16.5 C
Byron Shire
June 10, 2026

Latest news

Byron local Stephan Schnierer receives the Order Australia

Stephan Schnierer, a Byron local, has been awarded an Order Australia (OA) from the Kings Birthday honours list.

‘Open slather’ if rural housing expands under Tweed policy, says councillor

A Tweed councillor is warning that protections for agricultural/environmental land could be diminished if a strategy to expand housing on rural land is adopted by Council. 

Catalano’s twin Wategos mansion DA wins court approval

A controversial dual-mansion development at Wategos Beach has been approved by the NSW Land & Environment Court, ending an 18-month battle between media entrepreneur Antony Catalano's company and Byron Shire Council.

Climate action arts program announces 2026 recipients

Ingrained Foundation, together with co-founder of the Climate Action Arts Grant Program, Vicki Brooke, and delivery partner Arts Northern Rivers (ANR), are say they are delighted to announce the five recipients of the inaugural program.

Emily Lubitz added to Lismore Lantern Parade lineup

Fresh from reaching number one on the ARIA Country Charts, Emily Lubitz will headline the  Heartbeat Festival Stage on Saturday 20 June, as part of the Lantern Parade.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Saying Goodbye to a Very Handsome Man

Last week an old friend of mine died. His name was Gary Cook. We met here in Byron Bay, when I was 23. He would have been in his early 30s. He was handsome. And funny. And weird. And self-involved. He used to come to Ringos, where I worked as a waitress. He’d sing to himself, bludge cigarettes, and shine up the serviette holder. He loved looking at himself. He’d laugh and say, ‘God, I’m a handsome man,’ and then he’d laugh this really infectious laugh

Mangroves are crucial

A global study of mangroves has found a modest boost in conserved area could significantly increase their ability to adapt to the changing climate, including rising sea levels.

As report highlights dangerous climate warning for Australia IPC rejects reopening Redbank Power Station

The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has rejected Verdant Earth Technologies’ biomass power plans at Redbank Power Station on the same day the government released the country's first National Climate Risk Assessment which highlighted Australians are at risk from more frequent and severe flooding, cyclones, heatwaves, droughts and bushfires. 

The Living Lab helping researchers get to net zero

The CSIRO has launched the National Energy Analysis Centre – which is vital new research infrastructure to support, accelerate and de-risk Australia’s complex energy transition.  

Entertainment

Before The Shed falls silent…

Join the Nudge crew this Saturday for the season ten finale of Nudge Nudge Wink Wink (NNWW) in The Shed at the Billinudgel Hotel – bringing another unforgettable night of music, connection and community spirit to the Northern Rivers.

A double dingo film screening

Following a sold-out screening at the Brunswick Picture House, Defend the Wild and Dingo Culture are proud to host a double screening event on Saturday, 13 June in Evans Head, on Minyumai Country, whose rangers feature in the film.

Retrospective

The end of fun: David Lovejoy concludes the story of the The Echo’s early years

While the drama of general manager Max Eastcott’s departure was playing out, The Echo passed its tenth birthday, and we marked the jubilee with a fourth awards night.

Catalano’s twin Wategos mansion DA wins court approval

A controversial dual-mansion development at Wategos Beach has been approved by the NSW Land & Environment Court, ending an 18-month battle between media entrepreneur Antony Catalano's company and Byron Shire Council.

Minimum requirements were never meant to be aspirations

The Echo’s recent report (2 May) on Cr Elia Hauge’s proposal for a community assessment panel for the old Mullumbimby Hospital site contained a sentence that deserves more than a passing read.

What lies beneath – AUKUS grows murkier

Senate Estimates descended into 'Yes Minister' territory last week when the vexed subject of AUKUS came up, following the revelation from deputy PM and defence minister Richard Marles that Australia's best case scenario was now that we would receive three second-hand submarines from the USA during the transition stage of this very expensive project, possibly between 2032 and 2038.

