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Byron Shire
June 20, 2026

A vote to destroy forests?

Latest News

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Other News

Byron Council budget up for discussion as rates rise looms

There is a potential 30 per cent or more rate rise in the wind for Byron Shire ratepayers by 2030. What’s needed is clear and concise budget documentation, accessible to your average ratepayer. It would seem the least Byron Shire Council (BSC) could provide in accordance with commitments to inform the community.

Mullum Hospital site

I would like to acknowledge the letter printed in The Echo dated 3 June from Gary Opit and Carmel...

Byron High brings you SAAM – full of humour and chaos

In the vein of a speculative sci-fi, this comedy misadventure is simultaneously relatable, playful, hilarious, and unnerving. SAAM will be performed for three nights by Byron Bay High’s Year 11 Drama troupe on 23, 25 and 26 June from 6.30pm.

AI roll-out

My dad bought a quarter-acre block overlooking Sydney’s Northern Beaches for 400 pounds. That was about eight week’s salary. Mum...

In loving memory of Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD (1929 – 2026)

Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD, one of Australia’s most visionary conservation leaders and a pioneering force in ecological restoration, passed away last Thursday at the age of 96. He spent his final months at Honey Bee Homes in Ewingsdale.

Lismore Council spruiks 150 projects since 2022 floods

A milestone of 150 projects has been reached since the 2022 disasters, says Lismore City Council.

Protest in destroyed Tasmanian Devil habitat. Bob Brown Foundation.

The Bob Brown Foundation says that a federal Liberal government, if elected, would deliver more forest killing-fields, global heating and climate pollution.

Across the country, the Foundation is delivering a federal election campaign to call for an urgent end to native forest logging nationwide. The campaign will include pre-poll booth volunteers handing out how-to-vote for forests scorecards, billboards across Tasmania and an online advertising campaign.

‘If Dutton becomes Prime Minister and rolls out “permanent timber production zones” across the nation, Australia’s native forests, wildlife and all citizens in rural, regional and city communities will suffer from ongoing global heating, more severe bushfires and wildlife extinctions,’ said Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaigns Manager.

‘These very real impacts of ongoing forest destruction are paid for by the Australian taxpayer.’

Opposition leader Peter Dutton speaks in video address. Screenshot

Subsidised destruction

‘Dutton has promised more public subsidies to the mendicant logging industry,’ said Ms Weber. ‘Tasmania’s permanent logging zones, that Dutton has committed to rolling out nationwide, are killing fields. Greater gliders, swift parrots, koalas and masked owls are on the brink of extinction due to logging.

‘All native forest logging industry supporters are delusional that our future liveability on this planet is secured while there is destruction of native forests,’ she said.

Bob Brown added: ‘Dutton’s promise to “deliver country of origin labelling” means Australian plantation timber will remain hostage to imports and that native forests and wildlife habitat in Asia and elsewhere will continue to be needlessly destroyed to serve a ruthless Australian market.

‘Such imports should be banned for the sake of both global biodiversity and the impact on climate change of native forest destruction,’ he said.

 



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Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.

Community housing industry call for major expansion in upcoming NSW budget

The community housing industry are calling on the NSW government to use next week's State Budget to unlock a major expansion of community housing.