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Byron Shire
June 29, 2026

Latest News

Man in court today accused of police pursuit near Kingscliff

A man will face court today after an alleged pursuit in December last year.

Other News

A heartfelt night of fundraising

We can’t solve the lack of social housing investment, or magically make emergency accommodation appear, but we can help alleviate suffering and bring warmth and comfort to people coping in truly awful situations.

E-bikes destroyed by police in Tweed

Thirty-five e-bikes that were seized during police operations near Tweed Heads have been destroyed, say police.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Vagina-Maxxing

It’s a thing. It popped into my newsfeed as a story. I had to click. I mean, what new vagina fashion has come into play. Maxxing? Is this some new big vagina trend? Are our vaginas now not ‘big’ enough? Are we trying to create a spare room in our womb?

Help raise funds for Our Kids with Tutu Day

Northern Rivers locals are once again being encouraged to swap business attire, school uniforms, team shirts and everyday clothes for something a little more colourful by wearing a tutu on Friday 31 July to help raise funds for Our Kids.

Break-ins leave Uniting Church volunteers struggling

The Uniting Church Op Shop and Church Hall in Mullumbimby have been broken into three times in the last few months with the television being repeatedly stolen, donated stock stolen, and general damage to the shop.

Less than 300 tickets left!

Following a sold-out inaugural event in 2025, Mullum Roots Festival returns bigger and bolder, taking over Mullumbimby with an expanded program, and an additional venue. The new space will host a Youth Battle Of The Bands and give more room for music lovers to gather, celebrate and connect.

September 24, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.16 – September 24, 2025

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Jump to:
Local News | North Coast News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Sport | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | School Holidays | Good Taste | The Good Life | Byron Arts and Industry | Northern Rivers Rail Trail | Making Spaces | Seven Entertainment | Cinema | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

Pressure on Mullumbimby businesses, police

Last week saw children and adults hiding in shops in Mullumbimby’s main street as a young man verbally abused shopkeepers and the public.

Taking an alternative perspective on life

Alternative stories and experimental writing have always run deeply in Emily Riches’ veins.

Night works needed for Mullumbimby Road

Byron Shire Council’s decision to close outbound traffic on Mullumbimby Road, including on weekends for four months, has raised serious concerns across the community.

Landcom – a familiar fiasco

Council’s development process seems to be done on the fly without the logical robust procedures or checks and balances that are supposed to stop train wrecks. Large NSW government infrastructure developments should go through robust rigorous checks and ‘gateways’...

When morality beats science 

It was Easter 2024 when Queensland introduced its first festival drug-testing accompanied by the opening of two fixed-address drug testing units located in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Flood-prone Belongil site seeking more houses

The controversial decision to rezone and then approve nine lots in the environmentally-sensitive and flood-prone land at the former Club Med site in Byron Bay has another development application pending

Could it happen here?

One of the albums of my childhood was Pete Seeger’s 1963 live We Shall Overcome. It led me to the banjo, which has been a lifelong blessing for me and a tool of perpetual torture for my family and friends – I once played at the Sydney Opera House.

Will Byron councillors refuse community engagement over carpark development?

How will Byron’s elected councillors respond to the largest community petition they have received this year?

Byron Bay High ‘rings the bell’ at the ASX

For the second year running Byron Bay High School students are leading the nation in the ASX Schools Sharemarket Game. With this achievement has come an invitation from the ASX to ‘ring the bell’ at their annual financial literacy presentation.

Are Suffolk Park traffic lights back?

The ongoing saga over the notorious intersection at Clifford Street, Suffolk Park has taken another chaotic turn, with plans to spend state government grant funding on a pedestrian crossing being rejected.

Pressure on local businesses and police

Last week saw children and adults hiding in shops in Mullumbimby’s main street as a young man verbally abused shopkeepers and the public.

Will Council refuse community engagement over carpark development?

How will Byron’s elected councillors respond to the largest community petition they have received this year?

Cartoon of the week – 24 September, 2025

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.

Eclectic Selection: What’s on this week ( September 24 – 30,...

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: Ravel’s ‘Boléro’

Every 15 minutes, someone somewhere in the world plays Ravel’s ‘Boléro’ – it’s a legacy that its originator could never have imagined.

Over 1,000 registered to play in Lismore’s Master Games

The Lismore Masters Games is a multi-sport event that gives mature-age athletes the chance to stay active, compete, and connect through the sports they love. Now its 13th edition, the games will run this weekend. The biennial event features a...

Wandana Record Fair

Wandana Brewing Co is teaming up with a vibrant group of record vendors, local DJs, and creatives to host the Wandana Record Fair this Sunday.

Karate workshop set for October

Dedicated karateka and martial artists are invited to attend a Kase-Ha Shotokan Karate and self-defence seminar to be held on Saturday, 11 October in Bangalow. This workshop will be delivered by Arie Farcas Sensei eighth Dan, an international chief...

Big year of grand finals for Byron Bay football

Despite a season of ‘ups and downs’ and ‘wet weather washouts’ there was plenty to celebrate at the end of 2025 for Byron Bay Football Club’s (BBFC) 60-odd teams according to club president Kerry Northcott. The senior teams held their...

Lotus Palliative Care fundraiser a sell out success

Saturday night saw plenty of dancing and lots of fun at the Lotus Palliative Care fundraiser at the Billinudgel Hotel. Pictured are Chrissie Ball, Lotus Social Media; Lulu Shapiro who owns and operates Lotus and puts on two fundraisers a year; Lulu’s brother David Shapiro; and friend Rose Dadon.

Barnes Storm at the Beachy

Jimmy Barnes is without doubt one of the most loved and respected artists in Australian history. As frontman of Cold Chisel, Jimmy had a natural energy working hard, playing hard and living life. He carried this philosophy into his...

Number 19 for BBFF

The Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) returns in October for its 19th edition with a theme that says it all: Love Film. Across ten days and six Northern Rivers towns, BBFF will bring people together to share stories that move, challenge and inspire.

The beat of a guitar

Some people march to the beat of their own drum – Jerome Williams marches to the beat of his own guitar.

Santos and Synthesis: a ‘heart-aligned’ partnership

In the lush heart of the Byron Shire, two local businesses are showing how what they call a ‘values-led collaboration’ can nurture both people and the planet. Santos Organics and Synthesis Organics have joined forces in a powerful partnership...

Hanging Rock Farm: fresh organics for the community

National Organic Week has just finished – Australia’s annual celebration of certified organic food and farming hosted by the Centre for Organic Research & Education (CORE) – but North Byron Farmers Markets (Mullumbimby and New Brighton) are proud to...

It’s investors who are causing the housing shortage

For years, people have been talking about how high house prices are, how you can’t get into the housing market without the bank of mum and dad. How it is virtually impossible to rent, save a mortgage, and then actually buy a property without placing yourself in housing stress.

Youth internship program inspiring new volunteers

Students gaining practical emergency response skills while helping build the next generation of volunteers has been the focus of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Youth Internship Programs across the state during this school term.

NRAS July adoption day to go ahead

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc are hoping the sun will be out for their monthly adoption day on Saturday 4 July at the NRAS Rescue Shelter in Ballina.

Help raise funds for Our Kids with Tutu Day

Northern Rivers locals are once again being encouraged to swap business attire, school uniforms, team shirts and everyday clothes for something a little more colourful by wearing a tutu on Friday 31 July to help raise funds for Our Kids.