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Byron Shire
November 7, 2026

Latest News

Third person dies after Suffolk Park crash

A 70-year-old woman has died in hospital after a three-vehicle crash at Suffolk Park last weekend, bringing the death toll to three.

Other News

Byron’s Sunday Golden Hour

From Sunday, 1 November, Three Blue Ducks is launching Golden Hour at The Farm Byron Bay, with freshly shucked oysters, live music and happy hour drinks every Sunday afternoon.

Kinvara centre relocation would allow taller shop-top housing

The planned village centre at Kinvara, west of Lennox Head, would move to flatter land and allow taller shop-top housing under planning changes now open for public comment.

Byron proposes limits on putting residents’ personal information into AI

Byron Shire Council is proposing restrictions on entering residents’ personal and health information into artificial intelligence tools, with exceptions requiring an approved privacy assessment or the individual’s consent.

Questions remain over October Belongil Creek fish kill

The artificial opening of the Belongil Creek, an Intermittently Closed and Open Lake and Lagoon (ICOLL), on Monday, 12 October led to yet another significant fish kill with locals and vistors advised to avoid the area and not swim nearby.

Are you interested in guiding the future of Byron Bay?

Many members of the Byron Bay community are questioning what the future of Byron is – this is your chance to have a voice.

Surfboard shapers swap the sander for the microphone at Lennox

Surfers can spend hours arguing about the merits of a board. On Friday, they can hear from three men who have spent decades making them.
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June 11, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.01 – June 11, 2025

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Sport | Good Taste | The Good Life | The Scoop | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

How to cope amidst the chaos

So many people I know are deeply traumatised by the increasing darkness in the world – Gaza, Ukraine, the outrageous antics of Trump and his handpicked MAGA extremists, and now a war between Israel and Iran, not to mention the heartbreaking climate crisis.

Former Nats MP Donald Page awarded OAM

Former local NSW Nationals MP, Donald Page, has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Climate adaptation – how we build a liveable future

The other day in Mullumbimby, I struck up a conversation with a lovely person on a tree-lined street. After the usual pleasantries, we moved on to a subject dear to the hearts of English ex-pats like me – the weather.

Áine bids farewell – for now

Áine Tyrell was at the Bruns Picture House on Sunday, 8 June to give her final concert for a while.

Writers fest locked and loaded

More than 160 heavyweights in the Australian and international literary scene will explore the important themes shaping our world at the scenic Bangalow Showground from August 8 to 10.

Gill’s quest for improved church services

The church, and her involvement in it, have always been a big part of Gill Lomath’s life.

John Nardi recognised for service

Congratulations to John Nardi, who will be receiving the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM), in recognition of his decades of dedicated service to the Rural Fire Service.

An Amazon warrior for land rights

Goonengerry solicitor Melissa Begg was a true friend, keen traveller, loving partner and a brilliant, gutsy lawyer who dedicated a large part of her working life to the advancement of Aboriginal land rights in NSW.

Editorial – Are you at a loose end?

Woahhh the grinding rubber wheels of progress will once again touch Byron’s potholed roads as councillors and staff meet this Thursday in their never-ending live streamed reality show called ‘local governance’.

Overcome anxiety and claim back your life

Anxiety disorders are the world’s most common mental health issue. And women are twice as likely to be diagnosed than men

Isobel’s portrait makes Young Archie finals

There must be something in the water colours in the Northern Rivers, as another local junior has had her work hung on the walls of the Art Gallery of NSW, in Sydney, as a finalist in the Young Archies.

Imagine

In regard to Hans Lovejoy’s Editorial (4 June), it does appear that our uber-wealthy Gina Rinehart is already our biggest taxpayer. Together with all the corporate tax received from those filthy mining companies, the robbing banks and the overcharging supermarket...

E-bikes

I didn’t know Mr Evans but I’m pleased to be able to make a donation to his welfare and appalled by the circumstances that led to his injuries. Are we to expect reparations from the lunatic that ran into...

Cost-of-living crisis

Thanks to Larissa Waters (new federal Greens leader) for using the right language on ABC Radio National last week: we are in a ‘cost-of-living crisis’. Calling it a ‘housing crisis’ is just a big green light to property developers,...

Lismore’s DISengagement

How many people know that Lismore City Council (LCC) is about to take away their right to know about, or object to, many developments? Even next-door neighbours to developments will lose their right to be notified. People can be forgiven...

Support local soy

I recently visited the beautiful Byron Bay and region for a holiday. I was disappointed to see cafe after cafe after cafe using imported soy milk even though the Byron region is barely an hour away from the largest...

Street campers

I was appalled to read David Heilpern’s latest column urging police to persecute street campers (4 June). Our privileged professor of law fails to appreciate these opportunistic travellers might be making your coffee or doing those minimum wage jobs...

$13m Bangalow pub reno on public exhibition

The Bangalow Community Association has objected against a planned $13m upgrade of the town’s iconic pub, saying that amended plans, ‘do not adequately address the numerous community concerns.

Isobel’s portrait makes Young Archie finals

There must be something in the water colours in the Northern Rivers, as another local junior has had her work hung on the walls of the Art Gallery of NSW, in Sydney, as a finalist in the Young Archies.

Land acquisition now part of botched DA

A large exclusive 39-large-lot greenfield development between Uncle Toms and Mullumbimby will be voted upon by councillors on Thursday, which has been the subject of countless stuff-ups by the applicant and Council planning staff.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: A Lesson in Self-Care

Everyone always says, ‘you should look after yourself’. I have always wondered what they mean. Do I have food in my teeth? Am I looking a bit rough? Is my tag sticking out? Does my breath smell? Did I even ask you?

On ya bike!

I have recently been holidaying in Iluka and was amazed that there are bike tracks everywhere, reducing car traffic and making life very pleasant indeed. Clarence Valley Shire sure looks after its residents. I find it egregious and unbelievable...

Ugly bitumen

I’ve given up my walk on the beach this morning to defend our ugly bitumen beach carpark. Sad because I did want to experience a little natural foreshore around our beautiful township and of course I’m spoiled for choice....

Ugly concrete

In response to Stephen Bland’s letter suggesting that Rusty Miller try walking – assuming that everyone can walk. Tell that to the disabled people in our community. At the recent adaptive surf carnival the carpark was essential in getting disabled...

Bowls results, as poetry

There was movement at Brunswick Bowls Club, for the word had got around, That the Ladies Fours Championship had come into town. The crowd were astounded by the way the kitty shook, Every time the bowls got closer to get a better...

NSW commits $3 million for Saddle Road sewer link

The NSW Government will spend $3 million on a sewer link for the Saddle Road housing precinct near Brunswick Heads, a connection it says could service up to 600 residential lots.

Blacks Drain crossing fully reopens after $2.56 million rebuild

The Blacks Drain crossing on Tweed Valley Way at South Murwillumbah has fully reopened after a $2.56 million rebuild designed to reduce the risk of another washout.

From Spinifex Country to Lismore for a $23,000 art prize

In Michelle Anderson’s Kanpala, circles of red, orange and yellow bring a place in Western Australia’s Spinifex Country into view. It’s a place she returns to often in paint: Kanpa, the Country where her grandmother was born.

Work starts on eight-lane athletics track in Lismore

Construction has begun on an eight-lane athletics track at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus, giving Northern Rivers schools and clubs a competition-standard venue closer to home when it opens in mid-2027.