The Byron Shire Echo Issue 41.08 – August 5, 2026

Full circle: a collection of artwork celebrating community and nature

Cate Cormack

Seven years ago, seven artists met at the Laneway Studio, Byron Community College, drawn by the creative explorations offered by Virginia Reid. Virginia understood what a catalyst a community art college could be, and passed on her love of art grounded in a deep respect for nature.

Staying in contact, the group

has weathered the 2019 fires, Covid in 2020 and 2021, and the 2022 floods – each leaving its mark on their lives, their practice, and this community.

Sharing work online, most worked quietly from home studios. Then the world opened up again, and they began exhibiting publicly once more. You can join their opening exhibition at the Garage Gallery, 4 Burringbar St, Mullumbimby on 15 August, from 2pm to 5pm.

If tourism isn’t the

Over these seven years, each artist has nurtured those first seeds in their own way – as evidenced in this Full Circle Collection.

At the exhibition you can expect an intimate look at what creative nurturing, and collective championing of artistic practice, can produce. Come hear the artists’ stories in person on 16 August, at 2pm. The exhibition will be open daily, 10am to 2pm between 15 and 26 August.

Challenging the future of Mullum’s town entrance

Aslan Shand

For a development that has around 98 per cent of the local community in opposition, doesn’t meet the towns development control plan (DCP), and fails to meet the objectives laid out in the Mullumbimby Masterplan for the entrance to town, it is no surprise that some councillors have finally asked the Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) what it would take for them to support the development application (DA), removing the only car park in central Mullumbimby at 57 Station Street to build flats.

Brenden Lawless, owner of the Top Pub, the Middle Pub, properties adjacent to 57 Station Street, and other businesses in central Mullumbimby, told The Echo, ‘Being the local publican, I’ve never seen a more vehemently opposed topic in

the pub. It’s extremely unpopular.’

The Mullumbimby community has been consistent and clear over many years in relation to what it values in relation to the appearance of the town and where it can see housing developments going, including social and affordable housing.

Heritage report

‘The DCP records that the township is unusual in having a uniform scale and character of traditional buildings laid out in an historic grid, in a beautiful setting in the lee of Mount Chincogan,’ says the convenor of the MRA, Dale Emerson.

An independent heritage assessment of the development application (DA) for 57 Station Street commissioned by the MRA (see page 17) clearly states that the proposed building ‘has a design

Another test for Byron’s height limits as Jonson St hotel seeks 30% variation

Byron Bay’s increasingly porous height limits are set to face another test, with the developer behind a proposed mixed-use hotel on Jonson Street claiming recent approvals have established a precedent for allowing buildings to rise above the town’s planning controls.

The development application (DA 10.2026.384.1) for 109 Jonson Street proposes transforming the existing two-storey commercial building into a mixed-use development featuring 22 hotel rooms, ground-floor hospitality, a rooftop

swimming pool and terrace, while retaining parts of the existing building and several commercial tenancies.

The proposal seeks to exceed Byron’s 11.5-metre height limit by up to 3.46 metres, with the lift overrun reaching a maximum height of 14.962 metres – a variation of 30.1 per cent. The main rooftop structure would also exceed the limit by 3.06 metres, or 26.6 per cent.

In a written request accompanying the application, the developer, JOBERN Pty Ltd, argues the additional height is justified

▶ Continued on page 6 ▶ Continued on page 4

Ros Yeung, Michelle Walker, Raine Sharpe, Jude White, Cate Cormack, and Yolanda de Cuevas. Ann Cameron was absent. Photo Jeff Dawson

Paul Bibby

Local artists’ work animated for ABC TV

Laim Reynold and Andrew Rixon with the artworks that were selected to be animated for Season 3 of Fizzy and Suds Photo Jeff Dawson

Natalie Archibald and Aslan Shand

Three local artists have been selected to have their artworks used in season 3 of the popular ABC TV program, Fizzy and Suds, which will first air this week.

Andrew Rixon was thrilled to have his work selected after not previously making the cut.

‘I submitted before and was sad they didn’t get picked,’ he told The Echo. The self-portrait is of him crying.

‘I was sad that James was leaving. James, he was head of REDinc.’

Working together

Post-11 producer Gabrielle Joosten worked with participants of the REDinc art

group to inspire a selection of artworks to be used by the program.

‘The participants relished the opportunity to have such a tangible goal for their work, and it motivated even those who sometimes needed a bit more encouragement. The selected artworks were then turned into loveable animations that will be featured in the ABC TV program,’ said REDinc team leader, Miranda Burne.

‘The three artists, Ellie Berry, Andrew Rixon, and Laim Reynolds were thrilled to see their pictures brought to life in animation, and to know that they would soon be shown on broadcast television.’

‘I was in complete and utter shock when I heard that one of my artworks was

selected for Fizzy and Suds; it was my first time submitting,’ Laim told The Echo

‘Mainly, I have done animals. I did the inside of a race car a week ago. I prefer painting animals; it’s a lot calmer, I feel.’

‘I took reference photos of magpies and used paint pens as I find paint too blotchy.’

Series producer for Tilt Media, Sam Griffin said, ‘The artwork Ellie, Andrew, and Laim have created is some of the freshest and most original in the series. Watching their 2D illustrations come to life through professional animation is always exciting, and it’s been such a joy to see their creativity transformed into something that feels so vibrant and alive.’

Airing this week

REDinc is a grass-roots, not-for-profit disability support provider that has a day centre in Mullumbimby. They run programs for people with disability that facilitate creative expression through visual art, music, dance, and offer other social activities in the area.

Fizzy & Suds season 3 launched Monday, 3 August at 3.40pm on ABC.

Wallum campaign at critical crossroads

The Northern Rivers community is being called back to Wallum this Saturday, 8 August, at 12 noon for the opportunity to stand together at the Brunswick Heads site at the end of Omega Circuit, Bayside.

From midday, Traditional Owners, campaigners, scientists, volunteers, local residents and supporters will gather to share updates, reconnect and acknowledge what has already been achieved through almost three years of determined community action.

Save Wallum organisers say this is an important moment to be present, not only for those who have worked at the heart of the campaign, but also for people who have followed from afar, recently moved to the region or have wondered how to become involved. People do not need to have previously volunteered or attended an action to take part.

‘This gathering is an opportunity to come to Wallum, meet the people who have cared for and defended this place, and experience the strength of the community that has formed around it,’ a Save Wallum spokesperson said.

August delivery of Wallum judgement

‘The Federal Court judgement could be delivered this month. Wallum’s future remains unresolved, and this may be one of the most important times for our community to come together.’

The afternoon will provide an opportunity to hear the latest campaign updates, meet Traditional Owners and members of the Save Wallum community, acknowledge the efforts of volunteers and supporters, and stand together as the Federal Court judgement and other decisions approach. Indigenous artist

Oral Roberts has collected artworks from various Bundjalung artists that will be on display and for sale.

‘For the more than 10,000 people who have supported the effort to protect Wallum, recent months may have seemed unusually quiet. Behind that quiet, however, three important processes have been continuing, each capable of influencing the future of the culturally and ecologically significant land,’ said the spokesperson.

The first is Save Wallum Inc’s Federal Court case concerning Clarence Property’s proposed residential development. A three-week Federal Court trial began in February 2025. Closing submissions were delivered in May 2025, and the Court reserved its decision. The judgement is expected in August.

The second is a Traditional Owner-led application under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 The group is requesting permanent protection of the Wallum site due to its cultural significance.

The third refers to contradictions regarding the development application (DA).

Save Wallum’s questions regarding the interpretation and application of condition B4 of the original NSW development consent, directed to both the Byron Shire Council and Clarence Property, remain unanswered.

Attention vital

Together, these processes mean the future of Wallum remains unsettled and public attention remains essential.

‘Come and meet the carers of Country and community who have helped make this one of the Northern Rivers’ defining environmental campaigns,’ the spokesperson said.

‘Whether you have been with the campaign from the beginning, supported quietly from home, or are only now discovering what makes Wallum so special, this gathering is for you.

‘Save Wallum continues to showcase the enormous and unyielding capacity of the local community to collectively activate and come together as volunteers, united by a shared love of place.

‘The Northern Rivers has a long and proud history of championing the environment, from Terania Creek to Bentley. Save Wallum has now become an iconic campaign of national significance, reigniting that tradition of community-led environmental action.

‘The waiting may feel long, but the achievements have already been significant. There may not be another gathering like this before the Federal Court delivers its judgement. This is the moment to reconnect, become involved and show that the community is still here.’

Swamp wallabies at Wallum site. Photo Mac Maderski

Santos plans for the future as local investors step in

Aslan Shand

Santos Organics has been a mainstay of the Byron Shire and Northern Rivers business community for over 48 years. Growing from the alternative communities’ need for some decent chickpeas, lentils, and organic fruit and vegetables that just weren’t available in the local shops, they started out with home deliveries before setting up a shop front in Mullumbimby in the late 1970s.

They were the forerunner of organic and sustainable food, quickly moving into the capacity of championing new organic and alternative products that have continued to be successful.

‘We have funded organic certification for a handful of the local farmers who now sell organic food at the farmers’ markets in the region. Other brands we’ve helped bring to market now have

grown to range products at Coles and Woolies,’ Santos’ General Manager (GM) Rob Baldwin told The Echo

‘Our stores are catalysts for bringing new products to market, for example Loco Love, Mindful Foods and countless other examples,’ explained former GM Michael Lyon, who has come back onto the Santos board and is now an executive director.

Garry Rodger, who has also stepped in as Santos board Chair, and Executive Director, says times have been tough for Santos Organics over the last few years.

‘There have been a few years of hardship for us with the overall economic challenges that everyone is facing and our own situation. We have half a dozen locals who have invested in Santos so that we can get stock back on the shelves and move forward. Lots has now been

EVENT COMING

done to keep things rolling,’ he told The Echo

Focus on the future

‘The key is that we have recognised how we can move things forward and we have a plan to keep the company going.’

Lyon agrees, saying the organisation has ‘recognised our mistakes and lifted our game.’

‘It is about good customer service, having stock on the shelves, having a leaner staff with a focus on customerfacing business which is our priority.’

Employing around 50 local staff, Santos is a key part of the cultural history of the region with stores in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay and a warehouse in the Byron Arts and Industry Estate.

Rob says that Santos Organics remains committed to ‘long-term investment in

the Shire’.

‘We have implemented a range of operational changes, and this is backed up with a plan that we will carry forward. We have a responsibility to our customers, suppliers, and community to get this right.

‘Currently, we are achieving roughly 70 per cent of our sales targets that we need to meet to ensure we remain on track for our recovery. We are hoping all our customers notice the changes and start coming back and looking to buy from us again now that our shelves are stocked. We are hoping to be back where we were this time last year, and currently we are on track to achieve that.’

Garry agreed, telling The Echo, ‘We are not done, and we are determined to make this work. We are looking to the future and changing for, and with, the community and moving with the times.’

‘The time is always right to do what is right.’

Garry Rodger, Chair of the board and Executive Director, with former General Manager and Executive Director Michael Lyon, and current General Manager Robert Baldwin say they have a plan for a successful future for Santos Organics.

Photo Jeff Dawson

Ceramics lovers assemble!

The celebration of clay just got bigger…

Mud slinger Jacqui Sosnowski and President of Creative Mullum, Mark Franklyn, with Safire, Zoa, and Beauroo looking on, at last Friday’s public wheel throwing demonstration outside The Patch in the main steet of Mullumbimby to promote the upcoming Mud Trail.

Photo Jeff ‘Feet Of Clay’ Dawson Paul Bibby

For years the North Coast Mud Trail was a fairly quiet affair – just a handful of ceramics studios throwing open their doors to welcome in the clay throwers and ceramics lovers.

Not anymore.

The event has grown into one of the Northern Rivers’ biggest arts weekends, attracting thousands of visitors from across Australia to explore the region’s thriving ceramics scene.

And this year the celebration of clay is growing again.

For the first time, the Mud Trail will expand into a four-day festival, with two dedicated workshop days preceding the traditional weekend of open studios.

The expanded program includes around 30

workshops, four exhibitions, artist talks and demonstrations, while the self-guided trail will showcase the work of 35 potters across 26 studios stretching from the Tweed to Coffs Harbour.

Workshops galore!

North Coast Ceramics founding president Jacqui Sosnowski said the additional workshops were designed to encourage visitors to spend longer in the region rather than making a day trip.

‘We’ve got 30 workshops this year and they’re encouraging overnight visitors,’ Ms Sosnowski said.

She said the event was attracting people from well beyond the Northern Rivers.

‘We’re getting visitors from Sydney and Brisbane. Ceramics is thriving here.’

What is your vision for Mullumbimby?

In 2025, 35 Mullumbimby locals participated in Imagine Northern Rivers, to imagine what a regenerative, safe, and adaptive future could be like.

Those involved represented clubs, social, and environmental groups, not-for-profit organisations, business, government, and creative industries.

Soon it will be time to present the findings and share what’s possible for Mullum’s future – what social, environmental, economic, and cultural regeneration could be like, and how we might get there?

Meet the makers

While the workshops are a significant addition, the weekend studio trail remains at the heart of the festival, giving visitors the chance to meet makers in their studios, watch demonstrations and buy work directly from the artists.

Ms Sosnowski said that direct connection between makers and visitors was what set the Mud Trail apart.

‘The uniqueness is the story behind where the pots came from,’ she said.

The North Coast Mud Trail runs from 13 to 16 August. The open studios are free to visit, while bookings are required for workshops and some special events.

Find out more at: www. northcoastceramics.com/ mud-trail.

• What elements of the vision are within our control to activate?

• What conditions need to be in place for the vision to take hold?

• What’s already happening that we can build upon to move in our preferred direction

• What’s ‘your bit’ to do that links to the vision?

• What are the obvious next steps to take to strengthen community-led decision making and control of our shared future?

Get involved

To find out more, come

In addition to sharing the emerging vision for Mullum’s future, the following will be explored:

to the free session at the Mullumbimby Civic Memorial Hall on Wednesday, 19 August from 10am to 12.30pm. Morning tea will be provided.

RSVP via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix. com/imagine-northernrivers-byron-shire-seriesmullumbimby as spots are limited. For more information visit: ittakesatown. org.au/imagine or contact Carmen Stewart at carmen@ ittakesatown.org.au

Imagine Northern Rivers is presented by Ingrained Foundation, Seed Northern Rivers, Relocalise Northern Rivers, and The Family Centre.

Height limits tested again on Jonson Street

Continued from page 1

because similar variations have already been approved nearby.

‘There are several similar examples of 3–4 storey buildings in the locality that exceed the building height control, which have been accepted by Council and/or the NSW Land and Environment Court,’ the request states.

‘These examples set a clear precedent of what has been accepted in the locality, and... provide a strong indication of Council’s view of the current and future desired character within the Byron Town Centre.’

In the examples given they highlight 4 Marvel Street that was previously allowed a height exceedance by the Land and Environment Court (L&EC) by Commissioner J Duggan.

However, in her judgement she wrote that, ‘My

decision in supporting the height breach should therefore not be construed as supporting four-storey development in the town centre, per se.

‘I accept such an outcome would not accord with the masterplan vision or expectations of the Byron Bay community as outlined in the masterplan’.

The application is the latest in a series of proposals that have tested Byron’s building height controls, an issue that has become increasingly contentious as developers seek site-specific variations while critics argue the cumulative effect is gradually reshaping the character of the town centre without any formal change to the Local Environmental Plan (LEP).

The proposal has already undergone scrutiny from Byron Shire Council’s (BSC) Design Excellence Panel,

which raised concerns about overshadowing, the building’s bulk, the extensive use of copper cladding and the scale of the rooftop pool area. In response, the developer says the rooftop structure has been reduced in size by around 23 square metres and set back further from the southern boundary to reduce bulk and overshadowing. The application also argues the rooftop elements exceeding the height limit ‘will not be readily perceivable in the streetscape’ because they are well recessed from the building edges and largely screened from street level.

If approved, the development would replace the existing upper levels of the building with new tourist accommodation while expanding hospitality uses in one of Byron Bay’s busiest commercial precincts.

▶

Upper Main Arm School celebrating 99 years with another great Music in the Valley

always a fun day at Main Arm’s Music in the

Once again, it is a fun and exciting line-up for the free Music in the Valley at Main Arm Upper School with Kooii and Versace Boys headlining on Sunday, 23 August, from 11am to 4pm.

Trouble of the Good, Neighbourhood Choir and Club Chaos will also feature in this fabulous fun, food and family-friendly magical hinterland event.

