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Byron Shire
June 26, 2026

Latest News

Planets and weather align for Cape Byron Steiner Winter Solstice success

Last Thursday, in the days before the Winter Solstice, and after weeks of on and off rain that had more than a few parents nervously eyeing weather apps, Cape Byron Steiner School's annual Winter Festival went ahead.

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...

Bird flu reaches Western Australia

H5 avian flu has officially arrived in Western Australia, first discovered days ago in a dead migratory seabird near Esperance (700 km south-east of Perth), and since found in numerous other birds.

Eleven winners at Byron Bay Herb Nursery

The Byron Bay Herb Nursery continues to create constructive pathways to achievement with twelve students from Byron Bay Herb Nursery’s disability support program recently graduating with a Certificate II in Horticulture.

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.

Putting their money where their mouth and conscience is

Climate action group Rising Tide say they will disrupt business at Tweed City ANZ today, as local long-term customers withdraw their life savings from the bank.

Handcrafted delicious French pastries at Mullum Farmers Markets

Allie Godfrey A taste of France has arrived at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market, with local pastry chef Dan introducing his...

August 6, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.09 – August 6, 2025

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Sport | 2025 Mud Trail | The Arts | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Byron Writers Festival ’25 Liftout | Good Taste | The Good Life | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash
In this issue: Byron Writers Festival ’25 Liftout
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In this Issue:

Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital doors open

The Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital (NRWH) has opened its doors at the purpose-built site at Wollongbar to provide care, rehabilitation, and conservation support for injured, sick, and orphaned animals across the Northern Rivers.

Seraph wins inaugural BaySounds junior songwriting comp

Like most 15-year-olds, local songwriter Seraph Hrubos is yet to experience the full gamut of life’s ups and downs.

Byron Writers Festival – today’s the day!

Starting today the Byron Writers Festival will be igniting imaginations, stirring conversations, and celebrating the power of stories at the picturesque Bangalow Showgrounds on Bundjalung Country.

Editorial – Worth taking seriously

A hundred thousand people turned up on a bridge in Sydney to let their government know they wanted a better result, but local government planning matters are often only complained about when they’re built.

Potential fines over land clearing

Byron Council is investigating an alleged incident of unauthorised land clearing in Byron Bay last month.

Give peace a chance

I recently went to the Convergence In Canberra for Gaza and to try and sway our government towards sanctions on Israel. Recently I saw a YouTube clip regarding the surveillance of Palestinian people, and saw the drones that have...

Chincogan Charge meets art in motion!

This year’s Chincogan Charge on Saturday, 20 September, is more than a run – it’s a celebration of community creativity.

What will a Special Entertainment Precinct mean for Byron Bay?

The Byron Bay community has come out in force to seek clarity over the proposed Byron Bay Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP).

Calumny

The editor’s note, pointing out that antisemitic doesn’t really mean anti-Semitic (Echo, July 23) helps illustrate the fallacious nature of the Zionists’ favourite calumny. Israeli politician, Shumalit Aloni, interviewed by Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, said, ‘It’s a trick,...

Dear Labor voters

I’m getting a little tired of your illustrious leader lecturing us from fantasy land. After 58,000 civilians slaughtered, untold injured and engineered starvation on a mass scale, bombing schools and hospitals, medical and aid staff killed and every international...

Will Mullum’s car park housing be genuinely affordable?

Monday night saw Mullumbimby residents and businesses come out in force to attend a public meeting raising serious concerns about the viability, impact, and long-term outcomes for the town of the Byron Shire Council (BSC) sponsored development of the public car park at 57 Station Street at the entrance to the town.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: When talking Mothering becomes Othering

Childless women, or women without children must endure a culture where they are underrepresented, often maligned and ridiculed, patronised and ignored. Childfree women are excluded for not having a family and are more likely to be targets for workplace incivility and aggression. They are also likely to be negatively stereotyped.

