Byron Echo

Latest News

Local NewsDavid Lowe - November 2, 20260

Lismore icon made homeless by NSW government

Well known Northern Rivers artist, musician and puppeteer Jimmy Willing is now living in a tent, having been evicted at short notice from the Joy Love Studio in North Lismore late last week.

Other News

National NewsThe Echo - October 27, 20260

Grim numbers from horse racing industry

The annual DeathWatch Report by the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses (CPR) reveals that the home state of the upcoming Melbourne Cup, Victoria, was responsible for 30 percent of the at least 160 racehorses who were killed from racing across the country in the 2025/26 Australian racing season.

Local NewsThe Echo - October 29, 20260

Lismore’s former joinery makes room for a different kind of craft

A former Lismore joinery is about to test what else can be made in a timber factory, with Northern Rivers artists turning its industrial spaces into stages, screens and installations.

Local NewsPaul Bibby - October 29, 20260

Two left feet welcome as Byron Latin Fiesta starts tonight

You don’t need to know your salsa from your bachata to join Byron’s Latin dance crowd this weekend. Everyone...

Local NewsThe Echo - October 27, 20260

Coffee with a cop coming to Goonellbah

Lismore locals are invited to pull up a chair, enjoy a conversation, and connect with local police officers at Goonellabah Shopping centre next Tuesday morning, 3 November 2026.

Entertainment NewsEve Jeffery - October 27, 20260

Interview with Boy & Bear : acoustic reinvention

Known for their rich harmonies, heartfelt songwriting and uplifting live energy, Boy & Bear will bring a more intimate side of their music to Byron Wellness Festival with beautifully reimagined versions of favourite songs, soulful acoustic arrangements and the kind of shared musical moments that invite you to slow down, breathe and be present.

Local NewsThe Echo - October 30, 20260

Super Halloween fun returns to Brunswick Heads Primary

It is time to get spooky, and perhaps a little bit kooky at Brunswick Heads Primary School’s Fairtastic this Saturday.

The Byron Shire Echo

EveryoneReadsTheEcho-320px Since 1986 The Echo has been the voice of the Byron Shire. This independent free weekly newspaper covers the news and events of a thriving, unique and colourful north coast community. Offering much more than just local news, the Byron Echo is home to a rich selection of quality content, including regular political and social commentary from guest columnists including former magistrate David Heilpern, former MLC Catherine Cusack, David Lowe and others.

Mungo MacCallum‘s authoritative political commentary was a key part of The Echo’s independent voice, until his death in 2020.

The Echo has a lively selection of letters to the editor, thought-provoking articles, and Mandy Nolan‘s Soapbox, comprehensive entertainment coverage in Seven including a gig guide of what’s on in Byron Bay. There is also the Good Life food, wine and travel section including Byron area restaurant reviews, the Good Taste restaurant guide, service directory, classified ads, real estate and much more.

Find past editions going back as far as 2005 in our print archives.

Byron Shire Echo issue 41.20 – October 28, 2026

In this Issue:

Are you interested in guiding the future of Byron Bay?

Many members of the Byron Bay community are questioning what the future of Byron is – this is your chance to have a voice.

The Echo - November 2, 2026

Bruns Brekky looking for a home

The Bruns Brekky, for homeless people, is looking for a place to set up twice a week with water, electricity and a bit of storage space, said organiser Jon Dale.

Aslan Shand - November 2, 2026

Mullumbimby poster cleanup

The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and Community along with local businesses and volunteers, were out in force last Sunday morning cleaning up the town.

The Echo - November 2, 2026

Super Halloween fun returns to Brunswick Heads Primary

It is time to get spooky, and perhaps a little bit kooky at Brunswick Heads Primary School’s Fairtastic this Saturday.

The Echo - October 30, 2026

Mullum Chamber calls for action on Scout Hall – not demolition

Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce President says demolishing the historic Mullumbimby Scout Hall is not good enough and that Byron Council need to step up and relocate the building.

Aslan Shand - October 30, 2026

Building healthier waterways and slowing floodwaters

There are increasing examples of ways that natural flood management can help waterways recover, slow flooding waters, and improve the waterways and catchments.

The Echo - October 30, 2026

Ain’t easy being green

What the hell is David Shoebridge doing? No sooner had he become the new leader of the Greens than he is attacking the Labor party, his natural political ally, saying the Greens are not here to support Labor –...

Mike Balson, Upper Wilsons Creek - October 30, 2026

Clifford Street DA

Clifford Street: Three affordable homes and a bigger housing question. The Clifford Street DA has divided Suffolk Park, but I don’t believe this has to be a choice between supporting development and caring about existing tenants. We desperately need more...

Hayley Devlin, Suffolk Park - October 30, 2026

Rejecting the politics of hate

Have you ever lived in such turbulent times? We really don’t know what to expect from one day to the next. With such uncertainty it is difficult to plan ahead.

Richard Jones - October 29, 2026

Support action against violence and sexual assault

Sexual assault and violence against women has reached an intolerable point and the surfing community is now calling for a change in behaviour and culture that breaks the silence, stigma, and risk that comes from speaking out.

