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Byron Shire
September 19, 2026

Latest news

Councillors split over withdrawing Council support for 57 Station Street DA

The raw debate that took place over the 57 Station Street carpark development in Mullumbimby at the end of yesterday’s council meeting was enlightening, not only for the public, but also for the councillors.

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.

Wyrallah Road students put creativity on show

Paint, performance and plenty of young imagination will take over Wyrallah Road Public School next Tuesday when every student gets a place on the gallery wall.

Bangalow black spot secures $1.6m safety upgrade

A notorious Bangalow road safety black spot where much-loved local man Paul ‘Campo’ Campton was killed in a hit-and-run crash is set for a major upgrade after Byron Shire Council secured around $1.6 million in NSW Government funding.

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.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: How do you view the world without taking your view from the world?

Sometimes people will say something, and the words just land inside me. Like a bird flying home to their nest. Like an ant finding the cool underside of a rock. Like a salmon swimming upstream to the place where they were born.

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

Cinema: & Sons

The estranged sons of a reclusive novelist are called to meet him after he becomes convinced he is about to die – is he?

Pints and pats

Good news for dog lovers and beer lovers alike: the pups are heading back to Stone & Wood on Saturday, 19 September for a special Dog Adoption Day, Spring Edition!

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.

Councillors split over withdrawing Council support for 57 Station Street DA

The raw debate that took place over the 57 Station Street carpark development in Mullumbimby at the end of yesterday’s council meeting was enlightening, not only for the public, but also for the councillors.

Graphic violence is fine, but pot smoking? Never

There is a new computer game called ‘Halloween: The Game’ that builds on the hyper-real and brutal violence of the film.

The life and wins of local sports legend Ric Light

Ric Light’s influence on sport in Byron Bay started with his father who was the much-loved English master at Mullumbimby High.

Featured

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.

Wyrallah Road students put creativity on show

Paint, performance and plenty of young imagination will take over Wyrallah Road Public School next Tuesday when every student gets a place on the gallery wall.

Bangalow black spot secures $1.6m safety upgrade

A notorious Bangalow road safety black spot where much-loved local man Paul ‘Campo’ Campton was killed in a hit-and-run crash is set for a major upgrade after Byron Shire Council secured around $1.6 million in NSW Government funding.

Letters

Wallum judgment

In The Echo online (8 September) a story titled ‘Wallum judgment – devastated, but not giving up!’ appeared. This article...

Climate change: not a hoax

Living in Byron Shire I often encounter friends who believe climate change is a hoax – a deep state...

E-bikes

I’m a regular visitor from Melbourne staying at Suffolk Park. One recent change puzzles me: the seeming lack of...

Byron’s character

Protecting Byron’s character is not NIMBYism. The recent article (Echo, 2 September) on the increasing use of State Significant Development...

Student protest

It is with a light heart that I respond to Margot Hay’s letter (2 September). Our children’s young years...

Olympics: a national event

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

Local News

Funding boost for NORPA’s new home at The Joinery

NORPA has secured $944,724 in Australian government funding to progress The Joinery, taking the ambitious project a significant step closer to becoming a flood-resilient cultural, creative and community hub for Lismore and the wider Northern Rivers.

The life and wins of local sports legend Ric Light

Ric Light’s influence on sport in Byron Bay started with his father who was the much-loved English master at Mullumbimby High.

Mullumbimby burst into bloom

It was once again a popular events as the Byron District Orchid Society held their Annual Orchid and Plant Sale on Friday, 11 September at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club. 

Zomi Frankcom remembered on National Peacekeeper Day

On Monday, 14 September peackeepers from Australia and around the world were recognised at the Mullumbimby Cenotaph with particular recognition of aid worker Zomi Frankcom who was killed in Gaza by the Israel Defence Force.

Current Print Edition

Wallum III

The Wallum decision is a huge shock and disappointment....

Celebrating 50 years of the Billinudgel-Ocean Shores RFS

The Billinudgel-Ocean Shores Rural Fire Service (RFS) has been working to keep their community safe for the last 50 years and are celebrating this weekend with an Emergency Services Expo on Saturday, 19 September and a fun Bush Dance Extravaganza at the Billinudgel Pub on Sunday, 20 September.

Cartoon of the week – 16 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.

Crossing overdue

Calling the crossing ‘from nowhere to nowhere’ gets it...

Sport

Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart wins US Open in California

Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart has won another US Open in California.

Byron Bay Football Club grand final super Saturday

Byron Bay Football Club (BBFC) went into Football Far North Coast’s (FFNC) grand final...

Chris Graham recognised for his service to golf

Chris Graham was presented with his ten-year service award by the North Coast Academy...

Regional tennis camp comes to Mullumbimby

Aslan Shand Young women and girls across regional NSW were recently given the opportunity to...

Good Life

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...

Young growers shine at Mullum Farmers Market’s ‘Grow Your Own Lunchbox Challenge’

Allie Godfrey Local school kids proved just how exciting growing and cooking your own food...

In The Pink is now … PINK

After 38 years of ‘In The Pink Byron Bay’ it's time for an exciting change. This local family business is welcoming a new chapter with a complete renovation of the shop and a rebrand to ‘PINK’.
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Glance back
Something from the last seven days

Friendly pooches up for adoption

Stone & Wood are teaming up with Willow Tree Sanctuary and a whole lot of friendly dogs who are looking for their forever homes this Saturday, 19 September at the tasting room in Byron Bay from 11am to 2pm.

The golden egg of affordable housing

The following relates to the development application (DA) on...

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!