Featured

Lismore residents call to stop the demolition of homes

Community group Reclaim our Recovery are urging Lismore residents to join a gathering at the Lismore QUAD this Saturday from 11am to 'stop the demolitions of our Big Scrub heritage homes — and the NSW Reconstruction Authority needs to know we are not going away'.

Man seriously assaulted in Byron Bay

NSW Police say detectives have commenced an investigation after a man was seriously assaulted in the local area overnight.

Tour de Cure pays tribute to Professor Richard Scolyer AO

Renowned Australian pathologist Richard Anthony Scolyer AO, died yesterday after living for three years with a grade 4 glioblastoma IDH wild-type brain tumour.

Letters

Invisible elderly women

The 2026 Federal Budget has sent a clear, heartbreaking message to the senior women of the Tweed: you are...

Protest march

Byron Shire’s infrastructure has become beyond repair. Reports of new overflow of sewage. Reports of decades of no maintenance...

Naturism

For decades, naturism has struggled with a strange communication barrier. Most naturist educational material contains nudity, which means it is...

$42m for ‘a few cyclists’

Fortunately, someone in the federal bureaucracy understands that spending $42m, or $2.8m per kilometre, of public money destroying a...

Kingscliff insurance

Recently, many Kingscliff locals have been hit by massive increases in their home insurance. Some properties are located in...

ISIS vs Australian Israelis

Dear Rod Murray (Letters, 27 May) In reply to your very long letter, far exceeding 250 words, (in itself...

Local News

‘Open slather’ if rural housing expands under Tweed policy, says councillor

A Tweed councillor is warning that protections for agricultural/environmental land could be diminished if a strategy to expand housing on rural land is adopted by Council. 

Appeal to locate teen missing near Lismore

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from The Channon, north of Lismore.

Australia’s first greenhouse gas monitoring network launches

With World Environment Day being today, June 5, NSW government scientists say they have launched Australia’s first dedicated regional greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring network, "which will help inform emissions reduction as we head towards net zero".

Nazi ideology crack down sees fines of up to $11,000

Reforms that crack down on conduct which indicates support for Nazi ideology has passed NSW parliament.

Current Print Edition

Kingscliff insurance

Recently, many Kingscliff locals have been hit by massive...

A night out that changes lives

Some fundraisers just ask you to give – Rafiki Royale asks you to come and have the best night of your year, and the giving takes care of itself.

Byron Shire mens Rebels suffer first defeat at the hands of Wollongbar

Hywel David It was a mixed day out at Pioneer...

Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Sport

Mono wins in Hawaii and Japan

Australian adaptive surfing champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart has once again celebrated success on the...

Matthew Laverty recognised with OAM

Recognising his  passion for golf and long-term commitment to community service, Mullumbimby’s Matthew Laverty...

Mullum Giants celebrate Old Boys Day

Sunday, 31 May saw everyone having some fun as the sun finally shone at the Mullumbimby Giants games which included the Old Boys Day. Photos by Sarah Archibald.

Return of Ford NSW Open Regional Qualifier at Teven Golf Club

Teven Golf Club will again host the opening event of the 2026 Ford NSW...

Good Life

Ayusa Tea: clarity, energy, calm focus

Allie Godfrey At the New Brighton Farmers Market, it’s not just coffee drawing a crowd...

Bombay to Byron: 12 years of modern Indian on Jonson Street

This June marks 12 years since Bombay to Byron first opened its doors on...

Stout Blackout Blowout at Earth Beer

Nestled among the rolling green hills of Cudgen, just minutes from Kingscliff on the...

Greens from The Farm are flourshing

At the heart of a thriving market garden is timing, soil health, and a...
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Glance back
Something from the last seven days

Lismore leaders meet in parliament for industry briefing

More than 50 business, investment and community leaders gathered at NSW Parliament House this week for the "Lismore 60,000 Industry Briefing", which was described as an "important conversation about the city's future growth, investment opportunities and long-term prosperity".

Two arrested after man dies

A man and woman have been arrested after a man died in Tweed Heads on Saturday morning.

Financial woes

Byron Shire’s financial woes are not the result of...