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Byron Shire
October 29, 2026

Latest news

Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Gary Opit invites Byron to explore what moves after dark

Most of us notice nocturnal wildlife when it darts across the road. Gary Opit has spent decades listening to people who reckon they have seen something rather harder to identify.
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Local NewsPaul Bibby - 0

Two left feet welcome as Byron Latin Fiesta starts tonight

You don’t need to know your salsa from your bachata to join Byron’s Latin dance crowd this weekend. Everyone...
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Byron report reveals confusion over permission to fill flood-prone land

Some building certifiers have interpreted conditions requiring raised floor levels as permission to use fill on flood-prone land, even though the filling required specific assessment, a Byron Shire Council report reveals.
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Local NewsDavid Lowe - 0

Ballina debates regional arts funding, missing people and live music

Ballina Council's October meeting opened with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader acknowledging the attack on Dr Helen Haynes and calling for respectful public service. She said, 'Democracy depends on people being able to participate freely, respectfully, and without fear'.
Read more
Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Lismore’s former joinery makes room for a different kind of craft

A former Lismore joinery is about to test what else can be made in a timber factory, with Northern Rivers artists turning its industrial spaces into stages, screens and installations.
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Mandy Nolan

Byron EchoMandy Nolan - 0

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: It stops with Helen

The horrendous and shocking violence experienced by MP for Indi, Helen Haines has shown us, in technicolour, that public life is not safe. Helen is known for her moderate approach, her lack of affiliation with party politics and her deep commitment to community.
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General Interest

National NewsThe Echo - 0

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.
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National NewsAslan Shand - 0

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. 
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National NewsEve Jeffery - 2

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.  
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Entertainment

Entertainment NewsThe Echo - 0

Wanderlust come to Mullum

Wanderlust invites the community to a magical evening celebrating connection and conscious living at the Wanderlust Night Market.
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Music overtones at Byron Bay International Film Festival

From the extraordinary life and legacy of Marianne Faithfull to the raw energy of Australia’s 1995 Summersault tour, a larrikin road trip through the Australian bush and the next generation of music video makers, music runs through this year’s Byron Bay International Film Festival. 
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Retrospective

Articles & ColumnsDavid Lovejoy - 1

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.
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Local News

Gary Opit invites Byron to explore what moves after dark

Most of us notice nocturnal wildlife when it darts across the road. Gary Opit has spent decades listening to people who reckon they have seen something rather harder to identify.
The Echo - 0
Read more
Byron Echo

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: It stops with Helen

The horrendous and shocking violence experienced by MP for Indi, Helen Haines has shown us, in technicolour, that public life is not safe. Helen is known for her moderate approach, her lack of affiliation with party politics and her deep commitment to community.
Mandy Nolan - 0
Read more
Articles & Columns

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.
David Lowe - 0
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Featured

View all articles
Local News

Two left feet welcome as Byron Latin Fiesta starts tonight

Paul Bibby - 0
You don’t need to know your salsa from your...
Read more
Local News

Byron report reveals confusion over permission to fill flood-prone land

The Echo - 0
Some building certifiers have interpreted conditions requiring raised floor levels as permission to use fill on flood-prone land, even though the filling required specific assessment, a Byron Shire Council report reveals.
Read more
Local News

Ballina debates regional arts funding, missing people and live music

David Lowe - 0
Ballina Council's October meeting opened with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader acknowledging the attack on Dr Helen Haynes and calling for respectful public service. She said, 'Democracy depends on people being able to participate freely, respectfully, and without fear'.
Read more

Letters

Ballina Hospital

Letters Scott Hyams, Mullumbimby - 0
After recently suffering a stroke I have been extremely fortunate to be doing my rehabilitation at the Ballina Hospital...
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Council: efficient, benchmarked?

Letters Jan Barham, Broken Head - 0
Despite lots of information about the rate rise, there are no options, ideas for increasing revenue, or organisational efficiencies...
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Wheelchair-accessible buses?

