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Byron Shire
June 16, 2026

No call this week on Dreamworld’s future

Latest News

Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens – where health grows

The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens is a calm, quiet, soothing place to stroll, relax, and recharge. Be still and some of the one hundred species of birds will shyly share their beautiful haven with you.

Other News

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.

Tropical soda apple eradication project spans 130km of the Richmond River

A major regional effort to manage a highly invasive weed has been completed across the Far North Coast, says Rous County Council (Rous), "marking an important step forward in protecting local agriculture and the environment".  

Missing man

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a 35-year-old man missing from Tugun on the southern Gold Coast since 9 June.

Major repairs for Lismore roads

Wyrallah and Coraki Roads will soon have 15km of road surface restored, as part of ongoing disaster recovery works across Lismore’s rural road network.

Call to end damaging native logging agreements

North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) is calling on the NSW state government to reassess the Wood Supply Agreements (WSA) that facilitate native forest in NSW’s state forests.

Lennox headland restoration works a success

Community members rolled up their sleeves last week for the 21st Lennox Head Community Tree Planting Day, which helped to continue more than two decades of restoration work on this iconic coastal landscape.

Dreamworld’s immediate future remains unclear, with no call on the park’s reopening to be made this week.

Police investigations into the Thunder River Rapids ride are continuing, after it malfunctioned last Tuesday, killing four people.

The park’s chief executive, Craig Davidson, said on Monday he had yet to be notified when those investigations inside the park would be complete or when it could be reopened to the public.

“At this point there is no time-frame or decision,” Mr Davidson said.

About 200 staff returned to work at the Gold Coast theme park on Monday, carrying out administrative and maintenance duties.

That number is expected to rise during the week, with employees guaranteed to be paid throughout the closure period and encouraged only to return to work when they feel they are ready.

“We’ve commenced a cautious and staged approach to allow our staff to return to work at Dreamworld,” Mr Davidson said.

“It is for those staff who want to come back and help the park and support their colleagues.”

All rides at the park will also need to be cleared by independent experts and Workplace Health and Safety staff before they are reopened for use.

That process also began on Monday, with Mr Davidson confirming all audits would be transparent.

“This will include the appointment of arm’s length and independent, world-leading mechanical engineering and workplace safety experts,” he said.

Mr Davidson also stressed this review was separate to any police investigations into the Thunder River Rapids ride.



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Lismore rallies to save homes from demolition

Around hundred residents met at the Lismore Quad on Saturday to demand the demolitions of heritage homes cease, the flood recovery promised is delivered, and that every person be housed.

Men’s Health Week: simple conversations

This National Men’s Health Week experts from Triple P – Positive Parenting Program are encouraging dads, granddads and father figures to embrace something simple but powerful: everyday conversations that support their own wellbeing and their family’s wellbeing.

Peace in our time?

While details remain scant, there are claims from multiple sources that a peace deal has finally been reached in the war between Iran and the United States, after nearly four months of fighting.

How to stop the erosion of our human rights

Let’s celebrate Refugee Week, 15–21 June, which was initiated in Australia 40 years ago and now observed worldwide.