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Byron Shire
October 22, 2026

Latest news

Landscapes and ‘ghosts’ meet at Lone Goat Gallery

A sunlit valley sounds like a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. A pathway to madness, perhaps less so.

Ballina Council fined for pesticide breaches at Lennox Head

Ballina Shire Council has been fined $2,500 after misusing pesticide near a Lennox Head waterway and failing to keep a required application record.

Preschools urged to join Lismore rally over funding concerns

Northern Rivers preschool staff and families are being urged to rally outside Lismore MP Janelle Saffin’s office amid concerns that new state funding rules could threaten community preschool services.

Bangalow Bowlo fight goes to Supreme Court

When Norths Collective decided to breach the memorandum of understanding with the Bangalow Bowlo and the community, and closed the Bangalow Bowlo with no warning, they may not have realised how prepared the community is to fight for the return of their beloved Bowlo.

Byron High teachers and students rally together for Livi

Byron High School students and staff have stood up to raise funds to support Livi Eddington, who has brain cancer, with both the Principal and Deputy Principal shaving their locks to raise funds for Livi’s treatment.

Mandy Nolan

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Bring Out Your Dead

Having a dead father made me different to other kids. I was six when he died, and in a small town even I knew that for the week of his death, our family was all anyone was talking about. The 30-year-old, wild and misunderstood Robert, who drove his powder blue Valiant, drunk, head on into an oncoming vehicle, killing the grandfather of someone who I was to later meet in high school. It was a collision that changed my life forever.

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

Interview for Byron Bay Film Festival

Guided by Horses is a film that follows Aboriginal Professor Juli Coffin and the young people of Yawardani Jan-ga (‘horses helping’ in Yawuru language), a groundbreaking Aboriginal-led equine-assisted learning program where horses, Country and culture come together in unexpected ways.

Katchafire’s Revival 2.0

Katchafire team up with ARIA Award-winning Australian First Nations artist Emily Wurramara for their next Revival 2.0 Guest Edition single, collaborating on ‘Giddy Up’ – released on 4 September.

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.

Landscapes and ‘ghosts’ meet at Lone Goat Gallery

A sunlit valley sounds like a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. A pathway to madness, perhaps less so.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Bring Out Your Dead

Having a dead father made me different to other kids. I was six when he died, and in a small town even I knew that for the week of his death, our family was all anyone was talking about. The 30-year-old, wild and misunderstood Robert, who drove his powder blue Valiant, drunk, head on into an oncoming vehicle, killing the grandfather of someone who I was to later meet in high school. It was a collision that changed my life forever.

Editorial – Time for a little respect

In 2020 unpaid care was estimated at three million unpaid carers in Australia that provide approximately $80 billion of unpaid care a year, that is $1.5 billion a week.

Featured

Ballina Council fined for pesticide breaches at Lennox Head

Ballina Shire Council has been fined $2,500 after misusing pesticide near a Lennox Head waterway and failing to keep a required application record.

Preschools urged to join Lismore rally over funding concerns

Northern Rivers preschool staff and families are being urged to rally outside Lismore MP Janelle Saffin’s office amid concerns that new state funding rules could threaten community preschool services.

Byron High teachers and students rally together for Livi

Byron High School students and staff have stood up to raise funds to support Livi Eddington, who has brain cancer, with both the Principal and Deputy Principal shaving their locks to raise funds for Livi’s treatment.

Letters

A post-apocalyptic landscape

Recently, my mother made the long trek from the big smoke to visit Mullum. She likes to check in...

Don’t smoke

Will whomever is responsible for the remaining heritage railway cottage in Railway Park please get it occupied, used, and...

Preserve the green

Ocean Shores is a residential suburb bound by nature reserves. Billinudgel, Marshalls Creek, Jinangong, and North Head Reserve all...

BSC insolvency

After numerous warnings, some more than a decade ago, why haven’t our two longest standing public servants Ndiaye and...

Cartoon of the week – 21 October, 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.

Nuclear hypocrisy

Nothing illustrates Western hypocrisy quite like the double standards applied to nuclear weapons. Trump insists the US-Israeli aggression against...

Local News

Bangalow Bowlo fight goes to Supreme Court

When Norths Collective decided to breach the memorandum of understanding with the Bangalow Bowlo and the community, and closed the Bangalow Bowlo with no warning, they may not have realised how prepared the community is to fight for the return of their beloved Bowlo.

Lennox flood study identifies hotspots and $390,000 pump option

A new flood study has identified five drainage hotspots in Lennox Head and recommended a $390,000 mobile pump among the highest-priority options for reducing damage to properties.

Ballina Council fined for pesticide breaches at Lennox Head

Ballina Shire Council has been fined $2,500 after misusing pesticide near a Lennox Head waterway and failing to keep a required application record.

Two men charged following alleged robbery

Two men have been charged following an alleged robbery in Casino last week.

Current Print Edition

BSC insolvency

After numerous warnings, some more than a decade ago,...

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Nuclear hypocrisy

Nothing illustrates Western hypocrisy quite like the double standards...

Sport

Byron Bay wins Wallace Shield

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.

Karate success for young locals

Three young karate students from Ewingsdale's Jin Wu Koon Karate have qualified for the AMAC Australian Championship following competition in Queensland.

Far Northern Futsal team wins

The U16 boys Far Northern NSW Futsal team won the Futsal National School Championships...

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...

Good Life

Spring into summer with local Dorper Lamb

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.

Foreshore Italian

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.

Berry season is here

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.

New at the Belongil Bistro

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

McAuleys estate changes approved, but pet ban and cycle path stay

Developers have secured approval for changes to a contentious Myocum subdivision, but requirements banning pets and providing a cycle path and vehicle turnaround will remain.

Two men charged following alleged robbery

Two men have been charged following an alleged robbery in Casino last week.

Spaghetti Circus needs you!

This Thursday you can be part of keeping Spaghetti Circus running by donating to the AusArt Day, with matched funding covering the first $5,000 given to them.