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Byron Shire
October 19, 2026

Latest News

National NewsDavid Lowe - 0

Activists arrested on gas platform

Greenpeace activists boarded Woodside's Scarborough gas platform off Western Australia on the weekend. After staying overnight, police removed the last two yesterday (Sunday 18 October).
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Other News

Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Fish kill follows Belongil Creek opening as Council reviews protocols

A fish kill at Belongil Creek has prompted warnings to avoid the affected area, with Byron Shire Council and government agencies investigating the incident following an artificial opening of the creek.
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Byron Bay wins Wallace Shield

For the past 63 years Byron Bay and Ballina lady golfers have had a fierce but friendly rivalry for the Wallace Shield. Even COVID couldn't spoil the party, although the competition was played with certain restrictions.
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Joel Orchard named Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year

The co-founder of Wardell CORE, Joel Orchard, has been named the 2026 Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year, recognising his contribution to community connection, disaster preparedness and food relief through the Wardell Neighbourhood Centre.
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Byron EchoSarah Ndiaye, Mayor, Byron Shire Council - 0

Deputy mayor

I read Asren Pugh’s and Pam Brook’s letters regarding the deputy mayor decision. If my comments in the chamber...
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Byron EchoAnnie Radermacher, Brunswick Heads - 0

No short-term solutions

Here we are, put into the very precarious situation of funding Byron Shire Council’s (BSC) infrastructure shortfalls. By no...
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Culvert remediation works

Byron Shire Council says repairs to the damaged culvert on Coolamon Scenic Drive, between Dudgeons Road and Synotts Lane, will commence tomorrow (20 October 2026). The remediation works will address damage that has restricted traffic to one lane through the affected section.
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 41.18 – October 14, 2026

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Local News | Comment | Letters | BBFF2026 | Articles | Filter Off | Good Taste | The Good Life | National Carers Week | The Scoop | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | backlash

In this Issue:

Old Ways New Ways exhibition open in Lismore

A group exhibition, Old Ways <> New Ways, is now open at Elevator ARI, 3 Rural Street, Lismore as part of The Returning’s Indigenous Artist Residency.

The Echo -

Norma Gunhoe brings the ‘Gunghoedown’ to town

Radio broadcasting sensation, Norma Gunghoe, is launching herself at the world from the Mullumbimby Golf Club with the Gunghoedown this Saturday, 17 October at 6pm and you are invited to come along and join the fun.

The Echo -

Deputy mayor

I read Asren Pugh’s and Pam Brook’s letters regarding the deputy mayor decision. If my comments in the chamber gave the impression that I was questioning Cr Dods’ ability to continue the role, I sincerely apologise. That was certainly...

Sarah Ndiaye, Mayor, Byron Shire Council -

Domestic violence: Lismore

I witnessed the aftermath of a serious assault on a woman in Conway Street, Lismore in broad daylight. This was not a minor incident. There was a substantial amount of blood and she had visible injuries. It was immediately clear...

Dee Mould, Lismore -

Editorial – Time for a little respect

In 2020 unpaid care was estimated at three million unpaid carers in Australia that provide approximately $80 billion of unpaid care a year, that is $1.5 billion a week.

Aslan Shand -

BSC insolvency

After numerous warnings, some more than a decade ago, why haven’t our two longest standing public servants Ndiaye and Lyon made the necessary decision to ensure our infrastructure is fit for purpose? Especially seeing as they are going directly...

Sharon Kelly, Ocean Shores -

Have you visited our local hospital lately?

Has anyone had experience of visiting outpatients in one of our local public hospitals lately? What were your impressions? Positive or negative? This commentary is not to in any way critique our dedicated but beleaguered, overburdened clinical staff who...

Jamie Hoile, Lennox Head -

Nuclear hypocrisy

Nothing illustrates Western hypocrisy quite like the double standards applied to nuclear weapons. Trump insists the US-Israeli aggression against Iran is all about preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons, a totally bogus pretext reminiscent of the WMD lies that...

John Scrivener, Main Arm -

Suffolk residents raise concerns over Clifford Street DA

Last Tuesday saw around 40-50 Suffolk Park residents come together to discuss the latest development application (DA 10.2026.476.1) for 9-15 Clifford Street, Suffolk Park. Two previous DAs from Denwol have been refused by the Land and Environment Court and this is the fifth public meeting addressing development at this site over the last four-and-a-half years.

Aslan Shand -

Countless Strokes: Hend brings his world indoors

If you’ve walked down Mullumbimby’s main street and stopped to admire the murals, chances are you’ve already seen the work of local artist and muralist Daniel Hend.

The Echo -

Why bribe government when you can just buy it?

Say what you like about Clive Palmer – although given how notoriously litigious he is, maybe don’t.

Sunil Badami -

AI growing up quick

We are exactly at the point where we lose control of the AI, and it will try to hide that from us. Studies show, the less one knows about AI, the safer one thinks it is. Even as an infant,...

