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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

‘Go-ahead’ not positive

So the NRPP unanimously approved the controversial 57 Station St development after more than 2,500 signatories were against it. Those...

New Tweed Heads Hub backed by $3.8 million commitment

The newly opened Veteran and Family Hub at Tweed Heads will be backed by a renewed $3.8 million commitment from RSL NSW to sponsor veteran and family services, delivered by partner charity RSL LifeCare.

Byron surfing community gathers for positive change

On Sunday the community came together, with close to 200 people gathering at Clarkes Beach for a paddle out, and shore action, to raise their voices and say there are no more excuses for violence against women and girls.

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.

Councils call for stronger powers to curb tobacco shops

NSW councils have today called for stronger planning powers to control where tobacconists can open and prevent clusters of outlets near schools and community facilities.

I’m not a robot

In the microseconds it takes AI agents to tick the ‘I’m not a robot’ checkbox, do they have a...
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September 3, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.13 – September 3, 2025

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

In this Issue:

Paddling for our rivers’ health

Last Saturday more than 60 ocean lovers, adventurers, surfers and river advocates took part in The Rivers Run – a 48km journey from the Richmond River to the Brunswick River.

Festival washout

Another festival, another washout. How is it possible that Byron Shire promoters continue to invite people to events when they can’t provide a safe, all-weather venue to host these expensive festivals? Why did our state government endorse these dangerous flood-prone...

Another Wallum

Is this 57 Station St Mullum development yet another Wallum – irrational, illogical, short on community consultation? So ludicrous is the plan and so without sound rationale or reasons are Byron Council’s arguments in favour, that one is left with...

Lyon apology

The letter from Cr Michael Lyon in last week’s Echo raises some interesting questions and concerns. While it is good that he has apologised for spreading misinformation about the height of the proposed housing block at 57 Station Street,...

Wrong time to object?

The proposed development at the 57 Station Street carpark has exposed some serious flaws with the public consultation and planning processes of Byron Shire Council. Back in February at a public meeting organised by the Mullumbimby Residents Association, residents...

AI or not?

It was wrong to suggest that rule by an artificial brain is now inevitable. Obviously, if there is a large nuclear war, that will eliminate any threat posed by the artificial super intelligence. We accept that a machine can be...

A possible home for Queer Family

Could the Shire’s only queer and trans support service, Queer Family Inc, have finally found a long-term home?

Learning from the lives of insects

The Life of the Insects, an absurd, witty, joyful and inventive play is being performed by Mullumbimby High School Year 11 this weekend.

Editorial – Help the drop bears now

Koalas may look cute and cuddly – but really, they’re not. But they are facing extinction in NSW by 2050, particularly as a result of habitat destruction, and they do need our help to ensure they don’t die out.

Attention, attention

This is a community service announcement. For the last three months I have been the lollipop person (aka school crossing supervisor) outside St Johns Primary School in Mullumbimby. I have also lived in Mullumbimby for over 30 years. There...

Population growth vs common sense

It would appear that Mayor Ndiaye’s Green Council has turned a murky shade of brown. We have much energy of Byron Council staff and Council agenda items devoted to paving the way for the overdevelopment and overpopulation of a...

Hippie-flavoured tourism

Byron’s ‘hippie-flavoured’ tourism shouldn’t surprise. Byron of old was effectively an outpost with a few key industries for the state. All those industries started to shutter their doors as the hippie heyday began in the late 1970s. With industries going...

Massive win

Following Labor’s massive federal election win, the great news regarding Australia’s renewable rollout just keeps getting better. Full credit must be given to PM Albanese and Energy Minister Chris Bowen for their steadfast resolve to stare down the obstructionists...

Lines in sky

Raphael Lee Cass please don’t twist my words referring to the spraying the skies, or it’s also called weather modification, with chemicals. I said I wondered if the Byron Shire Council were aware. I did not blame them. Someone...

Who should manage Durrumbul Hall?

Does the community want to retain control and management of Durrumbul Hall in Main Arm or will it be given over to Byron Shire Council (BSC)?

Israeli occupation of Palestine rejected by Byron Council

When does a Byron Council meeting draw an audience of more than a 100 people and attendance by the local police?

The Belongil

Thank you to The Echo for raising deep concerns in relation to the Belongil Estuary and the stormwater / toxic inflows. The history of the Belongil for the past 36 years has resulted in Echo journalism revealing fish kills...

Australia’s genocide

Israel could not perpetrate genocide in Palestine without the unconditional support of the West. The Australian government’s complicity of silence and material support for Israel is indicative of the values and cultural heritage we share with the Zionist colony,...

Expulsion hypocrisy

After the recent findings by ASIO of the attack on Jewish buildings resulting in the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador, the hypocrisy is breathtaking when we don’t see Israel’s ambassador expelled for the Israeli government’s complicity in genocide and...

Mater but not ‘mom’

Appalled to see that ghastly Americanism ‘mom’ instead of the good old Anglo-Saxon ‘mum’ on page 14 of August 20 of The Echo. Have never heard of any modern child refer to their mother as mom in these here...

Shooting koalas

Many people are unaware that the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) authorised the helicopter shooting of over 1,000 koalas in Budj Bim National Park. The aerial shooting took place over three weeks and ended on...

Who is being a NIMBY?

Councillor Asren Pugh has publicly derided members of the Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) for being NIMBY in their efforts to have Byron Council’s affordable housing project moved from the town carpark to Council’s carpark. He has also blatantly misrepresented MRA...

He’s a maniac

Emerging pop artist Ronan Maclean released his debut EP, The Maniac EP, last week. The project showcases Maclean’s versatility and strong pop music instincts, blending inspirations across four distinct tracks – all written, produced, and performed by the artist.

The Pocket Public School celebrates 125 years of community and connection

Friday, 19 September will see The Pocket Public School celebrate 125 years of educating local children and bringing the community together.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: To AI or not to AI

I don’t use AI. Well, I use spellcheck and maps, but I don’t use AI creatively. For instance, I don’t use Grammarly because it makes edit suggestions and I find that changes my voice. I don’t want my writing to be perfect and compliant. I don’t want a machine to decide how to order my sentences. Correct my spelling and fuck off

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.