16 C
Byron Shire
September 3, 2026

Council: appoint an administrator

Latest News

Plastic pollution goes under the microscope at Lennox

Plastic has become such a permanent fixture of modern life that avoiding it can feel a bit like trying to dodge sand at the beach.

Other News

Big Council rates rise coming – SRV for ratepayers

The proposed 35.03 per cent rates increase over three years to Byron Shire ratepayers is extremely concerning. I fully understand...

Hanson protest

In light of the student protests we saw against Pauline Hanson in our streets recently, it may be insightful...

Licence required for e-bike riders in Queensland

The Queensland Police Service is continuing its statewide focus on road safety through Operation Yankee Surety, as licensing requirements for e-mobility device riders commence today.

In The Pink is now … PINK

After 38 years of ‘In The Pink Byron Bay’ it's time for an exciting change. This local family business is welcoming a new chapter with a complete renovation of the shop and a rebrand to ‘PINK’.

Ballina conference puts water security in spotlight

Water security for rural, regional, and remote communities will take centre stage at the 2026 Water Management Conference being hosted by Local Government NSW in Ballina from 2-4 September.

They’re back!

Nudge Nudge Wink Wink launches Season 11 and they’re still dancing, still giving back!

Numerous letters have appeared in The Echo expressing grave concerns with regard to the administration of Byron Shire Council (BSC). I have monitored Council activities over many years. I have written submissions, letters etc. etc. I am of the belief that it all falls on deaf ears. I allege BSC is a law unto itself.

There is no apparent accountability for staff or councillors.

Any attempt by ratepayers, (whom they are employed to serve), to challenge Council is seen by Council as a call to arms and to battle. Ratepayers are perceived as the enemy. Council feels compelled to win at all costs.

I allege it is long, long past the time for an administrator to be appointed to BSC. This process is reliant on the integrity of the minister recommending the appointment. Until the community unite in action rather than engage in paper warfare Byron will collapse and never recover. I am aware there are strong local community groups working hard but Shire-wide action and strong leadership is required.

The Hawkesbury Gazette has an excellent online article outlining the procedural steps for the appointment of an administrator.

Hilary Bone, Federal



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.

Byron’s ‘great walker’ takes out Wollumbin Art Award

A much-loved Byron Shire character has helped carry artist Stephen Bird to the top prize in this year’s Wollumbin Art Award.

Mullum Primary basketball team bounces their way to state championships

Mullumbimby Public Schools PSSA boys basketball team has made it to the NSW state finals and will be heading to Sydney on Monday, 7 September and they are asking for a bit of a hand to get there. 

Flora, fauna, and funga

Last week, science added a new branch to the Tree of Life. Instead of just flora and fauna, the world of fungi (all 250,000 of...

Bird Lake begins

There are times when a community needs to stop, acknowledge what has been achieved and simply say thank you. For Suffolk Park and Bird Lake,...