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Byron Shire
June 13, 2026

Latest News

Up to 550 homes pegged for Byron Shire’s newest suburb

Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road. 

Other News

Raising funds for BYS

Byron Youth Service (BYS) supports young people across the Byron Shire through a diverse range of creative, educational, and wellbeing initiatives, while continuing significant improvements to The YAC (Youth Activity Centre).

Ayusa Tea: clarity, energy, calm focus

Allie Godfrey At the New Brighton Farmers Market, it’s not just coffee drawing a crowd – there’s also growing interest...

Rainbow Guy recovering from serious car accident

On Sunday, 24 May one of the Northern River’s most beloved and legendary figures Rainbow Guy, aka Guy Feldmann, was involved in a car accident on Tandy’s Lane by Uncle Tom’s.

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 10 June 2026

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week.

What lies beneath – AUKUS grows murkier

Senate Estimates descended into 'Yes Minister' territory last week when the vexed subject of AUKUS came up, following the revelation from deputy PM and defence minister Richard Marles that Australia's best case scenario was now that we would receive three second-hand submarines from the USA during the transition stage of this very expensive project, possibly between 2032 and 2038.

Byron local Stephan Schnierer receives the Order Australia

Stephan Schnierer, a Byron local, has been awarded an Order Australia (OA) from the Kings Birthday honours list.

May 31, 2023

Byron Shire Echo issue 37.51 – May 31, 2023

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Good Taste | The Good Life | Sustainability 2023 | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash
In this issue: Sustainability 2023
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In this Issue:

Vaccinating koalas

It is interesting to read that the program of catching and vaccinating wild koalas against chlamydial disease is happening in the Northern Rivers region. If your curiosity has been piqued by the recent article in The Echo (17 May 2023)...

‘Peace Train’ 

‘…Thinking about the good things to come And I believe it could be Something good has begun…’  From ‘Peace Train’ by Cat Stevens. If having imagination and vision on social policy is labelled as ‘living in fantasy land’, I’d like to see more...

Israel/Palestine

As usual Dany Wakil presents his distorted view of the Palestine/Israel conflict. His assertion that Arabs expelled other Arabs from their own lands to facilitate the murder of Jews is a bizarre one. He pointedly omits the role of...

It’s a lady tradie workshop!

Mullumbimby High School hosted a practical workshop for year 9 and 10 girls. The event was supported by Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen and the DoE Educational Pathways Program.

Playground at Clarkes?

Wondering what happened to the money raised to build a playground near Clarkes Beach in the early 2000s? Did Byron Council kill it or…? Wally Hueneke, Byron Bay

Bangalow is not Kuranda

For millennia prior to the advent of rail two centuries ago, the primary motive force of terrestrial transport was the horse. Hence we have many equine idioms and a few come to mind when I think about the disused...

Labor forever

Mr Duncan, judging from your last rant, would you be a rusted-on Labor supporter? Sorry for pointing out the obvious. You spruik Labor’s mighty achievement of obtaining a surplus, but do you know the truth of how this eventuated?...

Why are white Australians even being asked to vote on the...

The fast-approaching Voice referendum is a complete clusterf**k for all Australians. It stinks of failure at each and every step of the way. By hanging our white colonial dirty washing out to dry we have basically thrown First Nations...

Minns

Congratulations to Chris Minns for bringing in the new regulations about so-called VIP rooms in clubs and pubs. It’s only a small step in the war against gambling but it’s better than nothing.  Poker machines cause poverty. The clubs and...

To Mandy 

I love reading Mandy’s Soapbox, she reflects what I’m thinking, and many like me. In the 17 May column titled ‘A crown is just a stupid hat’ she asks ‘Who cares?’ regarding the commentary that went on for days about...

Getting Real About The Voice

Responding to Ian Pratt in an attempt to ‘get real about the Voice’. The proposal does not challenge the historical fact of conquest i.e. the appropriation both violent and otherwise of this land by the English some 200 odd...

Police compassion

Mandy, you said (Echo, 17 May)]: ‘There’s not many 95-year-olds I wouldn’t be able to overpower if necessary’ and ‘to disarm a 95-year-old with a steak knife’. Well Mandy, I picture you up against one wielding a knife. You do...

Treachery

It is with great concern and disappointment, but not surprising, we have to declare that the brief hope we had for a nuclear-weapons-free future, through the efforts of ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) and supporters, for the...

Israel’s formation

In his apologia for Israel, what Danny Wakil failed to mention about Israel’s formation is significant.  From his description you’d think the founding of Israel was a peaceful transition. There was no mention of the ethnic cleansing of thousands of...

Sustainable fashion course in Byron this season

Born in Byron, bred in a sweatshop, made from earth-destroying parts and brought back to you with copious carbon miles… it’s fast fashion, but it’s not a good look.

Priorities? Compliance

Despite a ‘tough budget environment’, where Council can’t find $15,000 per annum to maintain a tree planting initiative on land it manages, there will be $250,000 spent on employing two more compliance officers and purchasing another ‘enforcement’ vehicle.

Bayside Residents Association formed

A new residents association has emerged in what residents say is one of Byron Shire’s ‘forgotten’ suburbs’ – Bayside Brunswick Heads. 

Confiscate bikes

Two weeks ago I had to wait in Mooball, by the rail trail crossing of the Pottsville Road. During the 30 minutes I was there, maybe two dozen bikes crossed the Pottsville Road. There are big red STOP signs....

When western medicine doesn’t work 

Once I finally admitted I needed help with vicarious trauma, I tried a few techniques to ease my troubled mind. 

Let’s explore Byron Council’s secret meetings!

Has Byron Shire Council improved with its transparency with regards to confidential motions?

Byron Council compliance staff bolstered

Are the van campers of Brunswick Heads thoughtless travellers with no respect for the town and its inhabitants, or are many in fact local homeless folk looking for a safe space with toilets and running water?

Will NSW Labor pay on-call emergency service volunteers?

The newly elected NSW Labor government have stopped short of committing to paying volunteers who attend emergencies such as fires and floods, but say there is investment and initiatives underway to support those who volunteer as emergency service members.

Speak Stan

The scribe is human. The scribe holds onto hope, love, and peace. These ingredients are essential for survival and creativity as the scribe dares to walk into the social furnace, to find words to articulate the genocidal horror and...

Biblical misogyny

In the time of Jesus as per the accounts in the Bible, all women were lowly handmaidens, they were, according to ‘Peter’ lucky to draw breath, let alone live. It was a particularly oppressive system for women and girls,...

Private partnership sought for bioenergy facility proposal

Byron Council have been forced to explore the possibility of a public private partnership to fund its planned  bioenergy facility in Byron Bay.

Load limit increased for Byron Creek Bridge

The load limit for Byron Creek Bridge has been increased to 24 tonnes, say Byron Shire Council, following structural analysis of the bridge.

Festival and event grants on offer

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for NSW government grants to bring cultural festivals and events to life across the state over the coming year.

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft wins prestigious Ochre Award

Bundjalung woman and artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM has received the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.

The Pocket Winter Festival bringing you music, food and fun

The Pocket Winter Festival is set to return on Sunday, 21 June, from 10am to 2pm, bringing together the community for a day of music, food, entertainment and family fun at The Pocket Public School.