11.5 C
Byron Shire
October 1, 2026

Latest news

Wildlife hospitals need help to prepare for bird flu

H5 avian influenza is already present in NSW and has been detected as far north as the Coffs Harbour region. The number of dead birds is increasing with 55 reported dead in NSW.

Help clean the beach for turtle nesting season

November is when turtles start nesting on Byron Shire beaches, and to make things a little easier for them TurtleWatch are having a community clean-up day at Brunswick Heads on Saturday, 3 October from 10am to 12pm.

Byron says proposed 35% rate rise still won’t meet full funding need

Byron Shire Council says its proposed 35.03 per cent permanent rate increase would still fall short of meeting the full extent of its long-term financial needs.

Greens councillor Elia Hauge elected Byron’s deputy mayor

Mayor Sarah Ndiaye (Greens) sought to have the election of the deputy mayor position be voted on at the latest Byron Shire Council meeting on Thursday, 17 September.

Northern Rivers businesses take home a swag of regional awards

From blueberries and cinemas to post offices and pint-sized businesses, the Northern Rivers business community had plenty to celebrate at this year’s regional awards.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: The Joy of Boredom

Are we at risk of losing our ability to experience boredom? Will boredom soon be extinct?

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

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.

Tweed small schools take centre stage

Students from nine of the Tweed region’s smallest public schools will take over the Murwillumbah Civic Centre tomorrow for the third annual Tweed Small Schools Talent Show.

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.

Help clean the beach for turtle nesting season

November is when turtles start nesting on Byron Shire beaches, and to make things a little easier for them TurtleWatch are having a community clean-up day at Brunswick Heads on Saturday, 3 October from 10am to 12pm.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: The Joy of Boredom

Are we at risk of losing our ability to experience boredom? Will boredom soon be extinct?

Neglecting Australians, and our international commitments, for big business

‘We’ve had one policy; we landed it, a 2030 target of 43 per cent, net zero by 2050, both of them legislated’, said Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, on 10 June, 2024.

Featured

Australia’s .au domain just cracked the global top ten

When Verisign published its latest Domain Name Industry Brief for the first quarter of 2026, one line in the country-code rankings stood out.

Byron says proposed 35% rate rise still won’t meet full funding need

Byron Shire Council says its proposed 35.03 per cent permanent rate increase would still fall short of meeting the full extent of its long-term financial needs.

Greens councillor Elia Hauge elected Byron’s deputy mayor

Mayor Sarah Ndiaye (Greens) sought to have the election of the deputy mayor position be voted on at the latest Byron Shire Council meeting on Thursday, 17 September.

Northern Rivers businesses take home a swag of regional awards

From blueberries and cinemas to post offices and pint-sized businesses, the Northern Rivers business community had plenty to celebrate at this year’s regional awards.

Letters

57 Station St development (1)

So, Cr Swain was embarrassed about a conversation that shouldn’t be had in public. Well, shoot, councillor – as...

Most corrupt of all!

Thanks John Scrivener for his letter on Trump corruption. Hitler spoke of ‘Globe luge’, the ‘big lie’ being a...

57 Station St development (3)

The Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) asked a question at Byron Shire Council’s (BSC) meeting on 17 September: ‘Where are...

57 Station St development (4)

It is really disheartening to hear our mayor still promoting the fake news that the people opposing Council’s plan...

We have fallen

The fundamental precepts of international law are reflected in the preamble to the UN Charter, which calls upon nations...

China: not a threat?

Your letter writer Trevor Syme needs to be brought up to speed re China’s intentions and associated activity in...

Local News

The Common Table sets a place for closer connection in the Northern Rivers

Good food, new company and thoughtful conversation are on the menu when The Common Table launches at Saltbush Bar & Grill in Ballina on Wednesday 14 October 2026.

Greens councillor Elia Hauge elected Byron’s deputy mayor

Mayor Sarah Ndiaye (Greens) sought to have the election of the deputy mayor position be voted on at the latest Byron Shire Council meeting on Thursday, 17 September.

Future of 70 hectares of Lismore buyback land up for debate

Lismore residents are being asked to help decide what should happen to more than 70 hectares of flood-buyback land across the city.

$80,000 upgrade for Mullum Tennis Club

The Mullumbimby Tennis Club via the the Northern Rivers Tennis Foundation (NRTF) is about to undergo an $80,000 upgrade after becoming beneficiaries of a Tennis NSW grant.

Current Print Edition

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

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.

57 Station St development (2)

What does it take? Councillors: be brave regarding 57...

Cinema: Heart of the Beast

From acclaimed director David Ayer (Fury) comes Heart of the Beast, a sweeping and visceral survival thriller that sends Academy Award-winner Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) into the beautiful, but merciless Alaskan wilderness, where survival will depend on the companion at his side.

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.

Sport

Broken Head surfer Leihani Zoric ISA U18 World Junior Champ

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 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.

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...

Good Life

Made for a good time: Light Years

Whether you’re pulling up to the terrazzo bar for a quick drink or settling...

Discover Nonnie’s: wine, deli and a little something different

Tucked into the heart of Mullumbimby, Nonnie’s Wine Store is not your typical bottle...

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...
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Glance back
Something from the last seven days

Climate 200 wants YOU!

Climate 200 is putting their money where their independents are and last Friday their latest ‘kitchen table’ event included hundreds of supporters at the A&I Hall in Bangalow.

Construction company fined $225,000 after cyclist fatality

NSW Kerbing Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined $225,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW as a result of a prosecution by SafeWork NSW.

The con job

What will the sales pitch be to sell off...