The Byron Shire Echo Issue 40.46 – April 22, 2026

Bruns SLSC needs a helping hand

Brunswick Heads Surf Life Saving Club (BSLSC) has had a major rebuild of their facilities, however, unforeseen costs in the development have left the club short of operating funds this summer and they are asking for help from the community.

Prior to the redevelopment of the club they tested the site, to better understand the conditions, and determine the amount and extent of any asbestos present, and developed a site remediation program. This was completed and a remediation program developed that was approved by both Crown Lands and Byron Shire Council and importantly was within their funding and fundraising.

Unfortunately, when site preparation commenced significantly more asbestos was discovered on the site than test drilling had revealed . This required a new

approved remediation and much more material was required for removal and treatment.

‘The overall impact of this was significantly more work in site groundworks for removal of asbestos, structures, additional remediation activities and approvals. All these additional activities resulted in significant costs (in excess of $600,000), well in excess of the project contingencies. As a result, BSLSC had to reallocate operational funds to continue to fund the new building construction,’ said club treasurer David Quemard.

‘We are now struggling to find the funds to continue to operate the club to provide our life-saving services to our local community and the many visitors to our area,’ said BSLSC president Craig Reid.

The club are asking the community to come on board and help with keeping their operations going. You can donate by contacting the club at admin@brunswickslsc.org.

Council pushes ahead with bed tax

Paul Bibby

Byron Shire Council (BSC) has officially revived its long-running push for a bed tax, unanimously backing a plan to build the economic case for making visitors pay their way.

The vote, at last week’s Council meeting, gives Council the green light to pursue a detailed financial study of tourism, work that councillors hope will underpin a renewed campaign to secure a visitor levy or similar funding model from state and federal governments.

Support for the motion was reinforced during the public access section of the meeting, where Coorabell resident and road safety advocate Anthony Stante delivered

a blunt assessment of the pressures facing the Shire.

Need more revenue

‘When you step away from the postcard version of Byron and drive the hinterland… you see a very different reality,’ he said.

‘Our infrastructure is not keeping up… in many cases, [roads] are at developing nation standards.’

Mr Stante said the region had spent years failing to capture a fair share of the revenue generated by its tourism economy, leaving locals to deal with the consequences.

‘The state collects the revenue and the road safety risk stays here with the local residents and tourists alike,’ he said.

Later in the meeting, councillors made it clear the study was intended to arm them for action.

Greens councillor Michelle Lowe said the aim was to provide Council with ‘hard facts’ about what tourism contributes – and what it costs –across infrastructure, environment, and local services.

‘We’re a small rate-paying base… and I’m just really hoping that this [study] is successful, and therefore the subsequent work can be done to try and lobby the government with some hard facts that can’t be disputed,’ she said.

Labor councillor Janet Swain was even more explicit about where that work could lead.

Ongoing funding needed for Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre

The Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre (MDNC) has advised that it will reduce staffing levels by approximately half by 30 June 2026 due to the cessation of disaster recovery funding originally provided in response to the 2022 floods.

With the upcoming closure of Safe Haven North Coast, the transition of residents from local temporary housing villages, and the cessation of disaster recovery funding that has supported key MDNC staff, all happening at the same time, the pressure on remaining services is increasing significantly.

The impacts are already being felt. Local food relief services, including The Gulganii Community Pantry food bank run by MDNC, have reported a 40 per cent increase in demand, with more individuals and families relying on basic food supplies as cost-of-living pressures intensify. The loss of emergency relief funding in June 2025 has already had a devastating impact on both community members and the MDNC, leaving no dedicated support worker in place.

Need secure funding

Community support organisations across Mullumbimby and the surrounding Shire have raised serious concerns following their quarterly sector meeting, highlighting increasing pressure on local services alongside growing community need – and a critical need to secure ongoing funding for MDNC.

‘I urge funding bodies to listen to our community

organisations and recognise the clear need for further financial support to ensure this vital work can continue,’ said Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye.

Representatives from frontline organisations reported that demand for support has risen significantly in recent months, with some services experiencing increases of up to 50 per cent. This reflects ongoing cost-of-living pressures,

housing instability, and rising demand for mental health and wellbeing support.

The group is calling on government, funding bodies, and community stakeholders to prioritise investment in MDNC to ensure continuity of care and support for the region. Continued collaboration across the sector remains strong, but sustainable resourcing is urgently needed to meet current and future demand.

Anzac Day services around Byron Shire

Anzac Day is this Saturday, 25 April. Around Byron Shire and beyond everyone is invited to join in the Dawn Services, marches, and morning teas.

Byron Bay Sub-Branch Dawn Memorial Service is at 5.30am followed by breakfast served at the Services Club 6.15am. The main service assembly for the march is at Apex Park at 10.15am, and the service commences at the Memorial Gates at 10.45am. On completion free soft drinks will be served at the Services Club. There will be a special Anzac Day luncheon at the Services Club commencing 12.30pm, cost

$30 pp.

Clunes Anzac Day Service will be held at 9am in the Clunes Park opposite the shop. Afterwards, morning tea will be provided by the Clunes Fire Brigade.

Bangalow Anzac Day Service will commence with a march from the top of the street, meeting at 10.30am then marching to the Bangalow Sub-Branch Memorial Hall. All community members and friends are welcome to attend. The service will

commence at the hall on completion of the march. The Bangalow Lions Club will be running a barbecue from 12 noon and the Lions Club will organise Two-Up and entertainment.

Brunswick Heads and Billinudgel RSL Dawn Service is at 5am at Memorial Park, Fawcett Street, followed by the street march. Free BBQ in front of RSL by Rotary. The Mullumbimby RSL Sub-Branch warmly invites the community to commemorate Anzac Day at their Dawn Service which will commence at 4.30am. It will be followed by breakfast at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club.

The Anzac Day march will commence at 10.40am from Apex Park to the Mullumbimby Cenotaph where the main service will commence at 11am. This will be followed by lunch and refreshments at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club.

■ For Lismore, Ballina, and Tweed events find them in The Echo online: www.echo.net.au.

Battery fire destroys Freedom Machines

Adevastating fire that tore through a Byron Bay e-bike store on Thursday has sparked urgent calls for tighter regulation of cheap, non-compliant imports, amid growing safety concerns in the rapidly expanding industry.

Emergency services were called to the blaze on Byron Street, where toxic smoke and a series of explosions engulfed the Freedom Machine store, destroying the business and everything inside.

Risk of cheap imports

Owner Liam Kelly, 60, says the fire was caused by a non-certified lithium battery brought in by a customer for charging – a decision he says has now cost him everything.

‘I had a policy not to work on noncertified cheap import products that don’t meet new NSW laws,’ he said.

‘But as a community business, I made an exception. That decision blew up in my face – literally.’

The decision has also voided any potential insurance claim, leaving Kelly financially devastated.

He says many customers buying cheaper imports are backpackers and low-income earners seeking affordable transport in a region where

mobility can be challenging.

‘We wanted to help them, but the reality is these products often fail –and it got us into trouble.’

Kelly says the battery exploded almost instantly when charged.

‘There was no warning – just shooting flames and a series of explosions. Staff were terrified. They tried to use a fire blanket, but it blew off. It was a calamity,’ he said.

‘I’ve shed a lot of tears. I feel embarrassed – I’ve always been so passionate about safety and e-bikes, and now my staff are out of work and I feel responsible.’

There are standards for a reason

Ben Gallard, a senior firefighter who attended the scene, reinforced the risks.

‘We would reiterate – don’t buy cheaper products. Buy items that comply with standards and always charge them in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions,’ he said.

Kelly says the incident highlights critical safety gaps in an industry experiencing rapid growth, with limited consumer awareness around risks.

‘Three lessons learnt: Separate battery charging from other areas, strictly monitor charging, and don’t deal with non-compliant batteries,’ he urged.

Outages and detours for Byron CBD

Essential Energy says some Byron Bay homes and business may be affected by planned power outages over the next fortnight as a result of maintenance work on the grid.

The company said excavation works would affect Lateen Lane in Byron’s town centre on Tuesday, 21 April from 8am to 3pm.

Night works

Crews were expected to finish the job on Wednesday, 22 April, when the work will affect Jonson and Byron

Streets overnight, between 5pm and 6am the following morning.

A second stage of night works is scheduled for Thursday, 30 April, with crews to be on Lawson Street, also affecting Jonson Street, between 10.30pm and 5am.

Road closures

Planned changes to traffic include partial road closures and detours, with traffic control to be in place and the community encouraged to avoid the town centre after 10pm on both nights.

Freedom machines

Despite the loss, he remains a strong e-bike advocate, particularly in communities like Byron Bay where they reduce traffic, lower emissions, and provide independence.

‘They’re the ultimate freedom machines – and Byron has embraced them because they reflect what this community stands for.’

Kelly highlighted the influx of cheap, unregulated imports being resold through online marketplaces.

‘We need to address the elephant in the room – people rebranding low-quality bikes bought on-line and on-selling them, compromising safety, and hurting legitimate retailers.’

He urges consumers to prioritise safety over price.

‘It’s a small additional cost for peace of mind,’ he said.

‘Avoid cheap or second-hand items from uncertified sellers. If you do buy second-hand, have it checked by a certified store.’

Kelly is now focused on rebuilding, encouraging community support via his website, www.freedommachine.com. au, or a GoFundMe set up by his son.

‘I’ll try to turn this into a positive,’ he said.

‘I just hope it raises awareness about the need to ensure safety above all else.’

Sunnybrand rezoning approved

Paul Bibby

A contentious proposal to rezone the former Sunnybrand chicken processing site on Ewingsdale Road has been approved by Byron Shire Council, despite concerns about biodiversity, flooding, and traffic.

The 18.6-hectare site at 268 Ewingsdale Road will be partially rezoned to allow industrial development, alongside significant areas of environmental conservation.

Councillor Michael Lyon backed the proposal, arguing it would deliver both economic and environmental gains on a site already heavily modified by past industrial use.

‘I just can’t understand the reluctance… we desperately need more developed industrial land,’ he said.

Suffolk Park community gather to consider Clifford St development

Lynne Richardson and Tony Christy

A public meeting was called to provide background, updated information, and the opportunity for the community to engage with each other, both at that meeting, and as the proposed development proceeds.

we only saw the plans for the development concept last week, and people had to be informed prior to the private information sessions conducted by the developer’s team Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Traffic and parking

The decision marks the latest chapter in a longrunning public debate over the future of the site, including concerns about wetlands, koala habitat, and the broader cumulative impacts of development along the Ewingsdale corridor.

Inadequate protections

During the public access section of last week’s Council meeting, former mayor Jan Barham urged councillors to reject the proposal, arguing that it failed to adequately protect high environmental value land.

‘I object to the proposal, primarily on biodiversity issues, but also raise flooding and traffic concerns,’ she said, warning of risks to threatened ecological communities and the site’s role within a recognised koala habitat area.

Those concerns echo issues raised during the exhibition period, where submissions questioned the extent of industrial zoning within mapped coastal wetlands and the potential impacts of significant fill on a flood-prone site.

But supporters on Council argued the proposal strikes a necessary balance between environmental protection and economic need.

Deputy Mayor Jack Dods said the site was already functioning as a ‘de facto’ industrial precinct, with a mix of commercial and light industrial uses operating on the former poultry facility.

‘We have a really desperate need for more employment lands,’ Cr Dods said, describing the proposal as a logical extension of the existing Ewingsdale Road industrial area.

Four lanes for Ewingsdale

Road?

He also pointed to infrastructure benefits, including a developer-funded upgrade of the Cavanbah Centre roundabout, aimed at easing pressure on one of Byron’s most congested corridors.

Traffic has been a central flashpoint in the debate, with broader concerns raised about the cumulative impact of multiple developments and the possibility of a future four-lane upgrade to Ewingsdale Road – an option critics say has not been the subject of proper community consultation.

ANZAC DAY 2026

Byron Bay Sub-Branch

An invitation is given to one and all to attend the Dawn Memorial Service 5.30 AM Breakfast Served at the Services Club 6.15 AM

Main Service

Assembly for the March is at Apex Park at 10.15 AM March off 10.30 AM

10.45 AM Service Commences at the Memorial Gates

On completion free soft drinks will be served at Services Club

ANZAC Day Luncheon

However, Greens councillor Michelle Lowe, the lone vote against the proposal, said she remained uneasy about the pace and scale of change.

‘I’m deeply concerned with plants and animals… we’re watching the nature of our town change very, very quickly,’ she said, also raising concerns about flood impacts and vegetation decline along Ewingsdale Road.

In response to agency feedback, the proposal was amended to increase environmental protection, including expanding conservation zoning and strengthening safeguards for high-value habitat areas.

Additional measures flagged during the debate included vegetation buffers, potential wildlife connectivity initiatives, and restrictions on domestic animals within the industrial precinct.

Ultimately, councillors voted 5–1 to endorse the rezoning, with the proposal now set to be finalised by the NSW Department of Planning.

While the decision clears a major planning hurdle, the issues raised – particularly around traffic, flooding, and biodiversity – are likely to resurface when the project returns to Council at the development application stage.

