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June 14, 2026

Latest News

Man charged with murder in Tweed

A man and woman have been charged over their alleged involvement in the death of a man in Tweed Heads this morning, say NSW Police.

Other News

Echo Love Awards

Last Saturday night, Yuti and I had the privilege of attending the 40th anniversary celebration of The Echo. The trip...

E-bikes rule

Teenage gangs on e-bikes now rule our roads at night in Byron Bay. Driving, or even walking, in the hours...

North Coast Safe Haven closure

Safe Haven North Coast has provided effective mental health supports for people across the region since it was established in 2022, but is now running out of funding.

Mono wins in Hawaii and Japan

Australian adaptive surfing champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart has once again celebrated success on the international stage. Mono claimed victory at...

School is the beating heart of Bruns

From floods to festivals, Brunswick Heads Public School has long the been the anchor of village life.

Social homes completed in Casino – what else is in the pipeline?

With 17 new ‘social housing’ dwellings being announced for Casino, what other similar projects are underway in the Northern Rivers?

January 26, 2022

Byron Shire Echo issue 36.33 – January 26, 2022

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In this Issue:

False statements around Dunoon Dam

We need to mop up some of the erroneous statements sloshing around about the Dunoon Dam, floods, and water security. The following statements can be verified by references for anyone who is interested. Flooding would worsen immediately below the Dunoon Dam. Dunoon...

A closer look at Byron Market relocation plans

The Byron Community Market relocation plans are on exhibition until February 6, which would include closing a section of Jonson Street in the CBD.

Council steps up with recycled water connections 

The Beach Hotel in Byron Bay has connected to recycled water for its toilet facilities and garden irrigation, say Byron Council, ‘which will save an estimated four million litres a year from the region’s drinking water supply’. 

‘Politics left at the door’ for Rail Trail development workshop

A Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product and Experience Development Workshop ‘for existing and prospective Tourism Businesses and Local Government stakeholders’ will be held this Wednesday at the Byron Community Centre from 9am.

Who really care about Dunoon Dam?

I wonder how many of those pushing for a new dam at Dunoon couldn’t care less about water security. What they are really wanting is a venue for water sports and fishing. What a dismal excuse for drowning Aboriginal graves...

To BSC and NPWS

Please consider playing a part in rectifying a problem that will continue to affect others. There is a National Parks & Wildlife Service logo on the prominent Wategos beach sign as you drive in to the carpark. This indicates,...

March of renewables

As the transition to a low-carbon world continues to gather pace, the massive benefits of converting to renewables (wind and solar) are now unequivocal. Even the few remaining climate-denying knuckleheads, trying desperately to save their bruised rightist egos, are...

Meet the new Byron Chamber president

Jason Bentley, founder and owner of Art & Wine Co Byron Bay & AURORA AR/VR, has taken the reins as president of the Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce.

School return comes with COVID-19 measures

Today is the official first day of term one in most NSW schools and as students and parents prepare to start the school year, there are new guidelines in place to manage COVID-19 infections.

Unbalanced and emotion-based

The letters from Michael Ryan (19 January) and Gareth Smith (5 January) have the usual unbalanced and emotion-based statements. Michael Burd in his letter (12 January) shows a balanced letter stating that there are always two sides to an argument,...

RAT upcycling available in Mullum

Most of us have been far more concerned about how to get hold of rapid antigen tests (RATs) over the past few months than what happens to the plastic testing kits after use.

Bill will not prevent social media trolling: Law Council

The nation’s peak law advocay legal body, The Law Council of Australia, is calling for a nationally consistent approach to law reform as ‘the best defence against social media defamation’.

Sunrise paddler with Rainbow Dragons offers new era for seasoned campaigner

Former long-distance paddling champion Brooke Harris has found new sporting life with the Rainbow Dragons and likes to take advantage of the new 6am Sunrise session in Ballina.

Toilet-to-tap ‘best water in Oz’

Congratulations, Casino! Casino is to represent Australia in an international competition after being voted as having the ‘best-tasting tap water in Australia’. What I find particularly interesting is that Casino’s water is drawn from the Richmond River. It is then...

Vale Craig McGregor, 1933 – 2022

‘Craig McGregor was one of the blazing stars in the Australian intellectual and cultural firmament. For more than 60 years he wrote about everything from politics, class, popular culture, surfing and architecture to love, sex, desire and marriage.'

Children: to vax or not to vax?

With the option to vaccinate 5–11-year-olds now available, The Echo took the time to talk to local Byron Shire Dr Joel Hissink about vaccinating children.

Poatree

In another room now Somewhere… Somehow… Move again in five days’ time. Getting used to the rhythm. Getting used to the rhyme. Huge trees everywhere… Kevin Barry, Nimbin

Editorial – Fake, fumbling and fabricated

Morrison’s incompetence, however, is epic; it seems to derive from his belief that God has appointed him to rule in these end times, so that it is impossible for him to be wrong.

What does Australia Day mean?

Another Australia Day. Another divisive polemic about the date, the day, and its meaning. Those who seek to change the date argue that 26 January signifies the beginning of Britain’s invasion of Australia and the violent expropriation of Aboriginal lands.

More government support needed for nurses

What would it take to keep our nurses and paramedics from resigning en masse as the current crisis in the NSW health care system worsens?

Gratitude

I join with Lynne West, Gerry Gleeson, and Magenta Appel-Pye (Letters, December and January) in asking The Echo to dedicate a regular space for letters and stories of gratitude, well, more often than ‘The Annual Reading of the Credits’...

Slowmo

What a debacle we’re experiencing with this government right now – again. After our PM Slowmo was unable to find time to meet a top delegation of fire-fighters in the winter of 2019, where they wanted to inform him...

Emergency services

Owing to my carelessness on 19 January, I had a serious bike accident that resulted in loss of consciousness and shoulder injury. We read constantly about the negative impact of COVID-19 on provision of emergency services. I am not...

Cartoon of the week – 26 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.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Listening to the truth tellers

Colonisation and invasion didn’t just happen 250 years ago at Botany Bay, it happens every day in a country that has been stolen from the traditional owners.

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. 

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.