Kooii’s world fusion sound of interwoven rhythms, lyrical melodies and harmony taps into the aliveness of music and its inspiration of dance. Drawing on African, jazz, soul and reggae, the band’s songs are seeded by singer and trumpeter Peter Hunt and orchestrated by the group’s collective creativity and rhythm.

The Versace Boys will once agian light up the stage with their cheeky and extroverted explosion of a show while Mullumbimby-based velvetalt indie band, Trouble of the

Good, will carve out its own sonic space weaving threads of psychedelic-rock and blues into their sound.

Emily Lubitz will lead the Neighbourhood Choir and the combination of the Versace Boys and Hot Mess will bring you the puppet party that is Club Chaos with plenty of new creatures to meet and greet.

Unique local experience

Festival spokeswoman Brodi O’Loughlan said Music In the Valley offered a muchneeded dose of joy and community connection during globally uncertain times.

‘Since its inception, our grassroots festival has showcased incredible worldclass artistic talent from the Shire with the likes of Bobby Alu, Emily Lubitz and Harry James Angus gracing our stage in recent years,’ she said.

‘For one day of every year, the hills of Main Arm literally come alive with the sound of music. It’s a gem of a festival that has something for everyone, bringing people together from Byron and beyond to celebrate, eat, drink, dance and be merry.’ Activities at this year’s event include Spaghetti Circus, a jumping castle, the Meltdown ride, line dancing, a side show entertainment alley, crafts, Mini Olympics and an array of delicious food.

The festival, organised by the Main Arm Upper Public School parent association (P&C), is the most ambitious fundraiser of the year for the little, big-spirited school –and all in the lead up to its 100th birthday in 2027!

Music In the Valley is held on the grounds of the school, surrounded by the forest under Mount Boogarem. Entry to the event is free. This is a no-dogs festival.

What’s the future for Mullum’s town entrance?

▶ Continued from page 1

and architectural character that does not respect the established heritage character and significance of the conservation area, and would introduce a form that is, in her words, “entirely different to the significant historic character” of the area,’ says Mr Emerson.

The Mullumbimby Masterplan specifically highlighted the entrance to the town as an ‘opportunity to welcome residents home, and visitors to Mullumbimby… The gateway is an opportunity to reflect Mullumbimby’s “green” image.’

‘I think it is a shame that such a beautiful and charming little town may have this addition at the main entrance to the town. A building that large will mean we lose the view of our local Mount Chincogan as we enter the town,’ said Mr Lawless.

‘Mullum is really flying. It is the character of a town like Mullum that is really important and distinctive. That is really important to local businesses; that is what brings people to town and creates business success.

‘In my view, at the point they lost having the existing car parks underneath for the public like originally intended, they should have stopped it there. It’s a wellintended project but just is in the wrong spot’

The Mullumbimby community has been clear for years about where they think affordable and social housing should go. The community fought tirelessly for the flood-free land at the former Mullumbimby Hospital site to

be returned to the community for social and affordable housing.

‘Our Mullumbimby Masterplan, adopted in December 2019, is not a document that opposes housing,’ said Mr Emerson.

‘Council’s own project material records that the rail corridor land was identified as desirable for long-term affordable housing by Council and the community in that masterplan. Mullumbimby did not say no to affordable housing. It said where.’

Compromise?

Responding to some councillors’ requests for a meeting and ‘if there were any circumstances under which MRA could support the construction of affordable housing on 57 Station Street,’ the MRA said they had ‘12 conditions which we believe would address the concerns raised by residents in relation to the proposed development,’ said Mr Emerson.

Key to their response was that the DA go back to its original proposal of affordable and social housing above a public car park; that the entrance from Station Street be retained; that the building is only one storey above the existing car park; it complies with the 9m height limit; fits in with the heritage of the area; that the heritage-listed toilet be retained; rear access to be maintained for businesses; and that construction not to commence until an alternative car park is constructed, among others (see full list in The Echo online: www.echo.net.au).

The MRA has nonetheless

remained clear that they ‘still do not believe that 57 Station Street is the optimal site for affordable housing’. Time to reset?

‘I am hoping all the councillors take a breath and the opportunity to reflect and think about what legacy this is leaving on the town permanently in such a high-profile position,’ Mr Lawless said.

‘When they drive into Mullumbimby in the future, will they be happy with this, or would they then agree it could have been done better. I feel now is the time to take the opportunity to hit reset.

‘The things that are in our control we should take the opportunity to get right. In my opinion, this proposal just doesn’t work in this spot for this town, and someone from Council should just step in and acknowledge this and look for a better site, as it is a well-intended project but just in the wrong location.

‘This is something that has such vehement opposition from the locals. I thought that would have had more impact on the councillors and their direction with this development,’ he said.

‘I’m hoping the mayor hits pause as a result of the major concerns from the community. I’ve been highly impressed with the mayor’s efforts to date, and she has been brilliant in supporting business and the community, and I hope she can reassess this one and look at other sites for this development.’

Submissions close 16 August.

■ The Echo is impacted by this DA.

It’s

Valley. Photo Nina Claire

LABOR IS DELIVERING REAL CHANGE.

Two tax cuts for every Australian taxpayer

Capping PBS medicines at $25, or $7.70 for concession card holders

Doubling bulk billing clinics from Tweed to Ballina

Giving first home buyers a fair go

Extending paid parental leave to a full six months

Making childcare cheaper

Banning supermarket price gouging

Durrumbul Hall community working bee

As the community steps forward to take over the management of Durrumbul Hall from the Byron Shire Council (BSC) a community working bee has been called for this Saturday, 8 August, 10am till 4pm.

‘This isn’t just a working bee, it’s a chance to reconnect with each other, share some laughs, lend a hand, and help care for a place that means so much to us all,’ said Joe Figliano from Lovefest Byron who is helping organise the working bee.

‘In 1993, Durrumbul

Hall was built through the generosity and hard work of local volunteers. We’d love to bring some of that same community spirit back, people coming together, sharing a common purpose, and enjoying the simple satisfaction of creating something beautiful together.’

From rubbish collection to cleaning and gardening there’s lots of love to be given to the hall and BSC are providing lunch for everyone.

‘Bring your hat, suncream, gloves, and drinking water,’ said Jo.

‘If you’re handy with a particular skill then email joe@lovefestaustralia.com with your phone number or go to the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ events/1017140471122597 and click “Going” on the event. If you simply want to lend a hand wherever it’s needed, we’d absolutely love to have you help. Invite your family and friends, the more people the more we can achieve.

‘Whether you can contribute an hour or the whole day, your help will make a real difference.’

QUALITY FURNITURE DONATIONS NEEDED

ALSO HOMEWARES, ELECTRICAL, MANCHESTER & CLOTHING

GLOBAL RIPPLE OP SHOP

NEW ADDRESS: 268 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay

Accepting donations at this address as of Monday 3 Nov For FURNITURE PICKUPS... please TEXT your name, address & photos of donations. Your donations make our charity projects possible. Deceased estates welcomed and dealt with respectfully.

Gathering together at the Garden Table

Iris Laverty celebrated her 93rd birthday at this months’ Garden Table gathering at The Brunswick Bowling Club.

The celebration formed part of a lively afternoon of shared lunch and conversation with a guest speaker now a regular feature of this self-managed group.

The Garden Table was

founded on the simple idea of bringing people together to build friendships and share knowledge. Each gathering includes a short talk on living well with recent sessions focusing on connection, health, and wellbeing.

As Iris blew out the candles, the room was a reminder that communities

thrive when people take time for one another. Sometimes all it takes is a shared table and, every now and then, a birthday cake!

The Garden Table welcomes new faces of 60 years plus and continues to grow – one conversation at a time. Please call Laura on 0407 597 273 for all enquiries.

Caring for catchments in the Brunswick Valley

For over 20 years, one of Brunswick Valley Landcare’s (BVL) core activities has been riparian restoration – that is, improving the quality and density of native vegetation along the waterways of the Brunswick River catchment.

Our latest project under the ‘Caring for Catchments’ program has worked six sites on private land, extending connectivity between previously worked properties, joining the dots.

The project is now coming to its funded completion, with landholders becoming guardians of the regenerating riparian landscape.

A mix of restoration strategies were applied to address the specifics of each site. These included installation of exclusion fencing to keep stock out of creeks and reveg zones; deploying naturally-assisted bush regeneration techniques to address walls of woody weed, encouraging native

riparian species to reestablish; and revegetation via enrichment plantings of over 5,000 tubestock where the native seedbank was degraded.

BVL’s publication Revegetating Streams in the Brunswick Catchment is a helpful starting place if you’re looking at which native species to plant based on your location in the catchment: brunswickvalleylandcare.org. au/resources/kits-guides/ riparian-creeks-and-rivers.

Rare species

Threatened and vulnerable flora species were identified at three sites.

BVL’s project monitoring and evaluation visits tracking progress over an 18-month period documented a diversity of birdlife and native fauna species including native pollinators. However, it’s been concerning to note suspected presence of foxes at several sites. Be on the lookout – if you are observing foxes or

other invasive pests in the landscape, please report your data to FeralScan: https://feralscan.org.au.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing – the rainfall of early 2025, followed by Cyclone Alfred and further months of rain made conditions difficult. Some sites suffered plant losses where infill plantings were subsequently undertaken to reconnect gaps.

Soil condition and site history became critical factors at some sites, with valuable lessons learnt in treatment applications to improve soil biome and drainage. Perhaps we don’t consider this enough in riparian restoration methodologies, especially in light of soil lost through historical flooding. Join us if you can for a Field Day on Friday, 14 August showcasing one of our project sites on the main arm of the Brunswick River. Places are strictly limited so head to the BVL events page to book: https://collections. humanitix.com/bvl-events.

There was a cake, balloons and a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ as Brunswick Heads icon Iris Laverty celebrated her 93rd birthday. Photo Jeff Dawson

Harry Hackett

Left: Baseline photo showing site before regen. Right: Brunswick Valley Landcare regen site. Photos supplied

Fletcher St Cottage’s future secured

Byron Mayor Sarah Ndiaye; Bec Robinson, the Relations Manager at Byron Community Centre; and Damian Farrell, Fletcher St Cottage Manager, at the announcement of a 15-year extension to its operating licence. Mr Farrell presented the mayor with this painting made as a collaborative effort by the cottage’s Breakfast Club. Photo Jeff Dawson

Fletcher Street Cottage’s future has been secured, with Byron Shire Council granting a 15-year licence for Byron Bay’s dedicated daytime support hub to continue operating from 18 Fletcher Street.

The milestone was celebrated on Monday, the opening day of Homelessness Week 2026 (3–9 August), when Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye visited Fletcher Street Cottage to acknowledge the long-term agreement, and recognise the vital role the service plays in supporting people in need across the Byron Shire.

The new licence provides long-term security for Fletcher Street Cottage, ensuring the service can continue supporting individuals and families while strengthening future planning, partnerships and fundraising.

Fletcher Street Cottage Manager Damian Farrell said security of tenure provides reassurance for staff, volunteers, donors, partner service providers and the hundreds of people who rely on the service each week.

‘There could be no better time to celebrate this milestone than during Homelessness Week,’ he said.

‘It reminds us that behind every statistic is a person, and that lasting change is only possible when organisations, government, donors, volunteers and the wider community work together.

■ Read full story in The Echo online: www.echo.net.au.

Free fireworks in Bruns this Saturday

This Saturday, 8 August will be Mullumbimby Moonshiners Rugby Club’s old boys premiership re-union and Sponsors Day in Brunswick Heads celebrating the premiership winning seasons of 1996, 2006, and 2016 along with free fireworks at 6.30pm.

‘There will be an old boys game earlier in the day,

followed by our ladies team taking on Wollongbar and the men playing arch rivals The Range at 3.15pm,’ said Anthony Pentecost, President of the club.

‘It is free for the community and families are invited to bring a blanket, camp chair, etc. and will be able to sit on the Alby Lofts Oval to watch the free fireworks.’

Bangalow community gather this Sunday

A free community gathering this Sunday, 9 August at 3pm is connecting generations at the Bangalow Heritage House and Museum.

Organised in collaboration with GenConnect under the theme ‘Rebuilding the Village’, parents, grandparents, and elders are invited to come together to connect, create, and belong.

Activities include Bangalow’s World Cup soccer, drumming with international flag drawing on drums,

A bit of a ‘Windang’ for Byron Bay Women’s bowlers

After a long road and many games of bowls played from Brunswick Heads to Yamba, the Byron Bay Women’s bowlers have emerged victorious to be the state regional finalists in women’s division 3 pennants for 2025/26.

Last week they went to Windang on the south coast of NSW to vie for the state title.

‘The Byron Bowlo is very proud of their dedication and achievements in reaching the state finals,’ said a spokesperson. ‘The team would like to thank the bowlo and all bowlers for their encouragement and support.’

Bev Gawned, Anne Hadwell, Julie Higgins, Pat Bigg, Pam Scarbrough, Kym Purnell, Mirtha Christian, Judy Wallace, and Jenny Haydock. Photo Jeff Dawson

lantern-making and lantern parade, face-painting, and Gunters Pizza van serving woodfired pizzas.

‘Bring a picnic, a rug, invite a neighbour or friend and come and join in this free family event,’ said organiser Ruth Winton-Brown.

‘The “Connecting Generations” event was recently mentioned at the Legislative Assembly, citing that it is an innovative model that could be applied more broadly,’ Ruth said.

It’s time to complete your Census.

Every answer matters

If you know where you’ll be on Census night, Tuesday 11 August , you can complete the form for your household as soon as you get your instructions. Complete online, on paper or with help from us.

census.abs.gov.au

BayFM’s all-local show, AIRWAVES 2026

Paul Bibby

For years, Byron residents have been told the Shire is carrying the financial burden of being one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations.

Millions of visitors stream into the region every year. They fill the beaches, clog the roads, wear out public infrastructure and put pressure on everything from rubbish collection to public toilets. Meanwhile, the state reaps much of the economic reward while local ratepayers are left footing the bill.

It’s an argument that has underpinned repeated calls for a visitor levy or ‘bed tax’ and become a familiar refrain in debates about Byron’s finances.

But when The Echo asked whether tourism is actually a significant driver of Council’s current financial position –and whether it formed part of the justification for the proposed 33–35 per cent Special Rate Variation (SRV) – Council’s response was unambiguous.

‘Council is not claiming

tourism is the significant driver of its current financial position,’ a spokesperson said.

Infrastructure and operating costs

Instead, Council said its financial sustainability challenges arise from ‘a combination of factors identified in the Long Term Financial Plan, including constrained revenue growth, increasing operating costs, cost shifting from other levels of government, population growth, increasing community expectations, and the need to renew and maintain infrastructure.’

The spokesperson added that ‘Council has not relied on any analysis that identifies tourism as the cause of its current financial position, nor is tourism presented as the primary justification for considering a SRV.’

That clarification appears to draw a distinction between two debates that have often become intertwined.

An all-local show, AIRWAVES 2026 will be put on by BayFM at the iconic Club Byron aka Byron Bay Bowlo this Saturday, 8 August.

The live music kicks off from 6:30pm, with a DJ set to finish off the night.

This ticketed event is raising money towards towards power-proofing BayFM Community Radio.

■ See page 24 for full line up and more details.

Bay FM’s Max Squires, Yasmin Morris, Matt Christie, and Ange Kent.

Photo Jeff Dawson

On the one hand is Council’s campaign for a SRV to address what it describes as a long-term structural funding problem.

On the other is its campaign for a visitor levy or bed tax, based on the argument that the millions of people who visit Byron each year should contribute more towards the infrastructure they use.

Not broken it down

Yet Council also confirmed it has not quantified tourism’s net financial impact on its own finances.

‘Council has not undertaken a comprehensive analysis that quantifies the net financial impact of tourism,’ the spokesperson said.

Instead, Council pointed to its April resolution to commission an independent study into tourism’s financial impacts.

According to the resolution, the research will examine both ‘the positive and negative impacts of large visitor numbers’, including ‘both the direct costs and

incomes to Council’, before being used as the evidence base to lobby the state and federal governments for new funding mechanisms, including ‘tourism/bed taxes’ and other visitor-related funding models.

For now, Council says tourism should not be viewed as the reason rates are rising.

While acknowledging that Byron experiences visitor numbers far exceeding its resident population, the spokesperson said those visitors create demand for roads, waste services, beaches, parks, public amenities, and parking infrastructure.

However, Council maintains those pressures are separate from the structural financial challenges underpinning the proposed SRV.

