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Byron Shire
September 4, 2026

Student protest

Latest News

Short-stay boost for Ballina hospital, but bigger service gaps remain

Ballina District Hospital is set to get a new four-bay emergency short-stay unit before the end of the year, providing a modest boost to a hospital that remains limited in the range of specialist and higher-level care it can provide.

Other News

Save Byron’s farmland

Doug Foskey (Letters,26 August) asks why the state government is taxing farmers for ‘services’ he never sees. Indeed, why? The...

Applications now open for NRCF’s 2026-2027 Community Grants

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations across the Northern Rivers are invited to apply for the Northern Rivers Community Foundation’s (NRCF) 2026-2027 Annual Community Grants Round, which opened on 31 August.

Refugee story comes home to Federal

A story which began with a $200 donation and a two-room refugee school in Indonesia will arrive at Federal Hall this month, accompanied by two of the people who helped bring it to life.

Chris Cherry bows out of Tweed mayoralty after six years

After six years steering Tweed Shire through floods, fires, border closures and a cyclone, Mayor Chris Cherry has decided it is time to hand over the reins.

Shooting brumbies is inhumane

People across the country have been outraged by the ongoing aerial and ground shooting of brumbies in Australia’s national...

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.

It is with a heavy heart that I comment on the student protest against Pauline Hanson reported in The Echo.

When I was at school in the 1950s and 1960s I was not dragged out of school to protest against any political issues. Who put this to the students it was a good idea?

I was at school to learn other more important things like reading, writing, maths, geography, and science.

Our young years should be full of joy and laughter.

Margot Hays, Bangalow

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Ewingsdale Rd pedestrian crossing back on the agenda

The developers behind the massive West Byron housing project are back for round two in their bid to install a pedestrian crossing on Ewingsdale Road, just weeks after councillors rejected a traffic-light version of the proposal.

Chris Cherry bows out of Tweed mayoralty after six years

After six years steering Tweed Shire through floods, fires, border closures and a cyclone, Mayor Chris Cherry has decided it is time to hand over the reins.

Dabke and Tatreez – keeping Palestinian music alive

The Dabke and Tatreez ensemble were the first ever Palestinian music performance at the Sydney Opera House on 6 July last year, and they will be performing at the Bangalow A&I Hall on Saturday, 5 September at 6.30pm.

Byron businesses shine at tourism awards

Crystalbrook Byron and Better By Bike took out three gold awards at the recent  2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards in Coffs Harbour.