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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
Save Wallum now
The Save Wallum campaign has been ongoing and a strong presence of concerned conservationists are on site at Brunswick...
Man dies in hospital following an E-bike crash – Byron Bay
A man has died in hospital following an E bike crash in Byron Bay earlier this month.
More Byron CBD height exceedance approved
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.
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...
Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Couching an Opinion
The Bruce Lehrmann and Brittany Higgins case was never about establishing whether or not Lehrmann raped Higgins. It was about Brittany. She was established as not ‘the perfect victim’ so we overlooked the blazingly obvious fact that Bruce Lehrmann was ‘the perfect perpetrator’. An entitled, compulsive wrecking ball of cocaine, $400 steaks, free rent and very very expensive massages.
The bridges of Ballina Council
Ballina Shire Council has started preliminary investigation works at Fishery Creek Bridge, on River Street, and Canal Bridge, on Tamarind Drive, as part of their plan to duplicate both bridges.
Stories about "Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA)":
Short stay accommodation saga at Ballina Council
The last Ballina Council meeting saw a straightforward request from staff for more information about the short term rental accommodation situation in the shire (as it relates to NSW government policy) turn into an elaborate saga.
Incoming holiday letting rules discriminatory, say residents
Byron Bay resident, Catherine Henniker, told The Echo she lives in one of the parts of the town that has been deemed ‘365 nights for short-term holiday lets’, under new state government rules to be introduced in September.
Byron Council to encourage long-term rentals
How do we encourage people who own secondary dwellings, dual occupancies and investment properties in the Shire to put them on the long-term rental market rather than posting them on Airbnb?
Homelessness and holiday letting to feature at Tweed Council meeting
Residential zones in significant portions of coastal towns in Tweed and Byron Shires are now dominated by non-hosted short-term rental accommodation (STRA), removing much-needed...
Empower councils for a fairer share
As Collingwood and Penrith fans celebrate two cliffhanger wins, the Byron community has scored their own equally hard fought twin victories.
‘Limited evidence’ STRA rules will work, says Stayz
Booking agency Stayz says Byron Shire Council’s 60-day cap for short-term rental accommodation will only limit ‘accommodation options for tourists and income for mum and dad retirees’.
Byron Shire planning – limits to growth
Currently we find ourselves in housing and cost of living crises, set against the backdrop of climate and biodiversity extinction crises. We need more homes for those displaced by the floods and for essential workers and volunteers.
Bureaucrat threatens to remove Byron Council’s planning powers
Byron Shire Council risks losing its planning powers to ‘independent intervention’ if it does not ‘demonstrate how it intends to improve its housing supply’.
Holiday letting cap should be 60 days, across the Byron Shire, says IPC
The long-awaited report by NSW Independent Planning Commission into Byron Shire Council’s planning proposal around holiday letting has been released, with commissioners recommending a 60-day cap on non-hosted holiday letting across the Byron Shire.
Election 2023 – Tweed: Marc Selan
Marc Selan returned to Australia last year and is running in the seat of Tweed for the Legalise Cannabis Party as he is ‘shocked at how backward we are and is fired up about changing our laws’.
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.