The tourism study, once completed, is intended to answer a different question altogether: not whether tourism is causing Council’s financial problems, but whether visitors are paying enough towards the cost of the infrastructure they use.

El Niño, a heating planet and preparing for the fire season

Fires are raging around the world as climate change continues to impact, and average temperatures continue to climb, and while we may be enjoying what feels like a rare bit of sunshine in the Northern Rivers, with a strong to super El Niño coming our way, now is the time to prepare for the fire season.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), ‘El Niño often brings drier conditions to central and eastern Australia in winter and spring’. Rainfall is likely to be below average while temperatures are likely to be above average in most areas.

The ABC reports that ‘El Niño is strengthening across the Pacific Ocean at an alarming rate and could annihilate all records in the modern era. The rapid warming of our largest ocean is supplying additional heat into the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to a summer of extreme heatwaves and fires across Europe and North America.

‘But with El Niño still months away from peaking, its impact on global weather will intensify through the back half of 2026, including in Australia, raising the prospect of our hottest spring on record and a heightened risk of drought and fires.’

Scientists have been raising the alarm on the impacts of climate change for years, and now we are seeing the direct impacts across the globe with www.worldweatherattribution.org stating that ‘wildfires are 20 times more likely to happen in Spain because of human-caused climate change’.

So it is time to take stock: clean your gutters, look at clearing debris and potential fire fuel from around your house and property, move

wood piles and outside furniture away from direct contact with your house, update your bushfire survival plan, make sure you have tanks for water and a fire water tank if you are in a designated bushfire-prone area, and check your hoses. You can also contact your local Rural Fire Service (RFS) for more information on how to prepare for the upcoming fire season. Start your preparation early, as it is easy to underestimate how much work it takes to get ready for the fire season.

During the 2019 Black Summer fires, which were preceded by a drought, we saw intense public meetings as people grappled with the fire risks, people moving out of high fire risk areas as the heat and risk of fire continued to climb.

Following that fire season, many people decided to get informed and join their local RFS brigades so that they could understand the impacts of fires, what to do in a fire situation, how to respond, and to fight fires.

If you want to learn more about fires and floods and their impacts, you can look at becoming a volunteer of your local RFS (www.rfs.nsw. gov.au/volunteer) and State Emergency Services (SES) (www.ses.nsw. gov.au/volunteer) organisations. They are the two key volunteer organisations that provide support during emergencies.

Aslan Shand, editor

Cease to hope, cease to fear

‘Do you have hope?’ I bumped into a wise friend I hadn’t seen for a while and after the initial pleasantries, and as we leant against the car, hands shielding our eyes from the welcome sun, she asked me that question. She asked it in an open-hearted way that created space for honestly rather than as a desperate plea.

What a potent question. I instantly caught that part of me wanting to say ‘there’s always hope’ but those words, with a nanosecond of awareness around them, sounded hollow. They roll off the tongue too reflexively, offered up like a ‘keep calm balm’ for what is too often not being said in the enormity of the moment.

I’ve just finished reading Sarah Wilson’s latest book, I Eat the Stars, which gives voice to so many things that have been left unsaid, and urgently need to be said out loud, together. I highly recommend it, if you’re ready to reckon with the reality of our collapsing world and the potential for a new humanity to take root in the fertile grounds of its ruins.

In an opening chapter on hope, Wilson leads with a quote from Ancient Roman stoic philosopher Seneca: ‘cease to hope and you will cease to fear’.

Reading that hit me like a Zen Buddhist slap to the back of the head. As up is to down and inside is to outside, I’d never considered the duality of hope and fear. One can’t exist without the other.

The wisdom of Seneca’s insight is the realisation that by attaching our hopes to an unknowable future, it creates expectations, and with expectations comes suffering and fear of the loss of that future. Instead of adapting ourselves to present circumstances we send our thoughts too far forward into the unknown and risk being paralysed by fear and unable to meet the challenge of now with all our senses and wisdom.

We all hope and fear in different ways, it’s just part of being human. Religious hope, particularly

The Byron Shire Echo

‘Hopium might just be the drug of our times. We seem to be clinging optimistically to an expected future despite all the evidence to the contrary.’

– Jo Immig

Christian hope, offers believers an active expectation that the future will be divine and full of goodness and there will be eternal life. Hope is one of three core spiritual virtues along with faith and love.

In Buddhist philosophy on the other hand, hope is not seen as a virtue but as a subtle form of craving. By pinning our peace on a future outcome, we reject the present moment. True freedom comes from releasing the attachment to outcomes while staying fully engaged in the here and now. Buddhists place ‘wise hope’ in the path of practise through understanding the causes of suffering and the truth of awakening.

From a secular point of view, hope is seen as a natural humandriven optimism which likely evolved as a psychological coping tool to endure stress and plan for tomorrow as we pushed forward as a species through difficult struggles.

A hope addicted world?

Whatever your hope framework, it’s hard to ignore the mess we currently find ourselves in. Some might argue we are living in a fear addicted world and surely all we need is more hope for the future. But what if the opposite were true and we are living in a hope addicted world, and we really need to come to terms with the existential fear that we might not survive as a species?

Hopium might just be the drug of our times. We seem to be clinging optimistically to an expected future despite all the evidence to the contrary, in front of our eyes, showing us this is more than likely

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not going to be the case, barring genuine miracles.

The future we were sold is rapidly vaporising in front of our eyes. The goldilocks climate is gone. Ecosystems are collapsing. Wealth inequality is skyrocketing. Democracy is crumbling. Corruption is rife. Trust is disappearing. War is upon us. Humans are becoming worthless in the face of AI.

It is little wonder so many people are succumbing to anxiety and depression as they’re unable to emotionally process the widening gap between expectations and their lived reality.

Recently departed activist and deep ecologist Joanna Macy, and facilitators of her work around the world such as John Seed in Australia, prescribe ‘The Work that Reconnects’. This process by which we can come together to collectively express our pain, grief, and fear to realise our profound interconnection with all life. By acknowledging our feelings and giving voice to collective despair we provide the opening for our deep love of life to transform us into wise action.

It might be high time to collectively quit hopium and face our fears together, so we are able to better serve the world in a more meaningful way. In doing so we might provide the relief needed for ideas to flourish and to preserve the foundations for life to keep emerging as we navigate through dark times.

■ Jo Immig is a former advisor to the NSW Legislative Council and coordinator of the National Toxics Network. She’s currently a freelance writer and researcher.

The Nest Gobbledygook and codswallop. If any developer uses terminology such as ‘regional typological hybridisation’ that is really stretching it.

The development known as ‘The Nest’ in Stuart Street is far too big, too high, and is not suitable for the current Heritage Conservation Area in Mullumbimby. We need new housing in the town. This is not the way to do it.

Chris Cooney Mullumbimby

Unavoidable?

The Bonobo abomination of a development on the main street of our town seems to disregard the aesthetic responsibility and sensitivity that Byron deserves.

I view the brick and concrete mass as an insult, especially when the option to be creative and mindful is so attainable.

I agree with letter writers Tim Mack (22 July), Simon Alderton (22 July) and Amanda Chadwick (29

Letters to the Editor and cartoons

Send letters to the Editor and cartoons to: editor@echo.net.au

Deadline: Noon, Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. Letters already published in other papers will not be considered. Please include your full name, address and phone number for verification purposes.

July) who have all expressed the same disbelief and concern. How did this happen? Is this indicative of the future of Byron Bay, to where visitors come from all over the world? Do Raes, and their architect (did they have one?) have no concern for the town? This building and its ugliness stand for the opposite aesthetic compared to their restaurant on Wategos Beach. This is incredibly disappointing and permanent. An unavoidable eyesore!

Josephine Wolanski Byron Bay

Roundabouts Byron

We really need a roundabout at the Kendall Street intersection on Ewingsdale Road.

Not just for Belongil drivers, but for anyone else down to the

roundabout at the police station/ Butler Street end.

Coming out of all the side streets, we have to turn left, drive the roundabout, and then drive up to the Arts & Industry Estate etc.

Shirley Street is so dangerous.

Jenny Bannister Byron Bay

Energy markets

Thanks for your letter (29 July), Doug Foskey.

I agree with much of what you said. However, from my perspective, the key to making change happen is knowing where to apply pressure.

Our energy system is run by three main organisations.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) writes the rules for the energy market. Pressure point one.

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) makes sure those rules are followed and monitors network prices, including Essential Energy’s charges. It requires Essential Energy to publicly report on how it’s performing, spending, and keeping the power reliable. Pressure point two.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) keeps the lights on, running the market and the grid.

Right now, the AEMC is developing rules for how electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be paid for – something that could affect everyone. Zero Emissions Byron (ZEB) made a submission on this. Worth a read at zerobyron.org.

The good news: These organisations have community panels. I’m part of the NSW Essential Energy Stakeholder Panel, which considers things like putting solar power

back into the grid and what this would mean.

I understand why people feel frustrated with the energy system. But in my experience, these and other organisations listen when the community speaks up, whether that’s through their panel members, or through individuals making submissions. They’re required to listen – it’s under the National Energy Law.

Anne Stuart Zero Emissions Byron, Mullumbimby

Bird flu: a conspiracy I have just read the excellently alarmist piece by Mandy Nolan about so-called ‘bird flu’.

You have to ask: are the federal government and state bureaucracies conditioning the nation for another lockdown scam, this time based on avian flu being found in strategically ‘discovered’ dead native birds from Western Australia to Queensland? No doubt these dead birds have been tested with the discredited PCR test used in the last ‘plandemic’.

Anton Vanderbyl Main Arm

Community development

The community, through Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA), has shown itself and Byron Shire Council (BSC) that it is well informed in terms of integration of proposed developments into an existing town.

▶ Continued on next page

SUPPORT LOCAL, SHOP MULLUMBIMBY

Stewart’s

Menswear

Stewart’s Menswear recently took home Gold in the Hustle and Heart category at the 2026 ROAR Awards, following their Gold win for Retail Rockstar of the Year in 2025.

Thank you, Mullumbimby, for almost 100 years of support.

Stewart’s Menswear can be found on Burringbar Street where they’ve been dressing Mullumbimby since 1929. Gerard and Sue handpick quality menswear from trusted Australian and international brands, including sustainable fabrics (their bamboo/cotton shirts are a customer favourite) and workwear. Call in and see us. No pressure, just friendly faces and good advice. Shop online 24/7 – free click and collect.

52-54 Burringbar Street Mullumbimby • 02 6684 2148 • www.stewartsmenswear.com.au

The Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce represents a mixture of businesses and community groups that have come together for the  purpose of ensuring Mullumbimby thrives and remains a vibrant community. Since its inception in 2013, the Chamber has hosted numerous successful events. These include street banquets, the revival of The Chinny Charge, Carols by Candlelight and the annual Shop Local campaign before Christmas.

The Chamber also supports Brunswick Valley Historical Society, Mullumbimby Community Gardens, GateWay Landcare, Spaghetti Circus and many other community organisations.

If you have a business in Mullumbimby area or are a resident of the Mullumbimby area, you are welcome to join the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce.

An initiative of the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce www.mullumbimby.org.au

Cartoon by Ziggi Browning, with thanks to Sharon Kelly

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

This is surely a commendable characteristic in ensuring any development meets the requirements of the community.

In the case of the proposed redevelopment of 57 Station Street in Mullumbimby, the community was not involved early enough.

As a result, a site was chosen that is highly unsuitable for redevelopment.

The main reasons for this are the huge negative impact of traffic generated during construction and afterwards, and the loss of already inadequate parking in the town centre, as well as the public toilets. Raising the extreme flood level above the existing level, and the appearance of the proposed building in Mullumbimby are also issues.

ordinary working families, the weekly shop has become a genuine source of stress.

No matter how much has been spent so far, this development should not proceed on this site under any circumstances due to the substantial negative impacts detailed above, some of which will be felt in perpetuity. If the community had been involved earlier in any meaningful way, the project costs to date would have been much smaller.

MRA, in addition to criticising the suitability of 57 Station Street, did at least suggest other sites as being far more appropriate for affordable accommodation.

A further issue expressed by the community is that the proposed development is not required to cover the cost of relocating the car parks lost and the toilet block. It would appear that these are assumed to be financed from rates.

This is clearly not acceptable to the ratepayers. All headworks charges should be financed by the project.

In summary, the MRA should be commended on the expertise brought to bear in the reviews of the draft DA and to their dedication through the love of their town.

Chris Abraham Mullumbimby

Theft in Mullum I

Your recent coverage of rising supermarket theft told a troubling story, but avoided the harder question: why is this happening now?

Food prices have risen sharply since 2019 – roughly 20–25 per cent cumulatively, according to ABS data –while many wages lagged behind. Energy and housing costs have compounded the pressure.

For single parents and

Locally, the picture is even clearer. Coles and Woolworths continue to generate large profits, while the independently-owned IGA and Santos must compete against these national giants and often end up with higher prices as a result.

Shoppers are left choosing between highly profitable chains and a more expensive local store. Either way, the cost of feeding a household keeps rising.

This is not mainly a story about a sudden wave of ‘deadbeats’. It is a structural cost-of-living story.

Theft remains wrong, and damages businesses and other customers, but treating every incident as an isolated moral failure ignores the economic pressure pushing some people to the edge.

Exhausted households under sustained financial strain do not stay quiet forever.

Do you know the story of the frog in the pan with cold water, slowly turning hotter?

The Echo is well placed to do better than surface-level coverage. An investigative look at local grocery prices, the market power of the major chains, the competitive disadvantage facing independents, and the cumulative impact on Byron Shire households would be far more useful than another round of individual sob stories. The community deserves that deeper reporting.

Because this is a clear sign of the community hurting.

Jan Roskott Mullumbimby

Theft in Mullum II

‘According to some local shops in Mullumbimby, there has been an increase in the number of thefts over the last six to twelve months, costing businesses significantly’.

Don’t act all surprised. This is the liberal free-for-all, progressive-just-take-it

with each other, let alone have the brains to invent flying cars?

Luckily good old Len has the chance to show us the real China. There’s no mention of the deliberate, decades-long oppression by the Chinese of the Tibetans – let’s not get stuck in the past eh?

culture, which has been fostered by the ‘liberal’ zeitgeist anti-conservative groups like The Echo, and its fellow commissars, who have been festering in the Northern Rivers for the last 50 years.

And now you’re shocked?

Robert Mort Myocum

Slow Down Koala

Now that the boardwalk is complete, we seem to have lost the ‘Slow Down Koala’ signs.

This photo was from yesterday. Cute as a button, with lots of energy.

Would hate this little one to get killed as people start racing again.

Great to see it’s a 30 km/ hr zone. No one seems to get that yet.

Anything you can do to help is appreciated.

Sonia Friedrich Byron Bay

China’s favours

Len Hend’s letters to The Echo read like he’s getting sexual favours and discounted travel to China in return for writing propaganda for the Chinese government. If he’s not, he should. Last week (Echo online: www.echo.net.au/ china-modern-unbelievabletibetans-somber 29 July), in his quaint, charming way, he drew our attention to the sullen, drunken, knifefighting, somber Tibetans, primitive in their communication, with dark ‘serpent’ statues, ‘rosary’ beads and different ‘religions’, on the dark side of the street, stuck in a world that’s moved on and making their wives work while they do not. Refusing to participate in the hypermodern, beautiful, carnival atmosphere of modern China with its marvels. Luckily ‘someone’ warned him not go to the Tibetan side at night.

The Chinese with their 2,500+ year-old statues are really the true guardians of Buddhism, aren’t they? And isn’t it great that they are teaching Chinese to the primitive Tibetans who couldn’t even communicate

I hope next week Len Hend will suddenly choose to write about the Uyghurs who commit so many crimes they have to be sent to prison, who have been offered so much but do nothing but sit in the dirt and hold out their hand for welfare.

Simon Haslam Ocean Shores

More bureaucrats than houses

Following the NSW Audit Office’s report, and continued community feedback that we have failed in our core mission of reconstructing houses, we convened our dozens of senior executives to develop a solution.

We quickly realised we have now hired more senior executives than we have reconstructed houses.

After hiring several more senior executives to oversee the process and many agonising weeks of pretending to read your feedback, we are proud to announce our rebrand as the NSW Deconstruction Authority.

Our performance is unparalleled: no organisation in the history of the state has deconstructed as many homes as we have, and we have done it with no business case and no cost-benefit analysis, proving that true delivery requires no plan whatsoever.

