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Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Operation Christmas New Year

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Other News

Norma Gunhoe brings the ‘Gunghoedown’ to town

Radio broadcasting sensation, Norma Gunghoe, is launching herself at the world from the Mullumbimby Golf Club with the Gunghoedown this Saturday, 17 October at 6pm and you are invited to come along and join the fun.

The price of ignorance

What often gets described as ‘racism’ in Australia is often based on plain old ignorance. People lacking the interest...

Reef-building corals face elevated risk of extinction

A new paper from Dr C. Isabel Núñez Lendo shows nearly half of reef-building corals face elevated relative risk of extinction.

Calls on NRPP to defer consent for Mullumbimby’s 57 Station Street DA on Monday

At Thursday’s Byron Shire Council meeting there were multiple calls for a deferral of the 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby car park development application.

Big meeting for Ballina Council this week

The agenda for Thursday's meeting includes six notices of motion from four councillors, with issues including missing persons, volunteer recognition, and arts funding.

Call for the community to join the Mullumbimby clean up

The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and Community (MCCC) are calling on local businesses and the community to join them in cleaning up the main street of town on Sunday, 25 October from 8am to 10am.

Operation Christmas New Year has begun, with NSW police stepping up visibility and cracking down even further on reckless driving behaviour.

Double demerits came into effect on 12:01am Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will continue until 11:59pm Sunday 4 January 2026.

This year’s road toll has made for yet another devastating 12 months on our roads reaching 351 deaths.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Command officers, together with local police across NSW, will be targeting all road-related offences including speeding, wearing seatbelts, drink and drug driving, distractions, driving tired and any dangerous driving behaviours which put the safety of road users at risk.

Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole. Photo Simon Haslam

Responsibility

Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said although police will have a highly visible presence on the roads, the key to reducing accidents is taking responsibility – for yourself, your family, your passengers, and every other road user.

‘The most important gift you can give this festive season is being responsible. Everyone has someone waiting for them at the end of their journey, we don’t want to see any more empty seats around Christmas table,’ Mr Toole said.

‘In the last few weeks, deadly crashes have torn through our regional communities taking lives that we can’t replace. Despite less people living in regional areas, the country accounts for more than 70 per cent of all road fatalities.’

If you are getting behind the wheel – even if it’s a short trip, never drive if you’re tired, buckle up, stay under the speed limit, and put the phone away.

To help plan your trip anywhere in NSW, traffic conditions can be found at: https://www.livetraffic.com.



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Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?