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Byron Shire
September 26, 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.

Does Byron’s bum look too big?

Byron Shire Council charges more for residential rates, farmland rates, water, sewer, and waste when compared to Ballina, Lismore, Clarence and Richmond shires. Only Byron’s business rates are lower.

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'.

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

Good governance

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

60-day cap?

Where is the enforcement of Byron Shire’s 60-day Airbnb cap? During the community debate over short-term holiday letting in Byron...

Appalling leadership

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

Development? Where now?

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

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.

Trump corruption

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

Local News

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.

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.

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.

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.

Current Print Edition

Jo Immig’s article

I am looking at Jo Immig’s article in last...

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

Three young surf lifesavers from Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving...

The Whitlams Return to Rock Island

The Whitlams are coming to the Hotel Brunswick on Friday, 2 October for the first show of the Return to Rock Island tour. The band is revisiting its favourite rock venues down the East Coast, where long, sweaty nights formed the bedrock of The Whitlams’ reputation as a memorable force in the Australian live music scene.

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.

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

Swimmer drowns at Cabarita Beach

A man has died after being pulled from the water on the weekend.

The Buttery wins national resilience award

The Buttery is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation delivering mental health, and alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services across Northern NSW, from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie.

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.