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Byron Shire
June 11, 2026

Latest News

Protests against closure of life-saving facility in Murwillumbah

The announcement that Murwillumbah's Safe Haven would be closed this week due to the end of funding arrangements has been greeted with shock by locals who have come to rely on the mental health support services the facility provided.

Other News

Lismore residents call to stop the demolition of homes

Community group Reclaim our Recovery are urging Lismore residents to join a gathering at the Lismore QUAD this Saturday from 11am to 'stop the demolitions of our Big Scrub heritage homes — and the NSW Reconstruction Authority needs to know we are not going away'.

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.

Cartoon of the week – 10 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.

Interview with Peter O’Doherty

Australia’s legendary band Mental As Anything made an historic comeback in 2026 – the first in 25 years – as original founding members Peter O’Doherty and brother Reg Mombassa reunited, leading an exciting new lineup to perform once again under the iconic banner Mental As Anything.

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).

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.

September 25, 2024

Byron Shire Echo issue 39.16 – September 25, 2024

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Sport | Making Spaces | Northern Rivers Rail Trail | Good Taste | The Good Life | Byron Arts & Industry Estate | School Holidays | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

From Byron good things grow

Born and bred in Byron, David Hertzberg has received the 2024 Mahla Pearlman Australian Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year. David entered the world at Byron Bay Hospital then spent his formative years at Byron Bay Preschool before enjoying the...

Nate’s big Byron run for charity 

Byron Run Club’s founder, Nate Thornbury, is taking on a challenge to run 160 kilometres in under 18 hours on October 5, to raise $5,000 for Fletcher Street Cottage’s Women’s Emergency Relief Program. 

Ocean Shores Country Club pool to close

The Board of Directors at the Ocean Shores Country Club say they have made the difficult decision to close the swimming pool.

Byron Chamber wins at NR Business Awards

Congratulations to The Byron Bay Chamber of Commerce (BBCC), who have won the ‘Outstanding Local Chamber’ award at the Northern Rivers Business Awards, held over the weekend.

Mullum propaganda

When my otherwise peaceful, progressive mate from Mullum starts sprouting militarist, right-wing Russian propaganda that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was ‘all the West’s fault’, you know something is wrong. Why are some Australians buying right-wing conspiracy theories? I guess for...

Guess who?

I am home to native animals; I have prevented mass extinction and every national park is birthed from my womb. I use three per cent of my land and produce the only sustainable product in the world and that...

Hate and war

Whatever your personal views regarding the Criminal Code Amendment (Hate Crimes) Bill 2024, the one thing that stood out to me was those most in opposition to it. The LGBTQ community sat alongside the Jewish community in condemning the...

Byron Beef Jerky helping to build local business and economy

Byron Beef Jerky are one of seven businesses in regional NSW to have received support from the NSW government in low interest loans to grow their business. 

Editorial – MAD laws to keep you safe

In an ever-increasingly complex world of misinformation and sinister algorithms, it’s great to know that federal Labor have your interests at heart.

Spring Plant Fair this Sunday at Mullum Community Gardens

Attention, plant-passionate people! The Mullum Spring Plant Fair is coming up Sunday, September 29, at the Mullum Community Gardens.

Council election

On at least two occasions I have been grateful for the assistance given by Duncan Dey in important community crusades. Shock and disappointment therefore followed reading that a tacit swipe at a councillor seeking reelection was later conceded to...

Is anyone from Venus anymore?

I suspect the answer is ‘yes’ to your query about whether Labor are serious about MAD legislating (Backlash, September 18). The bureaucracy I find myself in has a section called Member and Registry Services. You guessed it – the staff...

Global Imams Council

Regarding M McCormack’s letter quoting the Global Imams Council (GIC). While the deaths of hostages is to be condemned by all humanitarian standards, we must agree that all lives matter and none are more precious than others. It is absurd...

No normal is the new normal

Byron Shire’s new mayor is the Greens’ Sarah Ndiaye. At least three Greens have been elected as councillors – Delta Kay, Elia Hauge and Michelle Lowe.

Police called after armed man reported near Byron Hospital

Emergency procedures were enacted by Byron Central Hospital management after a man with a rifle was seen near the grounds last Thursday.

Labor MP slams Greens over housing bills

Local federal Labor MP, Justine Elliot has again launched an attack on Greens candidate Mandy Nolan when asked about the latest housing legislation being put forward by her party.

Ecocide, koalas

Climate change-affected Pacific Islanders have taken the issue of ecocide to the international arena. Whilst ecocide is recognised as extremely harmful to nature/habitat/sentient beings its legal status should be ratified by the Rome statute which has the power to recommend...

Thank you to those who serve

Thank you to those Byron councillors who have served the community but didn’t stand again. Enjoy life without the meetings and huge agendas and the endless requests from the community for assistance.

Chincogan Charge

The article in last week’s Echo regarding the forthcoming charge has caused me to reflect on the past. I ran in the charge in 1985, 1986 and 1987. At the time I was the only Mullumbimby rotarian ever to compete...

Rape, torture, murder

Recently, The New York Times reported on anal rape and torture in the Sde Teiman interrogation centre. Eight former inmates described how they were forced to sit 18 hours a day in diapers and were beaten if they fell...

Holiday letting rules introduced

Regulations around Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) came into effect for Byron Shire on September 23, with most of the shire now capped at 60 days for un-hosted holiday lets. Two precincts in Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads have no cap restrictions.

Labor concedes in Byron, paving way for Greens mayor Sarah Ndiaye 

Labor mayoral candidate Asren Pugh has conceded defeat in the September 14 local government elections, with Greens candidate Sarah Ndiaye poised to become Byron Shire Council’s new mayor.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Where Has the Music Gone?

What happens when you take hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue out of our local economy? We’re about to find out. The Falls Festival is no more. Splendour has finished. And this year Festival Director Peter Noble told us this would be the last Bluesfest. It seems unfathomable that our iconic signature event will be no more.

What’s not beautiful

Regarding Mr Jason Dunn’s so-called ‘beautiful project’ that is the Secret Garden Residences at 119-123 Jonson Street. The sun rising over the ocean is beautiful.

Rail trail benefits

The rail trail is great for youth, and the environment. The recent town hall meeting of candidates was excellent. Issues raised included public transport, youth disenfranchisement, and the horror of electric bikes, all pointed to a neat integrated solution.

Community to rally against ‘relentless’ RA house demolitions

Northern Rivers locals and flood-impacted residents will gather in Lismore this Saturday to demand the NSW Reconstruction Authority stop demolishing heritage homes and deliver on broken promises, as community anger at the failed flood recovery reaches a new peak.

Myall Creek walk starts conversations and opens eyes to difficult history

The Walk 4 Stolen Children, Land & Lives has successfully concluded in Myall Creek, having completed 474km on foot from Ballina and visited a number of massacre sites along the way.

Emergency departments buckling under pressure

Nurses working at emergency departments (ED) across the state are continuing to feel the effects of increased presentations and very unwell people coming through their doors, with the latest health snapshot painting a worrying picture of NSW public hospitals.

New exhibitions opening at Lismore Regional Gallery

All are welcome to the official opening of four new exhibitions at Lismore Regional gallery this Friday evening, with live music and a talk from Melbourne artist Sarah Ujmaia.