EPIC, created to boldly go where other cover bands dare not, are now celebrating their tenth year of aurally-stimulating audiences along the Australian east coast. EPIC was founded by the incredibly multitalented and visionary musician, the late Jesse Balfour (1967-2024). Jesse had one main aim for EPIC: To play the songs that other cover bands won’t.
Dementia is rapidly emerging as one of the most pressing health challenges of our time, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood.
Have you got the time to walk the red carpet in Lennox Head to help vulnerable young children in Kenya?
Despite the interruption from Cyclone Alfred, the Bangalow Film Festival (BFF) is back with new dates at the Bangalow A&I Hall: April 30 till May 4.
As a concerned ratepayer attending the Ballina Shire Council (BSC) meeting on March 27, 2025 I wish to voice my utter dismay and disapproval of Council's actions and intentions regarding the illegally-constructed cattle pens on the Alstonville Showgrounds and the Council's...
Many of your readers will be aware of the Alstonville Agricultural Society (AAS) constructing, without approval, stockyards for 120 cattle abutting neighbours of the showgrounds. These stockyards were financed through state government grants, at a cost of around $200,000. Ballina Council...
The readvertised development application (DA) for stockholding yards at the Alstonville Showgrounds was on the Ballina Council agenda for March 27. As a ratepayer and someone directly affected by the illegal construction of cattle holding pens in the Alstonville...
Chaiy Donati of the ALP says, ‘Queens must tumble for democracy to flourish’. How long did Queen Elizabeth reign and the UK do pretty well at democracy? Janét Moyle, New Brighton
Chaiy Donati (March 26) asks that Mandy step down from the weekly ‘Soapbox’ column because she is using it for ‘free political advertising’. However, he doesn’t give any examples where she actually does this: no quotes or excerpts to illustrate...
I totally agree with the opinion piece from Chaiy Donati. The Echo should cease ‘Mandy’s Soapbox’ now that we are in full swing of a federal election. I hope you agree to maintain the integrity of The Echo. John Heaton, Uralba
There have been multiple fish kills across the Northern Rivers following Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Calls to rehabilitate wetlands, use sustainable farming practices, and facilitate cultural leadership continue to grow.
The first round of authors have been revealed for the 2025 Byron Writers Festival, to be held at the Bangalow Showgrounds on August 8–10.
Psst: Executive Council staff at Byron Shire Council have quietly removed legal reports that were once included in Council meeting agendas, meaning the public are now uninformed around this important matter.
That’s a mean-spirited opinion piece, Chaiy Donati of the ALP. As an older long-time volunteer – lately in a community-based emergency preparation and response group – I loved Mandy’s column. It was heartening and inspirational and I didn’t see...
Hands up all of you who can’t last the distance on Budget night. Me too. Did anyone hear Jim Chalmers mention rents or climate change? Did I nod off and miss them? These two vital issues show us a...
Whilst I wouldn’t dare suggest which party you should vote for, may I remind you of Dutton’s support of the idiotic actions from the Oval Office in the last few days. Peter Walters, Ballina
Although Danny Wakil supports a one-state solution for Gaza, in my opinion there are basically three one-state choices. A democratic state with equal rights for Jews and Muslims (which would be rejected outright by Israel); the continuation of the...
The recent article on page 8 from the local Labor branch president was breathtaking in its irrelevance considering the ALP has watered down environmental laws and threatened the extinction of the endangered Morgean Skate, a rare prehistoric creature (the...
The long-discussed plan to build a boardwalk connecting Ocean Shores directly to the beach is back on the table, after Byron Shire councillors voted to revive the idea as part of their place plan for the Shire’s north.
An onsite conciliation between Council and developer Callum Sked is set for April 24, commencing at 10.30am at 30 Chinbible Ave, Mullumbimby regarding his plans for 25 single-storey detached townhouses on a large block.
It’s only the first week – and if you thought Peter Dutton’s election campaign looks chaotic, dishevelled, and thin on policy substance, you’re right.
I read in The Echo that Byron Shire Council (BSC) is carrying significant upgrades to Byron CBD drainage system to mitigate the impact of flooding throughout the Byron CBD. The same concern has not been shown for the residents of...
In Steve Bellerby’s letter (March 19) regarding 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby’s car park and proposed affordable housing site, he asserted that the proposed high impact development ‘is now a matter for the Northern Regional Planning Panel’. This is definitely not...
Each shire in NSW has a Local Environmental Plan (LEP). It includes a map showing every property in the shire and the zoning of each property. Each zone has a three-way list of land uses – each use is...
Philanthropic organisation, Ingrained Foundation, says it has given $20,000 to support local community organisations in the wake of Cyclone Alfred, with a further $20,000 available.
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