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Latest News
New data reveals NSW social housing waitlist blowout
A fresh analysis by Homelessness NSW reveals where people are waiting the longest for social housing, sparking calls to double the supply of social homes and boost services funding.
Other News
Cr McCarthy versus the macaranga
This morning Ballina Shire Council will hear a motion from Cr Steve McCarthy to remove the native macaranga tree from the list of approved species for planting by Ballina Council and local community groups.
Increased Byron Council fees on the cards as fossil fuel investments decrease
Byron Council’s financial ship is beginning to list concerningly, taking from its reserves and other funds in order to bail out its bottom line.
Save Wallum now
The Save Wallum campaign has been ongoing and a strong presence of concerned conservationists are on site at Brunswick...
It’s MardiGrass!
This year is Nimbins 32nd annual MardiGrass and you’d reckon by now ‘weed’ be left alone.
The same helicopter raids, the disgusting, and completely unfair, saliva testing of drivers, and we’re still not allowed to grow our own plants. We can all access legal buds via a doctor, most of it imported from Canada, but we can’t grow our own. There’s something very wrong there.
New Brighton parking
To quote a Joni Mitchell song, ‘They paved paradise and put in a parking lot’ – this adequately describes...
Funds sought to complete clubhouse
Byron Bay Football Club may finally get the funds to complete its new clubhouse, with Byron councillors to consider loaning the club $200,000 at this week’s meeting.
Stories about "Buybacks":
Second tranche of flood funding on its way, says MP
A second tranche of $100m in government funds to help 2022 flood-affected residents is expected to rollout soon, says Ballina MP, Tamara Smith (Greens).
RoR Lismore: flood survivors to meet weekly on Lismore floodplain
Frustrated survivors of last year’s devastating floods in Lismore are to meet weekly on the floodplain indefinitely while their struggle for bureaucratic transparency in the official recovery process continues.
Request for stamp duty waiver for flood-affected residents denied
A local flood-affected resident contacted The Echo around their disappointment that a request was denied by the NSW Labor government to have stamp duty waived on new purchases for flood victims who were saying ‘yes’ to a buyback.
Editorial: Flood goal post moved
Late breaking news! On Tuesday, The Echo discovered that the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) is even worse than they were last week.
Byron Councillors call for more govt flood funding
Byron Shire Council has launched a pre-election call for more government funding and support to future proof all of the Shire’s flood-impacted premises.
People forced to sell flood-damaged homes as NRRC dithers
One year on and the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Commission (NRRC) still have not progressed spending the $800 million they’ve been granted to purchase the estimated 2,000 homes and land in need of buybacks.
First buyback offers for flooded homeowners
Flooded homeowners have been waiting a long time to hear the news that buybacks have begun.
Tweed Council prepping for La Niña MKIII
As a third La Niña weather event continues to impact Australia’s East Coast, Tweed Shire Council is working hard to ensure the area is as ready as possible.
National News
Domestic violence service calls for urgent action to address crisis
Relationships Australia NSW is calling for urgent intervention from the NSW government to address men’s violence against women, following the horrific murder of Molly Ticehurst.
Local News
Menacing dog declaration revoked
David Lowe - 0
After an emotional deputation from the owner of the dog involved, Ballina Shire Council has this morning revoked a menacing dog declaration for the kelpie Lilo, which was brought into effect following a bite in July 2022.
Byron Echo
More Byron CBD height exceedance approved
Paul Bibby - 7
Two multi-storey mixed-use developments with a combined value of $36.2 million have been approved for the centre of Byron Bay, despite both exceeding height limits for that part of the Shire.
National News
eSafety commissioner granted legal injunction as X refuses to hide violent content
Australia’s Federal Court has granted the eSafety commissioner a two-day legal injunction to compel X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, to hide posts showing graphic content of the Wakeley church stabbing in Sydney.
