20.3 C
Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

35,000 homes and businesses without power North Coast

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Other News

Fish kill follows Belongil Creek opening as Council reviews protocols

A fish kill at Belongil Creek has prompted warnings to avoid the affected area, with Byron Shire Council and government agencies investigating the incident following an artificial opening of the creek.

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.

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.

Reef-building corals face elevated risk of extinction

A new paper from Dr C. Isabel Núñez Lendo shows nearly half of reef-building corals face elevated relative risk of extinction.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

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).

Essential Energy outages 7 March, 2025.

As of 6am Tropical Cyclone Alfred has left over 35,000 homes and businesses without power in Northern NSW overnight after severe winds and heavy rain covered the region. There are more outages since then.

The worst hit communities are in the Northern Rivers and Far North Coast and Essential Energy has said to prepare for several days without power.

‘Essential Energy crews worked late into the evening to restore what they could safely until conditions became too dangerous to work in,’ said a spokesperson for Essential Energy.

‘Once safe to do so, crews will continue to restore power where they can until they are able to access areas of the network that are flooded or damaged by wind or vegetation debris.

‘Due to the extreme conditions, the extent of the damage and the continuing weather event it may take several days before power is restored to customers.’

For up-to-date information on impacted locations and estimated restoration times (when known), visit our website outages page.

If you see fallen powerlines or powerlines in water, please stay away and call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 to report the damage. In an emergency always call 000.



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

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?