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Byron Shire
June 6, 2026

Latest News

Cartoon of the week – 3 June, 2026

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.

Other News

Lennox headland tree planting day this Friday

Ballina Shire Council, GeoLINK and Rous Council are inviting the community to roll up their sleeves and help restore the iconic Lennox Headland, at the 21st Lennox Head Community Tree Planting Day on Friday 5 June.

Free Indigenous aquatic programs on offer in Tweed

Free aquatic exercise programs are now on offer in the Tweed Shire for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members and their families. 

Byron Shire mens Rebels suffer first defeat at the hands of Wollongbar

Hywel David It was a mixed day out at Pioneer Park in Wollongbar-Alstonville on a sunny Saturday, with the Rebels...

Northern Rivers philanthropic org reveals 2025 achievements

Not-for-profit philanthropic organisation,  Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF), have released their annual report for 2025, revealing $2.4m was raised, and 121 projects funded across the region.

Conversations in the Pub starts with Janelle Saffin

Conversations in the Pub – Lismore’s new civic meet-up – kicks off on Friday 19 June with its inaugural special guest, the NSW Minister for Small Business, Minister for Recovery, Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin MP.

Drugs: a health problem needing law reform

The 2024 Penington Institute’s Annual Overdose Report stated that, ‘in 2022 there were 2,356 drug-induced deaths in Australia, equating to approximately six lives needlessly lost each day’.

February 4, 2026

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.35 – February 4, 2026

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Local News | Comment | Letters | Sport | Good Taste | The Good Life | Sign On Sign Up | Valentines Day | The Arts | Soapbox | Crossword | Stars | Seven Entertainment | Cinema | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

Are you a future star of comedy?

Is it time to see if you have what it takes to make it to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival?

Housing at Mullum Hospital site

A public forum is being called on 23 February from 6pm at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club auditorium to discuss the future of housing on the old Mullumbimby Hospital site.

Prime public and affordable housing site languishes

The community is becoming frustrated as Byron Shire councillors call repeatedly for affordable housing while they allow the old Mullumbimby Hospital site to languish with no tangible public, social, or affordable housing plan or development of the site.

‘No dogs or cats allowed’ by-law supported by NCAT

In a local win for wildlife, a decision by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has confirmed that the ‘Woodlands Eco-Hamlet’ by-laws ‘specifying that the keeping of cats and dogs is prohibited’ was upheld.

The future location of Byron markets

The Byron Community Market’s move to Railway Park and the rail corridor would be formalised and made permanent under Council’s revised Sustainable Markets Policy. On public exhibition until 15 February, the draft policy provides overarching guidance on the establishment...

Mayors concerned over state govt control of local development

The proposal to remove local councils from decision-making in relation to all major planning projects, and creating a state government-controlled ‘single front door’ via a the Development Coordination Authority (DCA) has raised concerns.

Carving up the stereotype of the chilled-out surfer

It’s a serene sight when viewed from a distance – a line of surfers lazily sprinkled across a stretch of turquoise ocean.

Byron Creek Bridge open to light traffic

The Byron Creek Bridge at Bangalow reopened to light traffic only last Wednesday 4 February.

Your views sought on reducing flooding in north Byron Shire

What the correct approach is to reducing flooding at South Golden Beach, New Brighton, and Ocean Shores has been a matter of contention between concerned locals and local community groups including the South Golden Beach Community Association (SGBCA), the New Brighton Village Association (NBVA),and the Ocean Shores Community Association (OSCA).

$93,700 for Byron Writers Festival

Local Labor MP Justine Elliot has announced that the federal government is delivering $93,700 for the Byron Writers Festival (BWF).

Shark Cage program launching in Mullum

Women’s Health Northern Rivers is excited to share that their long-running, free Shark Cage Group Program is launching at Yellow Church in Mullumbimby from 12 February, offering group support for survivors of domestic and family violence or sexual abuse.

Taking care of local wildlife

The warmer weather has added to increased animal arrivals at the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital at Wollongbar.

Major roadworks in Byron

After a brief respite over Christmas and New Year, road works in the Byron town centre will resume this week as the Byron Bay drainage upgrade recommences.

Old school stone to create the future

Stone craft is a skill that everyone can access and have fun learning, says Damian Cudmore, who is currently teaching students the skills needed to create the style of 19th-century stone work at The Farm in Byron Bay.

$50 spent

Adoring the full moon and considering jumping off 50 storeys in expensive underwear, I decided to brave hell and high water. The $50 will go to the weapons required to stop Roundup and its insidious green camouflage. But who...

Mullum madness

To me, in the ’80s, Mullumbimby madness was a culture that came and went, a bit like those fearless little forget-me-nots that sprang up absolutely everywhere. It was a funny time, like we were all being swept along in...

FCNSW vs gliders

I’m in a public state forest looking for endangered gliders at night time to protect these unique animals from getting their homes cut down and turned into woodchips, because our government-owned Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) is looking for...

Public transport lacking

Dear Council, please advocate to state government for more public transport so young people can access tertiary education. Travelling from Mullumbimby to Wollongbar TAFE takes a minimum of two hours on three buses. That’s a 6am start and 8pm return. If...

Pro: ‘heritage’ Mullum

It was noted in The Echo January 21, 2026: massive shop-top housing development for Mullumbimby replacing an ageing weatherboard cottage, but as I drive past that ‘ageing’ weatherboard … ‘oh’ – cottage infers small. When I drive past that...

Pro: The Nest

I write as a local professional in their late 30s who is virtually completely priced-out of Mullumbimby, and attempting to save for a home anywhere in the Northern Rivers, where I have resided for the last three years. I...

Celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion

The Brunswick Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) will be proudly taking part in this Sunday’s Rainbow Beaches as they fly the Progress Flag colours to signal a clear and visible welcome to everyone at the beach.

Mullum locals raise concerns over 50-unit Nest DA

A packed community meeting in Mullumbimby saw concerned locals and residents come together to discuss the proposed $8.2 million, 50-unit, co-living development called The Nest proposed for 115-119 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: The Greatest Act of Love

I have always found Valentine’s Day weirdly performative. The idea that a prescribed day could be dedicated to expressing your love. With flowers. Or chocolate. Or champagne. Or diamonds. Yuck.

Interview with Steve Poltz

Steve Poltz has fun on stage. Steve Poltz has fun off stage. Every show has its own vibe. Raucous, joyous, improvisational and always strange. Stellar guitar work and songs that will have you smiling one minute and crying the next.

Thanks, mayor

Thanks to our mayor for alerting me that stormwater issues are rampant across our shire. I have contacted as many people as possible Shire-wide. I have found that they’ve had the same experience as myself. There’s been no reply...

Marooned yacht on rocks near Ballina

A local photographer has shot a marooned yacht at Flat Rock, in Ballina Shire. It's the second boat to be washed ashore in recent months

Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Author Tristan Bancks follows up with Two Wolves sequel

Local author Tristan Bancks launched his new book for readers 10+, Raised By Wolves, at Byron Book Room last night (Thursday 4 June).

Lismore City Council recognised for environmental leadership at LG awards

Lismore City Council has been recognised for outstanding achievement in environmental leadership, resilience and community infrastructure at the 2026 LG Professionals NSW Local Government Excellence Awards.