12.1 C
Byron Shire
June 4, 2026

The farmers and the chef

Latest News

TweedCAN makes it easy for locals to make a difference on climate change

TweedCAN members Sally Evans, Conal Hanna, Isabela Keski-Frantti and Gerard Bisshop Do you believe in climate action, but struggle to...

Other News

Council says potholes on Wilsons Creek Rd will be fixed

Frustration has been expressed by locals at the potholes already appearing in the recent $10.7 million upgrade to Wilsons Creek Road.

A double dingo film screening

Following a sold-out screening at the Brunswick Picture House, Defend the Wild and Dingo Culture are proud to host a double screening event on Saturday, 13 June in Evans Head, on Minyumai Country, whose rangers feature in the film.

Interview with Pacific Avenue

South Coast rockers, Pacific Avenue, have left an indelible mark on the music industry, their debut studio album Flowers secured a spot as a number one Australian album earning two ARIA nominations. Now, their recently released second studio album, Lovesick Sentimental, looks to be heading in the same direction.

The Greens’ 3-way comp: Ballina Councillor vs Byron candidates for state preselection

Byron Greens members could expect to be asked to take the future of the Richmond River further south into account when choosing a candidate for next year’s state election.

Mur’bah woman arrested over alleged bomb threats

A 23-old woman accused of making multiple bomb threats to public places across the state was arrested in Murwillumbah on Friday.

Ballina Council wrap

With local government meeting practice across the state returning to confusion following the NSW Legislative Council's recent decision, Ballina Shire Council's last meeting included a lot of unanimous decisions and an argument about the remnants of the Big Scrub, in which Mayor Cadwallader used her casting vote to squash Cr Simon Chate's motion.

DaveandBelindawithBlake Seymour

Executive chef Blake Seymour has invited three growers from Ballina Farmers Market to join him to present the evening dinner on Friday 25 August from 6.30pm in Spinnakers. Guests will be in for a real treat! Several grazing courses, a drink on arrival, and the opportunity to meet and greet the farmers from Red Earth, Bay Smokehouse and Brooklet Springs Farm.

If you come along, you can experience local produce and ingredients in a shared-style atmosphere. At Blake’s Table several courses of wholesome dishes are presented on shared platters.

Blake’s Table menu highlights include: Pasture-raised and roasted pork belly, fennel puree and confit apples; Char-grilled Ballina king prawns with smashed ‘Ballina farmers market’ avocado, coriander, spiced chickpeas and smoked paprika fried flatbread; Master-stock chicken with a caramelised peanut and chili jam and braised daikon. And those are just the highlights!

‘I am delighted to have our local Ballina farmers join me on this menu,’ said Blake. ‘I enjoy my weekly visits to the farmers markets; we have a great selection of produce here in Ballina.’

Bookings are essential. Call 6686 2544 to reserve your seat at Blake’s Table on Friday 25 August. www.ballinarsl.com.au



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.

Ballina Council wrap

With local government meeting practice across the state returning to confusion following the NSW Legislative Council's recent decision, Ballina Shire Council's last meeting included a lot of unanimous decisions and an argument about the remnants of the Big Scrub, in which Mayor Cadwallader used her casting vote to squash Cr Simon Chate's motion.

Conversations in the Pub starts with Janelle Saffin

Conversations in the Pub – Lismore’s new civic meet-up – kicks off on Friday 19 June with its inaugural special guest, the NSW Minister for Small Business, Minister for Recovery, Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP.

Bungawalbin Levee repair to improve flood resilience

A critical section of Bungawalbin Levee is proposed to be partially relocated to build its long-term resilience, benefitting the community, environment and agricultural industries in the Richmond Valley.

Aussie MPs celebrate World Bicycle Day

The leaders of the Parliamentary Friends of Cycling have joined in front of Parliament House in Canberra to celebrate the United Nations’ World Bicycle Day.