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Byron Shire
November 9, 2026

Extra Reconstruction Authority services

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

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.

Surfboard shapers swap the sander for the microphone at Lennox

Surfers can spend hours arguing about the merits of a board. On Friday, they can hear from three men who have spent decades making them.

Northern Rivers family could be forced to leave Australia

A Northern Rivers family might be forced to leave their life behind without direct intervention by the Minister for Immigration, Tony Burke. The de Silva family have been living locally since 2020, contributing significantly to local businesses and to disaster recovery.

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...

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...

Work starts on eight-lane athletics track in Lismore

Construction has begun on an eight-lane athletics track at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus, giving Northern Rivers schools and clubs a competition-standard venue closer to home when it opens in mid-2027.

As part of ongoing work to lead recovery operations, the Reconstruction Authority is rolling out additional support services to community members in and near the Byron Shire, Kyogle and Richmond Valley Local Government Areas.

Impacted individuals will have access to Service NSW’s Mobile Service Centres which will connect them to government support services, such as the Personal Hardship Assistance Grant and replacement of lost or damaged documents (e.g. birth or marriage certificates, driver licences, photo cards and Fair Trading licences and permits) free of charge.

Other Recovery Outreach partners will be available, including Services Australia, who will provide access for federal support payments, and the Mid-Richmond Neighbourhood Centre for community and mental health services.

Where to get help

Disaster-affected communities can now access assistance at the following locations:

  • Mullumbimby – Wednesday 19 March 2025, 9:00am to 3:00pm (Mullumbimby Civic Hall, 55 Dalley St, Mullumbimby).
  • Kyogle – Thursday 20 March 2025, 9:00am to 12:00pm (Kyogle Council (The KMI Room), 1 Stratheden Street, Kyogle).
  • Coraki – Thursday 20 March 2025, 1.30pm to 4:00pm (Coraki Hub, 1/121 Richmond Terrace, Coraki).

The Reconstruction Authority says it’s continuing to support people in returning to their daily lives as quickly as possible.



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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.