TA C T I L E A LT E R N AT I V E TO T H E A LG O R I T H M The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #37 • February 18, 2026 • www.echo.net.au
Women rising up for Byron’s V-Day Valentine’s Day in Byron Bay dawned under heavy skies, but after a night of rain it was dry. More than 100 women, and a smattering of men, clad in red formed a now annual flash dance mob at Main Beach. About 15 dancers performed the Bolero with the ocean backdrop, then everyone danced the anthem ‘Break the Chain’ as part of the worldwide
One Billion Rising protest against gendered violence. Upholding the tradition just about everyone dived into the refreshing waves. Photo Jeff ‘Always a Little Behind’ Dawson ▶ See photo gallery in The Echo online: www.echo.net.au
Community supports social housing Council policy made rail at former Mullumbimby Hospital site trail complex and costly Aslan Shand The community is calling on Byron Shire councillors, and the state and federal government to step up and deliver on public, social, and genuinely affordable housing at the former Mullumbimby Hospital site. They are holding a public forum on Monday, 23 February at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club auditorium from 6pm to discuss the future of the site. ‘It’s a perfect location,’ Caroline Bass, member of the Mullumbimby Hospital Action Group (MHAG) told
Staff recommend against Byron SEP ▶ p9
The Echo, highlighting that it is flood free, near the local high school, playing fields, swimming pool and within walking distance of the town centre. ‘I was part of the project reference group (PRG) which was followed by the Enquiry by Design Workshop which came up with the development proposal for the site which was very much a village for social, affordable, and seniors’ housing. That is public housing provided by the state government with rents that accord with people’s incomes.’
Heritage listing for Bangalow Bowlo ▶ p6
The PRG came up with three designs, a low, medium and high density design for the site that saw older people and those with mobility issues located at the bottom of the site where it is flatter, families in the middle, and flats further up where you can build into the hill without it looking too ugly, with a mix of commercial, including medical and community spaces as part of the development. This also ties into the Tallowood Estate as the commercial elements of that estate were never developed. ▶ Continued on page 5
Game over for the Liberals? ▶ p10
Paul Bibby Is it time for Byron Council to let go of the long-held vision of returning trains to the tracks in Byron and focus on the more achievable task of building a rail trail? This is the decision facing Council this week when it considers a motion proposing just such a course. In a move with significant implications for both residents and business, Labor councillor Asren Pugh is proposing that Byron forge ahead with a rail trail, waving goodbye to
Academic excellence awaits: Enrolments 2026–2027 ▶ p19
its long-held policy of having both trains and a trail. ‘This debate has gone on too long and the community has missed out on significant funding opportunities because Council has not had a clear, consistent and logical policy on the trail corridor,’ Cr Pugh told The Echo. ‘It’s time to get the rail trail built, from end to end.’ Cr Pugh agreed with staff’s comment that the commitment of Council under mayors Simon Richardson, Michael Lyon, and strongly ▶ Continued on page 4
Local health and wellbeing experts ▶ p22
Mandy’s Soapbox: Rise ▶ p24