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Byron Shire
September 4, 2026

Latest news

Short-stay boost for Ballina hospital, but bigger service gaps remain

Ballina District Hospital is set to get a new four-bay emergency short-stay unit before the end of the year, providing a modest boost to a hospital that remains limited in the range of specialist and higher-level care it can provide.

Ewingsdale Rd pedestrian crossing back on the agenda

The developers behind the massive West Byron housing project are back for round two in their bid to install a pedestrian crossing on Ewingsdale Road, just weeks after councillors rejected a traffic-light version of the proposal.

Chris Cherry bows out of Tweed mayoralty after six years

After six years steering Tweed Shire through floods, fires, border closures and a cyclone, Mayor Chris Cherry has decided it is time to hand over the reins.

Dabke and Tatreez – keeping Palestinian music alive

The Dabke and Tatreez ensemble were the first ever Palestinian music performance at the Sydney Opera House on 6 July last year, and they will be performing at the Bangalow A&I Hall on Saturday, 5 September at 6.30pm.

Byron businesses shine at tourism awards

Crystalbrook Byron and Better By Bike took out three gold awards at the recent  2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards in Coffs Harbour.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Warning: Choking Hazard

There is no safe way of choking someone.

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

Sex Drugs and Handrails

The near sell-out show Sex Drugs and Handrails (Stiff in all the wrong places!) has added an extra show for Sunday, 23 August that will raise funds for refugee settlement in the Northern Rivers.

Sydney Film Festival highlights in Lismore

Following the highest selling film festival in its history,...

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.

Short-stay boost for Ballina hospital, but bigger service gaps remain

Ballina District Hospital is set to get a new four-bay emergency short-stay unit before the end of the year, providing a modest boost to a hospital that remains limited in the range of specialist and higher-level care it can provide.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Warning: Choking Hazard

There is no safe way of choking someone.

We don’t just need more housing: we need it where it’s needed most

With news that the last of Byron Shire’s pod villages will be closed by the end of the year, both residents and the wider community are asking: where will they go in a region where vacancy rates are less than 0.5 per cent?

Featured

Ewingsdale Rd pedestrian crossing back on the agenda

The developers behind the massive West Byron housing project are back for round two in their bid to install a pedestrian crossing on Ewingsdale Road, just weeks after councillors rejected a traffic-light version of the proposal.

Chris Cherry bows out of Tweed mayoralty after six years

After six years steering Tweed Shire through floods, fires, border closures and a cyclone, Mayor Chris Cherry has decided it is time to hand over the reins.

Back on track: major plan calls for fresh rail trail funding bid

A fresh State and Federal funding bid to complete the Northern Rivers Rail Trail should be launched following the failure of a $42 million application earlier this year, according to a major new blueprint for the region’s economic future.

Letters

War in Iran

The reasons given to justify the war in Iran are quite illogical and hence entirely false: in fact, it’s...

Height limits in Byron Bay

I think it was Mark Twain who said, ‘If something is beautiful, and money can be made by destroying...

Shooting brumbies is inhumane

People across the country have been outraged by the ongoing aerial and ground shooting of brumbies in Australia’s national...

Council: civil unrest

Let’s support our local businesses – it’s time to plan bigger. Not only struggling shopkeepers in Mullum but literally thousands...

Hanson protest

In light of the student protests we saw against Pauline Hanson in our streets recently, it may be insightful...

Robot armies

Nuclear war now seems a matter of not if, but when: the bulletin of atomic scientists now has us...

Local News

Plastic pollution goes under the microscope at Lennox

Plastic has become such a permanent fixture of modern life that avoiding it can feel a bit like trying to dodge sand at the beach.

Refugee story comes home to Federal

A story which began with a $200 donation and a two-room refugee school in Indonesia will arrive at Federal Hall this month, accompanied by two of the people who helped bring it to life.

Short-stay boost for Ballina hospital, but bigger service gaps remain

Ballina District Hospital is set to get a new four-bay emergency short-stay unit before the end of the year, providing a modest boost to a hospital that remains limited in the range of specialist and higher-level care it can provide.

Knife and saw allegedly seized after Ballina airport security breach

A man accused of forcing his way into a restricted area at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport before allegedly assaulting a police officer will face court this week.

Current Print Edition

Arrest runners

Palestinian activist and poet, Bassem Tamimi had his visa...

Celebrating 120 years of the Billinudgel Pub

The Billinudgel Pub has stood its ground through floods, fires and more for the last 120 years and the unveiling of three recreated historic mirrors on the front verandah last Friday kicked off the celebrations.

Byron Bay Public School presents:

The Great School Art Show Off! – Byron Bay Public School invites the community to celebrate creativity at a spectacular afternoon of art, music, dance and community spirit on Wednesday, 9 September from 4pm to 6pm.

Check your rates

Check your Council rates notice. If you are the...

Sport

Mullum wins the grand final in Lismore

Mullumbimby Brunswick Valley Football Club (BVFC) Grade 15, Division 1 soccer team won the grand final by defeating Alstonville FC 2-0 at Oakes Oval in Lismore last Saturday, 29 August.

Mullum Gold Club charity day Saturday

This Saturday, 29 August  the Mullumbimby Golf Club (MGC) is hosting its rescheduled MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Charity Day in honour of Steve Ryan.

Ocean Shores golf winners

The Ocean Shores division one team won the clubs first ever NRDGA division one pennant flag.

A hole in one!

Mullumbimby Golf Club’s Cody Watego get a hole in one.

Good Life

In The Pink is now … PINK

After 38 years of ‘In The Pink Byron Bay’ it's time for an exciting change. This local family business is welcoming a new chapter with a complete renovation of the shop and a rebrand to ‘PINK’.

School lunchbox inspiration

Forget the soggy sandwich and packaged snack – some of our local school kids are showing us just how exciting a healthy lunchbox can be.

No food fraud at the farmers’ market

Food fraud has made headlines recently after an investigation by ABC program Four Corners found the issue is rampant in major supermarket aisles in Australia.

Perk up, Byron – spring is coming

Winter is on its way out, and The Roadhouse is throwing open the precinct to celebrate.
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Glance back
Something from the last seven days

Police release statement on Tamar Street fire

NSW Police have released a statement on the recent fire in Ballina, which damaged a public housing complex and led to the evacuation of residents.

Cartoon of the week – 26 August, 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.

Save Byron’s farmland

Doug Foskey (Letters,26 August) asks why the state government...