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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Traffic lights needed in my backyard

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Other News

Suffolk residents raise concerns over Clifford Street DA

Last Tuesday saw around 40-50 Suffolk Park residents come together to discuss the latest development application (DA 10.2026.476.1) for 9-15 Clifford Street, Suffolk Park. Two previous DAs from Denwol have been refused by the Land and Environment Court and this is the fifth public meeting addressing development at this site over the last four-and-a-half years.

Police seize 22 e-bikes in Sydney

As part of a crackdown on e-bikes across the state, 22 illegal e-bikes have been seized following a NSW Police Force and Transport for NSW joint operation across southern Sydney and the Illawarra.

Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

BSC insolvency

After numerous warnings, some more than a decade ago, why haven’t our two longest standing public servants Ndiaye and...

Countless Strokes: Hend brings his world indoors

If you’ve walked down Mullumbimby’s main street and stopped to admire the murals, chances are you’ve already seen the work of local artist and muralist Daniel Hend.

Editorial – Time for a little respect

In 2020 unpaid care was estimated at three million unpaid carers in Australia that provide approximately $80 billion of unpaid care a year, that is $1.5 billion a week.

Well done Byron shire councillors! At last, Byron Shire might have a sensible debate about traffic lights.

After waiting more than 20 years for something to happen at the increasingly dangerous Clifford Street intersection – being told the cost of a roundabout was prohibitive and no-one would tolerate traffic lights – I welcome some sensible discussion.

I can’t think of a more reasonable resolution than was passed, that calls for objective, informed investigation and contextualised merit-based decisions.

I have never heard the moral, aesthetic, environmental or any other imperative for the avoidance at all costs of traffic lights in Byron shire, just an hysterical knee-jerk reaction that has no place in discussion of matters of public safety and amenity.  
However, if there is a cogent argument against, now’s the time to bring it out.

Personally, I’m over having to navigate a horrendous intersection as my only exit from the place where I live, subject to what seems little more than the whim of some in the shire, who, if they ever visit beachside Suffolk, can do so when they choose and don’t have to face the daily peak hour roulette to get to work, or kids to school.

Byron Bay is also well and truly in need of better traffic solutions than the chaos of the roundabouts in Lawson Street.

Imagine when there is a pedestrian crossing interrupting the flow of traffic! One is badly needed but the safest and most efficient solution with this amount of traffic would appear to be traffic lights. They are safer for bikes as well.  
The traffic issue furthermore is now year-round and traffic lights just may do more to ease the journey through town than a bypass ever will.

No-one more than me mourns the passing of the sleepy beach-side village that was Byron Bay but no amount of petulant foot-stamping will bring it back.

Liz Levy, Suffolk Park



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?