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Byron Shire
July 20, 2025

Latest News

VideosEve Jeffery - 0

Sally Mathrick making menopause great again

VIDEO: Naturopath and health teacher Sally Mathrick is keen to ‘trump’ problematic menopause and make menopause great again.
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Other News

Byron EchoSam Leader, Mullumbimby - 0

Uncle Tom’s flooding

If the community copes with the extended travel time, the disruption to businesses, and inadequate alternate routes only for...
Read more
Local NewsThe Echo - 17

Locals call for part of Evans Head to Ballina Beach to be closed

Abuse of the beach by 4WD users, with some drivers now covering their number plates, has led to calls to close the Evans Head part of the Evans Head to Ballina Beach. 
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Byron EchoPaul Bibby - 0

Sensitive greenfield site settled in court, 74,000m³ of fill to be imported

A controversial $4.3 million industrial development will be built on a sensitive greenfield site next to the Harvest housing estate in West Byron, after Byron Shire Council and the developer settled a dispute over conditions in the Land & Environment Court.
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Political CommentJo Immig - 6

Was Socrates right about democracy?

The Acropolis of Athens, the embodiment of Athenian power, birthplace of democracy, and cornerstone of Western civilisation, was recently closed to tourists owing to a deadly heatwave across parts of Europe.
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Byron EchoG Barr, Goonellabah - 0

Backlash response

A comment in Backlash in last week’s Echo describing Jeff Bezos’ wife Lauren Sanchez as ‘a botox-out-of-the-box figurine’ needs,...
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Byron EchoThe Echo - 0

Cartoon of the week – 16 July, 2025

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.
Read more

Byron Echo

The Byron Shire Echo

EveryoneReadsTheEcho-320pxSince 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 40.06 – July 16, 2025

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Byron Writers Festival | Sport | Health & Healing | Good Taste | The Good Life | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

Editorial – Academic freedumbs under threat

Academic freedom is the lifeblood of universities – a principle that ensures scholars and students can pursue knowledge, challenge orthodoxy, and engage in open debate without fear of censorship or reprisal.

Hans Lovejoy - 0

Ruth’s on a quest to drive the Variety Bash

Lennox Head local, Ruth Einfeld, is seeking sponsorship for the upcoming Children’s Variety Club fundraiser, the Variety Bash. The fundraiser is celebrating its 50th year, she says, and was the brainchild of Dick Smith.

The Echo - 0

Giving Byron a fresh new look

To celebrate the Byron Community Centre’s ‘130 Years of Community Spirit’, artist Valentina Di Blase is sprucing up parts of the building and adding a wonderful splash of bright colour.

Eve Jeffery - 0

Backlash response

A comment in Backlash in last week’s Echo describing Jeff Bezos’ wife Lauren Sanchez as ‘a botox-out-of-the-box figurine’ needs, in my opinion, addressing. Body image issues are a psychological illness in the same grade as eating disorders bulimia and anorexia....

G Barr, Goonellabah - 0

In the deafening silence

Following the recent unacceptable arson attack on a Jewish synagogue where there were no injuries or fatalities, now we are being lectured to (via a happily compliant media) by a leader who would be arrested for war crimes in...

Rod Murray, Ocean Shores - 0

Climate change increases food costs

Australians are making the connection between climate change and rising food prices – and they’re right to. A recent Farmers for Climate Action poll of 1,000 Australians found that 65 per cent believe climate change is a major factor...

Ben Gebert, Stratford - 0

‘Insurgent intellectual’ profiled on screen, July 18

The remarkable life and work of ‘barefooted academic’ Desmond Ball (1947-2016) will screen at the Palace Cinema, Byron Bay, on July 18 from 6pm.

The Echo - 0

Questions will not be answered around Mullum ‘affordable units’

NSW government development corporation, Landcom, has now refused to answer any questions around its proposal to build 32 tightly-packed affordable rental homes in Mullumbimby.

The Echo - 7

John’s Forest – a regenerated remnant of rainforest saved for locals

The photo above is of a lovely, well-thought-out and designed sign to commemorate and remember the late John Bailey. It was recently erected, with a little ceremony, at the entrance to the track leading into ‘John’s Forest’, a lovely oasis...

Carole Gamble, Mullumbimby - 0

Cost of living

Television advertising is currently highlighting that a third of Australian households are unable to meet their basic food needs and requesting sponsorship for 15,000 schoolchildren living in poverty. There is unprecedented homelessness and businesses are going bust in record...

Sara Watt, Bangalow - 2

Back to the future

A as a long-time advocate for proper due process the launch of former long-standing Tweed Mayor, Max Boyd’s book Saving Paradise – The Tweed under siege early this year is most timely. Zombie development approvals are springing to life on...