Peter Olson, Goonegerry -

No short-term solutions

Here we are, put into the very precarious situation of funding Byron Shire Council’s (BSC) infrastructure shortfalls. By no means will the proposed solution of increasing the rate base by the permanent 35 per cent fix any of the...

Annie Radermacher, Brunswick Heads -

Let’s not sell the only CBD carpark

The ongoing logistics disaster that is the ‘affordable’ housing proposed to be built on the public carpark at 57 Station Street is becoming a blame game. Who is responsible for choosing such an ill-considered, inappropriate site? I see no...

Vee Hunt, Mullumbimby -

Restricted mobility

Our mobility choices are an expression of our freedom of movement. Yet, not everyone in our community is able to move as freely, or as safely, as they should. Is a fundamental human right being unreasonably restricted? Everyone uses...

Basil Cameron, Goonengerry -

Dear Brunswick

After 11 wonderful years, the time has come for our family to say farewell as owners of the Brunswick Heads Post Office. Our final day will be Monday, 19 October 2026. It’s difficult to put into words just how much...

Vinnie, Teagan, Odette, Marlon, and Monty, Brunswick Heads Post Office -

The price of ignorance

What often gets described as ‘racism’ in Australia is often based on plain old ignorance. People lacking the interest or curiosity to enquire more deeply, and totally incapable of ‘joining the dots’ to extrapolate the bigger picture and deeper...

Mike Balson, Upper Wilsons Creek -

Bruns residents and Reflections struggle to find common ground

Brunswick Heads residents called on their local MP Tamara Smith for a meeting to discuss the fences that Reflections Holiday Parks have erected around the park area where the community planted native cypress pines commemorating the Battle of Lone Pine in WWI, which has been utilised by the community for over 60 years for recreation.

Aslan Shand -

Coorabell Hall Spring Fever

Spring Fever Fashion Parade celebrates a stream of flower-powered, funky, upcycled, reloved and new fashion for gals, guys and some kidswear along with jewellery, hats and reloved accessories twirling on the Coorabell Hall runway on Friday, 16 October at 7pm. Music from DJ MLC and co MC Dr Baz.

The Echo -

Byron needs a pause and review on development

Byron might be complex, disparate, and sometimes misunderstood, but if there is one thing the community seems to agree on, it’s the height limit.

Brooke Crowle -

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Big Problem with Small Print

Who ever thought putting menus in an 8-point font was a good idea? As a woman with reading glasses, who often forgets said glasses, I take it personally. It says: go away old lady. It feels like a restaurant or cafe for people with perfect vision. There may be a disabled toilet but I’m just not feeling the inclusion.

Mandy Nolan -

E-bikes on the beach

Why are e-bikes or any bikes allowed on the beach between Belongil and The Pass? It’s one of the few places where we used to feel safe and children could play freely. Now it’s an e-bike highway at times...

Wally Hueneke , Byron Bay -

Good governance

Thank you Kelly Minahan, President Suffolk Park Community Association (SPCA), for your focus on transparency, trust, and good governance. We know the value you place on such things. Let’s not however confuse consultation with mob rule. If every basic,...

Liz Levy, Suffolk Park -

Clifford St DA, Suffolk Park

Once again there is a DA for 9-15 Clifford St Suffolk Park (adjacent to the existing shops). The current nine, very affordable dwellings, will be demolished. In their place will be a mixed-use development of two ground-floor cafe/restaurant/retail tenancies, ten...

Karin Kolbe, Suffolk Park -

Thank you

Thank you Deputy Mayor Elia Hauge, Cr David Warth, and Mandy Nolan for taking the time and making the effort to hear and sight issues arising from the community being fenced and locked out of our parkland along Simpson...

Lorraine Reynolds and Penny Mangan, Brunswick Heads -
Local News

Byron Bay wins Wallace Shield

The Echo - 0
For the past 63 years Byron Bay and Ballina lady golfers have had a fierce but friendly rivalry for the Wallace Shield. Even COVID couldn't spoil the party, although the competition was played with certain restrictions.
Read more
Local News

Address from national refugee leader

The Echo - 0
Anyone interested in helping settle refugees in our region is invited to hear an address on November 7 by Romy Vitalien, director of the national program for refugee sponsorship in Australia.
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National News

Australia’s biggest culinary tourism economy

The Echo - 0
NSW is serving up a feast for visitors, with new data confirming the state is Australia’s number one destination for food tourism and attracting billions of dollars in visitor spending.
Read more
Local News

Culvert remediation works

The Echo - 0
Byron Shire Council says repairs to the damaged culvert on Coolamon Scenic Drive, between Dudgeons Road and Synotts Lane, will commence tomorrow (20 October 2026). The remediation works will address damage that has restricted traffic to one lane through the affected section.
Read more

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