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Byron Shire
September 25, 2026

Latest news

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.

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.

Measles alert after infectious traveller visits Northern Rivers locations

Health authorities have issued a measles alert after a confirmed case visited eight locations across Byron, Ballina and Pottsville while infectious.

A natural burial and conservation site for Byron Shire

For many people in Byron Shire, caring for the environment is not simply something we do; it is part of how we live.

Community rallies in support of Bangalow Bowlo

Over 1,000 people rallied on Saturday in support of the Bangalow Bowlo and returning it to community hands, 11 months after Norths Collective closed the Bowlo.

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.

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.

The second algorithm: why government control is the wrong fix

It is not often that a minister describes the most sweeping power she has ever asked for with the words 'I guess'.

Tony Burke and the immigration iceberg

In a speech to the National Press Club, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has attempted to redefine the immigration debate. But what lies beneath?

Featured

Making is better together

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

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.

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.

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.

Letters

Trump corruption

The swamp of corruption surrounding the Trump administration makes its predecessor’s shenanigans in Ukraine look like amateur hour. Trump’s...

Good governance

How we work with community matters. Two items at Thursday’s Council meeting cut to the heart of that relationship:...

Ill-gotten gains

As the American President Trump stuffs up the world and stuffs his pockets with money, Australia’s homegrown hard-right-wing, Trump-loving...

Development? Where now?

So Cr Michael Lyon (Facebook, 17 September) has indicated that he no longer supports housing development for the 57...

SRV and traffic lights

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

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

Emergency guide wins NSW Resilient Australia Award

Resilient Uki has won a 2026 NSW Resilient Australia Award for its Northern Rivers Community Emergency Hub Guide, developed with funding from Northern Rivers Community Foundation.

Swap the classroom for the trenches?

History teachers from the Northern Rivers are being encouraged to apply for the new...

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.

Tyagarah’s slow and gentle treasure – from their hive to your home

When Michael Howes left Sydney in the mid-1990s, he wasn’t chasing a business. He came north to visit a friend, got lost somewhere in the ranges, fell for the country and stayed. He started keeping bees in 1996...

Current Print Edition

A natural burial and conservation site for Byron Shire

For many people in Byron Shire, caring for the environment is not simply something we do; it is part of how we live.

SRV and traffic lights

Amongst the many correspondents understandably aghast at a second...

Ill-gotten gains

As the American President Trump stuffs up the world...

Deaths from military conflict

Whilst the Mullumbimby RSL Sub-Branch acknowledges the death of...

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

Take the time to make a difference

The Mullumbimby Anglican Op Shop is calling out for volunteers in their shop on Mullumbimby’s main street.

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.

Swap the classroom for the trenches?

History teachers from the Northern Rivers are being encouraged...