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Latest News
New data reveals NSW social housing waitlist blowout
A fresh analysis by Homelessness NSW reveals where people are waiting the longest for social housing, sparking calls to double the supply of social homes and boost services funding.
Other News
Menacing dog declaration revoked
After an emotional deputation from the owner of the dog involved, Ballina Shire Council has this morning revoked a menacing dog declaration for the kelpie Lilo, which was brought into effect following a bite in July 2022.
Cape Byron Distillery release world-first macadamia cask whisky
S Haslam
The parents of Cape Byron Distillery CEO Eddie Brook established the original macadamia farm that you can see...
Big names at local chess tournament
A major Northern Rivers chess tournament was held at the Byron Bay Services Club in late April.
‘It was well-attended,...
Increased Byron Council fees on the cards as fossil fuel investments decrease
Byron Council’s financial ship is beginning to list concerningly, taking from its reserves and other funds in order to bail out its bottom line.
Blaming Queensland again
I was astounded to read Mandy Nolan’s article ‘Why The Nude Beach Is A Wicked Problem’, in which she...
It’s MardiGrass!
This year is Nimbins 32nd annual MardiGrass and you’d reckon by now ‘weed’ be left alone.
The same helicopter raids, the disgusting, and completely unfair, saliva testing of drivers, and we’re still not allowed to grow our own plants. We can all access legal buds via a doctor, most of it imported from Canada, but we can’t grow our own. There’s something very wrong there.
Stories about "electricity grid":
How to get out of the energy crisis, according to top technology experts
Low-emissions technology and renewable energy are the way out of the current energy crisis, according to the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
Pork-barrelling Ben
Keith Duncan, Pimlico.
An interesting letter from Keith Williams and Ballina Country Labor (Echo, February 28) regarding the ongoing pork barrelling activities by the Nationals...
Resisting renewables like resisting the internet: Zibelman
Australian Energy Market Operator CEO Audrey Zibelman says Australia will be a world leader in the transition to a smarter and cheaper renewables based-grid, and trying to resist that change is like trying to stop the internet.
Networks push to take regional consumers, communities off grid
Australia’s network operators have joined forces with two leading consumer groups to argue they should be allowed to disconnect remote and regional communities from the main grid, and instead provide them with renewables based micro-grids and stand alone power systems.
The great divide over Australia’s energy future
The CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has said it is clear that the technologies exist for transition to a renewables-based electricity grid. It is only old rules and regulations that are getting in the way and preventing it from happening.
Essential Energy update
Power has been restored to customers across the flood-affected areas in the northern rivers, however work continues on the ground with the inspection of customers’ switchboards to ensure electrical safety at all homes and businesses.
Billionaire tweets signal end of the road for fossil fuels
Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk has long predicted the imminent end of the fossil fuel era. But it took a couple of tweets between him and another billionaire, Australia’s Mike Cannon-Brookes, on Friday to highlight just how close this is.
Ausgrid sale great for everyone except consumers
The sale of a 50 per cent stake in Australia’s biggest network operator, Ausgrid, to two Australian super fund managers has been hailed in just about all media quarters as a really good deal. But is it really?
AGL eyes ‘virtual power plants’ in link with battery storage developer
Australian energy utility AGL Energy has spent $A28 million snapping up a minority stake in US-based battery storage solutions provider Sunverge as it seeks to accelerate its push into distributed generation and rooftop solar and storage and smart software.
Nats turn on Libs as NSW election draws near
For the first time in living memory, the Liberals and the Nationals in the NSW coalition are offering two opposing policies at a state election. The Libs want to lease 49 per cent of the electricity network, while the Nats oppose any sale or lease of the network in their rural strongholds.
National News
Domestic violence service calls for urgent action to address crisis
Relationships Australia NSW is calling for urgent intervention from the NSW government to address men’s violence against women, following the horrific murder of Molly Ticehurst.
Local News
Menacing dog declaration revoked
David Lowe - 0
After an emotional deputation from the owner of the dog involved, Ballina Shire Council has this morning revoked a menacing dog declaration for the kelpie Lilo, which was brought into effect following a bite in July 2022.
Byron Echo
More Byron CBD height exceedance approved
Paul Bibby - 7
Two multi-storey mixed-use developments with a combined value of $36.2 million have been approved for the centre of Byron Bay, despite both exceeding height limits for that part of the Shire.
National News
eSafety commissioner granted legal injunction as X refuses to hide violent content
Australia’s Federal Court has granted the eSafety commissioner a two-day legal injunction to compel X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, to hide posts showing graphic content of the Wakeley church stabbing in Sydney.
