Latest News
Local legend awarded for her work with Red Cross
Kerrie Gray has recently received a Medal of the Order of Australia and is also Ballina Shire's newest Senior Citizen of the Year. She met The Echo in Alstonville to talk about the ongoing crises facing our region, and what everyone can do to help.
Other News
Bluesfest performer’s triple GRAMMY win
Regular Byron Bluesfest performer Bonnie Raitt look out three gongs at yesterday's GRAMMY awards, bringing her a total of 13 across the span of her career.
Tributes for songstress Sara Tindley
Hundreds gathered at a small rural property at Lindendale last week to say their final farewells to Sara Tindley, a very much loved personality from the Northern Rivers.
$5 million to improve Northern Rivers rural drainage systems
Damaged rural drainage systems will be cleaned out, repaired and fitted with mechanisms that will reduce the impacts of future flooding, thanks to the Australian and NSW governments’ $5 million Northern Rivers Drainage Reset Program.
Swivel flop-flop
Not sure what Cr Swivel is doing. But while he appears to be providing support for both sides of...
A smorgasbord of flicks
This year’s smorgasbord of over 40 incredible short films are handpicked from a record 3,200 entries received for Flickerfest’s Academy® and BAFTA Qualifying short-film festival screened recently in Bondi, and Northern Rivers audiences are the first in Australia to experience the best of Flickerfest on tour.
Highlights enjoying their Northern Rivers premiere include recent Academy® nominees and much-loved festival award winners alongside exciting, fresh, local talent.
Temporary pods
The very long wait for temporary pods to house those affected by the unprecedented floods has finally been all...
Stories about "Cr Sharon Parry":
Alcohol-free zones to continue in Ballina Shire
Four areas of public land in the Ballina Shire are to stay alcohol-free zones for at least another three years.
Accusations of false dam claims in Cr Cadwallader’s mayoral campaign
Ballina Shire Council candidates against the idea of a new dam in Byron’s hinterland are accusing fellow candidate Sharon Cadwallader of false claims in her electoral campaign.
Outgoing Ballina independent speaks out against Dunoon Dam campaign
Outgoing independent Cr Sharon Parry has seldom contacted The Echo during her time on the council but says she felt honour bound this week.
Ballina Shire Council defs not a ‘boys’ club’, says outgoing female councillor
This person is claiming that the council is a 'boys'' club and that the out-going mayor is one of them.
Calls for Royal Commission into housing crisis
The council also voted to write to the NSW Planning Minister about short-term rental accommodation policy reforms.
Ballina Council June wrap-up
June's meeting covered a lot of ground as Ballina's councillors positioned themselves for local elections coming in September.
Ballina parts ways with Arts Northern Rivers
A discussion about funding priorities for the next year became a debate about local versus regional arts funding at the last Ballina Shire Council meeting.
International Women’s Day kerfuffle at Ballina
One councillor walked out of Ballina Council's recent meeting during an emotional discussion about speakers at an upcoming IWD event.
Local News
Iron Gates development in Evans Head land owners go into administration – again
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The Iron Gates development, that is on flood- and fire-prone land near Evans Head, has been fought by the community for over 30 years. The current company that owns the site, Goldcoral Pty Ltd whose director is Graeme Ingles, has now been placed into administration.
Local News
Far North Coast branch of NSW Farmers launches
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The new NSW Farmers Far North Coast Branch, that will be representing farmers from the Tweed and Byron Shires, launched yesterday.
Local News
New Lismore refugee support group starting up
A local group from the Lismore area, the Lismore Region Refugee Settlement (LRRS), have come together to support refugees settling in the area.
Byron Echo
A tribute for Richard Moloney
Byron Shire has lost another of its colourful characters, the irrepressible Richard Moloney, who died suddenly but peacefully in his home at the end of January.
