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Byron Shire
June 6, 2026

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

Norths desert Bangalow Bowlo… again

Eight Bangalow community members attended Norths AGM on Monday, 25 May, to seek answers about the future of Bangalow Bowlo, but received no meaningful engagement, with their concerns merely ‘noted’.

Remembering the Peacekeepers

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

Council tightens ‘affordable housing’ rules

Byron Council has tightened its definition of ‘affordable housing’ in a bid to make access to housing more equitable on major projects like the former Mullumbimby Hospital site and 57 Station Street.

Invisible elderly women

The 2026 Federal Budget has sent a clear, heartbreaking message to the senior women of the Tweed: you are...

Bungawalbin Levee repair to improve flood resilience

A critical section of Bungawalbin Levee is proposed to be partially relocated to build its long-term resilience, benefitting the community, environment and agricultural industries in the Richmond Valley.

Sandhills Wetlands

I am fortunate to live near the new Sandhills Wetlands, and really appreciate going for walks in a protected...

March 1, 2023

Byron Shire Echo issue 37.38 – March 1, 2023

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Regeneration | Good Taste | The Good Life | The Arts | Magic Murwillumbah | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Seven Entertainment | Cinema | Gig Guide | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Albert still tramping

I first came across Albert (sorry if that’s not his name) tramping far and wide in the Byron Shire, in rain and shine, when I lived in Main Arm and The Pocket in the early ’90s. Much more recently,...

The future of Mullum’s railway corridor

The Byron mayor appears to support making the temporary fill in Prince Street, Mullumbimby permanent, so he can fill the ‘fill’ with permanent housing. He said in last week’s Echo that it’s okay to pursue this sort of idea...

No more disinformation on short-term holiday letting

The arguments for restricting short-term holiday rentals are well established but bear repeating in order to negate disinformation spread by the letting industry: • Destruction of local community neighbourhood values of togetherness, sharing, mutual support. • Disruption for local residents,...

Koalas being killed

A tragic loss over the weekend: yet another healthy mum and joey koala from a car hit on Coolamon Scenic Drive, Coorabell. As is often the case, it was not the driver that stopped to give assistance but a caring...

Peter’s shadow

So now it’s the turn of the Deputy Leader of the opposition, Sussan Ley, seeking to sow dissent over the Voice. Perhaps, because Mr Dutton’s messages are not cutting through, she’s coming to his aid. But her defence of...

An ‘ambitious’ 11 th hour pitch to return rail services.

While we all agree that it is good to have ambition, completely ignoring relevant facts turns ambition into fantasy. Tweed, Richmond Valley, Lismore and Ballina Shires have all accepted what successive NSW governments have been saying for the past...

People forced to sell flood-damaged homes as NRRC dithers

One year on and the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Commission (NRRC) still have not progressed spending the $800 million they’ve been granted to purchase the estimated 2,000 homes and land in need of buybacks.

No bright future for all

Building on an unused property like a rail corridor has me thinking there is no bright future for all here. Mullumbimby’s housing crisis is only going away when the people that keep on flocking in, f’ck off. There’s plenty of...

The camphor crisis

I totally disagree with Simon Thompsons’ assessment that clearing camphor would be a shame. Camphor laurel is the number one invasive species threatening the ecology of the Northern Rivers. It’s true that there are many other invasive species to...

In defence of Feros aged care in Byron Bay

Some people would complain if they lived in heaven. As a resident of Feros at Byron Bay for the last five years, I can assure you, we are all cared for very well. As a result of the 2022...

Happily clueless

From last week’s article by Paul Bibby, it appears there are still people that believe a rail service on the remaining non-rail trail section or our corridor is feasible, and that leaving the rusted tracks in situ will enhance...

Who’s your donation daddy?

Has it ever been truer than it is today that,  ‘He who pays the piper, calls the tune’?

Young driver training initiative on offer by BYS

Currently, the NSW government requires L plate drivers to prepare for their P plates with 120 hours of driving, including 20 hours of nighttime driving. 

Feros aged care in Byron Bay – it’s not all bad

I am writing in response to The Echo article, Response Hands Down Damning Feros Report. On reading this report I am sure that many local residents would be disturbed by these findings by the ACQSC, however, may I assure you...

Artificial potholes

Shall I fill a pothole? As an AI language model, I don’t have enough information about your situation to give a definitive answer to your question. However, if you are responsible for maintaining roads or if you are a concerned citizen,...

A light at the end of the tunnel for the rail...

The first section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail opened yesterday on 1 March, a decade after the idea was first floated, and almost two decades after the last train plied the line.

Lismore Council stripped of planning powers 

NSW Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, has removed planning powers from Lismore City Council, after councillors failed, on February 14, to constitute a local planning panel.

Editorial – A solemn anniversary

Ayear ago, on February 28, Byron Shire and the entire north coast was hit by the worst floods and landslides in living memory.

Spag Circus shows its regeneration skills this Sat

The Super Mighties from Spaghetti Circus will perform this Saturday at the Regeneration community festival at Mullum Community Garden.

Frontier wars

Paul Brecht doesn’t pick sides in the Palestine/Israel conflict ‘when it comes to one side shooting or bombing the other’ (Terror Settlements, 22 February 22). However, international law confers the right of oppressed, occupied people to defend themselves by...

Major parties wrong

The people of the Northern Rivers of NSW stopped the unconventional gas industry at Bentley because they knew it was bad for their health and the environment (Planet Watch: the madness and corruption of unconventional gas, The Echo, 14/7/2020)....

Ballina’s River Street upgrade

The residents of Johnson Drive, West Ballina are being directly affected by the upgrade of River Street – which is already a busy, noisy and congested road. I have not received any information about how the Council is going to...

New beginnings for Anaiya after the flames

Two weeks ago, massage therapist, Anaiya Cooper suffered a major setback when her business went up in flames.

IPC hears of holiday letting pros and cons

The Independent Planning Commission (IPC) held its public hearings last week over two days, with commissioners hearing from organisations and residents on the negative and positive impacts from holiday letting.

Grant me this

Let’s examine the grip on NSW councils by the state and federal governments! 

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.