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Byron Shire
October 26, 2026

Latest news

Cadwallader calls for government airport funding

Mayor of Ballina Sharon Cadwallader has called for a fairer airport funding partnership for the Northern Rivers, contrasting the Commonwealth’s reported $5.6 billion investment in Western Sydney Airport with Ballina Shire Council funding almost three-quarters of its airport’s recent runway upgrade.

Man dies after allegedly being run over

A service station employee has died in hospital after allegedly being hit by a ute in Coffs Harbour last week.

Trust Council with DA compliance?

The controversial subdivision at 53 McAuleys Lane, Myocum that directs traffic onto the McAuleys Lane and Mullumbimby Road intersection has had a number of the modifications approved – but not all.

Sharon Friel to stand for The Greens in Tweed

The latest candidate to put their hand up for the state election in 2027 is mother of four Sharon Friel who will stand for the Greens in Tweed next March.

Wingsuit pilot Chris Geiler is all about speed

Northern Rivers wingsuit pilot Chris Geiler has returned from the the sixth World Championships in Performance Wingsuit Flying held at Skydive Elsinore in California, with a win in the speed division.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Bring Out Your Dead

Having a dead father made me different to other kids. I was six when he died, and in a small town even I knew that for the week of his death, our family was all anyone was talking about. The 30-year-old, wild and misunderstood Robert, who drove his powder blue Valiant, drunk, head on into an oncoming vehicle, killing the grandfather of someone who I was to later meet in high school. It was a collision that changed my life forever.

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

Interview for Byron Bay Film Festival

Guided by Horses is a film that follows Aboriginal Professor Juli Coffin and the young people of Yawardani Jan-ga (‘horses helping’ in Yawuru language), a groundbreaking Aboriginal-led equine-assisted learning program where horses, Country and culture come together in unexpected ways.

Katchafire’s Revival 2.0

Katchafire team up with ARIA Award-winning Australian First Nations artist Emily Wurramara for their next Revival 2.0 Guest Edition single, collaborating on ‘Giddy Up’ – released on 4 September.

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.

Historic win for koalas as Great Koala National Park legislation passes

After a long and bitter fight, conservationists have hailed the passing of legislation to create the Great Koala National Park as a historic win for koalas, forests and the communities that fought to protect them.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Bring Out Your Dead

Having a dead father made me different to other kids. I was six when he died, and in a small town even I knew that for the week of his death, our family was all anyone was talking about. The 30-year-old, wild and misunderstood Robert, who drove his powder blue Valiant, drunk, head on into an oncoming vehicle, killing the grandfather of someone who I was to later meet in high school. It was a collision that changed my life forever.

Editorial – The rise of the machines

When the last switchboard operator became extinct and the filing assistant closed the cabinet for the last time to join the lamplighters and ratcatchers we were, perhaps, mollified with the knowledge that newer, more interesting careers would open up before us.

Featured

Cadwallader calls for government airport funding

Mayor of Ballina Sharon Cadwallader has called for a fairer airport funding partnership for the Northern Rivers, contrasting the Commonwealth’s reported $5.6 billion investment in Western Sydney Airport with Ballina Shire Council funding almost three-quarters of its airport’s recent runway upgrade.

Barwon flood must not be pumped dry

Nature Conservation Council NSW (NCC), the state's leading environmental advocacy organisation, is calling on the Minns government to put in place an urgent moratorium on floodplain harvesting to ensure the current flood is used to prepare rivers and wetlands for the coming El Niño summer, not as a bonanza for big irrigators.

Can independents save democracy?

Senator David Pocock was already booked for the National Press Club when Helen Haines was attacked outside her office, but this shocking event put a sombre spotlight on his speech, which focused on the role and responsibility of independents in the Australian parliament.

Letters

A post-apocalyptic landscape

Recently, my mother made the long trek from the big smoke to visit Mullum. She likes to check in...

What say on SRV?