Saturday 25th April

There will be a special Luncheon at the Services Club Commencing 12.30 PM cost $30.00 pp For RSL Sub Branch Members & their Guests also for Serving and Ex Serving Members of the Armed Forces RSVP 18th April 2026

2026

A group of us met with two representatives from the developer’s team on Friday, at their invitation, so we could be better informed for the meeting on Saturday. It was pleasing that these two representatives were also at this meeting along with the lead architect helping to answer questions and provide clarity.

The meeting was well attended with around 60 people in attendance. We thought it was vital to respond to community calls for a public meeting because

Whilst there were many issues raised at the meeting, those dominant concerned traffic congestion and parking.

A point raised many times was that, irrespective as to how good the proposed development may be, it had to be viewed in the context of current and future traffic issues at the very dangerous intersection of Clifford Street and Broken Head Road.

The updated Metis report suggested that traffic would be increasing by around 70 per cent over the next two decades, which is going to

bring greater pressure on the roads and parking in Beachside Suffolk Park.

The issue of the role of the SPPA leadership in this development was raised by the president at the end of the meeting, but it was considered more appropriate to address these issues at a Special General Meeting of the SPPA next week.

The public meeting was meant to be independent of the SPPA and the developer.

The architect noted at the end of the meeting that it was very well run, and one of the most amicable in his experience. It was great to see the community taking up the opportunity to come together to discuss the development concept from its inception.

■ Lynne Richardson and Tony Christy are partners and both former members of SPPA.

Byron Council pursues bed tax study

▶ Continued from page 1

‘I think… the bed tax is just such a no-brainer,’ she said, arguing the Shire needed a robust business case to convince the NSW government to grant an exemption or pilot scheme.

Cr Swain pointed to historical precedent, noting NSW once imposed an accommodation levy in the lead-up to the Sydney Olympics, and warned that Byron should be preparing now for increased visitation ahead of the Brisbane Games.

However, there was some caution around how much the work would cost and whether it would lead to a favourable outcome.

Independent councillor Michael Lyon said he supported the motion ‘in principle’, particularly given

Bangalow Sub-Branch

Clunes Anzac Day Service

Will be held at 9AM in the Clunes Park opposite the shop. Afterwards, morning tea will be provided by the Clunes Fire Brigade. Bangalow Anzac Day Service

Will commence with a march from the top of the street, meeting at 10.30 AM for a 10.45 AM start, then marching to the Bangalow Sub-Branch Memorial Hall. All community members and friends are welcome to attend. The service will commence at the hall on completion of the march. The Bangalow Lions Club will be running a barbecue from 12.00 NOON in the vicinity of the hall, and the Lions Club will organise Two-Up and entertainment in the same location.

Brunswick Heads & Billinudgel RSL Dawn Service 5 AM at Memorial Park, Fawcett Street, followed by street march. Free BBQ in front of RSL by Rotary.

its potential to deliver useful information at little cost, but flagged broader concerns about Council’s ability to translate the study into an outcome.

State decison

Arguably the biggest hurdle facing the bed tax push is that Council does not have the legal power to introduce such a levy on its own.

Under the Local Government Act 1993 any tourism levy would require NSW government approval. That approval has historically been almost impossible to to secure, with successive governments reluctant to support bed taxes, leaving councils to rely on voluntary schemes.

Any proposal would need to navigate state tax policy, industry opposition, and

concerns about consistency across NSW, meaning Byron’s campaign is as much a political negotiation with Macquarie Street as a local policy initiative.

Mayor Sarah Ndiaye acknowledged the long, and often frustrating, history of the bed tax debate, describing it as an idea that has repeatedly struggled to gain traction despite sustained advocacy.

‘I’m one of those people whose eyes have glazed over when people have talked about a bed tax,’ she said, reflecting the fatigue that has accompanied years of stalled progress.

However, she backed the proposal as a practical way forward, noting the broader value of the research regardless of whether a levy is ultimately achieved.

This will be followed by lunch and refreshments at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club The Ex-Services Club is open to all The price of liberty is eternal vigilance

Mullumbimby Sub-Branch

The Mullumbimby RSL Sub-Branch warmly invites the community to commemorate Anzac Day 2026 Dawn Service

Dawn Service will commence at 4.30 AM which will be followed by breakfast at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club

Main Service

The Anzac Day March will commence at 10.40 AM from Apex Park to the Mullumbimby Cenotaph where the Main Service will commence at 11.00 AM

To

We’re

From 1980 to 2026 – the traditional Main Arm photo at Kohinur Hall is reborn

Local photographer John McCormick had a tradition of capturing a Main Arm group photo at Kohinur Hall on an (almost) yearly basis over a period of 20 years starting back in 1980 (left-hand photo).

This tradition got a reboot on Saturday, 11 April with his son, Hamish McCormick, taking the 2026 group photo (right-hand photo). The day was also a celebration of community in Main Arm, bringing together the community,

the Rural Fire Service (RFS), State Emergency Service (SES) and the Main Arm Disaster Recovery crews to talk about how to stay safe in the valley, eat delicious pizza, and have lots of fun connecting.

2026 Community Building Partnership program expressions of interest open

The 2026 Community Building Partnership (CBP) program, which provides funding for small-scale infrastructure projects that deliver long-term benefits to local communities has opened.

Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith MP says there is up to $450,000 available across the Ballina electorate, that covers Byron and Ballina Shires.

Ms Smith said the grants are an important opportunity to support local projects that strengthen community infrastructure and services.

‘Since 2015, through this program, I have helped secure over $4 million in funding for more than 100 local organisations. Supporting projects ranging from essential equipment purchases, upgrades of community spaces, and

Jordyn Jones Senior Associate Jordyn@byronfamilylaw.com.au

improving free services people rely on every day,’ Ms Smith said.

‘Our region is home to a vibrant array of dedicated community groups and volunteers doing incredible work, often with limited resources. This funding stream makes a real difference, helping fund projects that create lasting benefits for our community.’

The CBP program funds

projects between $10,000 and $100,000 across three categories: capital works, equipment, and vehicles. Eligible applicants include local councils, incorporated associations, Aboriginal land councils, P&C associations, and not-for-profit organisations.

Ms Smith encouraged eligible organisations to explore how the program could focus on projects that

build climate resilience, support vulnerable communities – particularly those affected by the housing crisis, and projects that strengthen essential community services and public infrastructure.

‘We have an incredibly active and engaged community, and I know there are many groups with projects ready to go. I encourage organisations to review the

guidelines and explore how this funding could help bring them to life,’ she said. Applications close on Friday 8 May, and the deadline is strict. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit www.nsw. gov.au/grants-and-funding/ community-buildingpartnership/communitybuilding-partnership-2026 or contact Ms Smith’s office for assistance.

Bangalow’s Biggest Morning Tea

Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea is Cancer Council Australia’s most popular fundraising event and the largest, most successful event of its kind in the country.

This year the Cancer Council is hoping to raise over $15 million to fund research, prevention, and support services for those affected by cancer.

This happens when nearly 10,000 morning tea hosts around the country crack out the kindness as they serve up piping hot tea and delicious homemade cakes!

The Bangalow CWA are famous for their morning tea, and this year it’s going to be their biggest ever!

Join the fun

They’ve invited fellow CWA badge holder and comedian Mandy Nolan to host the morning, to ensure there is conversation, comedy, and cake at the table.

It’s just $10 per person, (cash) along with raffles at the door and a fabulous handicrafts table.

Be at the Moller Pavillion

on Thursday, 21 May at 9.30am for 10am start, there is plenty of parking.

‘Almost one in two Australians will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85. We want to change that, and with your help and the baking of the Bangalow CWA we will help raise vital funds to bring us closer to a cancer-free future! And we’ll have fun,’ said Mandy.

Group bookings for tables over eight recommended: cwasecbangalow@gmail. com.

Increased CCTV, lighting for Byron Bay

Increased CCTV, and lighting improvements are coming to Byron Bay’s town centre, along with broader initiatives like mobile CCTV, says Byron Shire Council.

‘The project has been made possible thanks to a $1 million grant from the federal government’s Strengthening Community Safety – Election Commitment Funding grant opportunity.’

Lawson Street north and south carparks, Apex Park,

the railway corridor, and the connecting laneways will be the priority locations for improved lighting and CCTV.

‘The community has been very clear that they want to see improved safety and security across the town centre, with many feeling that poor lighting is a key contributor to people feeling vulnerable and unsafe,’ Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, said.

During feedback to Council, concerns were raised

Julie-Ann Manahan

about antisocial behaviour, poor accessibility, and the limited availability of public amenities in the CBD.

Completed by 2027

Over the coming months Council will finalise the technical requirements for the lighting and CCTV and then consult with key stakeholders and community to finalise the plans. The works will go for tender later this year and the project is due to be completed by April 2027.

Sana is representing the Northern Rivers on the NSW Minister’s Student Council

Russell Eldridge

Mullumbimby High School student Sana Bloudani has been appointed to the Minister’s Student Council, which is a direct voice for students to the NSW Education Minister.

Sana, 14, is the only representative from the Northern Rivers on the 27-member council.

It’s been a big year for the former refugee, who earlier won a prestigious national scholarship, which Sana hopes to use as a pathway to studying medicine.

Settled in

Brunswick Heads

Sana, along with parents Ousama and Walaa and sister Ghina, arrived in Australia 18 months ago after escaping war-torn Syria and living as refugees for 12 years. They were settled in Brunswick Heads with the assistance of Northern Rivers for Refugees (NRFR).

The family recently travelled to Sydney to meet the Education Minister, Prue Car, and the rest of the NSW student council at Parliament House.

Future government minister

‘I told the minister I want to be a government minister, and she said: ‘We are going to be friends!’ Sana said.

The council hosts forums for student opinions, ideas, feedback and concerns in regards to their education

and schooling.

The members, who are appointed for two years, also participate in workshops and provide advice on education and school policy as well as feedback to aid in the planning and development of department programs.

Council meetings are held online at least twice a term where students feel safe to openly discuss issues to be raised with the minister.

As required by the minister, the council may be

asked for input into policy and issues that directly affect students. Sana also hopes to advocate for the interests of Muslim students.

Help settle refugees locally

Sana is still starry-eyed from her first visit to Sydney. ‘I loved it. It was so busy –and I love being busy.’ For more information on local refugee settlement, contact www.nrfr.org.au.

36 years of excellence in real estate sales and marketing. Built on proven local, national and international results.

MANA Real Estate

MANA Founder | Selling Principal 0411

50 Parkes Ave, Byron Bay

In loving memory of Trevena and Les Quelch

Local Mabel Waller was at the old Brunswick Heads Co-op harbour when she saw a lady laying flowers on a memorial. ‘She was laying all these beautiful flowers around her mother’s memorial for her mother’s birthday,’ Mabel told The Echo. ‘I spoke to her and she told me she was the daughter of these people, Les and Trevena Quelch, and had flown in from Sicily just to visit and lay these flowers for her mother’s birthday.’

Photo Mabel Waller

Mullumbimby pool gets heating for winter

The Mullumbimby Memorial Petria Thomas Pool has now had a new heating system installed so that the pool can remain open throughout the winter months.

The new system will keep the water at 27 degrees for the majority of the year. Winter hours are proposed to run from 7am to 5pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm on weekends. The pool will close for three weeks after the July school holidays for maintenance and capital improvements. Entry fees and access arrangements during May and June will stay consistent with the current

2025–26 schedule and discount books for Byron Bay or Mullumbimby pools are valid until the end of June. Season pass holders for 2025–26 will have the option to extend their passes to include May and June entry at Mullumbimby with a pro rata payment.

All-abilities Disco Ball in Byron

A new all-abilities disco party is being launched at Haven in Byron Bay, on 29 April with a live DJ and fun for all.

‘The Disco Ball is an inclusive, fun, and immersive event with sensory spaces, and a nightclub style disco party for people living with disability, their carers, family, and friends,’ organiser Tanya Field told The Echo

Tanya said that The Disco Ball has been designed with inclusivity at its core and has been codesigned with an NDIS participant.

Inclusion, contribution and collaboration are at the heart of The Disco Ball. Emma Kolesnikoff, who is the social ambassador for The Disco Ball, lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Over the past few weeks Emma has

been full of excitement and a genuine sense of accomplishment. Busy visiting NDIS providers, attending business meetings, and making an appearance on BayFM, in Emma’s words: ‘This is a dream come true… we’re really doing it!’

Welcoming and fun

‘The long-term vision for The Disco Ball is to develop into a social enterprise, where more opportunities are made available for people living with disabilities to not only participate, but also to contribute in meaningful ways to the direction and evolution of all future events,’ said Tanya.

‘It is a welcoming, nonjudgemental environment where people can socialise and express themselves

freely. There is a consideration of sound, lighting, and crowd flow to support different sensory needs and it has a dedicated sensory space for participants who may need time out or a quieter environment. There is a strong focus on participation, not just as attendees, but in shaping the future of the event.’

‘At its heart, The Disco Ball is about creating inclusive social spaces that are shaped by the people they are for; fostering connection, participation, and a genuine sense of belonging.’