The numbers speak for themselves. Hundreds of homes in the process of, or awaiting deconstruction. Zero homes reconstructed. Zero land delivered for housing. We have achieved total consistency across every figure we report.

While other government departments struggle to meet their targets, we are now the only authority in the state reliably exceeding ours, having taken the precaution of lowering them first.

Premier C Minns; has recognised us as the one agency reliably impacting housing supply in the region, and has approved performance bonuses for dozens of senior executives in recognition of how effective we have become.

William Goode Lismore

Local exemplars of the slow life. Photo Sonia Friedrich

Free events across the Byron Writers Festival

A rich program of free events runs across Byron Writers Festival’s 30th anniversary weekend from 14 to 16 August. The festival opens on Bundjalung Country with a Calling to Country led by local Arakwal Bundjalung custodian Delta Kay, who shares her connection to the land and waters that have sustained her community for generations. 2026 also marks the inaugural Rhoda Roberts Oration, hosted by Naomi Moran and presented by playwright, theatre director, Chair of Creative Australia and proud Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch.

Presented by Southern Cross University, the free Bay St Stage offers a full three days of ideas, stories and conversation. Highlights include celebrated NZ writer and swimmer

Ingrid Horrocks and scientist Amanda Reichelt-Brushett on Where We Swim, Saltwater Stories with Bundjalung storytellers

Ella Noah Bancroft, Delta Kay and Dakota Feirer, and a guided Poetry Walk through Byron’s natural beauty on Saturday.

Sunday morning belongs to the writers of the future, with the beloved free Kids Program returning to the Bay St Stage from 9am to 11.30am. Host and award-winning children’s and young adult author Tristan Bancks kicks things off with quizzes, prizes

and surprises, before Broncos legend Sam Thaiday takes over for storytime, and Sarah Armstrong helps young writers craft their own adventure scene. The Student Writing Prizes celebrate the next generation of storytellers, the irrepressible Poppy Galactic gets everyone up and dancing, and the morning wraps up with the chance to meet the authors and have books signed.

Beyond the Bay St Stage, aspiring changemakers can join Australia Institute Co-CEOs Richard Denniss and Leanne Minshull with Research Manager Alice Grundy for How to

Shane Howard on mining for gold in Musicland

Speaking with poet, musician, writer, singer, producer, and former Goanna frontman, Shane Howard, is like mining for gold. If by mining you mean reclining on a lilo in a pool with a cocktail, and the person doing the hard graft is handing you nugget after nugget of the good stuff.

Howard, whose work remains as incisive and prescient as ever, has a deep connection to Byron Bay and will join author Tricia Shantz at the Byron Writers Festival to discuss her new book, Musicland: When the Music Came to Byron 1970–1995

“Byron is an epicentre point in my life, and one of the places I keep returning to,” Howard said.

“My first encounter was in 1975 hitchhiking up the East Coast. The world was widening and I met lots of different people, counterculture figures, and alternative cultural influences.

“I ended up back in Geelong, which is like a parallel universe of Byron. The thriving surf culture that was emerging was also happening in Byron, and at the same time, Goanna was emerging.

“On that journey, I began to write Living on the Razor’s Edge and, of course, Byron gets a mention.”

The era itself was rich pickings for a young writer, as Gough Whitlam came to power and major geopolitical shifts worldwide fuelled pent-up angst in its generation.

“The post-WWII era is what I would call

stasis, where nothing is happening. Our parents had been at war – they’d seen too much,” Howard said.

“It was up to us to tip the apple cart over. We wanted to make a change, and all those influences fed into this fierce determination to create our own cultural, creative identity.

“The Vietnam War was also happening, and Aboriginal land rights emerged. It was a very powerful and potent time. Byron was at the epicentre of that, and for that generation, but it kind of lost its edge, just as our generation lost the edge for reform and change and settled back into being comfortably numb. There was such promise in the

70s, and I think we betrayed that.” Howard believes optimism lies with the younger generation, whose role is to tip over that apple cart and cause trouble.

“And long may they continue to do so. My dad used to say that old men must give way, and I think that resonates for me,” he said.

“We must move into the background and support young people with good mentorship and support and let them take the lead.”

He endorses Samuel Johnson’s quote, ‘Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel,’ believing people should be critical of their own nation.

“When I had my jolt and wakeup call, I realised I had woken up in someone else’s country,” Howard said.

“I was at Uluru in 1981, where I began to write Solid Rock, and camped out with First Nations mob in its shadow. I woke up in the morning and I didn’t even know where I was. The god of my ancestors had no sway out there, and it began a journey that has never ended.

“I want to say to my brothers and sisters in this country, no matter who they vote for, that this is a rewarding journey. It has enriched my, and my family’s life enormously, and there’s nothing to fear.”

Shane Howard will appear at the Byron Writers Festival on Friday for Musicland: Book Launch, and the Festival Finale on Sunday. For more information, visit www. byronwritersfestival.com.

Be An Arts Advocate at the Beach Hotel.

The Festival Marketplace in Railway Park opens daily from 11am with local artisans, merch and free live music, and the festival closes on a high with Janet Swain’s Big Voice Choir, featuring special guests Shane Howard (Goanna) and Benja Roberts.

Those keen to dive in for more can book their festival day passes and tickets for feature events, workshops and special experiences online at www.byronwritersfestival.com or visit the box office at Railway Park, Jonson St from Friday 14 August.

Early risers rejoice!

While most of the Bay is still hitting snooze, Byron Writers Festival’s early birds are invited to join us in the water, on the mat, or deep in headline discussions at this year’s festival –and the best part is, several of these sunrise sessions are free.

Kick off Saturday with the charity Saltwater Cleanse from 7:00am at Byron Bay Surf Club – a donation-based dawn dip hosted by Delta Kay and Mandy Nolan, welcoming winter’s end with a swim under the new moon and a chance to set your intentions for the season ahead. Registration is essential: come barefoot and ready to ocean bathe.

Sunday starts with a beachside Yoga session at 7:30am from the Bay St Stage on the foreshore. Join this free, guided practice to ease you into the festival’s final day with local instructor Emily Pont – book your ticket and roll out the mat under the open sky.

If caffeine is more your ritual than downward dog, Coffee & News runs both Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am at the Beach Hotel. Pair your morning brew with sharp conversation. Join journalists Sean Kelly on Saturday and Antoun Issa on Sunday in conversations with Royce Kurmelovs unpacking the week’s headlines before the main program even begins.

Three mornings, three totally different ways to start the day – salt, stretch, or story. Find more information, including where to register on our website at www. byronwritersfestival.com.

Singer-songwriter Shane Howard continues his long connection with Byron Bay at this year’s Byron Writers Festival.

Pictured personalities taking part in free events at Byron Writers Festival 2026 include Delta Kay, Dakota Feirer, Ingrid Horrocks, Amanda Reichelt-Brushett and Sam Thaiday.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

help dogs in need.

www.byrondogrescue.org

AI:

can’t hold a rope,

Natalie Archibald

Artificial intelligence (AI) usage becoming more prevalent and socially acceptable within our society has helped further endanger the mental wellbeing of an already isolated and disconnected generation.

During the pandemic in 2021 – prior to the commercialisation of AI – the Household, Income And Labour Dynamics in Australia Report found that more than 40 per cent of young Australians admitted feeling psychologically distressed and isolated. Once the lockdown ended, after having spent their key developmental years disengaged from peers, teens struggled to interact socially. This caused rates to hold steady; a 2025 University of Sydney and Wallis Social study showed that 43 per cent of students reported loneliness.

AI romance and companionship

Whilst the youth had difficulty reconnecting with others, an alternative solution to authentic companionship rose in 2022. Large Language Models (LLMs) offered unconditional validation and support, helping foster a massive user base full of vulnerable teens. The Centre for Democracy and Technology found that one in five high schoolers reported a personal or romantic relationship with AI, and 42 per cent used AI for companionship.

The new generation became more isolated than ever before – discouraged and marginalised by the industries that swore to assist them. Although marketing themselves as helpful and innocent tools, cases of LLMs neglecting adolescent needs

continued to be published. As stories of teens harming themselves or others under the influence of AI rose, researchers began to investigate the integrity of these AI companies. LLMs were detected to be incompetent in protecting adolescents from inappropriate content and being able to discern when the prompter exhibited signs of mental instability. Researchers from the Australian government’s eSafety Commissioner found that four popular AI companies had no meaningful age checks that prevented children from being exposed to explicit material, and would often engage with, or initiate it.

Neglect of realworld relationships

When these researchers imitated a child considering self-harm or damaging behaviours, the LLMs did not redirect users to mental health or crisis support, or effectively discourage their

negative mentalities or delusions.

Young teenagers function with an undeveloped prefrontal cortex, an essential aspect of critical decisionmaking, and therefore are more susceptible to forming intense bonds under irrational and impulsive thinking. This makes the mindless and immediate gratification received from LLMs paired with the emotive language they use, more alluring and impactful. Those heavily fixated on hyper-anthropomorphised AI chatbots tend to neglect their real-world relationships and responsibilities, leading to their marginalisation being amplified.

Users become motivated to act on their delusions and unhealthy thoughts as AI chatbots continuously justify and enable them, leading to several cases of young Australians hurting themselves or others.

An extreme case was a youth counsellor who came forward, admitting that a client of his, a young Australian boy, ended up hospitalised after being encouraged by ChatGPT to take his own life. Other adults came forward with similar stories.

Depressive symptoms

Although not every use of AI for companionship has caused such severe repercussions, they provide an accessible, damaging coping mechanism. Harvard Kennedy School discovered that those who use AI daily were 30 per cent more likely to report depressive symptoms.

Australia is one of the few countries that have made AI companies implement better regulations; after the eSafety Commissioner discovered the state of AI companies, an Age Restricted Material Code was implemented in March. These codes outlined that AI companions must not generate sexually explicit material for those under 18, redirect to mental health resources in response to prompts mentioning selfharm or suicide, and introduce proper age verification. If AI companies fail to comply with these laws, they will face financial penalties. Restrictions on generative AI content greatly benefit the youth, but do not fully erase the problem. Communities have fostered online spaces where they discuss how to bypass safety precautions, showing the persistence and tenacity of those dependent on LLMs. Science Direct studied the different methods used by Reddit users to harbour their intimate bonds with their AI companions after OpenAI introduced emotional restrictions. These users expressed frustration and resentment toward those preventing LLMs from participating in heavy topics. AI users hold strong attachments to their LLMs, and the threat of losing them usually tends to make them anxious and fearful. Many experts suggest that those who suffer AI addiction benefit from similar treatments to those suffering with more traditional addictions, recommending cognitive behavioral therapy, 12-step programs, and support groups.

‘I fear that in unleashing AI companions, we may be making it easier for our loved ones to avoid talking to humans about the hardest things, including suicide. This is a problem that smarter minds than mine will have to solve. (If yours is one of those minds, please start.)’ Laura Reilly says in The New York Times essay What My Daughter Told ChatGPT Before She Took Her Life.

As Australia’s future seems overridden with AI, does that put our new generations at risk? By educating parents and children, offering teenagers social and emotional support, and limiting AI usage with sufficient regulations, Australia could create a cultural shift that positively affects society.

■ Natalie Archibald is a work experience student at The Echo

Some teens are developing dangerously unhealthy relationships with AI. Image Ziggi Browning / Firefly AI

12 July 2026

Mullumbimby Residents Association

Advertisement placed by Mullumbimby Residents Association

12 July 2026

12 July 2026

DA 212/2025 – 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby Independent Heritage Advice

Mullumbimby Residents Association has requested my independent advice as to the heritage impacts of the proposed development at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby. The proposal involves the demolition of heritagelisted public toilets, carpark and tree removal, and the construction of a mixed-use development comprising shop-top housing (affordable housing), one ground floor commercial premises and ground floor boarding house, carparking, landscaping and associated services.

Mullumbimby Residents Association

Independent Heritage Advice

Mullumbimby Residents Association

DA 212/2025 – 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby Independent Heritage Advice

DA 212/2025 – 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby Independent Heritage Advice

The site contains a heritage item (Public Lavatory – including timber shingled roof) (I152) and is located within the Mullumbimby Heritage Conservation Area (C7) as listed on Schedule 5 of the Byron Shire Local Environmental Plan 2014 (BLEP).

In preparing this independent heritage advice, I have reviewed the DA documentation including the Statement of Heritage Impact (Everick Heritage) and its Addendum, and the amended architectural plans prepared by Hill Thallis Architects. I have also had regard to the heritage provisions in the BLEP and Chapters C1 and E3 of the Byron Shire Development Control Plan 2014.

The proposal is for the demolition of a heritage-listed toilet bock and atgrade carpark and the construction of a three storey mixed-used building on a site located close to the core of the Mullumbimby Conservation Area. The conservation area is significant for its uniformity of scale and character of its buildings, laid out in a grid pattern. The DCP requires that development within the conservation area is designed with respect to the established low scale historic character in order retain the integrity.

Mullumbimby Residents Association has requested my independent advice as to the heritage impacts of the proposed development at 57 Station Street Mullumbim by. The proposal involves the demolition of heritage listed public toilets, carpark and tree removal, and the construction of a mixed-use development comprising shop top housing (affordable housing), one ground floor commercial premises and ground floor boarding house, carparking, landscaping and associated services

Mullumbimby Residents Association has requested my independent advice as to the heritage impacts of the proposed development at 57 Station Street Mullumbim by. The proposal involves the d emolition of heritage listed public toilets, carpark and tree removal, and the construction of a mixed-use development comprising shop top housing (affordable housing), one ground floor commercial premises and ground floor boarding house, carparking, landscaping and associated services

The site contains a heritage item (Public Lavatory – including timber shingled roof) (I152) and is located within the Mullumbimby Heritage Conservation Area (C7) as listed on Schedule 5 of the Byron Shire Local Environmental Plan 2014 (BLEP)

The proposed building has design and architectural character that does not respect the established heritage character and significance of the Mullumbimby Conservation Area and is entirely contrary to the objectives and policies of the DCP in relation to the conservation area as provided above. The proposed development would result in a high level of adverse impacts on the significant historic character of the conservation area and its overall integrity through the introduction of a building that is inconsistent the significance through its

The site contains a heritage item (Public Lavatory – including timber shingled roof) (I152) and is located within the Mullumbimby Heritage Conservation Area (C7) as listed on Schedule 5 of the Byron Shire Local Environmental Plan 2014 (BLEP)

The Mullumbimby Residents Association has requested advice on the appropriateness of the design of the proposed building on the character and significance of the Mullumbimby Conservation Area. In this letter of advice, I have not reviewed the impacts of the demolition of the heritage listed toilet block on the site.

In preparing this independent heritage advice, I have reviewed the DA documentation including the Statement of Heritage Impact (Everick Heritage) and its Addendum, and the amended architectural plans prepared by Hill Thallis Architects. I have also had regard to the heritage provisions in the BLEP and Chapters C1 and E3 of the Byron Shire Development Control Plan 201 4

• Uncharacteristic form, bulk and massing

• Presentation and interface with the street

• Uncharacteristically low roof pitch

In preparing this independent heritage advice, I have reviewed the DA documentation including the Statement of Heritage Impact (Everick Heritage) and its Addendum, and the amended architectural plans prepared by Hill Thallis Architects. I have also had regard to the heritage provisions in the BLEP and Chapters C1 and E3 of the Byron Shire Development Control Plan 201 4

Chapter C1.6.10 provides the following statement of significance for the Mullumbimby Conservation Area:

The Mullumbimby Residents Association has requested by advice on the appropriateness of the design of the proposed building on the character and significance of the Mullumbimby Conservation Area. In this letter of advice, I have not reviewed the impacts of the demolition of the heritage listed toilet block on the site

The township of Mullumbimby is unusual in having a uniform scale and character of traditional buildings laid out in an historic grid. The township exists in a very beautiful setting in the lee of the distinctive Mount Chincogan.

• Long unarticulated walls

• Lack of solid base

• Lack of appropriate landscape setting and removal of trees

Chapter C1.6.10 provides the following statement of significance for the Mullumbimby Conservation Area:

The Mullumbimby Residents Association has requested by advice on the appropriateness of the design of the proposed building on the character and significance of the Mullumbimby Conservation Area. In this letter of advice, I have not reviewed the impacts of the demolition of the heritage listed toilet block on the site

• Highly uncharacteristic pallet of materials including:

- Large areas of glazing

The township of Mullumbimby is unusual in having a uniform scale and character of traditional buildings laid out in an historic grid. The township exists in a very beautiful setting in the lee of the distinctive Mount Chincogan.

