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Byron Shire
June 18, 2026

COVID update includes trial of home quarantine

Latest News

In loving memory of Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD (1929 – 2026)

Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD, one of Australia’s most visionary conservation leaders and a pioneering force in ecological restoration, passed away last Thursday at the age of 96. He spent his final months at Honey Bee Homes in Ewingsdale.

Other News

AI roll-out

My dad bought a quarter-acre block overlooking Sydney’s Northern Beaches for 400 pounds. That was about eight week’s salary. Mum...

Damning police culture review puts pressure on NSW govt for reform

An independent review into NSW Police Force culture has found systemic sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination against female officers, prompting calls for the Minns Labor government to immediately expand the powers of the state's police watchdog.

Kyogle adopts $64.6m budget, promises big investment for the future

Kyogle Council has adopted its 2026/2027 budget, with Mayor Danielle Mulholland saying it delivers a clear commitment to strengthening essential services, supporting emerging needs, and positioning the community for the future.

Pool tenders

A final word on the Mullum and Byron pool tenders. The five councillors who voted for Belgravia obviously care deeply...

Labor and housing

I met Treasurer Jim Chalmers on the beach here a little while back. I asked him, ‘Are we in...

Remembering Pete Woolnough with song

It is with great sadness that the community heard the news of the death of Peter Woolnough.

When media were told that NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian would be at today’s 11am update, we expected big news – the Premier said last week she would only attend the updates if it were important news.

Ms Berejiklian didn’t appear to have anything extraordinary to say and it was business as usual.

To 8pm last night, NSW recorded 1,284 new local cases and 12 deaths, including two people in their 20s.

Two cases were acquired overseas – 1245 people are hospitalised and there are 228 in ICU and 112 requiring ventilation.

NSW has reached 80.7 per cent of first dose of vaccination, getting closer to the 80 per cent required fully vaccinated.

Stuart Ayres, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney has also announced in the next couple of weeks the trial of home quarantine.

‘Today is a new step to reopen NSW to the rest of the world,’ said Minister Ayres.

This trial will take place in NSW for four weeks with 125 people.

NSW Government, with the help of the Police, will choose a range of different people and different types of accommodations to target the best solution.

Whether, families, couple, or single people from different ages, will be able to home quarantine by the end of the month, and will be informed before arriving, explained Minister Ayres.

Police will check people who will home quarantine, using different technologies such apps.

Home quarantine will be exclusively for fully vaccinated people, while keep using hotel quarantine.

Deputy Premier John Barialro has announced that to 8pm, there were no new cases in the Northern Rivers – NNSWLHD.


 

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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Caring for community

The Rotary Club of Mullumbimby presented a cheque for $10,000 to the Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) in support of its ongoing operations.

Lismore shops enchanted for Lantern Parade

Winners of Lismore’s Enchanted Windows comp have been announced, with The Two Ravens taking top spot. The comp is part of the city's Lantern Parade, to be held this Saturday, 20 June.

AI: Artificial Intelligence, or Artificial Inflation?

It feels as if AI is everywhere – whether it’s those intrusive bots on every website or every headline about how it’s either going to be a boon for humanity, or end us.

Flood gauges installed in Ballina and Wardell 

Residents in Ballina and Wardell will have more more localised flood warnings, giving them time to prepare before floodwaters arrives, thanks to new flood forecast services along the Richmond River.