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Byron Shire
October 23, 2026

Native forest logging review supported by Labor

Latest News

Landscapes and ‘ghosts’ meet at Lone Goat Gallery

A sunlit valley sounds like a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. A pathway to madness, perhaps less so.

Other News

‘Coal mines are writing the laws’

The Minns government has announced it will bypass the independent planning process and legislate an increase in coal production at MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant mine, following the landmark High Court decision that found the mine's expansion approval was invalid because the climate pollution from exported coal had not been properly considered.

Culvert remediation works

Byron Shire Council says repairs to the damaged culvert on Coolamon Scenic Drive, between Dudgeons Road and Synotts Lane, will commence tomorrow (20 October 2026). The remediation works will address damage that has restricted traffic to one lane through the affected section.

Cartoon of the week – 21 October, 2026

The Echo loves your letters 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, send us your epistles.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Bring Out Your Dead

Having a dead father made me different to other kids. I was six when he died, and in a small town even I knew that for the week of his death, our family was all anyone was talking about. The 30-year-old, wild and misunderstood Robert, who drove his powder blue Valiant, drunk, head on into an oncoming vehicle, killing the grandfather of someone who I was to later meet in high school. It was a collision that changed my life forever.

Ballina Council fined for pesticide breaches at Lennox Head

Ballina Shire Council has been fined $2,500 after misusing pesticide near a Lennox Head waterway and failing to keep a required application record.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?

Sitting Labor MP Justine Elliot, who is contesting the local federal seat on May 18, has rejected claims that her party’s plans for native forest logging is ‘poised to repeat the mistakes of the past and fails to learn from international experience’.

Lobbyists National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) is calling on Labor to ‘honour its previous commitment to review Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) in light of up-to-date science on climate change and threatened species.’

The Echo asked if an elected Labor would review RFAs. She replied Labor’s forestry policy ‘does not open the door to burning native forests for electricity’.

She said, ‘Labor supports proper, independent, and full scientific assessments of RFA outcomes as part of the agreed framework’.

‘This includes all relevant science, including climate science and impacts on threatened species’.



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Aston Private: personalised care, close to home

Aston Private has expanded its Northern Rivers services by launching Aston at Home, an outpatient service for people who would benefit from treatment while staying at home and connected to daily life.

Ballina Council fined for pesticide breaches at Lennox Head

Ballina Shire Council has been fined $2,500 after misusing pesticide near a Lennox Head waterway and failing to keep a required application record.

Preschools urged to join Lismore rally over funding concerns

Northern Rivers preschool staff and families are being urged to rally outside Lismore MP Janelle Saffin’s office amid concerns that new state funding rules could threaten community preschool services.

Bangalow Bowlo fight goes to Supreme Court

When Norths Collective decided to breach the memorandum of understanding with the Bangalow Bowlo and the community, and closed the Bangalow Bowlo with no warning, they may not have realised how prepared the community is to fight for the return of their beloved Bowlo.