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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

‘Adopt a family’ Christmas hamper appeal launched

Latest News

Activists arrested on gas platform

Greenpeace activists boarded Woodside's Scarborough gas platform off Western Australia on the weekend. After staying overnight, police removed the last two yesterday (Sunday 18 October).

Other News

Tweed sets out stronger shorebird protections after nesting failures

Tweed Shire Council is considering formal guidelines to protect threatened beach-nesting birds, following breeding failures linked to visitor disturbance at Hastings Point.

New koala strategy leaves local priorities to later implementation plan

Northern Rivers residents are being invited to help shape a new NSW koala conservation strategy, with specific local actions and investment priorities to be detailed in a separate implementation plan.

Domestic violence: Lismore

I witnessed the aftermath of a serious assault on a woman in Conway Street, Lismore in broad daylight. This was...

Good governance

Thank you Kelly Minahan, President Suffolk Park Community Association (SPCA), for your focus on transparency, trust, and good governance....

Tiny gnome home of the week

Send to the Letters Editor, email: [email protected], or mail to The Letters Editor, The Echo, 6 Village Way, Mullumbimby, 2482, NSW, Australia.

Suffolk residents raise concerns over Clifford Street DA

Last Tuesday saw around 40-50 Suffolk Park residents come together to discuss the latest development application (DA 10.2026.476.1) for 9-15 Clifford Street, Suffolk Park. Two previous DAs from Denwol have been refused by the Land and Environment Court and this is the fifth public meeting addressing development at this site over the last four-and-a-half years.

The Byron Community Centre says it is excited about launching its annual ‘adopt a family’ Christmas hamper appeal as the holidays approach.

The Centre’s Katie Love told The Echo it is ‘a heartwarming initiative dedicated to spreading joy and support to families in financial hardship across the Byron Shire. This program invites individuals and businesses to make a difference by providing custom hampers containing quality food, meaningful gifts and vouchers valued at $100 per family’.

She says families in need are identified through trusted partnerships with Fletcher Street Cottage and Liberation Larder. 

To participate, contact the centre on 6685 6807 to be matched with a family in need. Then, prepare a festive hamper with non-perishable food, gifts and vouchers, valued at approximately $100, and drop it off at the centre’s reception on December 11 to ensure it reaches the families in time for the holidays.

Ms Love adds you can also help by donating to the ‘Be Kind’ Fletcher Street Cottage Christmas appeal at www.fletcherstreetcottage.com.au.



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Byron Bay wins Wallace Shield

For the past 63 years Byron Bay and Ballina lady golfers have had a fierce but friendly rivalry for the Wallace Shield. Even COVID couldn't spoil the party, although the competition was played with certain restrictions.

Address from national refugee leader

Anyone interested in helping settle refugees in our region is invited to hear an address on November 7 by Romy Vitalien, director of the national program for refugee sponsorship in Australia.

Australia’s biggest culinary tourism economy

NSW is serving up a feast for visitors, with new data confirming the state is Australia’s number one destination for food tourism and attracting billions of dollars in visitor spending.

Culvert remediation works

Byron Shire Council says repairs to the damaged culvert on Coolamon Scenic Drive, between Dudgeons Road and Synotts Lane, will commence tomorrow (20 October 2026). The remediation works will address damage that has restricted traffic to one lane through the affected section.