With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War three decades ago, many people hoped for a ‘peace dividend’ that would spare the world from the threat of nuclear war. President Bush senior famously...
Those who don’t learn their history, they say, are doomed to repeat it.
Hello, my name is Percy Concrete and I live in Ballina. In fact, you’ll find me everywhere there. Ballina Council is in love with me, and they’re keen to have more of me. I often hang out with my close...
Regarding the Byron Shire Council flying fox camp management plan. I am sure your committee is fully aware of the enormous problems that plagued Sydney’s Botanical Gardens where the flying fox ‘vandals’ were intent in demolishing the coveted...
This is a shout out to all those people trying to alleviate the affordable housing shortage in the Shire. Firstly, thanks to the owners of properties that have a secondary dwelling or studio that is being used, as intended,...
The Echo Christmas edition articles provided a poignant reminder of the issues facing us at both a local and global level. Are we to retreat into denial, or despair, even if our own self-interest is not threatened, or will we take...
I remember reading a prophetic article in a local newspaper in the Byron Shire in the 1970s in which the correspondent wrote: 'Spaceship Byron Bay – everyone wants to be the last person on board the spaceship, pull up...
Herewith is a brief summary of 2022, as seen through the Echo lens. Given the constrained space, only a few topics can make it in.
Last week’s Backlash column noted a video circulating online of the Qld Deputy Police Commissioner’s plea to report fellow citizens who express anti-Government/Police/COVID conspiracy views. Lest this be implicitly construed as intimidation of free speech, it would appear that the...
While parliament takes a break, many politicians don’t get the same opportunity.
And you do the ‘Hokey Pokey’ and you shake it all about – Councillors Swivel and Hunter, in compliance with Council’s new Hokey Pokey Policy, both separately wrote to the NSW Government Minister opposing Council’s proposed 90-day holiday letting...
Inspired by darling Australian Damen Gameau’s epic documentary 2040, approximately 50 people gathered recently at the not-for-profit Paddock Project. Led by Karen Gross they listened to Tasmania’s celebrity chef, Matthew Evans, the Paddock’s devoted garden manager, Rodrego Pierin, and,...
It can be a challenge having a newborn in any circumstance, and harder still if you have no family support where you live.
You hear of unsung heroes, but you don’t always know them, or meet them.
While I am bitterly disappointed that Byron Council have now ditched Valances Road as a Natural Burial Ground (NBG), I do understand the reasons. Still, our local group led by Di Hart, Mayor Michael Lyon and Cr Duncan Dey have...
Lordy lordy, here we go again! A cosy agreement has resulted in poor governance and more questions than answers surrounding the dumped fill near Marshalls Creek, enacted by Byron councillors. Fill is ecologically dangerous to sentient beings that live in...
The Dingo Lane Solar Farm development application (DA) has been passed by the Northern Regional Planning Panel.
After 25 years of live music performance and jams, the Bangalow Brackets open mic night will move from the Bangalow Hotel to a new venue, the Bangalow Bowling Club, located down the road.
It was great to see the turnout at the Xmas Eve rally supporting the 90-day cap on non-hosted STRA. For 2023 and beyond, can all those property owners continuing to profit from using their residential dwellings for STRA consider paying...
Just been involved recently with the great service our health employees are doing to keep us safe and alive. I must say, all the staff are so friendly and caring for each of their patients. I didn't meet one greedy...
Byron Shire beachgoers are being urged to stick to patrolled beaches and to swim between the flags, following the death of a 32-year-old man at New Brighton Beach on Monday.
A $500M boost for councils to help metropolitan and regional councils ‘tackle the mammoth task of repairing the state’s road network, following months of extreme weather events’, has been announced by the NSW Liberal-Nationals government.
It's hard to believe the Byron Council can approve the Social Remedy gym in Byron Bay, with insufficient parking, and then send their parking officers out to fine patrons $283 who are parking on the left of the driveway...
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.
Meet Craig. He’s enlightened. He wasn’t born enlightened. And he certainly didn’t go out looking for enlightenment. It found him. And Craig, and Nerang, will never be the same.
