottom dwelling friendly ones we hope :) 

The study emerges as Australian governments wind back their marine conservation arrangements. NSW has overhauled its marine parks authority and removed bans on shore-based line fishing, and is reportedly considering revocation of all sanctuary zones like the one here in Byron Bay.

I spoke to Belinda Fairbrother, campaign manager from the Wilderness Society as she travelled through Byron on a campaign to help re-establish our existing marine sanctuaries I  asked her what had prompted the team to do the tour now.


Belinda Fairbrother on protecting marine sanctuaries

Over the last few weeks we’ve focused our discussions on some of the major development proposals on display at the moment including West Byron and the proposed bypass. It’s a critical time in the decision making process, with submissions for west Byron coming to a close today, and public interest groups coming together around the shire to discuss options and proposals around the bypass. The two can hardly be discussed independently, with traffic from both the north and the south of Byron through Ewingsdale and Bangalow roads becoming almost impossible to manage, at peak Ewingsdale road is trying to accommodate up to 1200 car movements per hr into town– that’s a car every 3 seconds, and Bangalow Rd has been described as a minefield for people trying to cross it, or turn across it. The additional traffic from a development 3 times the size of sunrise on the town could have a dramatic influence added to that, with relevant upgrades to the pacific highway due to be completed in 2015 – the influx of traffic could dramatically change the look and feel of our small, but heavily in demand coastal town of Byron Bay.

I discussed both the possibilities and limitations of these proposals and state governments involvement with NSW minister for the North Coast and Local Government, MP Don Page. – I’ve left the on hold music because It kind of sets the mood nicely, aired on Bay Fm, Under Construction on Friday the 31st January 2014. It was followed by a discussion with representatives of the Rail Trail, Grab the Rail and Trains On Our Tracks. 

MP Don Page on Byron Bay and the bypass

Traffic snarls in Byron are not getting any better, and with more development on the cards, it's not hard to see a solution must be found, but what would that solution look like? Here's in studio discussions with three local community groups on their vision for Byron. Guests are Paul Jones from Grab the Rail, Karin Kolbe from Trains On Our Tracks and Cameron Arnold from the Rail Trail mob. This studio interview aired on 31st January 2014 hosted by Sarah Ndiaye. If you would like to hear what MP Don Page had to say click here http://bit.ly/1blxqlN

Byron traffic, we know the problem but what's the solution?

Not many of us can say we've come as close to death or life as a paraplegic as Morganne Kerisit. After leaving Byron to return to Brittany the fire twirling, dynamic dj, theatrical dancing powerhouse had a nasty accident that left her in a coma and paralysed, but that still wasn't enough to stop her. Morganne is back in Australia reconnecting with friends with her son Niah and they both joined me in the studio at bay fm.

Morganne AKA Dynamo - back in Byron Bay after near death crash.

The Chandelier of the Lost and Broken, making something beautiful out of bits of broken dreams. 

Chandelier Of The Lost And Broken

There must be a sweet sense of irony in the Labor camp right now, watching the Liberal Leader, Tony Abbott,(well he still is as I write this) who was elected on a platform he built accusing the Gillard Government of lying to the Australian Public and the Labor Party of unstable leadership, to see what's happening now. Watch him break promise after promise – no cuts to health, education, pensions, the ABC and SBS and now a leadership spill tomorrow morning. Regardless of the outcome, Tony Abbott is falling on his own sword.
With International Women's Day not too far off, V-day next weekend and Ballina Candidate for Labor, Paul Spooner launching his campaign, I had a chance to chat with Tanya Plibersek MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, about women, equality and the difficulty of getting good things done in the current environment.
Sarah Ndiaye, Byron Bay

Tanya Plibersek, Light from the Shadow

Due to State Gov intervention, the West Byron development is going to go ahead in some form, but does it need to be a terrible development?The current Villa World DA proposal for 290 properties requires 168,000 square meters of fill, will eradicate federally listed threatened species frog habitat, has no Koala plan of management and will have a huge impact on traffic and liveability in the shire. I spoke to Nyck Jeanes on Bay FM about council's submission and encouraging others to put in their submission before the 12th July. Pic from The Byron Shire Echo -
 Jeff isawesome Dawson. Follow this link for more information https://byronresidentsgroup.org/west-byron-2/make-a-submission-on-the-west-byron-da/
July 5th 2017

No Villa World - West Byron - Sarah Ndiaye on the other side of the desk talking to Nyck Jeanes

Byron Shire Council is putting in place strategies so that it can meet its target of Zero Emissions by 2020 - last episode we heard about a potential bioenergy facility, this week, we're finding out about a large scale solar farm, which, subject to ongoing budget, planning and other approvals - would see council offsetting their entire emissions through this project. Here's Councillor Sarah Ndiaye talking to Lloyd Issacson from Byron Shire Council. For more information on this and other projects, you can go on  https://www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Services/Environment/Climate-change/Mitigation/Renewable-energy-projects#section-2

This interview originally aired in March 2019 on Bay FM Make a Change with Dione Green https://www.facebook.com/makeachangebayfm/