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June 8, 2026

Latest News

Man seriously assaulted in Byron Bay

NSW Police say detectives have commenced an investigation after a man was seriously assaulted in the locally overnight.

Other News

Kyogle Council encourages making contact before starting development

"Planning a development? Contact Council before you start" – that's the message from Kyogle Council around building and construction.

NBN News reduces local content, sparks MP concerns

Local federal MP Justine Elliot (Labor) has voiced concerns after NBN News announced a reduction in local TV news quality and service.

Tweed Shire Council recognised at Local Government Excellence Awards

Tweed Shire Council has been recognised for its innovative approach to tackling incivility, winning the People, Workplace and Wellbeing Award at the 2026 Local Government Excellence Awards last night.

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.

National minimum wage increases to $26.44p/h

With the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase the national minimum wage by 4.75%, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is calling for further action to support people doing it tough, as well as the frontline community services helping them. “People are under severe pressure from interest rate rises, rent increases, higher fuel costs, and growing economic uncertainty due to the conflict in the Middle East,” said ACOSS Acting CEO Edwina MacDonald.

Man seriously assaulted in Byron Bay

NSW Police say detectives have commenced an investigation after a man was seriously assaulted in the locally overnight.

April 24, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 38.46 – April 24, 2024

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Making Spaces | Good Taste | The Good Life | Byron Arts & Industry Estate | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Classifieds | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Israel – Gaza

John Scrivener claims that The Echo ‘refrains from any mention of the momentous developments regarding Palestine over the past few months’.  Sadly, we all know that The Echo has had plenty of these letters, and a large percentage were against...

PM – deserves praise

While not a usual Labor voter, I take issue with The Echo’s front page report on the prime minister opening the Beacon laundry in Bangalow last week. The Echo used a negative slant about the visit, calling it ‘the Anthony...

Byron Yoga Centre shortlisted for biz awards

Congrats Byron Yoga Centre, who are a finalist in the prestigious Australian Small Business Champion Awards. 

Get set for the racket, May 4, 5

Mullumbimby is all abuzz with preparations for the much-anticipated Laneways Festival 2024 this weekend.

Flood-affected locations in Byron Shire to be included in DCP

A redraft of Byron Shire's development control plan (DCP) Chapter 2 ‘Areas Affected by Flood’ will soon go on public exhibition without mentioning 2022 flood data. 

Splendour Estate

Unfortunately, no more, but all is not lost! They own the land, and Byron Shire is crying out for houses. Splendour Estate sounds good. A hundred plus homes for sale. Andrew Hunter, Bangalow

Beacon’s bright spark

The wonderful new laundry opening in Bangalow is a good news story of hope and employment – that was ‘opened’ by our prime minister and our invisible federal member who never usually ventures beyond the Tweed. Perhaps there is an...

Alice Springs kids

I don’t know why these kids are doing what they are doing in Alice Springs. What pissed me off was hearing the federal member Jacinta Price saying ‘send in the riot squad’. Yes, typical Liberal party reaction to this...

Laugh or cry

Does no one laugh hysterically, sneer contemptuously, or cry inconsolably, when one is confronted by the following words of a reporter (Stephen Rice, Weekender, Australian, 6-7/4/24) ‘the descent into farce may have reached its apex…’? Charitably, one might just sigh...

Soapbox too ‘extreme’

One minute Mandy Nolan blames Queenslanders, now she blames all men for her condition of fear (Soapbox: Shopping Centres Scare Me).  OMG, I know it’s a Soapbox for her, and the copy was probably written in great haste to meet...

Behind Paul Watson

The accusation of Paul Watson being ‘a traitor to the cause’ of marine conservation is possibly the most ludicrous and risible statement ever published in The Echo. Having been alongside Paul for many years around the world at International Whaling...

Geologist warns groundwater resource is ‘shrinking’

A new book about Australian groundwater, soil and water has been published by geologist Philip John Brown.

Families and children left struggling after government fails flood recovery commitments

The recovery process following the February 2022 flood has been slow, and many people are still struggling to regain normality in their lives. 

Emergency services on show April 27

Emergency services will be on show in Banner Park, Brunswick Heads on Saturday April 27 from 9am until 2pm.

Editorial – For King and Country

As the Edwardian period ended (1901–1914), the new era of WWI saw the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzacs) land around Ari Burnu on the western side of the Gallipoli peninsula. 

Dune regeneration

On all other coastal beaches where councils are working to prevent sand loss by rowing their dunes, such signage reads DUNE REGENERATION AREA, not bush regeneration. Byron Shire Council are trying to grow a forest on the 100-year-old dunes...

Blockades continue as councillors wave next Wallum certificate through

A second subdivision works certificate for the Wallum estate was signed off by a majority of councillors last week, who again argued that they have no legal standing to further impede an approved development.

Ancient brewing tradition honoured

An annual event and brewing ritual to honour ancient brewing traditions was held at Stone & Wood’s Byron brewery last week.

Cycling safety

Why are police turning a blind eye to cycling safety? On Saturday night a young man came off his e-bike on Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay (see p4) and has since tragically passed away. I have watched in amazement as police...

User-pays petrol

Isn’t it about time that it’s user-pays for petrol? Including the cost of carbon capture, and storage as rock (mineral carbonation). Try paying Climeworks to compensate for the fossil you burn. Sapoty Brook, Main Arm

2022 flood data quietly made public  

The long-awaited state government analysis of the 2022 flood in the shire’s north is now available on the SES website.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Couching an Opinion

The Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins case was never about establishing whether or not Lehrmann raped Higgins. It was about Brittany. She was established as not ‘the perfect victim’ so we overlooked the blazingly obvious fact that Bruce Lehrmann was ‘the perfect perpetrator’. An entitled, compulsive wrecking ball of cocaine, $400 steaks, free rent and very very expensive massages.

Cartoon of the week – 24 April, 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.

Sweet and sour doughnuts

Victoria Cosford ‘It’s probably a good thing I don’t have a sweet tooth,’ says Megan. I’ve called in at the pop-up shop/bakehouse at Mullumbimby Industry Estate where for the last six years Megan Hunter has been baking, refining and perfecting her...

Foodie road-trip paradise: Harvest Food Trail

Calling all food and farm enthusiasts, the iconic Harvest Food Trail is happening soon, over four days from May 2-5. It’s your chance to embark on a delicious self-drive adventure through the heart of the Northern Rivers. Imagine winding down...

Tour de Cure pays tribute to Professor Richard Scolyer AO

Renowned Australian pathologist Richard Anthony Scolyer AO, died yesterday after living for three years with a grade 4 glioblastoma IDH wild-type brain tumour.

Evans Head STP: kicking the environmental can down the road

For decades the Evans Head Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) has been dumping effluent into Salty Lagoon in Broadwater National Park. Rich in nutrients and other contaminants, the lake succumbed to these pollutants with a massive fish and bird kill in 2005.

The Echo has way too much fun at 40th birthday bash

Without an inch or even a centimetre to spare, the Byron Bowling club was dressed up to the nines and packed with funsters on Saturday evening for The Echo's 40th Anniversary & Awards Celebration.

Appeal to locate teen missing near Lismore

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from The Channon, north of Lismore.