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Byron Shire
September 27, 2026

Latest news

Coercive control incidents rise across Northern Rivers

Recorded incidents of coercive control have increased across the Northern Rivers in the second year of NSW’s new coercive control laws, with 30 incidents recorded in the Richmond-Tweed region since the offence came into effect.

New laws set to influence local live music scene

New NSW laws designed to support live music venues have been passed months after Byron Shire Council abandoned plans for a Special Entertainment Precinct in Byron Bay.

Shark drone operator rescues six-year-old at Lighthouse Beach

A shark surveillance drone operator at Ballina’s Lighthouse Beach has found himself carrying out a very different kind of rescue after spotting a six-year-old boy struggling in the surf.

Red alert issued for potentially toxic algae at Lake Ainsworth

People are being warned to stay out of Lake Ainsworth at Lennox Head after testing detected high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

Volunteer for Bruns-Byron VRA

VRA Brunswick-Byron is inviting adults across Byron Shire to join the local volunteer rescue team during a recruitment campaign running during September.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Lets Talk About Dementia

This week is Dementia Action Week. Some of its purposes are to raise awareness, reduce stigma and build understanding. We don’t talk about dementia because it scares us.

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

Richmond RiverFest returns to Ballina on World Rivers Day

This spring, the Richmond River comes alive with a month-long celebration of culture, community, and Country as Richmond RiverFest 2026 runs from 27 September to 24 October.

Ten plays. Ten minutes. You decide.

What can happen in ten minutes? A retirement village might need a child. A cat could outsmart its human.

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.

Coercive control incidents rise across Northern Rivers

Recorded incidents of coercive control have increased across the Northern Rivers in the second year of NSW’s new coercive control laws, with 30 incidents recorded in the Richmond-Tweed region since the offence came into effect.

Time to create a new politics

Climate change is happening faster than we thought and Australia is set to fall well short of its 2030 renewable energy target of 82 per cent.

Democracy does not equal liberalism

In recent years, democracy seems to be taking sides. In political commentary, opinion columns, or even conversations with friends, after each major election, there appears to be a preferred ‘democratic’ candidate.

Featured

Making is better together

There is something that happens when people sit around a table and make something together.

New laws set to influence local live music scene

New NSW laws designed to support live music venues have been passed months after Byron Shire Council abandoned plans for a Special Entertainment Precinct in Byron Bay.

Shark drone operator rescues six-year-old at Lighthouse Beach

A shark surveillance drone operator at Ballina’s Lighthouse Beach has found himself carrying out a very different kind of rescue after spotting a six-year-old boy struggling in the surf.

Red alert issued for potentially toxic algae at Lake Ainsworth

People are being warned to stay out of Lake Ainsworth at Lennox Head after testing detected high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

Letters

Nationwide Olympics

A 2032 Olympics update: Queensland’s credit rating has been downgraded from AA+ to AA by S&P Global Ratings (Standard...

SRV and traffic lights

Amongst the many correspondents understandably aghast at a second 35 per cent SRV, last week we were told that...

Appalling leadership

While the PM spins and avoids transparency and the foreign minister prefers to yell abuse to take up time...

Deaths from military conflict

Whilst the Mullumbimby RSL Sub-Branch acknowledges the death of Zomi Francom as tragic, so too are the deaths of...

Jo Immig’s article

I am looking at Jo Immig’s article in last week’s Echo, where she said the reasons human have been...

Cartoon of the week – 23 September, 2026

The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, send us your epistles.

Local News

Broken Head teen makes surfing history at just 13

Most 13-year-olds would be happy just to make an under-18 world final. Two weeks ago Broken Head surfer Leihani Zoric took out the whole thing.

Uniquely Byron Business Awards

The Byron Bay Uniquely Byron Business Awards are now open.

Fake $100 notes marked ‘PROPS’ circulating across Northern Rivers

Northern Rivers businesses are once again being urged to check cash carefully following reports of counterfeit $100 notes being used at local shops.

Wildlife road warnings falling short on Byron roads

Byron Shire Council has acknowledged that some of its current measures to protect wildlife from vehicle strikes have limited effectiveness, while funding has yet to be secured for seasonal electronic warning signs on several key koala routes.

Current Print Edition

60-day cap?

Where is the enforcement of Byron Shire’s 60-day Airbnb...

Greasing up Bright Lights

Bright Lights senior musical theatre troupe is proud to present Grease for their 2026 musical production.

Byron Netball finishes epic season on a high

Buffy Gall Byron Bay Netball Club has wrapped up an...

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Lets Talk About Dementia

This week is Dementia Action Week. Some of its purposes are to raise awareness, reduce stigma and build understanding. We don’t talk about dementia because it scares us.

Sport

2026 annual Senior Basketball Carnival

The 13th annual Senior Basketball Carnival was held last week, 11 to 13 September...

Byron takes top spots in Sydney’s U16 Bridge to Beach

Three young surf lifesavers from Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club (BBSLSC) have produced an...

Byron Netball finishes epic season on a high

Buffy Gall Byron Bay Netball Club has wrapped up an outstanding season with premiership glory,...

All the results from the 2026 Chinny Charge

After another epic race on the one day of the year Mullum's iconic Mount Chincogan opens to the public, here are the complete results of the 2026 Chinny Charge.

Good Life

Byron Farmers Market is growing young farmers

Last year Byron Farmers Market launched a Young Farmer Sponsorship Program to support and...

Cin cin to Spritz-ember at Pixie

Prawn linguine and a $13 spritz? Say less. All month long, Pixie Italian is celebrating...

Spring by the glass at Bar Heather

Spring has a way of coaxing us all back out into the world. In...

Fresh from the boat to the farmers’ market

Allie Godfrey When it comes to seafood, freshness is everything, and at JJ Seafood, the...
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Glance back
Something from the last seven days

Operation Yankee Rumour sees 18 arrested

Detectives from Gold Coast Major Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) have closed an operation targeting the trafficking of dangerous drugs and money laundering, resulting in the arrest of 18 people.

Challenge of mobile market wash stations

Byron Shire Council (BSC) introduced the mobile market wash stations in 2024 as they looked to phase out single-use food and beverage packaging at events held on Council-managed land.

Time to create a new politics

Climate change is happening faster than we thought and Australia is set to fall well short of its 2030 renewable energy target of 82 per cent.