26.1 C
Byron Shire
October 27, 2026

Cartoon of the week – 24 April, 2024

Latest News

Where’s the funding for critical community help?

Neighbourhood and community centres are struggling to keep their doors open and are cutting services because they don’t have ongoing core funding to cover staffing and operating costs.

Other News

Can you help buy a bus for the local youth?

Byron Youth Service is calling on the community to support their campaign to buy a bus that is desperately needed so young people can access much-needed services.

57 Station St DA now in the hands of the NRPP

Monday, 19 October saw the Northern Regional Planning Panel listening to a long list of reasons why the development application for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby should not be approved.

Wingsuit pilot Chris Geiler is all about speed

Northern Rivers wingsuit pilot Chris Geiler has returned from the the sixth World Championships in Performance Wingsuit Flying held at Skydive Elsinore in California, with a win in the speed division.

Preschools urged to join Lismore rally over funding concerns

Northern Rivers preschool staff and families are being urged to rally outside Lismore MP Janelle Saffin’s office amid concerns that new state funding rules could threaten community preschool services.

SCU exhibition marks the end of art and design degree

Twelve emerging Northern Rivers artists will exhibit their work in Lismore tonight at a graduation show marking the last large exhibition of Southern Cross University’s Bachelor of Art and Design degree.

Igniting young minds at Coorabell with STEM

Robotics sparked the imagination of students at Coorabell Public School when a team of robotics experts brought a fantastic array of robotics kits for students to explore and enjoy.

Cartoon by Antoinette Ensbey

Letters to the editor

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.

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.

Send to Letters Editor Aslan Shand, email: [email protected], fax: 6684 1719 or mail to The Letters Editor, The Echo, 6 Village Way, Mullumbimby, 2482, NSW, Australia.



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.

A year in review

Byron Shire Council has published its Annual Report for 2025 to 2026, highlighting a year of what it describes as significant achievements in delivering infrastructure flood recovery works, environmental protection, and community programs.

Celebration of culture and Country

Almost 100 First Nations artists, musicians, performers, makers and cultural practitioners will come together on the banks of the Clarence River this November for Art on Bundjalung; a free celebration of creativity, culture and Country.

Ballina students dive into water science

Local Ballina Shire primary school students rolled up their sleeves and put water science into action as part of Rous County Council’s inaugural Young Water Leaders event.

Grim numbers from horse racing industry

The annual DeathWatch Report by the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) reveals that the home state of the upcoming Melbourne Cup, Victoria, was responsible for 30 percent of the at least 160 racehorses who were killed from racing across the country in the 2025/26 Australian racing season.