Aslan Shand - October 29, 2026

Mullum Show just around the corner

An exciting Mullumbimby Show is coming up on 6, 7, and 8 November at the Mullumbimby Showground with lots of fun activities, music, and events for all the family.

Aslan Shand - October 29, 2026

Clifford St koalas

Trawling through voluminous documentation to get abreast of the current DA for 9-15 Clifford Street is not how I want to spend my time. It is necessary, however, to advocate for our precious ecology, again at risk, from the...

Lynne Richardson, Suffolk Park - October 29, 2026

Wheelchair-accessible buses?

Why in 2026 are buses, including school buses, not wheelchair-accessible? Why has Byron Council banned local buses, that bring local people to town to shop in local businesses, from stopping in the main streets of Mullumbimby and Byron Bay? Why is...

Basil Cameron, Goonengerry - October 29, 2026

No SRV

Proposing another Special Rate Variation (SRV) during a financial, and affordable housing, crisis portrays a local council willing to cause further financial distress to ordinary ratepayers, renters, and small business owners who rely on residents having a disposable income. Past...

H Rowland, Ocean Shores - October 29, 2026

Council: efficient, benchmarked?

Despite lots of information about the rate rise, there are no options, ideas for increasing revenue, or organisational efficiencies provided by Byron Shire Council and no advice that business rates are below the state average including below Ballina and...

Jan Barham, Broken Head - October 29, 2026

Ballina Hospital

After recently suffering a stroke I have been extremely fortunate to be doing my rehabilitation at the Ballina Hospital rehabilitation unit. I cannot speak highly enough of the professionalism and kindness of all staff including cleaners, kitchen staff, wardsmen, nurses,...

Scott Hyams, Mullumbimby - October 29, 2026

Great Koala National Park approved

The humble NSW koala has led to local Liberal MP Catherine Cusack crossing the floor, and serious internal disputes between the NSW Liberal and National Party over land and koala management policy, with the koala wars a particular flash point in 2020.

Aslan Shand - October 28, 2026

57 Station Street approved

Last Thursday, 22 October, the Northern Regional Planning Panel unanimously approved the amended 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby development application by Landcom on the Byron Shire Council (BSC) owned site.

Aslan Shand - October 28, 2026

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: It stops with Helen

The horrendous and shocking violence experienced by MP for Indi, Helen Haines has shown us, in technicolour, that public life is not safe. Helen is known for her moderate approach, her lack of affiliation with party politics and her deep commitment to community.

Mandy Nolan - October 28, 2026

Hospital action!

In the past I have pushed against agencies that denied the avenues to pursue a positive outcome. In the case of the essential new Lennox Head roundabout, Ballina Shire Council told me that this was not possible until funds became...

Jamie Hoile, Lennox Head - October 28, 2026

Ballina to Atlantis

Regarding Ballina Hospital emergency/Ballina Shire Council (Echo, 14 October): Jamie Hoile, what a great letter. A couple of additional points: • Government grant to help fix traffic flooding on Ross Lane, presumably to sell the proposed floodplain development • Proposed development...

C & C Quick, Rous - October 28, 2026

Cheques exist?

I received a cheque in the mail (I didn’t know they still existed) from Medicare. It is payment to a specialist doctor for services rendered. No money for me. I then received a text asking me, the patient, to...

Larry Hoofs - October 28, 2026

Concerns missed

At Monday’s (19 October) NRPP meeting on 57 Station Street, only three people, including current Cr Swain and Cr Ndiaye, spoke in favour of the development, almost exclusively because they say it will deliver affordable housing. No-one argues that...

Paul Cholakos, Montecollum - October 28, 2026

Cartoon of the week – 28 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. The...

The Echo - October 27, 2026

Locals heading to Jakarta for a padel

Three Northern Rivers junior tennis players, brothers Miles and Ollie and teammate Frankie, have been selected to represent Australia at the FIP Junior Asia Padel Cup in Jakarta this November. All three are proud to be pulling on the...

The Echo - October 27, 2026

National News

Councils call for stronger powers to curb tobacco shops

The Echo - November 2, 2026 0

NSW councils have today called for stronger planning powers to control where tobacconists can open and prevent clusters of outlets near schools and community facilities.

Local News

Ghouls just want to have fun

Jeff Dawson - November 2, 2026 0

Brunswick Heads Public School just held another fantastic Halloween Fair to raise funds for the school, in a celebration of creativity, hard work and spookiness.

Articles & Columns

Shoebridge goes into the belly of the beast

David Lowe - November 2, 2026 0

In his first address to the National Press Club, federal Greens leader David Shoebridge confronted many of those who have done their best to demolish what he stands for, and came out still standing.

Local News

Man charged over firearm and pursuit in a stolen car

Eve Jeffery - November 2, 2026 0

NSW Police say a man – wanted by virtue of two outstanding warrants – has been charged after a firearm and stolen car were allegedly seized following a pursuit near Coraki.