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Latest News
Record pokies losses in 2023 as NSW waits for real reform
The people of NSW lost $8.129 billion to poker machines in 2023, an increase of $29 million on 2022 and the equivalent of $1,000 for every adult and child in the state.
Other News
Conversations with Mark Swivel
Byron Community College is thrilled to announcement their new series, ‘Conversations with Mark Swivel’. Mark is a well-known man-about-town owing to his dedication to community-building, activism and all the stellar work he does in raising awareness on important topics that affect us all.
Record pokies losses in 2023 as NSW waits for real reform
The people of NSW lost $8.129 billion to poker machines in 2023, an increase of $29 million on 2022 and the equivalent of $1,000 for every adult and child in the state.
NSW government promises $230 million in DV prevention and crisis support
The NSW Government has announced $230 million as part of an emergency support package over the next four years for domestic, family and sexual violence victim-survivors.
Summer of Harold
In a change of pace, the Uki Moon Theatre are excited to announce their first production for 2024 – the comedic trio of plays, Summer of Harold, by award-winning playwright Hilary Bell and directed by Penny Irving.
State of the Hempire revealed at Nimbin MardiGrass
The state of the Hempire in the Northern Rivers is healthy. In the last two years many changes have come about, both strategically and tactically. Celebrate this weekend at the Nimbin MardiGrass.
Main Arm road meeting this Thursday
It has been over two years since the 2022 floods and residents of Main Arm have been dealing with third world road conditions ever since. Now Byron Shire Council has agreed to ‘enter Middle Earth’ as one resident put it, and they have invited Main Arm residents to join them at Kohinur Hall this Thursday.
Stories about "pool drowning":
Child rescued from holiday park pool
A three-year-old child was blue after being pulled from a swimming pool at Discovery Holiday Park Byron Bay on Tuesday afternoon (January 8).
Goonellabah dad almost drowns in kiddie pool
A Goonellabah man was saved by his quick thinking daughter on Saturday afternoon after falling asleep in an inflatable kiddie pool in his backyard and almost drowning in knee-deep water.
Pool owners beware
Ron Olesen, Ocean Shores. Pool owners, council’s reaching for your wallet. My wife and I built a swimming pool on our property some years ago. The construction was approved by Byron Shire Council and a final occupation certificate issued. We both believe in pool safety as far too many drownings, mostly of children, have occurred in inadequately fenced and gated pools.
Toddler pulled from backyard pool near Ballina dies in hospital
A 21-month-old boy who was pulled from a backyard swimming pool unconscious at Wardell near Ballina on Friday afternoon, has died in hospital.
Byron Echo
Can artificial intelligence be used for beach safety?
Paul Bibby - 0
Is it time for a new approach to beach safety that utilises AI technology to tell locals and visitors where it’s safe to swim?
National News
New knife laws for NSW
The NSW government has announced a package of reforms to target possession of knives, particularly among young people, with the intention of reducing knife crime and boosting community safety.
Local News
Ballina Council delays Sharpes Beach redevelopment
David Lowe - 0
At the eleventh hour, Ballina Shire Council has voted to press pause on the controversial Sharpes Beach car park redevelopment, and seek further options.
Byron Echo
2022 flood data will not be incorporated into Council planning ‘at this stage’
With the recent release of local flood data from the devastating 2022 floods now public, Council staff have told The Echo there is no budget this year to apply for funding to incorporate it into their planning instruments.
