Crisis? What crisis? The Byron Shire is bubbling with community initiatives!

Written By Jean Renouf

Hello,

We have set up this blog as a noticeboard for any COVID-19 related community activities, announcements and initiatives within the Byron Region. This is our first noticeboard post so it provides only a partial picture of all of the good things happening in the Byron Shire (and around), so we welcome your input!

They say there is a silver lining in every cloud. Despite, or thanks to, the current COVID-19 and economic crises, the Byron Shire is currently bubbling with inspiring community initiatives. But it’s hard to know what exactly is happening, where and when.

So, we gather this information for you, in particular initiatives by community groups and local businesses, check it, organise it and share it with you. Ultimately, the aim to make sure we know about all of the good stuff already happening in the Shire (and beyond), and inspire you to be part of it all.

We’re aiming to develop this into a searchable database, but in the meantime, we have listed each item under relevant categories first, and then by region.

We will be updating this noticeboard regularly, so be sure to check back in for the latest information.

If you have any announcements, information or resources you would like to share, or if you, or your business, or someone around you is doing something that helps build the resilience and regeneration of our community, please let us know at info@resilientbyron.org or in the comment below.

We look forward to hearing from you!

NEIGHBOURHOOD / COMMUNITY

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - The SHIFT Project Byron is providing short-term supported accommodation for a small number of women in need. Please call Anne on 0411 844 123 or email anne@shiftproject.org.au. They also offer local women over-the-phone psychological support with a psychotherapist.

  • Byron Bay - The Byron Bay Community Centre continues to provide the following services

    • Homeless Breakfast and Showers for the most vulnerable clients will continue with increased hygiene protocols, and a scaled-down service requiring fewer volunteers and staff.

    • Take-away options are encouraged and frozen meals are available from the Fletcher St kitchen between 12:30-1:30 on Tues, Wed and Fri.

    • The Volunteer Hub will continue with telephone interviews only.

    • All seniors activities have been suspended.

    • Staff have been encouraged to work from home where possible, and volunteer shifts have been reduced in size and frequency.

    • Outreach services, such as Social Futures, My Momentum, No Interest Loans will continue at the discretion of the service provider.

    • Liberation Larder continues on Mondays and Thursdays with increased hygiene protocols and a take-away focus.

  • Mullumbimby - The Mullumbimby District and Neighbourhood Centre is providing telephone information and support, emergency relief, and both the Integrated Domestic & Family Violence and Staying Home and Leaving Violence support programs They are also providing food parcels to those in need. To access the food parcels and other services, call 6684 1286 or 0491 227 306.

  • Mullumbimby - #ViralKindess Mullumbimby offers help with shopping, urgent supplies, and wellbeing check. Go to www.viralkindness.org.au, select the ‘find a group’ tab, type Mullumbimby, and click on ‘join our group’.

  • Ocean Shores - The Hub Baptist Church offers all sorts of support for the homeless and disadvantaged. Those in need of support during this pandemic can contact them at help@thehubbaptist.org.

BUSINESS / ENTREPRENEURS

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - The Sourdough Business Pathways is organising an online panel discussion on Strategies for Business Continuity and Resilience on the 7th of April, 5 pm. Details here.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - The Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce has provided a list of resources here and is organising a webinar on Business continuity in times of crisis (register here).

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - Hemp Collective is a family run local business that grows organic hemp and handcrafts hemp body products - Shampoo bars, Conditioner bars, Soaps and healing balms in the Byron Region. Head to www.hempcollective.com.au and check the 'Local pickup' option and they will either give you free shipping or deliver to your address. (Local Pick up valid for Northern Rivers customers only)

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - A facebook group called COVID-19 Small Biz Noticeboard - Byron Shire was created for local businesses to share their wares for the local community to buy, consume and enjoy.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - Uncle Toms delivers its famous pies - and more - throughout the shire now.

  • Mullumbimby - Eden’s Landing are offering grocery deliveries, call 66841007

  • Mullumbimby - Dino’s IGA has a now website to order your products to be delivered the next day. The delivery is free for Seniors & Pensioners.

