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Byron Shire
June 27, 2026

Latest News

Byron’s Winter Whales raise $43,000

The Byron Bay Winter Whales (BBWW) took to the ocean for the 39th time this year on the first Sunday of May and raised $43,000 for local organisations and charities.

Other News

Mullum water supply, a new twist

Debates on the future of Mullumbimby’s water supply took a new twist at Council’s meeting on 18 June. The latest...

Sustainable infrastructure

I attended the last Byron Council meeting – thanks to the community members who were able to come. The frustration...

Byron’s Winter Whales raise $43,000

The Byron Bay Winter Whales (BBWW) took to the ocean for the 39th time this year on the first Sunday of May and raised $43,000 for local organisations and charities.

Cartoons of the week – 24 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.

Greens say NSW budget ‘locks in pokies misery’

Cate Faehrmann MLC says the NSW government has knocked any hope of gambling reform on the head in yesterday’s state budget, with tax concessions to clubs with poker machines totalling $1.252 billion, while revenue from taxes on poker machine losses have been revised upward by a whopping $638.2 million over the forward estimates.

Monk’s meditation and ceremonies return to Crystal Castle

During the Gyuto Monks’ stay they will conduct daily programs from 10.30am to 4.30pm which include meditation, multiphonic chanting, Buddhist talks, tantric art classes, and empowerment ceremonies, all included in the general admission price to Crystal Castle precinct.

July 23, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.07 – July 23, 2025

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

In this Issue:

Wetlands key to flood, drought and climate resilience

Freshwater wetlands cover less than ten per cent of the Earth’s surface yet they contribute up to 25 per cent of global methane emissions

Free disaster volunteering info sessions on offer

Volunteers play a critical role in times of disaster, and to better prepare for future events, Byron Shire Council, together with emergency response organisations, local services and groups will be holding three information sessions about volunteering in a disaster.

Writers Festival kids’ program drops

As part of the upcoming Byron Writers Festival (August 8–10), the kids’ program returns to inspire the next generation with imagination and storytelling.

Big Voice Choirs raises big funds

Big Voice Choirs (Brunswick Heads and Murwillumbah) recently raised $3,300 for Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre, says director Janet Swain.

Increasing incidents of domestic violence across the region

Domestic and family violence (DFV) incidents often aren’t reported in the media and for very valid reasons, including the protection of children and those who have been subjected to the DFV.

Sunbeams from cucumbers: gold extraction from seawater at Broken Head

In 1906, Australian mining engineer Mr Alfred Argyles built an innovative engineering structure at the north end of Seven Mile Beach, located on rock shelves that abutted Broken Head.

Empowering women and girls grant closes July 31

A local philanthropic organisation is offering three grants of $20,000 each to women-led, not-for-profit organisations in the Northern Rivers who are delivering projects that uplift women and girls.

Calls for SAE closure to be reconsidered

With the announcement that SAE Byron Bay campus would close by 2028, a coalition of students, alumni, staff, and community members are calling for the decision to be reconsidered, and to allow for community consultation.

Editorial – Earth first, then let’s strip mine the other planets...

Like most modern human endeavours, they originate in pulp science fiction. The idea of deep-sea mining (DSM), for example, dates back to Jules Verne’s 1870 classic, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

The big Bush bash in Bruns

What’s a collective noun for a group of Kate Bush fans?

Not antisemitism

I think it’s worth pointing out the fact that Palestinians are a Semitic people, unlike the European and American settlers that have colonised Palestine over the last century. It therefore stands to reason that sympathy and support for the Palestinians...

Envoy of antisemitism

I don’t see the need for a envoy for antisemitism as I see our current laws and officers as more than sufficient. The envoy has said she won’t release guidelines on antisemitism as it is contextual. What I would like...

Defence of ethics

Fiona Sullivan of Mullumbimby Creek, you seem to have a flair for drama, self-adulation and verballing your way out of trouble when challenged, as well as being totally incapable of accepting scrutiny. Fact 1: No-one tried to ‘silence or belittle...

A paddle out to…

As part of a global day of action to stop deep-sea mining before it starts, Byron surfers gathered at midday at Clarkes Beach on Sunday to highlight the severe environmental risks and scientific uncertainty surrounding deep-sea mining.

Apartments proposed for Mullumbimby CBD, next to Landcom proposal

A mixed-use development comprising ground floor commercial premises, car parking and eight shop-top housing units is now on exhibition on Council’s website.

When your best frenemy is America

Anthony Albanese’s trip to China echoed visits by previous prime ministers Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser.

Ocean Shores bike path proposed through protected habitat

Building a bike and pedestrian path through the Marshalls Creek Nature Reserve in Ocean Shores would amount to ‘environmental vandalism’, a local community group says.

Infrastructure

The development being proposed around the Mullumbimby area raises questions as to whether the sewerage infrastructure can cope. When Brunswick Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant (BVWWTP) was commissioned in 2011 its capacity was configured on a daily average dry weather flow...

Identity crisis

When I got my driver’s licence at age 17, the lady at RTA asked me to sign a page to put my signature on the licence. My signature was a childlike handwritten version of my name that read ‘CHRIS’,...

AI advancement

Next year, in just one single month, the progress made in the advancement of artificial intelligence, will equal the whole of the progress made last year and in 2027 the advancement of artificial intelligence achieved in just one week,...

Democracy at risk

Jo Immig’s article in The Echo (July 16) is ‘spot on’: democracy is at risk. Which is most unfortunate, as we haven’t found a ‘better’ system. The underlying manipulation by the ‘far right’ also concerns me, such as ‘installing a Christian...

Vale Stefano Canuto

Byron Shire, indeed, the world, lost one of our most loved and colourful characters recently.

Labor govt proposes reduced consultation on large housing developments

The NSW Labor government is planning to halve the amount of time local communities are given to express their views on large housing developments in their towns and suburbs.

Dirt-filled potholes?

After the recent patch-up jobs on Skinners Shoot Road by Byron Shire Council (BSC), I was left wondering if filling the potholes with dirt is the new norm? To then spend days afterwards just grading the edges whilst leaving the...

Act of bastardry

I have a mobility problem. I use two walking sticks at home, and when out and about. But I also use an old, limited-function, op shop wheely-walker between my house and the car. The walker provides stability on the...

When it comes to real estate, everyone can use an advocate

With 45 years combined experience across both sales and property management, husband and wife team Mark and Michelle Errichiello have recently moved to the Northern Rivers and teamed up with Byron Property Search to provide advocacy services for people looking to buy or sell across the region.

Savour The Tweed returns, 22 October

Food and drink event, Savour The Tweed, returns to excite tastebuds this spring, from Wednesday 22 October to Sunday 26 October.

Conservationists welcome carbon credit scheme to protect forests

Today’s release of the government’s proposed Improved Native Forest Method, which allows governments to claim carbon credits in return for stopping logging has been welcomed by the North East Forest Alliance and North Coast Environment Council as "providing a way to end native forest logging on public land".

Charge dismissed for activist hindering coal exports

An activist who came to national attention after being punched by a police officer while protesting, has had an anti-protest charge dismissed in court today.