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Latest News

Up to 550 homes pegged for Byron Shire’s newest suburb

Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road. 

Other News

Interview with Peter O’Doherty

Australia’s legendary band Mental As Anything made an historic comeback in 2026 – the first in 25 years – as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and brother Reg Mombassa reunited, leading an exciting new lineup to perform once again under the iconic banner Mental As Anything.

Compassion missing

Predictably, Marianne McCormack (Letters, 3 June) chooses to ignore my personal claims that I am not a racist, to support...

Byron Shire residents urged to lobby feds for better roads and services

Byron Shire Council is calling on the community to help lobby the Australian Government to restore proper funding through their Federal Assistance Grants program from the current 0.5 percent of tax revenue to 1 percent.

Council appeals for help as deliberate tree destruction spreads

Tweed Shire Council is appealing for community help after a spate of deliberate destruction of trees on public land across the Tweed, including the poisoning of mature Norfolk pines at Cabarita Beach and damage to established trees at a local cemetery.

Ayusa Tea: clarity, energy, calm focus

Allie Godfrey At the New Brighton Farmers Market, it’s not just coffee drawing a crowd – there’s also growing interest...

Lismore residents call to stop the demolition of homes

Community group Reclaim our Recovery are urging Lismore residents to join a gathering at the Lismore QUAD this Saturday from 11am to 'stop the demolitions of our Big Scrub heritage homes — and the NSW Reconstruction Authority needs to know we are not going away'.

January 12, 2022

Byron Shire Echo issue 36.31 – January 12, 2022

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Local News | Comment | Letters | The Scoop | Articles | The Good Life | Good Taste | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | The Arts | Soapbox | Sun Moon & Tide Times 2022 | Hello Summer | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Crossword | Classifieds | Community at Work | Stars | Backlash

In this Issue:

Cartoon of the week – 19 January, 2022

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.

Renew Fest hosts May vigil for grief

Renew Fest will host a weekend-long Vigil For Grief in May 2022, and will return with the festival itself in 2023.

Carjacking in Ocean Shores, warrants issued

A young Ocean Shores man and his friends were recently held captive at knife-point and driven to Coolamon Scenic Drive by two young men before they escaped unharmed.

Vale Craig Ruddy, passionate artist

Internationally acclaimed Archibald prize-winning artist, and revered icon of the Shire, Craig Ruddy, died suddenly last week, leaving a community in shock and mourning.

Stop Forestry Corporation causing ‘serious and irreversible harm’ to burnt out...

A leaked report revealed that the independent report from the Natural Resources Commission’s to the NSW government to stop logging areas hardest hit by the Black Summer bushfires had been ignored.

Psychedelic medical trials to begin

A new clinical trial exploring the impact of psychedelic medicines on brain activity has come a step closer to fruition, after being partially funded and granted ethics approval.

Mullum Fire and Rescue team needs you

It’s a rare opportunity to join the Mullumbimby 388 Fire Station Fire and Rescue team with recruitment only taking place every four to five years.

Rapid antigen test shortages across the country

As you’ve no doubt heard, people in NSW are now allowed to test themselves for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen test (RAT), rather than lining up at a testing centre. There’s just one problem: no one has any RATs.

Nurses help patients stay connected

When you find yourself in a hospital, most of us have rushed out the door with our phones in our hands, and without the charger.

Forestry Corporation causing ‘serious and irreversible harm’ to burnt out State...

NEFA calls on State Government to implement recommended protection for State Forests devastated by the Black Summer Fires.

Govt offer pandemic payments 

There is now financial support of up to $750 per week for individuals who have lost work because they have had to isolate – or if you are caring for someone who has to self-isolate or quarantine owing to COVID-19.

The new mayor

Ben Franklin’s glowing endorsement of our new Mayor, Michael Lyon, is something to be concerned about. Lyon was a Green then turned Independent and now a close buddy of the National’s Franklin. Lyon has already demonstrated his alliance with...

Frontline health workers supported

It started, in classic Byron style, with a batch of bliss balls. The homemade treats were whipped up for the nurses at Byron Hospital by local, Sarah Armstrong, after she heard how challenging life had been for them during the Omicron outbreak.

Under-resourced

A compliance officer working for Byron Shire Council (BSC) has told a Brunswick resident who was attacked by a dog that they are under-resourced. BSC’s previous GM, Ken Gainger, stated in The Echo that BSC had become too top-heavy again...

COVID infections

My dear old aunty just died of COVID-19 in a Sydney nursing home. Locally, my son and daughter-in-law have had it too. She was so wiped out she cried in pain and suffered enormous anxiety. Her mother was bedridden with...

Cartoon of the week – 12 January, 2022

Letters to the editor 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...

The other side

There are always two sides to a conflict. I was invited by an Arab-Israeli friend on my recent trip to Israel and the Middle East to meet up with his family members living in Jerusalem. I had a long dinner...

Entertainment in the Byron Shire for the week beginning 12 January,...

The Black Sorrows prolific and enduring Join Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows on their Livin Like Kings National Tour to celebrate the September release of their new album Saint Georges Road. Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows are one of...

Interview with Tex Perkins

It is understandably difficult to pull together a coherent picture of Tex Perkins – a man whose career has included everything from the lilting, dark country of the Dark Horses, to the hard-edged and snarling pub rock of the Beasts Of Bourbon, through to the evocative soundscapes of the Cruel Sea and beyond... 

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: RAT hunters

I’m out RAT hunting. I’ve been on the road for an hour checking for local infestations. My daughter’s at home on the Rat App and calls in a location, ‘They’re at the Suffolk servo!’ I hope I make it in time....

Cheeses that love you back

Everyone’s favourite artisan cheesemaker Deb Allard has been making her cheeses, kefir, yoghurt, butter and milk for 18 years, working on the farm that has been in the family since 1885. The farm was returned to a dairy five...

Degustation for health

Whilst you may not initially associate a six-course degustation with matching wines, prepared by the region’s finest chefs, with ‘Health’, a Charity Dinner on 9 February 2022 is just that – healthful. Chef Stephen Mills, has gathered the group. He’s...

Council program helps farmers ditch Roundup

Simon Haslam Cattle grazing uses 88 per cent of agricultural land in Byron Shire, and an education program for local cattle farmers is helping to stop long-term recurrent use of glyphosphate for weed control. Locals, Chris Moyle, with 25ha, and...

Load limit increased for Byron Creek Bridge

The load limit for Byron Creek Bridge has been increased to 24 tonnes, say Byron Shire Council, following structural analysis of the bridge.

Festival and event grants on offer

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for NSW government grants to bring cultural festivals and events to life across the state over the coming year.

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft wins prestigious Ochre Award

Bundjalung woman and artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM has received the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.

The Pocket Winter Festival bringing you music, food and fun

The Pocket Winter Festival is set to return on Sunday, 21 June, from 10am to 2pm, bringing together the community for a day of music, food, entertainment and family fun at The Pocket Public School.