16.4 C
Byron Shire
June 13, 2026

Latest News

Up to 550 homes pegged for Byron Shire’s newest suburb

Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road. 

Other News

Pool tender

Why! Why! Why! Can someone – in particular one of our councillors – tell me, us, the community, why...

Past and present collide at Byron Theatre

A classic Australian novel is getting a contemporary makeover at the Byron Theatre this week, with Tirra Lirra by the River brought to the stage using cutting-edge audio-visual effects.

Underbelly in Byron

Byron has long had a dark underbelly.  Many places do, but Byron has sold itself as a young person’s...

Bayside blues

Hi beautiful community, I am concerned for the whole Shire. Our stormwater and sewage systems have been affected by the...

Two arrested after man dies

A man and woman have been arrested after a man died in Tweed Heads on Saturday morning.

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.

August 14, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 39.10 – August 14, 2024

Download PDF (14MB)
Jump to:
Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | The Scoop | Sport | Good Taste | The Good Life | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Love Byron Bay | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

The fat lady sings

Attending a ‘White Deaths in Custody’ demonstration at Sydney Town Hall, demonstrators were informed by Green NSW MP Sue Higginson, that the shooting deaths of two mentally traumatised and disturbed young people, by NSW police, revealed a total lack...

If you’ve gone, then what are you doing here?

I’m leading something of a double life. Every week, a few days in Murwillumbah, and the rest in Mullumbimby – my former place of residence.

Community needs

The phrase ‘elected reps responsive to the needs of their community’, is the key to far more than just that. But the principle is essential in a far more expansive fashion. Unless both individuals and potential candidates are illuminated with...

Wild Rocket receive awards

Wild Rocket, made up of Byron Bay High School year 9 students, Zephyr Penhaligon-Breeze and Kai Akib, have taken out two awards.

Resisting temptation

Some people in the Northern Rivers think it desirable to boycott local businesses on the basis of ethnic identity. I do not.  Women and children, and men, should not be made to pay for the crimes of distant military, political or...

Road through the Bangalow cemetery

I was disgusted to read of Council’s decision to allow a road to be built through Bangalow’s cemetery. The cemetery land was originally gifted to the community by an early pioneer for the purpose of providing a cemetery and...

Just wait a mayoral minute!

The mayor agrees that Hydrosphere’s costings on Lavertys Gap versus Rous Water are so wrong that they need revision. He brought a ‘mayoral minute’ to last Thursday’s Council meeting.  A mayoral minute is a special motion that doesn’t require notice...

Are you paying attention?

A few more examples for those still not paying attention. For months Labor has misled the public on its two-way arms trade with Israel, now there are pictures of Albanese with a drone gun and the Australian-made drone gun being...

Defibs good news

I was most interested to read your good news story about a defibrillator saving a man’s life last week in Mullumbimby. It got me thinking. Do defibs have easy-to-follow instructions or do you have to be a paramedic to...

Onya Fatima

I’m glad Fatima Payman, ex-Labor senator, now independent, has crossed again and is now sitting on the cross bench. The Labor Party should hang their heads in shame, the way they all treated Fatima – well most of them did.  They...

A better world

Danny is correct that the newly-created Facebook group ‘Jews for Palestine Northern Rivers’ is not yet active. We are few, and we concentrate on our work rather than on social media, but numbers are no reflection on the justice...

Jonson and Kingsley streets

I wonder if the community is aware of the extended nightclub operation proposed for the corner of Jonson and Kingsley Streets. Hemmes Property Pty Ltd have sought significant modifications to their approved DA, encompassing the old Cheeky Monkey’s plus...

The neglected north

Driving along, radio on, I hear an announcement from Mayor Michael Lyon stating he is planning an open day for residents of northern Byron Shire – New Brighton, South Golden Beach and North Ocean Shores.  His statement was that he...

Local artist wins Archibald’s People’s Choice

For many years local artist Angus McDonald observed Professor Marcia Langton AO from a distance with a mixture of admiration and deep respect.

‘Dear Richmond’ wins inaugural BaySounds songwriting comp

A couple of years ago local songwriter Levi Maxwell decided to mark his 18th birthday with a kayak trip from Lismore to Ballina. 

Nell Schofield joins The Greens

The Greens have announced a fifth member of the ticket for the upcoming local government elections, Nell Schofield.

Editorial – Gambling kills sells

According to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, in the 12 months from May 2022 to April 2023 Australian gambling service providers spent $238.63m on advertising

Rocky Creek Dam treatment plant. Photo supplied.

Further investigation needed of Mullum’s future water supply

Hydrosphere have reassessed their costings for the Mullumbimy Lavertys Gap water supply option versus moving the water supply to Rous County Council

Explaining new coercive control laws

One woman dies every four days in a domestic and family violence situation in Australia and of the 112 women who were killed by an intimate partner between 10 March 2008 and 30 June 2016 in NSW, 111 were victims of coercive control.

Peak patriarchy?

Have we reached peak patriarchy? It’s mind blowing the ‘leader of the free world’ has never been a woman in 235 years of US Presidents.

Council blames residents (again)

At the Byron Shire Council (BSC) meeting on 1 August it was revealed that BSC is unique among surrounding councils in having no policy about concealed water leaks.  These are underground leaks in the plumbing from the council meter to...

‘Unique Byron culture’ to help local business

What can we do to get the Byron economy back on track? With many local business owners and operators battling hard to stay in the black, Byron Council has released a draft business, industry and visitor strategy outlining what it can do to help.

Byron Mayor AVO – election turmoil

Expectations surrounding the upcoming Byron Shire Council elections have been thrown in the air with the revelation that the police are seeking an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) against Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Baden Lyon.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Stop Advertising Gambling

I am not a gambler. I have never sat in a pokie room and fed my money into a slot. I don’t even know if there is a slot. I don’t buy lotto tickets. I don’t bet on dogs. Or horses. Or any animal or human. I’ve probably bought six scratchie tickets in my entire life. I’ve bought raffle tickets to support a charity. That’s probably the sum total of my gambling behaviour. Yet I’ve been affected by gambling.

Women ignored women’s safety

A proposal to look for a site for a nude beach in Byron Shire will come before Byron Council on August 15. I hope Council has listened to past complaints from Tyagarah residents and will consider the ramifications of putting...

Load limit increased for Byron Creek Bridge

The load limit for Byron Creek Bridge has been increased to 24 tonnes, say Byron Shire Council, following structural analysis of the bridge.

Festival and event grants on offer

Community organisations are encouraged to apply for NSW government grants to bring cultural festivals and events to life across the state over the coming year.

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.

The Pocket Winter Festival bringing you music, food and fun

The Pocket Winter Festival is set to return on Sunday, 21 June, from 10am to 2pm, bringing together the community for a day of music, food, entertainment and family fun at The Pocket Public School.