The Disco Ball will run from 6pm to 8.30pm and entry is $20, with carers and support workers attending for free. Find out more and pick up a ticket at: www. thediscoball.com.au.

Two brushes with two lenses

Ranging across three different mediums, painting, drawing, and photography, Elliot Kirkwood, Howie Cooke, Blario and Mark Seiffert form the Coastal Collective. This group will hold an exhibition which will showcase the environment as seen through the eyes of the four different artists, at Mullum’s Garage Gallery at 4 Burringbar Street.

‘The ocean, landscape and human world will come alive and give the viewer an insight into the creative processes and minds of each artist,’ said photographer, Mark Seiffert. ‘All of us live in, and are connected to this region. The beauty of the Byron Shire is the focal point of this exhibition,’ Mark continued.

The gallery opening will be 23 April from 4pm till 8pm. You can view the exhibition from 11am till 4pm daily. There will also be a closing party on 4 May from 4pm till 6pm.

Extension for submissions on 53 McAuleys Lane, Myocum

Aslan Shand

The public submission period has been extended on the modification requests for the development application (DA 10.2023.454.2) for a large Community Title (CT) at 53 McAuleys Lane, Myocum in relation to removing sewage, road safety, and environmental conditions imposed by the Northern Regional Planning Panel when approving the DA.

The Echo reported last week that the developers John Callanan and Tim Mundy who are behind the DA are seeking to delete Condition 8 of the consent that required the upgrade of the McAuleys Lane and Mullumbimby Road intersection prior to the commencement of subdivision works. They also want to create an extra lot on the 37-lot site which has raised concerns over effluent management on the site ‘particularly as the proposed lots are located close to an off-site groundwater bore’.

According to HMC’s Onsite Sewage Management Capability Assessment (Appendix H) it identifies that lot 10 – one of the lots being compressed to create the new lot 38 – does not demonstrate

compliant wastewater disposal capacity. Nonetheless, the developer is seeking to delete Condition 9 that requires demonstration that all lots can accommodate compliant on-site sewage management systems. They are also seeking to remove the restriction on keeping dogs on the CT. The extension was granted after locals questioned if Byron Shire Council (BSC) had correctly advertised the DA modifications. This was the second time that BSC had failed to correctly advertise this DA. Public submissions have been extended to 15 May, 2026. You can make a submission via the BSC website: www.byron.nsw.gov.au.

Place planning for Shire’s north

The Place Planning Collective for the north of Byron Shire met last week for the first time.

Community members from New Brighton, South Golden Beach and Ocean Shores formed the new Place Planning Collective North to look at key actions within the Place Plan. This included working toward a strategic network of safe paths and cycleways; improved road safety for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists in identified locations and streets; and increased public transport in the area.

‘Moving forward, the focus

will be on prioritising Place Plan projects to help guide the next Operational Plan and Developer Contributions Plan, while overseeing implementation across New Brighton, South Golden Beach and Ocean Shores,’ Sharyn French, Manager Environmental and Economic Planning said.

View the Place Plan for New Brighton, South Golden Beach and Ocean Shores on Council’s website: www.byron.nsw.gov.au/ Council/Plans-Strategies/ Masterplans-Place-Plans/NewBrighton-South-Golden-Beachand-Ocean-Shores-Place-Plan.

51 Return and Earn baskets

Baskets for cans and bottles are being attached to public bins in key spots across the Byron Shire as part of boosting the NSW Return and Earn recycling program.

Byron Shire Council staff say there will soon be 51 new opportunities for people in the Shire to cash in on the scheme, with participants able to collect the containers from the baskets and cash them in.

‘Anyone out and about in our parks and public spaces can now leave their empty can or bottle in one of the bin baskets for someone else to collect,’ Byron Shire

Council Litter Prevention Officer Anika Brown said in the related media announcement.

Council says more than 51.8 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons would likely have ended up in landfill were it not for the introduction of the Return and Earn scheme to the Byron Shire in 2017. There are two associated recycling points, one at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Bowling Club, the other at the Cavanbah Centre.

More than 15 billion drink containers have reportedly been recycled through the program.

Removal of vehicles from TfNSW railway land challenged

Aslan Shand

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and UGL fenced state rail land next to the Mullumbimby Railway Station in February 2026, evicting a number of locals and travellers who had been on the site over the previous four years. Since that time the bus, and a number of other smaller vehicles, have remained next to the fence. The bus owner has placed a

‘Notice of Formal Legal Dispute’ in their windscreen stating that, ‘The occupant of this vehicle is the Applicant in four (4) concurrent formal access applications on 14 February, 2026 under the government information (public access) Act 2009 (GIPA)... The notice continues that they contest the enforcement of ‘unauthorised occupation’ and seek the ‘environmental site assessments cited as the pretext for

the current fencing’.

‘I do not admit to “camping”. I am legally parked on public land,’ continues the statement.

Not public land

Responding to Echo inquiries TfNSW has clarified that the site is not public land and is owned by TfNSW.

A TfNSW spokesperson said, ‘The owners of the vehicles have been illegally camping on the site and

have been directed to move from the area for their safety. Transport for NSW and UGL Regional Linx, which manages the land on our behalf, have been working closely with the local council as it offers support and assistance to help the owners of the vehicles relocate to a safer and legal location.

‘To date, all offers of assistance to relocate to safer and legal areas have been declined.’

North Coast News

Man accused of stealing petrol more than 15 times

A 29-year-old man is to face Lismore Local Court next month accused with stealing petrol. Officers say they started investigating reports of a driver driving away without paying for fuel at a service station in South Lismore in February.

Nominations open for Tweed Shire Business Awards

Entries are now open for the 2026 Tweed Shire Business Awards, spanning 28 categories. Proudly presented by Tweed Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the awards showcase and celebrate the achievements of outstanding Tweed Shire businesses.

More buyback Lismore homes on offer NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) say another ten buyback homes will be auctioned in Lismore. In a media release, they say, ‘One of Australia’s most unique housing initiatives is returning this autumn, offering ten more Northern Rivers homes a second life and chance to leave the floodplain for safer ground’.

Tweed Local Woman of the Year announced Support for New Mums founder Deborah Hunt is the 2026 Tweed Local Woman of the Year, Member for Tweed Geoff Provest (Nationals) said today. In a media release, he said, “Deborah, from Nunderi, established Support for New Mums in 2018 to provide free, home-based support for new mothers and their babies through a network of trained and caring volunteers”.

EOIs open for $450,000 in local infrastructure grants

Expressions of interest (EOIs) are open for the NSW government’s Community Building Partnership (CBP) grants program. The program provides funding for small-scale infrastructure projects that deliver long-term benefits to local communities, with up to $450,000 available across the Ballina electorate.

Fugitive dies after altercation near M’bah

Adangerous and wanted man has died in hospital after an alleged assault and citizen’s arrest involving two men at Bray Park, near Murwillumbah last week.

Tweed-Byron Police confirmed with The Echo that the man was Vaughn Cummings.

Cummings had been on the run for several months over multiple outstanding warrants.

Alerts were issued across communities including

Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads and Upper Main Arm, with police warning the public not to approach him.

Police said in a statement that around 4.30am on Wednesday 8 April, emergency services were called to a home on Bellevue Avenue, Bray Park, following reports of a man acting suspiciously.

‘Officers from TweedByron Police Area Command attended and found a man suffering serious injuries after being detained by two

males on the footpath’.

‘The 34-year-old was treated by NSW Ambulance

paramedics before being taken to Gold Coast Hospital in a critical condition.

‘A crime scene was established, and detectives have commenced an investigation into the incident under Strike Force Raison.

‘A number of people were spoken to at the scene and are assisting police with their inquiries’, they said. Cummings died in hospital on Friday 10 April, said police. ‘Investigations under Strike Force Raison are ongoing’.

Lismore Council plans for population of 60,000

Lismore City Council say they have ‘taken a defining step in planning for its future, with a comprehensive, expert-led Strategic Planning Framework supported for progression at the April Council meeting’.

In a media release they say, ‘The framework brings together five key strategies, led by a draft Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS), and sets out how the city will grow, where new housing and jobs can be supported, and how Lismore will respond to future challenges

and opportunities’.

‘At its core, the framework sets a clear direction and long-term targets. This includes planning for a population of 60,000, enabling up to 10,000 new homes and supporting 6,500 jobs. This positions Lismore as a strong and evolving regional centre’.

As of 2024, the estimated resident population for the Lismore City local government area was approximately 43,750.

The media release continues, ‘The work draws on extensive community

input, including last year’s Community Strategic Plan and has been informed by nationally recognised planning expertise’.

Mayor Steve Krieg said the framework reflects a significant body of work, underpinned by significant research, local insight and national expertise.

‘This is about being clear on where we’re heading and making sure, we’re ready for it,’ he said. ‘The LSPS, required for all NSW councils, is supported by four key theme-based strategies

covering economic development, biodiversity, resilience and rural land use’.

‘While the framework identifies areas that may support future residential or employment uses, Council has emphasised that this is not a rezoning.

‘Any changes to land use would still require a formal planning process, including detailed assessment and further community input.

‘A structured engagement program is set to commence at the beginning of May,’ he added.

Ballina’s Dental Implant Centre

In many cases, a tooth can be removed and an implant placed on the same day, shortening treatment time and helping preserve bone and gum health.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

From

to

Dr Geoffrey B. Sherlock – Dental Surgeon –B.D.S Hons. (Syd.)

Over 37 years of experience in dental implant therapy

• 3D CBCT imaging on site

• Computer-guided implant planning

• Bone and membrane grafting expertise when required

• Temporary teeth during healing

North Coast News

Plight of Cabbage Tree Island residents heard

at United Nations in New York

The long-term displacement – for over four years – of residents from Cabbage Tree Island (CTI) following the devastating 2022 floods is being heard at the United Nations (UN) in New York from 20 April to 1 May, says The Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council (Jali LALC).

Jali LALC said in a media statement that a delegation of eight representatives, who will represent the Nyangbul Bundjalung community, are now at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Safe return to home

Jali LALC Chairperson Kylie Jacky said, ‘Our message is clear: our people must be supported to return home safely, and our rights to fully recover land, culture and self-determination must be upheld’.

‘This international advocacy effort is supported and being driven alongside strong local action.

‘The initiative is focused on strengthening on-Country cultural environmental management, and pathways for community return and resilience.

‘Raising critical issues on the global stage at the UN forum, Jali LALC will highlight serious concerns regarding

government decision-making and processes undertaken in relation to the return of displaced residents to CTI, including transparency, consultation, and support.

Reform concerns

‘[We are concerned with] proposed legislative reforms to the Crown Lands Management Act 1989 (NSW), currently before NSW Parliament, which significantly risks diminishing land rights for Local Aboriginal Land Councils across the state.

‘Jali LALC maintains that these reforms raise significant local concerns and fundamental questions about the protection of Aboriginal land rights and the integrity of existing legislative frameworks.

‘Proposals without consultation undermine the NSW Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 and potentially extinguish a core function of Jali LALC, which is to claim eligible Crown Land to benefit the whole Aboriginal community, and broader community, as land vested in Jali is more often conserved for its natural and environmental value,’ said Ms Jacky.

Land & Sea Ranger team planned

She adds that, ‘In parallel with international advocacy, the Nyangbul Elders Council will be guiding the planning process to support a dedicated Land & Sea Ranger team’.

More than one in four TweedByron offences DV-related

More than one in four offences recorded in the Tweed-Byron Police District last week were domestic violence-related.

The figure continues a trend of domestic violence (DV) offences accounting for between a quarter to a third of all offences in each of the Tweed-Byron and Richmond Police Districts on the Northern Rivers.

Thirteen people across the district were charged with DV-related offences in

the week ending 15 April, including ten men and three women.

Officers said the accused were responsible for a total of 24 DV-related offences, with charges listed including choking.

Other DV-related offences in the most recent local police report included assault occasioning actual bodily harm; stalking and/ or intimidation; intentionally recording intimate images; destroying property; and

contravening apprehended violence orders.

At least one alleged domestic violence offender is also accused of assaulting police.

66 arrests

Police reported 84 criminal offences throughout Tweed-Byron last week, and 66 arrests, meaning domestic violence offences accounted for more than 28 per cent of all locally recorded crime.

Skipper charged over Tweed boating death

Tweed-Byron Police say they have charged a 27-year-old man over the boating-related death of another man earlier this year.

Tweed Water Police say three male passengers were thrown overboard into the Tweed River, after their skipper performed a particular

manoeuvre on 6 February.

Officers allege nobody was wearing lifejackets at the time.

They say one of those thrown overboard suffered severe injuries in the river when he was hit by the boat and died a week later in hospital.

Police say they’ve done a comprehensive investigation, leading to the skipper’s arrest.

He’s charged with operating a marine vessel negligently causing death and is due to appear at the Tweed Heads Local Court on 15 June.

The Byron Shire Echo

Volume 40 #46 • April 22, 2026

Can Byron Shire councillors drive housing innovation?

Byron Shire councillors currently have in their control one of the key pieces of publicly-owned land that is floodfree, within walking distance of the Mullumbimby town centre, and ready to be developed as genuinely affordable housing. The old Mullumbimby Hospital site.

