22 C
Byron Shire
October 21, 2026

Early end to bushfire danger season for Far North Coast

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Spaghetti Circus needs you!

This Thursday you can be part of keeping Spaghetti Circus running by donating to the AusArt Day, with matched funding covering the first $5,000 given to them.

Other News

Spaghetti Circus needs you!

This Thursday you can be part of keeping Spaghetti Circus running by donating to the AusArt Day, with matched funding covering the first $5,000 given to them.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?

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).

Don’t smoke

Will whomever is responsible for the remaining heritage railway cottage in Railway Park please get it occupied, used, and...

Preserve the green

Ocean Shores is a residential suburb bound by nature reserves. Billinudgel, Marshalls Creek, Jinangong, and North Head Reserve all...

‘Coal mines are writing the laws’

The Minns government has announced it will bypass the independent planning process and legislate an increase in coal production at MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant mine, following the landmark High Court decision that found the mine's expansion approval was invalid because the climate pollution from exported coal had not been properly considered.

No fire permits will be needed from midnight on Monday, February 17 on the Far North Coast with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) having called an early end to the bushfire danger period. 

The bushfire danger period normally runs to March 31.

‘The RFS have the power to vary the date the bushfire danger period ends,’  Group Officer for Far North Coast RFS, Bob Graham, told The Echo. 

‘The weather is a good reason to vary it and the decision was taken to stop it early due to the ongoing wet weather.’

The bushfire danger period will end from midnight on Monday, February 17 for Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley, and Tweed local government areas (LGAs). Fire permits will no longer be required in rural areas for the lighting of fire for the purposes of land clearance or land breaks.

Smoke regulations prohibit burning in some areas. Contact your local Council or local fire brigade for further information.



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Lennox flood study identifies hotspots and $390,000 pump option

A new flood study has identified five drainage hotspots in Lennox Head and recommended a $390,000 mobile pump among the highest-priority options for reducing damage to properties.

Thylacines to haunt Lismore’s Quad after dark

Most visitors to Lismore’s Quad after dark are looking for dinner or a way home. From October 31, they may also find a thylacine.

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.

Our House plans 30 more units as medical accommodation falls short

Lismore medical accommodation charity Our House is planning 30 additional units as growing demand leaves it unable to meet approximately a quarter of requests for a room.