11.5 C
Byron Shire
June 22, 2026

Rebuilding Wardell’s village centre

Latest News

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.

Other News

Calls for micro-abattoirs to boost food security

Local farmers and food producers are calling on NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty and Minister for Small Business and the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, to work with farmers, industry and local communities to develop practical, evidence-based reforms that support a diverse, decentralised and resilient food production sector.

Difficult times

We live in difficult times: so it’s good to know some things are certain; the sun will rise in...

Police chase stolen vehicle in Tweed, man charged

Police say a man will face court today charged after an alleged pursuit in a stolen vehicle at Tweed Heads yesterday morning.

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.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Will council support community participation in MHS development?

This Thursday (today), Byron Shire Council (BSC) will be discussing the establishment of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Byron Shire Council and Homes NSW (HNSW) as well as the potential for a Community Assessment Panel for the old Mullumbimby Hospital site.

Richmond River in flood at Wardell, 5 March 2022. Photo David Lowe.

Wardell was hard hit with flooding earlier this year and the Ballina Shire Council have allocated $900,000 from the NSW Government’s Local Government Recovery Program to develop a Draft Master Plan to revitalise the Wardell village centre.

Council are calling on locals in Wardell or the broader Wardell District to register their interest to get involved and register to join a Community Design Charette Group.

The study area will focus on Richmond and Sinclair Streets including the central business area. The Community Design Charette Group will help Council determine the desired look and feel of the village centre and identify priority works within the scope of the grant funding.

‘A design charette is an intensive, facilitated workshop where stakeholders come together to capture visions, values, and ideas, and help to influence a design outcome,’ explained Council’s Manager of Strategic Planning Tara McGready.

‘This is a community-led design process. A Design Charette creates the perfect opportunity to hear from a diverse range of voices and gather in-depth information that will help us shape the Draft Master Plan for Wardell’s village centre.’

The selection of members will be based on the following criteria:

  •           Geographic location – where members live or work
  •           A balance of business and community representatives
  •           Connections with local community groups
  •           Diverse ages and backgrounds
  •           Purpose for participation.

Spaces will be limited. Members will be required to attend at least one workshop of 4-6 hours to be held on a weekend in early 2023. Subsequent sessions will be subject to the outcomes of the initial charrette process.

Register your interest by Monday 23 January 2023 at yoursayballina.com.au/Wardell-Village-Centre

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their expression of interest by the end of January 2023.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments 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, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Facing the River in chapters

Tweed Shire Council is telling the full story of how the Tweed community has rebuilt since the 2022 floods, and further damage from the 2024 floods and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

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.

Bird flu reaches Western Australia

H5 avian flu has officially arrived in Western Australia, first discovered days ago in a dead migratory seabird near Esperance (700 km south-east of Perth), and since found in numerous other birds.

Momentum hosts free skate workshop for girls and women

Whether you are stepping on a skateboard for the first time, sharpening your skills or getting ready to compete, a free school holiday workshop is being offered to all female skaters up to 25 years.