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Byron Shire
June 29, 2026

Latest News

Ballina Council finds savings in chairs

At its last meeting, as part of a long discussion about amendments to Ballina Council's delivery program and operational plan, there was a debate about whether Ballina Richmond Rotary Club should still be paid $8,000 to set up chairs for the RSL Lighthouse Day Club.

Other News

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.

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.

NSW Golf Croquet State Championships to be hosted in the Northern Rivers

Ballina Cherry Street, Byron Bay, and Lismore croquet clubs region will once again host the 2026 NSW Golf Croquet...

Could you be a better councillor?

I had the opportunity to speak to the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSW RA) last month. One of the matters I brought up was the proposed 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby development. It was clear that the only ‘community feedback’ they would be listening to supported housing development on that site.

26-room Mullum seniors hostel on exhibition

A proposal to build a 26-room seniors hostel in Mullumbimby is back on the table, after being rejected by Byron Shire Council in December 2025.

Wollumbin Art Award finalists announced

The finalists for the biennial Wollumbin Art Award, held by Tweed Regional Gallery, have been announced. They are Tweed based artist Kane Corowa, Gold Coast based artist Beth Andrews, and Byron based artists Kirsten Chambers and Monica Buscarino.   

December 31, 2025

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.30 – December 31, 2025

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Local News | Articles | North Coast News | Comment | Letters | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Good Taste | The Good Life | 2025 in Photos | Hello Summer | Sun Moon Tides 2026 | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Cinema | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

Are you on holidays here, enjoying yourself? Well then read this…

It’s holiday time. It’s hot. The beach is pumping. There’s a sparkle in the air. They’re here. The people who work in shit jobs that are killing them, with people they hate, to save for this two weeks of Byron.

The global emergence of the ‘surf town’ trend

Gentrification is the makeover process that a town undergoes when wealthier people move in, improving housing, and attracting new businesses, and often displacing current inhabitants in the process.

Byron’s latest gallery a haven for cloud gazers

Haven Gallery has opened in the heart of Byron Bay in the former Woolies building, and sits alongside and inside the Haven nightclub.

2025 captured in pixels

2025 captured – Echo’s photographers had a busy year

Are you feeling safe? ’Tis the season, after all

It’s that time of year, the social norms of expectation for festive celebrations, generosity and decadence, on the back of exhaustion of the closing of the working year, and another year of housing and economic pressure.

From Darlinghurst to Byron Bay: Dorothy May’s artistic odyssey

Standing nonchalantly on a street corner in the inner-Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst is an iconic sculpture with a little-known link to the Byron Shire.

Council seeks to improve its community consultation

Byron Shire Council has voted to beef up its community consultation process for large projects including significant policy changes.

Middle Pocket landowner loses cost case against Council

Byron Shire Council has won a Land and Environment Court (L&EC) case against Middle Pocket landowner, Robert Wookey, whose holiday letting operation was shut down in late 2024.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Change the World

‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ Margaret Mead said that. She died in 1978, but the words of this American cultural anthropologist still ring true. I hear it repeated often. But today I really thought about it.

Love the creator

I’m a religion-weary Australian. I’m a product of a country where our ancient race of original people were ripped away from their roots by ‘well-meaning’ Christians. But I love Jesus. I get the story, it’s good – Jesus came to...

Cartoon of the week – 31 December, 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 for the week beginning 31 December, 2025

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.

Interview with Steve Banks (and The Sidemen)

They have performed alongside some of the biggest names in music – but you probably wouldn’t recognise any of these musicians if you passed them on the street. Such is the nature of being a ‘sideman’ (or sidewoman) – a musician who is integral to a performance but tends to avoid, or be left out of, the limelight.

Cinema: Pets on a Train

As the festive season of films for kids gets underway, you can’t go wrong with ridiculous anthropomorphism. Pets on a Train, is a film whose story follows pets trapped on a speeding train trying to stop the plans of a vengeful badger.

The sparkling Seaside

Emerging from the sparkling local waters, indie-rock band Seaside is touring their debut album Desiderata. A sun-soaked 11-tracks filled with punchy riffs, dreamy melodies, and heartfelt storytelling, that crystallises the band’s signature high-energy sound, blending an alt rock edge with introspective lyricism, as they explore themes of love, longing, and self-discovery.

Get into the flow with electronic storytelling

Flow Music opens the new year with an event dedicated to progressive mastery, bringing together three generations of refined electronic storytelling. On Friday, Haven Byron Bay becomes the meeting point for deep, driving, and forward-thinking sounds as two global pioneers – Dave Seaman and Kasey Taylor – take the controls.

Food Culture Ocean Shores: specialty goods for people who care about...

Food Culture has been Ocean Shores’ unofficial pantry for years. The place you duck into for olive oil refills, a scoop of oats, a sneaky square of good chocolate or a chat with whoever’s at the counter. It’s a...

Belinda Jeffery’s lovely leftovers salad with Inspiration from Mullum Farmers Market

After all that Christmas food, why not make a lovely leftovers salad using ingredients that keep well, so you can whisk up something fresh, nourishing and full of flavour from your Mullum market haul? This salad is adapted from a...

Man in court today after alleged pursuit near Kingscliff

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

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.