  • Byron Bay - The following restaurants and food providers are switching to home delivery (a massive shout-out to Amanda Fysh for first putting this list together):

  • Asia Joe's - Southeast Asian street food Offering meals which can be frozen. FREE delivery. 
    https://www.asiajoes.com/

  • Orgasmic felafel - Taste of the middle east, Mediterranean food and the best falafels in town! Offering FREE delivery!
    https://www.zomato.com/…/orgasmic-food-byron-bay-byron…/menu

  • Kinoko sushi 🍙 https://www.kinoko.com.au/

  • Matty's Milkbar
    Owns a cafe in Byron Bay and happy to deliver whatever food you desire to your door in whatever capacity you may need at a small and reasonable price. 0409584653

  • Elixiba - Plant based vegan restaurant 🥗 http://www.elixiba.com/

  • Pizza Paradiso 🍕 https://www.pizzaparadisobyronbay.com/

  • Earth 'n' Sea - Amazing pizza and Pasta 🍕 (02) 6685 6029
    https://www.earthnsea.com.au

  • Legend Pizza 🍕
    Delivery fee from $5, min spend $20. 
    Order online or call 02 66 855 700
    legendpizza.com.au/delivery

  • Bombay to Byron - Authentic Indian Restaurant.
    Delivery $11.50 starts at 6:20pm
    Ph 02 66808 355 https://bombaytobyron.com.au

  • Bayger - Byron Bay's healthiest gourmet burgers.
    Text your order 🍔 0447697662
    FREE delivery
    http://www.bayger.com.au/

  • Hunky Dory - Fish and Chips Seafood restaurant. Order via Uber Eats. 

  • Yummify - Delivering vegan organic meals.
    Can deliver fresh organic greens and produce and some dry ingredients 
    FREE delivery
    https://yummify.com.au/

  • Fels kitchen
    Run by a Nutritionist, offering a selection of healthy salads daily, breakfast and lunch menus, healthy sweet treats, raw chocolates, brownies, cold press juice, smoothies and great coffee
    https://felskitchen.com/

  • Byron hot bread kitchen - Bakery food 🤤 order via Uber Eats

  • Our table Byron Bay - Delivering burgers and curries! Min order $25 with FREE delivery.

    https://www.facebook.com/ourtablebyronbay.com.au/
    Ph 0419 217 144

  • Yellow Flower - Indian Restaurant 
    $30 minimum order. $5 delivery or FREE with orders over $50
    http://localmenus.co/menu-byron-yellow-flower/

  • Beloporto - Burger Bar 🍔 order via Uber Eats

  • Yulli's - A modern asian vegan restaurant and FREE delivery for orders over $25
    https://www.yullisbyronbay.com.au/ 

  • Bang Bang Byron Bay - favourite Little & Big Bangs, curries, rice n noodles, salads & greens 🍜
    https://www.bangbangbyronbay.com/

  • Your Gourmet - offering a selection of wholesome meals delivered to your door. Each week there will be a new menu. 
    Yourgourmet.com.au/delivery

  • Suffolk Park Hotel
    Caters to all tastes and appetites, uses only the freshest ingredients to produce the most nutritious and tasty meals, all at a reasonable price. 
    $5 delivery or FREE for orders over $50
    https://www.facebook.com/parkhotelmotel/
    Ph 02 6685 3222

  • Success Thai Food 
    Orders need to be over $30
    https://www.facebook.com/Success-Thai-Food-237359826303469/
    Ph 0421 902 855

  • Byron Bay Deli - Home Delivery of Deli Goods, Home Cooked Meals, Everyday Commodities. Byron Bay's premium destination for cheese & gourmet food. Fine food hamper packages, platters and catering.
    Ph (02) 6680 8700
    https://www.facebook.com/byronbaydeli/

  • Sunday Sustainable Bakery is now offering free delivery, takeaway and a drive thru option.

  • Byron Bay - Byron Farmers Markets are doing veggie boxes for elderly and immunocompromised. Email info@byronfarmersmarkets.com.au for details. Pick up Thursdays. 

  • Byron Bay - Evan Anderson from Hungry Earth Ecology does veggie boxes - pick up at The Farm. Thursday between 3:30-5:30 & Friday 9am-12pm. 0410984358

  • Brunswick Heads - The Brunswick Heads website provides useful regular updates about goods and services available in town.

  • Alstonville (and more) - The Sourdough Chick sells artisan sourdough breads every Tuesday & Friday at Landy's at the Alstonville Plaza. Also delivering to Byron, Bangalow, Ballina, Lennox Head and Newrybar.

  • Newrybar - Harvest had to temporarily close entry to the Harvest Deli but is taking their services online with Harvest Marketplace. They provide
    Locally sourced vegetable boxes $50 (Saturday pick-up & delivery)

    + pantry cooking essentials
    + Harvest sourdough & pastries
    + frozen meals
    + wine & cocktails
    ORDER ONLINE: via @bopple.app from App Store or through their website www.harvestnewrybar.com.au Harvest Coffee Cart open 6.30am-11am daily.

FOOD PRODUCTION AND FOOD SECURITY

ASK AND RECEIVE

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - A crowdfunding initiative by GrowTunnels allows you to grow fresh, organic food in your own backyard then buy, sell or exchange it within your community. The farmer behind it lives in Myocum and this system will help decentralising our food networks and building community resilience, so of course we support it greatly and encourage you to do the same!

