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Byron Shire
July 15, 2026

Everyone’s getting the blues at The Northern

Latest News

Renewables and battery storage stable amid global uncertainty

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, in partnership with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) today released the GenCost 2025–26 Final Report, finding renewable energy supported by storage is helping to protect Australia against global energy shocks and continues to provide the lowest cost pathway for Australia’s electricity system to achieve net zero emissions.

Other News

Gulgan Village meeting

I attended the Brunswick Progress Associations (BPA) meeting on 6/07/2026 at the CWA for a discussion on the impact...

‘All That’s Left of You’ coming to Murwillumbah

The intimate story of eight decades of Palestinian life is explored in the acclaimed new feature by Cherien Dabis, All That’s Left of You, screening at the Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah on Thursday, 16 July at 6pm.

A spanner in the works for the Republic

I was changing the oil on Clancy, our barge moored on the Seine not far from the Place de la Concorde (think Marie Antoinette), when I made a big mistake.

Screen industry leaders to converge in Lennox Head

Film-maker advocacy group, Screenworks, has revealed the first speaker line-up for Regional to Global Screen Forum 2026, which will be held in Lennox Head on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 September.

Mullum residents rally over second ‘woeful’ massive DA

A community gathering last night heard of the concerns around the second attempt to plonk a large block of units at the entrance to Mullumbimby.

NAIDOC celebrations at Byron Apex Park

NAIDOC celebrations were held last week in Byron Bay

Jeff Martin

The Northern, Byron Bay have the remedy for anyone who’s got the blues – over four big days, ‘Blues at The Northern’ is delivering live music across two stages headlined by Jeff Martin (The Tea Party), Paul A. George (Tijuana Cartel), Minnie Marks, the Mason Rack Band, plus a stacked lineup from start to finish – and the absolute blues chaser is that the entire four days are free!

Byron is turning on a ‘festival’ of blues over the weekend starting on Thursday at 7pm with Katie Palmer in the Backroom, and finishing with Jesse Witney and Kane Muir in the Backroom, and JB‘s Blues Breakers starting off things in the front bar.

Friday is going to be very good, starting in the Backroom at 7pm and welcoming Paul A. George from Tijuana Cartel onto the stage at 11:15pm. The front bar will have the Dan and Hannah duo, and Poly & Co.

Saturday will see five great acts culminating with a show from the Mason Rack Band in the Backroom, and firing up with the Harry Nicholls Band in the front bar.

On Sunday there will still be plenty more to see with the thriller band, Marshall OKell, and headlining Jeff Martin from The Tea Party, followed by the Donny Shades Band in the Backroom, and in the front bar from 5pm The Swamps followed by Eric Downer.

The fun starts on Thursday from 6pm, Friday from 7pm, Saturday from 7pm, and Sunday from 5pm.

The Northern – home of the blues this weekend. More info at thenorthern.com.au.



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Lismore Boulevard Project announced

Design concept plans for the Lismore Boulevard – Shared User Path project are now available for community consultation, following Lismore City Council securing $2,383,030 in funding through the NSW Government’s Get NSW Active 2025–2026 program, administered by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

Community responds to detention dams proposal

More than 110 residents gathered at Rock Valley Hall on Sunday 12 July and rejected claims that the recently released CSIRO report on flood mitigation was informed by strong community consultation.

Data shows biggest danger to wildlife is people, not cats

Human-created hazards are responsible for most wildlife rescues in New South Wales, and researchers are calling for more prevention strategies to save threatened species.

Try pickleball and support a great cause

Northern Rivers Pickleball Club are holding a marathon day of pickleball on Sunday, 19 July at the Goonellabah Tennis and Pickleball Club on Reserve Street, Goonellabah.