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Byron Shire
October 23, 2026

Byron Deserves Better – it deserves balance

Latest News

Landscapes and ‘ghosts’ meet at Lone Goat Gallery

A sunlit valley sounds like a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. A pathway to madness, perhaps less so.

Other News

Cartoon of the week – 21 October, 2026

The Echo loves your letters 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, send us your epistles.

Big meeting for Ballina Council this week

The agenda for Thursday's meeting includes six notices of motion from four councillors, with issues including missing persons, volunteer recognition, and arts funding.

Spaghetti Circus needs you!

This Thursday you can be part of keeping Spaghetti Circus running by donating to the AusArt Day, with matched funding covering the first $5,000 given to them.

People’s Choice Awards announced for Lismore sculpture show

Over 500 visitors came to see the wonderful recycled and natural sculptural works at the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens, in the ReCreate Sculpture Exhibition.

Spring into summer with local Dorper Lamb

As we move from spring into summer, it’s time to fire up the barbecue, enjoy long lunches with family and friends, and make the most of fresh, local produce. I recently spoke with Warren from Boorabe Dorper Lamb about the different cuts of lamb and how to get the best out of them.

Foreshore Italian

Foreshore Italian brings the warmth, generosity and simplicity of Italian cooking to Elements of Byron, celebrating the pleasure of good food, fresh ingredients and shared dining experiences.

The Byron Deserves Better crew are against the 90-day cap on holiday letting in certain areas of Byron proposed by Byron Shire Council. They want to rent their properties for 365 days and have launched a national PR campaign against Council’s proposal! I think the Byron community deserves much better than this.

So many people have lost their homes, their jobs, live in their cars, possibly had to leave loved ones and friends to live in a completely different area… I don’t believe this is fair. We need to get this housing crisis under control. Turning so many properties into short-term holiday lets benefits only a few and does not serve the greater majority. It is not the answer! Community is everything! It is very important to get the balance right so we have an equitable and fair outcome.

Liz Friend, Ocean Shores



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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.

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Aston Private: personalised care, close to home

Aston Private has expanded its Northern Rivers services by launching Aston at Home, an outpatient service for people who would benefit from treatment while staying at home and connected to daily life.

Ballina Council fined for pesticide breaches at Lennox Head

Ballina Shire Council has been fined $2,500 after misusing pesticide near a Lennox Head waterway and failing to keep a required application record.

Preschools urged to join Lismore rally over funding concerns

Northern Rivers preschool staff and families are being urged to rally outside Lismore MP Janelle Saffin’s office amid concerns that new state funding rules could threaten community preschool services.

Bangalow Bowlo fight goes to Supreme Court

When Norths Collective decided to breach the memorandum of understanding with the Bangalow Bowlo and the community, and closed the Bangalow Bowlo with no warning, they may not have realised how prepared the community is to fight for the return of their beloved Bowlo.