Latest News
‘Hollywood’ drug squads over the top
I guess we have to thank Hollywood for the enduring myth that a black-clad squad of elite 'blokes', preferably with cool helicopters, from the capital are needed to crack down on really serious crime in hick parts of the country like Mullumbimby.
Other News
A closer look at Byron Council’s fossil fuel investments
Is Byron Council putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to reducing carbon emissions?
Community bar – not
Liz Levy, Suffolk Park
I couldn’t believe what I was reading in The Echo: a plan to turn an ‘iconic’...
Pottsville’s controversial Men’s Shed extension to be advertised
The controversial Men’s Shed at Black Rocks Sports Fields in Pottsville is seeking to expand its footprint 12m to the west.
Did Liberal-Nationals rort ‘bushfire’ recovery funds?
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin (Labor) has joined the call to highlight the actions of the Berejiklian-Barilaro NSW government over the latest ‘Liberal-National government grant rorts scandal’.
Lessons on resilience, regeneration from Iran
Zara Noruzi is one of the special guest speakers at the Byron Shire Resilience and Regeneration Roadshow, hosted by Renew Fest and Resilient Byron.
Will Ballina Council live up to its promise?
A motion from Cr Jeff Johnson to be tabled at Ballina Shire Council's meeting this week will ask the council to live up to its promise to act on the climate emergency, and divest from fossil fuel investments.
Stories about "Democracy":
Vote early, vote often
There are lots of ways to be a political actor apart from going to a voting booth, or standing as a candidate in an election.
Editorial – Nonviolent activist of the week
The writings on civilian-based defence by US academic Gene Sharp (1928–2018) have been used around the globe, and not just by activists against tyrannical regimes.
The race to the bottom in Australian politics
The last federal election saw a disunited LNP with no plan for climate change and almost no policies re-elected with a slim parliamentary majority
Byron’s last deputy mayor before 2020 elections
Deputy mayor positions across the Northern Rivers have been refreshed, with twelve months to go before New South Wales local government elections.
Pandering to power fails the people
Morrison’s view of the bureaucracy is apparently based on TV satires, the British Yes Minister and the Australian Utopia.
Shrinking of regional newsrooms threatens civic engagement and debate, study shows
A decline in the number of journalists covering local news in rural and regional areas means the public is less well informed about and connected to their communities, and is more easily manipulated, a new study has found.
Our trust under attack from lies and spin
As I grew up I was intrigued by the notion of subliminal advertising – the possibility that I could be influenced by a message I didn’t even know I was receiving. I was assured it had been made illegal as it was unethical.
Local News
Local fisherfolk caught in the parking fine net
Aslan Shand - 1
FIsherfolk have been caught in the net of parking fines designed to stop travellers parking up for the night on the Tweed Coast Road and they are seeking help to access their beaches at night without fines.
National News
Family Court scrapped
Despite overwhelming opposition from Australia’s family law specialists and advocates, the federal Liberal-Nationals government and cross benchers scrapped the Family Law Court and subsumed it into the circuit courts last week.
Sport
Cavanbah centre gets a taste of 3×3 basketball
The Byron Beez basketball team in collaboration with the U League hosted a 3x3 tournament at the Cavanbah centre at the end of January that attracted 30 teams.
Local News
Northern Rivers policeman accused of youth assault acquitted
Magistrate Michael Dakin has ordered a common assault charge against a former Byron-based policeman be dropped after an altercation involving a naked youth in Byron Bay three years ago.