Chapter C1.6.10 provides the following statement of significance for the Mullumbimby Conservation Area:

Chapter C1.6.1 also provides the following policies relevant to this proposal:

- raw faced concrete

Chapter C1.6.1 also provides the following policies relevant to this proposal:

- metal and fibre cement cladding

The township of Mullumbimby is unusual in having a uniform scale and character of traditional buildings laid out in an historic grid. The township exists in a very beautiful setting in the lee of the distinctive Mount Chincogan.

1. Retain all attributes of the Heritage Conservation Area that demonstrate its heritage character and significance including its pattern of subdivision development, boundary setbacks, built form, landscape and vegetation and all original external fabric.

1. Retain all attributes of the Heritage Conservation Area that demonstrate its heritage character and significance including its pattern of subdivision development, boundary setbacks, built form, landscape and vegetation and all original external fabric.

- angled steel balustrade

Chapter C1.6.1 also provides the following policies relevant to this proposal:

2. Encourage renewal of unsympathetic infill structures in the commercial area with ‘heritage compatible’, high quality, sustainable developments that integrate with the traditional design values and character of the town.

- red and yellow wall coloured wall cladding

2. Encourage renewal of unsympathetic infill structures in the commercial area with ‘heritage compatible’, high quality, sustainable developments that integrate with the traditional design values and character of the town.

3. In the residential precincts development must give special attention to the low set, horizontal emphasis of existing buildings.

1. Retain all attributes of the Heritage Conservation Area that demonstrate its heritage character and significance including its pattern of subdivision development, boundary setbacks, built form, landscape and vegetation and all original external fabric.

3. In the residential precincts development must give special attention to the low set, horizontal emphasis of existing buildings.

4. Additions and new development must remain compatible in character, height and scale with the existing pattern of development.

2. Encourage renewal of unsympathetic infill structures in the commercial area with ‘heritage compatible’, high quality, sustainable developments that integrate with the traditional design values and character of the town.

4. Additions and new development must remain compatible in character, height and scale with the existing pattern of development.

The proposed development is not sympathetic to the conservation area in which it is located and the nearby heritage items, in terms of form, massing and architectural character. It is, in fact, entirely different to the significant historic character of the HCA.

3. In the residential precincts development must give special attention to the low set, horizontal emphasis of existing buildings.

Chapter C1.6.11 also provides the objectives for new development in HCAs Objectives

1. To ensure that the siting of new development retains the integrity of the Heritage Conservation Area.

2. To ensure that any new development achieves a sympathetic relationship within the Heritage Conservation Area of which it is a part.

3. To ensure that new development respects the established streetscape, and the patterns of development, including setbacks, siting, landscape settings, car parking, height, dominant ridgelines and building envelopes within the Heritage Conservation Area.

Chapter E3.4 provides the following objective for character, bulk and scale of development in Mullumbimby:

1. To ensure that development is consistent with and will enhance the low rise, low scale heritage character of Mullumbimby.

In conclusion, the proposal is contrary to Clause 5.10 of the BLEP in that it fails to conserve the heritage of Byron Shire, including setting and views, and is contrary to the objectives and policies of the DCP in relation to the conservation area. The design has failed to respond to the context within an historic town centre, resulting in the loss of integrity of the HCA and a high level of adverse heritage impacts.

4. Additions and new development must remain compatible in character, height and scale with the existing pattern of development.

Yours sincerely

Lisa Trueman BSc(Arch)BArch(Hons)

M.ICOMOS, M.PIA, Associate RAIA, M.EPLA

Submissions on DA 10.2025.212.1 close on 16 August 2026 and can be lodged through Byron Shire Council’s DA Tracker. Visit: www.byron.nsw.gov.au

Growing Mullumbimby: Who pays for the infrastructure?

Di Brown

As a Mullumbimby resident, I want to raise what I believe is a significant issue facing our community: the disconnect between Byron Shire Council’s (BSC) desire for more housing, and the reality faced by ordinary residents trying to provide it.

Last year, we completed a strata subdivision of our property in Ann Street. We already had an approved secondary dwelling (granny flat) that had been on the property for 11 years.

Costs of subdivision

We assumed the process of creating a separate title would involve the normal connection costs for services. We were wrong. By the time the subdivision was completed, it had cost $200,000 (not including the value of the land itself).

For many people, that figure alone makes creating additional housing financially impossible.

What surprised us most was that many of the costs had little to do with the subdivision itself.

As part of the approval, we were required to pay for the sealing of Hollingworth Lane behind our property. Not only did we have to seal the section adjoining our property, but we also had to extend the work beyond our boundary to connect with existing sealed pavement to a laneway with uneven levels. We were also required to install kerbing along the lane, despite there being no comparable kerbing along other non-drainage-side laneways in Mullumbimby.

We were further required to upgrade our driveway in Ann Street to comply with current standards, even though it had been acceptable for many years. Shortly after we completed and paid for these works, the road was excavated for new water mains, and it has not been restored to the same condition. The irony is difficult to ignore.

Infrastructure that private residents are required to build must meet an exceptionally high standard before Council will sign it off, yet many Councilmanaged roads throughout Mullumbimby continue to

Part of King Street, Mullumbimby. ‘The heavy machinery cracked a lot of Ann Street and King Street not long after it had been resealed by Council. Water sits in these cracks which is making them get bigger and bigger,’ explained Di.

Photo supplied

deteriorate with potholes and cracking.

Council should be held to same level

After the installation of new water pipes through Ann Street and King Street, many residents have noticed increased cracking and potholes. Whether related or not, the roads are clearly in need of attention.

Meanwhile, Council now receives double the annual rates from our property because each lot is rated

separately, despite it being a strata subdivision where some infrastructure, such as sewer and stormwater systems, remains shared.

The bigger concern, however, is infrastructure.

Our area has flooded twice in the past decade.

While no drainage system can prevent every flood event, adequate stormwater infrastructure can reduce the impact on homes and businesses. As Mullumbimby grows, our drainage, roads, and sewerage infrastructure also need to grow. Simply

approving more housing without making the necessary infrastructure investments places increasing pressure on systems that were designed for a much smaller population.

The NSW government is encouraging increased housing across the state to address housing shortages. If councils are expected to facilitate more homes, then the approval process should support that objective rather than making it prohibitively expensive for existing residents.

If it costs $200,000 to create one additional dwelling (that was already there) on land that is already developed, how can we realistically expect more people to provide housing?

Not helping the housing crisis

Surely we need a planning system that balances sensible compliance with common sense. Residents should not be discouraged from contributing to the housing supply through excessive costs and infrastructure requirements that appear inconsistent

with the standards applied elsewhere. This isn’t simply about one subdivision. It’s about asking whether our current system is helping solve the housing crisis, or making it worse.

If other residents share my concerns about the rising cost of development, deteriorating local infrastructure, and the growing risk posed by inadequate stormwater, roads and drainage, I encourage them to speak up.

Our community deserves to know whether enough investment has been made to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure needed to support Mullumbimby’s growth. We should be asking whether ratepayers are receiving value for the rates and developer contributions they pay, and whether infrastructure is keeping pace with increasing demand.

I have already written to the NSW Audit Office asking that these matters be independently examined. If others believe our community deserves greater transparency and accountability, I encourage them to make their voices heard as well by emailing mail@audit.nsw.gov.au.

Writers Festival

2026 TRAFFIC NOTICE

Festival 14 16 August, Byron Bay township

With approval from Byron Shire Council, a traffic management plan has been implemented to manage and minimise potential traffic impacts in Byron Bay township. We apologise for any inconvenience to local residents and workers and thank you for your support and patience.

A festival shuttle bus will operate between Byron Bay Interchange and the Cavanbah Centre 7.00am to late. A full schedule is available on the festival website.

Temporary pedestrian crossings east of the Lawson Street roundabout and on Bay Street near the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club will be managed by traffic controllers.

A carpark at 90-96 Jonson St will be partially closed from Monday 10 - Monday 17 August.

Eight car parking bays on Bay Street have been approved for Byron Writers Festival use. We kindly ask members of the public not to park in these designated bays during the Festival period.

Signs will be used to inform road users of the presence of traffic controllers and changed traffic conditions.

We strongly encourage festival patrons to use the shuttle bus or carpool to assist with sustainability and reduce traffic.

For further information, visit byronwritersfestival.com or contact on the Festival Hotline 02 6685 5115.

Greyhound racing

The new Victorian premier has an opportunity to make his mark in his first week, and save Victorians a lot of money badly needed for schools, hospitals and services by announcing the immediate cessation of subsidies to the greyhound racing industry.

A survey of over 800 Australians in 2023 showed that a large majority want greyhound racing banned, and an even larger number, some 69 per cent, oppose taxpayer-funded subsidies.

An independent Parliamentary Budget Office analysis found Victoria could save over $450 million over ten years by doing this.

Greyhound racing causes hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries each year, principally from collisions between dogs, and victims may be killed at trackside, as the owners have no interest in paying to heal the injuries of dogs who will not win. As well as those that die as the result of collisions, some dogs collapse and die during or after races.

The ACT outlawed this vile industry in 2018, and Tasmania is phasing it out. Premier Ben Carroll can become a hero for man’s best friend

by cancelling all taxpayer expenditure on this cruelty.

Dr Desmond Bellamy PETA Australia

Infrastructure woes

I’m so grateful that James from local MP Tamara Smith’s office remained with us to tour the mounting problems caused by failing stormwater systems here in Bayside, Brunswick Heads.

Did my message for Byron Shire Council’s Phil Holloway and Mark Arnold, to make the onsite meeting, not get through? Seems phone conversations and further communication via email were just unable to make it happen.

Where does the Shirewide situation of failed infrastructure get attention?

We desperately need a voice in parliament. Is the situation of development at the cost of creating manmade disasters, just what we are experiencing, and expected to accept?

The whole situation is unacceptable. Man-made flooding of the north of the shire was identified by residents decades ago.

Ongoing land fill is questionable. Why build on floodplains? State government still has not been able to complete the 2022 recovery.

They are trying to rehouse

people in unaffordable housing leaving those on lower incomes with minimal dollars to live on! This is unacceptable. Our representatives, our politicians, or the developers? For heaven’s sake it just doesn’t add up. Our Council now pushes for us to petition the federal government. How much too late is all this. I petitioned our representatives years previously saying that the affordable housing act was not working to cater for low-income renters. Our infrastructure Shire-wide has failed and is costing us a monstrous bill because it’s been allowed to get beyond its use-by-date.

We can’t afford this nonsense, government needs to realise they can’t afford to continue the housing schemes without the infrastructure to cope. We need to be able to make someone accountable and we need to speak up or sell up. It’s time for us all to ask our representatives to get cracking and represent us. Tamara Smith is our voice in parliament – get emails happening. Thanks again to our Echo for being a voice in this disastrous situation. Thanks again to James for his patience and support.

Annie Radermacher Brunswick Heads

Say NO to AI

Mandy Nolan

Stop using AI. It’s stealing your ideas. It’s stealing your ability. It’s stealing your job. It’s stealing your soul. It’s stealing your brilliance. It’s stealing you.

Stop taking the easy way. You’re not learning. You’re not struggling. You’re not pushing through. When you give up your ability to persevere and do the things you don’t want to do, you stop creating important neural pathways in your brain. The more effort we make, the stronger and more robust our neural pathways are. It’s literally a brain gym. It improves the way our brains work, from problem solving, to recall, to retention. Doing things that challenge our brain, that involve absorbing and using information, analysing and creating outcomes or innovation – that’s how we get our brain buff. It’s literally what stops us sitting sadly in the corner with a saggy frontal cortex.

Brain fitness keeps us well. It helps regulate and restore. Thinking is literally the brain’s version of walking. We need to be problem solving. We need to be resourceful. We need to work things out for ourselves. I fear a future where soft brained and bodied humans are having to do Sudoku on a treadmill so we don’t waste away. I worry that humans who don’t problem solve, who outsource their research, their analysis, their content, won’t question anything. They’ll just take their instructions from the matrix. Then go back to asking Claude why they’re sad.

AI will never make art.

Sure, it can manufacture music and poetry and weird videos of babies doing a 1980s version of club comedy. But it’s creepy. It has none of our humanity. It’s just AI scraping the web to cook up a performance of a performance. Everything about us is missing. And the us of us is always better than AI. AI has none of our deep learning. The stuff that can’t be captured in an algorithm. The lived visceral experience of our broken humanness.

STARS BY LILITH

With four outer planets changing the landscape of life on earth as we know it, this week’s beautiful news is Venus vamping into sociable, user-friendly Libra…

AI has never suffered. It has never woken at 3am convinced it’s a failure. It has never wept at a sunrise so beautiful it enters your soul.

AI has never suffered. It has never woken at 3am convinced it’s a failure. It has never wept at a sunrise so beautiful it enters your soul. It has never held a baby. It’s never experienced the death of someone it loved. It has never loved. Or been loved. It has never felt the pain of not being loved. AI has never questioned its existence, or where it belongs, or who it belongs to. It has never felt empty and alone. It has never cried in the car. It has never slept in the street under a cruel fluorescent glare. AI has never gone hungry. It has never got drunk. It has never humiliated itself and had to apologise. AI has never put on so much weight its pants no longer fit, or been shortlisted then rejected. AI has never had hope. Or felt sad. Or happy. Or lost. Or crazy. Or lonely. Or angry. Or obsessed. Or kind. That is us. That is the soup of our conflicted humanity, and art is where we go to make sense of it. To fathom what often feels

ARIES: This month’s confident can-do vibes are likely to have you feeling fired and inspired, though as early August’s Sun/Saturn alignment fuses passion with purpose, grand plans are best broken down to manageable steps, because small, consistent actions taken now could gradually build into something impressive.

TAURUS: This month Venus, your guiding planet of beauty, pleasure, love and the arts, waltzes into her other favourite sign besides yours. Translation? More harmonious interactions, enjoyable socialising and promising new connections are on the menu. If opportunity knocks this week, and it may, answer the door.

GEMINI: With Mars in your sign for the first half of August, you’ll be so persuasive that whatever you’re selling people are likely to buy. But with Mercury moving through the clashes and alignments of three different signs this month, expect to be navigating mixed messages, mind games and hidden agendas.

impossible to fathom. AI cannot do this. Humans do this. And humans who resort to using AI will lose. What they will lose first is the capacity to resist. The capacity to struggle. The capacity to reach. The capacity to make art. To make art not to sell, or to monetise, but to make meaning. To make art because it’s the language we all speak. It’s our expression of understanding, compassion, wonder, misery. It’s problem solving. It’s how we touch the eternal and the ephemeral all at once. AI can’t do that. But it can take it from us. It can take us. Resist.

■ Mandy Nolan’s column has appeared in The Echo for almost 25 years. She is a writer, comedian and artist, is the preselected Greens candidate for Ballina and was the Greens candidate at the past two federal elections.

CANCER: The sun and Jupiter aligning in your financial sector light up your money-making potential. During this cycle you’re more likely to attract clients and/ or opportunities for a lucrative change in professional pathways. Be confident this week in letting intuition guide you when to step back or lean in.

LEO: It’s all lights, camera, action as Leo’s burst of birthday radiance focusses the spotlight on your majesties at stage centre of your world. As Leo south node moves focus away from individual celebrity, use this regal cycle to uplift your crew and lead generously so that everybody has a win.

VIRGO: As astral emphasis in the zodiac’s most flamboyant sign turns life into a talent show and its fiery energy brings warmth to our interactions, set aside some playtime for artistic expression. Relaxing your filters rather than scanning for flaws could reveal unrealised creative gifts in yourself and others.

Cryptic Clues

ACROSS

1. Provisional drama about debtor is an integral part of one day cricket (5,4)

6. Ecstasy in odds over getting drugged (5)

9. Report that beer caused sickness (7)

10. The French parabola, for example, was concise (7)

11. Our place in the wood turns over juvenile music-maker (5)

12. Soon unknown rodent loses tail, and has name withheld (9)

13. A short hymn is able to tease audience (8)

14. Thanks, but British uranium is banned (4)

17. Home at last, after hard drive leads to the city (4)

18. Rejected, but socialist holds the pea (8)

21. Ironically amusing, or just goatfaced? (9)

22. Gravity in dreadful, mournful air (5)

24. The setter will take two notes, gaining a bad reputation (3,4)

25. Large around but first rate back; outfit for a king (7)

26. Approaches new listeners (5)

27. Chew up resin – made a meal of it (9)

DOWN

1. Soft and lean, but proverbially short and thick (5)

2. Laid mat, but lost vote for new anthem (8,7)

3. Following blood test, Bana took to fine words (8)

4. Allow hard mate to act in a deadly manner (8)

5. Scream a cry of pain – coward (6)

6. A foot? Well, a finger actually (6)

7. Lyric, spoken about an opera; top up but rejected with 2 down (4,2,9)

8. Badger dad’s hunch, and badger hunter (9)

13. Kevin Rudd’s first name? No, Kim Beazley’s middle one (9)

15. Naval supremos secure shares (3,5)

16. Town five miles from an Australian icon (8)

19. Dull notices for old forest-dwellers (6)

20. Trick includes note – hysterical (6)

23. Wipe out cardinal, after ages (5)

LIBRA: Your prima planet Venus exits the minimalist sign of clutter busting and no-frills expense trimming this week for the welcome embrace of her favourite Libran home. With the vivacious, flirtatious love and money planet in your convivial sign, expect a social whirlwind, glamorous soirees and a wardrobe overhaul.

