Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon elected chairperson of Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO)

The mayor of Byron Shire – recently elected chair of the most powerful governing body in the region – says there’s a series of crises the group needs to tackle. Here’s what’s on his hit-list.

A Northern Rivers mayor recently elected chair of the region’s most powerful governing body says he and six other North Coast mayors consider housing, flood recovery, climate change events, fire ants and crime the top priorities on the North Coast.

Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon was elected on Wednesday as the chairperson for the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO), the region’s peak local government organisation.

The NRJO’s board consists of the current mayors of Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore City, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government.

Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader is the deputy chairperson after stepping down from the top role.

Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon, January 2024. Picture: Supplied.

Cr Lyon said the main focus of his role would be to “advocate and take the positions of all other council mayors forward to government”.

“It’s really about the will of the collective,” he said.

“As the peak body for local government in the Northern Rivers, we represent a region spanning more than 20,000 square kilometres from the Tweed in the north, to the southern reaches of the Clarence Valley and to Kyogle in the west.

“We enable our member councils to work together at a regional level to achieve better planning, economic, infrastructure and service delivery outcomes across our communities.

“Whether it’s seeking funding support, lobbying for policy change, raising shared local government concerns, or generally advancing the region’s interests, we are committed to advocating on behalf of our member councils and facilitating collaboration with other levels of government.

“There remains no higher priority than supporting our communities in every way possible as our region continues to tread the long road to recovery after the devastating natural disasters of 2022.”

Cr Lyon said housing continued to be the top priority for much of the board.

“It’s the priority for not only the Byron Shire, but the whole region and really the rest of the country,” he said.

Flood recovery is a major concern for the board. Flood protest outside the office of Lismore Labor MP, Janelle Saffin, on December 12, 2023. Picture: NewsLocal.

“Flood recovery is also a major concern. I will continue to advocate – in the strongest terms – for that critical funding to be delivered. There has been considerable delays from when we have lodged approved repairs documents to state government and then seeing those outcomes.

“We are also keen to ensure that fire ants do not take hold in the Northern Rivers. We recently met with state minister for local government Ron Hoenig to address our concerns around the spread of fire ants.”

When asked about youth crime, Cr Lyon said crime in general was an issue, but said the youth crime was not as severe as seen in regional Queensland in places like the Gold Coast and other parts of NSW.

“We don’t necessarily see crime as a funding issue. From my perspective, it’s a police staffing issue. We know how hard it is currently for police to retain and recruit staff,” he said.

“We really need to look at the cause. To me, the cost-of-living crisis, housing situation and challenges of the times are putting pressure on people.

“We have, however, seen a rise in anti-social behaviour in the Byron Shire.”

Originally published as Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon elected chairperson of Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO)