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Byron Shire
June 18, 2026

Were you affected by the floods or landslides? 

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The Echo loves your letters and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, send us your epistles.

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

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Negotiating landslides in Wilsons Creek to get home. Photo Sama Balson

What were the effects of the February floods on you, your home, your property, your neighbours and your community? How could the response have been more effective and better assisted you and those around you to recover?

A Southern Cross University (SCU) survey is seeking to understand these questions and gather information on what the most effective response and recovery efforts in relation to the floods and landslides of the 2022 floods were. 

Recent landslide damage. Photo supplied.

The survey project leader Dr Hanabeth Luke from SCU said that the purpose of the survey was to build an independent record of community recovery from the 2022 NSW Northern Rivers floods for people across the region.

‘This survey was called for by the community, has been developed in partnership with our community hubs, and the results will be going back out to the community within a month of the survey closing,’ said Dr Luke.

Fflooding on Tamarind Avenue, Bogangar. Photo from the The Select Committee on the response to Major Flooding across NSW in 2022

‘This survey can bring the voices of our flood and landslide-affected communities together in this recovery. The results will be used to guide the hubs and other supporting agencies to best target their efforts. The local knowledge gained from this survey can also guide planning and preparation for future extreme weather events in this region.’

The University has partnered with formal and informal community hubs and recovery centres, including Wardell CORE, Resilient Lismore and the Woodburn Recovery Centre all of which have been an integral part of the response to the Northern Rivers flood events.

The findings will inform the development of improved support systems and policy, with a particular focus on community-led recovery efforts. The final report can also provide learnings to support increased community resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of natural disasters.

Landslip on Tyalgum Road. Photo from The Select Committee on the response to Major Flooding across NSW in 2022.

Survey details

Anyone affected by the 2022 heavy rain and flood events across the NSW Northern Rivers region is encouraged to complete the Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Survey.

The anonymous survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Access the survey via this link.

Prefer a paper-based survey? Call 1800 317 503 or visit your local community hub or recovery centre.

Questions or concerns about the survey? Contact the researcher team by calling 1800 317 503 or send an email to [email protected]



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Empowering women and girls

Applications are now open for Northern Rivers Community Foundation's (NRCF) 2026 Empowering Women & Girls Grant, offering local not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to secure funding for projects that empower women and girls across the Northern Rivers.

Big things are happening at The Paddock — and one of them has a flush

There are two milestones worth celebrating at The Paddock this season as they push ahead with their innovative project.

Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program

As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition

Are retirement villages what Byron Bay needs?

Developer DD Resort Living is seeking community feedback until June 18 on its proposed retirement living development in Byron Bay.