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August 29, 2026
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North Coast tourism winners shine

By The Echo

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National NewsThe Echo - 0

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.
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Other News

Byron EchoDoug Foskey, Tregeagle - 0

Local Land Services

Are people aware that NSW is the only state to tax farmers for Local Land Services? Other states must...
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Troubled Hastings Point sewage plant upgrade goes back to the community

A long-running battle over the future of the Hastings Point Wastewater Treatment Plant has entered another round, with Tweed Council putting its preferred upgrade option back before the community.
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Local NewsPaul Bibby - 0

Mullum water investigation comes with $322,000-plus price tag

Byron Council faces a bill of at least $322,000 to complete the next stage of its long-running investigation into Mullumbimby’s future water supply, as it simultaneously prepares the ground for a possible 35 per cent increase in general rates.
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Lismore fun run will be bigger than ever

The much-loved Darrel Chapman Fun Run will return to Lismore on Sunday 30 August, with runners and walkers set to start the event on Woodlark Street once again.
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LettersJustin Grimson, Tweed Heads - 0

50-metre Olympic-sized pool

We definitely need an updated 50m swimming facility closer to Tweed Heads. My preference is an outdoor facility. The...
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Mullum CWA celebrates 100 years

The Mullumbimby Country Women’s Association has played a pivotal role in the local community for the last 100 years.
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Byron’s enduring Bluesfest was inducted into the Hall Of Fame at last Thursday’s, North Coast Regional Tourism Awards ceremony at Elements. Pictured are Festival Director, Peter Noble, Managing Director Dyah Noble and longtime wrangler of Bluesfest photographers, Sarah Ndiaye (AKA Byron Shire Mayor). Photo Jeff Dawson

There were plenty of winners at the 2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards last Friday with the winners including gold for Bluesfest, Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens, and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail; silver for Let’s Go Surfing – Byron and Ballina; and bronze for Lismore Lantern Parade and Cape Byron Kayaks to name just a few.

‘The north coast’s best tourism operators were celebrated as the 2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards crowned this year’s champions. Co‑presented for the first time by Destination North Coast and the NSW Tourism Association, the awards evening at Elements of Byron honoured 33 finalists across 11 categories.’

‘These accolades showcase the passion, resilience and innovation that underpin the region’s visitor economy,’ said organisers in a press release.

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Local News

Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

David Lowe - 0
With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.
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Local News

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

The Echo - 0
Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.
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Local News

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

The Echo - 0
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.
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Local News

Katie Milne responds to Tweed’s draft housing and employment strategy

The Echo - 0
The former mayor of Tweed Shire Council, Kate Milne, has shared her submission to Tweed's Draft Growth Management Housing & Employment Strategy.
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More Articles Like This

Two charged over alleged Ballina machete attack

Local News The Echo - 0
A man and woman have been charged after a 22-year-old man was allegedly attacked with a machete in central Ballina on Sunday night.
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Cameras rolling on Ballina crime fight

Local News The Echo - 0
A $1 million CCTV network targeting crime hotspots and major roads in Ballina and Lennox Head is finally moving into the installation phase, following years of calls for greater surveillance across the shire.
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Muddy implications for Ballina?

Articles & Columns Steve Posselt - 0
The big kicker in the CSIRO flood report for Ballina is the trade-off. A new outlet to the sea at Broadwater would reduce flooding. There is no doubt about that and we know that the river did just that in 1890.
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Ballina Council wrap for July

Local News David Lowe - 0
Marred by technical difficulties and conflict across the chamber, Ballina Shire Council's July meeting still managed to get through a large agenda.
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You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire