The Byron Shire Echo Issue 41.09 – August 12, 2026

Sanctuary

8-PAGE GUIDE

14—16 August

PULL THIS SECTION OUT!

Byron Writers Fe stival – 30 years , homecoming

As we count down to this weekend, there is a hum of anticipation running through the Byron Writers Festival team that feels different from any year before it. Now in our thirtieth year – a milesto that, after the disrupt ne ion of 2025, we are determ ined to meet with celebra tion.

We invite our commu nity to take sanctuary in the real thing: the slow, deliberate work of writing , reading and thinking togethe r.

with Richard Flanagan returning to present Heresies, Booker Prizewinner Geetanja rom Friday 14 li Shree bringing to Sunday 16 Tomb of Sand, August, the heart and an extraord of Byron inary local lineup Bay will transform including Trent into a literary precinct: Dalton, Antionet seven iconic vente Lattouf, Evelyn Byron Bay provides ues, including two Araluen, Melissa a stunning backdrop marquees – one Lucashenko and on the foreshore to Australia’s favourite Steve Toltz among , the other in the them, standing regional meeting the heart feels centre of town alongside place of global voices. storytelling and like a homecom – weaving together ideas. ing: 30 years on from markets, live This year’s theme, Join us in commun music and ocean the festival’s first Sanctuary, we’re ity this feels especially gathering as the bathing with over weekend as we inviting our community apt. In a moment Northern Rivers celebrate not just 110 sessions of to 30 years of of global upheaval Writers Centre. storytelling and take sanctuary Byron Writers Look how far we’ve ideas. Moving into in the real thing: , when algorithFestival, mic tools and come! the slow, deliberat but the literary technology imitate arts, right here e work of writin human ingenuity ing, reading and Byron Bay. Thank thinking together. and creativity you for thirty , Our program years of continue reflects that spirit, d support – we can’t wait to welcome you home. This year, Byron Writers Festival returns to Byron Bay on the land and waterways From the festival of the Bundjalu stage to the bookng nation. With a store and the cafes, take new precinct in sanctuary the heart of town, here alongside the 2026 festival those nourishe d by is both reinvention the doing of writing, and homecoming reading and – an offer of sanctuary thinking. in a tumultuous world. Discover the best in literature from around Over three days, we will gather the country, with many of the with internati As a proud founding finest Australia onal guests from partner, Southn and international Aotearoa, Chile, ern Cross Universit As Byron Writers India, Singapor writers whose y’s relationship Festival marks e, with Byron insight and originalit UK and the USA, its 30th annivers Writers Festival and engage in y will illumiary, Southern has Cross Universi nate the possibilit uplifting conversat grown from a shared ies and purpose ty is honoured ions on literary commitment to of literature. From most easterly craft, philosoph to storytelling, celebrate this milestone point of mainland y, politics, climate, ideas and communew ways of , recognisunderstanding Australia. love, and family. nity into a lasting ing the stories, the past, present thinkers and comcollaboration and future, to grounded in creativity We present this munity that continue In uncertai n exploring expectatimes, these festival at a and to shape who tions of form moment of great conversations we are, now and Across three decades, place. and language, offer the antidote global change, into the we future. the have writers of Byron in times that to despair. It helped foster Join Southern is our pleaseure are increasin conversations Writers Festival Cross Universit gly welcome that at Byron to challeng ’26 bring wisdom, y chaotic, dark and e, you to Byron Writers Festival. joy, irreverence, absurd, as algoWriters amplifyin inspire and connect, from Hear and indefatigable rithmic tools offer Festival ’26. our academics g voices from our curiosity to the a cheap illusion across the region festival of creativity and and beyond and program and book understanding. – Jessica Alice, celebrating the a compeople and stories plimentary one-on-o Artistic Director that shape ne writing our community. workshop with Dr Aidan Coleman . Limited places available.

F

A word from the

SUPPLYING THE BYRON SHIRE WITH RUBBER BANDS SINCE 1986 The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 41 #09 • August 12, 2026 • www.echo.net.au

Writers Festival liftout feature in this issue!

Artistic Director

Celebrating 30 years of partnership, stor and community ies – with Southern Cross University

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The 30th Byron Writers Festival has Byron Bay at its centre – venues will come to life around the town from Friday to Sunday this week. Some of the most exciting voices in Australian and international writing will be there including Trent Dalton, Geetanjali Shree, Richard Flanagan, Melissa Lucashenko, Evelyn Araluen, Steve Toltz, Kerry O’Brien, Richard Fidler, Luke Bateman, and Turia Pitt, alongside hundreds of other celebrated authors.

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Echo 21

Of course the festival could not go ahead without its amazing staff of volunteers (above) who have once again stepped up to make this iconic event possible. Get your tickets at: www.byronwritersfestival.com. Photo Jeff Dawson ▶ Check out our special feature for Byron Writers Festival 2026 including full program and session highlights on page 21.

Byron Council puts rate rise case to the public Paul Bibby Pay more rates or accept fewer services. That’s the choice Byron Council is putting to residents as it launches community consultation on a proposed 35 per cent Special Rate Variation (SRV). The consultation, which opened this week, seeks community

How Byron’s getting high ▶ p8

feedback on a proposal that would increase ordinary land rates by a compounded 35.03 per cent over three years if Council ultimately decides to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for approval. Under the proposal, rates would rise by 12 per cent in 2027–28, 10 per cent in 2028–29 and 9.6 per cent

Jail for pot use in Queensland ▶ p12

in 2029–30, including the annual rate peg. Rather than simply asking residents whether they support the increase, the consultation material frames the discussion around what level of services and infrastructure the community expects Council to provide into the future. Without additional revenue,

Time to get to know ‘lifestyle medicine’ ▶ p20

Council says it will face growing difficulty maintaining roads, bridges, footpaths, stormwater infrastructure and other community assets, while continuing to meet service expectations. The consultation also asks residents to consider the trade-offs between affordability, service levels and long-term financial sustainability.

The Last blasphemy ▶ p29

The documents warn that if additional funding is not secured, Council may ultimately need to reduce road maintenance, cut operating hours at facilities such as libraries and pools, reduce maintenance of parks, gardens and public amenities, defer infrastructure upgrades and potentially reduce non-core services. ▶ Continued on page 7

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Local News

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Jenelle Stanford from the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and Community with her grandchildren, Obi and Maggi, are keen to get cycling on the local sections of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. Photo Jeff ‘Pretty Far Down the Track’ Dawson Aslan Shand

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Council action

omentum is building as over 9,000 people have signed up to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters campaign (www.northernriversrailtrail.com.au/support), but they still need more signatures to demonstrate that the local community supports the completion of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT). ‘We know that since the campaign began, the awareness of the trail being unfinished and the desire to get it finished is high,’ Cameron Arnold, vice president for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters, told The Echo. Once they hit 10,000 signatures, they will speak to state and federal members across the Northern Rivers, highlighting the strong support for finishing the trail from the Northern Rivers residents, visitors and business community. ‘We will highlight the economic, business, and community benefits of completing the trail in a region that is in dire need of support. The loss of major events and festivals, recovery from Covid and the devastating flood still underway, and the high cost of living are all affecting visitor numbers and spend in the region. We will present them with the important benefits of finishing the trail to connect our towns.’

Getting more signatures is the aim of the table that will be outside the Mullumbimby Newsagency on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9am to 2pm, Jenelle Stanford, executive member of the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce and Community (MCCC), told The Echo. ‘We went to New Zealand last year and rode the rail trail there and we loved it so much we are going back with more friends to ride it again. ‘We went to towns that had only 40 residents, and they told us that the towns are alive again. It has brought them back to life because people come and have lunch, stay the night, go to the pubs etc. They are now thriving, and I think that the NRRT being completed and linking our towns will bring back life and job opportunities to our local communities across the Northern Rivers,’ she said. ‘The NRRT is great for so many different groups of people. I was talking to our local aged care facility, Coolamon Villa, who said they will be able to take residents along the trail in bikes etc. when it opens up. It is just a win for everyone. ‘If you are interested in getting involved, you can call me on 0481 487 178 or pop into the newsagency and see me.’

The Echo asked Byron Shire Council (BSC) if they would be applying for NRRT funding through the active transport fund which opened to councils on 1 August. A spokesperson responded to The Echo saying, ‘We’re currently reviewing project priorities alongside the grant guidelines and recent funding outcomes to determine the most suitable approach for progressing the project.’ Asked if they were pursuing any other grants, they said, ‘The NRRT remains a high-priority project for Byron Shire Council and the community. Consistent with the recent Council resolution, we are exploring a range of funding and delivery options to support the project within Byron Shire.’

M

www.echo.net.au

Jobs and growth Cameron told The Echo that having a completed NRRT would connect Northern Rivers communities and

provide safe and healthy travel between towns. ‘The economic impact would be huge – an independent business feasibility study found that if the government funded the NRRT, it would have a return on investment to the Northern Rivers community of nearly five times. ‘We only need to look at how successful the Tweed section is in particular, and speak to those businesses that wouldn’t be operating without the trail and its visitors. Murwillumbah has had an injection of life, as have all the other small towns that no-one gave a second thought of visiting. ‘It has also shifted the spend across the region, rather than being Byroncentric. People are now visiting more places, and with a complete trail, we can encourage them to stay longer and venture further, spreading the economic benefit across the region, and helping our hospitality and accommodation businesses too.’

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Celebrating Byron Shire’s local heroes

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Local heroes and innovative businesses were recognised at Byron Shire’s annual community awards night.

Community Member of the Year Julie Williams, from Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre (MDNC), was recognised as Byron Shire’s 2026 Community Member of the Year for her long-term commitment to, and work at MDNC. ‘What an honour to present Julie with her award and say thank you for her hard work and dedication to helping people in our community,’ Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, said.

Community awards Seventeen-year-old Rowen Bienke Von Freyhold received the Young Community Member of the Year Award. Celebrating fun and diversity the Access and Inclusion Award went to the A Midsummer’s Night Queen production. The Caring for Country Award went to Reid Waters for his tireless and deeply committed volunteer

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Top: Byron Shire Council community award winners. Right: Deputy Mayor Jack Dods with Byron Shire Community Member Of The Year, Julie Williams, and Mayor Sarah Ndiaye. Photo Jeff Dawson with Byron Bird Buddies. Brett Haylock and Chris Chen from the Brunswick Picture House received the Creativity Award. Kylie Martin, the force behind Surf Sisters, received the Contribution to Health and Wellbeing Award. The

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In Business for Good Award went to Mullumbimby’s The Paddock Project who provide meaningful employment and opportunities for people living with disabilities, growing sustainable, organic produce. The Community

Initiative of the Year Award went to two local organisations the Seed Giving Circle and the Mullumbimby Show Society. ■ Read full story in The Echo

online: www.echo.net.au.

More resources needed to rebuild our communities Courtney Reid and Julie Williams Concerns for the wellbeing of temporary villages residents continues to grow. The recent social media response regarding the reporting of the impacts on residents as the closure of the villages looms, demonstrates how using broad brush descriptors can quickly reduce to judgements, labelling, and a narrative that is accepted without challenge. Without curiosity to know more, to understand what else is happening, and why it matters. Housing matters. People matter. After the 2017 floods, the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre (MDNC), team were told ‘people will just have to move to the next LGA’. In 2026, we’re still hearing it. Thing is, if you’re curious, you’ll know that some of the village residents first lost their home, then their temporary village home by being moved to the next LGA, and now another home (albeit temporary), and there is no ‘next LGA’ option. Where to next and how far exactly are people expected to move? www.echo.net.au

One of the most painful assumptions in the public conversation is that residents can simply transition into long-term housing. However, the 2022 floods wiped out a stock of housing options. Granny flats, converted garages, informal rental arrangements, many are no longer available. Further, a lot of the newlyrenovated accommodation is now rented at a much higher rate than previously, and is no longer affordable.

Need for connection and safety Approval to access social housing does not create homes where none exist, and in a region with one of the tightest rental markets in the country, many people have nowhere realistic to go. We know there is a housing issue, but can we just hit pause for a second and seek to understand the impact on people when they are reduced to a headline? The Mullum Together team has listened to over 500 voices in Mullumbimby alone. The overwhelming themes are aspirations of belonging, safety, and

connection. It is no different when we listened to temporary village residents. We hear the need for certainty, dignity, connection, and the chance to rebuild an ordinary life. People wanted to know they still belong somewhere. They want to be seen as human beings rather than issues, problems, or failures for not being able to navigate an increasingly complex world. Temporary village residents have been living through years of uncertainty, grief, and exhaustion. Many people have spent so long living in temporary accommodation, attempting to navigate complex systems, that they are ‘worn down’, they feel isolated, invisible, powerless, and unsure of where they will live next.

We are not recovered The word resilience is overused and tossed around as a measure of successful recovery after disaster, but if we are truly aiming at a ‘recovered’ community we need diverse solutions and supports that fit the size and scope of the 2022 floods.

There is not a single community in the Northern Rivers that is not saying the same thing… we are not recovered. We need housing infrastructure, but we also need human resources to rebuild the social fabric of the community. Our ability to respond well to the next disaster will depend on it. When MDNC lost emergency relief funding last year, we lost our case coordinator position. We’re concerned for the resulting impact on humans and also the impact on the MDNC. It is a reminder that recovery takes longer than funding cycles, and that rebuilding and strengthening community means creating the conditions for people to once again see themselves as valued members of a community. While there have been many conversations with funders, there remain no human support resources available to coordinate the support residents need to navigate next steps. ■ Julie Williams is Manager

and Courtney Reid is Program Support Services at Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre.

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Celebrating 25 years of service in Bruns

Deputy Captain Sue Biggar’s commitment to community and the NSW Fire and Rescue Service was recognised during her final drill last week. Photo Jeff ‘All The Bells and Whistles’ Dawson Aslan Shand On Wednesday evening, Deputy Captain Sue Biggar, of the Brunswick Heads NSW Fire and Rescue Station 240, participated in her last drill on her final day of duty. ‘Over the past 25 years, Sue has served with professionalism, dedication, and compassion and now retires from the organisation as Deputy Captain,’ said Captain Graeme Wakley as Sue was farewelled by her colleagues, representatives from the Mullumbimby NSW Fire and Rescue Station 388, and Inspectors Timothy Climo and Tracey Spindler. ‘Sue’s leadership, experience, and commitment have left a lasting impression on Station 240 and the community we serve,’ said Captain Wakley. ‘We thank her for her 25

years of outstanding service and wish her every happiness and good health in her retirement.’ Sue told The Echo that it has been a rewarding experience working for Station 240 and she has had the opportunity to work with a wonderful community both at the fire station and in the broader community. ‘It is inspiring how everyone works together as firefighters,’ she said. ‘I’ve had the opportunity to extend skills and training, and to learn with other brigades. You need stamina to continue in this role. We’ve got some good new people who have upskilled, and my retirement will give them the opportunity to move into these important roles. ‘I’d say to anyone considering joining that you should

join; you will get far more from it than you put into it.’

Still volunteering While Sue may be retiring from Station 240 she will continue in her volunteer role with the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) Brunswick Heads. Sue has been a volunteer with VRA across a number of units for 34 years, which she continued while also being a member of Station 240. ‘So I’ll still get to see everyone on the job; it is such a great community,’ she said. Speaking to The Echo, Inspector Timothy Climo, said that Sue ‘has been very easy to deal with, and very professional’. ‘Sue has been a great mentor to junior members and will be greatly missed. She has been a dream to work with.’

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Habitat’s final stage Why is Byron Council asking for a rate rise? ▶ gets green light Paul Bibby The final stage of Byron Bay’s Habitat development has been approved, paving the way for a $52 million mixeduse project that will add 78 apartments, new commercial space, and public open space to the sprawling live-work precinct. The Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) unanimously approved the development at 5 Penny Lane on 15 July after accepting variations to Byron Shire’s building height and floor space ratio controls.

Residential accommodation The approved scheme marks a significant departure from plans lodged several years ago. Rather than a predominantly visitor accommodation development featuring 94 hotel rooms, 12 serviced apartments, a wellness centre, function centre and restaurant, the final proposal focuses on permanent residential accommodation above commercial premises. As approved, the development comprises 78 shop-top housing apartments – 37 on the first residential level and 41 on the second – above ground-floor commercial premises, on-grade parking, a landscaped pocket park, a podium garden with swimming pool and resident amenities. Penny Lane will also be incorporated into the development site. The redesign was first revealed last year after the developer abandoned the earlier hotel-based concept in favour of permanent housing, arguing the revised proposal would better respond to Byron Bay’s housing needs while retaining Habitat’s mixed-use character. In approving the development, the panel found

the height and floor space variations were justified because the proposal was generally consistent with the established built form of earlier Habitat stages and would not result in significant additional impacts. It said it was satisfied the applicant had demonstrated that strict compliance with the planning controls was ‘unreasonable or unnecessary’ because the proposal was ‘generally consistent with the established building heights in previous stages of the Habitat precinct’. The panel also declined requests from the applicant to amend conditions relating to developer contributions and water payments, finding the proposed changes could financially disadvantage Byron Shire Council. It further strengthened a condition preventing office spaces within the apartments from being converted into bedrooms, requiring this prohibition to be embedded in the Habitat Community Management Statement. Former Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson, now a member of the NRPP, declared a conflict of interest because of a close relationship with the proponent and a matter he has before Byron Shire Council. He took no part in the panel’s deliberations or decision. The decision brings to a close the approval process for the fifth and final stage of Habitat, one of Byron Bay’s largest mixed-use developments, which has been progressively built over the past decade. The original Stage 5 application, lodged in 2020, proposed a substantially different mix of tourist accommodation, retail and commercial uses before being redesigned into the predominantly residential scheme now approved.

Agriculture and food security If you’re a farmer, landholder, food producer, or interested in the future of agriculture and food security in Byron Shire, Council wants to hear from you. Byron Shire Council (BSC) are updating their Agriculture Action Plan. Council is seeking community and industry feedback to help shape a new 10-year Agriculture www.echo.net.au

Action Plan, which will be developed later this year and released for further public comment before it is finalised. The Agriculture and Food Security consultation is open until 23 August for your comment and feedback at: www. yoursay.byron.nsw.gov.au. You can also call BSC for more information on (02) 6676 7000.

Continued from page 1 Council argues, however, that a Special Rate Variation is not the only option being considered. Alongside the consultation, it says it is exploring a range of alternative measures to improve its long-term financial position, including reviewing fees and charges, expanding paid parking, increasing cost recovery for user-pay services, reviewing leases and licences, pursuing

additional grant funding and identifying productivity improvements. An independent Financial Sustainability Review has also been commissioned to examine expenditure on non-statutory services, identify alternative revenue opportunities and assess options including commercial initiatives, better use of Council-owned assets, expenditure on external consultants and efficiency

savings. Draft findings are expected to be presented to the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee in November. Council says the review will help determine what combination of expenditure savings, efficiency gains, alternative revenue measures and, if required, a Special Rate Variation, is needed to restore its long-term financial sustainability. It has repeatedly stressed that no

decision has yet been made on whether to proceed with an application to IPART. Community consultation will run throughout August and September, with the results to be reported back to councillors before any decision is made on whether to formally seek approval for the rate increase. Read more and have your on the special rate variation: https://yoursay.byron.nsw. gov.au/srv/SRV-change.

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Why is Mandy Nolan running for the seat of Ballina in 2027? Aslan Shand Speaking to The Echo Greens candidate for the 2027 State election for the local seat of Ballina, Mandy Nolan, highlighted issues from housing and rental affordability, the need for Ballina Hospital to be funded as a regional hospital, community trust in government, to the environment, as key issues that face the Ballina and Byron communities. Nolan recognises that the Greens are not a major party who hold government but says that is key to how the Greens get better outcomes for the community. ‘We are the ones pushing government to do better,’ she told The Echo. Asked how the Greens can make a difference when they don’t hold government she said that unlike inconsequential backbenchers from the major parties, or some senators who don’t show up for their Senate committee meetings and inquiries, ‘all the Greens, in both state and federal parliaments work hard, sit on, and show up for, committees, and are doing a lot of the heavy lifting in NSW calling for information and data.’ ‘If it wasn’t for the Greens there wouldn’t be an ICAC. We are big on transparency,’ she said. ‘Abigail Boyd has done incredible work exposing the weaknesses in the NSW childcare system that have put children’s welfare at risk. The Greens are looking at food regulation, and incarceration of Indigenous

Mandy Nolan says she is running for the seat of Ballina in 2027 to keep government accountable to the people. Photo Jeff Dawson kids. We call things out, we work with government to make legislation better. You know when you vote for the Greens you’ll have a voice. You know we’ll advocate for the community, not for the corporations and the top end of town. You know we’re there for fairness. ‘Locally we’ve seen current Greens MP Tamara Smith working closely with Labor’s Janelle Saffin to secure an extra $90 million for the Northern Rivers following the 2022 floods. There are times where we have to push government really hard to get the right outcomes. No one votes for us to sit there quietly on our hands. While we will work with Labor for outcomes, we’re not there to be in coalition. We’re there to push them to do much better because if we weren’t, you wouldn’t get more effective outcomes.’ Locally Nolan said that the Greens have received advice that negotiations

are underway with Homes NSW for the two pod sites at Mullumbimby and Ballina to become public housing sites. ‘This will involve both councils, the communities, and Homes NSW working together to make this happen,’ she told The Echo. ‘Both Ballina and Byron shires have incredibly low rental availability creating worse rental affordability in our region than places like the City of Sydney. We are also looking at capping rents and moving housing back into the residential model.’ Smith has built her lead in the seat of Ballina to about seven per cent over the last 12 years, however, Nolan says it is always a risk when an incumbent says they will no be contesting the next election. ‘We are a very interesting electorate,’ says Nolan. ‘I love that about us. We don’t trust governments and that’s why I’m running. I want to get in there and keep them accountable.’

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How Byron’s getting high Aslan Shand

I

t was Councillor Mike Watterson in early 1982 who managed to get the first height limits for Byron Shire passed through Byron Shire Council (BSC) as the community fought against developers wanting to cover the Byron foreshore in high rises akin to the Gold Coast. Since then ‘not like the Gold Coast’ has been the catchcry of heightlimiters in the town – but is it now a mere shibboleth? The 1988 Local Environment Plan (LEP), established the 9m height limit over commercial and residential zonings and set the height definition by storeys being two for residential and three for Byron Bay town centre. Over time and legal challenges the LEP was revised to restrain height exceedances. The 2014 LEP confirmed the 9m height for low-density areas and formalised 11.5m for some of the commercial zones. In 2002 and 2004 BSC staff recommended, and Council approved, height exceedances for the 6 Marvell Street and 89 Jonson Street development applications (DAs). Councillors then approved a height exceedance for 7 Carlyle Street in 2015, possibly because Council staff did not report to councillors at the time that the DA included a height exceedance, with the staff report stating that the height issues were complied with. In an appeal to the Land and Environment Court (L&EC), the proponents of a 4 Marvell Street DA in 2017 argued those DAs set precedents for height breaches. Their DA was for a mixed-use building proposal comprising a 24-room hotel, a

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ground-floor restaurant, rooftop pool and bar above two ground-floor retail tenancies. The BSC lawyers argued that in fact this new DA itself would set a further precedent and that ‘approval of the development would encourage further height breaches in the area’. The L&EC approved the 4 Marvell St DA in 2019, with Commissioner Jenny Smithson stating that, ‘My decision in supporting the height breach should therefore not be construed as supporting four-storey development in the town centre, per se.’ In 2018, the Labor and Greens councillors, including then Mayor Simon Richardson and current Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, joined forces to propose raising the 9m height restriction to 11.5m for the southern end of Jonson Street, Byron Bay. At the time The Echo reported that the Byron Residents Group said, ‘a proposal on the corner of Jonson and Browning Streets will set a precedent of “allowing an increase to four storeys all along Jonson Street”.’ Simon Richardson was quoted in The Echo dismissing those ‘claims by the Byron Residents Group as “simply scaremongering and untrue.” The mayor said of the development, “This is unique for the CBD and won’t lead to any rush on four storeys. If four storeys were possible or easy, they would have occurred over the last 20 or more years of 11.5m height limits”.’ Nevertheless, the Northern Rivers Planning Panel refused the Jonson/Browning development because it would set a height precedent. Today, those height exceedance precedents are being used in DAs seeking

to breach height limits of 11.5m by over 30 per cent (by 3 to 3.5m), resulting in final heights close to 15m, including DA 10.2026.384.1 for 109 Jonson Street. That proposal on 109 Jonson Street for a hotel specifically cites 6 and 4 Marvell Street approvals as precedents for its proposed height exceedances.

Is height still relevant? Restricting the height of development has always been the one thing the community agreed on: to retain the character of the town. As height limits approved for Mercato, and Raes at Bonobo, have increased, is this ground for objection no longer relevant? Or is it more relevant than ever as the bulk, scale, character, and appeal of the town’s built landscape is changing? The Design Excellence Panel Policy 2023 states that one of its guiding principles is to ‘increase community satisfaction with the look and feel of new buildings within the Byron Bay town centre’. The Byron Bay Masterplan recognises that ‘the community have a passion for retaining Byron Bay town centre’s village character,’ and that the town should ‘maintain threestorey building heights’. The Byron Bay Masterplan is due for review. Should this be used as an opportunity to reinforce the three-storey aesthetic and design components and the need for setbacks on all levels to reduce the bulk and scale? Should a review of the Design Excellence Panel Policy also be undertaken to again enshrine what the community, not developers, wants for the future of their town?

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Local News The North Coast Mud Trail, 21 to 24 August Correction! The Mud Trail is coming our way, but it is running from 21 to 24 August with the Open Studio weekend 22 to 23 August (not 13 to 15 as we incorrectly printed last week!). The Mud Trail is throughout the Byron, Ballina, and Lismore shires only. Ben Ruble, pictured, will run wild clay harvesting and processing workshops on 21 to 23 August. Mud slinger Jacqui Sosnowski also wanted to point out that the founding president of North Coast Ceramics was Suvira McDonald and the current President is Venessa Stella Skye. Photo Jeff ‘Dirty, Dirty Boy’ Dawson

Should ratepayers pay councillors’ legal bills? Paul Bibby Should Byron Shire ratepayers help cover the legal costs of councillors and Council staff who find themselves defending legal action while carrying out their official duties? That’s the question underpinning a draft Byron Shire Council policy now on public exhibition, setting out when Council will – and won’t – reimburse legal expenses incurred by elected representatives, staff and authorised delegates. The policy, first adopted in 1995 and now under review, states that Council officials should not suffer financial loss when defending legal action arising from duties performed in good faith on behalf of Council. It allows Council, subject to the circumstances of each case, to indemnify or reimburse reasonable legal

costs associated with matters including defamation proceedings, civil claims, NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal matters and other regulatory proceedings. The revised draft also makes clear where assistance will not be available. Council will not reimburse legal expenses arising from criminal conduct, breaches of road rules involving Council vehicles, conduct unrelated to official duties, or defamation actions initiated by a Council official. The review proposes narrowing the definition of a ‘Council official’ by removing administrators and Council advisers from the policy, limiting assistance to councillors, Council staff and authorised delegates. It also tightens the wording around the circumstances in which financial assistance may be provided. Any legal costs

successfully recovered through a court or tribunal would have to be repaid to Council. Policies of this kind are common across NSW councils, reflecting the principle that elected representatives and staff acting lawfully on behalf of their organisations should not be personally exposed to legal costs. However, they have occasionally attracted public attention elsewhere when councillors have sought reimbursement for legal expenses arising from high-profile disputes, particularly defamation proceedings. The draft policy was placed on public exhibition following a Council resolution in June. If no submissions are received, it will be adopted without further amendment. To have your say, go to: https://tinyurl.com/ ycynwd6y.

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August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 9

Local News

North Coast news online

Community gathers as Wallum verdict nears Can Byron Shire Council legally secure

affordable housing at 57 Station Street?

Aslan Shand

Over 100 people gathered near the Wallum site Saturday to hear updates on the community’s effort to protect the Wallum heathland and woodlands. Photo Jeff Dawson With the campaign to Save Wallum approaching the three-year mark, Saturday’s powerful community gathering in Bayside Park showed that local determination to protect the land is not waning. Organised by local artist and Save Wallum supporter Coda Dhuwa and led by cultural leader Numal Bungaree, around 110 people gathered to hear updates on the processes that could determine Wallum’s future. Discussion included the Traditional Owner-led application for long-term Commonwealth protection under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. Local legal advocate Al Oshlack spoke about the broader use of sections 9 and 10 of the Act, saying the final reporting process could take another 12 months. The extraordinary

community support behind Save Wallum’s Federal Court case was also acknowledged. While barristers Jonathan Korman and Richard Reynolds and lawyer Natalija Nikolić have worked hundreds of hours pro bono, unavoidable court and expert costs have totalled around $300,000, all funded through community donations.

Extraordinary effort ‘This landmark court case could not have happened without our extraordinary, hard-working legal team and our passionate community,’ said Save Wallum spokesperson Svea Pitman. The Federal Court case, concerning Save Wallum’s application for a permanent injunction under the EPBC Act 1999, is awaiting judgment, possibly this month. The community is expected to receive three days’ notice before the

outcome is announced, with proceedings to be broadcast live on YouTube. The temporary injunction has now been in place for more than two years. Possible outcomes include the court granting the permanent injunction, dismissing the application, or making other orders, including referral of the development to the Federal Environment Minister. ‘We are still anxiously awaiting Justice Perry’s findings, and none of us can predict the outcome,’ Ms Pitman said. ‘But so far we have kept Wallum protected. Wallum is still here, and five nationally threatened species received their day in court.’ Saturday’s gathering also reinforced that the Federal Court case is only one part of the continuing Wallum story, with ongoing issues at both state planning and Byron Shire Council level.

Significant questions remain over how Byron Shire Council’s commitment to affordable housing will be legally secured at the proposed 57 Station Street development in Mullumbimby. The amended development application (DA 10.2025.212.1) by Landcom proposes 28 shop-top apartments, a ground-floor boarding house and commercial premises on the Council-owned site currently occupied by a public car park and heritage-listed public toilets. The proposal relies on provisions of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 – the Housing SEPP – to obtain additional height and floor space ratio for the affordable housing component of the development. In May, Byron Shire councillors adopted Resolution 26-104, defining affordable housing as rent set at the lower of 30 per cent of gross household income or 80 per cent of market rent, and requiring it to be retained as affordable housing in perpetuity. Council has stated that the resolution is intended to apply to 57 Station Street. Local resident Sharon McGrath welcomed the resolution but said the community needed clarity about how it would be given legal effect. ‘Resolution 26-104 is a very positive step. If public land is being transferred for an affordable housing project, I think the

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community should be able to expect that the housing will remain genuinely affordable in perpetuity, not return to the private market,’ Ms McGrath said. ‘Crs Elia Hauge and David Warth have both been willing to engage on this complex issue and seek further clarification, which I appreciate. However, with submissions closing on 16 August, there is very little time left for the community to receive that clarification and consider it as part of their submissions.’ A Council spokesperson told The Echo that any sale of the land would be subject to terms satisfactory to Council, including a covenant registered on title requiring the land to be used for affordable housing and transferred back to Council if it ceased to be used for that purpose. Ms McGrath said the proposed covenant appeared promising, but the critical question was how ‘affordable housing’ would be defined for the purposes of that covenant. ‘The State Housing SEPP operates under its own affordable housing provisions. The development is relying on those provisions to obtain additional height and floor space, but the in-fill affordable housing provisions generally require the relevant affordable housing component to remain affordable for a minimum of 15 years. ‘Council’s resolution is stronger – it sets a specific affordability test and requires the housing to remain affordable in perpetuity. The community needs confirmation that those requirements will be incorporated into the legal agreements or title restrictions applying to this site and will continue to bind future owners.’

Who pays for replacement assets? The proposed development would also leave Council responsible for replacing the public car park and toilets removed from the site. ‘Landcom has made clear that the replacement of the public car park and toilets sits outside the DA, but those assets certainly aren’t outside the issue for the community,’ Ms McGrath said. ‘Council proposes to transfer ratepayer-owned land containing a central public car park and Mullumbimby’s only 24-hour accessible public toilet for $1, while responsibility for providing replacement parking and amenities remains with Council – a cost that is likely to run into the millions. ‘At a time when Council is seeking a substantial special rate variation because of its financial and infrastructure pressures, the community is entitled to know how those replacement assets will be funded, where they will be located, and when they will be delivered. Replacement will also require a safe, compliant, and accessible path of travel between those facilities and the town centre, adding further infrastructure and cost. ‘To date, no committed state or federal funding has been identified for their replacement. If the cost ultimately falls to Council, then it falls to the ratepayer. If funding can’t be found, there is a risk the community simply loses those assets. Neither outcome should be accepted without proper scrutiny.’ ■ Submissions close on 16

August at: byron.nsw.gov.au.

▶ Related article on page 19.

Lachlan Hall makes pitch for Ballina preselection – Labor Lachlan Hall says he’s putting his hand up in Labor’s internal pre-selection process to stand as his party’s candidate for Ballina. ‘This preselection will be decided the way Labor decides things: by an internal democratic vote of our members from Ocean Shores to Ballina, Mullumbimby to Alstonville,’ he told The Echo. ‘Through my years working for NBN, I have travelled across every part of this

electorate. I have been in the living rooms, on the driveways and at the front gates of households from the coast to the hinterland, and it has given me a genuine sense of what matters to people here: secure work, housing they can afford, services that reach them, and a river and environment they can be proud of.’ ■ Read full story in The Echo

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August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 11

Comment

North Coast news online

Fines, jail time for pot use in Qld David Heilpern

The Byron Shire Echo

Volume 41 #09 • August 12, 2026

The AI dog ate my homework Michael McDonald

N

ow that a few AI models have escaped like digital Frankensteins from billionaires’ gold-plated labs and molested other AI models in other labs, the go-to excuse for a stuff-up made by a business will be ‘It wasn’t me it was <insert Anthropic, Open AI, whoever here> which invaded our normally watertight systems’. Mark Zuckerberg’s dream baby Meta has already tried it on when it was discovered it was monetising Facebook pages run by white supremacists and other unpleasant agitators. It has led me to delete my account and now I’ll be confined to email, phone, text message, and maybe paper if I can afford the postage. The AI jailbreak led ABC’s ‘AI journalist’ Cam Wilson to describe it as ‘a Sarah Connor moment’. For those not familiar with the Terminator movie series – and why would you be? – ‘In the 1991 classic Terminator 2, Connor spends the movie becoming increasingly desperate to convince people about the impending threat of a rogue AI’, according to Wilson. Well, it was more like robots, but the general vibe was there. The writers, director James Cameron and William Wisher, should hardly be expected to know that AI could get by without metal bodies, although the term ‘artificial intelligence’ was first introduced in 1956. Robots running around shooting stuff probably makes for greater cinematic drama, but the real horror lies in the AI ability to infiltrate systems that control water, electricity, and hospitals, for example. One of the earlier examples of

AI robot dog with homework. Image by Duck AI’s GPT-5.4 nano

AI is the golem of Jewish folklore (not to be confused with Tolkien’s Gollum), ‘primarily depicted as an animated being made from inanimate materials like clay or mud’, at least according to the Search Assist AI I consulted. ‘The most well-known story involves Rabbi Loew creating the golem during a time of danger for the Jewish people in Prague [in the 16th century]. The golem successfully protects the community but eventually becomes uncontrollable, leading to its deactivation by removing the mystical word from its mouth.’ Unfortunately mystical words don’t cut the mustard when AI learns to mutate like a virus. In this case the human species might have proved itself too clever for its own good – yet again. ■ Not to be confused with the

slightly better known Michael McDonald of Doobie Brothers fame, this Michael McDonald was editor of The Echo from 1995 to 2010.

T

he words ‘courageous’ and ‘Minn’s Labour government’ are not commonly used in the same breath. But with drug driving laws for medicinal cannabis users they have stared down the opposition, and are close to legislating the most sensible, safe, and progressive regime in the country. Prescribed patients must register, and do a course. Then they can drive with up to 50ng in their saliva, and if they exceed that level, the first three times there will be no penalty. Its far from a perfect solution – the registration carries fear of targeting, the course is superfluous, there is still a 24-hour suspension and the level is probably too low for some. But in the face of vociferous but ill-informed opposition from the shock jocks, conservatives, many medicos, and the NRMA the Bill will likely pass with support of the Greens and of course the Legalise Cannabis party. If you really want a good laugh listen to Rachel Merton (Lib) speaking against the Bill in the Legislative Council on 6 August 2026. It’s like the 1950’s on steroids. Of course, if you are driving under the influence (meaning adversely affected), whatever the reading you will rightly still commit an offence. The NRMA is perhaps the most surprising opposer – many of their members (like me) must have supported the Bill, and they have touted the most outrageous and inaccurate statements conflating causation and correlation like some illiterate conspiracy theorist. But the real guts of this story is Queensland, where the reaction to proposed reforms around Australia has been reminiscent of oppositional defiance disorder. Despite having almost half of all prescriptions for cannabis in Australia, the Queensland government is going zero tolerance, imposing doubled minimum fines of around $5,000, mandatory prison terms, longer disqualification periods, even more testing, and a fast track detection

The NSW-Qld border reimagined. Photo Peter Ellis, altered by Jeff ‘Does This Mean I Can No Longer Go to Qld’ Dawson

system. The RACQ, just like their NSW cousins, are leading the charge for tougher penalties quoting the same tired old false figures, and strawman arguments. The roads minister Brent Mickelberg gets the dumbest comment of the year award when he said that ‘60% of drug driving fatalities had THC in their system’ and that this proves ‘it is not safe to drive under the influence of THC’. What in heavens is a ‘drug driving fatality’? I guess it is a fatality where there is any presence of a drug, and that more than half had THC in it. But you can see the sleight of hand. The impression he wants to give is that 60% of all fatalities are caused by THC which is absolute garbage. In fact, there has not been a single coronial finding, anywhere in Australia or the whole wide world which has concluded that compliant prescription cannabis use has caused a death. The truth is that these provisions will cost lives in Queensland. We know that those who use barbiturates and benzodiazepines and many other prescription medicines are far more dangerously affected by these drugs than prescribed medicinal cannabis. People will return to driving with those drugs, or just tired or sick or distracted by pain. There has been no increase in road toll as a result of medical exemptions in any of the

many countries which have them. Tasmania has had a defence for a decade with no resultant rise in road trauma. Australia devotes more police time to random THC tests than the rest of the world combined, and all those hundreds of thousands of tests impact on the ability to investigate real crime and proven road safety measures like hanging outside pubs and catching staggering drivers. The only people cheering on the Queensland provisions are big pharma, antidrug zealots, the alcohol industry, misguided doctors, and the law enforcement establishment. For those in NSW who get a prescription and live in our area things are going to get weird. It will likely soon be legal to drive to Tweed Valley Hospital but not to John Flynn, or the university or the airport. In fact, you may well end up in prison or fined to the poorhouse if you cross the border at all. Surely that’s not great for the Queensland economy and it is hard to think of any other turf (apart from daylight savings) where states have such divergent laws. Maybe we should put up warning signs at Tweed Heads? There’s a prize for the best design. ■ And to follow up from last

month’s column, just when you think Trump cannot get more corrupt. Most of his economic announcements are made on his own Truth Social, a profit-making venture where he is the majority shareholder. These posts have huge implications for the stock market – you can see graphs of the impact that, say, a tariff announcement will have on a particular sector. But now, for a cool $100k per month, share traders can get exclusive eight-hour earlier access to these posts. And gain a real commercial advantage. In Australia we call that insider trading. In Tumpland it is kleptocracy. Sad times. ■ David Heilpern is a former NSW

magistrate and is now Dean of Law at Southern Cross University.

The Byron Shire Echo

Volume 41 #09 August 12, 2026

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The Echo acknowledges the people of the Bundjalung nation as the traditional custodians of this land and extends respect to elders past, present and future. Disclaimer: The Echo is committed to providing a voice for our whole community. The views of advertisers, letter writers, and opinion writers are not necessarily those of the owners or staff of this publication.

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Letters to the Editor www.echo.net.au/letters Water tower: wifi vs spirit

Is anybody listening? A great song by Uncle Archie Roach. Just saw him sing it on NITV at the Boomerang Festival Tyagarah. Archie wrote many great songs, as did his late partner Ruby Hunter. May they both RIP. Onyas Archie and Ruby. Paul Brecht Maclean

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Digging up Railway Park Disgraceful waste of ratepayers’ money at Railway Park – who is accountable? I have never seen in my 55 years in business such gross incompetence! With current homebuilding approvals running at an all-time lag, it beggars belief that Byron Council did not have any pre-planning concept at Byron’s Railway Park! Not five years old, at the cost of millions of dollars, the entire park has been destroyed by inept management! Whilst the drainage works are long overdue, this lack of accountability is indefensible. We drive on third-world roads, yet we can re-elect a Council that has absolutely no accountability! David Hosking Brunswick Heads

Check it with AI It would seem it is finally on top of us all. The collective result of decades (if not centuries) of ‘living off the

Letters to the Editor Send your letters to the Editor: 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. Letters edited for length will be able to be read in full (if a reasonable length) online at: www.echo.net.au/letters. www.echo.net.au

hog’ and that crazy notion of continuing growth in a finite world. Everything surely has a use-by date, to suggest otherwise perhaps is delusional or maybe you’re an economist? Such complexities of process and systems driving our society now require AI in many cases to bail us out and help with once-creative thought because it is got too hard. Oh, the wicked web we have woven whereby a simple Landcare project to remove weed infestation and plant native vegetation on the banks of the Richmond River in Ballina first must have a report, an assessment of impact, and then approval from Crown Lands (don’t want to go upsetting the King do we?). How complex and hard can we make it! Multiply this by the monumental task of healing and flood mitigation of the broader catchment and good luck. This is concerning. Surely boots-on-ground people have to be the start? This is all our problem, not someone else’s. It ain’t ‘rocket science’. It is time to peer out from the covers or climb out from the rock of the red-taped machine’s weight. Maybe simplicity and commonsense can one day reign again. Even if on a personal heartfelt level – take a look in the mirror and ask the question what have you done today for the planet, the river, or your grandkids’ kids etc? Time to get human again, humans, surely it’s not beyond us, wind it back a notch or two... Or do we need to check that with AI? Graham Murray Ballina

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Bird flu conspiracy Just as we thought the conspiracy promoters had disappeared down the rabbit hole, behold they reappear with their extreme unscientific viewpoints on the current emerging bird flu issue. Rather than anything rational, no, it’s lockdowns looming! How lockdowns would be implemented on wildlife beggers belief! Maybe just stay in the rabbit hole and shut the door and save us from this nonsense. Rod Conder Alstonville

Is it, or is it not, my driveway? I’ve known for years that I don’t own the footpath. However, recently, I am finding more vehicles are pulling up across my driveway. Maybe it is because I live opposite Ocean Shores Shopping Centre which is full every day by 9am. I have experienced an incident on Australia Day, which has not left a good taste behind. I have recently had to call an ambulance to my home. On the Australia Day holiday a vehicle was parked across my driveway. I left a note under their windscreen thinking it the right thing to do as with health problems I felt I may have to get the ambulance back. All I said was ‘you are parked across my driveway.’ Some feathers were obviously ruffled as two days later a Council person called to let me know there had been a complaint and letting me know I didn’t own the footpath (which I already knew). The Council person said that people could pull up on the footpath. I was informed I could get ▶ Continued on page 15

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The water tower in Paterson Street, Byron Bay, with all the strange wi-fi and graffiti on it, is destined to be demolished because the tank has an ‘unrepairable leak’. Even though, I believe, it could be easily repaired. You, the ratepayers will have to pay for that. When I painted it for the Bicentennial (1988) I was assured the work, which was copyright, would be preserved as Byron (still) does not have a museum. I planted many banksia longifolia in front of it which thrived, to help protect the paint and hide it from the sun. I could not afford graffiti-proof paint, nor could Council. Schools would come up to look, and many international tourists, as it was considered the largest hand-painted mural in the southern hemisphere at the time (574 square metres) until somebody painted a footpath. But it will all go. Now some 40 years on I am more horrified by the antennas than the loss of the pictorial history. This is a warning to Byron residents, you are controlled by wi-fi more than you realise (see: Fibers, http:// itwalker.store). More, the loss of Byron’s old spirit is my concern – all graffitied by the new. Fortunately, some of the history remains as an e-book on Shopify.com. Ian Walker Byron Bay

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Letters ▶ Continued from page 13 someone out and mark my gutter in yellow and then if someone was across my driveway I could get someone out to book them. Earlier, I had another person across my driveway and I spoke to him and he was really apologetic. Different people, someone who cares and someone who thought ‘how dare they’. My driveway is not cemented; but I always thought the law said, ‘you must be able to access your property’. I have always paid my rates, never in instalments and kept my footpath very tidy. I am contacting Council to send someone out to mark my gutters. I am now on a restricted driving licence and I want to keep my driveway clear for emergency vehicles. Mrs Fay Parkes Ocean Shores Don’t give up, give us! Isn’t it interesting that the fossil fuel fearmongers are changing to top gear just at the moment when global fuel sales are starting to sink. Even truckies are being freaked out. But in Australia, truck accidents and fossil-fuel vehicle fires massively outnumber lithium-battery vehicle fires. Fossil-fuel vehicle fires are in the thousands per year, and lithium-battery vehicle fires are in the single digits per year. There are 7,000–9,000 fossil-fuel vehicle fires per year nationally. There are 13 lithium battery vehicle fires over ~5 years, not per year: 3 were caused by external fires, 2 were arson. Give us a break!! If fossil-fuel use keeps rising, the health impacts scale brutally. Today, air pollution from burning coal, oil, and gas already kills ~8.7 million people per year worldwide. That’s more than HIV, malaria, war, and car crashes combined. If emissions continue on the current trajectory, climate-driven impacts (heatwaves, crop failures, disease spread, and extreme weather) are projected to push annual deaths into the tens of millions by mid-century. Over several decades, cumulative deaths reach hundreds of millions, mostly from heat stress, food insecurity, and air pollution-related disease. Give us batteries! Sapoty Brook Main Arm www.echo.net.au

Who owns tomorrow? There is never enough, which causes never-ending demands to obtain our personal information. We are given a name at birth, a continuum of naming, an individual life form. References to who we are – linked in the chain of birth to death. Due to our human capability of creating organisation, the naming keeps expanding. We are given a Census, for quantifying information of certain things we do in living life, for the official planning of governments – imaginations for everyone’s tomorrows. Where is tomorrow, who owns it? Someone said, tomorrow never comes. Is owning tomorrow controlling the future, by using the past information of other life forms? Who knows? MyGov’s imagination is not the fact of today. If not supplying the required information a big penalty has to be paid, one that many people can’t afford. An incentive to comply with tomorrow’s imaginations. We the people could demand a fact-finding census of all government organisational procedure, not just their reporting of it. A census that clarifies their detailed actions, spending patterns and intentions. For ‘the people’ to know what ‘they’ do, in this game of give and take. Can the AIs of MyGov provide all this information? R Podhajsky Ocean Shores

Capitulation is not compromise The Echo article this week was excellent regarding the Station Street development and it is really good to see that some councillors are saying that they’d like a ‘compromise’. Unfortunately it’s rather like Mr. Trump repeatedly ‘trying on’ his idea of compromise with Iran: ‘I’m willing to give you a compromise on my terms’. Just listen to the Iranians laughing. I’m sorry, but when virtually all the people in Mullumbimby are against something, it is no longer a ‘compromise on your terms’ to persist with what you want to do when everybody else – your constituents, your voters – do not want that. That is not a compromise. When Byron Council says, ‘What do we want to make it happen?’, that is not the right question. We do not want it on that site. Read my lips!

What this brings up for me personally is the anomaly of a system, our Council. Yes, we all voted for the current Council. It seems to be an anomalous system when councillors can say ‘yes’, but vote ‘no’. I don’t understand. I simply do not comprehend why this is OK. I understand that politically it makes sense. But viewing it with a lens of what is fairest, no, it doesn’t make sense. If a councillor tells a lot of people he or she is for affordable housing, that councillor is going to vote for affordable housing no matter how inappropriate the affordable housing proposal is before them. He or she will probably say they had no choice because their voters want it. That’s a political approach. But is it a fair approach? That appears to be what is happening. In the previous proposal for this wholly-rejectable development, multiple councillors gave the appearance of following due process, of listening to us, then ignored our huge petition and all submissions. What about the rest of the town? Those people who voted for you because your platform included affordable housing are nowhere to be seen. In fact many of them, having seen what you have presented to us over the past year, have nothing but scorn for this terrible, really basically impractical development. A slum in the making. There seems to be, beyond everything else, a loss of face problem here. The councillors, particularly the councillors who are involved in the original proposal, don’t want to lose face. But isn’t that the measure of anyone in power that they can take the wins and the losses? This is a loss not just for the initiating councillor, but for all of us who love Mullumbimby. It is on the wrong site. We have proposed other more practical, more economic sites that will not affect the future of Mullumbimby and they simply come back and say, ‘Oh well we’ve done all this work. We have to keep going.’ That does not make sense. It’s time for councillors to come out of the nooks and crannies they are hiding in, and state their position, and do their job as community leaders. Otherwise they’ll do it again: smile, nod, and vote against the people. Trust isn’t given. It is earned. Ian Blair Hamilton Byron Bay

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August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 17

News / Letters

North Coast news online

In loving memory of Alice Livingston Chess: bringing

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Alice Selina Livingston was a force of nature from the start. The fifth and youngest child of Gwen and Dougan Livingston, born 31 January 1975 at Inverell Hospital, NSW, Alice was always destined to stand out. Whether it was on the athletics track, the swimming pool, the dressage arena, or in the classroom, Alice excelled. A beautiful horsewoman, Alice owned and rode many horses over the years winning blue ribbons everywhere she went. Upon finishing Year 12 at NEGS (New England Girls School) in Armidale, Alice topped the state in Geography, a result that reflected her love of travel. She spent her 20s travelling around the world and dabbling in different careers. It wasn’t until her mid30s that she settled down, making Byron Bay her official home, where she owned and operated the Cape Byron Sea Kayaks. Over the past 15 years, Alice became a successful

Over the past year, Bangalow Chess has built what has become Australia’s only multi-venue weekly chess league, based right here in the Northern Rivers. Every week, people gather across three pubs to play chess in spaces better known for live music, beers, pool tables, and pinball machines than tournament halls. One of those venues is The Rails in Byron Bay, where live music plays every night of the week. Organiser Evan Manttari says, ‘Watching people play competitive chess while a band is performing a few metres away is a strange combination, but somehow it works. ‘It’s become less about chess and more about creating a community where complete strangers sit down together and leave as mates.’ If the combination of live music, chess and pubs sounds like your kind of thing, you can find out more about Bangalow Chess via bangalowchess.com, or Instagram.

Who needs DAs? If Byron Council was serious about housing they would allow say a 200 square metre piece of land to be found on countless properties in the area for a tiny house to be placed with appropriate grey water disposal and for example a composting toilet, water tank and solar panels, totally independent of the grid, to be erected. No DA effort necessary. Except they won’t make any money.

Alice Livingston. Photo supplied entrepreneur. She travelled all across this country and all over the world, promoting not only her own adventure travel business, but also the town of Byron Bay which she loved deeply. Alice was a well known and loved local figure. Some have even called her an icon of Byron Bay. She was renowned for her passion, for not just Byron Bay, but for adventure, for employing many locals and backpackers, and for supporting the local Byron Bay Rugby Union Club as one of its key sponsors.

Alice is survived by her adoring mother Gwen, her loving sister Laura and her two brothers John and Andy, as well as 15 heartbroken nieces and nephews.

Thanks for nothing. Larry Hoofs The Pocket

unique environmental areas within a holding dam. Maggie Wheeler Upper Coopers Creek

Exit channel not dam The extra exit channel to the Richmond River at Boundary Creek sounds like a great idea and well worth pursuing. It should reduce the flooding in Ballina significantly and muddy river banks are not nearly the compromise of flooded properties and

National

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Celebrating Alice A celebration of Alice’s life will take place in Byron Bay on Friday, 21 August. A paddle out in Alice’s honour will depart at 2pm from in front of the Beach Cafe and you can raise a glass in Alice’s honour at 5pm at the Byron Bay Bowlo. RSVP to: teuma@happytravels.com.au or info@ capebyronkayaks.com.au.

Australian pickle We as Australians are in a bit of a pickle - the chunky old colonial ways are like potholes in the fluid of common sense. Take this for instance – I parked my motorbike behind the palm trees on Stuart St in front of the Middle Pub. No danger to anyone and saving a full car space for others. The police book me because that little triangle has a redundant no-standing sign. I pay the fine because my mental health is worth more than the money. I’ll still help the police if I see them in trouble but why the pickle? Len Hend Mullumbimby

Infrastructure vs capital It has been noted that dominant state institutions are bound by the legislation that governs auditing. This in turn affects how fiscal capital is spent on infrastructure, maintenance and development in communities. During the Club Med campaign in the early ’90s

it was noted by the Byron Environment Centre that the resident community would not have the funds to address such a large, devouring project. The activists dealt directly with the developers. The Echo printed this fact. We had a Land and Environment Court. Activists now refer to this institution as the Land and Development Court! We witness the demise of democracy and the gobsmacking rise of corporate capitalism. Corporations do not care for the common good, human and sentient rights – they are skilled in ‘wilful blindness’ and doublespeak. European countries are now suffering as a result of rising heat, fires, and rivers running dry. The Danube River is now devoid of water. Premier Minns is so supportive of corporate capitalism that he is captured in the male capital club announcing on ABC TV ‘that councils will always be overridden by the NSW state government, when addressing development’! The monied lobbyists who support this government get the biggest slice of the development pie… it pays to be small or large and determined and keep scribing. Jo Faith Newtown www.echo.net.au

Opinion Comparing costs and impacts of two housing projects in Mullumbimby David Brown

M

ullumbimby residents rightly continue to condemn Byron Council’s pigheaded refusal to abort the 57 Station Street proposal. The application for residential development of 115-113 Stuart Street offers an interesting comparison. The numbers and outcomes are telling. The estimated build cost for 57 Station Street is $16.5 million for 12 studios, ten one-bed, four two-bed and four DDA units [for people with mobility impairments or disabilities]. Total, 30 units. If we assume one resident for single and DDA units, two for each one-bed unit and three for each two-bed unit, the total resident number is around 52 people. There could, of course, be even more. The build cost for housing around these people is therefore some $370,000 per resident and $515,000 per dwelling. These are outrageous numbers and, quite possibly, driven by an estimator’s sensible assessment of the challenges of a very constrained site. Strident denials have been the response. Furthermore, the question

why the building must be at least two-and-a-half metres higher than permitted by Council’s controls has not been answered. One view is even community housing providers (CHP) can see the project is not commercially viable without the additional 14 dwellings. No surprises there! But someone, or some body, has been aware of the problem, and reluctant to tell the truth, for a long time. Sweepings under the carpet will eventually emerge.

Where to park? And let’s not forget only 19 parking spaces are provided. Four of those spaces are for the commercial tenants, two are exclusively for Council’s two units and just 13 are for residents. That’s about a quarter of a space for each non-Council resident! The obvious question is… where will other residents park? Not north of Woolworths that’s for sure. And who will manage the inevitable basement conflicts that will inevitably arise? It’s little wonder Landcom and Council appear to be having problems finding a willing CHP for the project.

Parking is an obvious problem for 57 Station Street. Here occupant and visitor parking in the immediate vicinity is almost non-existent. Council has proposed building a new car park north of Woolworths. This might offer around 2,500 square metres for parking and, very roughly, space for 60 cars. For obvious reasons it must be completed at the same time as 57 Station Street. The cost? Probably around half a million dollars. Council does not have the funds and a completion date is well into the future given its generally snail-like performance on other projects. In addition, it’s a longer walk from the town centre and, more than likely, it will fail to attract long-term worker parking in an emerging hotter, wetter climate. And, who owns the land? How much will it really cost? And does the community want to sterilise a golden opportunity to sensitively add to Mullumbimby’s affordable housing stock? By way of comparison, 115 Stuart Street’s estimated build cost is $8.2 million. The proposal is for 46 single bed dwellings, five of which

appear designed for couples, and 4 DDA units. The likely minimum number of residents is about 55 making the build cost around $165,000 per dwelling and $135,000 per resident. For these lucky people 37 parking spaces are to be provided. That’s 0.74 spaces per dwelling on site with ample space on adjacent roads for more resident parking. The latter means obvious challenges for daytime business and visitor parking but it is likely most residents will have cars and drive elsewhere for work.

Height limits And, unlike 57 Station Street, this proposal complies with the statutory nine metre height limit. Yes, it’s three floors but advantage has been taken of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC); off-site prefabrication. Properly executed it’s faster and the build quality better than the laborious brick on brick and concrete slab approach adopted for 57 Station Street. Council officers would be well advised to familiarise themselves with this emerging and innovative approach. A discussion with

David Chandler, inaugural NSW Building Commissioner, would enable them to get ahead of the game for once. So, what simple comparisons do we have? A build cost of around $370,000 per resident at 57 Station Street… plus, at the very least, $7,500 per resident for a replacement car park sometime well into the future. The estimated build cost of around $165,000 per dwelling and $135,000 per resident at 115 Stuart Street is without doubt better. And, for the naysayers, an affordable 18 square metre fully serviced unit for someone wanting to comfortably live in town is rather better than a van parked in Mill Street or a tent by the river. The deputy mayor thinks new residents… maybe a hundred or more... living in Mullumbimby’s town’s heart is a good thing. But Mullumbimby is not Surry Hills where parking is at a premium, but abundant public transport is available. My view is that only half will be able to afford the inner urban lifestyle you clearly wish a new generation of Mullumbimby residents will aspire to. The other half will live, if that optimistic word is used, in Council’s

bloated and expensive blot on the landscape at our town’s entry.

Rate increase Finally, Council wants to hit ratepayers with a 33 per cent increase on their already crushing rates. So who will expose Council and Landcom for their continuing duplicity and mismanagement of community funds and opinions at 57 Station Street? It’s about time a broom was swept through the Council building and an administrator called in. Unfortunately, our beleaguered ratepayers will have to wait until September 2028 before the lot can be tossed on a growing pile of Byron Shire Councillor blunders. Sadly it seems inept and unprofessional Council officers cannot be brought to account for their generally poor performance. ■ David Brown is a retired

architect with more than 50 years’ experience in property development, project management, marketing, and conventional architectural practice.

▶ Also see related news article on page 10.

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August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 19

Articles

North Coast news online

There is no viable future for human health on a biologically impoverished planet: it’s time to know ‘lifestyle medicine’ Dr John Stevens

H

uman health and the health of the living world around us are so intertwined that you can’t talk about one without the other. As species disappear and ecosystems unravel, the risks to our food, mental health and even the air we breathe rise. Yet everyday choices can be good for our health and part of the solution for the planet.

A sixth mass extinction The evidence suggests that species are disappearing at tens to hundreds of times the natural rate, leading many to describe a ‘sixth mass extinction’. Unlike past extinction events driven by volcanoes or meteor strikes, this one is largely caused by people: land clearing, intensive agriculture, pollution, climate change and invasive species. For the Northern Rivers, this is not an abstract global problem. We see it in damaged forests, stressed wildlife, more intense bushfires and floods, and declining marine life. The science is clear: there is no viable future for human health on a biologically impoverished planet. This ecological crisis is also a health crisis: our wellbeing depends on healthy, diverse ecosystems in more ways than we may realise.

Nature: our lifesupport system Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is our lifesupport system. Ecosystems provide food and clean water, pollinate crops, regulate climate, offer sources of natural medicines and provide the mental-health benefits of green spaces and blue spaces such as rivers, lakes and oceans. When ecosystems are simplified and species are lost, these services begin to fail. Pollinators, bees, butterflies and birds, help produce many of the fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds that protect us from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Pollinator decline is already reducing access to these protective foods and contributing to poorer health outcomes.

From pandemics to paddocks Biodiversity loss can also increase the risk of infectious diseases, especially those that pass from animals to people, like the bird flu virus currently making the headlines. In many ecosystems, a rich mix of species can help limit disease transmission. When forests are cleared and habitats fragmented, low-risk species often disappear first, while fast-breeding animals such as some rodents and birds may thrive. These can be particularly effective hosts for disease-causing organisms.

movement among health practitioners in the Northern Rivers more than 20 years ago. It now has organisations in more than 50 countries. Practitioners consider the six lifestyle pillars in your clinical care, but can also help address the wider systems that shape health: food environments, transport, urban design and health care’s own waste and environmental footprint. The growing fields of lifestyle medicine and planetary health share a simple conclusion: human, animal and ecosystem health are inseparable. Protecting biodiversity is not a luxury. It is preventive medicine on a planetary scale, and Northern Rivers communities and health professionals have an important role to play. Next time you meet your health care professional ask them if they are a lifestyle medicine practitioner out of interest for your own wellbeing as well as the health of the planet.

Everyday choices can be good for our health and part of the solution for the planet.

Associate Professor John Stevens. Photo Jeff Dawson As wildlife, livestock and people are brought into closer contact at forest edges, farms and roads, the risk of disease spillover increases. Industrial animal agriculture, crowded livestock conditions and heavy antibiotic use are also important contributors to antimicrobial resistance, infections that are increasingly difficult to treat.

Microbiomes and mental health Biodiversity matters all the way down to the microbes in our soil, gut and on our skin. Children with regular contact with diverse natural environments tend to develop more robust microbiomes and better regulated immune systems, with lower rates of allergies and inflammatory conditions. Nature also supports mental health. Environmental damage can contribute to

anxiety, depression, ecological grief and solastalgia, the distress of seeing a loved place changed or degraded. In contrast, access to biodiverse parks, bushland and waterways is associated with lower stress, improved mood and better sleep.

Good for you, good for Country Lifestyle medicine uses evidence-based changes in diet, physical activity, sleep, stress management, substance use and social connection to prevent and treat chronic disease. These same six pillars can help protect biodiversity and climate: what is good for us can also be good for the planet. • Food: A predominantly whole-food, plant-rich diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. It can also lower greenhouse emissions and reduce pressure on land,

forests and waterways. Even modest reductions in redmeat consumption can make a difference. • Movement: Walking, cycling and public transport improve fitness and mental health while reducing pollution, traffic injuries and emissions. Green, walkable neighbourhoods with trees, shade and wildlife corridors support people and nature alike. • Stress and sleep: Bushwalking, gardening and volunteering in conservation projects can reduce stress, support sleep and reconnect us with the living world. Protecting green space is therefore a public-health measure as well as an environmental one. • Social connection: Strong communities are more resilient during floods, fires and other climate-related disasters. Social prescriptions that include engaging community gardens, group walks and other naturebased activities can reduce loneliness while building care for local ecosystems.

From consultation to community Lifestyle medicine is a mainstream medical specialty and began as a

■ Associate Professor John

Stevens is co-founder and director of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine at Southern Cross University. He has had an academic paper ‘Species Extinction, Biodiversity, Human Health, and Inevitable Role of Lifestyle Medicine’ published by the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine on which this article is based.

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Sanctuary

8-PAGE GUIDE

14—16 August

PULL THIS SECTION OUT!

Byron Writers Festival – 30 years, homecoming We invite our community to take sanctuary in the real thing: the slow, deliberate work of writing, reading and thinking together.

As we count down to this weekend, there is a hum of anticipation running through the Byron Writers Festival team that feels different from any year before it. Now in our thirtieth year – a milestone that, after the disruption of 2025, we are determined to meet with celebration.

F

rom Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August, the heart of Byron Bay will transform into a literary precinct: seven iconic venues, including two marquees – one on the foreshore, the other in the centre of town – weaving together markets, live music and ocean bathing with over 110 sessions of storytelling and ideas. Moving into

Byron Bay provides a stunning backdrop to Australia’s favourite regional meeting place of storytelling and ideas.

the heart feels like a homecoming: 30 years on from the festival’s first gathering as the Northern Rivers Writers Centre. Look how far we’ve come!

This year’s theme, Sanctuary, feels especially apt. In a moment of global upheaval, when algorithmic tools and technology imitate human ingenuity and creativity,

we’re inviting our community to take sanctuary in the real thing: the slow, deliberate work of writing, reading and thinking together. Our program reflects that spirit,

with Richard Flanagan returning to present Heresies, Booker Prizewinner Geetanjali Shree bringing Tomb of Sand, and an extraordinary local lineup including Trent Dalton, Antionette Lattouf, Evelyn Araluen, Melissa Lucashenko and Steve Toltz among them, standing alongside global voices. Join us in community this weekend as we celebrate not just 30 years of Byron Writers Festival, but the literary arts, right here in Byron Bay. Thank you for thirty years of continued support – we can’t wait to welcome you home.

A word from the Artistic Director This year, Byron Writers Festival returns to Byron Bay on the land and waterways of the Bundjalung nation. With a new precinct in the heart of town, the 2026 festival is both reinvention and homecoming – an offer of sanctuary in a tumultuous world. Over three days, we will gather with many of the finest Australian and international writers whose insight and originality will illuminate the possibilities and purpose of literature. From new ways of understanding the past, present and future, to exploring expectations of form and language, the writers of Byron Writers Festival ’26 bring wisdom, joy, irreverence, and indefatigable curiosity to the

Celebrating 30 years From the festival stage to the book- of partnership, stories store and the cafes, take sanctuary here alongside those nourished by and community – with the doing of writing, reading and thinking. Southern Cross University Discover the best in litera-

most easterly point of mainland Australia. We present this festival at a moment of great global change, in times that are increasingly chaotic, dark and absurd, as algorithmic tools offer a cheap illusion of creativity and understanding.

ture from around the country, with international guests from Aotearoa, Chile, India, Singapore, UK and the USA, and engage in uplifting conversations on literary craft, philosophy, politics, climate, love, and family. In uncertain times, these conversations offer the antidote to despair. It is our pleaseure to welcome you to Byron Writers Festival ’26. – Jessica Alice, Artistic Director

As a proud founding partner, Southern Cross University’s relationship with Byron Writers Festival has grown from a shared commitment to storytelling, ideas and community into a lasting collaboration grounded in creativity and place. Across three decades, we have helped foster conversations that challenge, inspire and connect, amplifying voices from our region and beyond and celebrating the people and stories that shape our community.

As Byron Writers Festival marks its 30th anniversary, Southern Cross University is honoured to celebrate this milestone, recognising the stories, thinkers and community that continue to shape who we are, now and into the future. Join Southern Cross University at Byron Writers Festival. Hear from our academics across the festival program and book a complimentary one-on-one writing workshop with Dr Aidan Coleman. Limited places available.

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August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 21

14—16 August

Feature events light up Byron Writers Festival’s 30th anniversary Byron Writers Festival marks its 30th anniversary from 14 to 16 August with a lineup of feature events spanning ideas, stories and conversation, from a landmark First Nations oration to Viking ghost stories and a night of electrifying poetry.

Evelyn Araluen

Trent Dalton

Richard Fidler

Richard Flanagan

Steph Harmon

Antoinette Lattouf

Inaugural Rhoda Roberts Oration

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Between Sessions, Unwind in the Rainforest TASTINGS · COCKTAILS · RAINFOREST TOURS

The festival honours the late, beloved Rhoda Roberts AO, proud Widjabul Wieybal woman of the Bundjalung nation, visionary cultural leader and masterful storyteller. Hosted by Naomi Moran, Nyangbal and Arakwal woman from the Bundjalung nation and NSW Treaty Commissioner, the inaugural oration is delivered by Chair of Creative Australia and proud Quandamooka man, Wesley Enoch, celebrating Aunty Rhoda’s legacy of telling First Nations stories on the global stage.

Gravity Let Me Go: Trent Dalton Australia’s number one bestselling author Trent Dalton joins Richard Glover in conversation for an unforgettable exploration of love, ambition, family and truth-telling, from Boy Swallows Universe to the deeply personal Gravity Let Me Go.

Heresies: Richard Flanagan Richard Flanagan, the only author to win both the Booker Prize and the

Baillie Gifford Prize, speaks with ABC Radio National’s Sarah Kanowski about his latest collection and the writer’s role in embracing heresy.

Women Who Win: Antoinette Lattouf Journalist and human rights activist Antoinette Lattouf joins Louise Adler for an evening celebrating the courage and conviction of women. Her new book Women Who Win traces women who defied expectations and changed the rules, usually while being asked to calm down.

Viking Lives: Ghost Stories Richard Fidler and Kári Gíslason, authors of the bestselling Saga Land, present a spectral live recording of their new podcast, bringing the most haunting tales from the Icelandic sagas

to life and sharing their own encounters with the supernatural.

The Guardian’s Are You Game Show The festival’s wild and wonderful game show returns, hosted by The Guardian’s Steph Harmon with team captains Lucy Clark and Nour Haydar, as writers including Luke Bateman, Siang Lu, Louise Milligan and Michael Winkler battle it out in a deeply chaotic contest of the brains.

Beyond The Lines A night of rhythm and rhyme featuring Evelyn Araluen, Chilean musician and poet Julio Carrasco, Australian Poetry Slam champion Arantza Garcia Ferrand, Ender Başkan, Fiona Wright and Damien Becker, hosted by Luke Patterson. Expect big energy, bold voices and language that sings and stings

Volume 9 ~ 2026-2027 Your free guide to the flourishing health and wellbeing industry of Byron and the Northern Rivers

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22 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

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14—16 August

Must see on Friday Calling to Country with Delta Kay Bay St Stage, 7.45am The festival begins with Arakwal custodian Delta Kay, who leads this special Calling to Country on the land of the Bundjalung Nation, sharing her deep connection to the land and waters of the region.

Tomb of Sand Byron Theatre, 10.30am International guest Geetanjali Shree, winner of the 2022 International Booker Prize, discusses her novel Tomb of Sand, an urgent yet engaging protest against the destructive impact of borders, whether between religions, countries or genders.

Delta Kay

Geetanjali Shree

Melissa Lucashenko

Tom Forrest

Not Quite White in the Head Byron Theatre, 12pm With her trademark wit and wisdom, Melissa Lucashenko reflects on being caught in a siege, on the marginalised lives of prisoners and the urban poor, and on Blak identity and Australian literature, in a wide-ranging discussion of her journalism and essays with journalist and academic Daniel Browning.

Gone Bush Byron Bay Surf Club, 4.30pm Through his fun, relatable bush style cooking videos, Tom Forrest (Outback Tom) has amassed millions of followers who love his recipes and adventures from the heart of the Kimberley. He joins celebrated Bundjalung chef and restaurateur Mindy Woods for a delicious discussion.

At Gaia A Rare Winter Dining Experience

As the Byron Bay hinterland settles into winter, join us for a rare evening at Gaia. Available to the public every Thursday throughout winter, our chef-led threecourse dining experience celebrates the finest seasonal produce from the Northern Rivers. Guided by our paddock-to-plate philosophy, each menu is thoughtfully curated around what is fresh, local and at its peak, creating a dining experience that changes with the season. Settle into the warmth and tranquillity of Gaia, savour nourishing cuisine and enjoy a slower evening of connection.

Gaia Retreat & Spa 933 Fernleigh Road, Brooklet (02) 6687 1216 gaiaretreat.com.au

Q. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR MENTOR STEALS YOUR STORY? It happened to American writer Rafael Frumkin when she found fragments of her life in a novel. But was it theft or homage? And what does a writer owe the people whose lives they borrow from, anyway? Rafael brings these questions and more to Byron Writers Festival in ‘Who Owns the Story?’, a conversation with Chris Harrigan, editor of The Story magazine, about the ethics of mining real life for writing material. The first 25 guests will receive a free copy of The Story, a magazine about storytelling. ••• This session is presented by Fireside Agency, a comms collective passionate about storytelling.

BYRON WRITERS FESTIVAL

• Every Thursday throughout winter • $135 per person • Bookings essential

BYRON WRITERS FESTIVAL

Thursdays

Friday, August 14, 12 PM–1 PM

Haven Gallery, 102 Jonson St, Byron Bay

www.echo.net.au

August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 23

14—16 August

Program Sessions Jonson St Stage

Haven Gallery

The Vasudhara Fund

Friday 14 August Byron Theatre

Wategos Room

Surf Club

Bay St Stage

The Guardian

Southern Cross University

Tasmanian Walking Company

Southern Cross University

Beach Hotel

9:00am - 10:00am (1)

9:00am - 10:00am (2)

9:00am - 10:00am (3)

8:45am - 9:45am (4)

8:30am - 10:00am (5)

9:00am - 10:00am (6)

Rebirth: A Love Story from the Depths of War

Confessions of a Minor Poet

A Life In Books

Writing Workshop: Believing You Can

ABC North Coast Live Broadcast

Language & Country

10:30am - 11:30am (8)

10.30am - 11.30am (9)

10.30am - 11.30am (10)

10:15am - 11:15am (11)

10:30am - 11:30am (12)

10.30am - 11.30am (13)

10:00am - 11:00am (14)

Bring Back Yesterday

Poetry, Art, Activism

Tomb of Sand

The Future of Self Publishing

A Time For Bravery

Where We Swim

Whale Stories

12:00pm - 1:00pm (15)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (16)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (17)

11:45am - 12:45pm (18)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (19)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (20)

Mungo Panel: Journalism Now

Who Owns the Story?

Not Quite White in the Head

Self Publishing Nuts & Bolts

In a Common Hour

Woodside Vs The Planet

FREE

FREE

FREE

Feature Events BOOK NOW

6:30pm - 7:30pm (F)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (21)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (22)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (23)

1:15pm - 2:15pm (24)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (25)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (26)

In Trump’s Wake

58 Facets: On Law, Violence and Revolution

Griefdogg

Fractured Motherhood

Joy, Humour & the Blak Everyday

The Lineup

The Guardian’s Are You Game Show

FREE

Byron Theatre

3:00pm - 4:00pm (28)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (29)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (30)

2:45pm - 3:45pm (7)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (31)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (32)

Beyond Colonial Literature

All Her Lives

Learning from Ancestral Wisdom

Circle of Wonders

Shellybanks

Better Things Are Possible

7:15pm - 8:15pm (F)

FREE

4:30pm - 5:30pm (33)

4:30pm - 5:30pm (34)

4:30pm - 5:30pm (35)

4:30pm - 5:30pm (36)

4:30pm - 5:15pm (37)

What Does Labor Stand For?

The Woman in the Watchtower

Benevolence and Compassion

Gone Bush

Poetry of Chile FREE

Women Who Win Jonson St Stage 8:15pm - 9:30pm (F)

Viking Lives: Ghost Stories Byron Theatre

Saturday 15 August Jonson St Stage

Haven Gallery

Byron Theatre

The Vasudhara Fund

Around Town

The Guardian

Surf Club

Bay St Stage

Tasmanian Walking Company

Southern Cross University

Beach Hotel

9:00am - 10:00am (40)

9:00am - 10:00am (41)

9:00am - 10:00am (42)

10:30am - 11:30am (52)

9:00am - 10:00am (43)

9:00am - 10:00am (44)

9:00am - 10:00am (45)

Political Animals

After Authoritarianism

The Power of Place

Poetry Walk

Surfing for Everyone

Myth & Legend

The Transformations

10:30am - 11:30am (47)

10:30am - 11:30am (48)

11:00am - 11:45am (M)

10:30am - 11:30am (49)

10:30am - 11:30am (50)

10:15am - 11:15am (51)

I Am Nannertgarrook Privilege and Power

In The Good Books

Bees & Biodiversity

Three Shocks

Fighting Fossil Fuels

FREE Market Stage

Being a Good Ancestor

10:30am - 11:30am (46)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (53)

Meet at Bay St Stage

12:00pm - 2:00pm (54)

Thea Astley Address: Poets Out Loud Lessons From Youth Slam FREE BOOK NOW History 1:30pm - 2:30pm (58)

ABC Radio National Top 100 Australian Books

FREE

FREE

12:00pm - 1:00pm (55)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (M)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (56)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (57)

Sophie, Standing There

The Family Home

Ghost Cities

Queer Stories

1:30pm - 2:30pm (59)

1:15pm - 2:15pm (M)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (60)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (61)

Love & Family

Byron Writers Spotlight

The Politics of Civility

Antidote to Despair

3:00pm - 4:00pm (66)

FREE Market Stage

Feature Events BOOK NOW

FREE

6:00pm - 7:00pm (F)

Featuring 2025 Australian Poetry Slam Champion Arantza Garcia Ferrand

FREE

Byron Theatre 6:30pm - 7:30pm (F)

FREE Market Stage

Gravity Let Me Go

3:00pm - 4:00pm (62)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (63)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (64)

3:00pm - 5:00pm (73)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (65)

The Manosphere

Screen Dreams

First Nations Knowledges

Australian Poetry Slam

Cultural Touchstones Good Witch FREE

Jonson St Stage 7:30pm - 9:00pm (F)

Beyond The Lines

4:30pm - 5:30pm (67)

4:30pm - 5:30pm (68)

4:30pm - 5:30pm (69)

4:00pm - 5:00pm (70)

4:30pm - 5:30pm (71)

4:30pm - 5:30pm (72)

Solving the Housing Crisis

Radical Reading

Art & AI

Writing Climate

So What? Now What?

Musicland: Book Launch

Wategos Room

Heresies

Byron Theatre

FREE

# program session, F feature event, M market stage, S special, W workshop

BWF2026_Echo_544x268_01.indd 1

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24 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

Packed with protein and lots of nutritious toppings to choose from including fresh fruits and warm nut butters, Yoflo Overnight Oats, the perfect Byron Writers Festival pick me up!

on presentation of your Writers Festival Pass or Ticket Shop 3, 19-23 Lawson St Byron Bay www.echo.net.au

14—16 August

Program Sessions Jonson St Stage

Haven Gallery

The Vasudhara Fund

Sunday 16 August Surf Club

Byron Theatre

Wategos Room

The Guardian

Southern Cross University

Inside Publishing is a full day, separately ticketed event

9:00am - 10:00am (75)

9:00am - 10:00am (76)

9:00am - 10:00am (77)

The Case Against John Howard

Great Minds

Planet Fungi

Bay St Stage

Tasmanian Walking Company

9:00am - 10:00am (78)

9:00am - 11:30am (79)

9:00am - 10:00am (80)

Making Women Visible

Kids Program

Migration Stories

FREE

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

Host Tristan Bancks Sam Thaiday Sarah Armstrong Student Writing Prizes Poppy Galactic Meet the authors & book signing

10:30am - 11:30am (81)

10:30am - 11:30am (82)

10:30am - 11:30am (83)

10:00am - 11:30am (84)

10:30am - 11:30am (85)

The Battle for Public Education

The Rot

Find Me at the Jaffa Gate

Inside Publishing: The Acquisition Meeting

On Not Climbing Mountains

12:00pm - 1:00pm (87)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (88)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (89)

12:30pm - 1:30pm (90)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (91)

12:00pm - 1:00pm (92)

A Rising of the Lights

Inside Publishing: Perfect Pitch

One Hundred Years of Betty

White Mountain

History for Tomorrow Kill Your Boomers

Beach Hotel

Southern Cross University

FREE

1:30pm - 2:30pm (93)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (94)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (95)

2:00pm - 3:30pm (96)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (97)

1:30pm - 2:30pm (98)

First Times

First Name Second Name

Motherhood, Inside Publishing: Marriage & Selfhood Practice Pitching

Eros: Queer Myths for Lovers

Saltwater Stories: Ocean, Climate & Country

10:15am - 11:15am (86)

Crime Fiction

Live Music 11:00am - 1:00pm (M) With local musician Shelly Brown FREE

Market Stage

FREE

3:00pm - 4:00pm (99)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (100)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (101)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (102)

3:00pm - 4:00pm (103)

Songwriters on the Run

Australia’s First Political Assassination

Rite of Spring

Selfish

The Reading Crisis

Special Events Friday

FREE

Saturday

Sunday

7:45am - 8:30am (S)

7:00am - 7:30am (38)

7:30am - 8:30am (S)

Opening: Calling to Country with Delta Kay

Saltwater Cleanse

Yoga

FREE

FREE

FREE

Meet at the Byron Bay Surf Club

Meet at Bay St Stage

8:00am - 8:45am (39)

8:00am - 8:45am (74)

Meet at Bay St Stage

BOOK NOW

11:00am - 4:00pm (M)

Coffee & News

Live Music

Beach Hotel

With local musicans Yazmindi, Mandy Hawkes, Madi King, Chris Mallory and Mt Warning

10:00am - 11:30am

FREE

Market Stage 1:30pm - 3:00pm (27)

How to Be An Arts Advocate FREE

BOOK NOW

The Shack, Beach Hotel 5:45pm - 6:45pm (F)

Rhoda Roberts Oration FREE

BOOK NOW

Bay St Stage

BOOK NOW

Coffee & News Beach Hotel

Walgun Tour with Delta Kay

1:00pm - 2:00pm (M)

Sustainable Fashion

BOOK NOW

FREE

1:00pm - 2:30pm (F)

Market Stage

Literary Lunch with Bob Carr BOOK NOW

Bang Bang Byron Bay

Festival Finale

1:30pm - 3:30pm (W)

4:30pm - 5:15pm (104)

Masterclass: Harnessing Wonder with Kathryn Heyman

Big Voice Choir FREE

BOOK NOW

Bay St Stage

Wategos Room

2:45pm - 4:00pm (M)

With Shane Howard & Benja Roberts

Live Music With local musicans Abbie Cardwell FREE Market Stage

For tickets and to register for free events, visit byronwritersfestival.com

10/8/2026 2:12 PM

www.echo.net.au

August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 25

14—16 August

News from across the Northern Rivers. Covering Byron, Tweed, Lismore and Ballina. Read online now! Subscribe for free and get daily highlights straight to your inbox.

Must see on Saturday Fighting Fossil Fuels

Stuart Anderson and Cedar Anderson

Anneliese Austin

Luke Bateman

Paul Callaghan

Richard Denniss

Antoun Issa

Pauline Menczer

Louise Milligan

Ben Roche

Zoe Terakes

Beach Hotel, 10.15am Amid global fuel shocks and renewed climate denialism, Richard Denniss, Ben Roche and Marian Wilkinson share an informed and hopeful discussion about what it will take to end our fossil fuel dependence and the political and industrial forces at play.

Bees & Biodiversity Market Stage, 11am Visit us at:

Local pickup available from Puesto, Byron Bay Industrial Estate.

Do you have a story to tell?

Anna Featherstone helps writers be bolder - in their manuscript, their publishing pathway and their marketing. 20% off your first mentoring session. Code: BWF2026 Valid until 31/12/26. annafeatherstone.com A great gift idea for the writer in your life too!

Flow Hive inventors Cedar Anderson and Stuart Anderson join bee expert and postdoctoral researcher Anneliese Austin to explore the fascinating world of bees, inventive approaches to beekeeping, and the vital role pollinators play in sustaining biodiversity, agriculture and our environment.

Queer Stories Bay St Stage, 12pm A joyous conversation with readings from some of our favourite writers, Antoun Issa, Pauline Menczer and Zoe Terakes, sharing stories of queer life and love.

The Manosphere Jonson St Stage, 3pm Against the rise of the manosphere, Luke Bateman, Paul Callaghan and Louise Milligan hold a much-needed discussion about the pressures on young men, misogynist movements and what can be done about them. w: tamarasmith.org.au

“Home, she’d realised wasn’t a place or time or a person... home was a feeling, a sense of being complete.” – Kate Morton, Homecoming

HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY TO THE BYRON WRITERS FESTIVAL, AND ON THIS YEAR’S THEME OF HOMECOMING.

TAMARA SMITH MP

Book a clinical consultation with Dr Cat Quinn (GP), to discuss whether IV therapy is appropriate for you.

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26 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

Bookshop orders: info@ashwoodpublishing.com.au Or available from online retailers from August 26.

www.echo.net.au

14—16 August

Must see on Sunday Planet Fungi Byron Theatre, 9am Northern Rivers filmmakers Stephen Axford and Catherine Marciniak reveal the magical world of fungi and the story of their discovery of a new species.

Sarah Armstrong

Stephen Axford

Tristan Bancks

Turia Pitt

Dakota Feirer

Catherine Marciniak

Roman Krznaric

Sam Thaiday

Fiona Wright

Kids Program Bay St Stage, 9am Inspire the writers of the future with a free morning of fun. Imaginations run wild with wonderful storytellers Tristan Bancks, Sarah Armstrong and Sam Thaiday, before everyone sings, dances and blasts off with Poppy Galactic.

Kill Your Boomers Haven Gallery, 12pm Novelist and poet Fiona Wright joins comedian Mandy Nolan for a hilarious and astute conversation about her audacious book Kill Your Boomers, which asks just how far you’ll go to get your dream house.

History for Tomorrow Jonson St Stage, 12pm One of Britain’s most popular public philosophers, Roman Krznaric presents unexpected and hopeful lessons from human history that could help us overcome the global challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. With ABC Radio National’s Natasha Mitchell.

Saltwater Stories: Ocean, Climate & Country Bay St Stage, 1.30pm Bundjalung storytellers and knowledge holders Ella Noah Bancroft, Delta Kay and Dakota Feirer share personal and collective stories of the ocean, its significance, power and gifts. With Naomi Moran.

Selfish Bay St Stage, 3:00pm Turia Pitt, best-selling author, two-time Ironman and a humanitarian, features in frank and funny conversation with Leila McKinnon about the joy of being selfish and the practical side of self-love.

Festival Finale: Big Voice Choir

27-29 NOVEMBER

Red Devil Park • Byron Bay

Bay St Stage, 4:30pm Raise your voice in song for this joyous festival finale with Janet Swain’s Big Voice Choir featuring special guests Shane Howard (Goanna) and Benja Roberts.

Boy and Bear • kim Churchill samuel J • YAIMA • kyle lionhart elijah ray • sacred earth • taylor sol lulu and mishka • christian dimarco • samsaruh dusty boots • finojet • melissa mai • spirit cacao

BYRON LOCALS SAVE 10% ON TICKETS www.echo.net.au

August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 27

14—16 August

How’s it all going to work?

A literary detour worth taking Step inside one of the Northern Rivers' most distinctive independent bookshops. Browse thousands of second-hand books across every imaginable genre, or explore our carefully curated online catalogue of 6,500+ searchable titles before your visit.

PULP FICTION Open 7 Days 309 Tweed Valley Way Murwillumbah 0403169616

Just minutes from Murwillumbah's cafés,

New precinct, beloved Byron township, same easy festival experience. Here’s exactly what to expect at the 30th anniversary of Byron Writers Festival this weekend, 14–16 August. From getting here to catching your last session under the stars, this is everything you need to know all in one place:

Sanctuary

14—16 August

byronwritersfestival.com

1. Getting there and parking Shuttle Shuttle Shuttle Schedule Shuttle Schedule Schedule Schedule Byron Bay

Shuttle ShuttleSchedule Schedule

galleries and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, Pulp Fiction is the perfect place to linger, browse and discover the book you didn't know you were looking for.

Explore online

Open 7 days – 6.45am to 1pm 3/11 Marvell St, Byron Bay 0435 333 116 marvellstcafe.com @marvellstcafe

REGIONAL

BAL

Regional Australia’s premier screen conference

L E N N OX H E A D, N S W SEPTEMBER 9-10 2026

SCREENWORKS.COM.AU

28 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

With over 110 sessions across the weekend, a little planning goes a long way. Grab a printed program with a map from the Festival Hub, or download the program PDF ahead of time so you can start circling your must-sees. Some sessions start early – from 7:00am onwards – including the Saltwater Cleanse, yoga and Coffee and News at Beach Hotel. Plan your day around the conversations, panels and signings you don’t want to miss – and leave room to stumble on a few happy surprises along the way.

5. Author book signings

2. Collect your wristband

18:0018:00 18:00

Nourishing food, amazing coffee and drinks with a vibe. Family run, supporting local suppliers. Great for families and friends to chill. Vegan and vegetarian options available. Dog friendly, bring your furry friend for a free puppuccino and a dog treat.

4. Navigating the program

Shuttle Schedule We are expecting traffic. Park all Cavanbah Cavanbah Centre Centre Cavanbah Centre Centre Festival Festival Hub Festival Hub Festival Hub day for just $10 at the Cavanbah Cavanbah Cavanbah Cavanbah Centre Centre Festival Festival Hub Hub Hub - Festival - Festival Hub - Festival Hub Festival Hub - Cavanbah -Hub Cavanbah - Cavanbah Centre Centre -Festival Cavanbah Centre Cavanbah Centre HubCentre -Festival Hub - Festival Hub - Cavanbah Centre - Cavanbah Centre Centre (249 Ewingsdale Road) - Festival Hub - Cavanbah Centre Fri, Fri, Sat Sat & & Sun Sun Friday Friday Saturday SaturdaySaturday Sunday Sunday Sat Fri,&Sat Sun Fri, & Sun Sat & Fri, Sun Sat Friday & Sun Friday Friday Friday Saturday Saturday Saturday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday by pre-purchasing yourFri, parking Pickup Pickup Pickup Pickup Saturday Pickup Pickup Pickup Pickup Fri, Sat & Sun Friday Sunday Pickup Pickup Pickup Pickup Pickup Pickup Pickup Pickup pass. The carpark opensPickup at Pickup Pickup PickupPickupPickup Pickup Pickup 10:30 10:30Pickup 10:30 10:30 10:30 10:30 7:00 7:00 Pickup Pickup Pickup 10:3010:30 10:30 10:30 10:3010:30 10:30 10:30 7:00 is7:00 7:00 10:3010:30 10:30 10:30 7:00am and accessible7:00 parking After most sessions throughout 11:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 7:30 7:30 10:30 10:30 7:00 11:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 12:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 10:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 08:00 7:30 11:30 11:30 11:30 available. 12:30 12:3011:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 08:00 the day you’ll have a chance to 11:30 11:30 11:30 7:30 12:30 12:3012:3013:30 12:30 12:3012:30 12:30 12:30 08:0008:00 08:0008:30 08:0012:3012:30 12:30 13:30 13:3012:30 13:30 13:30 13:30 08:30 From there, hop straight get your books signed by your 12:30 08:00 14:30 14:3012:30 14:30 14:30 14:30 09:00 13:30 13:30 13:30 13:3013:3014:30 13:30 13:3013:30 13:30 12:30 08:3008:30 08:3013:3013:30 13:30 onto the free festival shuttle bus08:3009:00 favourite authors. Bring your 15:30 15:3013:30 15:30 15:30 15:30 09:30 13:30 08:30 14:30 14:30 14:30 14:3014:3015:30 14:30 14:3014:30 14:30 13:30 09:0009:00 09:0009:30 09:0014:3014:30 14:30 running between the Cavanbah copy, or grab one at the pop-up 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 10:00 10:00 15:30 15:30 15:30 15:3015:30 15:30 14:30 15:3015:30 15:30 14:30 09:30with 09:30 09:30 09:00 09:3015:3015:30 15:30 14:30 Centre at hourly intervals, 16:30 16:30 16:30 16:30 16:30 16:30 11:00 11:00 Festival Bookshop in the Byron 15:30 15:30 09:30 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:0016:0017:00 16:00 16:0016:00 16:00 15:30 10:0016:0016:00 16:00 17:00 17:00 17:00 17:00 17:00 30-minute intervals in10:00 the 10:00 morn-10:00 12:00 12:00 Visitor Information Centre on 16:00 16:00 16:00 10:00 16:30 16:3016:3017:30 16:30 16:3016:30 16:30 16:30 11:00 11:00 13:00 11:00 16:3016:30 16:30 17:30 17:3016:30 17:30 17:30 17:30 13:00 ing. Refer to the shuttle11:00 schedule Jonson St, presented by The Book 16:30 11:00 18:00 18:0016:30 18:00 18:00 18:00 14:00 17:00 17:00 17:00 17:0017:00 18:00 17:00 17:0017:00 17:00 16:30 12:0012:00 12:00 14:00 12:0017:0017:00 17:00 online. Room. Signings take place here 17:00 12:00 18:30 18:3017:00 18:30 18:30 18:30 15:00 17:30 17:30 17:30 17:3017:30 18:30 17:30 17:3017:30 17:30 17:00 13:0013:00 13:00 15:00 13:0017:3017:30 17:30 Carpooling is encouraged, and 16:00 in the Hub for the downtown 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 16:00 18:00 18:00 18:00 18:0018:00 18:00 17:30 18:0018:00 18:00 17:30 14:0014:00 14:00 13:00 14:0018:0018:00 18:00 17:30 the Byron Solar Train from North 17:00 19:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 17:00 venues, or up at the Bay St Stage 18:00 18:00 18:00 14:00 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:30 18:3018:30 18:30 18:30 15:0015:00 15:00 15:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 20:00 18:00 18:00 Beach Station is another easy for foreshore venues, after each 18:30 18:30 18:30 15:0019:0019:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00 19:0019:00 19:00 19:00 16:0016:00 16:00 16:00 20:30 20:30 19:0019:0020:30 20:30 way in for locals and visitors. session. 19:00 19:00 19:00 16:00 17:0017:00 17:00

TO GL

‘26

21:00 21:0019:30 21:00 19:30 19:3019:3021:00 19:30 17:0019:3019:30 19:30 19:30 19:30 17:0020:0020:00 20:00 21:30 21:3020:00 21:30 20:00 20:0020:0021:30 20:00 18:00 22:00 22:0020:00 20:00 18:0020:3020:30 20:30 20:30 20:3020:30 20:30 20:30

20:30 21:0021:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 21:00 Visit Visitbyronwritersfestival.com byronwritersfestival.com for forupdates updates 21:00 21:3021:30 21:30 21:30 21:3021:30 21:30 21:30 22:0022:00 22:00 22:00

20:30 21:00 21:00 21:30 21:30

6. Meet the author at The Book Room

Once you’re at the precinct, show 22:00 your festival pass to receive a byronwritersfestival.com Visit Visit byronwritersfestival.com Visit byronwritersfestival.com Visit byronwritersfestival.com for updates for updates for updates for updates Visit byronwritersfestival.com for wristband before attending any sessions – this is what Theupdates Book Room at Byron is our official bookseller and gets you into festival venues. Major Partner and will host special author appearances Important note: Festival pass holders must be present at the Fletcher St shop across the weekend. Meet your to collect their individual wristbands, wristbands will favourite authors, get your books signed and stack up on not be handed out without a pass holder present upon other great titles. See the appearance schedule here. collection.

Wristbands can be collected at: The Festival Hub Box Office, Railway Park – open from 8:00am, Friday to Sunday. This is the main hub across the weekend where you can collect wristbands, purchase tickets and merchandise, and ask our helpful team any questions you might have. The Bay St Stage Ticket Desk – open from 7:45am to 9am only, Friday to Sunday. Please note: There are no ticket sales at the Bay St Ticket Desk, this is a wristband collection point only for those attending early sessions – such as Coffee & News on Saturday and Sunday at the Beach Hotel. Simply show your pass and we’ll pop your wristband on. Keep it on all weekend – you’ll need it every time you head into a venue.

7. Feature events bring the night to life

Your day pass gets you into the main daytime program (between 7am and 5pm), but the evening is where things get really special. Feature events are our separatelyticketed, headline sessions – big-name conversations, authors and one-off evenings you won’t want to miss. Book these in advance alongside your festival pass so you’ve got your evening sorted before you arrive. Feature event tickets will be available until sold out. Important Note: No door sales are available for feature events – purchase these tickets at www.byronwritersfestival.com now.

3. Walking the precinct

8. Enjoy the festival

Once you’ve got your wristband, everything is close by. The Festival Precinct is only 650m end-to-end, with venues clustered in walkable hubs and connected by the Railway Park Festival Hub, the Festival Bookshop in the Byron Visitor Information Centre on Jonson St, and The Book Room on Fletcher Street – so there’s always a coffee, a bookstore browse, or a shady spot to sit between sessions. Most walks between venues take between five to 15 minutes, and we’ve built 30-minute breaks into the program to allow you to get between venues.

You’re all set. Don’t forget to check out the festival marketplace, catch your favourite authors, grab a coffee between sessions, get your books signed, settle in for an evening feature event, and soak up three days of Byron Writers Festival’s 30th anniversary! For specific questions about accessibility parking, the shuttle timetable, or specific feature event tickets, please see our FAQs at www.byronwritersfestival.com/faq.

www.echo.net.au

Opinion The last blasphemy: why offence is the wrong test Chaiy Donati

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ast Monday week, for the second time, a court held that Pauline Hanson’s tweet broke the law. Plenty will argue about what Hanson said. The harder question sits underneath: whether the state should be enforcing a law against offence at all. On the day Queen Elizabeth II died, Senator Mehreen Faruqi wrote that she would not mourn the head of what she called a racist empire. Hanson told her to piss off back to Pakistan. Faruqi’s post struck at an Every advance in the institution; Hanson’s standing of the powerless struck at a person, by name, and told was won by speech the her she did not powerful found offensive. belong here. That is a real distinction, was the wrong. The case but not one that was never only about one calls for a law. Faruqi sued, woman. It was about what a and the Full Federal Court category may be told. upheld the finding that the A group’s dignity matters. post breached section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. But every advance in the standing of the powerless What the law asks was won by speech the powerful found offensive. The court did not have Abolition offended. Suffrage to find that anyone was harmed, only that the words offended. Nor is this history. The woman who condemns were reasonably likely to the genital cutting of girls, offend, insult, humiliate or or the marrying of them, intimidate, because of race, attacks a practice, and colour or origin. Defenders point to section offends a people, a culture, sometimes a faith. In the 18D, which exempts what is English town of Rotherham, said reasonably and in good officials watched the faith in public debate. But organised abuse of children Hanson lost on the manner, for years, partly, their own not the matter: good faith, inquiry found, for fear of the judge held, required a being called racist. No conscientious effort to minilaw was needed there. mise the offence her arguThe offence was deterrent ment would cause, and she had carelessly disregarded it. enough. That does not make a slur an act of liberation. It So the law does not merely makes offence a poor test. ask whether a citizen meant what she said. It asks whether Offence measures the hearer, not the cause, and a law she said it considerately built on it cannot tell the enough, and sets a judge to reformer from the bigot. Its mark the answer. exemptions for good faith The new blasphemy are the old bargain restated: say what you like about the English blasphemy law came to turn on manner too. sacred, so long as a court approves the spirit in which Even the fundamentals of you said it. We have not religion could be attacked, one judge held, provided the abolished blasphemy. We have only changed what attack stayed civil, and ‘the counts as sacred, and kept decencies of controversy’ were observed. The doctrine the priesthood. was never quite the issue. The public square The spirit of the attack was. Thinking a thing wrong is Blasphemy protected a not the same as wanting the doctrine; this law protects state to punish it. The workpeople, and the difference place is different: you cannot is thinner than it looks. The walk away from the room court found Faruqi insulted where you earn your living. and humiliated, and more: The public square is kept that the tweet was likely so citizens can argue about to wound whole groups, who they are, and Faruqi and migrants of colour and Hanson are two of the most Muslims, and that this too www.echo.net.au

Hanson vs Farqi. Image Ziggi Browning / Firefly AI

protected people in the country, doing what the square exists for. There is a line. A threat is not an argument, and neither is hounding a private person; the law already reaches both, as conduct, not speech. Strike offend and insult from the test and the state is out of the business of feelings. What is left is a country where an insult meets a reply instead of a file, where people answer each other instead of reporting each other.

Where it leads Most of us know someone who has said something ugly. A relative at a table, a joke that curdled. It does not occur to us to sue, and we have all said something we would not want quoted back. Forgiveness is what we extend to those we know, and what we hope for ourselves; the courtroom is what we reserve for strangers. What we do at that table is what a free country would do at scale: forgive what we can, and try to persuade the rest. There is a decent wish underneath these laws: a gentler country. But gentleness cannot be legislated into being. A law can make a man quiet. It cannot change his mind. The belief, whatever it is, goes underground, where it will not be contradicted, and returns at the ballot box, where no one has to say anything at all. And a public that has given up on persuading its neighbours to be decent will reach instead for the power to make them behave, and the power to suppress a cruel word is the same power that suppresses any word at all. We hand it over willingly,

WE’RE HIRING

imagining ourselves among the protected, never among the silenced. The courts will not take it back for us. Hanson argued the Constitution’s implied freedom of political communication; the Full Court held that section 18C stands. In Britain, on The Times’s custody figures, police make some 12,000 arrests a year over offensive online messages. Most never reach conviction. The arrest is the punishment: the questioning, the cell, the record that outlasts the case. No tyranny was needed, only a statute and a discretion, in a country whose law is nearly our own. None of this pretends cruel words do not wound. It asks the harder thing: to protect the wounded without appointing anyone to rule on what may be said. No government granted the power to silence only what is vile has ever stopped there. A nation with a priesthood for its sacred things will hear the offence before it hears the argument.

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Enjoy the

Good Life anytime! Lots of tasty morsels online at:

■ Chaiy Donati is a former

President of Queensland Young Labor.

SUPPORT LOCAL, SHOP MULLUMBIMBY red u t a Fe

ss

ine s u b

Elevare Accountants Elevare Accountants (formerly WD Nicholls) brings a new name, same trusted team, and same exceptional service to supporting flourishing lives and communities across the Northern Rivers. Backed by four decades of history, we provide tailored accounting, taxation, financial planning, superannuation, and business advisory services. Dedicated to supporting the financial foundations of life across our region, we welcome you to visit us at 109 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby. Call 02 6684 2502, connect via social media, or visit www.elevareca.com.au.

BECOME A MEMBER! 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

MULLUMBIMBY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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 August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 29

The

Good Life Good Taste Dining Guide

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

www.echo.net.au/good-taste

30 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

www.echo.net.au

The

Good Life

COFFEE SH

Avocados with a difference F Allie Godfrey

or avocado lovers, buying direct from a local grower offers something supermarkets often can’t: different varieties, seasonal flavour and fruit that has travelled only a short distance from farm to market. Long-time local grower Kate sells her avocados and other seasonal fruit, both at the Mullumbimby and New Brighton Farmers Markets, with an avocado season generally running from late April through to November, and sometimes as far as Christmas.

Rather than offering just one familiar variety, Kate’s season moves through several different avocados. It begins with Fuerte, a smoothskinned, pear-shaped avocado prized for its creamy flesh and rich flavour. As the season progresses, Hass becomes available, along with smaller quantities of Sharwil, before finishing with Lamb Hass later in the year. The changing varieties are one of the pleasures of shopping seasonally. Each has its own flavour, texture and characteristics, while the succession of varieties allows locally grown avocados to be available for many months.

Kate believes freshness and the way the fruit is handled also make a difference to flavour. Her explanation for what goes into growing them is simple: ‘Equal shovel loads of compost and love.’ Unlike Kate’s avocados, which travel directly from her farm to the farmers’ markets, supermarket avocados can spend considerable time under refrigeration during storage and transport. Kate explains that commerciallysold avocados may also be gassed before reaching the shelves to trigger and control ripening. Buying directly from a grower also means

OP

Open 6am – 12pm Monday – Saturday Shop 6/108 Stuart Street Mullumbimby. @bimbi_coffee_shop ALLPRESS ESPRESSSO

customers can ask when their fruit was picked, which variety they are buying and how best to ripen it at home. Kate suggests allowing green avocados to ripen at home, although refrigeration can be useful for slowing the process and holding fruit once it is nearly ripe. And avocados aren’t the only attraction at her stall. Depending on the season, shoppers can find mandarins, oranges, lemons, limes, lemonade fruit, custard apples and black sapote – making every visit a little different ■ You can find Kate, from

The Organic Avocado, every Tuesday at New Brighton Farmers Market from 7am to 11am, and every Friday at the Mullumbimby Farmer Market from 7am to 11am.

IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY

Kate (left) from The Organic Avocado with her right hand woman Bubaloo, has a simple strategy for growing great avocados: ‘Equal shovel loads of compost and love.’ www.echo.net.au

CELEBRATIONS Cakes by Liz Jackson

lizzijjackson@gmail.com 0414 895 441 Gluten-free and special dietary needs catered for.

COME CELEBRATE Community Event. Giant Loco Love Pinata. Good Vibes.

4.30PM WEDNESDAY SANTOS

Free Chocolate. Live Music. Bring Your Kids!

19 AUGUST, 2026 MULLUMBIMBY August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 31

Filter

Off

Stewart’s Menswear – for Father’s Day

beauty style fashion grooming

With Father’s Day approaching, Stewart’s Menswear in Mullumbimby is the place to find something Dad will actually wear. The family-owned store has fresh new season stock arriving daily, so there is plenty to choose from. This week the spotlight falls on Pilbara Collection linen shirts and shorts which are light, breathable and comfortable for warmer days ahead. They suit weekends, travel and easy afternoons around the Northern Rivers, and make a genuinely practical gift he will reach for again and again. Alongside them sits a handpicked range of gift lines, from socks, wallets and belts to shirts and everyday favourites. Friendly advice is always on hand, in-store or online, to help find something useful and well chosen. Redefine shopping at Stewart’s Menswear this Father’s Day..

Electric Mermaid Barbershop ALL STYLES. ALL WELCOME. HAIRCUTS FOR ALL HUMANS. Electric Mermaid Barbershop is for everyone women, men, kids and anyone who just wants a bloody good haircut. Long hair, curls, shaggy razor cuts, classic scissor work, fades, beard trims and traditional

cut-throat shaves. We’ve been cutting hair and spinning yarns in Brunswick Heads for six years, and we’re proud to be part of this brilliant community. Online bookings now available and walk-ins are always welcome. electricmermaidbarber.com.au 3/28 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads @electric.mermaid.barberhop

52 Burringbar St Mulllumbimby 02 6684 2148 stewartsmenswear.com.au

Articles

North Coast news online

Walkable towns help regional Aussies exercise David Lowe

A

mid soaring fuel prices which are prompting Australians to explore alternative transport options, a new study highlights the health benefits of walkable neighbourhoods. New research, published today, shows that regional residents living in walkable towns and centres walk 75 minutes more each week, prompting calls for governments to invest more in well-connected, safe footpaths to boost community health. The new paper, led by the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania, was published today in the Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. It’s the first of its kind to show walkability has a bigger impact on the amount of time spent walking in regional communities. Lead author Dr Sharon Campbell, post-doctoral research fellow in the Environmental Health Research team at the Menzies Institute for Health Research, said that the study highlights the need to enhance walkability in regional and rural towns across Australia. ‘Our study assessed walkability based on how connected and convenient it is to get around an

area by foot. For instance, how easily and quickly can you walk to the local shops, schools, parks or public transport,’ said Dr Campbell. ‘When we merged Tasmanian government health data with geospatial walkability assessments, we revealed a clear link between walkability and residents’ physical activity levels across the state, with an even stronger relationship in regional and rural areas. ‘Our research found residents in high walkability regional areas walked 75 minutes more a week compared to those living in low walkability regional areas. ‘Even those in regional areas of medium walkability walked over 60 minutes more a week compared to those in low walkability regional areas. In comparison residents in high walkability urban centres walked 38 minutes more when walkability was high.’

Simple solution to address health inequality Senior author Professor Verity Cleland, from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, said that with regional Australian towns

32 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

experiencing unique health challenges including higher rates of preventable chronic disease, improving walkability could offer a simple, but effective solution to help address health inequalities. ‘Imagine if all Australian towns were built with walkability in mind – everyone would be able to travel easily and conveniently on foot, boosting their health while saving money on fuel and protecting the environment,’ said Professor Cleland. ‘But traditionally government planning and funding has prioritised roads and driving, particularly in regional areas, leading to lack of well-connected footpaths and facilities. Our research uncovered

a higher number of regional areas that had low walkability compared to urban areas. ‘Walkability shouldn’t be limited to urban centres. No matter where you live you should be able to walk around your local area safety and conveniently. We need local, state and Federal Governments to do more to set up regional towns with walkable infrastructure to help boost health, particularly in our regional communities.’

Public health priority Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, CEO, Public Health Association of Australia said that promoting physical activity across the nation is a public health priority. ‘Being physically active has an enormous range of health benefits including reducing the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, dementia and heart disease, as well as improving sleep, mobility, strength, confidence and mental health,’ said Adjunct Professor Slevin. ‘When it comes to health benefits, nothing beats it, and if we could put the benefits of physical activity into a pill, everyone would be taking it.’

Adjunct Prof Slevin said that with less than 25 percent of Australians meeting physical activity recommendations, more needs to be done to make it easier for Australians to live healthy lifestyles. ‘It is recommended adults do at least 30 minutes exercise most days of the week. Walking is a convenient, enjoyable and healthy way to get around. It’s something that families can do together, can be done in almost all stages of life and it is free. ‘Improving walkability right across the country is a sensible and simple way to boost our physical activity and ultimately protect health and well-being.’ The Public Health Association of Australia will host its annual Prevention Conference in Hobart/ Nipaluna on 5 to 7 May 2026. This year’s theme is ‘Sustaining Prevention’, with presentations and research examining ways to ensure that prevention systems are funded for the long term, supported politically, and work effectively over the long term to help communities. ■ Read more interesting health and

healing articles at Byron Healing: www.healing.echo.net.au.

www.echo.net.au

PERSONAL LEGAL SUPPORT NOW IN BYRON BAY, LISMORE AND THE NORTHERN RIVERS REGION With a strong regional firm behind him and a dedicated local team, Josh McKay combines legal expertise with compassion and clear communication. He is particularly experienced in supporting trauma survivors and is known for building trust through empathy and straightforward advice. The Byron Bay office emphasises person-to-person service: clients meet an experienced local lawyer rather than using an automated claims portal or dealing with a citybased lawyer they may never meet. Josh can arrange home or hospital visits so clients can learn their legal entitlements without delay. Don Cameron & Associates 1/19–21 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay 02 5643 9240 • www.dcalaw.com.au

VIRIDIAN ADVISORY NEW FINANCIAL YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES The start of a new financial year is a natural time to review your financial position and make sure your plans still reflect the life you’re building. Whether your goals are growing your wealth, protecting your family, preparing for retirement, or simply feeling more confident about your financial future, regular reviews can help keep you on track. As new tax measures, superannuation rules and legislative updates come into effect, it’s also a good opportunity to understand how these changes may influence your financial decisions – both now and into the future.

VITALITY VETCARE Vitality Vetcare operates as an integrated veterinary practice, providing general veterinary medicine, surgery, and dentistry alongside complementary therapies, including acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Western herbal medicine, homeopathy, and vaccine titre testing. Their integrated approach supports the whole animal – not just the symptoms. By considering factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, and environment, they aim to help animals return to optimal health and vitality. The modern clinic, set in a peaceful location, helps the team make veterinary visits as enjoyable as possible. Their goal is to keep your best friend healthy while making the experience positive – and even something they look forward to! Book online or call the team to find the right consultation for your best friend. 4a Ballina Road, Bangalow 02 6687 0675 vitalityvetcare.com.au Info@vitalityvetcare.com.au

JIN WU KOON KARATE BYRON BAY Jin Wu Koon (JWK) Karate was established in Byron Bay in 1977 by Sensei Light. The club produced champions at regional, state, national, and international levels in karate, kickboxing, and kung fu, while positively shaping generations of Byron Bay locals.

A conversation with Alana Pincombe your local Byron Bay financial adviser at Viridian Advisory can provide personalised advice, answer your questions and help ensure your financial plan continues to support the goals that matter most to you. 0491 204 142 • viridianadvisory.com.au apincombe@viridianadvisory.com.au

LOCAL E-BIKE BUSINESS TAKES ‘GOLD’ AT NORTH COAST TOURISM AWARDS Better by Bike Australia has taken home Gold at the North Coast Tourism Awards, capping a milestone year for the family-run e-bike hire and retail business based at Murwillumbah Railway Station and Byron Bay. Founder Campbell Shepherd started the business in 2023 when the Northern Rivers Rail Trail opened, winning the tender to operate from the historic Murwillumbah station in 2024. Since then, Better by Bike has become a fixture of the rail trail, helping locals and visitors discover the region’s natural beauty and unique villages. “We didn’t expect this,” the team said of the win. “It’s a reflection of everyone who’s hired a bike, joined a ride, or backed us along the way.” Better by Bike continues to operate daily out of both Northern Rivers locations. Betterbybike.com.au

ORD MINNETT BUILD AND PROTECT YOUR WEALTH AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE Your financial needs come first. Whether you’re building wealth, supporting a growing family, advancing your career, or preparing for retirement, Jake and Sam focus on helping you make confident, informed financial decisions. As private wealth advisers at Ord Minnett, servicing people in your local area, they guide clients through every stage of life, backed by 150 years of research and investment expertise. Their tailored advice is designed to protect and grow your wealth so you can achieve your goals with clarity and peace of mind. Start a conversation today Jake Blumberg on 0412 285 029 • jblumberg@ords.com.au Sam La Cava on 0413 717 528 • slacava@ords.com.au

www.echo.net.au

When taught well, karate supports strong personal development, building concentration, confidence, selfdiscipline, resilience, and self-awareness. Training also helps students manage stress, find purpose, and live by clear values. JWK Karate supports both children and adults to achieve goals on, and off, the mat through commitment, perseverance, and striving to be their best. Their code of conduct follows Bushido principles: loyalty, honour, courage, honesty, respect, and humility in daily life. Ewingsdale Hall 0490 849 295 jinwukoonkarate.com.au jinwukoonkarate@gmail.com

FOOD CULTURE It’s been twelve months of new management at Food Culture. Twelve months of learning the products, the customers, the suppliers, the flow. Twelve massive months of settling a young family here in the Northern Rivers, and becoming part of the intricate ecology that runs through these lands and waters. Over the past year, more Food Culture products have found their way into homes than ever before. It is a quiet but meaningful reminder that this little corner store continues to play an important role in the health and wellbeing of its community. The vision continues to grow. Food Culture hopes to deepen its relationships with local schools, businesses and community groups, making quality food more accessible while strengthening the connections that make this region so special. To everyone who has supported the journey over the past twelve months—thank you. This next chapter is one of cultivation, connection and growing well, together. 0266801122 • Shop@foodculturebulkfoods.com.au foodculturebulkfoods.com.au @ foodculturebulkfoods 82 Rajah Rd, Ocean Shores Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm

August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 33

Mungo from the Bardo Soapbox www.echo.net.au/soap-box

Crossword by Mungo MacCallum 1

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#21

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Hold a person to your ear and hear the sound of what they see

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Cryptic Clues

Quick Clues

ACROSS

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1. Lack of constraint at the Tropic of Cancer, perhaps (8) 5. Remains from ancient Roman middle of the month (6) 9. Gulf of Virginia’s south in Indian (8) 10. Wash a shirt in Reckitt’s (6) 12. Great reversal for us with each failure in fossil fuel (13) 15. Poison vine covers alternative banned import (5) 16. Plundering, one state follows irrational traitor (9) 17. Hybrid calf slaughtered in a hurry (4-5) 19. Unemotional type, one found in backward resting places (5) 20. Old wrong charges about leading standover men (13) 22. Thousand consumed gold dessert (6) 23. Look after pheasant, perhaps – what you’re doing now! (4,4) 25. Excessively bright. Like a fish (6) 26. Prepares mentally – we hear Bill higher! (6,2)

DOWN

1. Parallel defining north-south position (8) 5. Dwells, stays (6) 9. Chasm, huge crack (8) 10. Wash, especially for religious purposes (6) 12. Gigantic, enormous (13) 15. Elephant’s tusk (5) 16. Like a sea robber (9) 17. Of mixed blood (4-5) 19. Adherent of Zeno’s philosophy (5) 20. Blackmailers, those running a protection racket (13) 22. French cake (6) 23. Puzzle, riddle (4,4) 25. Vulgarly bright (6) 26. Gives a pep talk, like a coach before a game (6,2)

DOWN

1. Tradesmen concerned with security devices (10) 2. Definite article (3) 3. Platform for delivering cups of Earl Grey (3,4) 4. Perturbation, loss of self possession (12) 6. Look after infants (4,3) 7. Treacherously change course of action (11) 8. Sow, impregnate (4) 11. Middle classes, from the French (12) 13. The song says one-eyed, onehorned, flying and purple (6,5) 14. Sable merino (5,5) 18. Pirate’s sword (7) 19. Relating to church council (7) 21. In a state of eager desire (4) 24. American bottom (3)

1. A thousand Blairs rise in Scottish ponds; love laughs at them (10) 2. They lose unknown article (3) 3. Charles follows breast of drinkserver (3,4) 4. Sit around old city after record chant creating some agitation (12) 6. Look after cove around boy with sex appeal (4,3) 7. Betray two roods (11) 8. Grade semen (4) 11. Rogue boss and two individuals make up middle classes (12) 13. Cannibal, purple in old song (6,5) Last week’s solution #20 14. Support about fifty – female P O W E R P L A Y D O S E D record! But there’s one in every L A H E E A O A family (5,5) A I L M E N T L A C O N I C N T T H L T G H 18. Chopper to snub girl (7) K A Z O O A N O N Y M O U S 19. Business agent covers nothing in I R L W L F H the month between new moons (7) C A N T I C L E T A B U H G C Y S G U N 21. A legendary barbaric invader is on R O M E R E P U L S E D tenterhooks (4) I A D S A N T 24. Carrier of burdens, a ship (3) S A T I R I C A L D I R G E T I

■ Crossword circa 2008

STARS BY LILITH Expressive Mercury, genial Jupiter, radiant Sun and creative new moon all in the entertaining sign of the Lion make this the year’s most unapologetically leonine week…

LEO THE LION

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Mandy Nolan

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eople are better than podcasts. And you don’t have to download them. It’s ironic that we have developed a love for the recorded dialogues of people – yet avoid the real thing. Possibly because it involves human engagement, and humans are, as we know, unpredictable, messy, and confronting. I love talking to people. Finding the story of ordinary people has taught me not to judge anyone. Everyone is exceptional. You just don’t know it yet. Don’t underestimate the person in front of you. Or beside you on the plane. The only boring people on this planet are the ones who don’t listen. To open your heart, you first have to open your ears and receive. Trust me – it’s worth it. The first step in radical connection is to listen. I encourage you to practise. It means asking questions. It means trusting that whatever a person says you are able to respond. It requires you to be truly engaged. To be present. And if you are, the universe will deliver. If you’ve never had the experience of finding the gold in conversation – then I have one piece of advice: stop talking. I love people. I love their stories. I’m literally addicted to finding out who people are, what has happened to them, what they have endured, what they care about. Everytime I feel poisoned by the vitriol and hatred of a Facebook comments section. I remind myself how beautiful people truly are. Like Colin, an older man I sat next to on the plane from Longreach, he told me he’d been the fifth Bee Gee but now lived in Maleny with a parrot. Turned out I knew his ex-wife, who he spoke of with extraordinary love and fondness. And Narelle who I met yesterday. She had worked in David Jones in Sydney in the 1950s. I asked ‘Was it

Illustration: thinkblinkdesign.com

To open

your heart, you first have to open your ears and receive. Trust me – it’s worth it. ‘like Ladies in Black on the ABC?’ ‘No’ she said. ‘Better.’ She was in her mid80s. She told me she never went out. She kept to herself. She told me the story of her first marriage to a man who had mistreated her – who she left, and returned to her home town as a single mum at a time when there was no financial support. Her glorious life at DJ’s had come to an end. And Paula and Des who married at 15 and 16 respectively. Des had been an Australian roller-skating champion. Paula met him on the rink. They laughed, and she affectionately called him an ‘eight wheeler’ – which referred to his roller skating not his bedroom

prowess! He’d never made the transition to roller blades. Des was the bloke in tight jeans, his legs scissoring backwards in the speed section. Paula was smitten. Their love endured. Des had survived prostate cancer, was hard of hearing, but he could still skate. Paula told me they’d been together 52 years. They married so young because she was pregnant and when she delivered her daughter she was made to sign adoption papers. Paula and Des got married and they claimed their child. Paula told me that she had lived a life in those days of constantly being judged. It had taught her never to judge another person. I met these people in a cafe having my coffee. I had decided not to get my phone out. Because when you do, you miss out. Stop scrolling, and start listening. There’s a live podcast waiting for you.

■ 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.

ARIES: Remember trailblazers, that with leadership comes responsibility, because Saturn presently retrograde in your sign wants you thinking about the legacy you’re building. With Aries’ main planet Mars moving into your home zone this week, stuck domestic situationships finally get a welcome surge of forward momentum.

CANCER: If you’ve been holding back on something, this week supports your moving forward, especially at 13 August confidenceboosting new moon. As Mars marching into Cancer’s home zone swings household energetics from mild to wild and back again, respecting that everyone needs breathing room can minimise flare-ups.

LIBRA: Venus, heavens be blessed, is currently residing in your gracious sign so this week’s bossy, demanding drama queens can benefit from your Venus-in-Libra superpower, the art of compromise, to restore fairness, soothe edgy interactions and apply a modicum of equilibrium to eye-rollingly outrageous behaviour.

CAPRICORN: Your planet ruler Saturn, currently busy reinventing the life of Capricorn, isn’t likely to be impressed by this week’s dramatic theatrics, rewarding instead a focus on patience and streamlined structures. This cycle is really all about what Capricorns do best: skipping the shortcuts and playing the long game.

TAURUS: The Chiron retrograde cycle under way in Taurus is known to stir up issues around money, stability and security. Good news? Resolution is possible, not by hoarding resources but through extending support. Whether that’s donating money, goods, time, advice or skill-sharing, generosity is your best medicine.

LEO: This week offers gold-star energy for showcasing what you’re proud of and letting your natural brilliance shine. With articulate Mercury sashaying down the astral catwalk to join the Sun, Jupiter and new moon solar eclipse to make four planets in Leo, charisma is currency, so spend it like the star you are.

SCORPIO: There’s always a noticeable uptick in the general populace making more of a fuss about getting noticed when planets are in Leo. As the nodal axis prepares to call time-out on grandstanding and ego-driven theatrics, this week’s Scorpionic sweet spot will be organising and presiding over group enterprises.

AQUARIUS: The North Node is about to move into Aquarius, joining Pluto in your visionary sign to support your advocating for people power, community and egalitarian forms of leadership. The coming 18 months will see many new beginnings open up as totally unexpected opportunities and unforeseen possibilities surface.

GEMINI: As Gemini Bob Dylan prophesied way back, ‘the times they are a- changing’. And creative insights are clamouring to download, so log off whenever you can, because fascinating conversations are waiting for you in the real world. Rather than overanalysing, asking directly what someone means could save hours of spiralling.

VIRGO: A quartet of heavenly bodies in the sign of razzle dazzle, joie de vivre and showmanship comes with the reminder to adopt user-friendly styles of confidence and assurance in personal exchanges. While these come naturally to Virgos, be advised that other star signs may be less skilled in this area.

SAGITTARIUS: A Mercury/Jupiter meetup in the sign of saying it loud and proud makes you your own best publicist this week, but it’s worth noting that your mentor planet Jupiter in this placement doesn’t have an off switch, so keep in mind that real confidence is internal and doesn’t require applause.

PISCES: Leo poet Maria Popova best describes this week’s energetics: What makes life liveable despite the cruelties of chance… are little acts of mercy, of tenderness, the small clear voice rising over the cacophony of the quarrelsome, to insist again and again that the world is beautiful and full of kindness.

34 The Byron Shire Echo April 12, 2026

www.echo.net.au

n e v se

Volume 41 #09 12–18 August, 2026 Editor: Eve Jeffery Editorial/gigs: gigs@echo.net.au Copy deadline: 5pm each Thursday Gig Guide deadline: 5pm each Friday Advertising: adcopy@echo.net.au P: 02 6684 1777 W: echo.net.au/entertainment

t ainmen t r e t n e ays of Seven d

Dice are worth a view

Authentic flamenco in Mullumbimby

Hot on the heels of the announcement of Dice’s second album, I Thought The Altitude Would Make It Worth The View, the four-piece from Perth announce an extensive national tour in support of the album. It’s been said that young people don’t know how to communicate anymore. Dice exists to respond to that idea. Comprising of Ben Hodge, Tom King, Regan Beazley, and Sam Barrett-Lennard, the four-piece makes music for authentic connection. For movement, for feeling, and for being present. These are songs that push you to run outside and be a kid again, to fall in love, dance in your kitchen, take a spontaneous trip with mates, jump into a river, or lie in the grass doing nothing at all. This mission has resonated far beyond their Western Australian roots. Since the 2024 release of their ARIA-charting debut album Midnight Zoo, Dice has transformed from local indie-rock darlings into a high-velocity global export. Following the critical acclaim of their debut, the band spent 2025 cementing their status as a premier live act and evolving their sound with the release of the Wings EP. Now, Dice enters 2026 with their latest single, ‘Cooler’. Recorded at the legendary EastWest Studios in Los

35–43 JONSON ST BYRON BAY 6685 6454 THENORTHERN.COM.AU @thenorthernbyronbay www.echo.net.au

Angeles alongside Grammy-winning producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Strokes, The White Stripes), the track represents a total evolution for the band. It is a blissful, lighter, and euphoric world that bridges the gap between their raw garage-rock energy and a new, sophisticated pop-rock refinement. Dice creates the soundtrack to experiences you’ll feel nostalgic for before they’ve even happened. As they continue to fly at their own altitude, ‘Cooler’ marks the beginning of their most ambitious chapter yet, a year defined by major milestones and a bold new vision that is only just beginning to unfold. Dice Altitude Tour hits Byron Bay from 7pm on Sunday, 23 August at The Northern. Tickets from moshtix.com.au.

Internationally acclaimed flamenco guitarist Paco Lara (Jerez, Spain) joins celebrated flamenco dancer Elena Moro (Seville, Spain) and Australian-Spanish flamenco artist Sebastián Sánchez for Entre Dos Mares, an intimate evening celebrating the passion, rhythm and soul of Andalucía. Meaning Between Two Seas, the performance brings together breathtaking guitar, powerful dance, expressive singing and rhythmic hand percussion, in a moving journey through authentic flamenco. Whether you’re a lifelong flamenco lover or experiencing it for the first time, this performance promises an unforgettable evening of world-class artistry. Guests can also enjoy authentic Spanish paella, freshly prepared on the night by Chef Esteban Sanchez. Friday, 21 August at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall. Tickets are available at events.humanitix.com/entre-dos-mares-flamenco.

THUR 13 AUG

The Swamps 6pm, DJ Oren Selecta 9.15pm Duelling Piano Bar 9pm

FRI 14 AUG

Quest Trio 7pm Kane Muir Trio 10.15pm | Duelling Piano Bar 8pm

SAT 15 AUG

Erin Shay Trio 7pm | DJ Bad Boy Billy 10.15pm Duelling Piano Bar 8pm

SUN 16 AUG

Dan Hannaford 5pm Vinyl Sunday’s ft Sunny Side Up 8.15pm

MON 17 AUG

Jerome Willams 6pm | Duelling Piano Bar 9pm

TUES 18 AUG

Marshall Okell 6pm | Duelling Piano Bar 9pm

WED 19 AUG

Dizzy J 6pm | Duelling Piano Bar 9pm

DUELLING PIANO BAR

August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 35

s ev e n

The Big Voice at Writers Festival The artistic director and creative force behind Big Voice Choirs, Janet Swain, will bring her 40-strong choir to the Byron Writers Festival this weekend for a Sunday afternoon performance.

seven-year-old Miles Phillips, ‘Eastern Rosellas’, which is a love song to our local birds and guaranteed to cheer everyone up a bit.

The concert will feature a diverse repertoire, and an array of special guests, including the legendary Shane Howard.

‘Shane Howard will duet with Benja on three of his songs, including the iconic “Solid Rock”’.

‘We have Gina Ogilvie on guitar and the brilliant Brazilian drummer Marcelo Bonin,’ says Swain.

As the founder/director of the inaugural Festival of the Voice in Brunswick Heads, Swain believes strongly in creating welcoming spaces that allow people to sing boldly, connect with others, and be part of something larger than themselves.

‘Bundjalung singer Benja Roberts will be our soloist – he’s such a powerful and brilliant entertainer and a good friend to Big Voice Choirs.

GROW

Her choir work is backed by a belief in the importance of singing and song for all people, not just trained musicians. She has also prepared professional choirs for artists such as Josh Groban, Delta Goodrem, Mama Kin Spender, and Ash Grunwald.

Join switched-on local operators sponsoring BayFM

The Big Voice Choir will perform at the Byron Writers Festival from 14 to 16 August. For more information, visit byronwritersfestival.com.

‘We’ll be singing the latest hit song on the block by

YOUR BUSINESS BayFM sponsorship is a low-cost, highcred way to reach potential customers in our area. Companies large and small swear by us and stick with us, including • Stone & Wood • Lismore Toyota • Akubra • Santos • Beach Hotel • Birds of Condor • Howl & Moan Records • Byron Bay Denture Clinic Give us a call and we’ll explain how little it takes to build your business with BayFM.

Call BayFM sponsorship on 0431 211 693

36 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

‘I think this is why people love the choir; not only do you make good friends in different parts of the region, but you get to perform amazing uplifting concerts. ‘My work has always been about grassroots community music – bringing all kinds of people from all walks of life together to celebrate.’

Living on the borderline A conversation with prize-winning, influential Indian author Geetanjali Shree is a writing masterclass in and of itself. Shree is coming to Australia for the first time as an awarded author and will speak about her latest book, post-colonial literature and the visibility of women. Shree is the winner of the 2022 International Booker Prize, the first South Asian language writer to do so, and of the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, for her novel, Tomb of Sand (Ret Samadhi) in the original Hindi. When an 80-year-old woman connects with the young Rosie, the story expands in a complex ripple. Known for her innovative use of language and structure, Shree has written five other novels, five collections of short stories and multiple essays, writing and giving talks in both Hindi and English. Her work is translated into many Indian and foreign languages. She is a channeller and rarely has a clear path in her writing process. ‘I usually need a lot of solitude to let things happen, and a trigger to get me going,’ she said. ‘When I started this novel, the image, which really got me going, was that of an elderly woman who has lost her husband recently, and looks ready to leave the world herself, and nothing more left to do here. ‘It’s a very common, ordinary, everyday image in any home, and I’m not surprised that it came to me. It’s all around us, but it stayed with me. ‘She was a kind of feisty woman, and it became very much a story about pluralism, where you know things coexist, so all kinds of things are connected; it’s multicultural, it’s multilingual, and stories are connected, and something very innocuous is happening, has reverberations, which are much deeper and more meaningful than what immediately it looks like.’ Geetanjali Shree will appear at the Byron Writers Festival from 14 to 16 August. For more information, visit byronwritersfestival.com. www.echo.net.au

JULIAN LOUIS

After a sensational sold-out 2022 season, NORPA’s Love for One Night returns to the Eltham Hotel for a strictly limited season under the stars – from a pub in a town of just 332 people, world-class theatre erupts with dialogue, movement, music, live camera projections and a three-piece band. Conceived and directed by NORPA’s Artistic Director Julian Louis, Love for One Night is a series of love stories – 24 characters played by five actors. The stories are drawn from the fabric of the Northern Rivers and brim with warmth, humour and recognition. Seven spoke to Julian during the final week of rehearsals. You haven’t got long to go before ‘curtain up’ – where are you up to with preparation for this run? We’re in full swing in rehearsals at the moment – there’s a movement director with the full cast, and they’re all starting to work through some new choreography. We’re rehearsing at The Joinery [the former Hampton & Larsson timber joinery works in Lismore] which is our new home, and it’s so fabulous to be working in here. I am curious to know how the performers go transposing the space at the joinery to the ‘stage’ in Eltham? Well, we’ve got a full footprint of that huge site – we’ve set up a replica of the Eltham out the front and the whole side of The Joinery – it’s a very large space. So we’re making it as easily translatable to the real site as we can for the actors. It’s really important that they’re learning about their movement blocking and the physical space, the distance between entrances, all of that’s really important. Yes, I think the translation to the live site will be smooth. During the perfomances do you feel like your heart’s beating in front of the audience? Well, there are moments where, because we built it with people, and it’s been such a wonderful collaborative process, that I feel connected to it and connected to those people, all of those people that are performing it and that have helped make it. So there’s always a feeling of anticipation and excitement, and the heart’s racing because I’m so excited for the audience because I know what they’re about to experience.

INTERVIEW

Seven days of entertainment

Read full interview online www.echo.net.au/entertainment

World-class theatre erupts with dialogue, movement, music, live camera projections and a threepiece band. Did you have the Eltham in mind from the start, or did you tailor the show once you found the venue? Tailored it, is the answer. I sat in the pub one day, actually over a couple of beers, and had the thought of what a great location it’d make for a show. I’m the son of a father who spent a good portion of his time in a pub. It was a place that he valued, and had community, and sense of friendships that was always there for him. So I understand the pub environment and what it means to people. I just thought, what a special place, and what a great thing that Matt and Luke from the Eltham are doing, and all the team there. And I was just inspired by it. Are you having enough fun? I’m having the best time, Eve. I’m actually thrilled by

everything that’s happening, and when you kind of get the elements right, it’s just a joy to make theatre. It’s not hard. It’s a privilege, and I’m feeling that every day right now. Feeling the love. I’m so happy. Feeling a lot of love. For people who may have already seen the show, what do you think is attractive for them? There’s more understanding of the power in the show. There’s more understanding of the of the beauty and the sadness and the emotion of the show, and there’s more understanding of the effects of the movement sequences and the dance. So we’ve been able to really deepen the work, and I feel like people who come again, they’re kind of getting a new show – they’ll go, ‘oh, this is familiar, but that touched me like never before’. It’s a very different experience but it is the same show. There are many of the same words it’s just we’ve had a chance to improve everything. Move mountains to come and see it. I think it’s the most joyous NORPA production of all time. This is a big show.

Love For One Night returns To The Eltham Hotel from 27 August to12 September – more information and tickets can be found at norpa.org.au.

Theatre under the stars, returning for one unforgettable season.

THE STREETON TRiO: WOMEN WHO DARED

A NORPA production at the Eltham Hotel

SATURDAY 29 AUGUST 2PM BOOK NOW byrontheatre.com

69 Jonson Str Byron Bay Ph. (02) 6685 6807

www.echo.net.au

Tickets selling fast!

27 Aug ‒ 12 Sept

Book now → norpa.org.au

August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 37

Seven days of entertainment

GIG GUIDE seven WEDNESDAY 2

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JOSE ■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM JAZZ DADS + BLACK JESUS EXPERIENCE ■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM THE SWAMPS + DJ OREN SELECTA + DUELING PIANO BAR ■ GARDEN BAR, BYRON BAY, 7.30PM TEMPLE OF FIRE ■ FOXY LUU’S @ COORABELL HALL 5.30PM DJ RAHEL ■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM CALLUM CREELMAN ■ BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 7PM NICK CODY ■ SAINT MARIES, BRUNSWICK HEADS, 6PM MONDO HUM JAZZ ENSEMBLE ■ LISMORE CITY BOWLO 7PM THE SUPPER CLUB SOUL BAND ■ TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, 7.30PM JON STEVENS

■ HOWL AND MOAN RECORDS 7PM CHROME CELL TORTURE, LONELY CORPSE, SHROUD ■ BANGALOW HOTEL 7PM FOREST WHITTAKER’S HANGOVER ■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM THE JUNGLE GIANTS ■ WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 3.30PM 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 ISHWARA ■ LENNOX HOTEL 9PM IFFY POP ■ BALLINA RSL 10AM DEAN DOYLE WITH SOPHISTICATION MORNING MELODIES ■ HOTEL LISMORE 5.30PM OLE FALCO + DJ KAZ ■ MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB 6PM WOLFIE ■ THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH, 7.30PM JEFF LANG AND DOM TURNER ■ SALTBAR, KINGSCLIFF, 5.30PM ELEEA ■ CLUB TWEED 7.30PM LIVING IN THE 80S ■ TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, 8PM DAVID CAMPBELL ■ CLUB LENNOX 7PM LILLI SHEEN ■ MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, GOLD COAST, 7PM GAYC/DC ■ TWO MATES BREWIN, SOUTH LISMORE, 7PM MATT HILL, HITCHHIKE THE DAWN AND THE BLACK COCKATOOS ■ COOLANGATTA HOTEL 7PM TVRKS, ZVRA, INSPECTAH / HOUSTY, RUDE AND TETRIZ

FRIDAY 14

SATURDAY 15

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, FLUKES OF SENDINGTON ■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 5PM AMBER ROSE & JACK REEVES + HEIDI KAIRL BAND ■ BYRON THEATRE 9PM BYRON WRITERS FESTIVAL 2026 ■ NORTH BYRON HOTEL 5PM DJ DANI QUAYLE ■ ELEMENTS OF BYRON 5PM KYLE LIONHART ■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 7PM QUEST TRIO + KANE MUIR + DUELING PIANO BAR

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, PAPER LANE ■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 3PM JOSH LEE HAMILTON + JEROME WILLIAMS DUO + DJ MY HAPPY PLACE ■ NORTH BYRON HOTEL 5.30PM DJ AFRODISEA ■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 7PM ERIN SHAY TRIO + DJ BAD BOY BILLY + DUELING PIANO BAR ■ BANGALOW HOTEL 4PM ADAM HARPAZ

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, THE HILLBILLY SKANK ■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM HARRY NICHOLS ■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM J.R. HIGGIN + DUELING PIANO BAR ■ THE PADDOCK PROJECT, MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM CURRY JAM ■ OTTILIES, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM MONDO HUM JAZZ ENSEMBLE ■ ELTHAM HOTEL 5PM IRISH FOLK JAM ■ LISMORE TURF CLUB 6PM NORTHERN RIVERS COMMUNITY GATEWAY GIVING GALA

Some Justice for children

THURSDAY 13

What happens when innocence is broken? When a child speaks up? When a family can’t cope? At 53, Cathy Byrne reported her 1980s sexual abuse by a teacher. She was shocked by the backlash. This ‘urgent’ memoir Some Justice, records family and community conversations that reveal how ‘people often blame the child, especially girls.’ But a child cannot consent. Byrne’s true story suggests Australia’s cultural myths limit the prevention of sexual abuse. ‘Something is terribly wrong with a society that predates its own children and continues to look away.’ In Australia, every fourth child suffers the long-term impacts, and one in ten Australian men have sexually offended against children. Australia is among the world’s worst offenders. Some Justice details the exhausting work of seeking justice. It shows how institutions frustrate survivors. ‘I faced down threats from the insurance lawyers of the NSW Department of Education who delayed, blocked and asked what I was wearing, all those years ago. Their tactics are re-traumatising.’ The abuse happened before mandatory reporting, but even years later, teachers who had looked the other way at the time, still did not help. Despite the difficulties, Byrne’s journey, of courage and compassion, provides insights into how to better support survivors. Bookshop orders can be made at info@ashwoodpublishing.com.au, or available from online retailers from 26 August. PALACE BYRON BAY

SESSION TIMES THURSDAY AUGUST 13 TO WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19

ALL FILMS

MATILDA (PG)

CASE 137 (M) NFT

Mon: 6:30PM – Cult Vault

NIMRODS: A GREEN DAY COMEDY (MA15+) Fri: 8:00PM

SPA WEEKEND (CTC)

Wed: 6:30PM – Sparkling Preview COMING SOON

NOW SHOWING

BALLINA FAIR CINEMAS

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

TONY (CTC)

Fri: 7:00PM – Craft Beer & Cinema

TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA (MA15+)

Thurs, Sat, Sun: 11:00AM, 7:50PM. Thurs, Fri, Sat: 11:00AM, 1:15PM. Fri: 11:30AM. Mon, Tues, Wed: Sun: 11:00AM, 1:15PM, 7:45PM. Mon: 11:00AM, 3:20PM, 7:50PM 11:00AM, 1:15PM, 8:30PM. Tues, Wed: 11:00AM, 1:15PM, 8:20PM THE BLUE TRAIL (M) Daily: 11:15AM (PG)

HOLY DAYS

Thurs, Sat, Sun: 10:50AM, 3:30PM. Fri: 10:50AM, 4:30PM. Mon, Tues, Wed: 10:50AM, 1:30PM

THE END OF OAK STREET (M) NFT

ONE NIGHT ONLY

THE INVITE

(M) NFT

FAMILY FILMS

Daily: 1:50PM, 4:00PM, 6:15PM, 8:30PM

MOANA (PG)

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY (M)

Sat, Sun: 1:15PM. Mon, Tues, Wed: 11:00AM

Daily: 10:45AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM, 4:00PM, 6:00PM, 7:00PM

TOM AND JERRY: FORBIDDEN STOP! THAT! TRAIN! (M) NFT COMPASS (PG) NFT Daily: 10:45AM, 12:50PM

TOY STORY 5

(G)

Daily: 11:00AM

Thurs, Sat, Sun: 1:20PM, 5:45PM. Fri: 2:00PM, 6:00PM. Mon, Tues, Wed: 1:20PM, 3:50PM, 5:45PM

Daily: 1:30PM, 3:45PM, 6:00PM, 8:15PM (MA15+)

Daily except Fri: 3:45PM, 6:00PM, 8:15PM. Fri: 3:45PM, 6:15PM, 8:30PM

THE ODYSSEY (M)

Daily except Fri, Wed: 11:20AM, 2:45PM, 3:50PM, 6:15PM, 7:15PM. Fri, Wed: 11:20AM, 2:45PM, 3:50PM, 7:15PM

YOUNG WASHINGTON (M)

ONE NIGHT ONLY (M) NFT

Daily except Sat, Sun: 10:15AM, 12:30PM, 5:00PM. Sat: 10:10AM, 12:30PM, 5:00PM. Sun: 10:10AM, 12:30PM, 5:20PM

IT’S FREE TO LIST YOUR GIGS IN THE GIG GUIDE e: gigs@echo.net.au w: echo.net.au/gig-guide. DEADLINE 5PM ON FRIDAYS

■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4.30PM LATE FOR WOODSTOCK, GOODRICH & PINK ZINC DUO ■ OCEAN SHORES COUNTRY CLUB 6.30PM CAPTAIN WOW RETRO SHOW ■ WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 3PM 420 SOUND ■ BILLINUDGEL HOTEL 6PM THE SWAMPS ■ LENNOX HOTEL 9PM DJ BEATDUSTA ■ WILLIAMS STREET KITCHEN & BAR, LENNOX HEAD, 5.30PM LUKE YEAMAN ■ CLUB LENNOX 7PM JOE CONROY ■ BALLINA RSL 6PM HARRY NICHOLS ■ CHERRY STREET SPORTS CLUB, BALLINA, 8PM BEN WHITING ■ HOTEL LISMORE 9.30PM CATH SIMES ■ MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB 6PM MERLIN ■ KINGSCLIFF BEACH BOWLS 1PM NATHAN KAYE ■ SALTBAR, KINGSCLIFF, 5.30PM ISAAC FRANKHAM ■ CLUB TWEED 7.30PM OFF THE GRID ■ TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, 7.30PM VIKA AND LINDA ■ MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, GOLD COAST, 7PM STENCHPIT, PYROKINESIS, OVERCOMPENSATOR AND OSMIUM

SUNDAY 16 ■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 4.30PM MADISON KAT ■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 5PM DAN HANNAFORD + VINYL SUNDAYS FT. SUNNY SIDE ■ BANGALOW HOTEL 3PM ALBY DAMN ■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4PM KWASI BRUNI ■ BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 4PM JENNY PARENTEAU ■ MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 3PM OPEN MIC WITH THE SWAMP CATS ■ YELLOW CHURCH, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM OPEN MIC NIGHT ■ BACCO WINE BAR, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM ROD MURRAY

■ BILLINUDGEL HOTEL 1PM JOE CONROY ■ LENNOX HOTEL 4PM MICKA SCENE ■ BALLINA RSL 2.30PM BALLINA BLUES CLUB FEAT T-BAR CRUISERS ■ ELTHAM HOTEL 7PM FRUIT BATS ■ UKI MARKET 8AM TROMBONE KELLY GANG ■ CLUB TWEED 1PM TOMMY MEMPHIS + TOM ROBERTS ■ TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS, 2.30PM THE ROBERTSON BROTHERS ■ MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, GOLD COAST, 12PM PLEASURE TRIGGER, WAVES N WIRES, INDOCILE & GISÈL, 6PM SAINT TROPEZ, JULIAN MUNYARD, ALBII AND MYLES

MONDAY 17 ■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, ADAM HARPAZ ■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM MATT DAY ■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM JEROME WILLIAMS + DUELING PIANOS

TUESDAY 18 ■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, SLIM PICKENS ■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM JOCK BARNES ■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM MARSHALL O’KELL + DUELING PIANOS

WEDNESDAY 19 ■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, DAN HANNAFORD ■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM STELLA ■ BYRON THEATRE 4PM & &.7.30PM THRUST ISSUES THE PLAY ■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM DIZZY J + DUELING PIANOS ■ BANGALOW HOTEL 7PM OPEN MIC WITH SLIM PICKENS ■ THE PADDOCK PROJECT, MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM CURRY JAM ■ OTTILIES, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM MONDO HUM JAZZ ENSEMBLE ■ MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, GOLD COAST, 8PM DZ DEATHRAYS

to post your gig in the Echo Gig Guide

SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY (M)

Daily: 10:00AM, 1:00PM, 4:00PM, 7:00PM

THE END OF OAK STREET (M) NFT Daily except Sun: 2:45PM, 7:10PM. Sun: 3:10PM, 7:30PM

THE ODYSSEY (M)

Daily: 2:50PM, 6:30PM

TOM AND JERRY: FORBIDDEN COMPASS (PG) Daily: 10:00AM

TOY STORY 5 (G)

Daily except Sat, Sun: 12:15PM

Thurs, Fri, Mon: 1:15PM. Tues, Wed: 1:15PM, 5:50PM It will appear in the paper, the online gig guide and on Bay FM

SCAN TO BOOK ONLINE

FOR ALL SESSIONS TO THE NORDIC FILM FESTIVAL, PLEASE VISIT NORDICFILMFESTIVAL.COM.AU

38 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

6686 9600 BALLINA FAIR • 6680 8555 BYRON BAY

email gigs@echo.net.au with the details www.echo.net.au

Classifieds ECHO CLASSIFIEDS – 6684 1777 CLASSIFIED AD BOOKINGS DEADLINE TUES 12PM PHONE ADS

Ads may be taken by phone on 6684 1777

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

AT the Echo HEAD OFFICE

RATES & PAYMENT

Ads can be lodged in person at the Mullum Echo office: Village Way, Stuart St, Mullumbimby

LINE ADS:

$17.00 for the first two lines $5 .00 for each extra line $17 for two lines is the minimum charge.

