18.2 C
Byron Shire
June 20, 2026

Kyogle council votes for rates increases

Latest News

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Other News

Call for nominations for NSW Australian of the Year 2027

Nominations are now open for the NSW Australian of the Year 2027.

Call to end damaging native logging agreements

North East Forest Alliance (NEFA) is calling on the NSW state government to reassess the Wood Supply Agreements (WSA) that facilitate native forest in NSW’s state forests.

Councillors silent

I spent some time preparing a submission regarding the draft DCP for the redevelopment of the Mullumbimby Hospital site. I...

More comes out on Byron and Mullum pools saga

The problem with Byron Shire councillors making decisions in confidential sessions ‘behind closed doors’ is that no-one knows what really happened apart from those in the room.

Discovering Byron’s influence on Australian music

For a small regional area the Byron Shire and Northern Rivers have had an outsized impact on the culture and music in Australia.

Digital age

When travelling these days there is a lot of cards come and go. They are like a business card...

Kyogle Mayor Danielle Mulholland.

The Kyogle Council has included increases to general and sewerage rates in a draft $61.3 million budget on public display and available for comment.

A general rate increase of the rate pegged limit of 4.1 per cent is included in the draft agreed on by councillors at Monday night’s meeting.

Meanwhile, a proposed 10 per cent increase in sewerage rates ‘will help raise $4.25 million needed to secure a $12.75 million State Government grant to build the new sewerage treatment plant,’ a media release on Tuesday read.

Mayor Danielle Mulholland was quoted saying the old sewerage treatment plant was classified as high risk and no longer met environmental standards.

‘Building the new STP will ensure critical environmental standards are met and sets Kyogle up for the future, with the town having increased capacity to grow and thrive,’ Cr Mulholland said.

The STP project represented the largest cost listed in the council’s media release about the draft budget, at $17 million over two years.

Another $6 million was also provided in forward estimates ‘to sewer the villages of Wiangaree, Tabulam and Mallanganee,’ the statement read, ‘and $2.5 million for a Tabulam water supply’.

More than $12 million for Kyogle’s bridges and roads

The Kyogle Mayor said it was a ‘responsible budget’ that set the groundwork for growth and prosperity, focusing on ‘improvements to infrastructure and connectivity’.

More than $12 million was allocated to bridge and road projects, with $5.4 million allocated for bridges, $4.1 million for rural local roads and $2.68 million for regional road projects.

Also budgeted was:

  • $783,674 for urban streets;
  • $141,500 for the Roxy Gallery;
  • $614,490 for the library and mobile library;
  • $725,213 on Council’s three public swimming pools;
  • $1.48 million on parks, gardens and village maintenance; and
  • $166,620 in financial assistance and community donations.

Councillors voted on Monday night to put the document on display for public comment.

It’s available for public comment until 13 May 2025, with copies available at the council’s administration centre at 1 Stratheden Street, Kyogle, via the council’s website www.kyogle.nsw.gov.au or at the Wadeville store, Woodenbong Post Office, Tabulam Post Office, Cawongla store, Mallanganee Post Office, Wiangaree Post Office, and Bonalbo Post Office.

Written submissions are to be accepted up to 4pm on 13 May 2025 and are to be sent to the General Manager, PO Box 11, Kyogle, NSW 2474 or to [email protected].



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments 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, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

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'.

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'.