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Byron Shire
June 17, 2026

Latest News

Vale William ‘Bill’ Ewen

The funeral service for Marine Rescue Ballina volunteer William ‘Bill’ Ewen was held on Monday at Ballina RSL Club.

Other News

LECC find police failed in their duty in the death of Lindy Lucena

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission’s Operation Almas has criticised the police response to the violent death of Ballina woman Lindy Lucena at the hands of her partner in 2023.

More hands up for the seat of Ballina in 2027

More candidates are putting up their hands to run for the seat of Ballina at next year’s state election.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Plastic Is Forever

Our family has been trying to give up plastic. And I’m not just talking single-use straws or takeaway cups or bottled water. Like most people we did that years ago. I’m talking about all the other plastic that we ingest either directly or through chemical leaching. In the period of time since I was a child, to a child born now, the fossil fuel industry has become implicated in nearly every part of our daily routine.

Dr Bronwyn Bancroft wins prestigious Ochre Award

Bundjalung woman and artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft AM has received the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence.

WAVE – I Have Friends Everywhere

The closing date for entries is in October, so this is a callout for all design artists, fashion innovators, culture initiators and wearable inventors.

Tipping point

It is noted in the last edition of The Echo that six new dwellings with swimming pools are to...

August 7, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 39.09 – August 7, 2024

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Sport | Good Taste | The Good Life | Byron Writers Festival Liftout | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | The Arts | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash
In this issue: Byron Writers Festival 2024 Liftout Feature
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In this Issue:

Tangled whales

Yes, it’s whale migration season again, and yes, whales keep getting tangled in shark drum lines, shark nets, and fishing nets that are discarded by fishing vessels. This is been going on for as long as I can remember and...

PAHs – how they impact your health

According to research scientist Dr Effie Ablett the main chemicals in our air and water causing cancer today are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs (rhymes with cars).

Rising costs of Mullum water

In public access time at last week’s Council meeting (1 August) I told Byron Shire councillors that Hydrosphere’s cost calculations for connecting Mullum’s water to the Rous regional supply are seriously underestimated. Sadly, most councillors seemed indifferent. Rous County Council have been...

Hopeless hopeful

PM hopeful, Peter Dutton, Australia’s opposition leader (who always likes a song and dance) has again dragged up the nuclear power alternative as an election issue. Going along is Richmond’s National Party candidate, Kimberly Hone, who’s advertised the fact...

100 years of the Mullumbimby Fire Station

August 2024 marks 100 years of the Mullumbimby Fire Station and you can join in the celebrations with the crew on Saturday at 10am. 

Carrying the flame

Ocean Shores resident, Leslie Hoffman, recounts his treasured memory of running the Olympic torch on the day it arrived in Australia for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.  

Karin’s story set to inspire at Byron Surf Fest

The ocean holds a very special place in the heart of many Byron locals. For more than a few of us, it’s a place of rejuvenation and solace.

Reintroducing the Eastern Freshwater Cod to the Richmond River

The Eastern Freshwater Cod, native to the Richmond and Clarence River catchments, once swam throughout the freshwater reaches of these rivers, but are now unfortunately locally extinct in the Richmond River and its tributaries.

Defibrillator saves life in Mullumbimby

Last Friday the quick actions of former paramedic Natalie O’Brien, and one of the defibrillators that the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce helped place around the area, saved a man’s life after he collapsed at the Mullumbimby Pool Shop. 

A rushed vote with inaccurate costings

Mullum’s water supply is not the only issue in the elections, but IT IS the most pressing at this moment, with a Council vote looming next week on August 15. The 2021 consultant’s report is the source for recommending...

Byron candidates

J Davies of Mullumbimby, in their letter of July 31, laments the calibre of the three candidates for Byron Shire mayor revealed thus far, and concludes by stating that: ‘Byron Shire deserves a lot better than what is being...

Creatively supporting the homeless

In a world beset by seemingly intractable problems, making a difference can seem like an impossible task.

Disney presidents

Don, instead of your security guard shouting ‘Mickey Mouse’ he should have shouted, ‘Donald, duck!’.   

Byron Mayor, AVO

There is a matter listed at Byron Bay Local Court where the police are seeking an apprehended violence order against Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon.

Immigration and fascism – the time to talk is now

At a time when climate change poses the greatest threat to our world as we know it, it is the politics of immigration – specifically refugee resettlement – that is rocking democracies around the globe. 

Curiouser and curiouser

Cr Pugh’s claims in The Echo (24.7.24) that he’s fit to be reelected to council for another term are curious. Particularly his claim of: ‘I have demonstrated my credentials to the community to put myself forward for mayor’. So,...

About Ray’s long walk

Thank you Dr Ray Moynihan and The Echo for the recent article on his long walk along the pristine and health restoring strip of coastline that has been kept free of human interference. We have laws to protect areas like this, but...

Not fear-mongering

In response to Lucy Vader, (The Echo letters – August 7) I am not fear-mongering relating to the financial burden that would be imposed on the residents of Mullumbimby if we were to build a brand new water treatment...

Feedback questionnaire

I was one of the Mullumbimby residents who partook in the Byron Council-initiated feedback questionnaire regarding cutting off the existing water supply to Mullumbimby from Lavertys Gap weir, and connecting to Rous County Council water supply, stemming from the...

Byron Shire’s mayoral candidates on affordable housing and the environment

In the lead-up to the election, the Echo is asking mayoral candidates about affordable housing and the environment

Moonlight Close

J Rose: still barking up a wrong tree and deeply affected by the removal of the derogatory racist street name ‘Hottentot Crescent’.  Hottentot, a name given to the indigenous people of South Africa, the Khoisan, by the Dutch colonists in...

Where would we be without them?

On behalf of the Byron Central Hospital branch of the NSW Nurses & Midwives Association, I would like to thank Mandy Nolan for her astute commentary regarding the current parlous state of nursing and midwifery in NSW in her...

Calling a spade deluded

If the media can freely discuss Joe Biden’s apparently advancing dementia why do they avoid the elephant in the room with Donald Trump? His mental state and his very loose relationship with the truth. OK, I’m not a psychiatrist but...

Ten million litres of water wasted a year in Byron Shire

Opening Council-related bills is rarely a pleasant experience, but when Ocean Shores resident Robert Birch opened his water bill a few months ago he got a particularly nasty surprise. 

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: End Homelessness

Homelessness is proof that our housing system is broken. The neoliberal hot take that hard work and compliance will be rewarded is a fairy tale as fantastical as Cinderella. We have more homelessness in Byron Bay than in the City of Sydney.

Empowering women and girls

Applications are now open for Northern Rivers Community Foundation's (NRCF) 2026 Empowering Women & Girls Grant, offering local not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to secure funding for projects that empower women and girls across the Northern Rivers.

Big things are happening at The Paddock — and one of them has a flush

There are two milestones worth celebrating at The Paddock this season as they push ahead with their innovative project.

Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program

As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition

Are retirement villages what Byron Bay needs?

Developer DD Resort Living is seeking community feedback until June 18 on its proposed retirement living development in Byron Bay.