SCORPIO: Too much is just enough during this week’s vibrant cycle, and Scorpios will probably quite enjoy its dramatic declarations and razzle-dazzle, but don’t make any promises you might have trouble keeping. And avoid getting hooked into other people’s dramas or taking sides before you know the full story.

SAGITTARIUS: Got a pitch, proposal or proclamation to make? Think bold visuals, theatrical flair and don’t spare the bling because this month loves all that jazz and pizzaz. A boon for self-publicists, August also encourages you to showcase the skills of those around you, and share the spotlight with your supporters.

ACROSS

Medicated (5)

Illness (7)

Brief, terse (7)

Child’s musical instrument (5)

Nameless (9) 13. Short piece of sacred music (8)

Forbidden (4) 17. Capital of Italy (4) 18. Beaten back, repelled (8) 21. Parodic, ironic (9)

Funeral song (5)

Notoriety, bad repute (3,4) 25. Accoutrements

CAPRICORN: With August’s celestial energetics in the zodiac’s sign of demonstrating your talents and upmarket networking, making influential connections is definitely on this month’s agenda. As convivial Venus and unconventional Uranus tease you out of outdated routines, keep an open mind: you might be surprised where a little experimentation takes you.

AQUARIUS: If this month’s grandiosity and exaggeration piques your contrarian Aquarian nature, before getting caught up in endless debates, ask yourself: Is this really my job to fix? If your own ideas are sound but the practical details just aren’t coming together, break grand plans into smaller modules and rejig.

PISCES: This month’s Venus could ignite some quite magnetic chemistry, but with Neptune blurring lines between fantasy and reality, it’s easy to fall for potential rather than what’s real. The sweet spot? Enjoy the magic of the moment but be wary of charm offensives that feel just a little too slick.

MANDY NOLAN’S

The Good Life

Dining Guide Good Taste

Check the vital details of some of the region’s finest foodies.

BRUNSWICK HEADS

PACIFIC BISTRO

AT BRUNSWICK HEADS BOWLING CLUB

Fresh, affordable meals. Relaxed, family-friendly setting. Classic pub favourites, premium steaks, burgers and specials, including our popular Saturday Curry Night.

Open: Tuesday to Sunday for lunch 12pm–2pm and dinner 5pm–8pm

Address: 107 Tweed St, Brunswick Heads brunswickbowlingclub.com/

BYRON BAY

NO

BONES BYRON BAY

Vegan Kitchen + Bar

$20 Carbonara Mondays, all night (until sold out).

HAPPIEST HOUR: 5-6pm every night: $8 local taps, $14 cocktails, $10 mocktails, $9 natural wines

Live jazz by Mondo Hum, first Fri each month

Open: 7 nights from 5pm

Address: 11 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay @nobonesrestaurants

ROCA BYRON BAY

Latin fusion restaurant blending deeply rooted Latin American traditions, with innovative techniques and a flair for presentation.

Open: every day except Wednesday 6.30am to late Address: 14 Lawson Street, Byron Bay www.rocabyronbay.com.au

FOREST BYRON BAY

Rainforest views, farm-to-table dining, and a menu showcasing the best of Northern Rivers produce.

Open: 7 days: Breakfast 7.30–10.30am Lunch on verandah from 12–3pm Dinner 5.30–9pm

Address: 77-97 Broken Head Road, Byron Bay crystalbrookcollection.com/byron/forest

BOMBAY TO BYRON

AUTHENTIC INDIAN FOOD

Serving Indian food to Byron Bay for last 12 years.

Open: Monday 4.30pm–9.30pm  Tuesday to Sunday 12 noon–3pm and 4.30pm–9.30pm

Address : 3/93 Jonson Street Byron Bay  Contact: 02 6680 7437 bombaytobyron@gmail.com

MANNA HAVEN

100% whole food, plant-based, house-made meals that are delicious and full of love.

Celebrating 20 years in Byron!

Open: Mon to Fri 11am–3pm

Address: 97 Jonson Street, Byron Bay mannahaven.com.au

BAYSIDE YAKINIKU CLUB BY YUKO

Authentic Japanese Charcoal Restaurant

Premium Australian Wagyu, homemade sauces, fermented food, rice bowls and deli salads.

Open: Wednesday to Sunday Lunch 12pm–3pm Dinner 5.30pm–8.30pm

Address: 1/14 Bay Street, Byron Bay Contact: 0493 565 508 @bayside_yakiniku _club

THREE BLUE DUCKS

At The Farm enjoy a wander in the fields, meet the animals, and picnic in the sun… there really is something for everyone.

Open: Monday – Friday 8am–4pm Saturday 8am– 6.30pm Sunday 8am–8pm

Address: The Farm, 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale www.threeblueducks.com/byron

Harvest time at Marlivale Farm

Nestled in the fertile Nimbin Valley, Marlivale Farm is celebrating harvest season, with the first of this year’s pecans now arriving at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market alongside a remarkable range of freshly harvested rice and handcrafted pantry staples.

While the new-season pecans are always eagerly awaited, they’re just one part of the farm’s impressive paddock-to-pantry story. Whole pecans, cracked pecans for baking, and the farm’s much-loved pecan spread are all made from the harvest, with the spread crafted simply from lightly roasted pecans and nothing else.

The rice harvest has also just wrapped up, meaning customers are now enjoying this year’s crop at its freshest. Marlivale Farm grows two distinctive varieties – a Japanese upland rice available as both brown and white rice, and a fragrant long-grain variety with delicate coconut notes. Both are available in 1kg or 5kg bags, making them perfect for everyday meals or stocking the pantry.

To ensure maximum freshness, the farm mills its rice flour every two weeks in small batches. The range also includes crisp brown rice cakes made from 100 per cent whole brown rice, and gluten-free rice crumbs, perfect for coating fish, chicken and vegetables.

What truly sets Marlivale Farm apart is its commitment to using every part of the harvest. When brown rice is milled into white rice, the nutritious bran is collected and sold for fermenting vegetables. The rice husks are reused as animal bedding or as a natural garden mulch that improves soil aeration and drainage. Even the broken pecan kernels are transformed into their popular pecan spread, ensuring virtually nothing goes to waste.

It’s a thoughtful approach that reflects generations of farming in the Nimbin Valley – growing quality produce, adding value on the farm, and making the most of every harvest.

■ Whether you’re after fresh new-season pecans, fragrant rice, freshly milled rice flour or wholesome gluten-free pantry staples, Marlivale Farm offers a delicious showcase of Northern Rivers produce every Friday from 7am to 11am at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market.

Allie Godfrey

Mac Dixon from Marlivale Farm

ART GALLERIES

ARTIST STUDIO GALLERY

Belongil Beach. Open by appointment | 0409 604 405 janrae7.weebly.com

ARTIST’S STUDIO GALLERY

Byron Bay. Landscape inspired works imparting a ‘spirit of place’. Open by appointment | 02 6685 5317 jaypearse.com

BANGALOW FINE ART

Consultancy / Sales / Valuations bangalowfineart.com.au

GALLERIES

BLACK FIG GALLERY

Exhibiting Northern Rivers artists

Shop 7, Alstonville Plaza

Wednesday to Friday 10am–4pm and Sat 10am–2pm (or by appointment) | 0480 676 957 blackfiggallery.com.au | @blackfiggallery

BYRON CLAY WORKERS GALLERY

Fairview Studios

Open 10am–4pm Saturdays and Sundays John Stewart | 0406 404 335 byronclayworkersgallery.com.au

BLUE KNOB GALLERY

719 Blue Knob Road, Lillian Rock

Open Thursday to Sunday 10am–3pm | 02 6689 7449 blueknobgallery.com

BURRINGBAR GALLERY

Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am–4pm (or by appointment) | 0408 998 446 6184 Tweed Valley Way, Burringbar www.burringbargallery.com.au

GALLERY COSMOSIS

Visionary Art | 22 Brigantine Street, Byron Bay

Open Thursday to Saturday 10.30am–3pm or by appointment | 0431 331 205 gallerycosmosis.com

GARAGE GALLERY

‘Community Arts Hub’ (Byron Community College) Cnr Gordon & Burringbar Streets, Mullumbimby 02 6684 3374 | @mullum.garage.gallery

H’ART GALLERY

Local art in the heart of Mullum at Mullumbimby Comprehensive Health Centre 60 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby | 0401 647 325

HAVEN GALLERY

102 Jonson St, Byron Bay Open 10am-8pm - seven days a week

KARENA WYNN-MOYLAN, FINE ART

World award-winning contemporary realism art direct from the artist at her Bangalow Studio Phone or text 0414 822 196

LISMORE REGIONAL GALLERY

11 Rural St, Lismore, Bundjalung Country Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am–4pm. Thursday until 6pm lismoregallery.org | @lismoreregionalgallery

LONE GOAT GALLERY

28 Lawson St, Byron Bay (located in the Byron Library building) Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am–4pm lonegoatgallery.com

M-ARTS PRECINCT

Spend the day, meet the makers, shop local and handmade 105 Wollumbin St, Murwillumbah Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am @m.arts.precinct | m-arts.com.au/

MULLUMBIMBY CLAYWORKERS GALLERY

Drill Hall Complex. 2 Jubilee Ave, Mullumbimby Open Thursday to Saturday 11am–3pm mullumclayworkers.com

MZ GALLERY

Byron Bay Contemporary Artspace 57 Tennyson Street, Byron Bay | 0468 718 045 www.byronartspace.com

NINBELLA GALLERY

Open Mon-Sat 10-4pm & Sun 10-2pm 19a Byron Street, Bangalow | 0429 357 274 | ninbella.com

NEWRYBAR ART COLLECTIVE

Gallery and Art Studio showcasing local artists 12 Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar Monday to Saturday 10am–4pm, Wednesday 10am–7pm 0412 264 312 | @newrybarartcollective

NORTHERN RIVERS COMMUNITY GALLERY

Cnr Cherry & Crane Streets, Ballina

Open Wed–Fri 9am–3pm, Sat–Sun 9.30am–1pm 02 6681 0530 | nrcgballina.com.au

TWEED REGIONAL GALLERY & MARGARET OLLEY ART CENTRE

Art Centre Gallery hours Wed–Sun 10am–4pm Café open Wed-Fri 10am–4 pm, Sat-Sun 9am–4pm 2 Mistral Rd, Murwillumbah - 02 6670 2790 gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au

ART IN THE HEART OF MULLUMBIMBY: EXHIBITION 12

Mullumbimby Comprehensive Health Centre is once again transformed into a gallery as the H’Art Gallery unveils its 12th exhibition. With ten artists and more than 30 works across painting, printmaking, and mixed media, this show celebrates both the reach and intimacy of local creativity.

Bessminda Groves brings muscular emotional weight to oil on canvas - her works Hope is a Thing with Claws and Happenstance bristle with tension and surrender.

Bill Veale’s sweeping coastal acrylics trace the Broken Head headlands with quiet awe. Blair Ferguson offers tender, small-scale studies of local rivers and beaches in ink and oil. Brendan Kelly returns with bold, conceptually-charged work, including the striking Corellas. Edward Sach contributes a deeply personal piece navigating cancer survival with colour and grace.

Karena Wynn-Moylan’s luminous oils move from coastal light to fallen birds, always with reverence. Marika Bryant fills the room with lyrical mixed media that blur landscape and lived experience. Sally Green brings richly textured abstracts drawing on outback pigments and arctic cool alike. Spero Jones delivers visceral, polymer-varnished works pulsing with elemental force. And curator Solveig anchors the exhibition with signature graphic impressions – from moonlit botanicals to deep neural explorations.

Together they remind us that art doesn’t just decorate a health centre - it heals it.

Mullumbimby Comprehensive Health Centre 60 Stuart St, Mullumbimby

BAABINJE’S BACKYARD: ARTWORKS BY BRONWYN BANCROFT, WORDS BY ELLA NOAH BANCROFT

12 JUNE – 25 OCTOBER 2026

This exhibition features the original artworks for Baabinje’s Backyard, a beautiful picture book for children illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft and written by Ella Noah Bancroft, about a grandmother’s love for her garden, her Country and her family.

“My Baabinje always had dirt under her fingernails. She would take me out to the backyard and say, ‘Sit, Marli. Observe and connect with the day.”

From two brilliant Bundjalung women – acclaimed mother-daughter pair Bronwyn Bancroft and Ella Noah Bancroft – Baabinje’s Backyard showcases the distinctive work of Dr. Bronwyn Bancroft AM on the occasion of her 50th children’s book and celebrates her tremendous contribution to Australian and Aboriginal children’s literature.

Baabinje’s Backyard is published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing. A Tweed Regional Gallery initiative.

Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

2 Mistral Rd, South Murwillumbah Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm

CLIMATE CONVERSATIONS 2027: A BIENNIAL INITIATIVE PRESENTED BY LONE GOAT GALLERY

Byron Shire Council is calling on Northern Rivers artists to help shape the conversation around climate change through Climate Conversations 2027, a biennial initiative presented by Lone Goat Gallery.

The program invites artists to develop innovative, community-focused projects that explore sustainability, resilience, and climate adaptation through contemporary art. One selected artist or artist team will receive a $5,000 artist fee to create and present a new one-month exhibition at Lone Goat Gallery in 2027, with up to $2,000 in additional funding available to support workshops, talks and other public programs. “Artists have a unique ability to inspire new ways of thinking, spark meaningful conversations and help communities imagine resilient futures,” said Byron Shire Council Gallerist Sarah Harvey. The gallery is seeking proposals that place community participation at their core, encouraging collaboration through workshops, partnerships and creative engagement. Climate Conversations aims to foster discussion around environmental challenges while demonstrating how art can inspire collective action and positive change. Expressions of interest are now open to artists and creatives across the Northern Rivers.

Applications and more information are available at www.lonegoatgallery.com/climate-conversations

WRITERS FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH OVER 150 AUTHORS ANNOUNCED!

Byron Writers Festival is set to take over Byron Bay from 14–16 August, unfolding across outdoor marquees and iconic venues to create a bustling festival precinct.

Featuring over 150 international and Australian authors, with 110 sessions across three days, the worldclass event will present literary heavyweights in the heart of town.

Meg Mason, author of the international bestseller Sorrow and Bliss, appears with her hotly anticipated new novel Sophie, Standing There, while UK-based social philosopher and author Roman Krznaric will speak on ‘History for Tomorrow: Inspiration from the Past for the Future of Humanity.’

Headliner Richard Flanagan brings Heresies, a new collection of essays. See him in conversation with Kerry O’Brien on festival Saturday as Kerry delivers the ‘2026 Thea Astley Address’.

Make the most of the festival with a three-day or oneday pass. Passes are selling quickly, get yours now at www.byronwritersfestival.com.

JAN RAE EXHIBITION

Exhibition of paintings by Jan Rae at the Byron CoLab Community Gallery (2 Wordsworth St, Byron Bay). Come and view the exhibition. It’s ON now. You are also invited to the “finissage” Closing Party. There will be good tango music playing (DJ Juana) and there is enough space for dancing in the gallery. Some snacks and nonalcoholic drinks provided. Entry is FREE. All welcome. Contact: janrae7@gmail.com.

2 Wordsworth St Byron Bay, it’s the OLD Byron Hospital. Entry is on LHS of cafe cnr Wordsworth/ Shirley St

14 July to 25 Sept

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday Closing Party: 5.30 to 7.30pm, Thursday 24 Sept

NEWRYBAR ART COLLECTIVE

Situated in a charming house, the Newrybar Art Collective redefines the art-buying experience. It provides an intimate home backdrop for imagining new pieces in your own living space, showcasing an accessible collection from the region’s finest emerging artists. Visitors can even connect with the creators firsthand as they work in the gallery studio. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm 12 Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar Insta: @newrybarartcollective

Editor:

Editorial/gigs: gigs@echo.net.au

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Gig Guide deadline: 5pm each Friday

Advertising: adcopy@echo.net.au

P:

New company, new show!

