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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

Earth to stars

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

Building sites ‘blitzed’ between Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads

More than 100 building sites from Coffs Harbour to Tweed Heads have been inspected, which has been described as a 'blitz' by the NSW Labor government.

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.

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.

Was the NACC designed to fail?

The sudden resignation of controversy-plagued National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton has served to further highlight the failings of an organisation which began with such high hopes, having been one of the key demands of the first teal representatives and a core promise of the incoming Albanese Labor government.

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.

March 25, 2026

Byron Shire Echo issue 40.42 – March 25, 2026

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Local News | North Coast News | Comment | Letters | Sport | Good Taste | The Good Life | Crossword | Stars | Soapbox | Teddy Bears' Picnic | Byron Arts & Industry Estate | Making Spaces | Seven Entertainment | Gig Guide | Classifieds | Community at Work | Service Directory | Echo Property | Property Business Directory | Backlash

In this Issue:

Noise, parking and ‘act first, ask later’ concerns about new Byron...

Byron Shire councillors have signed off on hotel giant Merivale’s modified plan to turn the former Cheeky Monkeys site into a large restaurant and bar, despite ongoing concerns from nearby residents about noise, parking and school safety.

How to manage in the coming crisis

As the Middle East tragedy unfolded, I asked several friends how this was impacting them emotionally. Each one was seriously affected, with a range of emotions from rage to despair, sadness, grief, and helplessness.

Byron Public’s forest of koalas exhibition

Five hundred clay koalas handmade by children are keeping the lone goat company at Byron’s flagship gallery this Easter.

Renewed call for Richmond River Commission

A renewed push to establish a Richmond River Commission has been backed by Rous County Council (RCC), with RCC councillors voting overwhelmingly to lobby the NSW government for stronger action to restore the health of the region’s major waterway.

Iran war

John Scrivener does it again with his senseless letter regarding the Iran war. 99% of Iranians in the diaspora want the Islamic republic strangle hold on Iran to end, and want this war against them to continue. 90% of Iranians in...

Algae bloom

I am challenged. I am full of questions. I face my ignorance, but I seek dialogue, feedback and clarity. Sociologically and ecologically, the phrase, ‘it’s not “either/or” that is the argument, but “also”.’ The ‘also’ has always knocked on the...

Stagflation and warflation

This new crisis, emerging on the horizon, appears to be more inconvenient than the pandemic crisis. The type of global economic suffering now emerging, is called stagflation: inflation and stagnation. The degree of stagflation this time next year, will be...

Complicit in war

Trump: ‘We may hit it (Iran’s Kharg Island) a few more times, just for fun’. This is the psychopath nutjob Australia and Labor voters have aligned themselves with. War is not some game, or a real estates transaction; every action risks...

Lennox Alive free launch tonight

Business Lennox Head, the town’s Chamber of Commerce, are looking forward to bringing a diverse monthly night-time program of hospitality, arts, music, comedy and cultural experiences to the town on the second Saturday of the month from August called Lennox Alive.

Free women’s clinic at Fletcher Street Cottage

Every Tuesday there is a safe women’s space provided from 1pm to 3pm at Fletcher Street Cottage, 18 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay that now includes a free women’s clinic for women and their children.

Pooches looking for forever homes

On Saturday, 14 March it was time to team up pouches with possible forever homes at the Stone & Wood Tasting Room at Byron’s Arts and Industry Estate.

Two men survive hinterland hit-and-run

Two men have allegedly survived a hit-and-run in the Byron hinterland last Friday, one of them also surviving a strangling. Both men were taken to hospital, police said, one with critical injuries and the other with serious head injuries, after...

Fun at this week’s Pro Adaptive Surfing event

Adaptive surfers from around the world are in Byron Bay for this week’s annual, Australian Pro Adaptive Surfing Championships.

Electrify and tax gas profits

While Trump may deny climate change and be pushing for greater fossil fuel extraction, the result of his actions of attacking Iran with Israel, without consulting the UN or any other countries he has since called on for help, is that he is creating the conditions for Australia to take decisive action on electrification, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and the call for greater tax on gas corporations.

Tip fees

Can someone explain why depositing a cubic metre of soft foam costs $18 at the tip? That’s the price of a good meal at a cafe. Dig a hole and drop it in? Less than $10 seems more reasonable. Sapoty Brook, Main...

Bangalow’s clogged creek

When Bangalow gets more than 60mm of rain in 24 hours, water goes on that small section of Deacon Street. After the recent isolated freak downpour, locals knew water would go over that little street. I went down on Friday...

Smaller festivals?

In relation to Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox article (Echo, March 18) about the disappointing Bluesfest cancellation – yes, it’s indeed a terrible truth the NSW government simply doesn’t understand our culture up here, or wants to invest more in keeping...

Vivid White at Brunswick Picture House

Director/choreographer Anouska Gammon and Bangalow Theatre Company have brought Eddie Perfect's acclaimed musical to the Brunswick Picture House for an (almost) sold-out season.

Rail Trail – help make connecting communities a reality

Predictions for the Tweed Rail Trail of 25,000 users a year have been blown out of the water with the last two years seeing over 90,000 users a year Pat Grier, President of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters told The Echo.

Byron’s youth street cruise program to go

A long-running street‑level support service for young people in Byon Bay will be phased out after 25 years of operation, following a review by Byron Shire Council (BSC).

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Rhoda

Today I write to honour Rhoda Roberts. Widjabul Wieybal woman of the Bundjalung nation, cultural powerhouse, storyteller, knowledge holder, activist, arts executive, performer, advocate, and SBS Elder in Residence.

Festival costs

Mandy’s article on pointing the finger at the NSW government for not helping to keep Bluesfest alive was to me spot on! (Echo, March 18). I read an article where Live Nation gets tons of grant money for events, and...

Where’s the Bluesfest moolah?

While totally agreeing with Mandy Nolan’s sentiments in her rage at the NSW government’s lack of investment in music and the arts (Echo, March 18), she fails to ask the fundamental question regarding the cancellation of Bluesfest. Mandy tells us...

Net worth

What’s a Hemsworth? Not as much as a Hemmes, apparently. Don Blake, Federal

Cartoon of the week – 25 March, 2026

Letters to the editor 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...

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.