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Byron Shire
June 29, 2026

Latest News

Casino Suspension Bridge opens

Minister For Small Business, Recovery and North Coast Janelle Saffin joined Mayor Robert Mustow and Member for Page Kevin Hogan to officially opening the Casino Suspension Bridge today (Saturday).

Other News

Citizen science last line of defence for threatened species

Native forest logging is again in the spotlight in NSW, following Monday night’s Four Corners investigation into Forestry Corporation NSW’s failure to protect nationally endangered species.

Lismore students pitch sustainability projects

Young people will take centre stage in Lismore this Friday when the HalveIt Festival brings student sustainability pitches to decision-makers in what organisers are calling 'part innovation expo, part community festival.'

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.

Sustainable infrastructure

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

Site confirmed for future high school at Pottsville

The NSW government says it has secured a site for a future high school in Pottsville, delivering on its commitment to future-proof public education for the growing Tweed community in the Northern Rivers.

H5 bird flu surveillance strengthened

The NSW government say it has increased surveillance and boosted biosecurity capacity for H5 bird flu by 'dedicating additional resources to identifying potential cases coupled with an awareness campaign focused on input from the community and the needs of industry'.

October 8, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.18 – October 8, 2025

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Articles | Sport | The Scoop | Good Taste | The Good Life | Filter Off | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

Flying kites and messy nests

We are trudging along the beach, heading back to the carpark after a delightful morning of birdwatching at the fringe of a mangrove swamp when the aerial drama unfolds.

Pilot for tiny homes with no DA

Could a pilot program at the opposite end of NSW provide hope for those wanting to live in tiny homes in the Byron Shire?

Celebrating Federal’s village life

An art auction is a special addition to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Federal Park Party, which this year takes place on Saturday, 1 November from 12 noon.

BBFF – stories that inspire and sound the alarm

The 19th Byron Bay International Film Festival (BBFF) will run from 17 to 26 October, featuring documentaries that explore humanity’s deep connection to the natural world and the urgency of climate change.

Utopia and roundabouts

The Suffolk Park roundabout saga is an episode straight out of Utopia. Furthermore, Bangalow Rd in Byron Bay will require roundabouts to allow cars accessing and egressing the side streets as there are bottlenecks caused by Airbnb accommodation there...

Truth is needed

I’m calling on current software experts to establish a corner of the web that puts truth at its centre. The ability to separate truth from scams has been completely shattered now. So we need a truth net that anyone can...

Community preschools’ future

I write with great concerns for the future of community preschool in our Shire and across NSW. Without any consultation with the stakeholders, the Labor Minns government recently proposed major reforms to the early childhood sector, including $100 million in...

Byron markets rewinds to the 80s

This Sunday 5 October, the Byron Community Market will transform Main Beach into a celebration of all things 1980s. The special Born in the 80s event is part of the Byron Community Centre’s 130 Years of Community Spirit celebrations, marking the decade the it first took on management of the iconic markets in 1987.

Rapid change, not much action

No matter how loud the right cry ‘fake news’, try to get rid of net zero targets, or remove scientific evidence and resources, ultimately the climate will demonstrate the impact of humans and the climate-heating impact we continue to have.

Wallum fashion fundraiser extravaganza

Mullumbimby is set to host the inaugural Wallum Extravaganza, a vibrant community celebration and fundraiser.

The Biggest Little Bunyip inspires Mr Shnorfloo

When Roie was a baby, and her dad Joshua Vogel would take her for walks, they discovered the enigmatic Mr Shnorfloo – well that was the name Joshua made up for the sculpture.

Commuter train services?

Given the constant complaints from residents in The Echo about traffic, road conditions, roadworks and lack of parking in Byron Shire, it’s time residents and Council demanded the state government reinstate commuter train services on the multi-billion-dollar train line...

Plasticosis

Plasticosis is a disease of the digestive tract caused by microplastics in all life on Earth! Apparently 50 particles are released into your mouth every time you unscrew and drink from a plastic water bottle. Wally Hueneke, Byron Bay

Jobs in the Great Koala National Park

As a local timber worker, I am so disappointed that the government has decided to implement a massive Great Koala National Park without looking after the workers. The possibility that my job might go because there is no more timber...

Strip search victim awarded $93,000

It was one of the most infamous incidents in the history of Splendour in the Grass – a young woman who had recently given birth was unlawfully and invasively strip searched simply because a drug dog took a brief interest in her person.

Losing our minds, finding our hearts

We’ve entered a liminal space in which we’re simultaneously witnessing the rapid collapse of old structures and the emergence of something intangibly new. Some people are awaiting aliens, others the Rapture, or ascension and a new Earth. Are we experiencing humanity’s rite of passage?

Dumb, dangerous BS

According to David Shoebridge of the Greens, with information he said came from ‘Declassified Australia’, the Albanese government has approved nearly 70 shipments of weapons parts to Israel for deadly F35 fighter jets since October 2023. The latest shipment...

Release ‘all prisoners’

The Global Sumud Flotilla wasn’t just carrying 600 brave humanitarians intent on bringing desperately needed food and medical supplies to Gaza’s starving and injured people. It was also carrying the hopes and aspirations of millions of people worldwide who...

Council is a camel

What’s a camel? A horse put together by a committee (or Byron Council). The whole roadworks story from Mullum to Uncle Tom’s is a bad joke. The timing couldn’t be worse. Glad I’m not reliant on customers for a business...

Shame on you councillors!

Some people resort to disparaging remarks and belittling when they don’t have a solid argument to present.  I can think of Donald Trump as a great example. Unfortunately, the same weak behaviour is now coming from our local councillors over...

Significant changes proposed for Bangalow’s heritage pub

Will one of the Shire’s oldest and most iconic pubs get a $13m makeover that will significantly change the heritage look and feel of the venue and increase the space for poker machines?

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Windfarms Beneath My Wings

‘It’s harder to take on an entire worldview than it is to correct a few made-up talking points.’ This is the quote I found in an article in The Conversation in August this year titled, ‘Why windfarms attract so much misinformation and conspiracy theory’.

Agesim by councillors

The unanimous September 11 vote by councillors to proceed with the development at 57 Station Street was a disgrace. Among comments by councillors, it was stated that predominantly the only people against the development were old people, thereby implying that...

Council are a threat to democracy 

I thought that one of Council’s roles in the community was to listen to the community and to take suggestions to Council staff so that at least some of them could be implemented. However, in the case of the 57...

Steve’s a good sport

I am very upset Byron Shire Council went with the Northern Rivers Tennis Foundation to take over the lease of Mullum tennis courts.  It led to the dumping of local Steve Gort as tennis coach to our kids. Steve has...

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.

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".