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Byron Shire
June 25, 2026

When can you meet the Byron Council candidates?

Latest News

Planets and weather align for Cape Byron Steiner Winter Solstice success

Last Thursday, in the days before the Winter Solstice, and after weeks of on and off rain that had more than a few parents nervously eyeing weather apps, Cape Byron Steiner School's annual Winter Festival went ahead.

Other News

Kyogle bridge build completed in under three months

Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland says a new bridge on Gradys Creek Road, off Summerland Way and north of Kyogle, has opened to traffic. She says it took Council less than three months to build Methvens Bridge.

Where is the real cost in rail v trail?

When the state government closed the one daily train service on the Casino to Murwillumbah line, which records show...

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

local filmmaker Sinem Saban will be presenting back-to-back screenings in Murwillumbah of her two award-winning films that not only expose draconian Australian intervention policies, but also present the catastrophic fallout from these laws that have been unravelling in Aboriginal communities to this day.

Putting their money where their mouth and conscience is

Climate action group Rising Tide say they will disrupt business at Tweed City ANZ today, as local long-term customers withdraw their life savings from the bank.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Lismore wants a a safe, accessible and long-term home for the Hannah Cabinet

The Hannah Cabinet was created by Lismore master craftsman Geoff Hannah OAM over six-and-a-half years and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most significant pieces of contemporary decorative furniture.

Country Labor Byron Shire Council candidates (L-R): Peter Doherty, Linda Watson, Jan Hackett, Asren Pugh, Mel Franze, Kaylene Chamberlain. Pic supplied

The Council elections will be taking place on September 4 after a 12-month delay owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Candidates are declaring their intentions to run, and meet the candidates events are being organised across the Shire.

Former Byron Shire Cr Duncan Dey.

The candidates for mayor so far are: former councillor Duncan Dey for the Greens, and Asren Pugh for Labor, while Mark Swivel and current interim Mayor, Michael Lyon, are both heading up independent tickets. Questions still remain over whether long-serving Councillor Basil Cameron, and Councillors Cate Coorey and Alan Hunter will put up their hands to run again. Current Councillors, Jan Hackett and Sarah Ndiaye, will be running for Council positions on the Labor and Greens tickets respectively. However, with two-and-a-half months before nominations close on August 4 there is still plenty of time for more candidates to join the field.

Byron Council aspirants Mark Swivel and Meredith Wray. Image Jeff Dawson

Meet the candidates

Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) Meet the Candidates will be held on Monday, August 9 at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club from 6–8pm.

Former Greens Cr, now Independent candidate Michael Lyon.

‘Candidates will have the opportunity to tell us what they hope to achieve as councillors over the next three years. And, there will be plenty of time to ask questions,’ said MRA president, Sonia Laverty.

This will be followed by the Bangalow event that is scheduled for August 18 at the Bangalow Bowlo. It is scheduled to run 6–8pm and is being hosted by the Bangalow Herald.

The date for the Byron Bay Meet the Candidates is yet to be confirmed.

The Echo and BayFM are supporting these Meet the Candidate events.



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Kyogle bridge build completed in under three months

Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland says a new bridge on Gradys Creek Road, off Summerland Way and north of Kyogle, has opened to traffic. She says it took Council less than three months to build Methvens Bridge.

57 Station St, Mullumbimby amended DA on public exhibition

The development application (DA 10.2025.212.1) for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby is now back on exhibition for eight weeks from 22 June.

A Byron kickback with the Gimelli family

The Gimelli family ran a small Italian restaurant on Jonson Street from about 1995 into the early 2000s. It was a classy joint, ahead of Byron’s culinary curve, serving dishes from every corner of Italy.

12 winners at Byron Bay Herb Nursery

The Byron Bay Herb Nursery continues to create constructive pathways to achievement with 12 students from Byron Bay Herb Nursery’s disability support program recently graduating with a Certificate II in Horticulture.