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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

Threatened species protection in NSW overhauled

A "new, holistic approach to threatened species conservation" has been introduced by the NSW Labor government, reforming the Saving our Species program.

Byron Spaces Gallery hosts Ocean Magic exhibition

Ocean Magic, a new winter exhibition by local artist Yvonne Fenech, will open at Byron Spaces Gallery on Friday 5 June.

More than a pantry – helping feed our community

Neighbourhood Centre has been running a low-cost community pantry? And over the last few years it’s really expanded.

Protest march

Byron Shire’s infrastructure has become beyond repair. Reports of new overflow of sewage. Reports of decades of no maintenance...

Local family-owned Byron businesses asking for your support

Long-term, local Byron businesses are calling on the community for support as they struggle to remain afloat as the drainage works in Byron Bay continue.

Australia’s first greenhouse gas monitoring network launches

With World Environment Day being today, June 5, NSW government scientists say they have launched Australia’s first dedicated regional greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring network, "which will help inform emissions reduction as we head towards net zero".

January 31, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 38.34 – January 31, 2024

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

In this Issue:

Floodplain housing

Regarding the letter ‘Give me a house upon a floodplain’, seeing as most towns in Australia are built on floodplains isn’t it far better for regional towns to expand where the infrastructure already resides? Logically would you prefer to...

A gift of kindness

While walking on Saturday with my husband, a young lady called Allegra stopped me, she was holding a bouquet of roses. Allegra then offered me the bouquet saying that she makes bouquets and would I like one? What a wonderful...

Fake democracy

It was pleasing to read in The Echo (3 January) that Bernie Sanders has not quietly gone away after being sidelined in the last US election. His alarm that: ‘Democracy will not survive with the concentration of economic and political...

Cycling on footpaths

I’m wondering when Byron Council is going to do something positive about getting cyclists off our pedestrian footpaths? For the amount of foot traffic on paths around town, as well as those streets leading into town such as Marvell Street,...

Invasive species

Our local Byron Shire is facing an invasive species, the likes of which we have never seen before. This pest has increased in numbers over the past three years and is now so prolific that eradication seems impossible. Imported from...

Shocked

I’m shocked by the level of anti-Israel hatred expressed in letters and articles in The Echo since the printing of the advertisement from the AJA. I am particularly shocked by the radical words of editor Hans Lovejoy in last...

Height limits pushed again – this time on Byron’s Secret Garden...

Down the southern end of Jonson Street, Byron Bay, right next to St Paul’s Anglican Church, is a block of land with a colourful story that says much about the changing face of Byron Shire.

Byron Feros aged care facility renamed George’s Cottages

As of January 29, a new era started at the former Feros Aged Care Village in Byron Bay, with St Andrew’s Village Ballina Ltd assuming management of the Marvell Street facility.

School’s back, and so is a little help

The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and the Neighbourhood Centre are working together to support families heading back to school in 2024.

Channon Gorge

Is our drinking water supply threatened by Dunoon Dam?

Most people don’t know that the proposal for Dunoon Dam has never been part of Rous County Council’s 40-year, adopted, strategic plan to increase water supply, resilience and security, known as Future Water Plan 2060.

Editorial – Young people listen up!  

Hello, impressionable young person. ICYMI, the world as we inhabit it isn’t in great shape. 

‘It’s time’ for Labor

Isn’t it time for Labor to make a stand and have their own policies instead of following the ones of the Coalition? We have been having a housing crisis for decades. Through the great social policies of the Coalition...

Australian Jewish Association

I have been a reader of The Echo for over 30 years and I’ve always admired the contribution your publication has provided to the local community. The tone of the paper has always been supportive and inclusive of various...

Destiny of Australia

Less than five per cent of Americans own more than 90 per cent of the wealth and control over 60 per cent of the world’s resources. In 1962 Australian businesses were 80 per cent foreign owned. We have allowed...

Tassie salmon under the microscope

If you, like me, eat salmon, perhaps it’s time for us to finally face facts. In the words of celebrated Tasmanian writer Richard Flanagan, we’re eating horror, and we’re dining on destruction. 

Dear Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek…

I am Jahvis Loveday, a young Aboriginal filmmaker, storyteller, and dancer from Bundjalung country in far north NSW.

Pod village extension?

A request to extend temporary ‘pod’ housing in Byron Shire has been raised by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA), Byron Shire Council’s General Manager, Mark Arnold, has confirmed.

Fighting for survival

While The Echo article ‘Fighting for survival in Israel – Gaza conflict’ manages to capture some of the key points in this ongoing tragedy, it falls abysmally short in its portrayal of Hamas, and contradicts the political nature and...

Everyone reads The Echo!

Send to Letters Editor Aslan Shand, email: [email protected], fax: 6684 1719 or mail to The Letters Editor, The Echo, 6 Village Way, Mullumbimby, 2482, NSW, Australia.

No social housing within Byron Council’s plans for Mullum hospital land

It appears that not only is there no social housing component included in Byron Council’s plans for its residential sell-off for the Mullum hospital land, Council has no plans to expand social housing within the Shire.

Byron Shire locals recognised for their community service

A group of dedicated and inspiring Byron Shire locals have been recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours list for their service to the community and the country.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Change It

66 millionaires earning almost a billion dollars put together paid no tax last year ... We celebrate people like this. But their profits come at a cost. It’s called poverty.

Bangalow Film Festival’s fourth season

World-class films with small-town charm? You got it – the Bangalow Film Festival is taking over from March 7 to 16.

Interview with Roshani Priddis

What is striking about Bluesfest is the amount of incredible talent in one small space of time – although we all love to see them, it’s not just about wheeling out the ‘old favourites’, it’s about curating a lineup of incredibly talented an creative people.

Mexican Cantina at the Australian Hotel Ballina

The Australian Hotel is a classic Aussie pub with cold beer, live music and good food, right in the heart of Ballina, just 150 metres from the banks of the Richmond River and five minutes from Lighthouse Beach, Shelly...

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.