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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
‘No-one ever came back but all reports indicate it’s lovely,’ and so begins this wickedly funny play about death and motherhood. Directed by the Drill’s accomplished artistic director, Liz Chance, Ghosting the Party tells the story of three generations of women who face questions of mortality and life with rigour, honesty and humour.
Byron Comedy Fest 2024 Laughs
The legendary Northern Hotel’s Backroom opens its doors to laughter when it welcomes The Byron Comedy Fest with eight big headline shows. With audiences packing out shows every year, Festival Directors Mel Coppin and Zara Noruzi have decided a new venue with increased capacity was in order. It also means the festival is an all-weather event – expect all your favourites!
Infrastructure for east end of Mullum
Mullumbimby was founded 135 years ago. In the 1960s sewerage was introduced, as was I suppose drainage infrastructure. Are...
Save Wallum now
The Save Wallum campaign has been ongoing and a strong presence of concerned conservationists are on site at Brunswick...
A grim commemoration
US President Jo Biden, responding to a question, made the comment that the US is considering the dropping of...
Press release vs Save Wallum views
The Echo editor (page 1, 10 April) might need to consider the role of a journalist – particularly that...
Stories about "NORTEC":
Prime community asset up for sale in Ballina
NORTEC is selling off the last of its Ballina community assets, the former BETC (Ballina Employment and Training Centre) head office at 10 Endeavour Close, in the Southern Cross Industrial Estate.
Govt washes hands over NORTEC sell-off
Craig Laundy, the federal minister responsible for business-incubator programs, has absolved himself from any responsibility regarding NORTEC's decision to sell off incubator sites and axe its programs.
Moving on from NORTEC: new business incubation for Mullum
The new business incubation site in Mullumbimby will be run by Sourdough. They have an information session coming up on Wednesday, 21 February at the Mullumbimby Innovation Hub.
Small businesses continue to suffer under NORTEC
Small businesses in Mullumbimby who were recently evicted by the government-funded ‘solutions provider’ NORTEC three weeks before Christmas are asking why CLIC, who will be taking over the site from NORTEC, can’t let them stay on.
NORTEC losses may explain sell-offs
It has come to light that NORTEC has recoded significant business losses during the last few years shedding more light on the motivations behind their recent withdrawal from programs they have been funded to provide both in the Byron, Lismore and Ballina shires.
MP Justine Elliot questions sale of small incubator sites by NORTEC
Justine Elliot, Labor’s federal member for Richmond has made urgent representation to the minister for jobs and innovation over NORTECs termination of leases for the small businesses at their three small business incubator sites and the sale of the Goonellabah and Byron Bay sites.
NORTEC now dumps training those most in need
Employment and training provider NORTEC have recently withdrawn the government funded outreach program aimed at providing language, literacy and numeracy training to help people access employment and training opportunities.
NORTEC incubators hit the market as original investor ‘shocked at tactics’
NORTEC has now listed the Byron Bay small-business incubator site for sale through a local real estate as a ‘very rare opportunity to purchase a substantial holding in an area of low vacancy and high demand.’
NORTEC won’t properly compensate businesses
NORTEC is refusing to extend time for small business to find new locations over Christmas, yet it continues to itself as small a business supporter.
NORTEC pulls the rug from under local startup businesses
NORTEC claims to be ‘creating opportunity and inspiring the future’ and that they are able to provide ‘small-business solutions’ but they have demonstrated that supporting and inspiring is not at the top of their list of priorities – at least not for the small businesses they were supposed to be supporting in Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Goonellabah.
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 - 3
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.