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Byron Shire
June 11, 2026

Be quiet!

Latest News

School is the beating heart of Bruns

From floods to festivals, Brunswick Heads Public School has long the been the anchor of village life.

Other News

New exhibitions opening at Lismore Regional Gallery

All are welcome to the official opening of four new exhibitions at Lismore Regional gallery this Friday evening, with live music and a talk from Melbourne artist Sarah Ujmaia.

Flood-free land and houses hit the market for Lismore buyback residents

In what the government has described as a step forward for the region’s housing recovery, flood-affected homeowners will get the first opportunity to buy into Goonellabah’s Mount Pleasant estate.

Mullum hybrid water plan springs a leak

Mullumbimby’s proposed hybrid water supply scheme is in serious doubt after Byron Council staff warned it faces significant public health, regulatory, and cost risks, and recommended Council not proceed with the project in its current form.

Declining print media a concern for Kyogle mayor

Kyogle councillors will be asked to consider a motion by mayor Danielle Mulholland around the 'demise of print media In rural and regional Australia'.

Building sites ‘blitzed’ between Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads

More than 100 building sites from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads have been inspected, which has been described as a 'blitz' by the NSW Labor government.

Social homes completed in Casino – what else is in the pipeline?

With 17 new ‘social housing’ dwellings being announced for Casino, what other similar projects are underway in the Northern Rivers?

Bronwyn Sindel, Mullumbimby

In last week’s Echo Jason van Tol poses the question as to what is the threat posed by the drumming circle? Thanks for asking Jason  –  I can only speak for myself, but I’m a very quiet person, live in a very quiet place by choice, and object strongly to having to listen to other people’s noise/music when I’m at home.

The problem with drums is that, unless they are struck very gently, the sound they make travels for quite a distance, under the right conditions – more than a kilometre.
The sound of a drum has quite a different beat to the beat of my heart and my preferred rhythm.

Why should I be subjected to someone else’s noise/music in the privacy of my own home? It’s more than annoying,
it’s actually distressing. Do I have to turn on the radio to drown out the sound?

That doesn’t seem fair.

And if I’m this sensitive, how much must it affect the ground dwelling [nocturnal] animals who are trying to rest while you play? It’s a matter of consideration for others Jason.
What’s good and enjoyable for you and your friends may be quite distressing for many others. I hope this helps you understand.
Either drum inside, where the sound can be completely blocked, or find a venue where no-one will be affected by your choice of enjoyment.

And I don’t mean the forest – there are many beings living in the forest.



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Israel’s assault on Global Sumud Flotilla – a first-hand account

It hit me like a lightning strike. It was the latex gloves that did it. Those pale blue five fingered clinical sheaths made me want to vomit. Last Tuesday, having just been repatriated from my time on the Global Sumud Flotilla, I was at Tweed Valley Hospital getting a forensic medical examination for my sexual assault at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces.

Voters are not ‘always right’

The mantra ‘voters always get it right’ is repeated after every election by winners and losers. The decision of voters must be respected, blah, blah.

Lismore councillor pay rise divides chamber at June meeting

The sharpest debate from Lismore City Council's 9 June ordinary meeting saw a majority vote to increase councillor and mayoral fees, following a 3.7 per cent rise determined by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (LGRT) – a figure tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12 months to February 2026.

Here’s to the Flotilla

The Global Sumud Flotilla is about brave people doing exceptional things with skill, compassion, colour, spirit and gruff chutzpah. Would I leave my comfy chair...