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Latest News

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

Other News

Agency over AI

Albert Einstein said, ‘I don’t know what World War III will be fought with… but World War IV will...

Remembering the Peacekeepers

Last Friday a small group gathered at the Cenotaph in Mullumbimby to commemorate International UN Peacekeeper Day.

A love letter to nature

A very special film will screen as part of the Bangalow Film Festival, preceded by a fascinating Q&A (avec moi) looking at old-school filmmaking.

ISIS vs Australian Israelis

Dear Rod Murray (Letters, 27 May) In reply to your very long letter, far exceeding 250 words, (in itself...

Latest chuckle of stand ups stake to the stage

After stepping away from the role for 12 months, Mandy Nolan returned to Byron Adult Education to teach what Mandy believes is the best, and possibly most successful stand up comedy course in the country. 

Police chase e-bike thieves in Byron Bay

Two men faced court on last Thursday following an alleged pursuit near Byron Bay on Wednesday morning.

February 8, 2023

Byron Shire Echo issue 37.35 – February 8, 2023

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | The Scoop | Valentine's Day | Sign On Sign Up | Good Taste | The Good Life | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Soapbox | Stars | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Classifieds | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Forests critical

Last year, NSW Forestry Corporation’s hardwood division lost $9 million (‘Costs of native forest logging to NSW residents revealed’, Echo, 18/11). But there are other losses too. It’s a little-known fact that mature forests dominated by Eucalyptus regnans have...

Short-term rental accommodation supporters share many characteristics with right-wing extremists

A few years ago the Victorian government commissioned us to research violent extremism in Australia. ASIO refers to these groups as ideologically motivated violent extremists (IMVE).

Marshalls Creek

The past week saw some intense rain in the Byron Shire. Council has a large deposit of fill near Marshalls Creek; the rain would no doubt have seeped fill into the creek; thus undermining the ‘rights of nature’ and...

Lessons not learnt

Do the Greens ever learn anything from history? All change is difficult, big change is very difficult, especially when a referendum is involved.  To effect critical environmental and energy policy reform this progressive Labor government has to stay in majority...

Doesn’t hold water

The arrival of Banya in Mullum’s high street was always going to create a splash but Hannah Grace’s argument doesn’t hold water.  How does the ‘EST 2022’ signage negate the provenance of the old bank when it’s been so obviously,...

Land use planning

Twenty years ago I submitted a development application in line with the rural settlement strategy of 1997 as the controlling document for closer settlement in rural areas of the Byron Shire.  Council was sympathetic to the application and we...

The ageing thing

Mandy Nolan’s wonderfully quixotic article about turning 55 and loving the ageing process took my day by storm – sort of. 

Editorial – Champagne governance!

Break out the bubbly – Mayor Michael Lyon was effusive on social media after his ‘win’ over getting an agreement with the state government to finally do something with the disused rail corridor in Mullum.

Ode to a ‘Byron character’ – Richard Maloney

Richard Maloney was gloriously eccentric. When I was a child, he spoke to me like a full human, with formed opinions and compelling ideas. He would test some of his trivia on me, or make me read the Australian...

Remembering the latest victim of domestic violence, killed by a man...

I granted bail to men who then killed. I refused bail to several who did not last 24 hours behind bars – shot, stabbed, hanged or drowned in their own vomit.

Bruns fig tree slated for the chop gets reprieve

A much-loved fig tree next to the Brunswick Heads boat harbour has been saved from destruction – for now – by the quick thinking of a local activist.

Mullumbimby rail corridor deals behind closed doors

With no consultation with either the Mullum Chamber of Commerce, the town’s residents association or the community at large, Byron Council and the NSW Liberal-Nationals have announced a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to develop the town’s disused railway land.

Flood rebuilds hampered by ‘like-for-like’ insurance clause

Attempts by flood-affected homeowners to retrofit their homes with flood-resilient materials are being cruelled by insurance companies and builders, a local resident says.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Nicessism Disorder

I have a disorder that is incompatible with living a comfortable life in the current system. Unfortunately it’s becoming less common, but there are people living in your street who will have it. Maybe even your friends, or someone in your family. Maybe you. It’s my deep shame. It’s why I will never be rich and successful. But probably why I am so deeply happy and why I am so full of love and care for other humans.

Protest gets results

Psst: want to get Council staff to do something about the appalling state of roads in your neighbourhood?

The Voice

A referendum for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution is the people of Australia having a conversation. A conversation about acknowledging and honouring the original inhabitants of this great land.  For over 60,000 years the...

Santos

Santos – most of us are familiar with that coal seam gas (CSG) company? Well, remember it well. The coalition regime at Macquarie Street have given approval for 850 CSG wells throughout the Pilliga Forest near Narrabri. This approval was originally...

Cartoon of the week – 8 February 2023

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.

The Banshees of Inisherin

At the tail end of the Irish Civil War in 1923, on the fictional Irish isle of Inisherin, folk musician Colm Doherty abruptly begins ignoring his lifelong friend and drinking buddy Pádraic Súilleabháin

A big month in the House

Back by popular demand is the Moontide Ensemble in their farewell show before heading overseas. The Moontide Ensemble returns to the Brunswick Picture House to perform their highly regarded audiovisual show. 

Celebrating LOVE

The Paddock Project is hosting a (pre) Valentine’s Day picnic at the home of the giant LOVE sign that welcomes everyone to Mullumbimby. The LOVE sign has set the tone for all visitors and locals who pass by on their way into town and has probably been the most photographed local influencer for the past three years

Choose your own (piano) adventure

The audience ‘chooses its own musical adventure’ determining the playlist from a selection of works by composers ranging from J. S. Bach, Frederic Chopin and Claude Debussy to George Gershwin, Bill Evans – and more. A list of musical choices will be made available on the day, and audience members can submit their choices via their phone.

Flow Music presents: Byron Bay

The theatre will be transformed into a festival wonderland, with pre-show entertainment from 6pm, including body and face painting by donation, incredible dancers from Epic Creations, lighting by Tone from Crystal Grid and decor by Bare Foot Beat. 

Sydney’s hottest men in their brand-new show – live on stage...

Welcome to the best hen’s night, bachelorette party or ultimate Girls’ night out. Get frocked up and come out for a girl’s night out, with strippers from London, Vegas, Rio, Barcelona, and Sydney. The current Sydney Hotshots show includes some of the sexiest men on stage.

Interview with Steve Earle

Steve Earle is not a fluffball of peace, light and unicorns, though he wears his heart on his sleeve – and his jacket and his jeans. It can get messy. And at 68 his work isn’t getting any fluffier…

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.

Byron Council’s Sandhills Wetlands project takes first place at LG awards

The Sandhills Wetland restoration project in Byron Bay has won another major award, with Byron Shire Council taking first place at the Local Government Professionals 2026 NSW Excellence Awards.