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June 21, 2026

Latest News

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Other News

Lismore rallies to save homes from demolition

Around hundred residents met at the Lismore Quad on Saturday to demand the demolitions of heritage homes cease, the flood recovery promised is delivered, and that every person be housed.

Byron High brings you SAAM – full of humour and chaos

In the vein of a speculative sci-fi, this comedy misadventure is simultaneously relatable, playful, hilarious, and unnerving. SAAM will be performed for three nights by Byron Bay High’s Year 11 Drama troupe on 23, 25 and 26 June from 6.30pm.

Humanity together

Dale Emerson’s letter last week expanding on Chris Hanley’s attitude to The Echo, and to our world, was impressive....

Early childhood educators to receive 15pc pay rise

The federal Labor government says it is investing a further $3.6 billion over the next two years to lock in the historic 15 cent pay rise for early childhood educators.

Marine Rescue volunteers assist disabled dive boat

Volunteers and two vessels from Marine Rescue Point Danger safely assisted thirteen people to shore on Saturday afternoon after a commercial dive vessel experienced engine issues and was unable to safely cross the Tweed Bar.

In loving memory of Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD (1929 – 2026)

Dr Tony Parkes AO PhD, one of Australia’s most visionary conservation leaders and a pioneering force in ecological restoration, passed away last Thursday at the age of 96. He spent his final months at Honey Bee Homes in Ewingsdale.

November 11, 2020

Issue 35.22

Download PDF (21MB) Jump to: Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | The Good Life | Good Taste | The Scoop | The Arts | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Stars | Cinema | Echo Property | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Dredging for beaches

Warwick Anderson, Suffolk Park Rising sea levels are eroding our beaches. I have a suggestion. Ask Jerry Harvey to pack up all his ice making machines and send them to the Arctic. Set them up on solar power and on a...

Sweetest victory

Keith Duncan, Pimlico The resounding election win by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, must be ‘the sweetest victory of all’. She endured a massive campaign of bullying and intimidation by: the usual bias in the Murdoch media (Liberal-National party stooges); PM Scott...

Capitalism

Paul Brecht, Evans Head If you are a voter in the USA the choices are one capitalist arsehole or the other one. I look at this as no choice at all. And why are we getting inundated with another country’s politics?

Quarrel of lawyers

Fast Buck$, Coorabell Recently I discovered that Council employs four lawyers and another four people in its media unit. That’s eight professionally-trained truth-benders working arduously to gild the lily. I have to ask whether the show Emperor, Simon Richardson, is about to...

Where beach becomes art

A local artist brought a vibrant splash of colour to The Pass recently, projecting a series of psychedelic displays onto the famous surfing spot.

Editorial – Renewables finally come into vogue

Something doesn’t feel quite right. It appears the NSW Liberal Nationals are moving towards a cleaner future, one that recognises climate change and isn’t coal-fired.

Byron Chamber welcomes new president, kickstarts event

 Mark Ryan, an immigration lawyer, has been appointed as the new president of the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Emperor Trump has no clothes, nor secret Chinese plots

It’s in the wind all around the world, a global sigh of relief. The American election happened, and despite the Republicans’ best voter suppression efforts, Biden/Harris won, Trump lost.

Mother-in-law user guide launches November 15

A new book by author Ruth Winton-Brown explores the important, but often over looked relationship of mother-in-law.

Gleeson pitches for more arts sector support

They are the unsung heroes of our favourite performance venues – the hardworking crews who keep the shows seamlessly on the road.

Popup book sale from Nov 16

Looking for a good book to read, as a festive season present? Instead of the annual Book Fair in Byron this year, Friends of the Libraries are keeping you COVID-19 safe by creating a popup book sale.

Sandbagging beach erosion

Neil Matterson, Byron Bay With all the sandbagging on the main beach at Byron Bay one could be forgiven for thinking that Byron is preparing for an invasion by a foreign power. It is certainly an invasion by a superpower; nature,...

Invisible protests

Gareth Smith, Palestine Liberation Centre When we saw The Echo’s masthead, ‘Too Many Podcasts and Not Enough Protests’ we naively assumed the editor would relish news of our protest in support of Bernard Collaery, Witness K and Julian Assange. We informed...

Clarkes Beach and erosion

David Gilet, Byron Bay Unfortunately the fact that the Belongil seems to be in good condition is no indication that the beach to the south of it is also in good nick. When I lived in Butler Street I used to walk...

Byron Beach erosion needs to be managed

Oliver Dunne, Byron Bay It will be a tragedy for the community of Byron Bay should they heed the doomsayers on the erosion event at Clarkes and Main Beach and follow a ‘do nothing’ strategy advocated by Dailan Pugh's recent letter. The...

How does your toilet flush affect the Belongil Estuary?

Byron Shire Council are looking to overcome waterlogging of farmland, caused by treated effluent from the Byron Sewage Treatment Plant, by diverting excess effluent via a shorter route to the Belongil Estuary. This appears to be a prelude to upgrading the STP.

Bioenergy white elephant

Andrew Hunter, Bangalow Byron Shire Council are seeking feedback on a $15million bioenergy facility. Don’t do it, $15million really means $25million – a small rate base like Byron Shire should not be the first in Australia. Our rates went up $600...

Dog walking Skennars Head & Sharpes Beach

Stephen McIllhatton, Skennars Head I am not sure if all residents are aware of the change in policy Ballina Shire Council (BSC) has just released regarding dog management on Sharpes Beach. If you read the latest ‘Community Connect Extra’ produced by...

Rous… what’s changed?

A Hart, The Channon I am perplexed by the present situation of Rous County Council pushing its proposal for a Channon/Dunoon dam even before the public consultation period was finished. This dam was previously rejected (2014) on the basis of Endangered Ecological...

Cartoon of the week – 11 November, 2020

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 health benefits of Davidson plums

Let’s celebrate bush tucker! We are so lucky in Australia to have our own version of a blueberry, that being the increasingly popular Davidson Plum

Spring is here and summer is not far away!

The days are changing, so too is our supply of fruits and veggies. This time of the year we see supplies of asparagus, avocado, beetroot, bok choy, broccolini, capsicum, endive, eggplant, various lettuces, tomatoes, and zucchini;

Take a peek – and be captivated

Established New Zealand/Australian artist Gabrielle Pool has been exhibiting her painting and mixed media work for 27 years across the globe from New Zealand and Australia to Japan…

First woman awarded life membership at Bruns Bowling Club

Lorraine ‘Blossom’ McCormick is the first woman in the long history of the Brunswick Heads Bowling Club to receive the honour of being granted a life membership. To get this award at a club with a 65-year history was definitely...

From Russia with love (and good health)

Zena Gourevitch’s cooking story started many moons ago in an oppressed Russia. ‘I’m from Siberia,’ says Zena. ‘I have lived in Australia 33 years now, but my story of sauerkraut starts from my childhood.

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.