10.4 C
Byron Shire
July 5, 2026

Latest news

Vale Eve Sinton 20/11/52–30/06/26

In February this year, Eve Sinton was admitted to Tamworth Hospital. All tests and biopsies were taken. Before announcing the diagnosis to Eve, the doctor asked ‘First Please tell me what was your occupation?’ Eve replied, ‘I am a journalist’.

Positive future for Byron’s visitor economy

Last Thursday saw Destination Byron bring together over 150 attendees looking at the future of Byron and its visitor economy.

Pet adoption day – 4 July in Ballina

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc (NRAS) are hoping the sun will be out for their monthly adoption day on Saturday, 4 July from 10am until 1pm at the NRAS Rescue Shelter at 61 Piper Drive, Ballina.

Artists sought to transform factory space into multi-artform event

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for artists to transform a former factory in Lismore – The Joinery – through performance, installation and site-responsive art.

What’s on in Tweed for NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July 2026, under the national theme 50 Years of Deadly. 

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: When No Means MoNo

Pauline wants monoculture. No one really knows what she means. And we know that Pauline definitely doesn’t know what it means, she just knows it will create disturbance. So I’ve done a bit of a deep dive on what the mono might look like.

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

The ghosts of generations – Siang Lu at Byron Writers Festival 2026

The Byron Writers Festival talks to author Siang Lu about his book, Ghost Cities, which won the Miles Franklin Award in 2025.

A heartfelt night of fundraising

We can’t solve the lack of social housing investment, or magically make emergency accommodation appear, but we can help alleviate suffering and bring warmth and comfort to people coping in truly awful situations.

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.

Dead whale towed back out to sea at Wooyung Beach

With a dead juvenile whale washed ashore near Crabbes Creek Beach south of Wooyung Road, Tweed Council say they are preparing to tow it back out to sea on tomorrow morning's high tide.

Free conversation helps birthing

I was a home birth. I chose to have my children in a hospital. That was my choice. There is a lot of attention going to freebirthing at the moment. But the reality is that women have been freebirthing since they started birthing. That’s a damn long time.

Teals form a party – well some of them, anyway

Community Strong Australia chose to announce its existence to the world with an image showing two women, teal MPs Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall, isolated on the vast expanse of the Parliament House forecourt, while something exciting seemed to be happening in the distance.

Featured

EOI on buyback homes and emergency pods

Expressions of Interest from eligible organisations are sought for the relocation of buyback homes and temporary pods for community reuse.

Take sanctuary at this year’s Byron Writers Festival

Thirty years and a stellar lineup is coming your way with this year’s Byron Writers Festival,14–16 August.

Public meeting called over Mullum carpark DA

The Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) has called a public meeting for Monday, 13 July at 6pm at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club to discuss the modified development application (DA 10.2025.212.1) for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby.

Letters

Slow down

Just when you think it can’t get any worse on the roads, dodging e-bikes and ridiculous-sized vehicles, now we...

Multiculturalism

Right across the planet, the soccer World Cup is grandstanding multiculturalism in all its splendour! It’s a great kick in...

Overdevelopment

I was horrified when my eyes landed on the resubmitted housing/commercial DA by Landcom and Byron Shire Council at...

Ecological sustainability

Close to 40 years ago, at a time when the ozone layer was threatened and revealing ‘holes’ in same,...

African tulip tree

There is a beautiful large, bright, orange-flowered tree, the African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata), which grows vigorously in our...

Councillor’s integrity

In last week’s Echo, there was a wonderful editorial, plus another article about the Station Street development for affordable...

Local News

New funding path sought for rail trail, but is it too late?

Byron Council will investigate private sponsorship, tourism partnerships, and smaller staged projects as it seeks a new path forward for the long-delayed Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) after a major federal funding bid failed.

Take sanctuary at this year’s Byron Writers Festival

Thirty years and a stellar lineup is coming your way with this year’s Byron Writers Festival,14–16 August.

A deeper dive into Gulgan Village’s affordable housing

If approved, Gulgan Village, proposed on the highway end of The Saddle Road across 37.9 hectares, could eventually (after a development application process) house up to 1,000 people in around 550 homes, ‘depending on the housing mix’ (source: Gulgan Village Civil Engineering Report).

New fish hatchery planned for Chinderah

A Chinderah aquaculture business is set to receive $2 million in state government funding to build a new fish hatchery, according to a NSW government media release.

Current Print Edition

BaySounds opens the door for songwriters

Some songs arrive quickly. Others sit half-finished in notebooks, voice memos or guitar cases for years before somebody finally hears them.

Locals losing their homes for luxury $2.5m retirement flats

For Kerry Pauley and the six other remaining permanent residents at the Glen Villa Resort on Butler Street, Byron Bay, news of the luxury retirement village that has been proposed for the site at 80-86 Butler Street has been devastating.

Slow down

Just when you think it can’t get any worse...

Not alone

Residents of Morrison Ave Mullumbimby, rest assured you are...

Sport

Mud bath at Bangalow – Rebels vs Ballina men’s XV

Heavy rain in the lead-up made for treacherous conditions for rugby at Bangalow, with...

The John Mitchell Memorial Golf Even

On Sunday, 16 August, the Lennox Head Lions will be staging their annual Golf...

Top female player shares tips in Byron

Croquet players from across the Northern Rivers area were privileged to spend time recently...

Crocs U10 go undefeated at Gala Day

The United Shores, U10 Crocs soccer team enjoyed a fantastic day of football at...

Good Life

Winter wellness begins in the pantry

or thousands of years, the kitchen was the pharmacy. Long before supermarket shelves and medicine cabinets, families turned to nourishing broths, warming spices, medicinal herbs and seasonal foods to support their health through winter. While modern medicine has an invaluable place – particularly for serious illness – many everyday winter rituals have been forgotten or aged out.

Celebrating native foods this NAIDOC Week at Mullumbimby Farmers Market

NAIDOC Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and learn from the world’s oldest living culture, and one of the easiest ways to do that is through Australia’s remarkable native foods.

Handcrafted delicious French pastries at Mullum Farmers Markets

Allie Godfrey A taste of France has arrived at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market, with local...

Local farming legend retires after 23 years

Thursday, 25 June marks the end of an era for local farmer Kenrick Riley...
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Glance back
Something from the last seven days

NAIDOC Week and 19th Arakwal NAIDOC Week short film screening

Celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of First Nations Australians, NAIDOC Week runs from 5-12 July with the theme ‘50 Years of Deadly’.

What do we owe each other?

Some films arrive as an invitation to gather, reflect, and begin a conversation. Common Wealth, screening at Byron Theatre on Friday, 10 July, feels made for that kind of room.

BaySounds opens the door for songwriters

Some songs arrive quickly. Others sit half-finished in notebooks, voice memos or guitar cases for years before somebody finally hears them.