13.8 C
Byron Shire
September 24, 2026

Latest 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.

Council explores future for Brunswick flood housing village

Byron Shire Council is exploring options to keep the 58-home temporary housing village at Brunswick Heads operating after the NSW Government’s flood-housing program ends.

Lismore tests market for flood-raised industrial precinct

Lismore City Council is testing market interest in a proposed 21-lot industrial subdivision on flood-raised land at South Lismore.

Kings Forest seeks wider bulk-earthworks area

The developer behind the massive Kings Forest housing project near Kingscliff is seeking permission to expand the area where bulk earthworks can take place and remove an existing restriction on the amount of ground that can be exposed at one time.

Broken Head teen makes surfing history at just 13

Most 13-year-olds would be happy just to make an under-18 world final. Last weekend, Broken Head surfer Leihani Zoric went a few steps further, taking out the whole thing.

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.

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.

Editorial – Time for free oral

Most of us have had a toothache. It is bloody painful and at times I’ve fantasised taking a pair of pliers and ripping the agonising tooth out while I wait for attention from a dentist to help me – please just help me with the pain!

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.

Council explores future for Brunswick flood housing village

Byron Shire Council is exploring options to keep the 58-home temporary housing village at Brunswick Heads operating after the NSW Government’s flood-housing program ends.

Lismore tests market for flood-raised industrial precinct

Lismore City Council is testing market interest in a proposed 21-lot industrial subdivision on flood-raised land at South Lismore.

Kings Forest seeks wider bulk-earthworks area

The developer behind the massive Kings Forest housing project near Kingscliff is seeking permission to expand the area where bulk earthworks can take place and remove an existing restriction on the amount of ground that can be exposed at one time.

Letters

Development? Where now?

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

Olympics: a national event

The 2032 Olympics need to be managed by the federal government, a major financial contributor to the multi-billion dollar...

Trump corruption

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

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.

Philosotree

If a tree is planted on a dune, but there’s no social media post to announce it, did it...

Better stories

David Lowe, as always, tells it how it is. Clearly the Pacific Forum overlooked any number of things. Upsetting....

Local News

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...

Missing Tweed woman’s car found in Rous River

The car belonging to missing Tweed woman Yvonne Whear has been found submerged in the Rous River, almost seven months after she disappeared.

Medicinal cannabis driving reforms pass NSW Parliament

Medicinal cannabis patients in NSW will no longer automatically face penalties simply because THC is detected in their system while driving, after long-awaited reforms passed State Parliament.

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.

Current Print Edition

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.

Byron Netball finishes epic season on a high

Buffy Gall Byron Bay Netball Club has wrapped up an...

Animals reveal a human story at BBFF

Animals take an unexpected starring role in the newly revealed program for the 20th Byron Bay International Film Festival, with filmmakers from Australia and around the world using our relationships with animals to explore some distinctly human questions.

Swap the classroom for the trenches?

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

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...
- Advertisement -

Glance back
Something from the last seven days

Missing Tweed woman’s car found in Rous River

The car belonging to missing Tweed woman Yvonne Whear has been found submerged in the Rous River, almost seven months after she disappeared.

Byron Farmers Market is growing young farmers

Last year Byron Farmers Market launched a Young Farmer...

Animals reveal a human story at BBFF

Animals take an unexpected starring role in the newly revealed program for the 20th Byron Bay International Film Festival, with filmmakers from Australia and around the world using our relationships with animals to explore some distinctly human questions.