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Byron Shire
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

Burn After Dark: Three Blue Ducks

Following a sold-out debut in 2025, Burn After Dark returns to Three Blue Ducks on Thursday, 2 July from...

Douglas Dickie retires after 51 years as firefighter

As the bagpipes let out their mournful melody approaching Wandana Brewing, Douglas Dickie was celebrated for his 51 years of service in fire brigades from Scotland to Australia.

Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program

As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition

Are retirement villages what Byron Bay needs?

Developer DD Resort Living is seeking community feedback until June 18 on its proposed retirement living development in Byron Bay.

A rainforest table

If you’ve driven the stretch out to Suffolk Park, you may have passed it without quite knowing it was...

A bit of fun to raise some funds

Bobby Conn and Molly O’Neil, from Drover (either end) Paul Tansley from Stone & Wood (back) with Damian Farrell from Fletcher St Cottage pulling out his best Ray Charles moves. Join them and plenty of other performers at the 12th Festival of The Stone on Saturday, 20 June

May 26, 2021

Byron Shire Echo issue 35.50 – May 26, 2021

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | The Good Life | Good Taste | Byron Arts & Industry | Making Spaces | Seven Entertainment | Stars | Gig Guide | Cinema | Echo Property | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Dun the dam

Kathryn McConnochie, Byron Bay There is an unfortunate campaign of misinformation circulating about the alternatives to the Dunoon Dam. Beth Trevan’s sudden concern for Tyagarah Nature Reserve is curious (Echo May 19), considering the Our Future NR stance that there are...

Théo still missing – two years on

It's been two years today since Théo Hayez left a nightclub in Byron. It's been two years since anyone saw him, or at least, that what we are led to believe. We don't know, and if anyone does know, they are not telling.

Mousey reactions

Desmond Bellamy, PETA Australia, Byron Bay There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth from politicians about PETA’s very reasonable observation that the ‘mouse plague’ is a complex and long-term problem that should be addressed through systematic strategies to introduce...

Linnaeus Estate

Ingrid Simson, Stockholm, Sweden My name is Ingrid Simson and house #24 on Linnaeus Estate is my home. The house was acquired by the Simson Family Trust about 20 years ago and I inherited it in 2019. I fully subscribe to the...

Criticism amplified

Cr Basil Cameron, Goonengerry The Echo’s summary, that I was ‘critical of organisers’, is not a fair reflection of my comments in Council about the Byron Music Festival application to use the community market site (Dening Park) for a one-off music event. Regarding...

Byron council staff apologise over childcare service glitch

Families in the Byron Shire have been shocked and upset to find out that Council’s accounting system has had a huge glitch, which is costing some of them thousands of dollars.

TEDxByronBay relaunches June 26

An inspiring lineup of speakers are set to relaunch TEDxByronBay 2021, on June 26 at the Byron Theatre. 

The ghost in the archives #4: Searching for that rainbow at...

The art of the peaceful protest has been a staple of Byron Shire life since the ‘new settlers’ arrived in the 1970s, searching for that rainbow at the end of conformity.

Editorial – What have the Romans ever done for us?

The three Rs – roads, rates and rubbish – are often trotted out by fiscal conservatives to advance a narrative in which councils stick to simple services. But what do the numbers actually tell us?

Homeless drop-in centre returns

For five years, the homeless drop-in centre on Fletcher Street, Byron Bay, has remained empty – the victim of funding shortfalls and, more recently, a sea of red tape.

The Farm seeks to approve unauthorised land uses

A planning proposal, now on exhibition on Council’s website, aims to authorise activities at The Farm, located on the corner of Ewingsdale Road and Woodford Lane, Byron Bay.

Reality Check Campaign seeks to assist low cost housing

A sense of frustration and helplessness is being felt by many in the community as they or their friends become homeless as the housing and rental prices continue to increase. But local Liz Friend has decided that it is time to take action.

Labor call for social housing, declines to commit on climate

Labor were out in force in Byron last Friday highlighting that action is needed to tackle the ongoing housing crisis.

Council activist slapped with AVO, banned from building

Local police have taken out an interim Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against former Byron councillor John Anderson, following a series of incidents in which he allegedly intimidated and harassed the current deputy mayor, Sarah Ndiaye (Greens).

Suffolk Park ‘Masterplan’

Kerry Wright, Suffolk Park Now that the Masterplan for the Suffolk Park Parkland is hurriedly due for release, and people can ‘submit comments’ to what has already been organised and planned, and Suffolk Park Progress Association (SPPA) has been the main...

SAE eyes further online collaboration 

With international travel restricted owing to COVID-19, SAE students are collaborating with their peers across the planet, and the results in the print and digital design field are impressive, says senior lecturer, Rachael Shea.

Koala thanks

Pam Hamill, Coorabell This is a long overdue thank you to the lovely people or person who made the beautiful koala at the beginning of our street – it is beautiful. It hasn’t slowed many people down in our street but...

Farmlands at RISK?

Anthony Stante, Coorabell I read with scepticism this week Paul Bibby’s story that Council felt compelled to vote unanimously to express concern with the State government’s proposed Agritourism policy, which will ‘compromise regionally significant farming and food production by stealth’. Talk about...

Lock on or die off

Murray Drechsle, Mullumbimby Now don’t get me wrong I love planting trees, it’s great exercise and very grounding. But if you are planting koala habitat trees thinking that is all that is needed to save koalas, you’re very much wrong. Without...

No Dunoon Dam!

Jen Ireland, The Channon Time is running out to email a submission to Rous County Council on their water strategy stating your preferences for future water options in our area. Rous Water voted against a mega Dunoon Dam at their December 2020...

Cartoon of the week – 26 May, 2021

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...

Oceans 15 triumphant return

Ross Kendal The Ocean Shores Aquatics team have returned home with some great results after a month long stint at various State School Swimming competitions. ‘They have all performed well, while enjoying the experience immensely,’ coach Adrian Filipic said. ‘Every swimmer was...

Winter Sailing at its best…

Peter Fell A sunny but cool day greeted keen sailors for the third day of the inter sailing series on the Tweed River at Fingal on Sunday May 16. A shifty and gusty southerly of eight to 15 knots promised some...

Entertainment roundup – May 26, 2021

Entertainment that you can find in the Byron Shire and beyond

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'.