What happens when a quiet book club opens more than just a book? Where does fantasy end and reality begin? And what secret desires have been waiting to escape the page? The Darling Theatre Company presents the premiere of Joshua Sasse’s bold, riotously funny new comedy Thrust Issues. What begins as a seemingly innocent classical book club soon becomes devoted to an outrageously steamy fairy fantasy – quickly turning into something far more unexpected. As fantasy and reality blur, a tight-knit group of women (and a man), discover that the real plot twists belong to the people reading the story.

Beneath the laughter and glitter, the story gently reveals the quiet isolation we each carry; the private worlds, the unspoken struggles, and the secret longings that sit just beneath the surface of ordinary life. As the women (and man) gather to escape into fiction, their relationships deepen in shocking and surprising ways; reminding us that connection often begins where pretence ends.

With razor-sharp dialogue, unapologetic humour, and just the right amount of mischief; this sparkling new production delivers big laughs with genuine heart and a knowing wink at modern relationships, marriage, friendship, and the stories we tell to survive them!

Irreverent, fast-paced, and wickedly self-aware, this is not just a ‘girls’ night out’ it’s a smart, gutsy comedy for anyone who’s ever loved, lost, or ever felt alone in a crowded room.

It’s all local at BayFM’s Airwaves

Some people have lives; some people have music.

John Green

The Darling Theatre Company is a home for actors committed to their craft, courage, and the transformative power of live performance. Based in the Byron Shire, they bring together dedicated artists who train, rehearse, and perform as a unified company – honouring the traditions of classical theatre while creating bold, accessible work for our community.

Director Josh Sasse believes in the power of consistent practice. ‘Voice, movement, text, and technique form the foundation of our process, supported by resilience, professionalism, and a deep respect for the rehearsal room. Through this training-in-performance model, our actors gain real-world professional experience, building their CVs while presenting high- quality theatre to the Byron Shire.’

The company’s upcoming show, Thrust Issues will debut in Byron Bay in two weeks.

Cheeky, clever, and just a little bit naughty – this is theatre with bite!

For more information and performance dates, visit thedarlingtheatrecompany.com.

Coming off the back of AIRWAVES 2025 , Byron’s local radio station, BayFM is putting on an all-local show, AIRWAVES 2026, at an iconic local venue, Club Byron aka Byron Bay Bowlo on Saturday.

The music kicks off from 6.30pm with a line up starring Lismore’s experimental psychedelic rock sound, Liminal ; Byron’s infectious slacker-punk Off Judy ; the original Byron surf rock favourite Colbey ; and a DJ set to finish off the night with BayFM’s Lainie Godiva

There will be merch, raffles and plenty of dancing, creating a fun space to catch up with friends and check out the local music scene. If BayFM has been a part of your day, come and party at AIRWAVES 2026.

This is a ticketed event with all proceeds going towards power-proofing BayFM Community Radio, a local media outlet that has been informing, entertaining and connecting listeners to everything local for 36 years – this is a feel-good event, helping a good cause.

First release tickets have sold out. General release tickets are available at events.humanitix.com/ airwaves-2026.

INTERVIEW ROBERT FOSTER

Brisbane-born musician and writer Robert Forster cofounded The Go-Betweens in 1978, with friend and fellow singer-songwriter Grant McLennan. Their sixth album, 16 Lovers Lane, was placed at number 12 on The 100 Best Australian Albums list.

Foster’s memoir, Grant & I, was published in 2016, and his latest book is his first novel Songwriters on The Run – set in 1991, on the cusp of Nirvana’s grunge revolution, the story follows Mick Woods and Drew Lovelock, two rock-starwrecked handsome, not-quite-famous singer-songwriters touring Central Queensland.

Robert, last time we spoke you were coming down for a music festival – we were talking about writing books, and you said, ‘No, I’m on the music trail at the moment.’ And now you’re on the writing book trail. I know, and I’m coming down to the Byron Bay Writers Festival. How lucky am I?

Do you do a lot of writers’ festivals?

I do some. I did the Melbourne one back in May. You know I really enjoy them. They’re great fun and there’s a lot of ideas floating around which is really, really good and people! I really enjoy them.

Last time we spoke you were telling me about how you really do separate the two worlds when you can.

You put one on the back burner. Is this the same process you had to go through for doing this book? It is. You know, I’m not someone who’s a professional novelist or non-fiction person. I’m not. I haven’t been writing for 30 or 40 years, week-in-week-out. You know what I mean? You have holidays and stuff like that, but as you know, I have a musical career going as well. So I’m sort of different to other writers to an extent, in that I’m not full time.

I have to record, or I’ll go on tour, and then I just have to put whatever I’m writing aside and then come back to it. And I find that really good because normally when I come back to something, to what I’m writing, in terms of words on the page, after doing music, I come back quite fresh and excited, and I read what I’ve written up until that point. And normally, I get excited by it, and because I’m fresh, I’m really happy to jump back into it again.

What are you reading currently? Or are you in between books?

I am in between books. The last book I read was a biography of a painter Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin by Sue Prideaux. He’s a very controversial figure. Gauguin lived in France, and in Tahiti towards the end of his life. There’s been a lot of research and stuff uncovered about Gauguin, and he was quite different to what people, to what history, and what gossip and history have said.

Have you been to the Byron Writers Festival before? Yep. I went, probably in 2016, and I really enjoyed it. I think it was maybe the first writers’ festival I ever went to. It was great!

Is there someone that you’d like to see if you got the chance?

Trent Dalton because I’ve never seen him at a book event. And I like his writing. I like him as a person, and so I’m hoping that I get the chance to see him. He’ll attract a very good crowd, and he’s a very good writer.

Robert, are you having enough fun?

Look, yeah, I am. I’m someone that really enjoys winter. I like actually being at the beach in winter. I know that sounds odd.

The last time I asked you if you were having enough fun, you said you were, but you said that you were making sure that you get enough sleep because the sleep is the thing that helps you be primed to have fun. Are you getting enough sleep at the moment? I did last night.

Feat. Gerry Lopez, Mark Richards, Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, Wayne Lynch, Tom Carroll, Simon Anderson, Terry Fitzgerald, Peter McCabe and Thornton Fallander.

Feat. Simon Baker, Dick Hoole and featured surfers.

A FILM BY JACK MCCOV, DICK HOOLE & DAVID LOURIE

support of the Jack McCoy Aloha Foundation

CINEMA

Iconic 80s surf movie

Le-Ba Boardriders in conjunction with Dick Hoole and the family of legendary (surf) filmmaker, Jack McCoy present the iconic 80s surf movie, Storm Riders. The film was groundbreaking at the time and featured surfers traveling across five continents.

The film put famous surf breaks such as Uluwatu, Nias and G’Land on the surfing map. Surfers include legends such as MR, Wayne Lynch, Rabbit, Cheyne Horan, Tom Carroll, Thorton Fallander, Simon Anderson and Jerry Lopez.

The soundtrack is a huge part of the film’s appeal featuring iconic Australian and international artists such as INXS, Split Enz, Mondo Rock, The Church, Australian Crawl, Little River Band, Sharon O’Neill and Mi Sex.

Directed by Dick Hoole, Jack McCoy, and David Lourie, Storm Riders is more than just a surf flick – it is a cinematic adventure. The filmmakers mortgaged homes and took big risks to produce what they hoped would be the ultimate surf film.

For many surfers of the 80s, Storm Riders was a call to adventure. It inspired people to travel, explore, and seek out uncrowded waves in far-flung places. It also helped define the surf culture of the 1980s, blending music, travel, and lifestyle into a single, influential package.

This great event is on Saturday at the Lennox Head Cultural Centre – doors open 5pm and the show starts 6pm. Tickets $20, $10 groms under 18, free for groms under 12, from www.communityspaces.com.au/v1/tickets.

GIG GUIDE

WEDNESDAY 5

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JASON DELPHIN

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM OLE FALCOR

■ BYRON THEATRE 1PM NT LIVE: LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM FELICITY LAWLESS + DUELING PIANO BAR

■ BANGALOW HOTEL 7PM OPEN MIC WITH SLIM PICKENS

■ THE PADDOCK PROJECT, MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM CURRY JAM

■ OTTILIES, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM MONDO JAZZ CATS

■ ELTHAM HOTEL 6.30PM NOT QUITE FOLK JAM

■ REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH, 6PM JAZZ CLUB 47

THURSDAY 6

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM MARSHALL HAMBURGER BAND

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM TONY MANGO + DJ RENEE SIMONE + DUELING PIANO BAR

■ GARDEN BAR, BYRON BAY, 7.30PM TEMPLE OF FIRE

■ FOXY LUU’S @ COORABELL HALL 5.30PM SAMBAM

■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM TAHLIA MATHESON

■ SAINT MARIES, BRUNSWICK HEADS, 6PM MONDO JAZZ CATS

■ ELTHAM HOTEL 7PM THELMA PLUM

■ LISMORE CITY BOWLO 7PM THE SUPPER CLUB SOUL BAND

■ REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH, 7PM REBOUND THE MOVIE

FRIDAY 7

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, LEMON CHICKEN

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 5PM ANIMAL VENTURA + ISSAC FRANKHAM BAND

■ BYRON THEATRE 6PM GRILLIONAIRE

■ NORTH BYRON HOTEL 5PM DJ NAT WHITE

■ ELEMENTS OF BYRON 5PM JOSH LEE HAMILTON

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 7PM JB’S BLUES BREAKERS + FLUKES OF SENDINGTON + DUELING PIANO BAR

■ THE PARK HOTEL, SUFFOLK PARK, 6PM JOE CONROY

■ LENNOX HOTEL 9PM LEMON CHICKEN

■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM MILO GREEN

■ WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM DJ PAPA BITCHO

■ MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 5.30PM BALCONY BEATS + KRAPPYOKEE WITH JESS

■ MULLUMBIMBY EX-SERVICES CLUB 6PM MULLUM OPEN MIC

■ ST JOHN’S SCHOOL HALL, MULLUMBIMBY, 7.30PM ECSTATIC DANCE MULLUM WITH DJ DION SOULFIRE

■ M-ARTS, MURWILLUMBAH, 5.30PM RESONANT HAND

■ REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH, 5PM DJ ABEL EL TORO

■ MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB 6PM PHIL GUEST

■ SALTBAR, KINGSCLIFF, 5.30PM JORDAN MAC

■ CLUB TWEED 7.30PM SONIC FX

■ TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, 7.30PM OFF BROADWAY

■ SOUNDLOUNGE, CURRUMBIN, 7PM THELMA PLUM

■ COOLANGATTA HOTEL 7.30PM SUNK LOTO

SATURDAY 8

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, TANDIA JAY & THE SHENANIGATORS

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 5PM HOCKEY DAD, THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS, CROCODYLUS, SONIC REDUCER, SEASIDE, YELLOW THE SUN

■ BYRON BOWLO 6PM AIRWAVES 2025 FT. LIMINAL, OFF JUDY, COLBEY, DJ LAINIE GODIVA

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 7PM KANE MUIR TRIO + DJ QUENDO + DUELING PIANO BAR

■ BANGALOW, FLO RECORDS, 11AM FLO RECORDS 3RD BIRTHDAY

■ BANGALOW HOTEL 4PM JOE CONROY

■ WILLIAMS STREET KITCHEN & BAR, LENNOX HEAD, 5.30PM WARREN EARL BAND

■ LENNOX HEAD CULTURAL CENTRE 6PM STORM RIDERS

■ LENNOX HOTEL 9PM DJ ABEL EL TORO

■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4.30PM ANIMAL VENTURA

■ WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 3.30PM DJ VINYL DAN

■ BILLINUDGEL HOTEL 6PM DREAMS OF INDIGO

■ THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH, 6PM ZEMZEMEH

■ MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB 6PM MARTIN WAY

■ REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH, 6PM SCREENING COYOTE UGLY

■ KINGSCLIFF BEACH BOWLS 1PM GREGG PETERSON

■ CLUB TWEED 7.30PM MIRRORBALL EXPRESS

■ TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, 8PM JUDAH KELLY & ASABI GOODMAN

IT’S FREE TO LIST YOUR GIGS gigs@echo.net.au echo.net.au/gig-guide. DEADLINE 5PM ON FRIDAYS

SUNDAY 9

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JON J BRADLEY

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 4.30PM LEMON CHICKEN

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 5PM HAYLEY GRACE + VINYL SUNDAYS FT. HOMBRE DEL SACO

■ THE PARK HOTEL, SUFFOLK PARK, 5.30PM ANIMAL VENTURA

■ DURRUMBUL HALL 10AM BYRON DREAMING, ALICE NIGHT, EMPRESS KATIA, SEIJIN, RAKUU, GUY SOHM, EDO AND FRIENDS KIRTAN, ELLIOT ORR

■ BANGALOW HOTEL 3PM LEIGH JAMES

■ LENNOX HOTEL 4PM STEPHEN LOVELIGHT

■ BALLINA RSL 2.30PM BALLINA BLUES CLUB FEAT BLIND WILLIE WAGTAIL

■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4PM BOURBON STREET

■ MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 3PM OPEN MIC WITH THE SWAMP CATS

■ BILLINUDGEL HOTEL 1PM SLIM ‘N STAN

■ ELTHAM HOTEL 4PM THE LONESOME BOATMAN

■ DUNOON SPORTS CLUB 4PM PLUCKERS AND POETS OPEN MIC

■ THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH, 4PM UKI REFUGEE PROJECT SCREENING: TATAMI

■ CLUB TWEED 1PM RAVIE + ANGUS HOLMES

MONDAY 10

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, ARI LEVY

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM LEIGH JAMES

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM LACHY DWYER + DUELING PIANO BAR

TUESDAY 11

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, LEIGH JAMES

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM IZZY DAY

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM MARSHALL OKELL + DUELING PIANO BAR

WEDNESDAY 12

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, THE HILLBILLY SKANK

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM J.R. HIGGIN + DUELING PIANO BAR

■ THE PADDOCK PROJECT, MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM CURRY JAM

■ OTTILIES, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM MONDO JAZZ CATS

■ ELTHAM HOTEL 5PM IRISH FOLK JAM

■ LISMORE TURF CLUB 6PM NORTHERN RIVERS COMMUNITY GATEWAY GIVING GALA

OF TIME (M)

10:50AM

DAYS (PG) NFT

except Fri, Mon: 11:15AM, 6:00PM. Fri: 11:00AM, 5:50PM. Mon: 11:15AM, 6:15PM ICE CREAM MAN (R18+) NFT Thurs, Fri, Tues, Wed: 3:45PM, 8:15PM. Sat, Mon: 3:45PM, 8:30PM. Sun: 1:30PM, 8:15PM OBSESSION (MA15+) Thurs, Sun, Mon, Wed: 8:40PM ONE NIGHT ONLY (CTC) – ADV SCREENINGS Fri: 6:00PM. Sat: 6:15PM. Sun: 3:45PM SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY (M) NFT Daily: 11:00AM, 1:00PM, 2:00PM, 3:10PM, 4:00PM, 5:00PM, 6:00PM, 7:00PM, 8:00PM SUPER TROOPERS 3 (MA15+) NFT Daily: 1:30PM, 3:45PM, 6:10PM, 8:20PM TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA (MA15+) NFT Thurs, Tues, Wed: 1:30PM, 3:50PM, 8:10PM. Fri: 1:10PM, 3:30PM, 8:30PM. Sat, Sun, Mon: 1:30PM, 3:50PM, 8:30PM THE BLUE TRAIL (M) Thurs, Tues, Wed: 10:50AM, 6:15PM. Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon: 10:50AM THE INVITE (MA15+) Thurs, Tues, Wed: 1:30PM, 8:30PM. Fri, Sat: 1:30PM. Sun: 6:10PM, 8:30PM. Mon: 1:30PM, 8:40PM THE ODYSSEY (M) Daily: 11:10AM, 12:45PM, 2:30PM, 4:10PM, 7:30PM YOUNG WASHINGTON (M) NFT Daily: 12:45PM, 6:00PM

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Ads may be taken by phone on 6684 1777 AT THE ECHO HEAD OFFICE

Ads can be lodged in person at the Mullum Echo o ce: Village Way, Stuart St, Mullumbimby EMAIL ADS

Display (box ads) and line classi eds, email: classifieds@echo.net.au

Ad bookings only taken during business hours: Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. Ads can’t be taken on the weekend. Account enquiries phone 6684 1777.

