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Byron Shire
June 19, 2026

Latest News

Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Other News

Flood buyback homes, pods to be offered as social, transitional, crisis homes

Buyback homes in the Northern Rivers are set to get a new lease of life as part of a housing reuse initiative by NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) and Homes NSW.

Seas the Day in Kingscliff this weekend

This weekend the fourth NRMA Insurance Seas The Day women’s surf festival is back at Kingscliff Beach with Surfing...

Fisherman dies at Evans Head

NSW Police have reported that a fisherman has died after being swept off the rocks yesterday at Evans Head.

Speaking and listening

All of a sudden Council’s supposed experts condemn the Wilsons Creek weir water quality during rain events, which would...

Men’s Health Week: simple conversations

This National Men’s Health Week experts from Triple P – Positive Parenting Program are encouraging dads, granddads and father figures to embrace something simple but powerful: everyday conversations that support their own wellbeing and their family’s wellbeing.

Regional Seniors Travel Card to return if coalition win 2027 election

Member for Tweed Geoff Provest (Nationals) says he will bring back the Regional Seniors Travel Card if his government is voted in at the March 2027 election.

July 16, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.06 – July 16, 2025

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

In this Issue:

AI, the Middle East, and the media machine – Peter Greste

This Stuff Matters examines where the world is heading, and who gets to tell the story with Peter Greste in Murwillumbah.

Community Centre says goodbye to Louise

The General Manager of the Byron Bay Community Centre, Louise O’Connell, is looking to the future and saying goodbye to the Community Centre after six years at the helm. 

Mullum pool to be heated at last

After decades of community campaigning, the Byron Shire is finally going to have a public swimming pool that is heated and open all year round.

The best new release books at Byron Writers Festival

From practical non-fiction on how to ditch fossil fuels in the home, to the best new crime, sci-fi, and spellbinding fiction from international guests, there is something for everyone at this year’s Byron Writers Festival.

Writers Festival Kids Program – family festival fun!

If you know a budding bookworm, the Byron Writers Festival Kids Program is the perfect place to nurture their love of storytelling while having an absolute blast!

Q&A with TV star and kids author Tony Armstrong

Tony Armstrong found national acclaim as an AFL player turned TV personality. Now he’s a successful children’s book author and will share his latest book Maggie the Dragon at Byron Writers Festival’s Kids Program.

Tallowood garage sale Sat, July 26

The Tallowood community garage sale is again on Saturday, July 26.

Editorial – Academic freedumbs under threat

Academic freedom is the lifeblood of universities – a principle that ensures scholars and students can pursue knowledge, challenge orthodoxy, and engage in open debate without fear of censorship or reprisal.

Ruth’s on a quest to drive the Variety Bash

Lennox Head local, Ruth Einfeld, is seeking sponsorship for the upcoming Children’s Variety Club fundraiser, the Variety Bash. The fundraiser is celebrating its 50th year, she says, and was the brainchild of Dick Smith.

Giving Byron a fresh new look

To celebrate the Byron Community Centre’s ‘130 Years of Community Spirit’, artist Valentina Di Blase is sprucing up parts of the building and adding a wonderful splash of bright colour.

Backlash response

A comment in Backlash in last week’s Echo describing Jeff Bezos’ wife Lauren Sanchez as ‘a botox-out-of-the-box figurine’ needs, in my opinion, addressing. Body image issues are a psychological illness in the same grade as eating disorders bulimia and anorexia....

In the deafening silence

Following the recent unacceptable arson attack on a Jewish synagogue where there were no injuries or fatalities, now we are being lectured to (via a happily compliant media) by a leader who would be arrested for war crimes in...

Climate change increases food costs

Australians are making the connection between climate change and rising food prices – and they’re right to. A recent Farmers for Climate Action poll of 1,000 Australians found that 65 per cent believe climate change is a major factor...

‘Insurgent intellectual’ profiled on screen, July 18

The remarkable life and work of ‘barefooted academic’ Desmond Ball (1947-2016) will screen at the Palace Cinema, Byron Bay, on July 18 from 6pm.

Questions will not be answered around Mullum ‘affordable units’

NSW government development corporation, Landcom, has now refused to answer any questions around its proposal to build 32 tightly-packed affordable rental homes in Mullumbimby.

John’s Forest – a regenerated remnant of rainforest saved for locals

The photo above is of a lovely, well-thought-out and designed sign to commemorate and remember the late John Bailey. It was recently erected, with a little ceremony, at the entrance to the track leading into ‘John’s Forest’, a lovely oasis...

Cost of living

Television advertising is currently highlighting that a third of Australian households are unable to meet their basic food needs and requesting sponsorship for 15,000 schoolchildren living in poverty. There is unprecedented homelessness and businesses are going bust in record...

Back to the future

A as a long-time advocate for proper due process the launch of former long-standing Tweed Mayor, Max Boyd’s book Saving Paradise – The Tweed under siege early this year is most timely. Zombie development approvals are springing to life on...

Nobel peace

What an edifying sight it was, on the news tonight (8 July, 2025), watching a war criminal nominating his weapons supplier for a Nobel Peace Prize. Isn’t the world a wonderful place? Warren Kennedy, Mullumbimby

‘Stop deep-sea mining before it starts’ – Byron paddle out July...

Australia’s surfers, swimmers, and ocean community are paddling out for an important cause at Clarkes Beach on Sunday, July 20 from 12pm.

Uncle Pete’s legacy celebrated, July 18

The Byron Shire will celebrate the life of one of its most charismatic, colourful, and creative Aboriginal Elders at a public event in Apex Park on Friday, July 18 at 2pm.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: The tall story

When do you paint over a ‘tall wall’? You know that wall where you measure your kids? Where you use a pencil or pen to do the unthinkable: write on the wall! But this is permissible, because it’s not graffiti, it’s data. It’s how you mark your child has grown over time. Sometimes you measure yourself there for fun, and to watch your child gain centimetres as gravity and age take yours. Tall walls are messy. They are part of the story of your home.

Due process: a matter of public interest

I am at a loss to understand how the development applicaiton (DA) for McAuleys Lane could have been legally approved. Following is my personal understanding of the matter. Byron Shire Council does not have an unconditional and inherent right to...

E-bike number plates

I agree with Sapoty Brook’s suggestion (Letters, 2 July) that e-bikes should have a number plate. This would not only help prevent accidents, but also thefts perhaps. My housemate purchased a new e-bike recently. It was great for getting into...

The piano

What a beautiful afternoon at Brunswick Soundshell, celebrating our new piano. Congratulations to all who were involved in bringing this life and joy back into our town that has suffered recently from loss of trade and increase in bad...

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.

Community housing industry call for major expansion in upcoming NSW budget

The community housing industry are calling on the NSW government to use next week's State Budget to unlock a major expansion of community housing.