They are in the driver’s seat, with the development control plan (DCP) currently on public exhibition. The question is how dynamic, creative, and truly innovative are they when it comes to housing?

A major new international study led by the University of Manchester’s Dr Tom Gillespie and published in the journal Urban Studies has revealed how policymakers around the world are becoming far more active in constructing affordable housing. The research shows how governments are stepping in where private markets have failed – reshaping housing systems, markets and state institutions in the process.

‘Drawing on research from Shanghai, Salford, Nairobi, Paris, Casablanca and Rome, it shows that governments are increasingly stepping in as private markets struggle to deliver adequate and affordable homes at scale. The research shows that states are adopting a wide range of new approaches to influence housing supply, finance and land development.’

In 2016 Salford Council in the UK began redirecting developer contributions into a council-owned company to build new social housing, which is let below market rate.

Shanghai’s policies include shantytown renewal, shared ownership schemes and subsidised rental housing, aimed at tackling rising

property prices while supporting social stability and inclusion.

The study highlights a broader global shift away from reliance on private markets alone.

‘Our research shows that states are once again becoming central players in efforts to tackle the global affordable housing crisis, but this isn’t a simple return to old models of public housing,’ said Dr Tom Gillespie.

‘Instead, we are seeing a wide range of new approaches emerging as governments try to balance social needs with the realities of financialised urban development. By comparing these six cities, we hope to offer a framework that helps researchers and policymakers understand how state action is changing – and how it might better support access to decent, affordable homes.’

The DCP for the old Mullumbimy Hospital site can be used to create an innovative, legally binding document that will guide the development of that site. It can effectively deliver more than the currently-proposed 20 per cent ‘affordable housing’ – which we all know is genuinely unaffordable as it is set at 80 per cent of the market rate – and look at how to ensure it meets a wide range of community housing needs: public and social housing; housing for the aged; for people with disabilities; as well as for First Nations people and essential workers.

Make a submission on the DCP before 6 May on Byron Shire Council’s website https://yoursay.byron. nsw.gov.au/dcp-mullum-hospital.

Aslan Shand, editor News tips are welcome: editor@echo.net.au

Looking for Richard – the Marles conundrum

Last week, while Albo flew around the world trying to secure emergency fuel and fertiliser supplies for Australia, as a result of the international crisis caused by the United States, Acting PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles was in Canberra talking about defence.

Educated at Geelong Grammar, Marles has always seemed like a bloke who would be more at home in an old-fashioned Coalition government than on Labor’s front bench. At the Press Club, he was stuck in a time warp of his own, talking about a global rules-based order which no longer exists. China and Russia are the enemy, and safety is ensured by regional partnerships, hypersonic missiles, drones, and submarines.

‘Alliances, especially with the United States, will always be fundamental to Australia’s defence,’ he said. Always? What if our ‘ally’ continues invading countries which have not attacked it? What if the result destabilises the entire planet? What if white people live in the next countries to be invaded? Where does Mr Marles draw the line?

Could he at least concede that Donald Trump has damaged American international prestige? ‘Well, I think, I mean, I’m not going to walk down that path,’ he said, showing the kind of courage that took him to the top of the Labor Right faction.

Another reporter tried to tease out the benefits, if any, of Australian taxpayers transferring billions of dollars to the US industrial base to build submarines that seem unlikely ever to arrive. Marles made a rambling reply about the importance of ‘sustainment’ of American submarine production, before concluding that he was ‘really confident’ we might see some second-hand submarines arriving here in the 2030s.

More money for things that go bang

Taking his cue from his Pulp Fiction-inspired US counterpart Pete Hegseth, but resisting the temptation to quote from the Book

The Byron Shire Echo

Volume 40 #46 April 22, 2026

Established 1986 • 22,000 copies every week

Marles ‘had nothing to say about Israel’s ongoing murderous aggressions, or the fact that Iran was invaded, not the other way round.’ – David

of Tarantino, Richard Marles said more domestic military spending was an excellent thing, with a $14 billion increase projected over forward estimates, and $53 billion over the next decade.

He acknowledged the risk of the world being in the ‘foothills of a new nuclear arms race’, but moved quickly to suggest this was mainly China’s fault. He had nothing to say about Israel’s ongoing murderous aggressions, or the fact that Iran was invaded, not the other way round.

‘We very much support the strategic objective of denying Iran a deployable nuclear weapon,’ Marles said. Unfortunately, after what’s just happened, Iran’s leadership could plausibly make the case that such a weapon is all that might protect them in future.

Richard Marles also left the door open for Australia to get more involved militarily in the current war, beyond the deployment of the E-7 Wedgetail battle management aircraft, if the Trump administration can rise above its constant state of chaos for long enough to make a formal request.

‘The Strait of Hormuz is fundamentally important to Australia’s national interest,’ he said. ‘We want to see it open, and we will play a constructive role and contribute in any way we can to whatever effort may be put in place in future in relation to that.’ Watch this space, in other words.

If in doubt, go low

Over at Coalition HQ, Angus Taylor has been polishing his dog whistle and learning nothing from his party’s catastrophic defeat in the last election as he sought to blame immigration and Labor for all of Australia’s woes.

Lowe

In an unholy blend of Trump, Hanson, and Howard, he used his latest policy launch to call for a values test for migrants (which already exists), claimed to have fought for Australia’s fuel security while in government (the Liberals did the opposite), attacked multiculturalism and net zero, and suggested ‘big government’ was the problem.

‘The Coalition I lead has a freedom agenda at its core,’ he said, before insisting that the 1,700 people currently in Australia fleeing the destruction of Gaza present ‘a high risk to our nation’.

Paul Keating emerged from his eyrie to call out Taylor’s racism. ‘With its shabby appeal to differentiation and primal instincts, Angus Taylor marks himself out as a political leader unworthy of the leadership of a party that has managed Australia for the greater part of the last century and which celebrated the country’s unifying values.’

‘Racism is not simply immoral and abhorent, it is absurd,’ thundered PJK. Hear hear.

As for our current treasurer, Jim Chalmers, there are encouraging signs that Labor might finally be about to tax the windfall and capital gains profits of giant coal and gas companies operating here. This could buy us a few more phantom US submarines, or even deliver some urgently needed cost-of-living relief to ordinary Australians.

You can do it, Jim!

■ Originally from Canberra, David Lowe is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and photographer with particular interests in the environment and politics.

Phone: 02 6684 1777

Editorial/news: editor@echo.net.au

Advertising: adcopy@echo.net.au

Office: 64 McGoughans Lane, Mullumbimby NSW 2482

General Manager: Simon Haslam

Editor: Aslan Shand

Deputy Editor: Hans Lovejoy

Photographer: Jeff Dawson

Advertising Manager: Anna Coelho Production Manager: Ziggi Browning

Suffolk shenanigans

I read [Suffolk Park Residents Association president] Kelly Minahan’s letter (Echo, 15 April) with a sense of incredulit+y.

He claims transparency in his letter as president. Huh?

At the same time, he has skirmished around a conflict of interest matter with semantics, stating a register is maintained.

But nonetheless, [he did] not state up front his own conflict of interest, actively promoted said development, and is a member of subcommittee dealing with same.

It was detailed on page 10, Echo, 15 April.

I am merely an interested observer (neither a member or a past member of this progress association), but I read this with dismay. Not transparent. Legally questionable.

His clever semantics in a long letter do not pull the wool over my eyes.

Margrette Young Skenners Head

EV love

Congratulations to all those owners of electric cars who are charging them from solar panels. Do the others, those who plug their cars into the grid, realise that 60 per cent of this energy comes from coal-fed power stations?

With the current oil crisis, governments are pushing and praising for more EVs.

That’s more reliance on coal. It’s not all bad news. At least the EVs don’t leave a trail of polluting gases. No combustion. No exhaust.

Sandra Heilpern Ballina

Reflections working with community?

What a load of garbage

Reflections Holiday Parks has dished out in last week’s Echo full page propaganda advertisement, under the heading ‘Working Together in Brunswick Heads’.

For years, Reflections has deliberately refused to engage with the community and residents groups and rarely responds to emails.

The current development taking place in the southern end of the Terrace Reserve is another classic example.

No plans were ever available to view by the community and there was zero ability to negotiate the development, as nobody knew it was happening.

The first the community

became aware was when Reflections organised a street meeting for around 12 Terrace residents and gave them a week’s notice that the whole reserve opposite their homes would be fenced off and there would be a lot of truck movements and building noise for the next few months.

It turns out Council gave approval for ten ‘camping tents’ in December 2024. There was no ‘working together,’ as Reflections claimed exemption from public exhibition.

Reflections’ position that they are taking up ten of the permitted 26 camping sites is deceptive. They can’t get more than these ten ‘mega tents’ in without violating a court order in relation to protection of the adjoining Coastal Cyprus Pines. Their claims of generosity in preserving a section of the park to reforestation are questionable. All holiday parks must legally have a certain percentage of ‘green space’ and this is the only green area in the whole holiday park!

There is also a good deal of concern in the paragraph ‘Walking Trail Access’.

Amendments to the 2014 plan of management (PoM) provided for an unfettered public walkway along the entire riverbank. From the footbridge to opposite Nana Street, it was to be 3m, plus 7m wide, reducing to 3m, plus 4m in the southern precinct.

Reflections are now talking about ‘through’ the precinct. This is not a foreshore walkway. So, which version, ‘through’ the precinct, or ‘along’ the foreshore is correct? Reference to its ‘deviation’ around the remaining seven long-term tenants is along the road and is a change to the PoM. It will not address issues

of non-compliance and positions the residents for claims against failure of a duty of care on a fast-eroding riverbank.

Reference to the war memorial concern is perverse! Rehabilitation and preservation of the WW1 Memorial Trees has been paramount for years!

Now Reflections merely ‘understands’ and states, ‘if there are elements of local history’, they ‘welcome respectful conversations’.

How about Reflections actually does ‘work together in Brunswick Heads’ instead of spending thousands of dollars on ads just claiming they do?

Sean O’Meara Brunswick Heads Byron’s roads: a state failure

Coverage of Cr Elia Hauge’s proposal to quantify tourism impacts on our local infrastructure goes to the heart of a long-ignored problem.

Byron Shire is carrying the infrastructure burden of a tourism economy that primarily benefits the state.

After Sydney, Byron is NSW’s second-largest tourism revenue generator, yet our hinterland roads are deteriorating year on year.

Little to no line marking, inadequate safety signage, poor surfaces all result in dangerous night-time conditions.

These are known systematic failures resulting in foreseeable road safety risks that have been raised with [Transport for NSW] TfNSW for years.

For too long, the state government has relied on deflection. That must end.

This study of tourism numbers and pressure on local infrastructure must deliver hard, defensible evidence – including funded

unacceptable, is unsafe and fails the duty of care pub test. The local community deserves safe hinterland village roads.

Anthony Stante Coorabell

Anti-protest laws

After the highest court in NSW decided that the Minns anti-protest laws were illegal, and he, or better – the government, has to pay the court cost, meaning the taxpayers, I really wonder if our politicians don’t have any legal advisers to stop them.

independent road safety audits – to quantify the infrastructure deficit and the real safety risk being imposed on our community.

And when that evidence is delivered, there can be no more excuses.

Premier Chris Minns and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison must act. The current model is simple but flawed: the state collects the revenue, while our local community carry the road safety risk, especially at night on underfunded and busted hinterland village connector roads.

Our regional state roads are gold standard, and yet our local Council roads are ‘developing nation’ standard

Or is it nowadays that everyone is scared that they might lose their job, like we saw with Robodebt, and they would rather not speak up?

When will someone take the government to court for using a saliva test to detect drug use? It doesn’t test for impairment, and all the medicinal and recreational users are getting paranoid with fear of losing their licence if they had a joint 48 hours ago.

Chibo Mertineit

Lillian Rock

Rising Tide 2025 court proceedings

Just like the Rising Tide 2024 arrestees, those of us arrested

are cooking the planet and unnecessary for the welfare of ordinary Australians are ‘in a holding pattern’.   The police were required to present evidence to the court by 10 April 2026, but they didn’t. Instead, the police advised that they need more time.

As of 16 April, no date has been confirmed for police to serve the outstanding material. Because of that, it is likely that the court matters won’t progress much on the next court date (8 May 2026).   I think our own local police people are amazing. For the most part, they form part of our social safety net. But their lawyers in Sydney are enforcing Labor policy which now seems to include punishment by stalling and delaying court processes.  So please let Labor know that more spending on weapons and less on humanity will lose them office in the long term, unless they succeed in creating a 1930s-Europe-like scenario here in the 2030s.

I ask Labor to stop expanding laws against protest, and dragging out proceedings as an alternate punishment, and get back to looking after us. Climate

* Mac repair, support and advice

* Battery / Screen replacements

* System upgrades / Updates

* Data transfers / Backup

* Bruns-based

* Mobile service

* Or bring to the Mr Mac workshop Call Dave 0418 408 869 www.mrmacintosh.com.au

Explore, listen and express your own inner voice through creative expression. Closing with a relaxing sound healing.

