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Latest News
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.
Other News
Getting ready for the 24/25 bush fire season
This year’s official NSW Bush Fire Danger Period closed on March 21. Essential Energy says its thoughts are now turned toward to the 2024-25 season, and it has begun surveying its powerlines in and around the North Coast region.
Blaming Queensland again
I was astounded to read Mandy Nolan’s article ‘Why The Nude Beach Is A Wicked Problem’, in which she...
Anti-Israel bias
Many locals have approached me to say how shocked they are at the extreme anti-Israel bias that is expressed...
Can Council’s overturn their decisions?
NSW Labor planning minister, Paul Scully, when asked about the Wallum estate by local MP Tamara Smith (Greens) in...
Cape Byron Distillery release world-first macadamia cask whisky
S Haslam
The parents of Cape Byron Distillery CEO Eddie Brook established the original macadamia farm that you can see...
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 "Mercato":
Mercato sell off
Virginia Black, Suffolk Park
Congratulations to Azzura Investments and Wingate Property who have sold Mercato for $120 million, they must be laughing all the way to...
Another large Byron CBD development before public
Developers Dr Stanley Quek and Adam Garrisson (Multiplicity Byron Bay Pty Ltd) are proposing a mixed commercial residential complex in Byron’s CBD, located next...
Essence of Byron mega hotel rejected by govt panel
A massive proposal for a 146 room tourist hotel proposal at the old Byron Woolies site has been knocked back over exceeding the floor...
Have your say on a massive proposal for old Byron Woolies site
A massive new 146 room hotel is proposed for the existing old Byron Woolies site, next to the Mercato shopping centre on Jonson Street.
But...
Residents Group opposes proposed Byron hotel
Byron Residents Group are urging concerned residents to have their say over a massive hotel next to Mercato on Jonson Street and submissions have just been extended for a week.
Byron’s new shopping mall just months away from opening
In approximately five months’ time, the doors will open on ‘Mercato on Byron’. Some see it as a welcome addition that will attract more visitors and create local jobs, while others bemoan a further ‘Gold Coastification’ of the Shire.
Issue of radioactive dust in Byron Bay blows up again
Byron Environment Centre (BEC) and a prominent council watcher say their calls for information about possible radioactive dust pollution during excavation at the Mercato shopping mall site in Byron Bay are falling on deaf ears.
Tree removal heralds demise of a special place
David Morris, Byron Bay.
The strident racket of chainsaw and mulcher before 8am the other day alerted me. Hurrying round to Jonson Street I witnessed...
Paperbarks cut down as Mercato development steps up
Byron Shire Council's community enforcement team are visiting the site of the the Mercato development in Jonson Street, Byron Bay, after a tip-off to Echonetdaily that two large old paperbark trees may be being unlawfully removed.
Byron’s big mall gets started
Construction is set to start next week on Mercato on Byron – a new supermarket, retail and cinema complex in Jonson Street. Earthworks will begin ‘as part of an 18-month project to create regional NSW’s most sustainable shopping complex in keeping with Byron’s relaxed beachside style.’
National News
Domestic violence service calls for urgent action to address crisis
Relationships Australia NSW is calling for urgent intervention from the NSW government to address men’s violence against women, following the horrific murder of Molly Ticehurst.
Local News
Menacing dog declaration revoked
David Lowe - 0
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.
Byron Echo
More Byron CBD height exceedance approved
Paul Bibby - 7
Two multi-storey mixed-use developments with a combined value of $36.2 million have been approved for the centre of Byron Bay, despite both exceeding height limits for that part of the Shire.
National News
eSafety commissioner granted legal injunction as X refuses to hide violent content
Australia’s Federal Court has granted the eSafety commissioner a two-day legal injunction to compel X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, to hide posts showing graphic content of the Wakeley church stabbing in Sydney.
