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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

Earth to stars

Is the world we live in, more than what we understand? Theories challenge the known facts, so does any...

Byron Council’s Sandhills Wetlands project takes first place at LG awards

The Sandhills Wetland restoration project in Byron Bay has won another major award, with Byron Shire Council taking first place at the Local Government Professionals 2026 NSW Excellence Awards.

Nazi ideology crack down sees fines of up to $11,000

Reforms that crack down on conduct which indicates support for Nazi ideology has passed NSW parliament.

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.

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.

Fund set up to help Chase Goldstraw’s family after tragedy

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family of a young father recently killed in a truck accident in Tweed Heads.

March 4, 2026

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.39 – March 4, 2026

Download PDF (26MB)
Jump to:
Local News | North Coast News | Comment | Letters | Sport | Good Taste | The Good Life | Magic Murwillumbah | Northern Rivers Women In Business | 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:

Byron Writers Festival: symbol of our vibrant, unique culture

Who knows how many terrific ideas have wafted and dissolved after long literary lunches? This one didn’t – a shared idea took root, and after a lot of hard work the Northern Rivers Writers Centre, based in Lismore, was born and its first Byron Writers Festival took place in 1997.

Locals give to local environmental initiatives

Yesterday Seed Northern Rivers awarded its first community-funded environmental grants at a free public gathering, From the Ground Up, at the Mullum Gardens EcoHub

Editorial: Stop landbanking our homes

The NSW government keeps harping on about the length development applications (DAs) take to be processed by councils, and recently it announced it is removing the DA approval process from councils’ hands

Police reject LECC recommendations after Ballina DV death investigation

The time taken to respond to a Ballina domestic violence (DV) incident has been defended by the Counsel to the Commissioner of NSW Police.

Hospital meeting

I attended the meeting regarding the development of the old Mullum hospital site.  I was once again reminded of why I live here due to the intelligent and articulate interactions between the attendees and the panel that included Mayor...

Byron rail trail

At long last, a majority of Byron Shire councillors have acted. We’ve all been lagging behind our neighbouring councils’ successes in gaining funding to bring their rail trail sections to completion, or progressing towards completion. The 13 years of...

E-bikes v electric motorbikes

Yes, Neil you raise a good argument about the current dangers of these new electric vehicles. I have ridden electric-assisted bicycles since about 2010. The important distinction is that an electric bike is not an electric motorbike. Electric...

Norths reject Bangalow Bowlo buy-back offer

Norths Collective (formerly North Sydney Leagues Club) has rejected the Bangalow Advisory Committee’s (BAC) offer to buy back the Bangalow Bowlo at the 2022 ‘bail out’ price of $680,000.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: We Are All We Have

Are these end days? It certainly seems like it.

Fun for everyone at Shara Community Gardens

That the Shara Community Gardens (SCG) is for all members of the community, even the small ones, was highlighted over the weekend when the garden’s committee installed a new toybox in the rotunda.

Roundup dangers

So many letters have been written recently on this very toxic chemical. I thank Sally Law and Jo Faith for their informative letters on this terrible chemical that Byron Shire is still using. As stated by the very informative article...

Red hot go

Northern Rivers Rail Ltd – guys, stop! Get help, you gave it a red hot go as true believers should, but no-one will invest in a dreamers’ dream, sorry. Sending love and hugs xx Andrew Hunter, Bangalow

Wither the Australian dream

Unless you are a privileged household of high income, or have access to intergenerational wealth, the Great Australian Dream of owning a home is dead. For those such as Jimmy Blackhall (Echo 4/2/26), you are up against the consequences of: ...

Density or quality?

The construction of government social housing has been drastically reduced by 50 per cent in recent years. The state government has amended the Housing SEPP over time, outsourcing to developers the role of building social and/or low-cost housing instead of...

One word

One for Mandy Nolan: changing one small word would have changed the history of the world. ‘Congratulations, Frau Hitler, it’s a GIRL.’ David Witney, Bangalow

How I am outrunning old age

There is a saying ‘people who wear tracksuit pants have given up on life.’ Well, I wear tracksuit pants.  A sage said, ‘most people die long before they’re dead’. I couldn’t unhear this, and in many ways this axiom has...

Cartoon of the week – 4 March, 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.

Baraka’s dessert hummus revolution

Baraka is redefining sweet treats with its innovative dessert hummus range – a unique concept believed to be the first of its kind in Australia. Using chickpeas as a wholesome base, these desserts transform a traditional savoury staple into...

Sunshine Low GI Sugar

Enjoy the sweeter things in life with Sunshine Low GI Sugar! Let’s face it, sugar gets a bad rap these days and we all know that it should be enjoyed in moderation. But, times are changing thanks to Sunshine Low...

Mark the change of season at Frida’s Field at their autumn...

On Saturday, 21 March, Frida’s Field will host a one-night-only autumn equinox celebration, inviting guests to pause and mark the seasonal shift in a truly memorable way. The autumn equinox occurs when the sun sits directly above the equator, bringing...

Lots of fun at Mullum-Bruns home games

The Mullum-Bruns Cricket Club (MBCC) played two home games this week. Second grade was up against Murwillumbah Cricket Club, whilst fourth grade versed Cudgen Cricket Club. Thirds had a by. Mullum-Bruns Cricket Club fourth grade totalled 143, with Matty Gray...

Registrations open for Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships

The Byron Bay based Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships are fast approaching, with registrations open. The championships will be taking place on 22–29 March with the Para Surfing titles running alongside on 22 to 24 March, bringing athletes, families,...

Minor premiers decided in local cricket – Bears on top again

The Balina Bears and Byron Bay cricket clubs have secured minor premierships in the Far North Coast second grade competition with one round left to play, before two weekends of finals from Saturday, 14 March. For the second year in...

ReStored at the Con

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium has continued to make music throughout the years of flood recovery, and now the community is invited to celebrate the completion of its major restoration works and the renewal of one of Lismore’s most iconic buildings.

The all-original Bourbon Street

Australian four-piece rock band Bourbon Street – all original members – formed in Byron Bay, in early 1987. The band enjoyed immediate success on the live circuit as a ‘70s-styled, high-energy cover band and soon began writing their own songs.

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.