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Byron Shire
June 13, 2026

Local cricket gets ready for Big Bash

Latest News

Up to 550 homes pegged for Byron Shire’s newest suburb

Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road. 

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Byron local Stephan Schnierer receives the Order Australia

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Kyogle petition calls to restore daytime train service to Brisbane

A Kyogle petition with more than 1,000 signatures is calling on ‘key stakeholders and policymakers’ to provide a ‘practical daytime train service’ to Brisbane, with claims that the current train service, which leaves at 3am and returns at 8am, is 'inconvenient and frustrating’.

Usman Khawaja is heading back to school for this summer’s KFC Big Bash. Khawaja, along with Gurinder Sandhu, Mike Hussey and their Sydney Thunder teammates are going back to school this summer as part of the Thunder Local Hero community program launched by KFC Big Bash team, the Sydney Thunder.

The Thunder Local Hero program, one that is free for all schools to sign up to, has already had a number of schools sign up across New South Wales and the ACT, and will see all Sydney Thunder players adopted by schools across the fourth term and into the summer holidays.

Registration for the program is free, and is possible for any school across NSW and the ACT to adopt a Sydney Thunder player.

Each school that registers will receive a Thunder Local Hero activity pack which includes a bio and posters of their player, a schools’ activity pack, school stickers, and a welcome video from their Local Hero.

Throughout the summer, students will continue to receive regular updates from their player via email, video messaging and be able to keep up to date with their progress.

A select number of schools will also win a chance to have a Sydney Thunder player come to their school for a special clinic, as well as the opportunity to win tickets to a Sydney Thunder match.

Sydney Thunder player Mike Hussey was excited about the return of the Local Hero initiative.

‘Last year it was great to be associated with a number of local schools and most importantly to give back to our youngest and most passionate fans’, said Hussey.

‘School kids are some of our greatest supporters so it will be great to be able to return some of that support across the summer.’

Nick Cummins, General Manager of Sydney Thunder said the team was looking forward to connecting with schools throughout NSW and the ACT.

‘Being able to give back to our local communities, schools and families is at the heart of what we are about as a team and we are pleased to be able to connect with them again through the Local Hero initiative’, he said. ‘It is great to have so many schools register last year and we are hoping that even more schools will get involved this year. The players and organisation as a whole cannot wait to connect with the schools within our community and I’m sure each of the players will do their schools proud.’

To find out more about the Thunder Local Hero and register your school head to www.sydneythunder.com.au/localhero.



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Load limit increased for Byron Creek Bridge

The load limit for Byron Creek Bridge has been increased to 24 tonnes, say Byron Shire Council, following structural analysis of the bridge.

Festival and event grants on offer

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for NSW government grants to bring cultural festivals and events to life across the state over the coming year.

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft wins prestigious Ochre Award

Bundjalung woman and artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM has received the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.

The Pocket Winter Festival bringing you music, food and fun

The Pocket Winter Festival is set to return on Sunday, 21 June, from 10am to 2pm, bringing together the community for a day of music, food, entertainment and family fun at The Pocket Public School.