This document was written without fear or favour, by The Echo editor Hans Lovejoy for the politically curious who are considering a tilt at public life, or those who are interested in the inner workings of local politics.
My intention is to hopefully inform and engage aspiring political...
After 16 years on Ballina Council Jeff Johnson is retiring from the council playing field to concentrate on family and his solar and electrical business. Having been asked quite a few times who his recommendations are for the upcoming Ballina Council election here's his take.
On 14 September the people of Ballina will elect nine councillors plus a mayor. Unlike some parts of NSW, where there are more councillor positions than candidates, a large field of applicants are vying for the chance to represent their diverse communities across Ballina Shire, from Newrybar in the north to Cabbage Tree Island in the south, and from Wollongbar in the west to fast-growing Lennox Head in the east.
Council elections are rapidly approaching, but many of those seeking election in Ballina are still a mystery to potential voters. The Echo has been trying to find out what makes the latest batch of candidates tick, beyond the statements in their PR material.
The NSW Electoral Commission has published a list of everyone who is standing for the positions of mayor and councillor in the forthcoming local government elections. Quite a few new names are in the mix, while some familiar figures won't be contesting their positions again.
Ballina's B Ward Councillor Eva Ramsey appears to be distancing herself from Sharon Cadwallader's team with her latest statement in advance of local government elections, describing herself as a 'true independent'.
Lennox local and sitting councillor Kiri Dicker is running for Mayor of Ballina Shire Council in the upcoming council election on September 14 and is putting affordable housing for key workers as front and centre of her campaign.
Ballina Shire Council for the upcoming two years has now been determined with no Labor candidates getting elected and three of recently elected Mayor Sharon Cadwallader’s team members being elected.
Ballina local government area residents won't know the exact makeup of their new council until next week, when preferences are distributed, but the general shape is looking clearer.
A reign of non-partisan leadership in the Ballina Shire may well be over, with conservative independent Sharon Cadwallader leading the mayoral vote tally by lunchtime Tuesday.
With most of the votes cast, and counting over until tomorrow, the New South Wales Electoral Commission stats would suggest that there are three clear winners of the mayoral contests in Ballina, Byron and Lismore Shires.
Here at The Echo we have seen and heard the word ‘housing’ come up time and again throughout the local government election campaign period, whether it’s from candidates or other voters.
Ballina Shire Council candidates against the idea of a new dam in Byron’s hinterland are accusing fellow candidate Sharon Cadwallader of false claims in her electoral campaign.
As two professional engineers, each with over 40 years of experience in the water industry, we support Rous County Council’s decision to start tapping into underground water resources to meet the growing water supply needs of our region.
A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure.
Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.
From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.
The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.
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