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Byron Shire
June 16, 2025

Momentum builds for renewable energy deal

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Appeal to locate girl missing from East Ballina

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl reported missing from East Ballina.

Other News

John Nardi recognised for service

Congratulations to John Nardi, who will be receiving the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM), in recognition of his decades of dedicated service to the Rural Fire Service.

Editorial – Are you at a loose end?

Woahhh the grinding rubber wheels of progress will once again touch Byron’s potholed roads as councillors and staff meet this Thursday in their never-ending live streamed reality show called ‘local governance’.

Choppers to the rescue for Lismore’s flood-damaged roads

Lismore residents may notice helicopter activity throughout June as 84 flood damaged sites across 25 roads are surveyed.

Deception in war and letters

Gareth Smith has more outlandish claims in his letter to The Echo last week (28 May). He has had all...

Radical rethink of Byron Habitat’s stage-5 plans

Nearly 80 permanent residential units would be built within Byron’s Habitat precinct under radically revised plans for the fifth and final stage of the development.

Isobel’s portrait makes Young Archie finals

There must be something in the water colours in the Northern Rivers, as another local junior has had her work hung on the walls of the Art Gallery of NSW, in Sydney, as a finalist in the Young Archies.

A deal on a revised renewable energy target could be struck within days. (file pic)
A deal on a revised renewable energy target could be struck within days. (file pic)

A deal on a revised renewable energy target could be struck within days, with the federal government and opposition to meet by the end of the week.

Momentum to break a political impasse over the previously bipartisan target is building as peak business groups join in the push for a compromise and Labor prepares to give a little more ground.

Months of uncertainty over the target, which requires 20 per cent of Australia’s energy to come from renewables by 2020, has stalled investment in clean energy and cost jobs.

The coalition wants to slash the 41,000-gigawatt hour target, amid concerns it would overreach the 20 per cent goal and push up power prices.

It has landed at a 32,000GWh target, while Labor is backing the clean energy industry’s compromise of 33,500.

Last week, government MPs Dan Tehan and Sarah Henderson broke ranks and called on cabinet to approve a 33,000GWh target because of fears of job losses in their regional Victorian seats.

That figure is supported by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other peak business groups, which believe it’s a compromise that would provide stable investment in both renewables and traditional energy.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten indicated Labor was willing to move to 33,000GWh if that delivered a bipartisan target – considered essential by the clean energy industry.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt wrote to Labor’s Opposition spokesman Mark Butler last week to request a meeting and the two parties will meet by the end of this week.

The Clean Energy Council, the sector’s peak body, is standing by its compromise of 33,500GWh but welcomes any shift in the government’s position and will consider proposals on merit.


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John Nardi recognised for service

Congratulations to John Nardi, who will be receiving the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM), in recognition of his decades of dedicated service to the Rural Fire Service.

Tweed Seagulls Festival of Female Footy 

The landmark event showcasing the best of female rugby league –  from grassroots juniors to elite players – will take place on 21 June at the Piggabeen Sports Complex in Tweed Heads.

How to cook with a tea candle and create nutritious meals

If you didn’t get your flood pantry ready in time or you are just struggling to put food on the table (if you happen to have one) knowing how to make a simple nutritious meal out of basic ingredients – possibly without a heat source – is essential. 

Fatal single-vehicle crash – McLeods Shoot

A woman has died following a single vehicle crash near Byron Bay today.