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Byron Shire
June 12, 2026

Border restrictions expanded for NSW hotspots

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

The Echo has way too much fun at 40th birthday bash

Without an inch or even a centimetre to spare, the Byron Bowling club was dressed up to the nines and packed with funsters on Saturday evening for The Echo's 40th Anniversary & Awards Celebration.

Wanted: citizen scientists to check on our creeks

The Richmond River upper catchment is currently sitting on a C- in the Richmond River Ecological Health Report Card. It's not a number we can accept without doing something about it.

Taxing labour vs capital

Catherine Cusack (Echo, 27 May) says she believes ‘Australians are fine with fairness for housing. The issue is messy...

A night out that changes lives

Some fundraisers just ask you to give – Rafiki Royale asks you to come and have the best night of your year, and the giving takes care of itself.

More hands up for the seat of Ballina in 2027

More candidates are putting up their hands to run for the seat of Ballina at next year’s state election.

Compassion missing

Predictably, Marianne McCormack (Letters, 3 June) chooses to ignore my personal claims that I am not a racist, to support...

Police say that cross-border commuters are being requested to update their border declaration passes following the announcement of a new COVID-19 hotspot in New South Wales from today.

From 1am today, July 27, anyone who has been in the local government area of Fairfield in the past 14 days will not be able to enter Queensland.

New South Wales local government areas of Liverpool or Campbelltown, as well as the whole state of Victoria, remain active COVID-19 hotspots.

With the new hotspot being added, cross-border residents should update their border pass to help reduce delays at police border checkpoints where vehicles displaying older passes, particularly those with NSW registration plates, will likely be stopped.

An email notification was issued today to local border pass-holders with information about updating their declaration pass.

People turned away at state border

Queensland’s border restrictions mean people who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days will be turned away at the state’s border.

Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home but will be required to quarantine in government-provided accommodation at their expense.

Since July 3, anyone entering Queensland is required to complete a border declaration pass which is valid for seven days or until the person’s circumstances change.

Everyone entering the state must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass online before travelling to Queensland.

Police will continue to conduct random interceptions of those progressing through priority passage to ensure the validity of declarations.

Providing false information on the declaration or entering Queensland unlawfully could result in a $4,003 fine.

The Queensland Border Declaration Pass can be accessed at www.qld.gov.au/border-pass and is valid for seven days.


Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19

COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row.

Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19

An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market.

Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab! 

The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. 

Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need

Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.

COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally

COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal.

COVID-19 update for New South Wales

Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day.

Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...

The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing.

Public transport mask mandate to end

Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.

NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass

SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures.

COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23

The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.



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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.