Latest News
Mental health explored at Ballina symposium
250 people attended the first free Community Mental Health Symposium last Thursday at Ballina RSL, with a range of expert speakers from various organisations explaining the dimensions of the problem and how best to move forward.
Other News
Concerns over future of Murwillumbah Hospital
Northern NSW Local Health District have sought to reassure locals that facilities won't be downgraded or closed at Murwillumbah Hospital when the controversial new Tweed Valley Hospital in Cudgen near Kingscliff opens in 2023.
Bruns underground car park reconsidered
Byron Council’s decision to approve a controversial mixed-use development in Brunswick Heads that would include the town’s first underground car park could be overturned at this week’s meeting, with a group of councillors moving a rescission motion.
West Ballina locals concerned about new flood risk
A large group of West Ballina residents are alarmed about a DA which has been submitted to Ballina Shire Council by the Emmanuel Anglican College in Horizon Drive. The proposal, for a STEM and Digital Technology Centre, is planned for a well-known flood-prone area which previously acted as part of a large retention pond.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
The Federal Film Society work at building community through film and food every second Saturday of the month at...
Car park housing
In recent weeks the idea by Council to develop the existing car park in Station Street has dropped out...
A long and chequered career in cooking
When she was just 16, Elizabeth Jackson was kicked out of a home economics class – not because she burnt a pot or had a collapsed sponge, but because she made a black wedding cake.
Stories about "John Walker":
Lismore Council GM avoids sacking
Lismore City Council’s legacy of turbulence when it comes to leadership continues after a late-night surprise motion to sack General Manager John Walker in a confidential vote last week.
Democracy, DAs and the almighty council GM: late night power plays in Lismore
Lismore City Councillors have agreed to workshop democracy and deny unlimited spending power to the general manager after another late-night ordinary meeting this week.
Rate relief decision for Lismore residents
At Tuesday's Lismore City Council meeting, Mayor Steve Krieg promised to make an announcement to residents about the Council rates – late yesterday a media release was sent out saying that Council understands the devastating physical, emotional and financial impact the flood disaster has had on members for our community.
Cr Ekins’ urgency motion regarding Lismore’s water meter reading and rates
At Tuesday evening's Lismore Council meeting, Cr Vanessa Ekins asked to move an urgency motion. It was a request for a report coming to the April meeting to outline the general water and sewer rate relief options for flood-affected properties, including any government assistance and implications for council's budget.
Lismore’s ‘change agent’ ready to roll
It's official – Lismore City Council has a new General Manager – again.
Mayor Krieg announces John Walker as Lismore Council’s new GM, but wait…
No one is surprised to hear tonight that Lismore City Councillors voted 6 to 4 to terminate the employment contract of the General Manager Michael Donnelly under the no-fault clause, effective immediately.
Lismore Council holds Extraordinary Meeting today
Since The Echo broke the news on Friday that Lismore Council will have a new general manager from tomorrow, the internet has been overflowing with comments about the proposed GM, John Walker.
Richmond Valley considers merger as CEO quits
Richmond Valley Council is meeting today (Tuesday) to discuss a potential merger with Kyogle ... a merger rejected by Lismore City Council and unwanted by Kyogle. The options have been put forward to council by chief executive officer John Walker who resigned yesterday.
Richmond Valley residents face rate rises
Richmond Valley residents will be slugged with increased rates as the council attempts to deliver budget surpluses over the next four years.
Opponents slam Iron Gates DA inadequacies
Opponents of the Iron Gates development at Evans Head are demanding that the controversial proposal be re-advertised.
Local News
Have your say on aged care facility in Kingscliff
The developers of new $150 million redevelopment ‘designed to meet the growing and evolving needs of seniors in the region’, are inviting Kingscliff residents to take part in community consultation.
Byron Echo
Fuel stolen from farmer
Aslan Shand - 0
The cost of fuel continues to be a major consideration in the budget, particularly in country areas where distances travelled are inevitably further for your average daily needs like accessing shops, schools and other activities.
Byron Echo
Developer proposes light industrial in Federal
Paul Bibby - 0
Tasteful, reasonable and useful? Or noisy, oversized and intrusive? This is the question at the heart of the debate over a light industrial development that has been proposed for the heart of Federal.
Local News
‘We’re back!’ Homecoming for The Channon market
Eve Jeffery - 0
The reverberations of the February and March floods reached beyond things most people expected – one of those things was the state of Coronation Park at The Channon where every second Sunday of the month one of the biggest and best markets on the Far North Coast is held.