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Local NewsThe Echo - October 7, 20260

Smart glasses restrictions proposed for Byron pools and public facilities

Camera-equipped smart glasses could face restrictions at Byron Shire’s public pools, libraries and childcare facilities under a proposal aimed at protecting people from being recorded without their knowledge.

Local NewsPaul Bibby - October 7, 20260

Byron urged to seek exemption from state housing fast-track

Byron Shire Council is being urged to seek an exemption from the state government’s housing fast-track system and a pause or review of major developments that conflict with local planning rules.

Local NewsThe Echo - October 7, 20260

Fifty years of ‘make it, bake it, grow it’ at The Channon

Long before buying and selling became a matter of scrolling and clicking, people were meeting at The Channon to trade and barter goods.

Local NewsThe Echo - October 7, 20260

Ballina and Tweed cut DA waits, opening door to $1 million each

Ballina and Tweed councils could each secure up to $1 million for local infrastructure after cutting their average development application assessment times by nearly two months.

Local NewsAslan Shand - October 7, 20260

All eyes and ears on the Dingo

This is a region that has birthed multiple festivals and now a new festival, Dingo, springs into life this Thursday bringing an exciting mix of local and international music to the community.

Mandy Nolan

Byron EchoMandy Nolan - October 7, 20260

Why We Still March to Reclaim the Night

Imagine being raped or killed and being blamed. That’s how it’s been for women in a patriarchy that instead of holding the perpetrator to account, asks ‘What was she wearing?’, ‘Why was she walking on that street at that time of night?’, ‘Was she a sex worker?’ These are the wrong questions.

General Interest

National NewsThe Echo - March 5, 20260

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.

National NewsAslan Shand - September 16, 20250

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.

National NewsEve Jeffery - July 25, 20252

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

Entertainment NewsThe Echo - September 29, 20260

Good music, Goodwill and a dance floor that gives back

The Shed is calling! Nudge Nudge Wink Wink returns to the Billinudgel Hotel on Saturday for seven hours of exceptional music, connection, unexpected delights and the unmistakable feeling of The Shed in full flight.

Entertainment NewsThe Echo - September 22, 20260

Interview with Finn Ress – keyboardist, composer and producer

A new music and arts festival is coming to the Northern Rivers, with Bangalow set to host the inaugural Dingo Music & Arts Festival across four days from 8 to 11 October.

Retrospective

Articles & ColumnsDavid Lovejoy - August 16, 20181

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.

Local News

Smart glasses restrictions proposed for Byron pools and public facilities

The Echo - October 7, 2026 0

Byron Echo

Beware the Thucydides Trap

President Xi Jinping gave a sinister warning to President Trump that would have gone way over his head and baffled his dwindling band of MAGA fanatics.

The Echo - October 2, 2026 0

Byron Echo

Why We Still March to Reclaim the Night

Mandy Nolan - October 7, 2026 0

Featured

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Local News

Byron urged to seek exemption from state housing fast-track

Paul Bibby - October 7, 2026 0

Byron Shire Council is being urged to seek an exemption from the state government’s housing fast-track system and a pause or review of major developments that conflict with local planning rules.

Local News

Fifty years of ‘make it, bake it, grow it’ at The Channon

The Echo - October 7, 2026 0

Long before buying and selling became a matter of scrolling and clicking, people were meeting at The Channon to trade and barter goods.

Local News

Ballina and Tweed cut DA waits, opening door to $1 million each

The Echo - October 7, 2026 0

Ballina and Tweed councils could each secure up to $1 million for local infrastructure after cutting their average development application assessment times by nearly two months.

Plug in, pay up?

Byron Echo Dr Anne Stuart, Zero Emissions Byron - October 2, 2026 0

If you drive a 15-year-old ute, or don’t drive at all, would you expect to pay for public electric...

Peacekeepers

Byron Echo John Thurgar, Mullumbimby - October 8, 2026 0

I was the conducting officer of the National Peacekeeper Day Service held in Mullumbimby on 14 September 2026. I...

End of the world

Byron Echo Peter Olson, Goonengerry - October 2, 2026 0

Trump’s recent statement that he may invade Iran and capture the oil raises the distinct possibility, that the Strait...

Crisis of reasoning

Byron Echo Kathleen Angus, Main Arm - October 7, 2026 0

One of the hardest things about being invested in protecting Wallum and other precious and rare ecosystems is reading...

Fuel prices

Byron Echo The Echo - October 2, 2026 0

I have just driven the return trip to Sydney on the motorway in my diesel-fuelled Toyota. A few things...

Boycott bloody insurance

Byron Echo Gareth W R Smith, Byron Bay - October 2, 2026 0

Those of us who strive for a just and peaceful world are shocked to learn that insurance companies like...

Ron and Liz exhibition coming to Mur’bah

Ron Curran and Liz Friend have been a fixture of the Northern Rivers art scene since they started Dynamic Drawing classes in 1999 in Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, and Lismore.

Local News Aslan Shand - October 2, 2026 0

Ballina and Tweed cut DA waits, opening door to $1 million each

Ballina and Tweed councils could each secure up to $1 million for local infrastructure after cutting their average development application assessment times by nearly two months.

Local News The Echo - October 7, 2026 0

Reclaim the Night march this Thursday

This Thursday, women and men of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to take part in the Reclaim the Night march in Lismore as part of the annual Reclaim the Night marches that happen around the country.

Local News The Echo - October 7, 2026 0

All eyes and ears on the Dingo

This is a region that has birthed multiple festivals and now a new festival, Dingo, springs into life this Thursday bringing an exciting mix of local and international music to the community.

Local News Aslan Shand - October 7, 2026 0

Byron Shire Echo issue 41.17 – October 7, 2026

Byron Echo

Casting vote

The mayor’s recent casting vote means the repugnant and...

David Brown, Mullumbimby - October 7, 2026 0

Byron Echo

Building trust

Liz Levy’s letter about the Clifford Street and Broken...

Kelly Minahan, Suffolk Park - October 8, 2026 0

Local News

Reclaim the Night march this Thursday

The Echo - October 7, 2026 0

Byron Echo

Plug in, pay up?

If you drive a 15-year-old ute, or don’t drive...

Dr Anne Stuart, Zero Emissions Byron - October 2, 2026 0

Broken Head surfer Leihani Zoric ISA U18 World Junior Champ

Byron Echo The Echo - September 29, 2026 0

Paul Bibby Most 13-year-olds would be happy just to make an under-18 world final. Two...

Coming out of retirement to have a crack at winning fourth world title

Local News Eve Jeffery - September 29, 2026 0

Local wingsuit athlete Chris Geiler is coming out of a post-three-World-Championship retirement to compete at the 2026 World Championships in the US in two weeks.