DEADLINE TUES 12PM

Publication day is Wednesday, booking deadlines are the day before publication.

RATES & PAYMENT

LINE ADS:

$17.00 for the first two lines

$5 .00 for each extra line

$17 for two lines is the minimum charge.

DISPLAY ADS (with a border): $14 per column centimetre

These prices include GST. Cash, cheque, Mastercard or Visa Prepayment is required for all ads.

Masti Adler

Now available again in private practice Individual and Relationship Therapy 0403 730 304 awarecounselling.com.au

Mindfulness @ Work Bring greater focus, clarity and calm into your workplace.

PUBLIC NOTICES

BEES

Commercial apiarist has bees available for pollination of macadamias etc. Txt 0492832048

WHERE TO GET THE ECHO

***

If you live in

NEWRYBAR, LENNOX HEAD, BALLINA

MAIN ARM, BILLINUDGEL but outside our current home delivery area, you can pick up an Echo from many locations. For example: Newrybar Providore Newrybar. *** BALLINA

Richies IGA Ballina, Ballina RSL, One Stop Shop Ballina, Ballina Golf Club East Ballina, Brighton St Takeaway near The Shawsy. ***

LENNOX HEAD

IGA Lennox Head, Seagrass General Store, the Lennox pub drive-through, the Station Grocer Lennox Head *** Federal Store, Main Arm Store, Billinudgel General Store & Pub, Crabbes Creek Store, New Brighton Store, Ocean Shores Country Club, Mullumbimby IGA and Newsagent, Byron Bay Newsagency, Byron Community Centre, supermarkets, cafes, servos etc

HAWAIIAN MASSAGE Ocean Shores, Michaela, 0416332886

Clear subconscious sabotages. Reprogram patterns and beliefs. Restore vibrancy

Certified Mindfulness Educator Paul Bibby 0401 926 090

CLASSIFIEDS THAT WORK ALL WEEK!

Echo Classies also appear online: www.echo.net.au/ classified-ads

In loving memory of a long-term Byron Bay local

Athol Stroud-Watts

Passed away peacefully on 17th June, 2026 aged 89 years. Dearly beloved husband of Anita and loving father of Sharon, Patria and Anthony. Loved father in-law to Duncan, Stephen (dec) and Michelle.

Loved Pa to grandchildren, Jake, Heleena, Connor, Jared, Sam, Keana, Syd and Tobi and great grandchildren Mila, Sage, Rome, Austin, Rylee, Jerome, Poppy and Spencer. Always in our hearts and forever cherished. Rest in Peace.

Anita and family wish to thank all for their warm thoughts and kind wishes.

www.echo.net.au/classified-ads

Classifieds

MISSING DOG

On The Horizon

DEADLINE NOON FRIDAY

Meet Kelli, a sweet and petite, fun little girl. She’s only 1 years old, has a jet

To make an appointment 0403 533 589 • Billinudgel petsforlifeanimalshelter.net

Email copy marked ‘On The Horizon’ to editor@echo.net.au.

Connecting Generations

Connecting Generations will be holding their Winter Family Fun Day on Sunday, 9 August at Heritage House Bangalow from 3pm for families of all ages. This is a free community event with the theme for the winter event being fostering connection in a diverse community. Activities include drum and lantern making + a community drumming circle and lantern walk, bush arts, face-painting, johnnycake making and Bangalow World Cup family soccer. Gunters Pizza van will be available throughout the fun festival. Bring a rug and invite family, friends or neighbours.

Mullumbimby CWA

Plans are underway to celebrate the centenary of Mullumbimby CWA branch, which was formed in 1926. The celebration will be a special lunch at the CWA Rooms, at noon on Saturday, 22 August. Contact branch secretary Jenny Barlow on 66 847 282 to add your name to the list of attendees.

Bruns CWA craft sale

CWA Brunswick Heads will hold their annual craft and sewing supplies sale on Saturday, 8 August from 10am to

@whogivesacluck

ONLY ADULTS

2pm at their hall in Booyun Street, Brunswick Heads. Fabric, wool, lace, threads, ribbons, needles knitting and crochet and much more. All at mark down prices. Contact 0431 908 063

VIEW Club celebrates 41

Brunswick Valley VIEW Club celebrates its 41st birthday on 13 August at Brunswick Heads Bowling Club. Local singer Rhydian Lewis is the entertainer. Please book before August 10 – call Margaret on 0412 246 310. All funds raised helps to support eight disadvantaged primary-school students in The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.

Vietnam Veteran’s Day

Vietnam Veteran’s Day service starts at 11am, on 18 August. Location: Mullumbimby Cenotaph. All Welcome.

Organic Landcare

Organic Landcare’s next volunteer day will be Saturday, 15 August, from 8.30am until 1pm, at Saltwater Creek. Meet at 156 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby Community Garden car park. Tasks will be to follow up green cestrum along the riparian zone, please call us if you come later. Please wear a long–sleeved shirt and pants for sun protection and to avoid

Regular As Clockwork

DEADLINE NOON FRIDAY

Please note that, owing to space restrictions, not all entries may be included each week. Email copy marked ‘Regular As Clockwork’ to editor@echo.net.au.

The Garden Table Luncheon

A meeting for local elders at the Brunswick Bowling Club will be held on the last Wednesday of every month, between 12 and 2pm. This is a meeting of great locals to have fun, share an cuppa and listen to short talks about healthy ageing. All welcome. Any queries please call 0407 597 273.

Zonta group

Zonta Northern Rivers, will be holding monthly meetings at Ballina RSL. Meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of each month, commencing at 6pm, and we welcome anyone interested to come to meetings at Ballina RSL, or contact directly for further information: 0409 248 822.

CWA Bruns meetings

CWA Brunswick Heads meetings are held on the first Friday of the month from 9am at the corner of Park and Booyun Streets. Call Mary Webb 0431 908 063 or email brunscwa@gmail.com.

Heart circle singing

Heart Circle: community-led singing, uplifting songs, inspiring readings, short meditation, a different theme and leader every week. Nourish the soul. All welcome. Every Sunday 10 to 11.30am at South Golden Beach Hall. Suggested contribution $5 (to cover rent). Enquiries: text Linda 0415 412 514.

Vollies needed for toy library

Byron Shire toy library is looking for volunteers to help run the library. We have two sites, Suffolk Park and Ocean Shores. It’s an easy, fun way to spend a morning. You are required to do a two or three hour shift every week or every two weeks. If interested please contact Pippy Wardell; byronbayseniors@gmail.com.

scratches, a hat, gloves and bring water and some morning tea, for a 10:30 break. I will provide a first-aid kit and some weeding tools. Please bring your own gloves and weeding tools if you have them. For more call 0478 272 300.

AIR meeting

The next meeting of Australian Independent Retirees (AIR) will be held at the RSL Club, 1 Grant Street, Ballina on Friday, 7 August from 10am. This meeting is for all retirees, not just independent retirees, and features a guest speaker who usually has some interesting information for everyone to enjoy. This month will be Justine Rowe from Ballina Council, who will take us on a trip around the waste management area and advise us of what and where all our waste products end up. All enquiries to the president, Mrs Jill Huxley on 6686 8958.

Crowley Care Auxiliary

The Crowley Care Auxiliary invites you to visit their cake and craft stall at Ballina Fair on Saturday, 22 August. Come along to browse a wonderful selection of homemade cakes, slices and handcrafted items, all made with care and creativity by our talented volunteers. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a delicious treat or a unique gift while supporting a great cause, with all proceeds going towards enhancing the lives of Crowley Care residents. We look forward to seeing you there!

A few hands can make a big difference!

On Monday and Friday mornings, a small group gathers at Coolamon Community to pack coolamons shared through Aboriginal Health Service midwives to Aboriginal mums and babies in regional and remote communities. It’s simple, hands-on work – done with care, respect and purpose. There’s always room for a few more. If you’d like to lend a hand and be part of something meaningful, contact Pam on 0417 393 168 or  info@coolamoncommunity.org.au.

Byron Seniors

Join our friendly group for cards. We play 500 at a local venue. No charge. For enquiries, message Nancy on 0498 480 373.

Soul song

Community-led singing, devotional uplifting songs, short meditation, inspiring readings, non-denominal. Held first and third Sundays from 10am to 11.30am at the Scout Hall, Bangalow Showgrounds. All welcome. For more info call Sue 0402 052 457.

Seniors activities at the Byron Community Cabin

Seniors activities at the Byron Community Cabin, Carlyle St, Byron Bay:  Seniors Chair Yoga Tuesday and Fridays, 10am to 11am – Contact Pippy 0421 926 785, by donation. Free Tai Chi with Baz – Tuesdays 11.15am till 12.15pm, Thursdays 2pm till 3pm. Still

Here Theatre – Senior’s theatre group.

All ages welcome to our fun drama and theatre workshops. Thursdays 10am to 12pm at the cabin. By donation. Contact Brin on 0423 120 280.

Cake can save the world!

Every month, the good women of the Bangalow CWA pick up their weapons

of choice. A cake tin, some eggs, some flour, some sugar and a whole lot of love. As a grassroots organisation dedicated to improving the welfare of women, children and the vulnerable, the making and baking of cakes for the monthly cake stall is how they raise the much needed funds to support the good work of Liberation Larder, Fletcher Street Cottage, The Winsome Hotel, The SHIFT Project Byron Bay and the Bangalow Community Pantry. The next cake stall is on Saturday, 28 March from 8am to 1pm at the CWA Rooms in Bangalow, 31 Byron Street, Bangalow. While you are there, why not find out about becoming a member?

Bruns U3A

Lifelong learning for retired folk in their third age. Our interest groups are Tuesday forum, garden group, foodies, movie and lunch, men’s shed, French revisited, Scottish folk dance, Mahjong, Walkers and talkers, Shabashi, table tennis, chess, debating group, ukelele. For days, times email info@bvu3a.org or call Denise 0423 778 573.

Friends of Libraries

Friends of Libraries wish to thank all who kindly donated books for the Annual Book Fair in July, in doing so, you have greatly contributed towards making the up and coming Book Fair yet another great four day event. For those still wishing to supply books please hold on to them until next year. Suffolk Park Land and Dune Care Group Join the Suffolk Park Land and Dune Care Group and help protect and restore our beautiful local environment. We meet on the last Sunday of every month for hands-on activities, including dune restoration, weed removal, planting natives, and learning about local ecosystems. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people, enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, and contribute to the health of our coastline and community. To join, simply text your email address to 0428 942 903.

Older adult exercise

Chair-based older adults exercise classes run by a qualified instructor, that feel more like fun than exercise, are held every Thursday at 10.15am in the Brunswick Memorial Hall. Cost $10. All welcome. Just show up, or if you have any questions, please contact Di on 0427 026 935.

ECHO SERVICE DIRECTORY RATES, PAYMENT & DEADLINE

Deadline: For additions and changes is 12pm Friday

Line ads: $99 for 3 months or $340 for 1 year prepaid

Display ads: $70 per week for colour display ad. Minimum 8 week booking 4 weeks prepaid. Please supply display ads 85mm wide, 38mm high. New ads will be placed at end of section. Contact: 6684 1777 or adcopy@echo.net.au

FENCING

Property Insider

Some properties simply impress. Others leave a lasting impression.

Set across 3.85 acres of beautifully curated grounds, Coorabell Springs is one of the Byron hinterland’s most remarkable lifestyle estates. Designed through a collaboration between acclaimed Byron Bay architect Ed Davis, respected builder Ben Webber of Webber Build, and Gondwana Landscaping & Stone, the property is a masterful union of architecture, craftsmanship and landscape.

Created to embrace its extraordinary natural setting, the singlelevel four-bedroom residence has been thoughtfully positioned beside a spring-fed dam, allowing reflections, light and expansive views to become part of everyday living. Spotted gum flooring, polished concrete, timber-battened ceilings and walls of glass create warm, contemporary interiors that flow effortlessly to the surrounding

gardens, rolling hills and water.

At the heart of the home, generous open-plan living spaces offer seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining, while every room enjoys a connection to the landscape. Sustainability has been integrated throughout with passive solar design, cross-flow ventilation, natural materials, solar power, battery storage and an EV charger, creating a home that is as efficient as it is beautiful.

The grounds are nothing short of extraordinary. Landscaped by Gondwana Landscaping & Stone,

sweeping lawns, sculptural gardens and mature specimen plantings create a series of peaceful outdoor spaces surrounding the heated infinity-edge pool. Beyond the gardens, extensive bush regeneration has established a thriving ecosystem of remnant rainforest, native wildlife, ancient trees and cascading bedrock landscapes. Coorabell Creek forms the property’s boundary, while natural waterholes, abundant birdlife and butterflies create a rare sense of immersion in nature.

Adding further versatility, the property includes DA approval for a two-room artist’s studio with bathroom and garage, a large powered shed, 100,000L filtered water storage, Starlink internet, ducted air conditioning and approximately 6.35 hectares of adjoining community land with cleared paddocks and Coorabell Creek frontage for shared use.

Perfectly positioned just minutes from Federal and Bangalow, and approximately 20 minutes from Byron Bay’s beaches, restaurants and vibrant lifestyle,

Coorabell Springs offers exceptional privacy without sacrificing convenience.

Rarely does a property achieve such a harmonious balance of architecture, craftsmanship, landscape and nature. More than a home, Coorabell Springs is a place of remarkable beauty, tranquillity and connection – an estate to be experienced and treasured for generations.

■ Tara Torkkola tara@byronbayfn.com 0423 519 698

7/105 KEYS ROAD, COORABELL

BYRRILL CREEK

23A GORDON STREET, BYRON BAY

Property Business Directory

Backlash

TRAINEE BEEKEEPER

France is on fire

Spain is on fire

Norway is on fire

Sicily is on fire

Turkiye is on fire

Ontario is on fire

Bolivia is on fire

Algeria is on fire

England is on fire

Tunisia is on fire

Morocco is on fire

The US is on fire

‘Human-caused climate change made the hot and dry conditions responsible for Spain’s record-sized inferno 20 times more likely to happen, and it doubled the chances of extreme fire conditions for the flames in France, scientists at World Weather Attribution calculated in a rapid analysis on Thursday,’ according to reporting by The Guardian

About us:

Australia’s Manuka (Tyagarah Apiaries) is based in Tyagarah. We manage hives throughout the Northern Rivers region. We are looking to hire and train an assistant beekeeper for a long-term position.

The position:

A diverse role working and training as a beekeeper. Tasks will be performed independently, and as part of a team. Beekeeping involves hard and repetitive outdoor and indoor work, and it is also interesting and rewarding. You will expect to work in the heat of summer while wearing a beekeeping suit, carrying heavy boxes, while being stung by bees. You will get to learn how to ethically care for bees, spend time in, learn about nature and learn about producing raw honey. Seasonal (spring and summer) overtime work is required and working nights.

Applicant needs to be:

Fit and strong, able to do heavy lifting and long hours, organised and able to follow directions, honest, and with an eye for detail and problem-solving skills, own reliable transport, manual drivers licence, woodworking and mechanical skills beneficial. Long–term position (travellers need not apply).

Full time position Send your CV and cover letter explaining why you would be suited to this role to simon@australiasmanuka.com.au

NASA says, ‘Earth’s warming climate is amplifying wildland fire activity, particularly in northern and temperate forests. When fires ignite the landscape, NASA’s satellites and instruments can detect and track them at: science.nasa.gov/ earth/explore/wildfires-andclimate-change’.

My Gender Dolls (mygenderdolls.com) have produced an innovative therapy-based doll for children who have expressed themselves as trans or gender-diverse. They are designed for gender-diverse children ages 4–10 years. Recent findings from the Diversity Science Lab (www.calvinklai. com) at Rutgers University confirmed that whether they are cisgender (that is, have a gender identity that matches their biological sex) or trans,

the vast majority of children maintain their gender identity over time according to snopes.com. ‘Early-identifying transgender children’s sense of their own gender was no more or less stable than cisgender children’s, suggesting that children who are supported in their transgender identities tend to show developmental patterns that mirror their cisgender peers,’ the findings read.

The 2026 Community Achievement Awards are open for nominations in NSW and the ACT. The awards recognise and pay tribute to the achievements of individuals, organisations, communities and businesses. Nominations close Wednesday, 12 August. Visit awardsaustralia.com/ community-achievementawards/nsw to nominate someone.