Lindy Smith, Tweed Heads - 0

Nobel peace

What an edifying sight it was, on the news tonight (8 July, 2025), watching a war criminal nominating his weapons supplier for a Nobel Peace Prize. Isn’t the world a wonderful place? Warren Kennedy, Mullumbimby

Warren Kennedy, Mullumbimby - 0

‘Stop deep-sea mining before it starts’ – Byron paddle out July...

Australia’s surfers, swimmers, and ocean community are paddling out for an important cause at Clarkes Beach on Sunday, July 20 from 12pm.

The Echo - 1

Uncle Pete’s legacy celebrated, July 18

The Byron Shire will celebrate the life of one of its most charismatic, colourful, and creative Aboriginal Elders at a public event in Apex Park on Friday, July 18 at 2pm.

Paul Bibby - 0

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: The tall story

When do you paint over a ‘tall wall’? You know that wall where you measure your kids? Where you use a pencil or pen to do the unthinkable: write on the wall! But this is permissible, because it’s not graffiti, it’s data. It’s how you mark your child has grown over time. Sometimes you measure yourself there for fun, and to watch your child gain centimetres as gravity and age take yours. Tall walls are messy. They are part of the story of your home.

Mandy Nolan - 3

Due process: a matter of public interest

I am at a loss to understand how the development applicaiton (DA) for McAuleys Lane could have been legally approved. Following is my personal understanding of the matter. Byron Shire Council does not have an unconditional and inherent right to...

H Bone, Federal - 0

E-bike number plates

I agree with Sapoty Brook’s suggestion (Letters, 2 July) that e-bikes should have a number plate. This would not only help prevent accidents, but also thefts perhaps. My housemate purchased a new e-bike recently. It was great for getting into...

Charles MacFarland, Ewingsdale - 4

The piano

What a beautiful afternoon at Brunswick Soundshell, celebrating our new piano. Congratulations to all who were involved in bringing this life and joy back into our town that has suffered recently from loss of trade and increase in bad...

Rennie Johnston, South Golden Beach - 0

Uncle Tom’s flooding

If the community copes with the extended travel time, the disruption to businesses, and inadequate alternate routes only for the $5.3m Mullumbimby Road upgrade to not remedy the issue of flooding at Uncle Tom’s… I’ll… I’ll... *shakes fist violently* Sam...

Sam Leader, Mullumbimby - 0

Cartoon of the week – 16 July, 2025

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 Echo - 0

Next Gen farming: an independent organic future for us all

Having grown up on the family farm, Kyan Sansom’s love for agriculture started at a very young age. Over the years that passion has continued to      grow and today, Kyan and his partner, Georgia, run Organic Seeds Australia –...

The Echo - 1

Bonito: rich culinary heritage of Peru

Tucked away in a cosy corner at a shopping centre in Wollongbar, Bonito is the kind of place that doesn’t just serve food – it tells a story. With its name meaning ‘pretty’ or ‘beautiful’ in Spanish, Bonito boasts...

The Echo - 0

Bun Coffee: 20 years of roasting

What started as a dream in a small industrial garage in Byron Bay’s Arts & Industry Estate with a single Turkish roaster has become one of Australia’s most respected specialty coffee brands. This month, Bun Coffee proudly marks 20...

The Echo - 0

Love, loss and a life on the road

Phil (Howell) and (Alex) Tilley are often described as one indivisible unit, they have an understanding of each other’s playing that can only be learnt over time.

The Echo - 0

Scandinavian Film Festival: diverse and thought–provoking

The 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival presents the best new cinema from the Nordic region this July and August at Palace Cinemas, showcasing a diverse and thought-provoking selection from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

The Echo - 0
Local News

Join the Great Mullet Cook Up this Saturday

The Echo - 0
This Saturday is the perfect time to combine local food and straight talk on how to improve our mighty Clarence and Richmond Rivers
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Local News

Time for Evans Head, Broadwater, Woodburn, and Coraki to divorce Casino?

Dr Richard Gates - 0
The recently-announced split of the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council is a real fillip to those opposed to forced amalgamations.
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Local News

Police run e-bike education across NSW

The Echo - 0
NSW Police have highlighted their crackdown on illegal e-bike riders that has seen 32 riders in Sydney’s Northern Beaches fined and at least one...
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Local News

Swans and wildlife to get a floating platform at Lake Kimberley 

Aslan Shand - 0
The murder of a swan at Lake Kimberley, Banora Point in June last year outraged locals and led Tweed Shire Councillors (TSC) to look at ways they can support the local wildlife in the area. 
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