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Byron Shire
June 25, 2026

New EV chargers to deliver tourism boost and clean transport

Latest News

Planets and weather align for Cape Byron Steiner Winter Solstice success

Last Thursday, in the days before the Winter Solstice, and after weeks of on and off rain that had more than a few parents nervously eyeing weather apps, Cape Byron Steiner School's annual Winter Festival went ahead.

Other News

Lismore Council spruiks 150 projects since 2022 floods

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

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 24 June 2026

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week.

Greens say NSW budget ‘locks in pokies misery’

Cate Faehrmann MLC says the NSW government has knocked any hope of gambling reform on the head in yesterday’s state budget, with tax concessions to clubs with poker machines totalling $1.252 billion, while revenue from taxes on poker machine losses have been revised upward by a whopping $638.2 million over the forward estimates.

Cartoons of the week – 24 June, 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.

Handcrafted delicious French pastries at Mullum Farmers Markets

Allie Godfrey A taste of France has arrived at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market, with local pastry chef Dan introducing his...

Tweed keeps rate increase below rate of inflation

Tweed Shire Council says it has adopted one of the lowest rate increases in the cross-border region for 2026/27, with the average household bill rising around 3.6 per cent once all charges are counted. This is below the current annual rate of inflation of 4.2 per cent.

NSW Minister Penny Sharpe with an EV charger. Supplied

The North Coast will receive 35 new electric vehicle chargers, thanks to a $5.9 million investment by the NSW government to boost regional tourism and support the shift to cleaner transport.

The Kyogle, Lismore, Tweed Shire and Kempsey Local Government Areas will receive 35 new EV charge ports at 11 sites. Exact locations of the new charging stations are being finalised in consultation with local councils.

The government says the program will make travelling with an EV much more convenient, while supporting local regional economies as more EV drivers stop to explore and spend in communities while they recharge.

This third round of the NSW Government EV Destination Charging Grants program will see chargers rolled out across 48 regional locations over the next year, helping make NSW the easiest place in Australia to own an EV.

Renewable energy

The latest investment also introduces faster chargers than previously, powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.

The Minns government says it is has now delivered funding for close to 3,300 new chargers at more than 1,200 sites across NSW. Boosting charging infrastructure decreases range anxiety and drives uptake.

Janelle Saffin. Photo Tree Faerie.

Minister for Small Business and North Coast, Janelle Saffin said, ‘It is fantastic to see this investment in the North Coast and what it means for tourism and sustainability.

‘Expanding our EV charging network makes it easier for visitors to travel here, stay longer and support local business.

‘It also encourages more people to adopt electric vehicles and reduce their emissions and protect our environment. It’s a win for our community, the economy and the environment,’ she said.

A selection of EV friendly road trips are mapped here: www.visitnsw.com/evroadtrips.



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Kyogle bridge build completed in under three months

Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland says a new bridge on Gradys Creek Road, off Summerland Way and north of Kyogle, has opened to traffic. She says it took Council less than three months to build Methvens Bridge.

57 Station St, Mullumbimby amended DA on public exhibition

The development application (DA 10.2025.212.1) for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby is now back on exhibition for eight weeks from 22 June.

A Byron kickback with the Gimelli family

The Gimelli family ran a small Italian restaurant on Jonson Street from about 1995 into the early 2000s. It was a classy joint, ahead of Byron’s culinary curve, serving dishes from every corner of Italy.

12 winners at Byron Bay Herb Nursery

The Byron Bay Herb Nursery continues to create constructive pathways to achievement with 12 students from Byron Bay Herb Nursery’s disability support program recently graduating with a Certificate II in Horticulture.