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - Unconditional Giving And Receiving Byron Bay Facebook Group where the intention is to move these things around to where they are needed from where they are not needed anymore! With an unconditional heart of giving and receiving.. without the exchange of money.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - United Aussie Helpers (Intellihelp) - Facebook Group. During a crisis this audience network of Helpers engages with people in need 1 on 1 in a 100% donor to recipient manner to fulfill emergency food rations, pharmacy medical and hygiene supplies.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - The Northern Rivers Pantry Project, whose mission is to spread kindness and compassion to ensure we look after the wellbeing of our neighbours during the pandemic, is looking to the community to donate items to create Pantry Packs and Arts and Crafts Mindfulness Packs for those in need during this challenging period.

  • Byron Bay - The Byron Community Centre is asking for donation for the community so that it can continue to provide services to the region’s most vulnerable.

  • Mullumbimby - The Mullum Food Co-op is looking for volunteers to restock their shelves... Can you spare any time Tuesday morning to help restock shelves? Please msg them via their Facebook page. You will receive a volunteer discount on your shopping ❤️ Please, if you like to come and shop, ask if you can lend a hand. They have committed volunteers who are self-isolating & they urgently need more people to come & be a part of their Co-op!

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - NSW Public Service Commission has put together resources to help people work flexibly.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - Service NSW contact centre is now available 24hrs a day, with more staff hired to answer your questions on non-health related COVID-19 enquiries such as restrictions, cost of living assistance, financial support for business or rules around social distancing.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - This Guardian Australia article offers a clear summary of the federal and states 'survival package' to households and businesses.

HEALTH

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - A new COVID-19 clinic was opened at the Byron Central Hospital. The clinic will be open seven days a week from 10am till 4pm daily. This clinic will be in addition to three other COVID-19 clinics are located at Tweed, Lismore and Grafton hospitals, open from 10am-6pm (source)

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - The New England Journal of Medicine just published a study that tested how long the virus can remain stable on different kinds of surfaces within a controlled laboratory setting.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - New bulk-billed non-admitted items have been introduced for telehealth for GPs, specialists, consultant physicians, obstetricians, consultant psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, allied mental health workers and midwives.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - SEEK HELP OR RESOURCES

LOCAL COUNCILS

  • The Byron Shire Council provides updates about its response to the COVID-19 here. Information about the Tweed Shire Council’s response to COVID-19, can be found here, about the Ballina Shire Council here, and the Lismore city council here.

  • Whole of the Byron Shire - This link provides an overview of the latest COVID-19 measures implemented by the Byron Shire Council this past week. While we encourage you to read the complete list, the following are noteworthy:

    • A three-month ban on the use of public spaces for busking or other activity within the definition, including: tarot cards and palm readers, fortune readers, or the display or demonstration of items, particularly multiples of items, with an implication that they are available for sale or otherwise in exchange for money.

    • Closure of the Main Beach and Clarkes Beach carparks for three months.

    • Suspension of footpath dining and associated fees for three months.

    • Acknowledge the dramatic impact of COVID 19 on the Visitor Economy, the largest economic driver and employer in Byron Shire, with traditional occupancy rates of 80-90% over the Easter and April period set to drop to approximately 20%.

    • Support the Federal Government recommendation to not travel for non-essential reasons as Byron Shire does not need nor wish to receive visitors at this time.

    • Support the expansion of current regular farmers markets to other days and the establishment of new food share/market/swap activities if requested.

    • Support the use of certain locations (on Council-owned and or managed land) for class 2 mobile vendors to operate weekly subject to a formal booking through Council.

    • Promote Council’s Debt Management and Financial Hardship Assistance Policy and support people who are having difficulty paying to make payment arrangements under this policy.

    • All families currently enrolled in Council’s Children’s Services including long day care services and Outside of School Hour Care Service (OSHC) be granted a 50% reduction in gap fees for services effective from 23 March 2020 for a 1 month period, regardless of whether their child/ren is attending.

EDUCATION

(What do you think we should be adding here?)

ENERGY

(What do you think we should be adding here?)

WATER

(What do you think we should be adding here?)

HOUSING

(What do you think we should be adding here?)

THE ARTS

(What do you think we should be adding here?)


You can find a weekly update to the information listed here on this Resilient Byron noticeboard, our weekly newsletter or on our Facebook page.

If you have any announcements, information or resources you would like to share, or if you, or your business, or someone around you is doing something that helps build the resilience and regeneration of our community, please let us know at info@resilientbyron.org or in the comments below.

Thank you and see you online!

The Resilient Byron team (aka your neighbours)

 

Jean Renouf
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