Latest News
Feros responds to Expression of Interest announcement
The announcement earlier today that the Minister for Crown Lands, Steve Kamper, started the Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for Feros Village Byron Bay has drawn a response from the Feros Care board that still sees the facility in terms of a 'closure'.
Other News
Misanthropic disGrace
Hannah Grace’s recent letter ‘Benefits of microplastic’ might be considered a sick joke, but over the years misanthropy has...
The ‘No’ vote
Giving Indigenous people a ‘Voice’ while simultaneously silencing Australians with the ‘Combating Misinformation and Disinformation’ Bill isn’t progression; it’s...
Crash following alleged pursuit – Murwillumbah
A vehicle has crashed following an alleged pursuit at Murwillumbah yesterday.
About 9.30am (Wednesday, 27 September, 2023), officers attached to...
Cartoon of the week – 27 September 2023
The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor.
Feros slaps ban on media visits
On Saturday, on the way to visit Feros Byron Bay residents, The Echo was told via text and email from a Feros Care media spokesperson that, ‘Unfortunately we have a policy of no media on site.
Ballina Shire Council to consider relinquishing conservation zone powers
The future of conservation zones in the Ballina Shire could be left to private landowners in a council vote expected this week.
Stories about "COVID":
RTDs push up drinking habits stats
The issue of heavy alcohol consumption by Australians was highlighted during the pandemic lockdowns, but a new report shows that current habits have continued the upward trend owing to the increases for wine and ‘RTDs’ (Ready-to-drink).
COVID-19 update in New South Wales
To many people COVID-19 may feel like a thing of the past but each week there are still thousands of new cases and many deaths. In a snap shot of last week in New South Wales we can see the from NSW Health, the current statistics around the virus.
Tumultuous first year for Ballina’s Mayor Sharon Cadwallader
Floods, COVID and a regional housing crisis added up to a very eventful first year in the big chair for Mayor Sharon Cadwallader at Ballina Shire Council, following the departure of David Wright. This is part one of a two part interview with Cr Cadwallader, focusing on 2022. Part two will focus on 2023, and beyond.
End of the COVIDSafe data period
The Department of Health has announced that all COVIDSafe app data has now been deleted from the National COVIDSafe Data Store.
Photos: 2022 year in rear view
From COVID-19, to floods and from elections to festivals, 2022 was a MASSIVE year and The Echo photographers and photo shooting staff and other...
Death toll from COVID-19 ‘much higher’ says WHO
The World Health Organization says the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic led to almost 15 million excess deaths, almost three times the number of deaths reported as being from COVID-19.
A community approach to kids’ mental health
Is your local physiotherapist informed about the impacts of natural-disaster-related trauma on 8 to 12-year-olds?
Public transport mask mandate to end
Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.
A better understanding of severe COVID-19 in children
Most children who catch COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms of infection. But a small percentage with the virus may still have to go to hospital. So far, 13 Australians under the age of 19 have died from COVID.
Get Sprung!!! on International Dance Day
As a part of the long and very difficult healing process post-flood and living with COVID, Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre in collaboration with The Lismore Quad is offering a free community dance event on Friday to celebrate International Dance Day.
Local News
Weed exit and smiley koalas get support
Aslan Shand - 1
Weed and smiley koalas were on the minds of Tweed Shire Councillors and staff at last week’s council meeting.
Byron Echo
Another wallaby death on beach prompts calls on dog owners
A Byron local says a dead wallaby found on Belongil beach last Saturday had all the hallmarks of a dog attack, and is calling on the public to be more vigilant and for authorities to step up to help protect native wildlife.
Local News
A win for Feros Village Byron Bay residents
Eve Jeffery - 5
A whole community can expel a sigh of relief at the breaking news that months of distress and sadness can now become part of history – this morning the Minister for Crown Lands, Steve Kamper, has announced that services providers for aged care are advised that Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for Feros Village Byron Bay.
National News
How do you rate the media rating system?
Parents are being asked to have a say on whether Australia’s media classification system is effective in informing decisions around age-appropriate films and video games for children.
