14.3 C
Byron Shire
June 25, 2026

Byron mayor urges blues fans to come anyway

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

Tweed Water Alliance and the future of the region’s water

Community concern about large-scale water extraction in a quiet rural area, the use of heavy vehicle trucking on narrow, winding, country roads and unsustainable one-use bottling led to the formation of Tweed Water Alliance.

Aged care

The Byron Central Hospital (BCH) branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) would like to express our...

Tipping point, climate change

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

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.

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.

Six dwellings proposed on flood-prone Mullum block

Six units are proposed at the eastern end of New City Road, Mullumbimby, on a site that was inundated during the 2022 floods. Submitted by Duncan Band's Kollective, Development Application (DA) 10.2026.269.1 at 73 New City Road is on public exhibition with Byron Shire Council, and sits within the Shire's flood planning area.

Cr Sarah Ndiaye. Photo Tree Faerie.

Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, has a message for everyone wondering what to do with their Easter weekend plans following the cancellation of Bluesfest last week – come to Byron Bay anyway.

‘Lots of people already have flights and accommodation booked and we are encouraging people not to cancel and come anyway,’ Mayor Ndiaye said.

‘From sunrise swims and lighthouse walks to buskers on the street, bustling markets and music drifting out of our pubs and small venues, Easter in Byron has a rhythm all its own.

Main Beach, Byron Bay. Echo file photo.

‘Whether it’s bushwalking, cultural tours, kayaking, incredible food, hot air balloons at dawn or a massage and spa in the afternoon – it’s a beautiful time of year to be here and there’s always something happening in and around the Shire.

‘The rumour mill is already in full swing about artists who might be in the area and looking for an intimate gig – so who knows what special, one-off artist acts we’re going to be hearing about in the coming days and weeks.

‘Whatever happens, it’s going to make for some homegrown, organic magic in our Shire,’ she said.

Byron lighthouse and headland. Cloudcatcher Media

‘Aside from all the music and entertainment, Byron Shire is a delight with gorgeous swimming, surfing, sky diving and snorkelling conditions.

‘Brunch and lunch around our towns, shop, relax and explore everything the Byron Shire has to offer.

‘We’re good at dealing with disaster and adversity up here – we know how to turn things around and make something good come from it. We welcome everyone to come and join our community for what is going to be an Easter weekend to remember,’ Mayor Ndiaye 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.

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.