15.4 C
Byron Shire
June 20, 2026

Minister supports community housing

Latest News

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Other News

Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program

As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition

Local media needed

Congratulations to The Echo for 40 years of providing our community with independent review and scrutiny and information that...

Seas the Day in Kingscliff this weekend

This weekend the fourth NRMA Insurance Seas The Day women’s surf festival is back at Kingscliff Beach with Surfing...

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.

More comes out on Byron and Mullum pools saga

The problem with Byron Shire councillors making decisions in confidential sessions ‘behind closed doors’ is that no-one knows what really happened apart from those in the room.

A bit of fun to raise some funds

Bobby Conn and Molly O’Neil, from Drover (either end) Paul Tansley from Stone & Wood (back) with Damian Farrell from Fletcher St Cottage pulling out his best Ray Charles moves. Join them and plenty of other performers at the 12th Festival of The Stone on Saturday, 20 June

Minister Hazzard, MPs Chris Gulaptis (Clarence) Tamara Smith (Ballina), NCCH Chairman John Stone, CEO John McKenna and MP Thomas George (Lismore)
Minister Hazzard, MPs Chris Gulaptis (Clarence) Tamara Smith (Ballina), NCCH Chairman John Stone, CEO John McKenna and MP Thomas George (Lismore). (Photo supplied).

After 32 years of providing social and affordable housing in the Northern Rivers, North Coast Community Housing has a new home of its own.

Several Members of Parliament were on hand for the occasion and the Honourable Brad Hazzard, Minister for Family & Community Services and Minister for Social Housing, spoke to the future of community housing and its importance to vulnerable people.

Hazzard praised North Coast Community Housing’s work in supporting tenants’ needs far beyond providing a roof over their heads. Programs for seniors and facilities for people with a disability are among these specialised services.

Brad Hazzard spoke with North Coast Community Housing chairman John Stone at the opening. (Photo supplied).
Brad Hazzard spoke with North Coast Community Housing chairman John Stone at the opening. (Photo supplied).

The official opening was celebrated at the new office on Molesworth Street in Lismore on Tuesday. The newly refurbished building provides space for more than 25 staff with additional offices operating in Tweed Heads and Grafton.

North Coast Community Housing chairman John Stone welcomes the move. ‘We now have room to expand our services as the need for housing grows in the region,’ he said.

North Coast Community Housing manages over 900 properties providing long-term accommodation to people on low to medium incomes. CEO John McKenna is enthusiastic about future projects, including a mixed tenure development of nine two-bedroom townhouses in Goonellabah.

North Coast Community Housing (NCCH) is a not-for-profit company managing social and affordable housing development for people in housing need on very low to moderate incomes in the far north coast of New South Wales.

 



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments 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, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.

Community housing industry call for major expansion in upcoming NSW budget

The community housing industry are calling on the NSW government to use next week's State Budget to unlock a major expansion of community housing.