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Byron Shire
July 11, 2026
Local NewsFeaturedByron Echo

Summer shark safety campaign launched

By The Echo

Latest News

EditorialAslan Shand - 0

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?
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Other News

Byron EchoStephen Totterman, Empire Vale - 0

Shark politics

The Minns government’s response to the most recent shark attack in Sydney is to spend an additional $34 million...
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Byron EchoProfessor David Heilpern - 0

Where do I start. Where does it end?

There is so much happening in the always enthralling intersection of law and politics that it is hard to know where to start. I will stop my head spinning and focus on just five.
Read more
Local NewsTricia Shantz - 0

Vale Ev King-Prime

Ev King-Prime opened the first art gallery in Byron and helped develop the nascent visual arts scene on the North Coast.
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Local union players to benefit from Legacy grants

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is encouraging local councils and rugby union clubs to take advantage of an opportunity to upgrade their facilities, player pathways and increase local participation.
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Local NewsMandy Nolan, The SHIFT Project - 0

Making the S.H.I.F.T. in women’s lives

Older women are disproportionately affected by the housing crisis and financial insecurity. They are the fastest-growing group of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
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Byron EchoWally Hueneke, Byron Bay - 0

Imminent disaster

Is the Tennyson Street Marvell Street intersection a disaster waiting to happen? Wally Hueneke, Byron Bay
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Smart drum lines deployed off the coast of Ballina. (Picture DPI)

Two additional drones will complement the NSW government’s shark-mitigation measures, which will roll out for summer. Existing measures include helicopters, drones, 35 SMART drumlines and VR4G listening stations, shark alarms, PA systems, megaphones and lifesaving heavy-duty trauma kits.

Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair (Nationals) made the announcement on Monday.

The drone trial will be at nine beaches, including Kingscliff, Main Beach Byron Bay, The Pass, Suffolk Park, Lennox Head, Sharpes Beach, Shelly Beach, Lighthouse Beach and Evans Head.

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Local News

Ballina courthouse windows smashed, man charged

The Echo - 0
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'.
Read more
Local News

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

The Echo - 0
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’.
Read more
Local News

Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism online

The Echo - 0
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.  
Read more
Local News

Ballina king tide alert for 13–16 July

The Echo - 0
Ballina Shire Council is encouraging motorists to drive safely over the coming days with king tides leading to minor flooding of some local roads.
Read more

More Articles Like This

Calls for more shark mitigation funding in Tweed

Local News The Echo - 0
Tweed Councillor James Owen (Liberal) and Deputy Mayor Reece Byrnes (Labor) are calling on the NSW state government to supply more funding for shark mitigation.
Read more

Tweed Shire gets two shark drones while Ballina waits to hear

Local News Aslan Shand - 5
Nationals member for Tweed Geoff Provest has announced that two drones will be provided for Tweed Shire beaches, yet Greens member for Ballina Tamara Smith says she is still waiting to find out if her Ballina electorate will receive any.
Read more

Shark nets, drones and drum lines – beach safety the focus

Local News The Echo - 5
Staying safe in the water as the weather heats up and the school holidays start it is important to keep water safety at the top of your mind. Rivers as well as the ocean can have strong currents and snags that are dangers to swimmers – though rivers generally have less sharks.
Read more

Shark nets to return to north coast beaches

Local News Chris Dobney - 4
Shark nets will again be ‘trialled’ at five north coast beaches this coming summer despite their largely ineffectual impact on the predators last season and widespread community concern about so-called ‘bycatch’.
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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