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Byron Shire
June 5, 2026

Latest News

Nazi ideology crack down sees fines of up to $11,000

Reforms that crack down on conduct which indicates support for Nazi ideology has passed NSW parliament.

Other News

Eclectic Selection for the week beginning 3 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.

Conversations in the Pub starts with Janelle Saffin

Conversations in the Pub – Lismore’s new civic meet-up – kicks off on Friday 19 June with its inaugural special guest, the NSW Minister for Small Business, Minister for Recovery, Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP.

Bay FM’s Karena Wynn-Moylan wins at Aus Audio Awards

Australia’s top radio and podcast talent were crowned at the inaugural Australian Audio Awards last Thursday night at Carriageworks in Sydney. Entries were judged on their technical expertise, audio quality, content and impact.

Israel’s rehabilitation

Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians has not ended and it will not end before Israel officially renounces its intention...

Byron’s Main Beach reopened

Byron Bay’s Main Beach was officially reopened to the public for water activities at midday today (Monday) after an earlier shark sighting.

Roadworks an upgrade?

I hope that Council kept their receipt for the Mullumbimby Road upgrade. Not even a year old and falling...

February 7, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 38.35 – February 7, 2024

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Good Taste | The Good Life | Sign On Sign Up | Valentines Day | The Arts | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash
In this issue: Echo Property Magazine #7
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In this Issue:

Model house on grass

Byron Council-led land trust idea reemerges 

Nearly three years after first seeking to establish a Byron Shire Council-led land trust, staff have now recommended reapplying to the state government

Look Ahead: co-designing a brighter future

At Living Lab Northern Rivers we are looking at a co-design process where we’ll connect the best technical experts with the local community.

Does anyone care?

Scott Hymas is correct in describing large SUVs as an invasive species (Letters, 31 January). A $200,000 Dodge Ram emits 506g of CO2 for every kilometre travelled, a Subaru Outback 168g/km. Many large SUV drivers love tailgating, forcing smaller cars...

Water use

If we use our water resources wisely and respectfully there should be no need for more dams. Some years ago on the New Inventors program a device was presented which reused all the water which was wasted down the...

Take a good look

Australia Day (26 January) has come and gone, yet again. Social media posts are filled with bitching about Aussies staking out their turf on some beach or cliff (sometimes 24 hours or more ahead) to deny other Aussies access on...

New beginnings

I love Australia. I was born here, have grown up here, spent my 20s taking road trips up and down the east coast, surfing, working on farms, enjoying all that this beautiful land has to offer. I now have...

Gaza justification

If there were ever a just war it is Israel against Hamas in Gaza. The 7 October invasion is an example of what Israel would face if it hadn’t the power and determination to retaliate on all fronts for...

Editorial – Untethering from developers

There’s no doubt that social and affordable housing in NSW is in need of life support. Thankfully, the NSW government put out a media release last week to say the entire system will be rebuilt. But how?

Feros vitriol

We shouldn’t be surprised by provoking vitriol from their supporters (Keith Duncan’s letter, 31 January) when we challenge a politician to live up to their claims. Kate Smorty and I wrote letters to the The Echo expressing shock and...

Stereotypes and labels are so 2023

As the first ever female Young Liberal State President, I drew gasps from the Liberal Women’s Council by telling them I was a ‘feminist’.

It was once clear water, running over clean sand and pebbles…

There is serious pesticide pollution in the Richmond River estuary. But the problems of the Richmond River start well upstream. And they started long ago...

Byron Mayor defends Mullum hospital residential rezone – won’t pay for...

Byron Council’s plans to rezone the former Mullum Hospital site to a residential precinct, which would see up to 130 dwellings built – Mayor says Council won't be paying for 'social housing'.

Houses to flood

The constraints on housing development in our area are well known locally, as described in a letter last week, although apparently not recognised by the bureaucrats in Sydney who continue to insist that we must house more and more...

A peek inside what is planned for Sandhills wetland

Big changes are proposed for Sandhills wetland, located opposite Clarkes Beach and the Youth Activities Centre on the edge of Byron Bay’s CBD.

Queenslanders

Every time I hear on the news of the cyclones and floods in Queensland I think of the green convoy to the Adani coal mine a few years ago and the reception they received from the Queensland population. Queenslanders were...

Requirement to look for endangered gliders in logging areas removed

Volunteers and community scientists have repeatedly highlighted the failure of NSW Forestry Corporation to identify hollow-bearing trees used by the endangered southern greater gliders, the largest marsupial glider in the world.

Hot and humid

You may be standing up against the sheep who are following climate change false narratives or against the billionaires trying to take over the global economy by banning hydrocarbons. You may have developed a rationale of selected theories, or...

Bruns residents: don’t use our park for housing pods

What does the future hold for the park in Bayside, Brunswick Heads, that is currently hosting temporary housing pods for those left homeless by the floods?

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: To Hall and Back

The February flood sent 2.7 metres of water through Corndale Hall. This water of biblical proportions reached to the roof. It wrenched the modest little building from its footings and set it free. It collided with a power pole and was broken into pieces. Such a violent and unexpected death for such a magical place.

Cartoon of the week – 7 February, 2024

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.

Rosefina’s Place caravan-cafe on the beach side of the Bruns footbridge

If you take a walk across the footbridge over Simpsons Creek in Brunswick Heads and across to the beach you will find Rosefina’s Place, a converted caravan-cafe tucked away in a quiet corner of the busy Byron Shire. 

Interview with Dr Stephen Bright on psychedelic-assisted therapy

A discussion will be held at the Byron Theatre next Tuesday where a panel of experts will talk about the future of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Australia

Celebrating Dee Dee

On Saturday, Dee Dee Lavell’s Celebration of Life concert will be held at the Courthouse Hotel.

They’re hot and they’re back

Look out ladies, the hunks from Sydney Hotshots are back to sizzle and seduce for one night only with a brand-new killer show.

A journey from crisis to hope

LiMBOLAND is a poignant amalgam of true stories from around the country portraying the impact of natural disasters and the power of community when times get hard.

Building sites ‘blitzed’ between Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads

More than 100 building sites from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads have been inspected, which has been described as a 'blitz' by the NSW Labor government.

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.

Push to slow traffic outside Coorabell Hall

The campaign to slow traffic on the short stretch of Coolamon Scenic Drive outside Coorabell Hall is gradually gathering momentum, with Byron Council supporting a lower speed limit despite advice the road may not meet state criteria.

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.