S un, Moon & Tide Times 2026
NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE LIVERPOOL ECHO. SINCE 1986
See centre pages
The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #30 • December 31, 2025 • www.echo.net.au
Byron’s latest gallery a haven for cloud gazers
Haven Gallery has opened in the heart of Byron Bay in the former Woolies building, and sits alongside and inside the Haven nightclub. The gallery is an interactive landscape where play brings art to life through touch, movement, and curiosity. The exhibition blends light, sound, digital environments, and tactile installations to dissolve the line between audience and artwork. Rooted in sustainability and imaginative experimentation, Haven invites visitors of all ages to explore, participate, and rediscover their creativity. Pictured is gallery manager, Jessica Stephens, at the ‘Sound Cloud’ touch desk, with Shaun Johnston sitting back and allowing Jessica’s composition to wash over him. Photo Jeff ‘Clubbing Since the Dark Ages’ Dawson
Are you on Belle Arnold Pancho Symes holidays here, asks, explores enjoying are you the global yourself? feeling emergence of Well then read safe? the ‘surf town’ this… ▶ p5 trend ▶ p7 ▶ p6
Mandy’s Soapbox: You CAN change the world ▶ p15
WORKSHOPS & TALKS
WELLNESS MARKETS
VEGAN CAFE
PSYCHICS & HEALERS
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YOGA & MOVEMENT
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BREATH & CEREMONY
N FO RYd JA O ENTRI 2n Et &F TW ONR 1s
SOUNDBATHS
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Discover over 125 sessions from a lineup of more than 80 keynote speakers, yogis, sound healers and workshop facilitators all included with entry.
Byron Shire Council has won a Land and Environment Court (L&EC) case against Middle Pocket landowner, Robert Wookey, whose holiday letting operation was shut down in late 2024. The decision on December 9, 2025 was handed down by J Duggan, and follows a 15 November 2024 court decision where Council successfully obtained urgent interlocutory injunctions to halt shortterm tourist rentals of unauthorised buildings on a remote, heavily vegetated and steep property on Skyline Road, Middle Pocket. Council at the time argued there were safety risks amid the bushfire season. In May 2025, the L&EC granted a restraint order limiting use of buildings for tourist and visitor accommodation unless consent was granted, leaving only costs to be determined. The December 9 decision ordered that the first respondent (Wookey) pay Council’s costs of the proceedings and the hearing, but made no order as to costs between the Council and the second respondent, Benjamin Webster. Council’s legal team sought a gross sum costs order, supported by an affidavit from its solicitor, quantifying costs at about $77,000, and Council abandoned any claim for indemnity costs, instead seeking ordinary basis costs.
2025, Hello the year Summer,, of living my old dangerously friend – in photos ▶ p20 ▶ p18
STARLIGHT FESTIVAL THIS THURSDAY-SUNDAY
JANUARY 1st - 4th | A&I HALL BANGALOW | PROGRAM: STARLIGHTFESTIVAL.COM.AU
Middle Pocket landowner loses cost case against Council
1 DAY PASS: $40 4 DAY PASS: $110