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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
Some spending cannot be questioned
The euphemisms were flying when Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles announced last week that an extra $50 billion would be spent on our military over the next decade, and that $72.8 billion of already announced spending would be redirected.
Byron Bay takes second at NSW grade three regional bowls championships
Pam Scarborough
Byron Bay’s district winning, grade three pennants bowl team knew they had stepped up a grade when they...
Not enough letters like this about Gaza in The Echo?
The Echo’s studied indifference to the plight of the Palestinians and its reluctance to publish letters on the subject...
Gabriella Cohen in Bruns
Gabriella Cohen, Australia’s folk darling, is coming to Brunswick Picture House to perform a one-off intimate solo show on Saturday. Known for her magnetic performances, off-hand charm and pop sensibilities, Gabriella plays music that is all-at-once laid-back, tongue-in-cheek, and peppered with the sweet sounds of ‘60s girl groups.
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!
Sweet and sour doughnuts
Victoria Cosford
‘It’s probably a good thing I don’t have a sweet tooth,’ says Megan.
I’ve called in at the pop-up...
Stories about "Save Ballina’s Koalas":
Call to secure bushfire funding for koalas and other endangered species
Ballina Shire councillor Jeff Johnson is calling for a port if the $1.1m dollars in bushfire funding that has been received by Ballina Shire Council to be spent on the local koala population.
Ballina koalas’ ‘fate sealed’ as highway route confirmed
Despite a 10-year campaign to prevent the Pacific Highway being routed through the middle of the region’s most significant koala colony, new federal environment minister Josh Frydenberg rubber-stamped the RMS proposal on his first day in the job.
Highway route in ‘worst possible spot’ for koalas: expert
Backed up by a renowned koala expert, local, national and international conservation groups are accusing the Roads, Maritime Services (RMS) agency of submitting inaccurate and misleading information in the Ballina Koala plan.
Ballina koala campaigners seek crowdfunding
The Save Ballina Koala campaign has turned to crowdfunding in a last-ditch bid to save the north coast’s sole remaining intact colony of the marsupial.
State promises to cover cost of Ballina koala fences
Ballina mayor David Wright says councillors were told yesterday that Roads and Maritime Services have undertaken to cover the cost of koala fences along some local roads in Ballina shire if the controversial Blackwall Ranges highway route goes ahead.
Koalas in highway’s path ‘dying anyway’, says RMS
The newly released koala plan of management for the Pacific Highway section south of Ballina has drawn the ire of koala campaigners who say it is simply a method of managing the local colony into extinction.
Fence local roads in Ballina shire to protect koalas: Johnson
A Ballina shire councillor is hoping to gain support today for a motion calling on either the state or federal governments to fund koala fences along local roads in Ballina shire.
Nesting boxes ‘won’t save endangered species’
One of the region’s key wildlife groups is sceptical that 700 ‘nesting boxes’ for native animals displaced by the encroachment of the Pacific Highway into the Blackwall Range will improve their survival chances.
RMS accused of cover-up over highway-route secrecy
Roads and Maritime Services NSW has been accused of sitting on studies of a koala colony in the path of the Broadwater section of the Pacific Highway, with protection groups suggesting the authority is massaging the figures.
Government refuses to route Pacific Highway away from koalas
In the clearest show yet that the state government is unmoved about the plight of the north coast’s last intact koala colony, it indicated in parliament yesterday that it still intends to plough through it when it builds the new Pacific Highway south of Ballina.
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.
