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Byron Shire
August 29, 2026
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North Coast tourism winners shine

By The Echo

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National NewsThe Echo - 0

Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.
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Other News

LettersJo Faith, Newtown - 0

Given up the ghost

We are informed that Byron Shire Council (BSC) has, in a sense, ‘given up the ghost’.  It has run...
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.
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Local NewsThe Echo - 0

New police recruits welcomed

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin today welcomed 22 new probationary constables deployed to regional police districts, including two in the Northern Rivers.
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Local NewsChristopher Dean - 0

Lynda Dean – a life of love and making the world a better place

My beloved Lynda Dean was the rock and the heart that held in place not only me and our family, but an extraordinary network of friends and communities throughout the Byron Shire and far beyond.
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Byron EchoMarguerite Hann-Syme, Adelaide - 0

Monster rich

For a while we visited Northern Rivers until one year we felt and saw the changes. The rich elsewhere...
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The Good LifeThe Echo - 0

Perk up, Byron – spring is coming

Winter is on its way out, and The Roadhouse is throwing open the precinct to celebrate.
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Byron’s enduring Bluesfest was inducted into the Hall Of Fame at last Thursday’s, North Coast Regional Tourism Awards ceremony at Elements. Pictured are Festival Director, Peter Noble, Managing Director Dyah Noble and longtime wrangler of Bluesfest photographers, Sarah Ndiaye (AKA Byron Shire Mayor). Photo Jeff Dawson

There were plenty of winners at the 2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards last Friday with the winners including gold for Bluesfest, Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens, and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail; silver for Let’s Go Surfing – Byron and Ballina; and bronze for Lismore Lantern Parade and Cape Byron Kayaks to name just a few.

‘The north coast’s best tourism operators were celebrated as the 2025 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards crowned this year’s champions. Co‑presented for the first time by Destination North Coast and the NSW Tourism Association, the awards evening at Elements of Byron honoured 33 finalists across 11 categories.’

‘These accolades showcase the passion, resilience and innovation that underpin the region’s visitor economy,’ said organisers in a press release.

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Local News

Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

David Lowe - 0
With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.
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Local News

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

The Echo - 0
Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.
Read more
Local News

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

The Echo - 0
Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.
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Local News

Katie Milne responds to Tweed’s draft housing and employment strategy

The Echo - 0
The former mayor of Tweed Shire Council, Kate Milne, has shared her submission to Tweed's Draft Growth Management Housing & Employment Strategy.
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More Articles Like This

Two charged over alleged Ballina machete attack

Local News The Echo - 0
A man and woman have been charged after a 22-year-old man was allegedly attacked with a machete in central Ballina on Sunday night.
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Cameras rolling on Ballina crime fight

Local News The Echo - 0
A $1 million CCTV network targeting crime hotspots and major roads in Ballina and Lennox Head is finally moving into the installation phase, following years of calls for greater surveillance across the shire.
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Muddy implications for Ballina?

Articles & Columns Steve Posselt - 0
The big kicker in the CSIRO flood report for Ballina is the trade-off. A new outlet to the sea at Broadwater would reduce flooding. There is no doubt about that and we know that the river did just that in 1890.
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Ballina Council wrap for July

Local News David Lowe - 0
Marred by technical difficulties and conflict across the chamber, Ballina Shire Council's July meeting still managed to get through a large agenda.
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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