18.6 C
Byron Shire
November 9, 2026

Bringing the latest research to your local

Latest News

Green Heroes among 2026 NSW Environment Award winners

The NSW Environment Awards, hosted by the state’s leading environmental advocacy organisation, Nature Conservation Council NSW, was recently held at Customs House in Sydney.

Other News

‘Go-ahead’ not positive

So the NRPP unanimously approved the controversial 57 Station St development after more than 2,500 signatories were against it. Those...

Blacks Drain crossing fully reopens after $2.56 million rebuild

The Blacks Drain crossing on Tweed Valley Way at South Murwillumbah has fully reopened after a $2.56 million rebuild designed to reduce the risk of another washout.

Northern NSW hospitals fall short on emergency and mental-health targets

Fewer than half of Northern NSW emergency patients needing admission or transfer met a six-hour hospital access target in 2025–26, according to a health district review released yesterday.

Cartoon of the week – 4 November, 2026

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.

Love books? Join Friends of the Library

Friends of the Libraries, Byron Shire are looking for some fresh, new, younger faces to join the group and help keep it moving forward.

I’m not a robot

In the microseconds it takes AI agents to tick the ‘I’m not a robot’ checkbox, do they have a...

Ever walked into a room and immediately felt energised, calm, or drained? What if the design of the building was making you feel that way? A Pint of Science can tell you why.

Next week, University of South Australia (UniSA) postdoctoral researcher Dr Isabella Bower will address this important gap in knowledge, explaining to local Adelaide pub patrons how aspects of built environment design (like the size or colour of a room) affect us.

Dr Bower is one of three UniSA researchers stepping out of the laboratory and into the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Thebarton as part of Pint of Science Australia from May 22–24.

Pint of Science

The Pint of Science Australia festival is returning for its ninth year, bringing together scientists and researchers from all over the country to share their latest discoveries in a casual and relaxed setting – local pubs!

Pint of Science is an international festival held in more than 400 cities worldwide. This year, the Pint of Science Australia festival will take place in 30 pubs across 15 cities, including Adelaide, Bendigo, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Geelong, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Toowoomba, and Townsville with and online option available as well.

Attendees will be able to enjoy a pint of their favourite beverage while listening to fascinating talks from science communicators and experts in their respective fields including fantastic phalluses, battling bees and the future of AI – among other curious topics.

This international festival will showcase the latest breakthroughs and innovations in areas such as health, technology, and the environment.

An interactive environment

Over three evenings, attendees can learn from experts in various fields, ask questions in an interactive environment and gain a better understanding of the role science plays in our everyday lives.

Pint of Science Australia Co-CEO Maria Roitman said the group is excited to bring insights from all corners of Australian research to share with the public in a fun and engaging way, making science accessible for everyone.

Pint of Science Australia Co-CEO Jin-Oh Choi said: ‘We encourage everyone to attend, even if science is not your thing. It’s a great opportunity to learn something new and meet other inquisitive minds.’

Tickets for the Pint of Science Australia 2023 festival are on sale for $8.

For more information about the festival, including participating pubs and speakers, please visit the Pint of Science Australia website.

 



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.

Remembrance Day 2026: 11am, 11 November

It is estimated that in WWl there were 20 million dead and 20 million injured. From a population base of fewer than five million,...

Love books? Join Friends of the Library

Friends of the Libraries, Byron Shire are looking for some fresh, new, younger faces to join the group and help keep it moving forward.

Racehorses shot for pet food by NSW breeder

Thirteen thoroughbred horses deemed no longer useful, have been destroyed with eight horses destroyed by firearm at Berkeley Park Stud.

Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club youngsters shine

Two young members of Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club have delivered outstanding performances at the Paddle NSW State Sprint Championships, held at the Penrith International Regatta Centre over the weekend.