Copyright © 2024, The Echo
Latest News
Police out in force over the ANZAC Day weekend with double demerit points
Anzac Day memorials and events are being held around the country and many people have decided to couple this with a long weekend.
Other News
Big names at local chess tournament
A major Northern Rivers chess tournament was held at the Byron Bay Services Club in late April.
‘It was well-attended,...
Tweed Council wants your ideas on future sports facilities
Tweed Council is looking for feedback from residents about future plans for sport and recreation in the area.
Byron Bay takes second at NSW grade three regional bowls championships
Pam Scarborough
Byron Bay’s district winning, grade three pennants bowl team knew they had stepped up a grade when they...
Menacing dog declaration revoked
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.
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.
Byron’s Sydney-centric policies
Very interesting comments slipped out of the mouth of Premier Chris Minns during the recent Sydney/regional floods: ‘There shall...
Stories about "fires":
Emergency response plans for the vulnerable
It has been a challenging five years for most people in the Northern Rivers, from drought to the Black Summer fires of 2019/20 followed by the pandemic and then the 2022 floods.
Byron fire still burning after 24 hours
With fires being reported from several areas of the Northern Rivers, NPWS and the RFS crews continue to work on containing the Bayshore Drive fire, the blaze has been under the watchful eye of firefighters for over 24 hours.
Chopper inspections to help reduce fire hazards
With the bushfire season well under way and dozens of fires being fought across the state, it's timely that fire trails are being checked for hazards – the view from the sky is the best way to do it.
Murwillumbah Fire Station needs more firefighters
There is probably not one adult who hasn’t been grateful for the job that firefighters have done in this country, particularly in the aftermath of the The 2019–20 Australian bushfires.
Editorial: Building flood resilience
Resilience is a word bandied about a lot these days. From fires to floods we are being told to build ‘resilient communities’, but it is not just the human aspect that needs resilience. It is also the infrastructure.
Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery visits Lismore
After less than a week in his new role, NSW Senator Tony Sheldon was in Lismore on Saturday to talk about his new role as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery.
Cops call for an overhaul of emergency and disaster response system
The fires, floods and pandemic of the last three years have highlighted where emergency systems fail according to the Police Association of NSW, which says that putting police at the centre of disaster management permanently is the best way to future-proof the state against emergency situations spiralling out of control.
Stop Forestry Corporation causing ‘serious and irreversible harm’ to burnt out State Forests
A leaked report revealed that the independent report from the Natural Resources Commission’s to the NSW government to stop logging areas hardest hit by the Black Summer bushfires had been ignored.
Bush Fire Danger Period in place for most of NSW
New South Wales Rural Fire Service are reminding residents that all but nine local government areas of NSW will be in the bush fire season from tomorrow as the recent wet weather continues to build on grass fire concerns.
Meet local firies and save lives, including your own
Meeting local firefighters and learning about home fire prevention is really important and more so in recent times and into the future.
Local News
Child protection workers walk off the job in Lismore
Lismore and Ballina child protection caseworkers stopped work to protest outside the defunct Community Services Centre in Lismore yesterday after two years of working without an office. They have been joined by Ballina child protection caseworkers who had their office shut in January.
Political Comment
Youth crime is increasing – what to do?
There is something strange going on with youth crime in rural and regional Australia. Normally, I treat hysterical rising delinquency claims with a pinch of salt – explicable by an increase in police numbers, or a headline-chasing tabloid, or a right-wing politician.
Local News
Coffs Harbour man charged for alleged online grooming of young girl
Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a Coffs Harbour man for alleged online grooming offences under Strike Force Trawler.
Local News
Anzac Day memorials 2024
From the early hours of this morning people gathered to acknowledge the sacrifice of lives, families and communities have made in the name of war and keeping peace. Across the Northern Rivers events will continue today as we acknowledge the cost of war.