Sunday, 3 May 2026, 10am to 4pm

Ignite Studio’s, Ballina, Cost: $150.00. All materials provided, no experience necessary.

For further information or to register phone Nyesha on 0419 565 980 or email nyeshaellis11@gmail.com

Psychologist integrating sound-based practices, supporting personal growth & wellbeing, life transitions, stress & anxiety. www.nyeshaellis.com

11 Fletcher St. Byron Bay

50 m from Surf Club down the path (next to No Bones Restaurant) and Brunsbooks, Fingal St Brunswick Heads.

Be at home when it matters most.

In-home, complex, and end-of-life care. There comes a time when comfort, dignity, and familiar surroundings matter most.

Lotus Palliative Care, supports individuals and families to remain at home during life’s most vulnerable moments

– with compassionate, experienced nurses by your side.

LOTUS CAN PROVIDE

• Everyday in-home care • End-of-life care

• Complex health support and wound care

We are here for clinical care, reassurance and guidance.

SERVICES CAN BE FUNDED THROUGH

• Home care packages and NDIS plans

• End-of-life pathway packages • Privately

HOW WE HELP

• End-of-life pathway packages • Complex home nursing visits

• Rapid response and urgent support (including after-hours care)

• Comfort-focused care and symptom management

▶ Continued from page 13

warmongers, poverty and the increasing gap between rich and poor – these are our challenges. Locking up and buggering up protesters just consolidates the disasters that they should be overcoming.

Duncan Dey  Main Arm

Bring on bed tax

Hallelujah, yes, finally a bed tax. As a Byron Shire ratepayer for 30 years, I have been feeling deeply embarrassed to welcome overseas visitors here.

Substandard potholed roads, toilet blocks below Third World standards, a Council struggling to maintain infrastructure (flooding, landslides) affected by natural disasters, lack of public transport – the list goes on. There is not enough money for our poor Council to attend to our bare necessities. And I’m pissed off with the NSW government expecting us to finance their tourism drive capitalising on Byron’s outstanding beauty and welcoming two million visitors. Every council along the North and Baltic seas in Germany has been raising a ‘Kurtaxe’ for more than 100 years.

Their amenities are impeccable: groomed beaches, clean toilets and showers, bicycle paths, beach promenades, ample parking and immaculate roads. Isn’t it about time to move the Byron Shire into the 21st century? Bed tax? Yes, bring it on!

Horst Tietze Montecollum

Contact Us: 02 6680 4800

Email: info@lotuspalliativecare.com.au Web: www.lotuspalliativecare.com.au

the most unlikely situations. Calling such contrived nonsense ‘reality TV’ was a stroke of marketing genius.

In Trump’s first term in office, he branded real world events ‘fake news’ and all the truly fake news became ‘truth’, fodder to feed his MAGA base. He even named his online blog ‘Truth Social’. But now with very lifelike AI, I don’t know what is fake and what is real, and you know what, I am so exhausted trying to work it out.

I just turn away and don’t even bother any more. Is my disengagement really what the tech billionaires want?

Mike Balson Upper Wilsons Creek

Take the trash out

Time to take the trash out Byron Shire Council, the community is sick of the drug addicts and booze hounds living in the Byron Rail corridor.

These people defecate on footpaths, take drugs in the park, leave syringes in the playground for kids to find, and create a mess.

They abuse passersby, and attack them, and they are rewarded for it with free food and clothes.

This disgusting behaviour, which is harmful to children who use the park, goes unpunished and is rewarded. Council needs to hold them accountable for their behaviour.

David Connors Byron Bay

Sharks with legs

Fake news

I guess fake news began thousands of years ago when religious fantasy was first preached as fact.

Segue to a mere 20 years back with the onset of ‘reality TV’, where the most unlikely people were put together in

I feel sorry for owners of rottweilers, mastiffs and other big guard dogs or biting dogs.

Everyone whinges when a child is bitten, or a koala or the family poodle is killed.

Don’t people realise that you need an intimidating dog if you’re a drug dealer, a criminal, or have a personality disorder?

KARATE CLASSES

Mondays & Wednesdays

Juniors (8-13yrs) 4.30-5.30pm Seniors (14+ yrs) 5.45-7pm

First term classes commence Wednesday 4th Feb

Register online for two free classes. jinwukoonkarate.com.au 0490 849 295

Ewingsdale Community Hall

Bangalow 8 min, Brunswick 10 min, Mullumbimby 13 min.

And it’s discrimination to expect owners to behave with a conscience or common sense if they haven’t any.

Thousands of Australians get bitten by dogs, it’s a difficult public health problem.

As with drink driving, you may need an arbitrary limit. The bigger the dog, the bigger the bite.

Perhaps dogs over say 17kg should wear a muzzle in public. (If you have a big friendly dog get an exemption from your vet).

Otherwise it’s like letting the untrained or unreliable carry loaded weapons.

Steve Woods Alstonville

Kill them with kindness

‘Those who expose the wisdom from their holy books seem so far removed from the kindness on those pages’.

They, particularly the ‘right-wing Christians’, distort (ignore?) Jesus’ teaching: love one another.

As Mandy says (Mandy’s Soapbox, Echo , 8 April), ‘kill them with kindness’! Roger Seccombe Ballina

Trains are needed

Yes Mandy Nolan, in one of the fastest-growing regions on the East Coast, with millions of visitors, and a multibillion-dollar train line (no need to spend billions building one) connecting most local population centres we should, and can, have trains run on renewable energy, reconnecting towns once again (Echo, 15 April).

Just 22 kilometres of line needs to be built to connect the line to the Queensland rail system at Coolangatta, and the airports so tourists can get here in a more sustainable manner and locals will have an accessible, safer, affordable way to get to work, uni, health services and social activities in all weathers.

And people can wheel on with wheelchairs, bicycles and prams.

No need to disturb sleeping babies or heave prams into car boots. Trains travelled between local towns in a fraction of time it takes the empty, expensive buses.

But rather than demanding the state government provide the train services promised and needed for decades, which is their responsibility, local councils prefer to go along with the ridiculous scheme to spend more taxpayers’ money ripping up the valuable train line than it would cost to restore the line and get the

trains running.

It cost $660,000 per kilometre to repair the line in Byron for a train, but destroying it is costing at least $700,000 per kilometre – and much more thanks to Trump’s illegal war.

As Mandy says, cars are a massive financial burden and it will be a long time before everyone can afford an electric car, especially low-paid workers travelling long distances for work, who need them most.

But electric cars will do nothing to reduce traffic or parking problems which are making our once idyllic towns unpleasant places for locals and tourists. Not to mention the millions it’s costing 16,000 Byron ratepayers for road upgrades and maintenance, and multistorey car parks needed to cram in millions of tourists. Costs which are going through the roof thanks to Trump’s war.

It’s time for a thorough investigation into how much taxpayers’ money is being wasted on this crazy scheme for no environmental, economic or social benefit to the community.

Louise Doran Ocean Shores

Triumphal

Just noticed that the word ‘Triumphal’ is an anagram of ‘Hail Trump’.

Joe Harvey-Jones Eureka

Fatal friendships

The Kissinger quote referenced by Tony Christy in last week’s paper, ‘it may be dangerous to be America’s enemy, but to be America’s friend is fatal’, was reportedly said privately to William F Buckley Jr, at the time of the 1968 Paris Peace Talks.

Nixon was the US president-elect at the time. Kissinger was referring to Vietnam presidents Diem and Thieu.

Diem, initially supported by the US, was later killed following a CIA- backed coup, and Thieu was about to be deposed by the US. Following the conversation, Buckley says he set up a meeting between Kissinger and Nixon, and Thieu was saved with the implication that if Thieu was deposed it would be perceived that ‘to be America’s friend is fatal’, and the rest is history.

But if only the quote was prophetic. I note America’s only friends at the moment are Netanyahu, Viktor Orbán and maybe Putin. Rob Watson Myocum

Opinion/NSW News

Remembering the lost WW1 generation

Patricia Warren

The Brunswick Valley was hit hard by WW1, with 69 percent of its young men killed or wounded, according to Census figures.

This led families from across the wider district to come together in Brunswick Heads to plant coastal cyprus pines as a living memorial to those who served, and those who didn’t come home.

It is located within the Terrace Holiday Park, which is managed by NSW-government run entity, Reflections Holiday Parks.

Commemorative planting at risk

Reflections plans to ‘reforest’ the area under its ‘Pine Regeneration Project’, and at risk is the original commemorative intent and layout of the memorial.

They said in their Echo ad last week that they ‘welcome respectful conversations’ around how they can support the recognition of this memorial.

Reflections have already been advised by community members that this memorial is registered with the National Heritage, in the Mitchell Library and on Treenet.

It is difficult to get exact figures on those who enlisted in WW1, as many got on the train, and did so in Lismore and Murwillumbah.

Plus, lads continued to enlist during the war, and others never enlisted.

Yet the impact of WW1 on Byron Shire’s male population between 18 and 34 years of age was significant!

The 69 per cent of 18-34

year old males, either killed or wounded was slightly above the 68 per cent for the whole of Australia.

When compared to the 62 per cent killed and wounded in Germany, 48 per cent in Great Britain and 55 per cent amongst the Ottomans, it brings a very different perspective again.

To bring the impact of WW1 into current perspective, there is an estimated 3,600 males between 18 and 34 years in Byron Shire, a 69 per cent killed or wounded would be a 2,484 impact on the sons, husbands and fathers in that population.

The figures should emphasise to all, and help us understand, what drove the community to create the living WW1 memorial to their men in what was the Brunswick Heads Flora Reserve –now the Terrace Holiday Park in Brunswick Heads.

Dip in 1921 data

The impact of this ‘lost generation’ on the social and economic fabric of the towns and villages was profound, and easily recognisable in the ‘dip’ in the Census data of 1921.

There were labour shortages, particularly in dairying, forcing many families to be

reliant on child labour or sell their farms.

The loss of men of marriageable age saw a rise in single-woman households.

Men who did return, and who had been gassed, were suffering from shell shock or had lost (or injured) limbs, could not return to their former work.

Thus, the living WW1 memorial, planted to honour those who served and those who lost their lives, must be managed with the same respect as any other memorial.

The original grid pattern must not be altered so that what is preserved is the historical integrity of the memorial. It is critical that Reflections undertake only to replant trees in line with the original grid formation.

Historical aerial photographs shows it extended to the southern end of the precinct.

This negates the notion of ‘creating’ a ‘forest’ of 600 sqm in the Terrace Holiday Park unless it is in grid formation.

Reflections is advised this is about honouring and respecting the military heritage of our Shire.

■ Patricia Warren is a longterm Bruns resident.

Centralised hazard reduction body created

Anew multi-agency taskforce to accelerate hazard reduction ‘and better protect communities across NSW’, has been created by the NSW Labor government.

In a media release, the government says ‘Taskforce Fire Guard will bring together fire agencies and land managers to strengthen coordination and prioritise high risk areas over the coming months’.

‘Operating from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) State Operations Centre, the taskforce will use predictive services and weather intelligence to support agencies to target efforts where they are needed most.

‘Participating agencies include the RFS, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation of NSW, Crown Lands and Transport for NSW.

‘The centralised body will support existing local arrangements by coordinating resources and using technology to plan and deliver hazard reduction more efficiently across the state.

‘Current conditions have created a valuable window for hazard reduction activity with burns underway across multiple regions.

‘These activities are reducing fuel loads, helping to lower fire intensity and better protect communities

ahead of future fire seasons.

‘There may be periods when communities experience smoke and residents are encouraged to download the Hazards Near Me app, follow health advice and take care while driving.

‘It is important for agencies to take every available opportunity to carry out this work which has been hindered in recent years by record floods and prolonged rains, as well as unsettled conditions and less predictable fire seasons.

‘Since 1 July 2025, agencies have treated 45,000 hectares across NSW, helping to protect more than 127,000 properties through a targeted focus’, says the media release.

SATURDAY 25 APRIL, 2026

5.30am Dawn Service 6.00am Ballina RSL $5 Breakfast 10.15am ANZAC March forms up 10.30am ANZAC March 11.00am ANZAC Day Service 12.00pm Ballina RSL Lunch 1.00pm 2-Up on Level One

Boardwalk

North Coast, State & National News

An epic ride for 87-year-old Gordon

Photo & story David Lowe

Ballina’s Gordon Hayes

is virtually riding 1,500 kilometres, to raise money for Save The Children.

A bike racer in his youth in the UK, Gordon is now 87.

A few years ago he had a serious cycling accident which resulted in a spinal injury and chronic neuropathic pain. While he can no longer ride on the street, he’s still able to ride on his trainer in an upright position.

An app on his phone, connected to his back wheel, replicates the terrain of rides in various parts of the world, and provides encouragement.

Gordon is currently riding one hour in the morning (over 35 km), four times a week, with the aim of raising at least $2,000 to help children in need.

Because of his spinal injury, he reluctantly had to give up road cycling, but has since established a great training regime in his garage.

‘Having the phone up there allows me to look at it and relieve the pressure,’ Gordon explained.

