Latest News
The great Ballina Library book sale
This Friday and Saturday will see book lovers dreams materialise in Ballina when the library holds their Library Collection Overhaul and Book Sale.
Other News
Byron Farmers Markets temporarily moved to make way for COVID clinic
The Byron Farmers Market is to be held opposite Elements resort on Bayshore Drive this week, while health authorities use the Cavanbah Centre for a drive-through COVID testing service.
Pandemic
Sarah Smith, Byron Shire
Finally, our premier is speaking a language that the business community of Sydney should comprehend – a...
New gallery and studio breathes life into old church and graveyard
Was it divine intervention or western democracy that changed the fate of a former country church on the Northern Rivers last week?
History repeats
Peter Olson, Goonengerry
History shows that when the media and the politicians turn against the people, eventually there is a backlash.
It...
Cherry-picked COVID-19 statistics: Were the weekend’s ‘Freedom Rallies’ based on science?
A flyer recently dropped into the letterboxes of some New South Wales residents urged people to attend the controversial ‘Freedom Rallies’ – Let’s break it down and present some context.
Bruns North Arm
Jillian Spring, BillinudgelRegarding your article ‘A positive change to bring back the Bruns’, (Echo, 14 July).
Since 2013/14 submissions to Council,...
Stories about "Ballina shark attacks":
Ballina beaches closed after shark attack
A 43-year-old man from East Ballina had suffered a 20cm gash to his leg after being bitten at Shelly Beach. But fought off the shark with his surfboard and managed to paddle himself back into shore.
Shark mitigation hearings to continue in Canberra and Qld
Several locals including Ian Cohen and Dean Jefferys were at the hearing presenting their position on shark deterrents at the senate enquiry into shark mitigation and deterrents that took place last Tuesday 2 May in Byron Bay.
Ballina: where dolphins are killed so people can go surfing
Dr Daniel Bucher, senior lecturer: marine biology and fisheries, Southern Cross University, Lismore
If, like me, you feel strongly about the proposed trial of beach...
Surfers, swimmers join rally against shark nets
Byron Bay surfer and former Greens MP Ian Cohen says that personal responsibility is the key to avoiding shark attack. Mr Cohen was among hundreds of people who rallied against the proposed netting of Ballina's beaches at Lighthouse Beach yesterday.
Shark nets the best option for protecting people
Nicholas Crouch, Lennox Head
Can the Ballina Shark attack issue be reduced to this equation: One Great White or one person?
The numbers are roughly the...
Backlash against Baird’s Ballina shark-net backflip
Greens Ballina MP Tamara Smith, Sea Shepherd and Australian Seabird Rescue have all voiced their opposition to the state government’s plans, announced yesterday, to install traditional shark nets at Ballina beaches for a six-month trial period.
Has the government ignored the best shark mitigation strategy?
The peak body that trains beach inspector lifeguards has told The Echo that the state government is ignoring best practice shark-mitigation strategies that are in line with an independent report and recommendations by a NSW Legislative Assembly committee.
Govt plan to roll out shark nets a ‘knee-jerk response’
NSW Greens marine and fisheries spokesperson Justin Field has condemned an apparent decision by premier Mike Baird and fisheries minister, Niall Blair, to consider expanding the state's shark netting program, including potentially on the north coast.
Qld offer to extend shark nets to NSW slammed
Sea Shepherd Australia has slammed the Queensland premier’s offer to extend its drum lines and shark nets into NSW north coast beaches in the wake of Monday’s attack on a surfer at Lighthouse Beach.
Minister open to potential shark cull
The federal environment minister says he is open to proposals for drum lines and a cull of great white sharks, including on the NSW north coast.
Local News
Break and Enter at Cinemas in Byron Bay
Police say that shortly after 4.20am, yesterday, Sunday August 1 a youth forced open
one of the steel gates of the Palace Cinemas Byron Bay.
Byron Echo
Pandemic
Sarah Smith, Byron Shire
Finally, our premier is speaking a language that the business community of Sydney should comprehend – a $10,000 fine for forcing their...
Byron Echo
Read all about it…
Rick Molloy, Federal
If recent letters in The Echo have left you confused about the Israel/Palestine conflict, then help is at hand.
Our local library has...
Byron Echo
Council negligence
Jim Mangleson, Ocean Shores
Interesting article by Steve Hansen regarding artificial reefs for Byron’s erosion problem (Echo, 21 July).
He mentions historical charts and photos of...
