18.6 C
Byron Shire
November 9, 2026

Meeting over Mullum’s three-storey housing development at town’s entrance

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

‘Go-ahead’ not positive

So the NRPP unanimously approved the controversial 57 Station St development after more than 2,500 signatories were against it. Those...

Sentient care

Words can fail one. I am compelled to write and thank all of the remarkable, peaceful activists who maintained...

Bus politics: more public transport for Northern Rivers

The state government has announced more than 670 additional weekly bus services to run across Northern Rivers bus networks starting from 6 December, 2026.

Questions remain over October Belongil Creek fish kill

The artificial opening of the Belongil Creek, an Intermittently Closed and Open Lake and Lagoon (ICOLL), on Monday, 12 October led to yet another significant fish kill with locals and vistors advised to avoid the area and not swim nearby.

Riverbank recovery project receives industry award

A major effort to rehabilitate almost 30 kilometres of flood-affected riverbanks across NSW has received international recognition, with Local Land Services and the Soil Conservation Service winning this year’s International Erosion Control Association Australasia (IECA Australasia) Environmental Excellence Award.

Fatal injury in Ocean Shores

About 2pm on Friday 30 October 2026, emergency services were called to a home on Warrambool Road, Ocean Shores, following reports a man had been injured.

Artist’s impression of the proposed flats. Image 3D Luis Cristia Design.

The development application (DA) for the proposed three-storey housing development at the entrance to Mullumbimby has been lodged.

The Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) is holding a meeting to discuss the DA on Monday, 4 August at 6.30 pm at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club, Dalley Steet, Mullumbimby.

The MRA say that Byron Shire Council (BSC) and Lancom appear determined to go ahead with it, despite their own carpark being a much more appropriate place (it is twice the size for one thing, so affords twice the housing).

Questions have also been raised about why the BSC, state and federal governments are not pursuing social and affordable housing on the old Mullumbimby hospital site which has a significantly larger and flood-free development footprint.

Issues raised

‘At this meeting MRA will show, and explain the DA design and highlight the issues it causes for the town,’ said an MRA spokesperson.

‘These include the loss of town parking and a public toilet, the potential loss of two food businesses and damage to other nearby businesses, major traffic issues during construction and after (residents’ access to the building will be via McGoughans Lane), the flood impact on adjacent properties, and the precedent for three-storey building in a basically one-storey heritage-listed town.

‘Councillors and mayors come and go, but this monolith will be a permanent legacy imposed on our town, right at its entrance. This is your last chance to have your say about it,’ they said.



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.

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.