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Byron Shire
June 7, 2026

Latest News

Cartoon of the week – 3 June, 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.

Other News

Naturism

For decades, naturism has struggled with a strange communication barrier. Most naturist educational material contains nudity, which means it is...

More than a pantry – helping feed our community

Neighbourhood Centre has been running a low-cost community pantry? And over the last few years it’s really expanded.

Advocates and civil society organisations call to drop the charges against Herzog protestors

In an open letter to the NSW Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Police, and Commissioner of Police, advocates and civil society organisations have called for the charges to be dropped against people protesting against the visit of the President of Israel on 9 February 2026.

Crofton Rd to be fixed more than 4 years after damage

Another infrastructure repair project in response to damage caused by the Northern Rivers floods and landslides disasters more than four years ago has been announced.

Local family-owned Byron businesses asking for your support

Long-term, local Byron businesses are calling on the community for support as they struggle to remain afloat as the drainage works in Byron Bay continue.

Earth to stars

Is the world we live in, more than what we understand? Theories challenge the known facts, so does any...

January 29, 2020

Issue 34.34

Download PDF (13.6MB) Jump to: Local News | Byron Shire Council Notices | Comment | Letters | Articles | Sport Sign-ons | Climate Crisis Update | The Good Life | Good Taste | Echo Property | Seven | Live Music | Culture | Stars | Cinema | Gig Guide | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Veterans Affairs

It was interesting to read that Australia’s Department of Veterans Affairs is giving thoughtful attention to using psychedelic medicine to treat returned soldiers with PTSD. 

Climate Action 

Many letters in The Echorecently have been very critical of the prime minister,and I heartily concur with those criticisms. 

Emissions Targets

Meat and beat – sounds like yet another new diet, doesn’t it? 

Dear Barnaby

Politics is the most riveting game in town. Remember though it’s just a numbers game. If you want to know what a politician is up to, just follow the money. 

Gina & Rupert

Gina and Rupert told me they had a great holiday, especially after their Prymonster started looking after the kiddies properly. 

Water

The article ‘Mullumbimby’s water supply under review’ (January 22) raises some interesting questions for Byron Shire Council (BSC). 

On the art of stealing water for profit

Australia is now experiencing devastating fires. So far, it is estimated that over 18 million hectares (46 million acres) have burned. The response from our leaders has been deplorable.

Interview with Philippe Platel, Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in...

La Nuit des Idées Byron Theatre, Community Centre  |  Friday 6–8.30pm  |  $30/35 Philippe Platel is the Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy in Australia. This Friday he joins with Byron Writers Festival Director Edwina Johnson to present La Nuit des...

Renew Fest and Resilient Byron team up

With Renew Fest about to run a crowdfunding early bird ticket blitz to ensure this year’s festival can go ahead, they are thrilled to announce a new key partnership with Resilient Byron, set up to assist in preparing communities for a changing climate.

Won’t be back to parliament early 

Calls by local NSW Greens MP Tamara Smith to return to parliament early to enact laws that would allow immediate cash payments to bushfire survivors have been rejected by local Nationals MLC Ben Franklin.

Big weekend of short films

Fresh from its ten day Bondi event, Australia’s largest short film festival, Flickerfest, returns to Australia’s biggest little town from Thursday January 30 to Saturday February 1.

Editorial: Polarised humbug

Every Australia Day, polarised humbug erupts from those who want to just wave a flag to celebrate their culture, and those who see that Aussie flag as a symbol of British genocide and invasion.

Culture in the Byron Shire for the Week Beginning 29 January,...

Culture in the Byron Shire for the Week Beginning 29 January, 2020

A closer peek at Byron Shire Council’s holiday letting policy

Residents have until January 30 to have their say on Council’s short term holiday letting policy that will aim to regulate holiday letting through platforms like Airbnb and Stayz.

Interview with Jimmie Vaughan

Bluesfest  |  9–13 April Brother of the legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan is an American blues-rock guitarist and singer, coming to Bluesfest this year. From an early age Jimmie fell in love with the guitar. ‘I was actually trying to...

Shire to welcome the wisdom of Standing Rock as we search...

Next month, two of Native American relatives that had significant roles at the Oceti Sakowin Camp (Standing Rock)  are coming to Mullumbimby for two interrelated intercultural and interfaith sharing events, focused on the growing climate emergency.

Cartoon of the week – January 29

Letters to the editor We love to receive letters, but not every letter will be published; the publication of letters is at the discretion of the online and print letters editors. The deadline for the Byron Echo newspaper is noon Friday and letters longer...

Cinema

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZjQROMAh_s 1917 Another war film has hit screens, with a very similar feeling to Dunkirk (2017). Sam Mendes takes the reins for this film as both writer and director. 1917 follows the story of two soldiers who are tasked to deliver...

Mullum’s stormwater and sewerage woes laid bare

A Council assessment has found that nearly 70 per cent of the stormwater network in the oldest part of Mullumbimby is at a high risk of failure, highlighting the urgent need for an assessment of the network across the entire Shire.

Interview with Pussy Play and Wank Bank

Pussy Play and Wank Bank Brunswick Picture House  |  Pussy Play, Friday and Saturday 7pm  |  Wank Bank, Friday and Saturday 8.30pm The Brunswick Picture House presents the most fun sex-education classes you’ll ever go to! Pussy Play and Wank Bank...

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Middle-Aged Mummy Angry About Sugar Daddy

Listen you creepy old rich fucks, leave our young women alone. Stop offering them the rich daddy they never had. It’s pedophilic. When Marilyn Monroe used her baby-girl voice to sing My heart belongs to daddy the flaccid cocks of ageing patriarchs around the world stood to attention.

Francis wants to go all the way with water polo

Alstonville water polo player Francis Rupnik has been representing Queensland in the sport for the last three years and has a vision to make it to the Olympics.

Country lifesavers head to Cudgen for championships

For the second year in a row Cudgen Headland Surf Lifesaving Club will host over 1500 competitors, this upcoming weekend, for the NSW Country Surf Lifesaving Championships.

Wilkinson wins round four of Summer series cycling

A strong field contested the fourth round of the Byron Bay Cycling Club’s Summer Race series at the Woodford Lane circuit last Sunday.

Australia Day awards for local sports stars

A mountain bike rider, rugby players, a footballer and surfer were all honoured as Sportspeople of the Year by local councils across the region last weekend.

Marooned yacht on rocks near Ballina

A local photographer has shot a marooned yacht at Flat Rock, in Ballina Shire. It's the second boat to be washed ashore in recent months

Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Author Tristan Bancks follows up with Two Wolves sequel

Local author Tristan Bancks launched his new book for readers 10+, Raised By Wolves, at Byron Book Room last night (Thursday 4 June).

Lismore City Council recognised for environmental leadership at LG awards

Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.