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Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

Update: Main Arm raids… The police are in Mullum!

Latest News

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.

Other News

Artist attempts the impossible at Lismore gallery

How do you grab hold of a horizon? Artist Lottie Consalvo has decided to have a crack.

How to stop overdoses? Dr Will Tregoning has some thoughts

With International Overdose Awareness Day approaching on 31 August, NSW now has the evidence, the tools and record overdose deaths but lacks the will on permanent, community based pill testing.

Climate science meets art at Lismore Gallery

Climate change conversations filled with graphs, reports and grim headlines can be enough to make even the hardiest soul want to hide under the doona. This Sunday, Lismore Regional Gallery is trying a different approach to discussing the issue.

Big Council rates rise coming – SRV for ratepayers

The proposed 35.03 per cent rates increase over three years to Byron Shire ratepayers is extremely concerning. I fully understand...

Peek behind the scenes of ‘Love for One Night’

Directed and devised by Julian Louis, NORPA's acclaimed production 'Love for One Night' returns to the Eltham Hotel this Thursday, running until 12 September.

Byron Bay fights for its low-rise character as 16m to 21m height breaches loom

Urgent questions are being raised about Byron Bay’s future as the NSW government increasingly uses fast-tracked planning pathways that can allow major developments to bypass or vary local planning controls, including height limits, raising concerns about how Byron’s unique character, built environment, and community expectations will be protected.

A hive of activity at Barry Lomath Oval today in Mullumbimby. Photo Echonetdaily ‘asking for a friend’ Drudge.

Original: After several reports today from readers that there is a ‘massive drug operation’ and a ‘gun and drug unit from Parramatta!’, an intrepid Echo drudge wandered over to Barry Lomath Oval next to the skate park and netball courts in Mullum to see what was the buzz.

We found this on the interwebs.

‘It’s been a quiet morning at the police Dope Drop-off Centre,’ he said. ‘After receiving a couple of early good-sized plants, the facility is underutilised. Anyone with unwanted cannabis plants on their property is urged to call police as they are willing to come and collect them immediately.’

The drudge, who was checking it out ‘for a friend’, said that there were a number of 4x4s and a few marked police cars coming and going – local police, NSW police, and Polair police.

‘They have a truck, some deckchairs and are just sitting around waiting, presumably for helicopter-loads of cannabis to be flown in.’

Stay tuned…

Unidentified flying police helicopter spotted by locals tending their crops in Main Arm. Photo Anonymous.

Update: 23 February, 2.03pm

Having waited around for voluntary contributions to the ‘Dope Drop-off Centre’ and not being satisfied with the community’s contributions Polair police have decided to swing into action.

Launching their favourite helicopter from opposite Mullumbimby High School – a great way to ensure parents get a call from kids about the danger to their crops – they have most recently been spotted flying over Coopers Lane in Main Arm.

‘They appear to be heading up over Settlement Road before they go for the big crops up in the hills,’ said one local who asked not to be named.



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Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.

Katie Milne responds to Tweed’s draft housing and employment strategy

The former mayor of Tweed Shire Council, Kate Milne, has shared her submission to Tweed's Draft Growth Management Housing & Employment Strategy.