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June 7, 2026

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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

Ballina Shire Council’s special rate variation approved

Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has approved Ballina Shire Council's application to increase its general income through a permanent special variation (SV) of 26.25% [in rates] over four years, from 2026-27 to 2029-30.

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. 

No thanks, Greens

Yes Duncan Dey (Letters, 27 May), Australia could deliver a full-throated verbal shirtfront that might appease the algorithmically outraged...

Earth to stars

Is the world we live in, more than what we understand? Theories challenge the known facts, so does any...

Temporary home for Queer Family after heated debate

Byron Shire Council has voted to provide struggling local LGBTQIA+ support service Queer Family Inc with temporary access to a Council-owned property at peppercorn rent, following an impassioned plea from the organisation and a lengthy debate over governance and fairness.

Ballina Council wrap

With local government meeting practice across the state returning to confusion following the NSW Legislative Council's recent decision, Ballina Shire Council's last meeting included a lot of unanimous decisions and an argument about the remnants of the Big Scrub, in which Mayor Cadwallader used her casting vote to squash Cr Simon Chate's motion.

May 10, 2023

Byron Shire Echo issue 37.48 – May 10, 2023

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

In this Issue:

Accountability

Sapoty Brook’s response to my comments (Letters, 12 April) open a lot of issues people should think about. My reasons for writing letters to The Echo after resigning from Water & Sewerage in October 2005 after working for Byron Shire...

No celebration

Your paper (12 April) carried on the front page a headline ‘Byron Celebrates Anzac Day’. I was offended by this and I imagine there would be others as well by this unfortunate choice of words.  My family, among many others,...

Funding obstacles for coastal walk/cycleway plan

Could the popular Ballina coastal walk and cycleway be expanded to include Byron’s famous coastline? 

Bangalow rail corridor

The debate over how best to use the disused rail corridor has raged for nearly 20 years and has continued to do so in the pages of The Echo over the last few weeks. Council continues to pass conflicting...

Posturing politicians

It is sickening to witness the posturing of state premiers against the Reserve Bank in the wake of the latest rise in interest rates. It is these premiers who have left the heavy lifting on housing to the private...

Stabbings

I was born in a suburb of Birmingham and at the end of our street was the Winson Green prison. Occasionally we would hear a slowly tolling bell that indicated another hanging. You didn’t publish my previous letter in...

Voters swing

Was always a Labor voter (power to the ‘real’ people stuff in those earlier times), then became a Labor/Green person and for a long time now I’ve been politically Green.  Watching Albanese’s performance and feeling the knot in my gut...

Barber skills on offer at Byron Youth Service

The Byron Community Barber Program is open for trade, and will teach basic work and life skills to five young and aspiring barbers.

Voice sabotage

From 1883 Australia’s Indigenous nations were introduced to profitable colonial business traditions. These were based on the exploitation of free resources, including labour and lands for primary production. They evolved into the most powerful profit generators in history. We must...

Mungo’s treasures

As an avid crossword puzzler I am so grateful to Mungo MacCallum for the treasure trove of puzzles he has left for us to stimulate our ageing brains and enjoy the continuity of seeing them each week in The...

Sold out by EPA

What a bloody disgrace: The environment protection agency (EPA) sold out the Great Forest called ‘Valley of the Giants’ in the Doubleduke State Forest.  It appears the forestry commissions are a law unto themselves. We the taxpayers subsidise this department,...

We need trains not privatisation of valuable rail land

Rusty Miller (Letters, 3 May) is right. After we were assured that despite the removal of the legislation that had prevented the Casino to Murwillumbah (C–M) rail corridor land from being sold off, that’s exactly what the state government...

Men’s shed location found, members needed!

With the growth in Men’s Sheds in the region, local co-ordinator Tony Heeson says a location has been secured in Byron Bay, and all that is needed is members.

Lack of housing a major contributor to women living with DV

A lack of housing on the Far North Coast increases the risks of domestic violence (DV). Women are more likely to stay in DV situations, and are more at risk living on the street, because they can’t find alternative accommodation.

I like your conspiracies, I do not like your conspiracy theorists

Here’s one to get yabbering on: Dr John Campbell, a mild-mannered retired UK nurse teacher, gets huge online views with his consistent – and prolific – analysis of Covid-19 effects and the vaccines. 

Ongoing onslaught of train misinformation

The ongoing onslaught of misinformation regarding rail service rebuilding on our corridor is mind-boggling, given that even some of our elected leaders are apparently drawn into believing misinformation too. Cr Peter Westheimer’s letter (26 April) is unfortunately no exception. It...

For the love of potholes…

For the love of potholes… slow driving saves wildlife. In response to the touching story entitled The Day I Met Ali, by Ian Cohen, I felt compelled to write in support and shared concern of those sentiments expressed.  I have been...

EV battery life

While 90 per cent of us want to reduce carbon emissions urgently, it will be a long time before EVs with some battery life left will be available at the $5,000 or $10,000 level at which battlers tend to...

Domestic gas reservation policy FOI docs blocked by Labor

Federal Labor are refusing to comment on claims by former South Australian Senator, Rex Patrick, that Madeleine King’s Energy Department is refusing to release details around briefings and an options paper regarding a domestic gas reservation policy.

Historical trauma, old men and suicide

Many years ago, I researched and prepared a descriptive and reflective analysis of Aboriginal youth suicide. 

Sex, science and songbirds

It was standing room only at the Eltham Hotel last Thursday for a bawdy night out about Australian songbirds. 

If not now when?

The debate regarding the Voice to Parliament has, as expected, degenerated into a treacherous campaign of misinformation by the naysayers. The extreme right, as usual, seems intent on just fostering more division.  I think most intelligent Australians are aware of...

Labor shame

More than $10 billion per year subsidy to fossil-fuel companies. Imagine what that could buy in terms of affordable housing or renewable energy.  A recent report from the Australia Institute reveals the current Labor government is still captured by corporate...

Voice

Many Indigenous elders oppose the Voice (eg Gurnpa David Cole and ‘grandmother Mulara’). The Voice will cede Indigenous sovereignty so parliament will have more power over them. A delegation of Aboriginal Australians went to Canberra to ask the prime minister...

MP Ben Franklin embroiled in Nationals fracas for considering plum appointment

Locally-based Nationals MLC Ben Franklin is embroiled with infighting within his own party, according to SMH (Nine) and independent publisher Crikey.

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.