17.6 C
Byron Shire
June 20, 2026

Latest News

Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.
Read more

Other News

Entertainment NewsThe Echo - 0

Cinema : Tuner – everybody has one hidden talent

From Academy Award-winner, director Daniel Roher (Navalny), comes his first narrative feature, Tuner a gripping crime-drama that follows a piano tuner’s unexpected aptitude for cracking safes.
Read more
Byron EchoThe Echo - 0

Seas the Day in Kingscliff this weekend

This weekend the fourth NRMA Insurance Seas The Day women’s surf festival is back at Kingscliff Beach with Surfing...
Read more
Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.
Read more
Local NewsAslan Shand - 0

Will council support community participation in MHS development?

This Thursday (today), Byron Shire Council (BSC) will be discussing the establishment of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Byron Shire Council and Homes NSW (HNSW) as well as the potential for a Community Assessment Panel for the old Mullumbimby Hospital site.
Read more
Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Artist Gerwyn Davies exhibits at Tweed Gallery

From 3 July, a major new body of work by Gadigal/Sydney-based artist Gerwyn Davies will be exhibited at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre.
Read more
Local NewsKaren Gross, The Paddock Project - 0

Big things are happening at The Paddock — and one of them has a flush

There are two milestones worth celebrating at The Paddock this season as they push ahead with their innovative project.
Read more

Byron Echo

The Byron Shire Echo

EveryoneReadsTheEcho-320pxSince 1986 The Echo has been the voice of the Byron Shire. This independent free weekly newspaper covers the news and events of a thriving, unique and colourful north coast community. Offering much more than just local news, the Byron Echo is home to a rich selection of quality content, including regular political and social commentary from guest columnists including former magistrate David Heilpern, former MLC Catherine Cusack, David Lowe and others.

Mungo MacCallum‘s authoritative political commentary was a key part of The Echo’s independent voice, until his death in 2020.

The Echo has a lively selection of letters to the editor, thought-provoking articles, and Mandy Nolan‘s Soapbox, comprehensive entertainment coverage in Seven including a gig guide of what’s on in Byron Bay. There is also the Good Life food, wine and travel section including Byron area restaurant reviews, the Good Taste restaurant guide, service directory, classified ads, real estate and much more.

Find past editions going back as far as 2005 in our print archives.

Byron Shire Echo issue 41.01 – June 17, 2026

Download PDF (19MB)
Jump to:
Local News | North Coast / NSW News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Sport | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | The Good Life | Good Taste | Health & Healing | Seven Entertainment | Cinema | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

local filmmaker Sinem Saban will be presenting back-to-back screenings in Murwillumbah of her two award-winning films that not only expose draconian Australian intervention policies, but also present the catastrophic fallout from these laws that have been unravelling in Aboriginal communities to this day.

The Echo -

Dancing and fundraising for our children’s future

The recent premeditated killings of several children in Australia by their fathers has raised the issue of filicide (the deliberate act of a parent killing their own child) alongside the issue of domestic violence (DV) and femicide (the intentional murder of women or girls) as key areas that need research to help understand why these things happen.

The Echo -

Shark culls not the answer

It has been a confronting and devastating year with a 12-year-old killed by a shark in Sydney and another shark attack in Coogee over the weekend. The NSW government has said there is nothing off the table in response to the latest shark incident. But it is vital that we don’t just start going out there and randomly culling sharks.

Aslan Shand -

Douglas Dickie retires after 51 years as firefighter

As the bagpipes let out their mournful melody approaching Wandana Brewing, Douglas Dickie was celebrated for his 51 years of service in fire brigades from Scotland to Australia.

Aslan Shand -

Film buffs flock to Bangalow

Nicholas Hope (left) who was Bubby in Rolf de Heer’s (right) groundbreaking movie of 30 years ago, Bad Boy Bubby, a film featuring clingfilm, which screened last Saturday at the Bangalow Film Festival. The fabulous festival continues until Sunday evening.

The Echo -

In loving memory of Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD (1929 –...

Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD, one of Australia’s most visionary conservation leaders and a pioneering force in ecological restoration, passed away last Thursday at the age of 96. He spent his final months at Honey Bee Homes in Ewingsdale.

The Echo -

Caring for community

The Rotary Club of Mullumbimby presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) in support of its ongoing operations.

The Echo -

AI: Artificial Intelligence, or Artificial Inflation?

It feels as if AI is everywhere – whether it’s those intrusive bots on every website or every headline about how it’s either going to be a boon for humanity, or end us.

Sunil Badami -

Byron High brings you SAAM – full of humour and chaos

In the vein of a speculative sci-fi, this comedy misadventure is simultaneously relatable, playful, hilarious, and unnerving. SAAM will be performed for three nights by Byron Bay High’s Year 11 Drama troupe on 23, 25 and 26 June from 6.30pm.