I went online to yoursay.byron.nsw.gov.au/srv to have my say about the looming SRV . If implemented this (35 per cent)...

Cartoon of the week – 21 October, 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.

Don’t smoke

Will whomever is responsible for the remaining heritage railway cottage in Railway Park please get it occupied, used, and...

Clifford Street DA conflicts

On the question of ‘perceived’ conflicts of interest of the president and secretary of the Suffolk Park Community Association...

Pacific and climate

Now that the focus on climate change is shifting from prevention, to containment, to hopefully adaption, our neighbours in...

Local News

Big meeting for Ballina Council this week

The agenda for Thursday's meeting includes six notices of motion from four councillors, with issues including missing persons, volunteer recognition, and arts funding.

Forty years after first landing, Ballina airport seeks a trip down memory lane

Before there were airport coffee queues and direct flights to Melbourne, there was a crowd of 2,000 people waiting to see a plane land in Ballina.

Landscapes and ‘ghosts’ meet at Lone Goat Gallery

A sunlit valley sounds like a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. A pathway to madness, perhaps less so.

BBFF Young Australian Filmmaker of the Year

Melbourne writer-director Jake James Whitford has been named the 2026 Young Australian Filmmaker of the Year at the Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF), for his short film 'The Squatters and the Fairy Princess'.

Current Print Edition

The climate crisis is here – what do we do?

As we watch the climate crisis accelerate around us Lismore-based resilience practitioner Dr Jean Renouf and Murwillumbah academic Professor Richard Hil will be joining former Byron Shire councillor Cate Coorey in conversation this Friday.

57 Station St DA now in the hands of the NRPP

Monday, 19 October saw the Northern Regional Planning Panel listening to a long list of reasons why the development application for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby should not be approved.

Pacific and climate

Now that the focus on climate change is shifting...

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

Sport

Wingsuit pilot Chris Geiler is all about speed

Northern Rivers wingsuit pilot Chris Geiler has returned from the the sixth World Championships in Performance Wingsuit Flying held at Skydive Elsinore in California, with a win in the speed division.

Byron Bay wins Wallace Shield

For the past 63 years Byron Bay and Ballina lady golfers have had a fierce but friendly rivalry for the Wallace Shield. Even COVID couldn't spoil the party, although the competition was played with certain restrictions.

Karate success for young locals

Three young karate students from Ewingsdale's Jin Wu Koon Karate have qualified for the AMAC Australian Championship following competition in Queensland.

Far Northern Futsal team wins

The U16 boys Far Northern NSW Futsal team won the Futsal National School Championships...

Good Life

Spring into summer with local Dorper Lamb

As we move from spring into summer, it’s time to fire up the barbecue, enjoy long lunches with family and friends, and make the most of fresh, local produce. I recently spoke with Warren from Boorabe Dorper Lamb about the different cuts of lamb and how to get the best out of them.

Foreshore Italian

Foreshore Italian brings the warmth, generosity and simplicity of Italian cooking to Elements of Byron, celebrating the pleasure of good food, fresh ingredients and shared dining experiences.

Berry season is here

Spring is in the air and berries are bursting onto the farmers’ market stalls. Sweet, juicy and packed with goodness, berries are one of those treats that rarely make it all the way home without a few disappearing from the punnet.

New at the Belongil Bistro

Set beachside at Belongil, Shannon Bennett’s Belongil Bistro has a new, more approachable menu format, designed for sharing. One of four distinct venues within The Belongil, the Bistro brings produce-driven dining into a setting that feels relaxed, welcoming and distinctly coastal.
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Glance back
Something from the last seven days

Man dies following single-vehicle crash – Chinderah

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash near Chinderah today.

Man dies following single-vehicle crash – Chinderah

A man has died following a single-vehicle crash near Chinderah today.

Byron Council won’t lose $2.4m in government funding

The proposed draft changes to NSW’s allocation formula for Financial Assistance Grant funding to local councils that woudl have seen Byron Shire Council lose $2.4m in funding will not go ahead.