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Byron Shire
June 6, 2026

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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

A love letter to nature

A very special film will screen as part of the Bangalow Film Festival, preceded by a fascinating Q&A (avec moi) looking at old-school filmmaking.

TweedCAN makes it easy for locals to make a difference on climate change

TweedCAN members Sally Evans, Conal Hanna, Isabela Keski-Frantti and Gerard Bisshop Do you believe in climate action, but struggle to...

National minimum wage increases to $26.44p/h

With the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase the national minimum wage by 4.75%, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is calling for further action to support people doing it tough, as well as the frontline community services helping them. “People are under severe pressure from interest rate rises, rent increases, higher fuel costs, and growing economic uncertainty due to the conflict in the Middle East,” said ACOSS Acting CEO Edwina MacDonald.

Local family-owned Byron businesses asking for your support

Long-term, local Byron businesses are calling on the community for support as they struggle to remain afloat as the drainage works in Byron Bay continue.

Sandhills Wetlands

I am fortunate to live near the new Sandhills Wetlands, and really appreciate going for walks in a protected...

Israel’s rehabilitation

Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians has not ended and it will not end before Israel officially renounces its intention...

March 18, 2026

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.41 – March 18, 2026

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Local News | North Coast News | Articles | Comment | Letters | Sport | Good Taste | The Good Life | Peace Love and Pets | Health and Healing | Crossword | Stars | Soapbox | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

‘Vibrant’ economy merely ‘odious’

I confess that though pleased by the supposed rejection of the SEP – the only such decision I can recall of its kind since Club Med was knocked back – I suspected that ways would be found to get...

Which lies to believe?

The empire of lies seems to have met its match. Not many can fit the I word five times into one sentence. China says barking dogs don’t bite. Russia is booming while slowly devouring Ukraine. Iran’s 80-plus million people have built a dozen...

Community invited to support Lotus Palliative Care fundraiser

Lotus Palliative Care is inviting the Northern Rivers community to come together for an evening of music, laughter, and generosity at its bi-annual fundraiser this Saturday, 21 March at the iconic Billinudgel Hotel.

Get ready for the Mullum Moth as short story finalists announced

Winning a short story competition can be the acknowledgement budding writers need to kick off their careers. Local author Sarah Armstrong won The Echo short story competition twice, she credits it with giving her the confidence to write her shortlisted Miles Franklin Award novel Salt Rain.

Free Teddy Bears Picnic

Spaghetti Circus, Mullumbimby’s beloved community circus school, and the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce are joining forces to bring a free, family-friendly community celebration to the heart of Mullumbimby.

When businesses benefit everyone, with purpose and profit

Never one to miss an opportunity to meet over coffee, I eagerly accepted an invitation to celebrate B Corp Month in March. Eagerly. Then I realised I should do a little homework first – slightly less eagerly. First things first:...

Marching to save our future

This Sunday is the national March in March for Forests day where thousands of people come together across Australia to demand an end to native forest logging and forest mining. Marches are taking place across the country including in...

Height increase allowed in Byron beachfront apartments

The owners of a luxury apartment development overlooking Byron’s Main Beach have been granted permission to build above the height limit for the town after taking the matter to the Land and Environment Court (L&EC).

US/Israeli ‘axis of evil’

Australia needs to recognise and appreciate the framework of international law that regulates relations between nations and defines acceptable conduct on the world stage. It’s an uncontroversial fact that threats and acts of aggression violate international law, in particular Article...

Keeping safe

Keeping Australians safe, says our prime minister, is the Albanese government’s first priority. I question, what am I being kept safe from? Is it the UN, WHO and NATO’s plan for one world government? That our government is proceeding with,...

Best thing we have

Oh, Sharon (Sharon Kelly, Letters, March 6). As you know, we live in a democracy. Our model is good – but not perfect. In my youth, I worked for the state government and was involved in ‘flooding six houses’. The...

Loving the lighthouse

Most of us have had that moment when the GPS suddenly feels a bit dodgy. The blue dot says you’re right on track, but your gut says, ‘really?’ I had that feeling the other day up at the Byron Bay...

Ocean outlet for Billinudgel Nature Reserve?

Councillor David Warth has brought a controversial notice of motion (NOM) to the upcoming Byron Shire Council (BSC) meeting that seeks to investigate opening a channel from the Billinudgel Nature Reserve to the ocean. This is based on the fact...

Join the Mullum fire brigade!

Are you looking for a new experience?  If so, consider becoming a professional firefighter with the Mullumbimby Fire Brigade! Recruitment is now open at FRNSW Mullumbimby Fire Station for on-call (retained) firefighters. Station Commander, Captain Josh Rushton highlighted the...

Flowers, flowers everywhere at Coorabell

Bella and Remi with one of Steve Wedd’s giant dahlias and the wonderful flower tiaras they fashioned themselves.

Support SHIFT fundraiser

The SHIFT Project that helps women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness is a project that is close to many locals’ hearts and each year people come together to give to, and support, the much-anticipated second-hand clothing sale that raises money for the SHIFT Project.

Help to retrofit, raise and relocate flood-impacted homes

Were you impacted by the 2022 floods? Perhaps you are looking at retrofitting or house-raising, or you’ve even gone ahead and done it? You might be eligible for assistance from the NSW governments Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program (RHP).

Patt launches her second woodwork book

Patt launched her second book Ready to Teach – Woodwork last Thursday at the Shedding Workshop in Mullumbimby and was joined by a crowd of well-wishers and supporters who Patt has taught, worked with, and supported over her last 30 years in Mullumbimby.

The community at the heart of the Byron Community Centre

Louisa McKay wants the Byron Community Centre (BCC)to be a ‘community centre for the people’.

Lost morality

The Rolling Stones recorded ‘Salt of the Earth’ in May 1968, according to Wikipedia. The song was reportedly inspired by John Lennon, with Jagger attempting to write a working-class anthem. The lyrics lament the fate of us average people. Written almost...

Reflections on the riverbank

Reflections Holiday Park management claim they have no power to relocate permanent sites that block the legally required buffer zone along Simpsons Creek in Terrace Park. Reflections are required to protect and rehabilitate Simpsons Creek and provide the buffer zone...

Diesel-free?

When petrol and diesel are wildly expensive or unavailable, are Northern Rivers residents without EVs going to wish they had a bike, or trains, or both? Param Berg, Lismore

Unstalked Mandy

Maybe Mandy could ‘get forgotten’ if she used another search engine . When I initially used the internet about 1992, Google was just one search engine amongst many. I never used it until it took over the world. Recently, I got...

Changes to Hemmes DA proposed, but is it enough?

Byron Shire Council (BSC) staff have recommended approval of Justin Hemmes' large, multi-site development application (DA) at 111–115 Jonson Street. However, concerns remain over parking, and the lack of public access to key reports.

Street Cruise Program under review

The future of a long-running youth outreach program in Byron Bay will be decided when Byron Shire Council meets on 19 March, following an independent review that recommends moving away from the current model.

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.