The Echo -

More comes out on Byron and Mullum pools saga

The problem with Byron Shire councillors making decisions in confidential sessions ‘behind closed doors’ is that no-one knows what really happened apart from those in the room.

The Echo -

A bit of fun to raise some funds

Bobby Conn and Molly O’Neil, from Drover (either end) Paul Tansley from Stone & Wood (back) with Damian Farrell from Fletcher St Cottage pulling out his best Ray Charles moves. Join them and plenty of other performers at the 12th Festival of The Stone on Saturday, 20 June

The Echo -

Will council support community participation in MHS development?

This Thursday (today), Byron Shire Council (BSC) will be discussing the establishment of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Byron Shire Council and Homes NSW (HNSW) as well as the potential for a Community Assessment Panel for the old Mullumbimby Hospital site.

Aslan Shand -

AI roll-out

My dad bought a quarter-acre block overlooking Sydney’s Northern Beaches for 400 pounds. That was about eight week’s salary. Mum had her hands full looking after three kids. But it was made easier because groceries, fruit, bread, milk and the...

Mike Balson, Upper Wilsons Creek -

Difficult times

We live in difficult times: so it’s good to know some things are certain; the sun will rise in the east, human stupidity endures, and our Labor federal member Justine Elliot will have a full-page colour ad in our...

Richard Adams, Kingscliff -

Labor and housing

I met Treasurer Jim Chalmers on the beach here a little while back. I asked him, ‘Are we in a housing crisis or a cost-of-living crisis?’ He wasn’t much interested in discussing economics while watching his kids frolic in...

Paul Anthony, Byron Bay -

Speaking and listening

All of a sudden Council’s supposed experts condemn the Wilsons Creek weir water quality during rain events, which would put people’s health at risk in Mullumbimby and the whole hybrid system. How did the Lavertys Gap water filtration plant supply...

Alan Dickens, Byron Bay -

Trumpism

Is it naïve to think of a promise in the political context as no more than intention to do something based on current conditions. Am I a bit thick to think that such a promise is essentially a judgement of...

Terry Hand, Mullumbimby -

Are retirement villages what Byron Bay needs?

Developer DD Resort Living is seeking community feedback until June 18 on its proposed retirement living development in Byron Bay.

Aslan Shand -

Byron Council budget up for discussion as rates rise looms

There is a potential 30 per cent or more rate rise in the wind for Byron Shire ratepayers by 2030. What’s needed is clear and concise budget documentation, accessible to your average ratepayer. It would seem the least Byron Shire Council (BSC) could provide in accordance with commitments to inform the community.

Aslan Shand -

Councillors silent

I spent some time preparing a submission regarding the draft DCP for the redevelopment of the Mullumbimby Hospital site. I submitted this to the reviewing panel at Council and I copied it to the mayor and all the councillors. I did...

Chris Abraham, Mullumbimby -

Pool tenders

A final word on the Mullum and Byron pool tenders. The five councillors who voted for Belgravia obviously care deeply about our pools. I’ve loved the Byron pool since I did SwimSafe there when I was a kid in primary...

Cr Jack Dods, Myocum -

Long serving drudges

One category overlooked for an award at The Echo’s 40th birthday party was for the long-serving drudges. Jenny Dalimore, Steve Berriman, Vicky and Tas have been part of The Echo’s distribution team for decades, turning up week after week, year...

Michele Grant, Ocean Shores -

Mullum Hospital site

I would like to acknowledge the letter printed in The Echo dated 3 June from Gary Opit and Carmel Daoud, and thank them for their excellent suggestion of returning the Mullum Hospital site to the Bundjalung people. As noted...

Bronwyn Sindel, Mullumbimby -

Local media needed

Congratulations to The Echo for 40 years of providing our community with independent review and scrutiny and information that enhances community engagement and resilience. The Echo has played a vital role in shaping the identity of Byron Shire. The Grattan...

Jan Barham, Broken Head -

Humanity together

Dale Emerson’s letter last week expanding on Chris Hanley’s attitude to The Echo, and to our world, was impressive. A call for humanity to come together. A toast to both of you. Margrette Young, Skennars Head

Margrette Young, Skennars Head -
Local News

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

The Echo - 0
Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.
Read more
Local News

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The Echo - 0
The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.
Read more
Local News

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

The Echo - 0
Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.
Read more
Local News

Community housing industry call for major expansion in upcoming NSW budget

The Echo - 0
The community housing industry are calling on the NSW government to use next week's State Budget to unlock a major expansion of community housing.
Read more

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire