Have Your Say on Byron Shire’s New Active Transport Plan

Byron Shire Council is inviting feedback from all residents who walk, roll, and ride within the community. The council has undertaken a significant review of its existing Bike Plan and Pedestrian Access and Mobility Plan, both of which were initially developed in 2018 after extensive community input. Six years on, it’s time to evaluate the plans’ effectiveness, set new priorities, and celebrate the achievements thus far.

Shelley Currie, the Council’s Road Safety Officer, highlighted a major update in the review process: the merging of the two previous plans into a singular, comprehensive document dubbed the Active Transport Plan. “The goals, objectives, and outcomes of the previous plans closely align, so consolidating them into one unified plan is a strategic move to streamline our efforts and resources,” explained Ms. Currie.

Objectives of the Active Transport Plan include:

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• Enhancing opportunities for active travel.
• Boosting the connectivity of paths and cycleways throughout the Shire.
• Designing and implementing high-quality infrastructure to ensure maximum safety and accessibility.
• Providing amenities that enhance the attractiveness of walking, rolling, and riding.
• Encouraging the use of bicycles for shorter trips.

A draft of the Active Transport Plan is currently on public exhibition, and Byron Shire Council is seeking input from the community to refine and enhance the proposal. Residents are encouraged to review the draft plan and contribute their perspectives and suggestions.

Details for Public Feedback:

• Read the Draft: The draft Active Transport Plan is available for public viewing.
• Provide Feedback: Residents can submit their comments and suggestions to help shape the final plan.
• Deadline for Submissions: Feedback must be submitted by 31 May 2024.

For more information and detailed instructions on how to make a submission, please visit Byron Shire Council’s official website at Have your say on our Active Transport Plan – Byron Shire Council.

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SAE and BayFM Unveil ‘BaySounds’ – A New Song-Writing Contest to Elevate Local Musicians

SAE Creative Media Institute, in collaboration with BayFM, is excited to announce the launch of ‘BaySounds,’ a novel song-writing competition designed to spotlight the burgeoning talent of emerging musicians in the Northern Rivers region. This initiative invites artists aged 16 and above to showcase their original compositions, with submissions accepted on the SAE website until Sunday, 16 June 2024.

The grand prize winner will enjoy the privilege of having their song professionally recorded, mixed, and mastered at the state-of-the-art SAE Byron Bay recording studios by an SAE audio lecturer and talented final year students. Additionally, the winning track will receive rotational airplay on BayFM, and the artist will have a special opportunity to perform live at SAE’s Open Day event on Saturday, 17 August—broadcast simultaneously on BayFM.

The judging panel for BaySounds features esteemed figures such as Dirk Terrill, SAE Senior Lecturer; Ange Kent, President, and broadcaster at BayFM; and Nathan Kaye, BayFM broadcaster and musician, who together bring a wealth of industry experience and insight.

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Dr. Luke McMillan, General Manager at SAE, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “SAE has a proud history of nurturing talents who excel across the global music scene. With BaySounds, we aim to continue this legacy by empowering local artists and providing them with a platform to shine.”

Dirk Terrill expressed excitement about the dual benefits of the competition: “BaySounds not only gives emerging artists valuable exposure but also enriches our students’ educational experience by involving them in real-world, professional activities.”

Ange Kent elaborated on how BayFM supports local music: “During the competition, we’ll feature songs from local artists on-air, with a special showcase of the top 10 entries after the competition concludes. The live performance opportunity for the winner underscores our commitment to promoting live local talent.”

Nathan Kaye shared his enthusiasm for discovering new artists: “BaySounds is a fantastic platform for artists to hone essential skills needed for festival and grant applications, and to effectively present themselves to the music industry.”

For those interested in participating, entries for BaySounds are now open. For more information or to submit your song, please visit sae.edu.au/baysounds. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your music career and potentially broadcast your talent across the Northern Rivers and beyond.

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HOLISTIC CARE HELPING VETERANS WITH PTSD

By Sarah Waters

Events such as Anzac Day have increasingly prompted conversations about the mental health of veterans and what help is available to them.

General Manager and Psychologist at Byron Private Treatment Centre Jenny McGee has extensive experience working with veterans who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions that have resulted from their service.

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In addition to evidence-based therapy for PTSD including, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Ms McGee said a holistic approach has profound benefits.

“What does happen with PTSD is that people are triggered by situations – people, places, sounds, smells and they can often be on high alert or hypervigilant where the whole nervous system is alerted, looking for danger and wanting to keep themselves safe and other people safe,” she said.

“For example, hearing a loud sound and thinking that they might be back in that dangerous situation and going to extremes to protect themselves and other people.

“Or it might manifest as irritability and the inability to engage socially like they might have once done.

“About 30 per cent of veterans with PTSD also suffer from addictions with alcohol and substances as they try to medicate their distress and symptoms.

“What can be additionally helpful for people is not only the evidence-based therapy they might undergo, but also to be in a green space and restful environment where they are able to allow the body and the physiological, high nervous system arousal to be lowered.”

About a third of the residents at Byron Private Treatment Centre are veterans, of all ages, who have served in different conflicts, sometimes generations apart.

General Manager and Psychologist at Byron Private Treatment Centre Jenny McGee has extensive experience working with veterans who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Some of them are Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who have experienced PTSD from domestic service.

Ms McGee said veterans are encouraged to go to the beach daily, see the sunrise and connect to the natural cycles in nature.

“Research shows that exposure to nature can lower stress hormones, lower blood pressure, improve the mood and reduce the risk of developing other psychiatric disorders, like depression and anxiety,” she said.

Daily outdoor activities including swimming, surfing, bushwalking and even equine assisted therapy, are sustainable practises all servicemen and women can incorporate into their lives.

Research has also shown the Mediterranean diet improves symptoms of depression and stress.

While peer support in a mixed group therapy setting can help with the transition back into civilian/community life.

Ms McGee said the impact PTSD has on the nervous system, including irritability, avoidance behaviours and intrusive memories or dreams, are the same symptoms soldiers experienced in WWI when it was referred to as ‘shell shock’ or ‘battle fatigue’ in WWII.

However, there has been a radical shift in how the community and society understands mental health, including the need to offer really supportive treatment.

“I think even our stigmatisation of different conflicts and different veterans has changed.

“And we’ve moved much more largely to really acknowledging the service that men and women have provided for Australia.

“With evidence-based treatment and support, people can overcome PTSD.

“Sometimes it might last for over a year, but people can heal and also repair Relationships,” she said.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a condition that can develop in response to a single, or repeated exposure, to trauma.

A number of events have the potential to cause PTSD, including threat of death, serious injury, viewing or handling human remains and seeing someone badly injured or killed.

If you need support, please contact veterans and families counselling service provider Open Arms on their 24-hour phone line: 1800 011 046 or visit here and they can connect you with counselling services in the community.

The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) also funds treatment for veterans.

For more information please visit here or visit here.

SIDEBAR:
The Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme report by the Department of Veteran Affairs states almost half (46 per cent) of the transitioned ADF were estimated to have met criteria for a lifetime anxiety disorder, and one-quarter were estimated to have met criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When compared to the general population, only four or five per cent of people might experience PTSD in their lifetime.

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