22.1 C
Byron Shire
June 19, 2026

Abolish business influence on government

Latest News

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Other News

Coolamon Baby supports Aboriginal mothers

Coolamon Community supports new Aboriginal mothers by providing a no-strings-attached baby bundle via culturally-sensitive health workers.

Pool tenders

A final word on the Mullum and Byron pool tenders. The five councillors who voted for Belgravia obviously care deeply...

Douglas Dickie retires after 51 years as firefighter

As the bagpipes let out their mournful melody approaching Wandana Brewing, Douglas Dickie was celebrated for his 51 years of service in fire brigades from Scotland to Australia.

Labor and housing

I met Treasurer Jim Chalmers on the beach here a little while back. I asked him, ‘Are we in...

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program

As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition

Hayo van der Woude, Mullumbimby.

We saw the expressionless party mouthpiece, Julie Bishop, become more like her real self, speaking for women and more closely aligned with concerns of electorates, when she headed for the backbench.

Kelly O’Dwyer is still performing party-speak as a minister. Deadpan repetitive answers to questions reflect the party’s corporate face. She will soon return to fulltime parenting and the freedom to again speak normally. Watch for the compassionate Kelly to emerge.

It pains my heart to hear premier Gladys’ soulless repetition of party lines on drug testing, road and building construction, all propaganda for invisible interests. It’s especially stressful for capable women to avoid expressing their innate humanity.

In an angry environment it becomes harder for Libs and Nats to justify large corporate donations, Labour wants tax funded budgets for parties in proportion to their size. That was the other option for corporations to maintain their hold over the political process.

So, don’t vote for any of the bastards. To keep them honest, go for quality independents, who will answer to us back in the electorates.

 



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

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

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.

Community housing industry call for major expansion in upcoming NSW budget

The community housing industry are calling on the NSW government to use next week's State Budget to unlock a major expansion of community housing.

New bus services for Tweed and Murwillumbah

From 29 June, 175 additional weekly bus services will be added to Tweed and Murwillumbah routes.