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Byron Shire
July 4, 2026

Autumn equinox marks drive towards renewable energy

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Locals enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the Autumn Equinox, harmony day and the UN day for the elimination of racial discrimination at Mullumbimby Commons. Photo supplied.

PowerOn and StopAdani’s Autumn equinox celebration at The Commons Wildspace in Mullumbimby was a great success and raised $3,000 by donation.

The money raised is going towards a feasibility study for a grass roots initiated, large scale, community owned renewable energy generator. The study will look at a concentrated solar thermal generator proposed by Sol Reflections Co-Operative in Proserpine.

Continuing to raise funds for the project Howie Cooke has donated his whale piece Ocean of Love, to be auctioned at a silent auction with the condition that it stays in a public space to be viewed by the community. Please contact Frontlineunity facebook page or email [email protected]/ or call 0431 755 220 to make an offer, the starting price is at $1,000 with all proceeds going towards SolReflection.

‘In this way our first light region continues to show vision and pioneer support for positive solutions to phase out coal and gas,’ said organiser Hanna Navara.

COREM continues to contribute to the community

COREM also announced that they will be launching their renewable energy survey next week and that they will be converting Wildspace to solar.

With several local land owners having put their hands up to be part of developing local solar solutions COREM is looking to the community to find out what they want and how best to deliver it to ensure uptake.

The renewable energy survey will be ‘looking at people’s desire and the value offer that they would want to be involved in large scale community owned solar,’ said Ella Goninan, Co-Founder and President of COREM.

The survey results will be used to explore the options further at a community engagement workshop at RenewFest this year.

‘The information from the survey and workshop will be used to model our value offer and understand key design elements,’ continued Ms Goninan.

The project to convert Wilspace to solar was announced by COREM and should be completed by the end of the year.

‘We are so grateful to everyone involved in this mass collaboration and equinox vision,’said Hanna



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Positive future for Byron’s visitor economy

Last Thursday saw Destination Byron bring together over 150 attendees looking at the future of Byron and its visitor economy.

Pet adoption day – 4 July in Ballina

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc (NRAS) are hoping the sun will be out for their monthly adoption day on Saturday, 4 July from 10am until 1pm at the NRAS Rescue Shelter at 61 Piper Drive, Ballina.

Artists sought to transform factory space into multi-artform event

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for artists to transform a former factory in Lismore – The Joinery – through performance, installation and site-responsive art.

What’s on in Tweed for NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July 2026, under the national theme 50 Years of Deadly.