NSW anti-protest laws struck down

The NSW Labor government can no longer use the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) powers to block or criminalise protests, after the NSW Court of Appeal found the laws unconstitutional.

The laws were rushed in after the Bondi massacre, and were widely condemned at the time by legal experts.

accused the largely peaceful community opposed to the Gazan genocide of being violent offenders.

SMH reports, ‘Premier Chris Minns insists protesters should “take responsibility” for their actions on February 9, when at least 25 people were charged after a protest against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

He says a Garmin transponder on his bike axle goes to the handlebars and Bluetooth connects to the phone.

‘I have an app called Wahoo Fitness which gives me rides around the world, but I follow this one particular guy, Mike Cotty’, he says.

‘Also I frequently cycle with my arms behind my back, just using my legs, so I can relieve the pressure in the back.’

‘He’d already established records for long distance events like riding through the Pyrenees non-stop, 1,300 kilometres. So he knows the mechanics of the cycling business extremely well, and he also knows what motivates people. He’s got a really good, engaging voice.’

He chose to support Save the Children because ‘Children are innocent and defenseless,’ Gordon explained.

‘And they are affected by everything that we do; domestic violence, the crimes of others. They are rarely victims of their own making. It’s always someone else…’

‘You see the devastation in Syria, in Lebanon, in Ukraine, and Save The Children work internationally.’

To help, visit www. savethechildrenfundraising. org.au/gordons-1500-kmbike-challenge-fundraiser

■ Full story online at www.echo.net.au.

According to an ABC report, the laws placed an ‘impermissible burden’ on the implied freedom of political communication.

As a result of the ruling, police can no longer issue blanket declarations preventing people from seeking authorisation for protests in large parts of Sydney for weeks or months at a time.

Yet according to the SMH (Nine), Premier Chris Minns has taken the extraordinary step of rebuking the Supreme Court’s finding, and instead

‘The protest became violent, with police using laws passed after the Bondi terror attack to stop activists marching on Sydney’s streets’.

Police conduct under review

Video footage clearly shows police being aggressive against peaceful protesters, and police conduct is now subject to a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission investigation,

with public hearings held later in the year. SMH reports, ‘Two pieces of legislation gave police extraordinary powers on the night of the protest – both the Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) and the Major Events Act 2009, giving police the power to close entire parts of the city’. This is the second time in six months that anti-protest laws from the Labor Minns government have been struck down, raising questions about legislative judgment and constitutional compliance.

Implied freedom

The decision is based on the implied freedom of political communication, confirming that governments cannot impose sweeping protest bans, even after traumatic events like the Bondi attack.

Calls to scrap negative gearing, CGT discount

Seven housing, youth and anti-poverty groups are urging Labor’s federal Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, to scrap negative gearing and the capital gains tax (CGT) discount ahead of the 2026 Federal Budget.

In a joint statement, they said, ‘The $20bn annual cost is driving up house prices and locking people out. You can’t fix the housing crisis while we hand $20 billion a year to property investors.’

The groups are House You, Everybody’s Home, Antipoverty Centre, Better Renting, Think Forward, Tomorrow Movement, Foundation for Young Australians.

$20 billion in tax breaks for investors

They said, ‘We all know Australia is in a housing crisis. Rents are unaffordable. Homelessness is rising.

Public housing waitlists stretch decades. And every year, the federal government hands $20 billion in tax breaks to property investors through negative gearing, and the CGT discount at the direct expense of the people who need housing most.

‘As global economic uncertainty stretches so many of us well past breaking point, the case for tax reform has never been stronger or more urgent.

‘This week, reports suggest Treasurer Jim Chalmers is leaning toward scrapping the Howard-era CGT discount and returning to the pre-1999 inflation indexation method.

Our organisations welcome this. It is exactly the kind of leadership this crisis demands.

‘We call on Treasurer Jim Chalmers to use the 2026 budget to scrap negative gearing and the CGT discount

entirely and direct the $20 billion in annual savings towards funding public, high quality homes for the people who need them.

‘Our organisations reject half-measures, including reducing the CGT discount, limiting negative gearing to one or two investment properties, or grandfathering changes so existing investors continue to unfairly benefit.

‘These are not reforms. They maintain handouts to the wealthy few at the expense of the majority.

‘The only reform equal to the scale of the crisis is to urgently end handouts for property investors, with the tax revenue directed to providing high quality, beautiful public homes.

‘The 2026 Budget is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real reform. It is time to deliver’, they added.

Local surf clubs benefit from $5m in facilities funding

North Coast surf clubs will benefit from the NSW government’s $5.4 million commitment from the Surf Club Facilities Program in 2026.

A media release says 46 clubs – up from 38 this time last year – saw their applications approved.

‘As has been the determining criteria in previous years, grants of up to $1 million were awarded to projects, in particular, that encouraged participation by women and girls, people with disability, First Nations

peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and LGBTQIA+ members’.

Locally, Byron Bay SLSC was awarded $67,164 (two projects); Cabarita Beach SLSC $25,877; Cudgen Headland SLSC $100,000; Salt SLSC (Kingscliff) $345,345 and Yamba SLSC $24,000.

The media release says that Salt SLSC will use contributions to continue the works on their surf club that have already begun, ‘ensuring long-term viability

and ease of operation for the lifesaving services provided to the community’.

Surf Life Saving NSW COO, Phil Ayres said that the lifesaving movement in NSW is the fastest-growing volunteer movement in the country.

He said, ‘Our membership continues to grow and with more than 85,000 lifesavers and nippers, providing safe, secure, and accessible facilities for members and the communities they protect is more important than ever.’

Single Fin Malibu Classic comp

the open old mal for the 3rd year in a row.

Mullumbimby wins division 1

Mullumbimby Golf Club is extremely proud following the great achievement of their Division 1 Ladies Pennant team, and the girls are pretty chuffed as well. Go girls!

It’s the first time since ladies began playing in 1934 that Mullumbimby has won the Division 1 Northern Rivers Ladies Pennant.

The 45th Byron Bay Single Fin Malibu Classic was run last weekend. Waves were small but the glass prevailed.

One of the over-60s heats is pictured here. The open men’s was won by the legendary, 67-year-old Ray Gleave.

Gleave beat local rippers Matt Hall in 2nd and Kahu Andronicus in 3rd. Kahu took out

The event was sponsored by many local businesses and all the money raised goes to five charities and not-for-profits: The Shift Project, Byron YAC, The North Coast Disabled Surfing Association, Byron Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue, and the Westpac Helicopter.

One of the area’s longest-running events, it is run completely by volunteers of the Byron Bay Malibu Club.

Great turnout for Mullum Easter golf comp

Andrew Crockett

Over 200 players turned out for the Mullum Rural Co-Op and Whites Rural Classic 4-man Ambrose over the Easter break, enjoying fantastic course conditions and a beautiful day weatherwise. The winning team of Cody, Reg, and Ryder Nelson, along with David Farmer, posted an outstanding score of 16-under par.

A wide range of events were on offer, including long

drives for men and women, straight drives, and nearestthe-pin contests across multiple holes.

Junior golfer winner

The $2,500 hole-in-one prize went unclaimed and will jackpot next year.

In other club news, junior golfer George Crockett claimed the Dave Sloan Memorial Shield during the school holidays, outperforming a strong field of 87 adult competitors with

Newy Store

OPEN 7:30am – 6:00pm 7 DAYS A WEEK

an impressive 45 points. The junior coaching programs at both Mullumbimby and Ocean Shores golf clubs are clearly delivering excellent results.

Meanwhile, Mullumbimby Golf Club hosted its most successful Wednesday Trivia Night to date, with 90 participants enjoying great food, plenty of laughs, and the expert MC work of local entertainer Patti Gardiner. Trivia kicks off every Wednesday from 6pm.

The team, consisting of Julianne Ross (captain), Deb Cullen, Gwyn Parsons, Michelle Stenner, and Sharon Thompson, with reserves Liz Parks and Judy Towner played at courses across the Northern Rivers over the past two months.

To win the prestigious event the Mullumbimby ladies played Ocean Shores at Grafton winning 5-0, Ballina at Yamba winning 3-2, Teven at Mullumbimby which resulted in a draw, and Grafton at Ocean Shores winning 3-2.

Going into the final round at Ballina Golf Course, Mullumbimby held a narrow half-point advantage over Ballina.

Mullumbimby went on to secure a 3-2 win over Grafton and Ballina lost to Teven 2-3 resulting in the Mullumbimby ladies winning 17-15 ½. Congratulations to the Division 1 Pennant team, it’s taken a long time to win but was worth the wait.

Giants undefeated at home in the NRRRL

Ross Kendall

The Mullumbimby Giants senior rugby league side were undefeated across four grades playing at the Les Donnelly Field last Saturday against the Tweed Coast Raiders.

The second round of the Northern Rivers Rural Rugby League (NRRRL) got off to a good start for the host as the Ladies League Touch side earned their second win of the season to remain undefeated. The side ran out 12-10 winners after building a strong half-time lead of 10-4.

Next up the 18s did their bit with a strong 16-4 win.

As the day started to fade the lights went on at Les Donnelly Field for a tight clash that saw the visitors come home strongly in the second-half to pull off a 14-all draw, after trailing 12-6 at half-time.

But the Giants sealed the deal on a big night for the club when the A-grade side kept the visitors pointless, running in a convincing 16-0 win.

The Giants are well set to contest the upcoming local derby this Sunday against the Byron Bay Red Devils at Red Devil Park. A day full of league action kicks off at 10.50am.

Send us your sport stories!

We would love to run all kinds of local sport on these pages so please send your photos and stories to sport@echo.net.au.

Bistro Sicily: the heart of Italy in Billinudgel

Bistro Sicily brings the heart of Italy to Billinudgel, serving authentic Italian staples, handmade pasta, daily specials, and traditional long-fermented dough pizza crafted with passion and experience. Giuseppe’s love for cooking began at just four years old, growing up immersed in the rich traditions of Sicilian cuisine.

Today, their dishes reflect both humble heritage and refined skill, with generous plates of gnocchi, risotto, and handmade pizza served with warmth and authenticity, while prioritising the use of local produce and high-quality ingredients. They offer both takeaway and dine-in options, along with a beautiful outdoor area available for private events, creating the perfect setting for celebrations, gatherings, and special occasions.

2-4 Mogo Place, Billinudgel 0423 877 086

www.bistrosicily.com.au

@bistro_sicily

and

Dining with water views in Ballina

If you’re after a meal with a spectacular view overlooking the water, Ballina has a couple of great options.

The first is the fairly upmarket Capiche restaurant, overlooking Lighthouse Beach. It’s done up in a modern coastal style with driftwood ceiling ornaments and a number of ‘booths’, along with standard window tables. The restaurant has been designed so that the tables at the ‘back’ are higher and also have a view through the glass wall to the beach.

A second option is the Boardwalk Dining and Bar (and adjacent Boardwalk

Cafe) on the first floor of the Ballina RSL. Again, the walls are entirely glass, looking over a beautiful wide expanse of river with just bush on the other side.

If you are thinking of visiting the Ballina RSL on Anzac Day (25 April) and would like to like to learn more about the Dawn service or River Street march, contact the Sub-branch or visit their website https:// www.ballinarslsubbranch.org.au/. Tickets to the Ballina RSL Sub-Branch lunch are available through the Sub-Branch and available on the day. The Boardwalk will be open to the public from 6am until 2.30pm on Anzac Day, and reopen for dinner at 5.30pm.

Aside from Anzac Day, the venue is open seven days a week. As they say, you can experience elegance at this waterfront location, ‘where stylish sophistication meets comfort and relaxation. The Boardwalk seamlessly combines the

attributes of a restaurant, brasserie, and bistro, offering a culinary destination that caters to every palate. With an extensive menu ranging from gourmet delicacies to wholesome family favourites, every dish is crafted with freshness and quality in mind. We present a diverse menu from fresh seafood to succulent steaks, gourmet salads, delectable pasta, and delightful kids’ meals. Our culinary offerings truly encompass the works’.

If a relaxing beverage is all you require they have an extensive selection of craft beers, wines and cocktails at the Boardwalk Bar. Discover affordable luxury and an inviting ambiance, all in one place, where delicious meets distinctive!’

The Boardwalk is open seven days lunch 12pm to 2pm, dinner 5.30pm to 8pm Boardwalk cafe 9am to 2pm, 5.30pm to 8pm

See ballinarsl.com.au/dining/ for more details.

The Good Life

Vegan food that appeals to all

Vegan chef Arianne Screiber has been making plantbased sweet and savoury comfort and raw food for the local farmers’ markets for many years. But what constantly surprises her is that most of her customers are not vegans.

‘The majority of my customers are not even vegan,’ she says. ‘I think the popularity amongst nonvegans is that I offer many gluten- and dairy-free food options and this appeals to so many people who have intolerances.

‘My objective is to create delicious food for ALL who struggle to find yummy things to eat when they are out. So, I focus on providing food options with no seed oil, no onion or garlic, low in sugar and carbs, but high in protein – which still tastes great.’