EMAIL ADS

Display (box ads) and line classifieds, DISPLAY ADS (with a email: classifieds@echo.net.au border): $14 per column centimetre 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.

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PUBLIC NOTICES 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 Lennox, the Lennox pub drive-through, Station St Grocer Lennox *** 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, Community Centre, supermarkets, cafes, servos etc

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION for Three Meadows Pty Ltd is being

undertaken for the following proposal: Use the site at 22 Sunnycrest Lane Bangalow as a temporary function centre for small scale wedding, and events with a maximum capacity of 60 people, for up to 20 events in any 12-month period. *** Community meeting: 18th August @ 6pm. 16 Byron St Bangalow. Further info or feedback office@ threemeadows.com.au Feedback closes 22nd August 2026. No DA has been lodged with BSC.

FUNERAL NOTICES FUNERAL NOTICES

THOMAS JAMES ‘TOM’ WILLIAMS

Aged 72 years Born 2 March 1954 in Mudgee, Tom died unexpectedly in Ocean Shores on 28 July 2026. Father, Father-in-Law and Grandfather of Ken, Ashleigh and Rowland; Lex, Ashleigh and Ophelia; and Father of James and Caitlin. Tom was the dearly-loved younger son of Alan and Josephine Williams, and brother of Nick (deceased); and is survived by his sister Kate and the mother of his children, Jo. *** He was a damned good bloke, loved by many, too numerous to count or mention. *** A service celebrating the Life of Tom will be held graveside in the Mudgee Lawn Cemetery on Monday, 17th August 2026 commencing at 11am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers donations can be made at: www.heartfoundation.org.au/donate *** ESTAUGH & CARROLL Funeral Directors since 1895 Braden Bond – Proprietor Cnr. Horatio and Lawson Streets, Mudgee estaughandcarroll.com.au Ph: 02 6372 2384 - 24 hours

Septic Waste Removal

Summerland Environmental

The Liquid Waste Specialists! • Septic tank cleaning • Grease trap servicing • Oily Liquids • Portable toilet hire • 24 hour service

6687 2880

Late of Mullumbimby.

SEE OUR AD PAGE 3

MOTOR HOMES

TO LET

Passed away 2nd August 2026. Aged 86 years.

LOCAL REMOVAL

Much loved father of Ross and Jenny. Grandfather of Charlotte, Dylan and Nikita. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Barry’s life on Thursday 13th August at 10.30am at the White Dove Chapel, 16 Mogo Place, Billinudgel.

ORAL HEALTH THERAPIST

1967 DIAHATSU MOTORHOME Ph 0481103963

& backloads to Brisbane. Friendly, with 10 years local exp. 0409917646

Furnished room with ensuite to sublet in my home.

TREE SERVICES LEAF IT TO US - Tree Care Specialists Local, qualified, insured, free quotes. Big to small we enjoy it all 0402487213

Mullumbimby town. Share house. Available 1st Sep for three months. Non smoker. Text Jo: 0439 492 804

• Arborist • 15” Wood Chipper • Stump Grinder • Fully Insured

IN MEMORIAM

Byron Bay & Surrounding Areas

6681 3140 Mobile 0417 698 227

DEAR SHEZZY We miss all the wonderful times we shared with you. Your footprint on our lives is always fresh in our memories and close to our hearts. All our love Shane & Liz

Advertisements placed in The Byron Shire Echo do not reflect the views or opinions of the editorial staff. The Byron Shire Echo does not make any representations as to the accuracy or suitability of any content or information contained in advertising material nor does publication constitute in any way an endorsement by The Byron Shire Echo of the content or representations contained therein. The Byron Shire Echo does not accept any liability for the representations or promises made in paid advertisements or for any loss or damage arising from reliance on such content, representations or promises.

TO LEASE STUDIO WITH AMENITIES Upstairs, Billinudgel $402pw Ph Lifestyle Group 66851206

PETS PET SITTER AVAILABLE Kind, confident animal carer available for your four-legged fur baby. References available. Call Pawla on 0415340744

ONLY ADULTS

DISCLAIMER

ROAD CLOSURES

20 years local experience • 19 inch chipper • Stump grinding • Cherry picker • Crane truck • Bob Cat

Fully insured • Free quotes

0427 347 380

POSITIONS VACANT LADIES WANTED, MUST BE 18+ Work available in busy adult parlour. Travellers welcome. 66816038 for details. TAXI DRIVERS WANTED Flexible work hours – perfect 2nd income Email operations@byronbaytaxis.com

GARAGE SALES

MOVING SALE

BROKEN HEAD: 65 Armstrong Lane Furniture, household wares, rugs, surfboards and more. Sat 9am-1pm

HEALTH

KINESIOLOGY

PROPOSED ROAD CLOSING UNDER SECTION 38B ROADS ACT 1993 Clear subconscious sabotages. Reprogram patterns and beliefs. In pursuance of the provisions of the Roads Act 1993, notice is Restore vibrancy and hereby given that Byron Shire Council proposes to close the physical health. De-stress. following Council public road listed in Schedule 1. 0403125506 SANDRA DAVEY, Reg. Pract. Schedule 1: • Part of St Helena Road, McLeods Shoot adjoining Lot 1 DP441480 Upon closure of the road, the land will vest in Council as Simple and effective solutions. Operational Land. Anxiety, Cravings, Fears & Trauma. Maureen Bracken 0402205352 All interested persons are hereby invited to make submissions concerning the proposal to the General Manager Mark Arnold, HAWAIIAN MASSAGE Byron Shire Council, PO Box 219 Mullumbimby NSW 2482, Ocean Shores, Michaela, 0416332886 within twenty-eight days of the date of this advertisement. Please note that under the provisions of the Government Body Based Somatic Pr Information (Public Access) Act 2009, such submissions may be actice Body Base d Psychoth referred to third-parties for consideration. erapy Somatic Practice Julie Wells Once the submission period is completed, Byron Shire Council Dip. Som. ch. will consider all duly made submissions before deciding Clinical PAPsy CF A Reg.Julie Wells Individual whether to continue with the road closure proposal. and Couple Therapy Supervision and CoAnne Goslett aching Council Ref: #E2026/87789 Facilitations (nee Mannix) Pty. Ltd. Ph Enquiries: Tracy Armstrong : 02 6685 5185 Dip.Som.Psych, Clinical PACFA Reg. Telephone: 02 6626 7000 Mobile: 04 01 277 68 Individual and Couple Therapy 8 This document will be available on Council’s website at Supervision and Coaching www.byron.nsw.gov.au/Public-Notice. (02) 6685 5185 Submissions Close: Friday September 18, 2026 9 Fletcher St, Byron Bay

HYPNOSIS & EFT

Psychotherapy

www.echo.net.au

Barry Lloyd Butcher

TRADEWORK

Need proper erotic relaxation? TANTRIC MASSAGE Men, Women, Couples. Ph 0480779325 couplesempowerment.global BALLINA EXCLUSIVE 34 Piper Dr. Open 7 days 10am till late. In & Out Calls. 66816038. Ladies wanted Find us on Facebook and Twitter! KRYSTAL ADULT SHOP Large variety of toys and lingerie 6/6 Tasman Way, A&I Est, Byron Bay 0416 899 048

SOCIAL ESCORTS LOTS OF GORGEOUS LADIES available for your pleasure nearby. Spoil yourself. In-house & outcalls. 7 days. 0266816038.

Supporting humans of all ages to thrive. Stress, sleep, learning, behaviour, posture, muscles, healthy emotions, trauma release & more...

0413 003 301

www.katemessengerkinesiology.com.au

GARAGE SALES

Tip Runs & Rubbish Removal 0408 210 772 WANTED TREE FERNS Any shape, size. Royalties paid. Ongoing supply needed. 0414904396 LP RECORDS: good condition, no op shop crap! Matt 0401955052

WORK WANTED WORDPRESS WEBSITE CREATION Fair rates info@wordpressit.com.au

NURSERY TEAM LEADER Casual 3 days per week Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (22 Hours). Salary packaging available. Work with a dynamic team that has a positive impact on clients and communities.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA: Cert III in Horticulture or higher For the full list of selection criteria and how to apply go to: www.byronherbs.com.au/jobs Applications close 9am Monday 31 August. August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 39

Service Directory

North Coast news online

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

AUTOMOTIVE

WE PAY FOR

UNWANTED CARS $50–$1500

6684 5296

Free metal drop off Locally owned

ABSOLUTELY FREE CAR BODY REMOVAL CASH ON THE SPOT GUARANTEE

$50 – $1000

SERVICE DIRECTORY INDEX

BUSH REGENERATION & WEED CONTROL

reforestnow.org.au

Bush Regen Tree Planting Native Forest Nursery Weed Management 0461 164 911 enquiry@reforestnow.org.au

THE GREEN WAVE: native reforestation and weed management........................ (John) 0491 117656

CARPENTRY & JOINERY LOCAL CARPENTER small, medium or large jobs. Lic 207899c................................Ph 0431 048856 ALL CARPENTRY Doors & stairs, all repairs. Reliable. 20 years exp...............................0437 202050

WE BUY UNWANTED CARS, UTES & VANS

PHONE 0466 113 333 24/7

BYRON BAY CARPENTRY & CONSTR. Decks, kitchen, bath, laundry. Lic 337421c........0432 549082

EMAIL: enquires@adrians.com.au

PARRY’S CARPENTRY - Decks, Pergolas, Repairs, Renovations. Licence 491263C. ..Ph 0478 429767 Accountants & Bookkeepers.40 Hypnotherapy..................... 41 Acupuncture....................... 40 Landscaping ....................... 41 BARBER SHOPS CLEANING Air Conditioning & Locksmith........................... 41 Refrigeration...................... 40 Painting.............................. 41 PENSIONERS/KIDS FROM $25 – ADULTS FROM $30: 6 Brunswick Tce Mullum......0421 679015 Services List Locally owned and Operated Architects........................... 40 Pest Control........................ 41 (Low Pressure Softwashing) Residential and Commercial BLINDS, AWNINGS, CURTAINS, SHUTTERS Automotive......................... 40 Houses, Gutters, Roofs, Awnings, No job too big or small Photography....................... 41 Solar panels, Retaining walls Obligation free quote Barber Shops...................... 40 Physiotherapy..................... 42 Driveways, Paths, Pavers, Fully insured Blinds, Awnings, Curtains, Fences, Decks, Patios, Picture Framing.................. 42 LOCAL SHOWCASE DEALER SHOWROOM Shutters.............................. 40 AQUA PRESSURE CLEANING SUNSCREENSPool areas. LOCAL SHOWCASE DEALER SHOWROOM SUNSCREENS Bricklaying.......................... 40 Plastering........................... 42 BLINDS SHUTTERS AWNINGS CURTAINS 0426 119 550 info@nraquapressurecleaning.com.au ABN: 47576013867 Building Trades................... 40 Plumbers............................ 42 Removalists........................ 42 LOCAL SHOWCASE DEALER SHOWROOM Bush Regeneration & Weed SUNSCREENS LOCAL SHOWCASE DEALER SHOWROOM HOT WATER SUNSCREENS Control............................... 40 Rendering........................... 42 CURTAINS LOCAL SHOWCASE DEALER SHOWROOM CURTAINS 1/84 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay PRESSURE CLEANING Carpentry & Joinery............ 40 Roofing............................... 42 1/84 Centennial Circuit Byron Bay SUNSCREENS Cleaning............................. 40 Rubbish Removal................ 42 LOCAL SHOWCASE DEALER SHOWROOM CURTAINS SUNSCREENS Bay Computer Services.............. 40 Self Storage........................ 42 F1/84 REECentennial MEASUCircuit RE QByron UOTE PLANTATION SHUTTERS mpSlU etR eE raQ ng fE FoRnEoEurMcEoA UeOoT Concreting & Paving............ 40 Septic Systems.................... 42 PLANTATION SHUTTERSROOF CLEANING & PAINTING • DECK RESTORATION interior & exterior o n o u r c o m p l e t e r a n g e o f CURTAINS Fw RiEnE QtUsOTE Decks, Patios & Extensions... 40 Solar Installation................ 42 doM wEtArSeU atRmEen PLANTATION SHUTTERS 1/84 Circuit Byron Bay 0455 573 554 in rmCentennial &pleex terr iogr o n toeur rio co te an e of CURTAINS Design & Drafting............... 41 Television Services.............. 42 CURTAINS AWNINGS i n t e r i o r & e x t e r i o r Call or scan today FCRTEAM.AU w i n d o w t r e a t m e n t s 1/84 Centennial Byron Bay 1/84 Centennial Circuit Circuit Byron Bay www.blinddesignbyronbay.com.au window treatments ROLL BLINDS Driveway Maintenance........ 41 Tiling.................................. 42 SPECIALISTS IN HOME AUTOMATION AWNINGS BETTY’S CLEANING & HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES............................................... Text 0476 984649 AWNINGS Earthmoving & Excavation.. 41 Tree Services....................... 42 www.blinddesignbyronbay.com.au www.blinddesignbyronbay.com.au ROLL ROLL BLINDSBLINDS ATS UOTE SHUTTERS PLANTATION PRESSURE WASH IT WASHING !!! .................................................... Text YOKO 0475040733 FREE MF ER ASE UE REM QE UO EURE QPLANTATION SHUTTERS Electricians......................... 41 Transportation Services....... 42 o n o u r c o m p l e t e r a n g e o f oE no rO cT om e of FREE MEASUR QuU Eplete rang CLEAN AND GREEN BYRON residential cleaning. All areas..................................... 0494823880 PLANTATION SHUTTERS Fencing............................... 41 rior & exterBRICKLAYING ior Upholstery.......................... 42ur compinlteet i n t e r i o r & e x t e r i o r o n o e r a n g e o f window treatments Floor Sanding & Polishing... 41 Valuers............................... 42 nr dow treatments COMPUTER SERVICES interior & extew riio AWNINGS Garden & Property www.blinddesignbyronbay.com.au Veterinary Surgeons............ 42 w i n d o w t r e a t m e n t s ROLL BLINDS SPECIALISTS IN HOM E AUTOM ATION AWNINGS Maintenance....................... 41 Water Filters....................... 42 www.blinddesignbyronbay.com.au SPECIALISTS IN HOM E AUTOM ATION Gas Fitters, Suppliers & AWNINGS ROLL BLINDS One-on-one, patient, experienced 42 • 20 years’ experience in lintel replacement www.blinddesignbyronbay.com.au Servicing............................ 41 Web Design Services........... teacher offering digital support for ROLL BLINDS • Crack stitching installation • Repointing Guttering............................ 41 Welding.............................. 42 • Retaining walls and all damaged brickwork seniors needing help with phones, Handypersons..................... 41 Window Cleaning & Repairs.42 Call: 0403 141 760 • Email: wallfixremedial@gmail.com laptops and computers. www.wallfixremedial.com.au Health................................ 41 Window Tinting.................. 42 Servicing the Northern Rivers

80 8862 66668 0 8862 6680 8862

SPECIALISTS IN HOME AUTOMATION

6 6 860 8862 6 6 8 0 8 8 2 6680 8862

Fr quote

SPECIALISTS IN HOM E AUTOM ATION

SPECIALISTS IN HOME AUTOMATION

WALLFIX

REMEDIAL

Lic no. 292267C Master Builder No. 3029326

ACCOUNTANTS & BOOKKEEPERS

BRICK/BLOCK LAYING Contractors. Lic 291958C. Phone Mark.........................................0409 444268

BYRON BOOKKEEPING BAS, Payroll, AR/AP, Xero, QB, MYOB.......................................0415 639548

BUILDING TRADES

BLOOMING BOOKKEEPING and BAS Agent................................................... Ph Leah 0434 121077

ACUPUNCTURE ACUPUNCTURE CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE M Collis..............................................0490 022183

AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION Mullumbimby Refrigeration & Airconditioning Services

45 Manns Road, Mullumbimby Lic: 299433C ARC: AU40492

– Sales – Installation – Repairs – All Commercial Refrigeration – Residential & Commercial Airconditioning – Coolroom Design & Construction – Freezer Rooms

6684 2783

COOLMAN AIR CONDITIONING 36+ years exp. Lic 178464C AU30147.......................0422 291433 ARTISAN AIR Airconditioning and refrigeration. ...............................................................66809394 SKIP AIR: Airconditioning installation, servicing, repairs. Free quotes. 5-star rated......0406 485187

ARCHITECTS

FLASH COMPUTERS Mac/PC repairs, sales, call-outs 77 Stuart St, Mullumbimby.........02 66844124

• DEPT OF FAIR TRADING: A licence is required for all residential building work where the reasonable THE COMPUTER THERAPIST home callouts, repairs, Wi-Fi, printers, new PC setup......0422 697586 market cost of the work to be done (labour and materials) exceeds $5000 (including GST).

B&B Timbers 66867911

110 Teven Road, Ballina New logo - Same quality & service Structural – Landscaping Fencing – Composite Decking Hardwood – Pine – Hardware sales@bbtimbers.com.au

www.bbtimbers.com.au

BUILDER – JOHN MCGAURAN Personalised Service. 20 yrs exp. Lic 170208C........... 0415 793242 HAVEN BUILDING All aspects of building. Lic 326616C................................................0432 565060 FABRICA JOINERY Quality kitchens/timber doors/windows. Lic 244652C..........................66808162 CARPENTER / JOINER 30 years experience. Prompt efficient service. Fully insured. Other licensed trades avail, incl plastering/painting etc. 24/7 Emergency 4WD call-out avail. Lic 43794C.........0423 500693 BUILDER Extensions, maintenance, new homes, insurance, landscaping Lic19953Q........ 0403 458177 SEA LION BUILDERS: All Building Works / Maintenance Lic #243734C.....................Ph 0407 351720

CONCRETING & PAVING

SALISBURY

CONCRETING DARYL 0418 234 302 Over 30 yrs’ local experience. All forms of concreting. Residential • Civil • Industrial

Lic.136717c

BOOKKEEPER Reg BAS provider, payroll, A/P, A/R. Xero & MYOB. Local, reliable..........0410 206627

Phone or email: 0420 235 624 contact@thinkblinkdesign.com

SHAKA CONCRETING Driveways, sheds, slabs, p/ways, patios. Insured & Lic#391742C.....0402 728207 MIRO HALFORD BUILDING DESIGN mirohalforddesign.com.......................................0402 613638

DECKS, PATIOS & EXTENSIONS BYRON BAY FLOOR SANDING by Chris Wallace. Quality assured. Best prices................0408 536565

VIDLER BUILT decks, extensions, bathrooms, kitchens, timber fencing Lic 304237c........0413 502281 DECK REFINISHING EVANS HEAD Customer satisfaction guaranteed..........................0413 786879

OCEANARC ARCHITECTS Reg. 6042 www.oceanarc.com.au..........................................0412 251392 BUILDER very exp. All aspects: comm/residential + bthrm/ktchn renos Lic348357c.......0483 279644 FCR DECK SANDING, OILING Local, 12 years exp. 190x5-star reviews. Free quotes ... 0419 789600

40 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

www.echo.net.au

Service Directory DESIGN & DRAFTING

FENCING

HEALTH

MIRO HALFORD BUILDING DESIGN mirohalforddesign.com.......................................0402 613638 BYRON & BEYOND FENCING. Any fence, any time, prompt quotes......0439 162 069 or 66802393 ACUPUNCTURE & COSMETIC MEDICINE Dr Adam Osborne............................................66857366 EDL FENCING Installations & repairs. Prompt service. ...................................................0432 107262 MULLUMBIMBY HERBALS Naturopathic and herbal dispensary, consultations...............66843002 HOLM STUDIO architectural drafting & planning services. holmstudio.com.au............0488 216555 FLOW FENCING Pool fencing, timber/colourbond, local, professional and reliable........0416 424256 AYURVEDA, NATUROPATH, Herbs, Jacinta McEwen – Om Healing...............................0422 387370 LIGHT SPACE DESIGN Interiors + building design. lightspacedesign.com.au...............0421 276996 TOM’S FARM MAINTENANCE Fencing, orchards, cattle work. Experienced & reliable..0412 860132

DRIVEWAY MAINTENANCE

ALL ASPECTS OF ASPHALT & BITUMEN SERVICES

oast Asph alt st C Ea

6677 1859

admin@ecasphalt.com.au

HYPNOTHERAPY

FLOOR SANDING & POLISHING

THE FLOOR SANDER New & old floors, decks, non-toxic finishes, special effects, free quotes..0407 821690 MOONLIGHT HYPNOTHERAPY QHHT, RTT for clarity, healing, insight, purpose. Teresa.0422 179941

LANDSCAPING

GARDEN & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

SERVICING THE EAST COAST OF THE NSW NORTHERN RIVERS Burringbar

Swim Ponds, Landscaping, Water Features, Earth Moving

MC2 RURAL Earthmoving, mulching, camphor/weeds, property maintenance............ 0427 900701

EARTHMOVING & EXCAVATION

0448 401 638

TINY EARTHWOR

MULLUM.MOWING@gmail.com. Ride-on, large lawns & acreage. Ph Peter.................0423 756394 GUTTERS CLEANED Solar panel cleaning, all areas, free quotes, fully insured..66841778 or 0405 922839 A-Z Garden maintenance, acreage, gutters, rubbish removal, tip runs, top jobs...................0405 625697

Philip Toovey

0409 799 909 various implements available for limited access projects

LEAF IT TO US Tree care specialists & acreage mowing...................................................0402 487213 TIP RUNS & RUBBISH REMOVALS 4m3 trailer..............................................................0408 210772 RICK’S PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Mowing, brushcutting, gardening, hedging..........0424 805660 GREEN DINGO for all your mowing and gardening needs. Ph Michael..........................0497 842442 BLADE RUNNER ACREAGE MOWING Local, reliable.....................................................0428 856687 BRUSH–CUTTING Whipersnip, clearing saw, light chain saw.................................Rob 0455 587425

Landscaping, Vegetation Control & Earthworks

• General Landscaping • Vegetation Control • Excavations & Civil Residential

Call Paul 0403 316 711 gracewoodlandscapes.com.au Lic 474317C

NORTHERN RIVERS SLASHING & LANDCARE.......................................... Call Keni on 0417 509299

CONSCIOUS EARTHWORKS

• DRAINAGE DESIGN • DRIVEWAYS • PADS • WATERWAYS • ALL ASPECTS OF EARTHMOVING Phone Zac: 0468 344 939 www.360earth.com.au Drainage Consultation & Installation

5T Excavator & Skidsteer

Landscaping Install & Supply

8 Tonne Tipper

Retaining & Rockwalls

Attachments:

Bulk & Green Waste Removal

Rock Grabber, Auger

All Earthworks Requirements

350/450, Compactor

GW MOWING Ride-on /acreage. Tip runs...............................................Call George on 0408 244820 GROWING WELL gardens residential lawns, hedging and design. 20 years experience ..0413 459545 THE GREEN WAVE: Eco property and garden care ............................................... (John) 0491 117656 COAST & COUNTRY Acreage mowing, prop. maintenance, prof. reliable service.... Mike 0413 812582

GAS FITTERS, SUPPLIERS & SERVICING Free Delivery No Rental Reliable

LEMONTREELANDSCAPES.COM.AU Liam. Lic 277154C...............................................0423 700853

LOCKSMITH Brendan Duggan Locksmith. Automotive car keys and lock installation/repair........0412 764148

BEN - 0499 985 555 License 479630C. Fully Insured.

