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Byron Shire
July 11, 2026

Whale, calf freed from Gold Coast shark nets

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

Baby it’s warm inside

We know times are tough right now: the world’s gone tits up, it’s cold, and the forecast has more rain on the way. Well, to get us out of the doldrums, Brunswick Picture House has the perfect tonic to help warm your bits, and cast away the winter doldrums – the return of Bruns Does Winter Burlesque!

Mandy’s column 2

Congratulations, Mandy Nolan, on winning Greens preselection for the state seat of Ballina. As a swinging voter, I can’t...

Cudgen Connection approved by NRPP

A contentious $300 million proposal on State Significant Farmland (SSF) next to the Tweed Hospital has been recommended for approval by The Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP). The Cudgen Connection decision came in late yesterday, after years of deliberations, opposition and political commitments to protect the SSF. It is located at 741 Cudgen Road.

For your wellbeing

On Saturday, in Byron, they are holding a Psychic Health and Wellbeing Expo, at the Cavanbah Centre, Ewingsdale Road – this is a community-based event and all are welcome.

Energy savings

Two exciting developments will lower household electricity bills, strengthen the local grid, and help power-up our renewable energy. First,...

Amani’s bite of the Big Apple

Although I was grateful that The Echo wrote an article about my daughter Amani Wiriyanjara being accepted into the...

UPDATE: A whale and calf that were trapped in shark nets off a Gold Coast beach have been freed.

Seaworld experts helped free the mother and baby about 7.30am (AEST), roughly an hour after reports they had become ensnared about 200 metres off Nobby Beach.

Animal activists have again condemned the use of the shark nets, with World Animal Protection describing them as “indiscriminate death traps”.

ORIGINAL: A whale and a calf are trapped in shark nets off a Gold Coast beach and experts from Sea World will soon begin trying to free them.

The mother and her baby are stuck about 200 metres off Nobby Beach.

Marine rescue experts from Sea World will try to free them this morning.



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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.