When Arianne says ‘yummy things’, she means it… her stall is called Yummify and clearly the food is hitting the right taste buds, as she has repeat customers every week at both Byron and Bangalow Farmers Markets. Arianne says this could be attributed to not only her wide food offering, but the health benefits of eating vegan.

Yummify offers everything from lasagne, vegetable bakes and pumpkin rolls to mushroom pies, charcoal rice paper rolls and bao buns, along with a range of desserts, cheesecakes and mini cakes that change with the season.

‘The benefits of eating a plant-based diet is becoming more and more scientifically proven to reduce inflammation and the risk of many chronic illnesses,’ Arianne says. ‘So, I aim to I offer food that is delicious as well as being healthy and beneficial to longevity.

‘What I love about providing food at the

farmers’ markets is being part of the community, and engaging with my regular customers every week for years. You get the chance to develop real relationships that way, and I’ve become friends with many. It’s also so important to me to be part of a food system that supports and teaches people about local food security.’

You can find Yummify at Byron Farmers Market on Thursday mornings and Bangalow Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. Byron Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 7am to 11am at Butler St Reserve and Bangalow

Farmers Market is every Saturday from 7am to 11am in Piccabeen Park.

Making SPACES

Leaf It To Us

Quality arborists in Byron Shire

110+ five-star Google reviews

Leaf It To Us is a specialist arborist company servicing Byron Shire and surrounding areas.

They are qualified arborists — not tree loppers. Their work is guided by industry best practice, structural tree science and a strong commitment to proper tree care.

Established in 2008, Leaf It To Us has built a reputation for quality workmanship, honest advice and reliable service. From precision pruning and canopy reduction to complex removals, every job is carried out with care, safety and attention to detail.

They understand Byron Shire’s coastal conditions, native species and Council requirements — ensuring compliant, responsible and professional tree management.

If you’re looking for experienced, quality arborists in Byron Shire, Leaf It To Us is the trusted choice.

Kascha Wood 0402 487 213 www.leafittous.com.au

Get you gas from locals

Swap a Bottle is a locally-owned and family-run independant LP gas supply business, conveniently located in South Murwillumbah ( Look for the blue flags!)

You can come in and have your barbecue bottle quickly re-filled on-site, or our friendly dedicated team can organise your 45kg gas delivery with the service and reliability our wonderful customers already enjoy!

Continuing to make changing suppliers simple. Swap a Bottle offers a straightforward, hassle-free alternative for households and businesses alike.

The team at Swap a Bottle are proud to support the local community with dependable service and reliability.

Now may be your perfect time to make an easy change to a 100% local family business.

10 Kite Crescent, South Murwillumbah Free Call: 1300 727 013 swapabottlegas.com

Windows and doors not working properly?

Fret no more! Don’t replace… REPAIR and SAVE with Working Windows.

Jake and Toby are local experts specialising in the repair and, if necessary, replacement of windows, doors, flyscreens and security screens.

With 10+ years experience in timber, aluminium and uPVC products, they pride themselves on always delivering top-quality, eco-friendly results that best benefit you and your environment.

Contact them today via phone or email, or check out their website for more information.

Jake 0435 506 465 Toby 0405 793 994 workingwindows1@gmail.com workingwindows.com.au

Time to get your veggies planted

It’s time to plant the cool season kitchen garden. Feed the soil with plenty of locally-made organic Living Farm Compost and you’re ready to go.

Brassicas like kale, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower (try growing purple cauliflower!) can go in now, as well as dill, rocket, coriander, shallots, lettuce, silverbeet, spinach and tomatoes. Asian greens and radish are super quick –you can start picking within a few weeks.

Peas, snow peas and broad beans are a winter treat. The climbing varieties will give you a greater yield, but there are dwarf ones too.

Plant successive crops, a few weeks apart, to extend your harvesting season. Watch out for pests, especially caterpillars and aphids, and use controls that are safe for beneficials and for humans.

140 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay @edenatbyron www.edenatbyron.com.au 02 6685 6874

Sleep Better with Beds R Us Byron Bay

Konpak

Live in a Konpak home, built for the changing seasons of life. Based in Murwillumbah, Konpak designs and builds compact, architecturally-considered tiny homes made for modern living. Whether you’re seeking a backyard rental, a multi-generational living solution, or just a simpler lifestyle, Konpak offers functional, beautiful dwellings that don’t compromise on quality.

Each home is locally built and delivered ready to live in which means no on-site construction stress. Our team works closely with you to customise your space and make the most of every square metre.

Big on lifestyle, small in size, Konpak is about building smarter, not bigger..

300 Lundberg Dr, South Murwillumbah (by appointment only) Call Cody: 0434 272 353 konpak.com.au @konpak_homes

Freshen your air conditioner this autumn

Did you know all the mattresses at Beds R Us are made right here in Australia?

When you shop at Beds R Us Byron Bay, you’re not just buying a mattress — you’re investing in Australian craftsmanship, local jobs, and your best night’s sleep. Their Sleepmaker and Sleepyhead mattresses are proudly made in Australia using innovative comfort technologies designed to keep you cool, supported, and well-rested.

By choosing local, you’re helping our community thrive. You’re supporting Aussie families, reducing environmental impact, and getting premium quality that’s built to last.

Visit them at 16 Brigantine Street – their friendly team is here to help you find your perfect mattress. Let them help you sleep better.

16 Brigantine Street, Arts & Industry Estate 02 6685 5212 bedsrus.com.au

After a summer of constant cooling, many homeowners notice unpleasant odours from their air conditioner. Artisan Air knows that moisture created in the coils during hot, humid weather provides the perfect breeding ground for mould and mildew. When systems operate, these contaminants blow through the home, potentially exacerbating allergies and respiratory issues. Autumn presents the ideal opportunity for air conditioning maintenance. For units showing signs of mould or mildew, Artisan Air recommends their professional hygiene clean to thoroughly remove these harmful organisms.

The company now offers another innovative solution: a 100% natural, food-safe product that’s safe for pets and families. Installed directly into the unit, it prevents mould and mildew growth for up to 12 weeks, ensuring cleaner air and healthier indoor environments year-round.

02 6680 9394 hello@artisanair.com.au www.artisanair.com.au

Healthy homes for coastal living (minus the damp drama)

Waking up to foggy windows or that musty smell? Not exactly the coastal lifestyle you had in mind.

In the Northern Rivers, humidity is part of life but a well constructed home makes all the difference.

Metsa Building Co. creates homes designed for the climate. Naturally cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and built to keep mould at bay. Guided by Passive House principles, the focus is on performance, comfort, and healthier indoor air. The result? Fresh, filtered air and a home that feels comfortable year-round.

With mould-resistant construction, low-toxin materials, and environmentally- conscious practices, Metsa homes are built for lasting quality and long-term wellbeing.

Curious about mould-resistant design? Explore Metsa’s Passive House guide from their website.

www.metsabuilding.com.au

@ metsabuildingco

hendo@metsabuilding.com.au

Hendrik 0426 894 565

Byron Arts & Industry Estate

Creative, small-batch, hand-made, state-of-theart, artisan, innovative, ethical, imaginative, hyperlocal, leading-edge, quality, EXPLORE premium, master, handcrafted, accomplished, cutting edge, organic, designer, eclectic DISCOVER ingenious, beautiful, unique, sensational, avant-garde, original, visionary, inspirational, expert, brilliant, gifted, ahead of the curve. YOU wonderful, compelling, THERE experiencing, witnessing, engaging. NOW.

1. BISQUE TRADERS

Established in 2000, Bisque Traders is a destination for considered interiors, offering a curated collection of furniture, lighting, homewares, tiles, art, and textiles, all designed in-house and crafted by skilled artisans. The Byron Bay showroom showcases soft, sculptural furniture, hand-crafted lighting, and richly textured décor. Bisque Traders also provides bespoke interior design services for residential, hospitality, and commercial projects.

3/21 Brigantine Street (dual access via Bayshore Drive) bisquetraders.com.au | @bisque

2. BODHI LIVING

Bodhi Living showcases a carefully-curated collection of furniture, homewares, rugs and lighting, sourced both locally and globally. They have introduced a range of collections designed in-house, including sofas, dining tables and seating using natural and sustainable materials such as rattan and wood.

The brand encapsulates the freedom of spirit, and the soul of the individual, as represented through their home.

Shop 1/18 Centennial Circuit bodhiliving.com.au @bodhi.living

3. HEAT PILATES & YOGA

Byron Bay’s home for dynamic, music-driven movement. They blend hot pilates, strength training, reformer and grounding yoga to build power, mobility and confidence. The warm, welcoming studio and expert instructors create an uplifting atmosphere for every level. Feel energised, challenged and fully resetevery class, every time, in a space designed to make you feel amazing.

8 Grevillea Street heatbyronbay.com.au

4. OUR TIMELESS THREADS

Visit Our Timeless Threads (The OTT Shop), a nurse-led, not-for-profit op shop and creative hub at 18 Acacia Street. Rummage through racks and textile bins, up-cycle fashion waste, host or join community-led workshops, bring your clothes to quarterly preloved community markets, and learn from seniors in our skill-share sessions.

Donate, volunteer, discover unique finds, while igniting intergenerational connections through creativity, sustainability, fashion and music. The OTT Shop, 18 Acacia Street Contact Maia Willow: 0404813643 https://www.ourtimelessthreads.org/ @ourtimelessthreads

5. SOCIAL REMEDY

A considered approach to strength, mobility, and longevity. Social Remedy offers reformer pilates, personal training, intelligent group classes, and a world-class recovery centre including massage, sauna, infrared, and hyperbaric. Designed for efficiency and your long-term health: get everything you need in one place, so your routine stays consistent and your health goals stick.

23/1A Banksia Drive hello@socialremedy.com.au Insta: @socialremedy.byronbay

6. STONE.KIN

Visit us in our new Stonekin store at 2/97 Centennial Circuit to try pieces in person and experience the collection firsthand. The space holds our full range of organic cotton underwear, designed to feel soft, breathable, and close to the body. Each piece is made with clean lines, natural tones, and an everyday ease. In store, receive a complimentary oil with purchase this week only.

2/97 Centennial Circuit

02 6680 7667

Mon - Fri / 10am to 4pm

7. BYRON BAY SALVOS STORE

Packed with quality pre-loved clothing, homewares, furniture, books and more at great prices. Discover great deals on wellknown brands and make sustainable shopping even sweeter.

Now Accepting Donations

The Salvos welcome clean, good-quality items. Your donations help support programs making a real difference locally. Shop sustainably. Support local. Give back. Discover something special today. Great brands. Great prices. Great cause.

5 Banksia Drive

8. THE LARDER

Catering made simple, events made memorable

The Larder Byron Bay caters for life’s moments. Casual backyard BBQs and intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, The Larder lets you relax and savour the fun. Let them handle the heat so you get the most out of your event.

Be a guest at your own party. Enjoy every moment while establishing unforgettable memories.

02 6680 8644

catering@thelarder.com.au

1/12 Bayshore Dr

Habitat Precinct

Habitat is a cleverly designed village in Byron Bay, where you can live, work and play, all in one place. Over 20 years in the making, Habitat combines the best of old-school Byron (community, creativity, respect for the environment) with the latest in design and thinking (renewable energy, car sharing, hybrid live + work spaces) along with plenty of shops, cafés, and good times, it is a little oasis within one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

HABITAT

Get out of town! Visit Habitat where you can shop, eat, drink and recharge, all in one place. Think standout wellness, beauty and fitness studios, seriously good food, and a unique mix of flagship stores. Made for slow mornings, post-work resets, and long, lingering lunches in the sunny courtyard.

1 Porter Street habitatbyronbay.com

@habitat_byronbay”

9. BYRON FAMILY LAW

Byron Family Law is a boutique family law firm established in Byron Bay. Through collaborative and resolution-focused practices, they support clients to separate more kindly and to rebuild following divorce or separation.

They work in collaboration with local counsellors, conveyancers, accountants, mediators, and health and wellness professionals to support you and your family to not only survive, but thrive following a separation.

18 Parkes Avenue 02 6687 2774 byronfamilylaw.com.au

10. RICHARDSON MURRAY LAW

Practicing exclusively in family law, Richardson Murray offers legal advice and guidance in matters of separation, divorce, parenting arrangements and property settlements. With considerable experience in all matters of relationship breakdown, including domestic and family violence, Richardson Murray are known for their compassionate approach and commitment. Their dedicated team aims to deliver the best possible outcomes for clients.

42 Parkes Avenue www.richardson-murray.law

Mungo from the Bardo

Crossword by Mungo MacCallum #14

Not All Men

But always men.

A CNN investigation revealed an illicit website instructing men how to rape their wives received 62 million visits. On the site men shared tips, images and videos related to the abuse of women including how to drug and incapacitate them. This included Telegram channels with British men engaged in the same. This was visitation in one month. February. The shortest month.