PAINTING

www.brunswickvalleygas.com • 0408 760 609

NORTHERN RIVERS TRENCHING 65hp chain trencher, excavator, cable locating & tpr..0402 716857 ANDREW FLANAGAN CONCRETING & EXCAVATION Lic 310498C................................0401 968173

ELECTRICIANS

0439 624 945 AH 02 6680 4173 DOMESTIC ALL JOBS: SMALL COMMERCIAL OR LARGE 24 HOUR SERVICE Lic: 154293c

E4 Electrical Services Electrical Services for Byron Shire • Commercial/Industrial & Domestic • Power, Lighting, Networks & Starlink • Security & Home Automation Solutions

jphipps@e4electrical.com.au

0410 502 060

Reliable & Responsive | All Size Jobs | # 116612C

Locally Owned No Rental Fees Servicing your area Free Call: 1300 727 013 Email: swapabottle@bigpond.com

Professional Painter/Decorator •30+ Years Experience •Interior & Exterior •Reasonable Prices 0451 298 363

splosh painting/decorating

HOUSEHOLD PAINTING inside/out. Northern Rivers - 10 years exp..............................0488 278220

GUTTERING

PEST CONTROL ✔ Gutter guard ✔ Gutter cleaning ✔ Locally owned ✔ Fully insured ✔ Free quotes

Call Junior for friendly, genuine advice and service.

www.spotlessgutters.com.au

0405 922 839 or AH 6684 1778 ABN 94 239 089 086

Book our Termite Inspection & Pest Control package this winter and receive 10% off. Protect your home and save money with this limitedtime offer! Contact us today to schedule your appointment. Phone 02 6685 4490 • Email: service@sanctuarypest.com.au

HANDYPERSONS HANDY ANDY Carpentry, plastering, welding.......................................... 66884324 or 0476 600956 AWESOME REPAIRS Professional, commercial & domestic. Wayne................................0423 218417

BRUNSWICK BYRON PEST CONTROL.................................................................................66842018

PHOTOGRAPHY

ABSOLUTE HANDYMAN Repairs, renovation, maintenance, painting. Call Mark..........0402 281638 A HANDY GUY All trades & small construction. Bruns, Ocean, SGB & Mullum................0411 858201 PFM HANDYWORKS Repairs, pressure cleaning, maintenance.......................Call Aari 0484 729139 HOME MAINTENANCE Carpentry, painting, repairs, gardens, jet washing. Insured......0434 705506 HIGHPOINT Repairs & handyman services. Painting, plastering & tiling......... Michael 0421 896796 JP ELECTRICAL All electrical. Level 2 ASP. Solar, data, TV, TV Antennas. Lic 133082C.....0432 289705 BEN FORSYTH, Electrician. Lic:240691C. Ocean Shores & surrounds. No job too small....0422 136408 JIM LABELLE ELECTRICAL O.Shores, Mullum, Byron, Bruns. Lic 176417C........................0415 126028 ATLEE ELECTRICAL Lennox/Ballina/Byron. All jobs Lic125138C........................................0499 456558 TOPAZ ELECTRICAL. All electrical work. Reliable. Lic No. 461605C............................. Ph 0421 707380

www.echo.net.au

ALL CARPENTRY Doors & stairs, all repairs. Friendly, reliable. 20 years exp...................0437 202050 AW WOODWORK Furniture, kitchens, carpentry, handyman services. Call Adam.........0455 813965 HANDYMAN 40 years experience in the building game. Call Paul..................................0422 017072 ALL ASPECTS handyman and maintenance work. Free quotes......................................0413 289443

Tree Faerie Fotos Professional • Commercial • Personal 30+ years experience in commercial photography and photojournalism

www.treefaeriefotos.com • 0417 427 518 August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 41

PHYSIOTHERAPY OCEAN SHORES PHYSIOTHERAPY Manual therapies, dry needling, custom orthotics, shock wave therapy, real time ultrasound. Nigel Pitman......................................................66803499 EWINGSDALE PHYSIO Matrix Therapy, all ages, massage, home visit. Renata..............0437 647137 PELVIC FLOOR PHYSIOTHERAPY Bangalow Mon & Wed. Lisa Fitzpatrick.....................0422 993141

PICTURE FRAMING MULLUM PICTURE FRAMERS Studio located in Ocean Shores...................................0403 734791

BLUE SKY ROOFING NSW Roof repairs Replacements

Gutters Downpipes

0450 659 114

Lic No. 304784C

PLASTERING

ALL AREAS OF THE NORTHERN RIVERS & SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

0401 208 797

RUBBISH REMOVAL

PLASTERER, TRADE QUALIFIED repairs, renovations, cornices, quality assured. .Kurt 0431 015414 CAPE BYRON PLASTERING. Gyprock/Venetian. 27 yrs exp, free quotes, lic + insured.. 0402 538155 PLASTERING cornices, partition walls, water damage repairs etc Guaranteed quality. 0413 338203

PLUMBERS

Ben The Plumber

Servicing Mullumbimby, Ocean Shores, Brunswick Heads, Byron Bay & Surrounds 30 years’ experience Lic: 321191C

TIP RUNS & RUBBISH REMOVAL 4m3 trailer.................................................................0408 210772

Byron Bay & Beyond

TIP RUNS & RUBBISH REMOVAL 7m3 trailer. Prompt, reliable service.........................0413 289443

SELF STORAGE BYRON BAY SELF STORAGE................................................................................................66858349

SEPTIC SYSTEMS TRINE SOLUTIONS Local sewerage specialists. Plumbers, drainers & gas fitters. Lic 138031C.. 0407 439805

Taking on work NOW! 0427 528 108 | benwilton74@icloud.com

Martino TREE SERVICES

OCEAN SHORES SKIPS Mini skip specialists .......................................... 0412 161564 or 66841232

BYRON SHIRE Rubbish and furniture removals. ................................................. 0415 139308

SOLAR INSTALLATION Serving Northern NSW since 1998

 CCTV camera and locators

• Professional Tree Removal, Surgery & Maintenance • Stump Grinding • Weed Control • Arborist Reporting & Consultancy • EWP Cherry Picker Hire • Mulching of Green Waste • 24 Hour Emergency Call-Out • Professional, Reliable Service

0435 019 524

TREE CARE SPECIALISTS • Local • Reliable • Insured

• 4×4 truck with 19” chipper • Qualified local arborists • 120 ★★★★★ Google reviews

0402 487 213

leafittous.com.au • kascha@leafittous.com.au

 High pressure jet rodder  Electric eel Drain clearing, inspections and repairs. Reliable family owned and operated local business with 30 years plumbing experience and the latest technology.

Phone James 0429 888 683

17 Years Experience as an Arborist Experienced crew ready to go.

 1.7t and 3m tipper truck

Your local, qualified team

 Blocked drain specialist

Specialists in standalone and grid interact system designs

 12 month guarantee on most jobs

0428 320 262 sunbeamsolar.com.au team@sunbeamsolar.com.au

Free Quotes |Insured |Amenity Tree Pruning Removals |Chipping |Block Clearing Council DA Assistance if required

TELEVISION SERVICES

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MARK STRATTON All plumbing & emergency. Sewer drain camera/locator. Lic 57803C.....0419 019035 BRAD EVELEIGH PLUMBING based in Ocean Shores, no job too small. Lic 257153C.........0438 140075 DAVE SPARKES Plumber Byron based, call out $110 incl. first hour. Lic209669C..............0418 167074

DIGITAL ELECTRONICS REPAIR & SERVICE TV. Audio. Antennas........... 66843575 or 0414 922786 INSTALL SERVICE: TV, Wi-Fi, AV, special pensioner/concession rate. ............ Damian 0414 741233

REMOVALISTS

TILING

SHIRE REMOVALS & FREIGHT CO WALL & FLOOR TILER/WATERPROOFER/STONEMASON Lic 24418C. ............Ph Karl 0439 232434 From Middle Pocket to Middle Earth Just give us a ring

AJ’s TILING all aspects. Bathrooms, kitchens, walls, floors, waterproofing. Lic 239988C...0416 345202

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

0409 917 646

LEAPFROG REMOVALS BYRON BAY’S LOCAL REMOVALIST MOVING THE SHIRE FOR OVER 10 YEARS

0432 334 200 02 6680 8170

BYRON BUS Co-

BYRON TREE SERVICES AQF Level 5 consulting arborist, insured....................... Call Alex 0402 364852

Door to Door Charter Services

Airport Transfers | Tours | Nights Out | Beach Walks Events | Parties | Weddings | Corporate | Festivals

BANGALOW UPHOLSTERY Now at Billinudgel. Re-covering specialists..............................66805255

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CHOPPY CHOP TREE SERVICES The Fully Insured Professionals

• Stump Grinding • Bobcat • Cherrypicker • Crane Truck • 18" Chipper

Mark Linder Qualified Arborist

0408 202 184

• Sydney • Gold Coast • Brisbane • Melbourne • North Qld • Country • Interstate • LOCAL

choppychoptrees@bigpond.com

02 6684 2198 queries@mullumbimbyremovals.com.au C

RYAN’S MINI MOVES....................................................................................................0406 657Y 755 CM

The Water Filter Experts for home, commercial and rural properties

WINDOW CLEANING AND REPAIRS

Serving from Ballina to Gold Coast.

42 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

WATER FILTERS

WELDING & FABRICATION Structural, General, Repairs: Steel, Aluminium & Stainless...0408 410545

Metal Roofing & Guttering Experts

www.oceanbluepr.com.au License # QBCC: 15327621 NSW: 381929C

MULLUM VET CLINIC: Richard Gregory, Bec Wills, Heidi Jenal. After hours avail...............66843818 NORTH COAST VETERINARY SERVICES Dr Lauren Archer..................................................66840735

WELDING

K FCR ROOF PAINTING Local, 12 yrs exp, best paints avail, 190x5-star reviews. Free quotes.0419 789600

0429 909 433

VETERINARY SURGEONS

info@websitesbywednesday.com.au | www.websitesbywednesday.com.au.................0468 345742

CMY

admin@oceanbluepr.com.au

BYRON BAY VALUERS NSW & QLD registerd. Chartered Valuers............. 0431 245460 or 66857010

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RENDERING / SOLID PLASTERING 25 years experience. Free quotes............. Ph John 0406 673176

ROOFING

UPHOLSTERY

6680 8200 or 0418 108 181

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RENDERING

LOCAL TREE GUYS 15m crane truck. 18 inch chipper. Bobcat..............................Jason 0488 489159 OUT ON A LIMB TREE SERVICES Lucas Holland qualified arborist..........................Luc 0402 191316

TREE SERVICES

leapfrogremovals@yahoo.com.au

LEAF IT TO US 4x4 truck/chipper + crane truck. Local, qualified, insured. Free quotes........0402 487213

0490 183 424

arrive@ byronbuscompany.com.au

88

• Freight services to Brisbane weekly • Carriers of fine art • Furniture removal • E-bay pick up & delivery

PRUNING ~ REMOVALS ~ STUMP GRINDING • 20 years local knowledge and experience • Fully insured / free quotes • 19 inch chipper • Bobcat • Cherry picker • Crane truck

www.harttreeservices.com.au

0427 347 380

CLEAN VIEW Prompt, professional, insured. Phone David..............................................0421 906460 NO STREAKS ATTACHED Local, experienced, friendly, insured.......................................0431 398358

WINDOW TINTING SURFWAGON - Car/Home/Office tint. Lifetime Warranty. W/sale price..........................0434 875009 SUNRISE window tinting, mobile Byron+ N. Rivers. Cars, homes, offices, etc...............0412 158478

www.echo.net.au

Property Insider

www.echo.net.au/echo–property

Where wellness meets wilderness: an extraordinary retreat in the shadow of Wollumbin Hidden within 7.9 hectares of pristine rainforest in the foothills of Mount Warning (Wollumbin), Evolve Sanctuary represents one of Australia’s most remarkable lifestyle and business opportunities. Offered to the market for the first time, the purpose-built wellness retreat has become a sought-after destination within the Northern Rivers’ internationally recognised wellness tourism region. Positioned between Byron Bay and Coolangatta, the sanctuary has earned an outstanding reputation since opening in 2021, attracting guests from across Australia and beyond. Surrounded by ancient rainforest, panoramic mountain views and a naturally flowing freshwater spring, the property offers an immersive environment where nature and wellbeing exist in harmony. Every aspect of the retreat has been thoughtfully designed to

support restorative experiences. Guests are accommodated across six private cabins, each featuring queen beds and luxurious spring-fed showers, alongside a two-room cabin with ensuite, providing capacity for up to 17 overnight guests. A separate three-bedroom residence allows owners or managers to live onsite while maintaining privacy from guest facilities. Purpose-built wellness spaces form the heart of the sanctuary, including a spacious Pilates studio, dedicated yoga and sound healing studio, meditation room, massage

and treatment space, and a collection of outdoor amenities designed to encourage relaxation and connection. A magnesium swimming pool, sauna, spa, ice bath, fire pit, covered dining pavilion and stargazing area all contribute to the retreat’s carefully curated guest experience. Beyond its tranquil setting, Evolve Sanctuary is also a proven commercial success. Developed and owner-operated with meticulous attention to detail, the business enjoys strong cashflow, an established client base and a respected brand within Australia’s growing

No Sales Just Property Management Call our property management experts today for a free appraisal on (02) 6680 8111.

wellness sector. Sustainable infrastructure, including filtered water systems, spring-fed showers and off-grid capabilities, further enhances the property’s long-term appeal. Importantly, the offering extends well beyond the existing business model. While Evolve Sanctuary is perfectly positioned to continue operating as a successful wellness retreat, it also presents exciting possibilities as a private lifestyle estate, boutique accommodation destination, or community-focused hospitality venture, subject to the

necessary approvals. In a region celebrated for its natural beauty, creative spirit and holistic lifestyle, opportunities of this calibre are exceptionally rare. Combining an established business with an extraordinary natural setting, Evolve Sanctuary offers a compelling vision for those seeking both lifestyle and legacy in one of Australia’s most desirable destinations. 460 Byrrill Creek Road, Byrrill Creek ■ Sharon McInnes 0408 659 649

Paul Prior 0418 324 297

Did you know? Not only does The Echo have fantastic circulation and distribution figures, it also has the most attractive, interesting and talented readers. Telling it like we think it is since 1986.

BYRONCOASTAL.COM.AU

(02) 6680 8111 www.echo.net.au

BYRONBAYACCOM.NET

| 1/27 F L E TC H E R S T, BY R O N B AY August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 43

Winter Has Been Anything But Quiet The strongest indicator of any market isn’t speculation - it ’s successful sales. First National Byron has sold 40+ properties over winter - our results reflect a market that remains active, resilient and full of opportunity for well-positioned homes. Buyers are engaged, quality properties across all price ranges - both residential and commercial are changing hands, and exceptional outcomes continue to be achieved across the region. LD

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www.byronbayfn.com.au | sales@byronbayfn.com | 35 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 | 02 6685 8466

44 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

www.echo.net.au

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SU REYNOLDS 0428 888 660

SALLY GREEN 0488 030 116

HELEN HUNTLY-BARRATT 0412 332 232

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COORABELL

LUKE ELWIN 0421 375 635

RENEE SCHOFIELD 0400 028 594

TARA TORKKOLA 0423 519 698

ANNA GILHAM 0402 128 355

PAUL PRIOR 0418 324 297

JANE JOHNSTON 0466 327 375

OLIVER ALDRIDGE 0421 171 499

Want to know what your property is worth? SCAN HERE

Backed by decades of combined experience, our team offers unrivalled local knowledge, strategic marketing expertise and skilled negotiation. As the Northern Rivers’ number one agency for many years, our database of buyers extends locally, nationally and internationally, connecting more qualified buyers with more properties and consistently delivering outstanding results for our clients. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to sell, perhaps that moment is now.

www.byronbayfn.com.au | sales@byronbayfn.com | 35 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 | 02 6685 8466

www.echo.net.au

August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 45

409 COORABELL ROAD, COORABELL

‘Riverbelle’ Historic Acreage Lots with Wilsons River Frontage & Mountain Views | Settle 2028 2.49AC - 6.43AC • Seven lots, Seven Stories - build your dream home on one of these stunning blank canvases • Embrace the freedom of acreage living with space for gardens, orchards, animals, a pool and so much more • Acreage homesites ranging from 2.4 to 6.4 acres, (approx) set on a private hinterland estate • Spectacular valley, mountain and rainforest outlooks, with select lots enjoying direct Wilsons River frontage

Tara Torkkola 0423 519 698

• Rich regenerative history featuring protected Big Scrub rainforest and abundant wildlife • Secure today with settlement planned for 2028, offering time to design your dream home while benefiting from potential future capital growth

PRICE | $950K – $1.59M OPEN | By Appointment

23A GORDON STREET, BYRON BAY

Private Luxurious Villa - Moments from Byron’s Beaches 2

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• Boutique complex of only two freestanding villas • Stunning Balinese-style villa offering resort style living

Su Reynolds 0428 888 660

• Zoning allows for holiday letting year round or a permanent home • Covered alfresco patio and outdoor dining setting • Heated, mineral pool with a sunken spa nook • Secure compound villa with 100% privacy

Anna Gilham 0402 128 355

• Private off street parking

PRICE | Contact Agent OPEN | By Appointment

10 GLASGOW STREET, SUFFOLK PARK

Classic Cottage in Beachside Suffolk Park 3

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582M 2 • Light-filled, 3 bedroom coastal cottage

Anna Gilham 0402 128 355

• Relaxed living, privacy and walk-to-everything convenience • Backing directly onto a tranquil nature reserve • Generous pool framed by established greenery • Flat 600-metre stroll to the sands of Tallow Beach established greenery

Su Reynolds 0428 888 660

PRICE | $1.95M - $2.1M OPEN | Fri 14th Aug 2 - 2:30pm

www.byronbayfn.com.au | sales@byronbayfn.com | 35 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481 | 02 6685 8466

46 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

www.echo.net.au

Property Business Directory AGENTS

FINANCE

TARA TORKKOLA SALES

0423 519 698 tara@byronbayfn.com @taratorkkolafirstnational

Your bank isn't on your side..

0411 757 425 tim@millerrealestate.com.au millerrealestate.com.au @timmiller_realestate

@taratorkkola_realestate www.byronbayfn.com.au

We are.

Scan to book a home loan consultation today

Call today for an obligation free chat 0418 123 393

PAUL PRIOR SALES

0418 324 297 paulprior@byronbayfn.com BYRON BAY AGENT OF THE YEAR Damien Smith Sales Director Ray White Byron Bay www.rwbyronbay.com

SALES

Where personalised service isn’t just a promise - it’s our way of life.

0408 659 649 sharon@byronbayfn.com

JANIS PERKINS

02 6680 8588 | 0438 841 122 janis@reodbyron.com.au Shop 9/15-19 Fletcher St, Byron Bay www.reodbyron.com.au

CONVEYANCING BUYING and SELLING REAL ESTATE? We are here to help

NPC

NOW OPERATING OUT OF CENTRAL OFFICE IN POTTSVILLE Lic No 06000098

The Shire’s local finance expert Home Loans Investment Loans First Home Buyers Car Loans

Debt Consolidation SMSF Lending Commercial Loans Development Funding

Russel Shaw Finance Broker

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Australian Credit Licence 475676

Boutique, family-owned and proudly serving Byron Bay & beyond.

SHARON McINNES

PHONE 6685 7436 FOR A QUOTE

entourage.com.au | (02) 6678 1751 Office | 3/6 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW

russel@acceptancefinance.com.au 0412 833 280

NSW & QLD Conveyancing, Leases, Business Sale & Purchase

Acceptance Finance Australia Pty Ltd ABN 20 678 011 571 Australian Credit Licence Number 391715 Credit Representative Number 395628

P: 02 6687 0548 | hello@bangalowconveyancing.com.au

View open for inspection listings online: www.echo.net.au/ofi

www.echo.net.au

August 12, 2026 The Byron Shire Echo 47

Backlash In the UK the typical terrorism-related suspect or offender has always been a male in their early-to-mid 20s or under 30. However, since it became an offence to support Palestine Action, a group dedicated to preventing weapons arriving in Israel from the UK, the average terrorist is now a woman in her late 50s who silently holds a placard.

CELEBRATING 1 Years In Byron! 02 6685 5585

1/ 130 Jonson Street Byron Bay

devicetrader.com.au

12 Month Warranty - Trade In’s Welcome!

The infamous Burwood birdman who has been sprinkling bird seed around Burwood before dawn each morning has been unmasked by A Current Affair. It turns out he works remotely for Lismore City Council in their finance department!

iPhone 14 Now $649

Custom homes built for the Northern Rivers. NEW BUILDS

RENOVATIONS & ADDITIONS

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PASSIVE HOUSE

0426 894 565 hendo@metsabuilding.com.au

SALES ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE – PRINT AND ONLINE

A recent UQ study has identified that people with home gardens are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The research also revealed people were 5.7 per cent less likely to have type 2 diabetes if they live near multiple parks. In FY25, data centres used around two per cent of the grid-supplied electricity. This is forecast to grow to six per cent inFY30, then 12 per cent in FY50. By way of comparison, six per cent of the national grid would supply all domestic houses in Victoria, which houses roughly 26 per cent of Australia’s population. Those power-hungry Victorians would use even more electricity, but luckily 88 per cent of Victorian homes use mains gas for heating. So it’s only fair that the Coalition is objecting to Labor’s plan to make data centres use renewables – they say that data centres should be

The clowns are in town with their tears as they seek to protect Lismore’s heritage building Gwalia House for the future. ‘Gwalia should stay right where she is as a unique piece of our architectural heritage. I can’t imagine the Venetians pulling down Venice because it goes underwater,’ said legendary artist, musician and North Lismore local Jimmy Willing. Read more in The Echo online: www.echo.net.au. Photos by Tony Batchelo, composite image by Jeff Dawson able to site themselves in the NT’s Beetaloo Basin and power themselves with gas, just like Victorians. Of course data centres also use millions of gallons of water daily, but the Beetaloo is above the Cambrian Limestone Aquifer, so… problem solved efficiently by the free market once again. Charges against 125 climate protesters arrested during a major blockade of the Port of Newcastle have been dropped, two years after the protest. Police withdrew the charges in Newcastle Local Court on Friday following a request from Climate Defenders Australia, which represent most of the protesters. ‘All generalisations are false, including this one.’ – Mark Twain

Are your windows and doors working?

Permanent part-time position paying a salary + super + commission. Echo Publications publishes The Byron Shire Echo (a well-established and popular free weekly community newspaper), a daily news website (echo.net.au) and multiple subsidiary magazines throughout the year.

Key requirements: • Experience in marketing and/ or sales, including digital marketing and advertising • Computer literacy • Experience with databases and CRM systems • Friendly telephone manner

• People person • High level of organisation and time management • Ability to multitask • Must own a vehicle and maintain a current driver's licence.

Start date: Immediate To apply for this role please email a cover letter and resume to the Sales Manager: positions@echo.net.au. For any questions call 6684 1777.

48 The Byron Shire Echo August 12, 2026

We’d like as many people as possible to receive a free printed copy of The Echo, and we are the only local newspaper offering free newspaper home delivery. Unfortunately, petrol prices and our distributors’ pesky demands to be paid mean that delivery up hinterland roads and outside Byron Shire is an unaffordable luxury in the digital age. From August The Echo’s print distribution will focus on commercial drops and home delivery to properties nearest to the major centres of the Byron Shire. Sorry – you can still see the paper in digital PDF format on echo.net.au each and every week.

4 days per week, some flexibility and work-from-home hours available.

The role involves selling advertising and creating multi-channel marketing campaigns for clients across the website, newspaper and individual magazines. Work in a friendly and supportive sales team of six, in our Mullumbimby office, handling advertising and publicity for our large local and small interstate client base.

DELIVERY INFORMATION

Working Windows specialise in the repair and replacement of windows, doors, fly screens and security screens. With 10+ years experience in timber, aluminium and uPVC products, we deliver top-quality, eco-friendly results.

Plus you can subscribe to receive the free daily news direct to your inbox Monday to Friday, just head to echo.net.au to become a subscriber to daily news. Free of Charge!

Contact Toby or Jake today! Toby: 0405 793 994

Jake: 0435 506 465 workingwindows1@gmail.com workingwindows.com.au www.echo.net.au