13.2 C
Byron Shire
June 6, 2026

Latest News

Cartoon of the week – 3 June, 2026

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.

Other News

Byron Bay-based hydrofoil company awarded ‘Best of the Best’

Flite, a brand of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) and the global pioneer of electric hydrofoil technology, have been awarded the Red Dot: "Best of the Best" – the highest distinction in the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Awards.

Rail trail funding 2

No rail trail funding. As usual, the local federal Labor member for Richmond, Justine Elliot and the local state...

Bay FM’s Karena Wynn-Moylan wins at Aus Audio Awards

Australia’s top radio and podcast talent were crowned at the inaugural Australian Audio Awards last Thursday night at Carriageworks in Sydney. Entries were judged on their technical expertise, audio quality, content and impact.

Free Indigenous aquatic programs on offer in Tweed

Free aquatic exercise programs are now on offer in the Tweed Shire for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and their families. 

Wandana Brewing Co turns six

Six years ago, Wandana Brewing Co set up on the outskirts of Mullumbimby with a simple ambition: to make great beer and build something the community could genuinely call their own. This Saturday the Wandana Brewing crew are marking the occasion with a free, all-day birthday celebration, and everyone is invited!

Loss of amenity with new pool owners?

Byron Shire councillors recently decided – by a close margin – to hand over our two public swimming baths...

January 25, 2023

Byron Shire Echo issue 37.33 – January 25, 2023

Download PDF (24MB)
Jump to:
Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Good Taste | The Good Life | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Byron Arts & Industry Estate | Soapbox | Crossword | Making Spaces | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Who’s extinct now?

The Nationals MP for Clarence, Mr Gulaptis, is soon to retire and I can hear the koalas clapping. As the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, he was the prime instigator of the NSW ‘Koala Wars’ and in the...

‘DISASTER’

Government ‘DISASTER’ signs promoting fear of floods are affecting property sales. We are trying to sell our beautiful family home in Mullumbimby, which was above the flood last year and sales are very slow. Our agent says people are worried...

Medicinal cannabis; a better way forward

For the first time ever, I am living my truths and no one is trying to hurt me because of it. This is a much better way. 

Old ANZ Mullum

The old ANZ Bank building on Burringbar Street in Mullum is now a bathhouse; such yuppy city indulgence to far removed from being authentic in a small laidback country town. A lovely long-time local lady told me to have a...

Vinnies

What have they done to our Vinnies here in Mullum? They’ve killed it! It has reopened and it is bland, soulless and devoid of the character that it had before the flood – in spades. Corporate Vinnies has taken over....

The greater good

Byron Council has ratified the International Charter of Human Rights, complete with fine legal minds that developed a Charter of Rights. This was initiated by the Ngara Institute, Mullumbimby. A very progressive stance by Council and the Institute. This...

Agreement on floodplains

The Echo reports Paul Toole, Minister for Regional NSW, stating that we must stop development on floodplains, stop making the mistakes of the past, as inevitably floods will occur. PM Albanese said it 13/7/22. Premier Perrottet said it 12/7/22....

Greyhound nightmare

Has the greyhound racing industry no shame? The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has condemned an invasive and painful greyhound breeding technique used on about 80 per cent of greyhound mothers. The procedure involves cutting into the dog’s abdomen, removing her...

Local MP mute over PM diary secrecy

Local federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot, has declined to comment on why her government are refusing to provide the diary of Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, as a public document. 

Coastal dystopia

Proto-existentialist philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer wrote ‘Money is human happiness in the abstract, and so the man who is no longer capable of enjoying such happiness in the concrete sets his whole heart on money’. Forgive me for quoting philosophy in...

Editorial – Quick! Tax the wich and tax them, vewy wuffly

Oxfam delivered a stark message in its current annual report, Survival of the Richest, which focuses on global wealth distribution and inequality.

Survival/Australia Day celebration – Byron Shire

There are events being held across the Byron Shire on January 26 to celebrate both Survival and Australia Day.

‘The greater good’

I write regarding the proposed development at 6–10 Station Street in Bangalow. Having attended the movie ‘The Hidden Life of Trees during the Bangalow Film Festival, a relevant point caught my attention. I’m sure Peter Wohlleben articulated this more clearly than...

Federal Drive landslip update

Council staff have updated the status of the hinterland Federal landslip that cut access at Federal Drive, north of Federal village on February 28, 2022. The road that connects Federal to Goonengerry has been closed a year this week.

Land values are up

Large parts of the North Coast may have gone under during the 2022 floods, but they appear to have done little to dampen land values for much of the region.

Bangalow Bowlo amalgamation update

Managers of The Bangalow Bowlo say the community witnessed a ‘nail-biting cliff-hanger moment’ late last year, when a 66 per cent ‘Yes’ vote among members paved the way for amalgamation between Bangalow Bowlo, and Norths Collective’

Lismore hospital works completed

The final stage of the Lismore Base Hospital redevelopment is now complete, says the NSW Liberals and Nationals government.

EPA releases Climate Change Policy and Action Plan

The NSW Environment Protection Authority has released a Climate Change Policy and Action Plan 2023–26, ‘outlining a bold set of actions that will help NSW reach net-zero emissions by 2050’.

Unapproved cabin stop order upheld

The NSW Land & Environment Court has upheld Byron Council’s decision to order a local landowner to stop renting out a 40-year-old rural cabin in Middle Pocket because it was an unapproved dwelling.

Bird magnet

You might wonder why I’m getting an overall feeling of dismay while sitting back hearing the ever-diversifying sound of different birds fighting for branches in the reserve behind our home. Five years ago, it was lovely listening to maggies...

Irish mist

Patrick Morrisey writes (50 days in Ireland, 11 January) of American tourists complaining of wind turbines spoiling the Irish landscape, adding that these turbines provide up to 40 per cent of Ireland’s energy needs. A quick look at the...

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Invasion, Survival and Mourning Day

Why does 26 January create so much anger, sadness and frustration? Because it’s a day that is not inclusive. It’s a day that celebrates inequality in this country. It’s a day that says 97 per cent of our population can celebrate the injustices done to thousands and thousands of innocent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the name of advancement and expansion of the British Empire.

Cartoon of the week – 25 January 2023

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor.

Roll up! Roll up! Behind the scenes with Spaghetti Circus

Spaghetti Circus Inc. is one of Australia’s leading youth circuses and has been an energetic, vibrant and colourful part of the Byron Shire for 30 years from when it was founded by Leonie Mills OAM in 1992. Every week, Spaghetti’s diverse team of coaches train more than 220 children and adults from their Mullumbimby Showground home. 

Fundraiser to support women

Local teacher, Farah Rowhani is organising a fundraiser called ‘We Say Her Name’ to give financial and emotional support to women in the Northern Rivers. Farah was inspired by her childhood experiences and the recent events in Iran.

Marooned yacht on rocks near Ballina

A local photographer has shot a marooned yacht at Flat Rock, in Ballina Shire. It's the second boat to be washed ashore in recent months

Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Author Tristan Bancks follows up with Two Wolves sequel

Local author Tristan Bancks launched his new book for readers 10+, Raised By Wolves, at Byron Book Room last night (Thursday 4 June).

Lismore City Council recognised for environmental leadership at LG awards

Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.