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Byron Shire
June 15, 2026

Qld to change COVID testing for hotspot arrivals

Latest News

Lismore rallies to save homes from demolition

Around hundred residents met at the Lismore Quad on Saturday to demand the demolitions of heritage homes cease, the flood recovery promised is delivered, and that every person be housed.

Other News

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.

Fisherman dies at Evans Head

NSW Police have reported that a fisherman has died after being swept off the rocks yesterday at Evans Head.

Kyogle petition calls to restore daytime train service to Brisbane

A Kyogle petition with more than 1,000 signatures is calling on ‘key stakeholders and policymakers’ to provide a ‘practical daytime train service’ to Brisbane, with claims that the current train service, which leaves at 3am and returns at 8am, is 'inconvenient and frustrating’.

Peace in our time?

While details remain scant, there are claims from multiple sources that a peace deal has finally been reached in the war between Iran and the United States, after nearly four months of fighting.

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.

From January 1 arrivals in Queensland from interstate hotspots will no longer require a PCR test but will be able to use a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) to meet border testing requirements.

Queensland’s Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement this morning.

‘From Saturday January 1, travellers from interstate hotspots will no longer need to produce a negative PCR test to gain entry into Queensland.,’ said Ms Palaszczuk on her social media account.

‘Travellers can use a Rapid Antigen Test to satisfy border pass requirements. This change will come into effect from midnight January 1.’

The change comes as Queensland has seen a surge in cases with 1,158 new cases in the las 24 hours according to the Queensland Health website.

Queensland currently has 86.1 per cent of the population fully vaccinated and currently no COVID-19 patients are in ICU.

‘To travel here, you must have a valid border pass and return a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of travel,’ said a Queensland Health spokesperson.


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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Men’s Health Week: simple conversations

This National Men’s Health Week experts from Triple P – Positive Parenting Program are encouraging dads, granddads and father figures to embrace something simple but powerful: everyday conversations that support their own wellbeing and their family’s wellbeing.

Peace in our time?

While details remain scant, there are claims from multiple sources that a peace deal has finally been reached in the war between Iran and the United States, after nearly four months of fighting.

How to stop the erosion of our human rights

Let’s celebrate Refugee Week, 15–21 June, which was initiated in Australia 40 years ago and now observed worldwide.

Appeal to locate wanted man Adam Richards

Police are appealing for assistance to locate a man wanted on outstanding warrants in the Casino area.