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Byron Shire
July 11, 2026

Tweed’s conservative councillors’ thirst for free booze

Latest News

Plastic not so fantastic

There is nothing healthier than drinking some water – or so I’ve always told my kids. It doesn’t contain sugar or colour additives – as one person used to tell us as children, ‘it’s sky juice’! What could be better?

Other News

Response to the Special Rate Variation

Why spend $120,000 on a community engagement plan to find out if residents will be happy to see their...

1,000 voices raised to end rough sleeping by 2034

Ending rough sleeping is no small challenge for Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers but that is the aim of the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration and the release of the 1,000 Voices Byron Shire report just released.

Cartoons of the week – 8 July, 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.

Vale Ev King-Prime

Ev King-Prime opened the first art gallery in Byron and helped develop the nascent visual arts scene on the North Coast.

Imminent disaster

Is the Tennyson Street Marvell Street intersection a disaster waiting to happen? Wally Hueneke, Byron Bay

Where do I start. Where does it end?

There is so much happening in the always enthralling intersection of law and politics that it is hard to know where to start. I will stop my head spinning and focus on just five.

It’s depressingly typical that the  three minority Tweed Shire councillors (two Nationals, one Liberal), still consider it their right to get pissed on the public purse.

Their opposition to mayor Katie Milne’s motion at the last council meeting to ban ratepayer-funded alcohol at council meetings and workshops speaks volumes about their civic priorities.

How about a motion to drug and alcohol-test all the usual suspects before every council meeting.

Jeremy Cornford, Kingscliff



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Ballina courthouse windows smashed, man charged

Police say a man will face court today, charged after 12 windows were allegedly smashed in Ballina last night.   Police say, 'About 10.35pm (Thursday 9 July 2026), police were called to Martin Street following reports of a man smashing windows'.

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

With a government agency now investigating the alleged clear felling of natives on a large private block in Lennox Head, Ballina Greens councillor Kiri Dicker has told The Echo that contractors were felling trees all morning, ‘trying to get the job done’.

Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism online

Police say a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man is behind bars (refused bail) and will face court in Tweed Heads Local Court on 18 September, charged with advocating terrorism.  

Ballina king tide alert for 13–16 July

Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.