As the impacts of climate change crash down around us – megafires, record floods, brutal heatwaves – it’s easy to despair. But amid the climate chaos, a new and potent ally has emerged: Artificial Intelligence.
Al Gore was in Paris two weeks ago. Me too. I was excited like a fan girl – and reminded of my age – those younger than 40 had no idea who I was talking about.
Further to the April 9 story on the eviction of a 74-year-old man from the Bayside Brunswick Heads emergency pods, The Echo has been told he has been allowed to return until the June 27 eviction deadline.
Independent Cr David Warth was the key voter at last week’s Council meeting, in favour of sending a letter to local Greens MP Tamara Smith, ‘requesting that she withdraw her sponsorship of a petition to NSW Parliament by the Mullumbimby Residents Group (MRA) and instead support Council’s efforts to build affordable housing’.
I was both dismayed and angered to see the recent pronouncement by the so-called Minister for the Night Time Economy (que?) regarding the state government’s edict to make Byron Bay a ‘trial’ for further extending the late-night opening of...
Byron Bay families and their local emergency services, should be sceptical of the spruiked virtues of new ‘vibrant’ 24-hour, night-time precincts (SMH 19/4/25). These precincts entail increasing late-night trading hours of licensed premises (despite their compliance records) and other exemptions,...
The Byron Central Hospital (BCH) branch of the New South Wales Nurses & Midwives Association (NSWNMA) has members who have had the unfortunate experience of working on night duty for many New Year’s Eve ‘celebrations’ that put the original...
Byron Shire Council could create a designated space for people sleeping in their cars in a bid to provide safety and some basic amenities for this part of the Shire’s growing homeless community.
With the Australian federal election imminent, voters are being inundated by the usual flood of photos showcasing campaign stunts – the real world policy implications are always serious.
Residents are standing firm against plans by developer Callum Sked, who is proposing 25 tightly packed homes at 30 Chinbible Street, Mullumbimby, near the town’s showground and on low lying flood-prone land.
A locally-made film exploring the social impact of the 2022 floods in Lismore is being launched this week, with a screening taking place in Lismore on May 8.
People all over the world are trying to come to terms with, and make sense of, what was ‘politics, and business as usual,’ since the election of Trump. It’s easy to tune out and disengage from the reality, but...
I believed the Byron councillors worked for the people they represent, how foolish of me. If Council wants to ‘heritage list’ any properties they should buy them from the owners. All of the homes within the Bangalow Heritage Conservation...
Climate change is real. One only has to consider the serious floods in Northern NSW and Queensland to realise that.
Marine Rescue Cape Byron are holding a ‘May Day’ fundraising throughout the month of May.
Thank you, Ray Darney, for your clarity in looking at this matter. We are fortunate in this local government area to be allowed to have rural land-sharing communities under certain conditions so that we can live in nature in...
In the Byron Shire Council meeting (24/4/2025) the democratic rights of the resident group Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) were questioned. Cr Pugh requested the MRA opposition to the proposed housing development on the CBD carpark at 57 Station Street...
As we head into the final week of the federal election campaign, let’s take a closer look at the ten candidates seeking your vote for the House of Representatives (lower house).
In Australian elections, we use a preferential voting system where voters rank candidates on ballot papers in order of their preference.
Like many, I am horrified by the Dickensian and dangerous working hours for doctors in NSW public hospitals. (‘Urgent prep underway as doctor strike looms’, Echo April 7). The new Tweed and Byron hospitals are a valuable asset for...
To the kind and thoughtful person who found, and handed my wallet in to Byron Police Station on Saturday evening, a huge and appreciative thank you. Rosie Bookallil , Mullumbimby
Letters to the editor 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...
Why do some people struggle with Welcome to Country? It’s a cultural ritual performed to honour the land where an event or gathering is being held. It recognises that you are meeting on the land of First Nations peoples. Last I checked, even if you are born here. Or your dad was born here, and his dad. And his dad’s dad. Well, at some point if you are not Indigenous then your family arrived, and while you’re a few generations here, you’re not a first people. But that’s okay because you are welcomed.
Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week is a taste of some of the events that can be found in the Byron Shire and beyond this coming week. (April 30–May 6, 2025)
Choose how you'd like to support local journalism.
The Echo
We sent a verification link to the address above. Click the link to confirm your account, then come back here to sign in.
