Byron Shire ratepayers are staring down the barrel of a proposed 33–35 per cent rate increase over three years, with Council arguing the extra revenue is needed to secure its long-term financial future.
Ready to race up the mountain?
That’s right, the Chinny Charge is open for registration for runners and walkers who want to take the once a year chance to race and stroll up the mountain.
Last Sunday, antique chrome and stylish engineering was on display in Brunswick Heads as the Back to Bruns hot rods came to town. Jeff Dawson was there to capture it.
Wild Rocket blast into Mullum as Mullum Roots Festival lights up the town this coming weekend. Three venues around Mullum will host music, while songwriting workshops will happen at the Drill Hall Theatre on Sunday.
In what’s been hailed as a massive breakthrough, a chlamydia vaccine implant has been administered to a wild koala for the first time, with calls for a wider vaccination roll out.
As you approached the front gates of Bluesfest there were adorable puppies attached to policemen in blue. Its unclear what crime had occurred but it could have been a pre-emptive strike against people wanting to enjoy themselves. ‘You can look but not touch.’ said on you constable. ‘They like it too much.’ Yes fun police…
None-the-less the festival has got off to an exciting start with Arlo Guthrie and Mavis Staples described as ‘awesome’ while Baker Boy was ‘fantastic’ according to The Echo‘s Bluesfest reporter.
See all the photo updates here:
stylin : jeff Dawson
adulation and indifference : jeff dawson
Peter Noble awards Kasey Chambers : jeff dawson
Mavis Staples and Ben Harper – Photo Jeff Dawson.
pinks and blues: jeff dawson
funfunfun : jeff Dawson
Tash-Rasin-the-roof. jeff dawson
Ow!-that-hurts! ;photo Jeff Dawson
St Paul, it’s Easter; Jeff Dawson
Malu-Kiai-Mura-Buai-&-friends; photo Jeff Dawson
A real wild child; photo Jeff Dawson.
Irish Mythen – Photo Tree Faerie
Rob Hirst and THAT SHIRT – Photo Tree Faerie
Ian Collard – Backsliders – Photo Tree Faerie
Dom Turner – Backsliders – Photo Tree Faerie
Ian Collard – Backsliders – Photo Tree Faerie
Dom Turner – Backsliders – Photo Tree Faerie
Rest In Peace, Rob Hirst – Backsliders – Photo Tree Faerie
when-too-much-colour-is-never-enough; photo Jeff Dawson
betterflys : photo Jeff Dawson
is that a banana in your pocket? photo Jeff Dawson
circus-arts : photo Jeff Dawson
Happy Blues, such a good friday. photo Jeff Dawson
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I attended the Brunswick Progress Associations (BPA) meeting on 6/07/2026 at the CWA for a discussion on the impact the proposed Gulgan Village development...
It’s pleasing to see further action on predatory poker machine reform being attempted by some intelligent politicians.
It may – by some miracle – encourage...
If local band Brotherhood of the Blues needs any emotional inspiration when they step onto the stage at Bluesfest next month, they need only reflect on the ups and downs of the past two years.
Byron Bay’s Bluesfest has been taken to court by a frustrated ticket holder over its controversial decision to introduce parking fees at this year’s festival.
Aussie icon Tash Sultana will return to Bluesfest to help celebrate its 30th Anniversary over Easter. And she'll be in good company, with three other great acts announced today.
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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
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. 