Surprise, surprise

I was surprised to see a letter by Mayor Sarah Ndiaye posted publicly on Facebook to her community. Many of the people who were at the meeting, or who organised the meeting, were in that position because the...

Duty of care dies at 3am

This is about Byron Council’s risky nightlife experiment. While most discussion around Byron Bay’s Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) has focused on potentially increasing alcohol-fuelled violence, a far more insidious risk is flying under the radar: our young people, driving...

Sporting success story for small school

Three talented students from The Pocket Public School have qualified for the NSW Public Schools State Championships, representing our region with pride and determination. Earlier this year, Skye made a splash in the pool, qualifying for the state swimming championships....

Mullum Giants reserve grade winners

Mullum Giants reserve grade won 14-4 this week which made it two wins in a row. Mullum Giants A-grade saw the Evans Head Bombers win 20-10 while the Mullum Giants Ladies League Tag won 12-6 securing a semi-final placing....

NSW cricketers Kate Pelle and Ryan Hicks to visit Lismore and...

NSW Breaker, wicketkeeper-batter Kate Pelle and NSW Blue Ryan Hicks will travel to Lismore and Ballina to meet the state’s youngest cricketers and cricket lovers with one mission: to inspire everyone to play and love cricket. On Wednesday, August 6,...

River – Wild at Heart: new restaurant in Brunswick Heads

There’s a new restaurant in Brunswick Heads called ‘River – Wild at Heart’, with a Scottish-born chef (Michael Lee), who has won chef hats in the AGFG since 2017, most recently during a 5-year stint at Potager at Carool, and before that as head chef at Peppers’ signature Season restaurant in their Salt Resort at Kingscliff.

Tennis: local NET League Saturday afternoon competition season starting

The next season of the local interclub NET League tennis competition is set to commence on 16 or 23 August. Organisers say, ‘Building on the success of our inaugural season, this new chapter brings even more opportunity for players and...

Lamb with a difference

If you’re looking for top-quality lamb with a flavour profile unlike anything you’ll find at the supermarket, head straight to the Boorabee Dorper Lamb stall at your local farmers’ market.

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week ( August 6 – 12...

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.

Cinema: Smurfs, Smurfs and more Smurfs!

With a stellar voice cast including Kurt Russell, John Goodman, Nick Kroll, Sandra Oh, James Corden, Octavia Spencer, Natasha Lyonne, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña, JP Karliak, Amy Sedaris, Dan Levy, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, and Rihanna as Smurfette, the new Smurf movie, called, Smurfs, is all drama, drama, drama.

Jailbreaking work

‘Hi. My name is Andrew Hamilton, and I’m a standup comedian’. It sounds like an introduction at a 12-step program meeting – not the comedian bit, the next bit, ‘I’m also a convicted drug supplier’.

Interview with Damon Gameau: Looking toward the Future Council

Film director Damon Gameau (2040, That Sugar Film) invited eight children on an epic adventure across Europe in a school bus powered by biofuel. Their mission: to better understand the planet’s predicament and take the conversation into the boardrooms of some of the world’s largest polluters and most influential companies.

A tribute to Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks

Fleetwood Nicks is a blend of songs from the unique and iconic Fleetwood Mac and the solo career of Stevie Nicks.

Kyogle bridge build completed in under three months

Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland says a new bridge on Gradys Creek Road, off Summerland Way and north of Kyogle, has opened to traffic. She says it took Council less than three months to build Methvens Bridge.

57 Station St, Mullumbimby amended DA on public exhibition

The development application (DA 10.2025.212.1) for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby is now back on exhibition for eight weeks from 22 June.

A Byron kickback with the Gimelli family

The Gimelli family ran a small Italian restaurant on Jonson Street from about 1995 into the early 2000s. It was a classy joint, ahead of Byron’s culinary curve, serving dishes from every corner of Italy.

12 winners at Byron Bay Herb Nursery

The Byron Bay Herb Nursery continues to create constructive pathways to achievement with 12 students from Byron Bay Herb Nursery’s disability support program recently graduating with a Certificate II in Horticulture.