20.4 C
Byron Shire
June 24, 2026

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 7 January 2026

Latest News

NSW budget and the Northern Rivers

The Minns government says it's handed down a budget which locks in major funding for North Coast health infrastructure, alongside targeted cost-of-living relief designed for regional households and disaster recovery, as locals continue to face higher costs.

Other News

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'.

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.

Men’s XV: Byron Shire Rebels vs Lismore

The Rebels Men’s XV put in a dominant attacking display of rugby to see off Lismore 42-17, racking up...

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'.

Floodland

Local filmmaker Darius Devas is bringing Floodland – winner of the Sustainable Futures Award at the Sydney Film Festival – to Mullumbimby, for one night only.

Tipping point, climate change

Please do not think me didactic. There is a sense of urgency that communities including Byron Bay must prepare for. ...

Tyler Durdens

The Tyler Durdens are a local ’90s–naughties covers band featuring grunge, Aussie alternate, indie and Brit pop – the like of Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, Blink 182, Arctic Monkeys etc. Only the good stuff.

Friday at The Rails, Byron Bay. Free show.


Dave Hughes

There is no one else that comes close to the phenomenon that is Dave Hughes. Behind that cooked-looking facade is a mind that works like no other – now more brutally honest than ever, he is as good as it gets anywhere on the planet.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Brunswick Picture House, Brunswick Heads. Tickets from $36 at brunswickpicturehouse.com.


Guy Kachel

There is the grace and soul of the blues, interspersed with the country strains of Guy Kachel’s youth in his music – and the tempering power of rock and roll. What emerges is a form of kicking country blues that esteems and embellishes the legacy of icons such as John Hiatt and Little Feat.

Friday from 6pm at the Ballina RSL Boardwalk. Free show.


The Imperial Blues Review

The Imperial Blues Review brings together the seasoned, notable talents of local legends John Hellmann, Azo Bell, Tim Longworth and Nicholas Churkin. It’s juke-joint, jumps, jive central – grab your spats and flats, it’s time to cut a rug.

Saturday at The Rails, Byron Bay. Free show.


Mojo

Utterly fresh and unique, but steeped in the tradition of real, authentic blues, Mojo’s music is truly world class. With charisma, and a captivating stage presence, Mojo breathes new life into roots-based sounds – Mojo transcends all age and fashion barriers.

Sunday from 2.30pm at the Ballina RSL Boardwalk. Free show.


19-20

19-Twenty are a high-energy blues and roots band who storm the stage like a freight train. With a sound that blends foot-stomping rhythms, raw energy, and an undeniable sense of fun, 19-Twenty has quickly earned a reputation as one of the country’s most exhilarating live acts.

Sunday from 4pm at the Hotel Brunswick, Brunswick Heads. Free show.



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.

Appeal to locate missing woman

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Kempsey area.

Citizen science last line of defence for threatened species

Native forest logging is again in the spotlight in NSW, following Monday night’s Four Corners investigation into Forestry Corporation NSW’s failure to protect nationally endangered species.

Site confirmed for future high school at Pottsville

The NSW government says it has secured a site for a future high school in Pottsville, delivering on its commitment to future-proof public education for the growing Tweed community in the Northern Rivers.

Eleven winners at Byron Bay Herb Nursery

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