Letters Basil Cameron, Goonengerry - 0
Why in 2026 are buses, including school buses, not wheelchair-accessible? Why has Byron Council banned local buses, that bring local...
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No SRV

Letters H Rowland, Ocean Shores - 0
Proposing another Special Rate Variation (SRV) during a financial, and affordable housing, crisis portrays a local council willing to...
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Concerns missed

Letters Paul Cholakos, Montecollum - 0
At Monday’s (19 October) NRPP meeting on 57 Station Street, only three people, including current Cr Swain and Cr...
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Cheques exist?

Letters Larry Hoofs - 0
I received a cheque in the mail (I didn’t know they still existed) from Medicare. It is payment to...
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Local News

Ballina debates regional arts funding, missing people and live music

Ballina Council's October meeting opened with Mayor Sharon Cadwallader acknowledging the attack on Dr Helen Haynes and calling for respectful public service. She said, 'Democracy depends on people being able to participate freely, respectfully, and without fear'.
Local News David Lowe - 0
Read more

Mullum Show just around the corner

An exciting Mullumbimby Show is coming up on 6, 7, and 8 November at the Mullumbimby Showground with lots of fun activities, music, and events for all the family.
Local News Aslan Shand - 0
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The plan to reduce floods by flooding our local communities

The CSIRO report on flood mitigation in the Richmond River was released in June to enthusiastic proclamations from Lismore business leaders. ‘We must act without delay!’ they urged. ‘The science has spoken!’
Local News Annie Kia - 0
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Where’s the funding for critical community help?

Neighbourhood and community centres are struggling to keep their doors open and are cutting services because they don’t have ongoing core funding to cover staffing and operating costs.
Local News The Echo - 0
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Current Print Edition

Byron Shire Echo issue 41.20 – October 28, 2026

Download PDF (19MB)
Jump to:
Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Sport | Making Spaces | The Good Life | Good Taste | Byron Arts & Industry + Habitat | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Seven Entertainment | Cinema | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash
Byron Echo

How regenerative farming and ecological restoration are rebuilding resilience

Recent ecological surveys of formerly ‘lifeless paddocks’ at Banyula farm. near Clunes recorded an astonishing 121 bird species and sightings of threatened species, including koalas, which now make the property home.
The Echo - 0
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Byron Echo

Rejecting the politics of hate

Have you ever lived in such turbulent times? We really don’t know what to expect from one day to the next. With such uncertainty it is difficult to plan ahead.
Richard Jones - 0
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Local News

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.
Aslan Shand - 0
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Local News

Byron’s drainage upgrade piles up on Council-remediated land

A growing stockpile of debris from Byron’s town drainage system upgrade has been deposited on Council-remediated land at South Byron’s Old Sewage Treatment Plant.
Zakai Sparkes - 0
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Sport

Locals heading to Jakarta for a padel

Byron Echo The Echo - 0
Three Northern Rivers junior tennis players, brothers Miles and Ollie and teammate Frankie, have...
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Ballina Dragons conquer the Tweed again

Local News The Echo - 0
For the second consecutive year, Ballina Dragon Boat Racing Club has won the 21 km 'Three Bridges Long Paddle' in a time of 1 hour 55 minutes 23 seconds.
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Wingsuit pilot Chris Geiler is all about speed

Local News Eve Jeffery - 0
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.
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Byron Bay wins Wallace Shield

Local News The Echo - 0
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.
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Good Life

Spring into summer with local Dorper Lamb

The Good Life Allie Godfrey - 0
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.
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Foreshore Italian

The Good Life The Echo - 0
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.
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Berry season is here

The Good Life Allie Godfrey - 0
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.
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New at the Belongil Bistro

The Good Life The Echo - 0
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

Local News

Ballina students dive into water science

Local Ballina Shire primary school students rolled up their sleeves and put water science into action as part of Rous County Council’s inaugural Young Water Leaders event.
The Echo - 0
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Byron Echo

Great Koala National Park approved

The humble NSW koala has led to local Liberal MP Catherine Cusack crossing the floor, and serious internal disputes between the NSW Liberal and National Party over land and koala management policy, with the koala wars a particular flash point in 2020.
Aslan Shand - 0
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Cartoons

Cartoon of the week – 28 October, 2026

The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide...
The Echo - 0
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