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Byron Shire
June 12, 2026

Lennox sand mines and water theft

Latest News

Up to 550 homes pegged for Byron Shire’s newest suburb

Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road. 

Other News

Raising funds for BYS

Byron Youth Service (BYS) supports young people across the Byron Shire through a diverse range of creative, educational, and wellbeing initiatives, while continuing significant improvements to The YAC (Youth Activity Centre).

Social homes completed in Casino – what else is in the pipeline?

With 17 new ‘social housing’ dwellings being announced for Casino, what other similar projects are underway in the Northern Rivers?

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Let’s Disappear the Outrage Farmer

There’s super-offensive content making its way around the internet by someone who is NOT Indigenous and is NOT a comedian. I will not say her name. I will not identify her nor will I describe the content. If you think you know what I am talking about: good. And if you don’t: good. Let’s keep it that way.

Climate action arts program announces 2026 recipients

Ingrained Foundation, together with co-founder of the Climate Action Arts Grant Program, Vicki Brooke, and delivery partner Arts Northern Rivers (ANR), are say they are delighted to announce the five recipients of the inaugural program.

Up to 550 homes pegged for Byron Shire’s newest suburb

Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road. 

Lismore’s Blakebrook quarry proposal meets resistance

A recent gathering of locals concerned about a proposed ‘mega dump’ landfill at Blakebrook quarry has been supported by Lismore Greens councillors. Lismore Council say they are still considering the proposal.

Kim Wright, Lennox Head

In response to Mr Connelly re Sand mine in Lennox Northern Star May 12, 2018.

‘What is sought is a “concept” approval at this time’. This concept is a privately owned Lake, three times the size of Lake Ainsworth gained by extracting 3,610,000 tonnes of sand over a 30 year period.

The quarry will dig deep into our water table, causing 710 million litres of water to evaporate from our wetlands system every year… and what do we get out of it? A maybe, sometime, lake that we have to pay to access, that will be a potential hazard to health due to toxicity levels, excessive and dangerous levels of truck movements and damaged roads, potential loss of water table and wetlands ecology, toxic run off into our waterways and ocean.

What does McGearys get out of this? The value of 3,610,000 tonnes of sand, and our money, to pay to access this so called lake (in 30 years time).

This will be the second private ‘lake’ produced from sand quarrying on Newrybar Swamp Road. How many holes in the ground, taking precious water from our water table do we want?

This is a furfy, thrown into the development application only to divide the community. We have our Lake Ainsworth, let’s look after it, not create further problems for it by changing the water table and creating potentially dangerous run off into waterways.

I don’t ‘dig’ it and nor should McGearys.



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Load limit increased for Byron Creek Bridge

The load limit for Byron Creek Bridge has been increased to 24 tonnes, say Byron Shire Council, following structural analysis of the bridge.

Festival and event grants on offer

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for NSW government grants to bring cultural festivals and events to life across the state over the coming year.

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft wins prestigious Ochre Award

Bundjalung woman and artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM has received the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.

The Pocket Winter Festival bringing you music, food and fun

The Pocket Winter Festival is set to return on Sunday, 21 June, from 10am to 2pm, bringing together the community for a day of music, food, entertainment and family fun at The Pocket Public School.