THE SMALLEST ACT OF KINDNESS IS WORTH MORE THAN THE GRANDEST INTENTION The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #22 • November 5, 2025 • www.echo.net.au
Vale Alfred, the Shire’s great walker
Four charged over illegal cigarettes and vapes
A report will be prepared for the coroner following the death of well-known, and much-loved, Byron Shire road walker, Alfred Hartlieb. Alfred was hit by a vehicle on Ewingsdale Road on Wednesday, 29 October. About 2.30pm on the
Wednesday, emergency services were called to the intersection of Ewingsdale Road and Banksia Drive, Byron Bay, following reports of a crash. Alfred, who was in his 70s, was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for head injuries. ‘The driver of the van – a 38-year-old woman – was uninjured
and was taken to Byron Central Hospital for mandatory testing,’ police told The Echo. ‘Police declared a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances of the crash.’ Many people have expressed their sorrow over Alfred’s death and concern for the 38-year old driver of the vehicle that hit him in this tragic incident.
‘Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers. com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages’.
Four people have been arrested in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay this week following raids that saw police seize more than 18,000 vapes, 1.9 million illicit cigarettes, 74kg of loose-leaf tobacco and five unregistered firearms. At 9am on Wednesday, 29 October, a 27-year-old man was arrested at a Mullumbimby storage shed where investigators seized 17,120 vapes, more than 1.8 million allegedly illicit cigarettes, and 62kg of loose-leaf tobacco. Two men, aged 24 and 41 were arrested at two Mullumbimby homes where five unregistered firearms, $40,000 cash, mobile phones, electronic equipment and assorted alledgedly illicit cigarettes and vapes were seized. At about 5pm, a 40-year-old woman was also arrested after attending Byron Bay Police Station. She was charged with possessing more than 1,000x commercial quantity of illicit vapes, two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. The two men, aged 24 and 27, were each charged with possessing more than 1,000x commercial quantity of illicit vapes, dealing with proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. The 41-year-old man was charged with five counts of possessing unregistered firearms. All were granted conditional bail. NSW Health inspectors, together with NSW Police, carried out inspections of two premises, a Byron Bay tobacconist and a Tweed Heads convenience store seizing ▶ Continued on page 7
Businesses closing as a result of roadworks ▶ p2
Mullumbimby water supply to become hybrid system ▶ p4
Norths Collective refuse to hand back Bangalow Bowlo ▶ p6
Local artists on exhibition – check out The Arts ▶ p17
It’s showtime! Mullum Show kicks off Friday ▶ p22
Iconic local figure Alfred Hartlieb in action. Photo Jeff Dawson Aslan Shand
Police seeking witnesses
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