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Byron Shire
June 7, 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

Minimum requirements were never meant to be aspirations

The Echo’s recent report (2 May) on Cr Elia Hauge’s proposal for a community assessment panel for the old Mullumbimby Hospital site contained a sentence that deserves more than a passing read.

Naturism

For decades, naturism has struggled with a strange communication barrier. Most naturist educational material contains nudity, which means it is...

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...

Kingscliff insurance

Recently, many Kingscliff locals have been hit by massive increases in their home insurance. Some properties are located in...

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).

September 27, 2023

Byron Shire Echo issue 38.16 – September 27, 2023

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In this Issue:

The Voice

We proudly display a ‘Yes’ poster on our house because we believe the Voice will deliver positive change for all Australia. Today we received an anonymous typewritten letter alleging we support a communist agenda and should move to China....

Tribute to Peter Pedals, founder of Rainbow Power Company

It is with great sadness that the Rainbow Power family shares the news of the passing of our founder, Peter ‘Pedals’ van der Wyk.  Pete was a true pioneer of the renewable energy industry.  Author of the seminal work on home...

Restrictions lifted on Council investments in fossil fuels 

Byron Shire Council has been freed from a set of state government-imposed rules that had effectively forced it to invest with financial institutions linked to fossil fuels.

Sustainable and regenerative farming

Aussie farmers are a particularly fine vintage. In fact, the average age of an Australian farmer is between 50 and 60 years old. This is the result of a number of interconnected social, economic and ecological challenges that typically inhibit the success of aspiring farmers. 

US support for Ukraine

Alan Watterson’s recent ad hominem attack, under the absurdly inappropriate heading ‘Scrivener’s Ukraine’ (Letters, 30 August), demonstrates uncritical acceptance of the mainstream narrative and contempt for anything else. He was triggered by a letter that he clearly didn’t read,...

Lennox roundabout pledged by federal Labor MP 

Federal funding to build a new two-lane roundabout at the intersection of Byron Bay Road and Byron Street, Lennox Head has been pledged by local MP Justine Elliot (Labor). 

Disaster management needs different approach

Disaster funding must favour social capital and community building, rather than just ‘mopping up’, the head of the philanthropic organisation, Northern Rivers Community Foundation, says.

DV awareness run on October 15

I Run For Her is an annual community event held by Got Your Back Sista, which aims to spark critical conversations around domestic violence on a national scale, and for the first time will host events across Australia on October 15. 

Indigenous voices

I feel quite dismayed by the imbalance and rhetoric in reporting. Nowhere is there a cogent letter from a constitutional lawyer or an Indigenous Elder or anyone with on-the-ground experience of Indigenous communities and the challenges they face. It...

Consultant costs

I attended the last Byron Council meeting in order to support a motion from Cr Duncan Dey. Cr Dey questioned the costs of commissioning consultants and included as an example the recent Burchills railway corridor report. I am part of...

Student success

The Echo’s story on Mullum High School students building a rainforest river trail is a reminder of the creative ways to better engage students and prepare them for life. Sadly our education system is dominated by standardised testing. Despite almost...

I’m voting ‘No’

My head and heart say ‘Yes’ to supporting Indigenous communities and improving government engagement, but my intellect says ‘No’ to a permanent Indigenous Voice in parliament. A gap in health, education and social cohesion primarily exists in remote communities...

Another wallaby death on beach prompts calls on dog owners 

A Byron local says a dead wallaby found on Belongil beach last Saturday had all the hallmarks of a dog attack, and is calling on the public to be more vigilant and for authorities to step up to help protect native wildlife.

Editorial: It’s a done deal!

Congratulations to Council staff and Mayor Michael Lyon on convincing the NSW Labor government that Byron Shire is a unique place, and as such, it will now have a tailored holiday letting policy.

A moment in history

I wanted to express my feelings on this very important time in the history of the world. The Voice is so much more than a handshake. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices and courage it has taken for...

Byron homeless hub forced to cut vital services

Byron’s only homeless hub says it has to reduce services owing to an increase in demand and a lack of government funding.

Don ya boxes, it’s a Shand memorial cricket match!

The strange urge to play cricket has a rich history in our local area.

Feros slaps ban on media visits

On Saturday, on the way to visit Feros Byron Bay residents, The Echo was told via text and email from a Feros Care media spokesperson that, ‘Unfortunately we have a policy of no media on site.

The politics of the 2023 Voice referendum non-existent in 1967

Australians voted in the 1967 referendum on May 27, 1967. Harold Holt was the prime minister at the time, a Liberal MP who led a Coalition with the Country Party.

‘No’: bad faith argument

I have largely ignored the Voice campaigns but had just read the first argument put forward against the ‘Yes’ vote on page 13 of the Australian Government referendum booklet. It states: This would be the biggest change to our...

Review on remote Indigenous Australians sheds light on the Voice to...

As a white man living on Bundjalung Country, I acknowledge that it is not easy to make the cross-cultural shift from a Western paradigm lens to comprehend and appreciate the rich diversity and complexity of 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ sociocultural and spiritual history.

Private property issue deflates bike path plan

The long-discussed plan for a cycleway between Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads has hit a pothole, with an independent report finding a raft of issues with the preferred route.

Urban increase blueprint unveiled for Byron Shire

meeting that, if eventually adopted, could see upscaled urban development across the Shire via ‘infill, new release, existing zoned vacant land and living differently’.

No more Hottentot

In addressing the topic of the names ‘Khoisan’ and ‘Hottentot’ and their implications for the indigenous people of South Africa. Firstly, the name ‘Khoisan’ is not offensive to the indigenous people of South Africa. It is a term that...

Cartoon of the week – 27 September 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.

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.