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June 6, 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

Northern Rivers philanthropic org reveals 2025 achievements

Not-for-profit philanthropic organisation,  Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF), have released their annual report for 2025, revealing $2.4m was raised, and 121 projects funded across the region.

Tyagarah Road, Myocum, closes Thursday

Essential Energy say contractors will carry out vegetation management around the electricity network in parts of Myocum on Thursday, 4 June.

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.

Mur’bah woman arrested over alleged bomb threats

A 23-old woman accused of making multiple bomb threats to public places across the state was arrested in Murwillumbah on Friday.

Drug driving reform introduced to NSW Parliament

Greens MP and drug harm reduction spokesperson Cate Faehrmann has welcomed news that reform to drug driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients will finally be introduced into NSW Parliament.

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.

May 15, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 38.49 – May 15, 2024

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Good Taste | The Good Life | Bangalow Billycart Derby | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Health & Healing | Seven Entertainment | Gig guide | Cinema | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Service Directory | Classifieds | Community at Work | Sport | Backlash

In this Issue:

Local Labor MP supports Future Gas Strategy

Climate research scientist, Joelle Gergis, has joined other scientists, academics, think tanks and economists in condemning federal Labor’s Future Gas Strategy, which was released last week.

He’s off, has been for years! And what’s a conspiracy amongst...

After ten years in Mullum I’ve relocated to the middle of an extinct volcano in Murwillumbah.

Contraband, Chile’s 9/11 and black ops 

Putting the life of local adventurer Chris Dewhirst into print would be no easy task. But he’s managed to do it, in part, with Everest Guns & Money.

Danny’s world

Danny Wakil would have us believe that Israel is a sweet little peace-loving ‘sister democracy’ that can do no wrong and is always an innocent victim, surrounded by mean nasty Arabs and Islamic terrorists who threaten its very existence....

Gas

Living in a modern world I see on social media, etc. world melting, CO2 production associated topics. So having recently installed a solar power generation system on the roof of my home , I started to think… what have I...

Editorial – Just another unjust moment in history

Justice has been served and it’s a shit sandwich: whistleblower David McBride is now the first person to be sentenced to jail in Australia for reporting war crimes.

Protect the beach and coast

The last time my late father visited Byron Bay, I saw a tear roll down his cheek as he stood at Main Beach. My father was born and bred in Byron Bay and was a member of the first...

2022 flood & DAs

At  Byron Council’s meeting on April 18, we didn’t get time to deal with Report 14.1 which contained formal advice to Council from its Floodplain Advisory Committee. That advice was for Council to take into account the flood levels...

Feudalism alive

The increasingly restrictive parking at New Brighton shows feudalism is alive and well. It is understandable – wanting to protect your private fief, by not allowing others to also enjoy it. Restrict the parking and others won’t be able to...

Main Arm roads

Dear Tamara, I was at the meeting last night where we heard of Byron Council’s frustrations with the NSW government in effecting repairs to flood-damaged roads. Tell the premier, to tell our public servants to stop being obstructionist and tying...

Big tech, porn, violence and young blokes

I know it’s time we talked. The trouble is, I don’t know exactly what to say. But let’s try this...

Foodie fest on the table

Food and culture takes centre stage this week, as Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns May 17 to 26.

2022 flood data

The fact that the ‘2022 flood data will not be incorporated’ is appalling, incompetent! As a professional engineer  (PE) who has been involved in planning the mitigation of flood damage for decades, I am very disappointed that Byron Council has,...

National Service

I have to say that having been conscripted into the army in 1970 I couldn’t disagree more with Peter Walters and those that advocate for National Service. Being forced into any organisation is not the way to go about improvement. Enlisting...

Death wish

Money that should be spent on decarbonisation is being spent on catastrophe repairs. We are putting out the fire with gasoline. Sapoty Brook, Main Arm

Let’s dive deep into potholes!

Main Arm residents were disappointed to hear from Byron Council’s senior staff at a public meeting last Thursday night that their dangerous and rapidly deteriorating roads might not get repaired until the end of 2025 at the earliest. 

Crime ‘cluster’ spikes spread across region

Local police are calling on residents to keep their doors and windows locked, including when they’re at home, in a bid to address the spike in car break-ins and thefts taking place in and around local shires.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: It’s a Sign

Someone is taking down signs. You know who you are. Right now, I bet you are sitting at home with a bunch of corflutes from the Byron Comedy Festival, and a bunch of other local events, feeling powerful in your sad fight against fun.

Beware the Trojan Pig

The article in last’s week’s Echo (‘Piggery plans on exhibition’), could not have been more lacking in balance had it been provided by the proponent herself. As the date of submissions (April 30) had elapsed by the time The Echo...

Concerns over Piggery plans

As a long-term resident of Skinners Shoot, I am writing to express my concern that the article ‘Piggery plans on exhibition’ (Echo, May 1,) has not represented the views of the 66 residents of Skinners Shoot who have written...

Labor’s gas failure?

I can’t understand how Labor can commit to gas for the future while the UN Secretary-General said last year already: ‘We need disruption to end the destruction. No more baby steps. No more excuses. No more greenwashing. No more...

Domestic violence

It has occurred to me that as many women who experience domestic violence are forced to flee their homes, it is they, the victims who are being punished not the perpetrator. Here are some suggestions to rectify this: 1. Force the...

Cartoon of the week – 15 May, 2024

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.

The Toad, the Whale and the Sun

Filmmaker and environmental activist Dean Jefferys will be hosting the world premiere of his epic feature documentary The Toad, the Whale and the Sun, at the Byron Community Centre on Friday, 31 May at 5pm and again at 8pm, with a panel discussion and Q+A after both screenings.

10 days of fab food

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns for its second iteration and kicks off this Friday, running until Sunday, May 26 – and is there a lot to pack in.

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.