Cryptic Clues

ACROSS

1. Aussie Rules cereal in circulation (6)

4. Divine food for doctor and the men back in the Far East (8)

10. A is for agent (9)

11. Scale of Georgia, a docked dog (5)

12. Confusion as time intently brings 21 across (14)

14. Tug, a male greeting (5)

16. Dimwit, or amusing fool? (9)

18. Hansen’s sufferer turns fast and repulsive (9)

20. Stick back French and resin (5)

21. With symptoms of great emotion, dismembers child, male, English –affirmative! (5,2,3,4)

25. I will, says Hall (5)

26. Speed after old individual, that’s clear (9)

27. Medieval play with queen and youth in the back church space (8)

28. Musical group in Vietnamese Easter orgy (6)

DOWN

1. Atom whirls over round body of air (10)

2. Terror leader found in the French lair (5)

3. Fibre plug observes, says Spooner, the court usher (3,4)

5. Gent, and French painter (5)

6. Soldier stirred gruel by a river (7)

7. A bit of territory, over half occasionally (9)

8. Book of deeds (4)

9. 16 across has eight furlongs covering British European Community (8)

13. Estimate of 9 downs despatched around noon (10)

15. A very soft garland left in directions for Tassie. (5,4)

17. Country nurses gratitude for swimming (8)

19. Anarchy can rely on property theft (7)

20. Lead before surrender? (7)

22. Article: thanks for the letter! (5)

23. Ferment in the unknown Orient (5)

24. Sentence sounds fair (4)

Quick Clues

ACROSS

1. Buoyant, on top of the water (6)

4. The food of the gods (8)

10. Agent, go-between (9)

11. Range, scale (5)

12. Mawkishness, sickly-sweet emotion (14)

14. Pull, tug (5)

16. Dullard, uneducated person (9)

18. Disgusting, repulsive (9)

20. Adhesive (5)

21. Emotional reaction brought on by 12 across (5,2,3,4)

25. Corridor (5)

26. Pardon, free from blame (9)

27. Archetypal male person (8)

28. Group of six (6)

DOWN

1. The air around the earth (10)

2. Burdened, carrying (5)

3. Court instruction as the judge enters (3,4)

5. French artist who painted Luncheon on the Grass (5)

6. Normal, predictable (7)

7. Occasionally (9)

8. Deeds (4)

9. Idiot, moron (8)

13. Evaluation, appraisal (10)

15. Tasmania, proverbially (5,4)

17. The art of swimming (8)

19. Theft of property (7)

20. Lead, go before (7)

22. Eighth letter of Greek alphabet (5)

23. Fermenting mould used to make bread and beer (5)

24. Destiny (4)

Last week’s solution #13

If this was a website that recorded 62 million visits to find out how to rob a bank, how to drive a car into pedestrians, how to fly a plane into a building… those who own the website, those who visit, they’d be facing serious consequences. It would be terrorism. A crime so serious there are whole police teams dedicated to monitoring and uncovering, and dismantling these illicit and dangerous groups.

In legal terms, there is something called: ‘conspiracy to commit’, for a bank robbery it’s 12 months in jail. If you solicit, encourage, persuade, or endeavour to persuade, or propose to, any person to commit any murder - you can be liable to imprisonment for 25 years. Drugging women to rape them is conspiracy to commit: assault,rape, murder.  62 million visits puts it at a scale that is incomprehensible. It puts it beyond gender terrorism to a full-scale gender war.

As a woman I have tried to fathom this. What it means. It makes it hard to say ‘not all men’. Because clearly it’s a lot of men.

And they’re not going there by accident. They’re going there to see what other men are doing. They’re going there to learn. They’re going there to socialise the assault and rape of women. Men that women have married. Men that are trusted by the very women they drug and rape. It shocks us women to the core.

I try to imagine if the reverse had happened. If there were  62 million visits by women to a site where we showed videos of men being assaulted. Where we learnt how to drug men. How to harm them. How to humiliate them. Where we formed a covert sisterhood in our desire to commit sexual violence on someone who loved us.

And when men called us out we’d say. ‘Stop woman-shaming us’. We’d say ‘Not all women’.

If this was a website that recorded 62 million visits to find out how to rob a bank, how to drive a car into pedestrians, how to fly a plane into a building… those who own the website, those who visit, they’d be facing serious consequences. It would be terrorism.

And good women would do nothing. Because they’d feel vindicated by not drugging and raping men. That the absence of that behaviour suddenly made them virtuous. Where good women became good, just because they didn’t rape and assault men.

That’s the world women inhabit.  We sat wide-eyed when we listened to the story of the remarkable Gisele Pelicot. The woman who waived her right to anonymity in a multiple rape case where her husband of 50 years drugged her and facilitated the rape and assault not just by him but by dozens of men. We thought that was an anomaly.

But it’s clearly not. 62 million visits  in one month tells me it’s normalised behaviour. It’s been going on for some time. It’s ORGANISED. It’s not the drink in the club that’s been spiked by a stranger, but the cup of tea from the man you trust.

Every name on that website needs to be released. Every email needs to be published.

These men need to be charged. The owners of the website imprisoned. Because women have a right to know if

their brothers, fathers, boyfriends or husbands have conspired to commit a crime against them. Or if they already have.

To men who know this. How will you step into the light when so many men are lurking in the shadows? How will you call out violence? How will you drive change?

We’re not your mummies. We can’t fix you. We can’t save you. We can’t do this ugly work.

It’s yours. It’s the bleeding stain of the patriarchy.

When it comes to addressing this violent betrayal, it’s not just the perps. It’s on all men.

Please step up. Somehow, despite the violence. The assault. The betrayal. The rape. Despite all this, we are still prepared to love you.

I think that’s fucking remarkable.  62 million reasons not to. Yet we still believe in you.

Show us that you’re worth it.

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

BY

LILITH

This week’s triplicity of planets in Taurus, which is all about stability, security and sensuality, introduces the annual season of autumnal feasting…

ARIES: With five planets in Aries and three in the zodiac’s most stubborn sign, this week does its own thing and isn’t designed to be a people pleaser. Best way of keeping the peace if conversations go haywire? Pause, take a breath, think carefully before saying something that can’t be unsaid.

TAURUS: Happy birthday Taureans! As this week’s sun joins Venus and Uranus in your practical sign, celestial machinery rolls into action to ground last month’s inspirations into workable game plans. As the builder of the zodiac, this is your time to stabilise and lay down the foundations needed before moving forward.

GEMINI: The current upswing of practical planets is auspicious for mapping out business plans, making a pitch, or prepping to go for a promotion. Limit distractions and be specific: this week won’t respond well to a dozen different options. Conversational honesty and straight-talk are favoured when discussing major decisions.

CANCER: As this week’s sun moves into its most down to earth transit, perhaps your idea of stability isn’t what you once thought, or the solid basis you relied on has shifted. Either way, this transit is asking everyone to redefine what true security is in these times of accelerated change.

LEO: This week three planets in Leo’s zone of public image and professional reputation are suggesting it’s time to move on from the vision boards, wish lists and inspired ideas of Aries season – to buckle-up and knuckle-down to the business of game plans, spreadsheets and timelines.

VIRGO: The practical magic of your fellow earth sign’s month in the sun suits you right down to the ground, and while this week is sensible and economical, the goal isn’t austerity. It’s about guilt-free enjoyment and you minimalists getting comforted up for the cosy season of mellow fruitfulness.

LIBRA: This week’s balancing act?

Practicality and application with beauty and pleasure. As Venus threesomes with the sun and wildcard Uranus in her other favourite sign, magic could happen in unexpected and refreshingly different ways. Adding a dash of novelty to switch up your routine might be all it takes.

SCORPIO: With the current celestial emphasis in Scorpio’s astrozone of service, routine maintenance, and wellbeing, this week asks what aspects of these could use some honest recalibration? Don’t underestimate the small things, the mundane moments and nourishing rituals that keep your mood even, and life running smoothly.

SAGITTARIUS: With Mercury in a fasttalking fellow fire sign and Jupiter, planet ruler of Sagittarius, in a cautious water sign, plans can hit snags, especially if family is involved. So run your ideas past a trusted sounding board: a grounded perspective rather than heated opinions is what’s needed.

CAPRICORN: What to expect with three planets in your creative fun zone? A pressure drop, and pleasure lift as this week’s more measured pace supports enjoying whatever periods of grace offer themselves in these troubled times. Zen Capricorn Alan Watts described religion as being the transformation of anxiety into laughter.

AQUARIUS: Five planets in Aquarians’ communications sector are offering assistance for making an assessment of your social ecosystem. Are your collaborations reciprocal, is there anyone who’s obviously not contributing, anyone else who deserves some overdue acknowledgment? This week is all about joining forces, but with eyes wide open.

PISCES: If the recent Aries season felt like initiation, now Taurus season offers an invitation to tune into your body’s organic knowing. This week’s energetic wave connects you to your inner compass which contains clues about your next steps, even if they don’t make sense yet. Try not to overthink this.

Volume 40 #46 22–28 April, 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

Seven Seven

For one night only

A sold out season. Two awards. A 5-star review... Kuramanunya is coming to Byron Theatre after a standout Adelaide Fringe run.

A ceremony for those who didn’t get their ceremony, this powerful First Nations solo work by Thomas E.S. Kelly combines emotionally-charged choreography with immersive sound and soul-shaking truth and has already left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike, with one review noting ‘there are moments where the room feels completely suspended’. Take a look at what they had to say, and experience it for yourself.

My feet walk on land that is red blood-soaked. Black burnt, yellow sun-drenched country. Stories from thousands of years. Songs eternally kept on the wind and water.

Honouring lines that have been cut. Poisoned, shot and led to the cliff’s edge. Those who passed to the spirit

world before their kin could arrive from the Dreaming to continue a physical lineage.

Remembering the stories that remain unwritten and unspoken, returned to the earth and stars that they arrived from. Acknowledging that First Nations people are descendants of those who fought for land, family and identity. Not everyone continued to walk this physical world, many returned to the spirit world. Kuramanunya honours them. Kuramanunya. The story is told.

In this solo dance theatre performance, Thomas E.S. Kelly (Minjungbal, Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu man) honours the fallen and the forgotten – those whose stories echo in red earth, wind, and water. This is one man’s tribute to ancestral strength, spirit, and the enduring legacy of First Nations people.

Friday, 1 May at 7pm. Tickets from byroncentre.com.au.

Seven days of entertainment

This event is going to be a ball!

Get ready to sparkle, mingle and get your disco on at The Disco Ball – All Abilities Event.

A vibrant, new all-abilities event is coming to Haven, Byron Bay on Wednesday, 29 April, bringing music, connection, and celebration to our community.

The Disco Ball is a festive nightclub-style social event for people living with disabilities, their carers, family and friends. Created to spark joy and foster connection, it offers people of all abilities the opportunity to come together, dance, meet new friends and enjoy a genuine sense of belonging.

This special community event is a grassroots passion project designed to create meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities through connection, collaboration, contribution, and celebration.

The evening will feature a live DJ, delicious food by Pizza Loco and a special guest performance by Poppy Galactic, making the evening a lively and memorable experience.

Haven provides the perfect atmosphere for this night to remember – with a variety of amazing sensory spaces, this event is designed to be both exciting and inclusive.

The Disco Ball will be held at Haven, Byron Bay, on Wednesday, 29 April from 6pm to 8.30pm.

Tickets and info from www.thediscoball.com.au

Enquiries: tanya@thediscoball.com.au

Seven

Exciting and eclectic

Cheeky Cabaret season at the Brunswick Picture House may now be over, but their upcoming program is jam-packed with many exciting and eclectic events ranging from films, concerts and conversations to burlesque and theatre!

This week, let the belly laughs flow as the riveting, ribald Amelia Jane Hunter brings her Horny Peacock on Thursday; and the Shrek-inspired comedy burlesque Swamplesque invades the Picture House on Sunday

The Picture House has partnered with Byron Writers Festival to present conversations with philosopher A.C. Grayling on Wednesday, and award-winning novelist Susan Choi on Tuesday, 19 May

Don’t miss their slate of unique documentary films, starting with local filmmaker Nena van Bakel’s journey to discover why her brother decided to become a Buddhist monk in Will I Ever Call You Jampa on

BayFM’s website needs some TLC

Good on the web? Skilled in Wordpress? Do you have an hour or so a week in your work schedule?

We need your help to make our website look and work better. We have folks here who can write, but we need to get those words in the right place at the right time to make our online experience sing.

If that’s you, please contact studiomanager@bayfm.org

Tuckshop and Lowe are PLAYEDOUT

Wednesday, 29 April. Then the powerful portrait of the 2022 Lismore floods, Catherine Barker and Kate Stroud’s When The River Rose has one of its last theatrical screenings on Thursday, 30 April

Defend the Wild, and Dingo Culture, bring a double Dingo short film screening, Moort and Wooleen on Sunday 17 May. Finally, audience favourite Banff Mountain Film World Tour is back with an allnew selection of extreme adventure sports films on Friday and Saturday, 8 and 9 May. The Picture House is thrilled to present two world-class concerts under the Great Southern Nights banner: firstly, the soul-soaked, harmony-laced Wanderers on Friday, 1 May, and the divine multi-instrumentalist trio Gosti made up of Linsey Pollak, Tunji Beier and Philip Griffin on Sunday, 3 May

The follow-up to the smash hit Helios from Wright & Grainger, Selene, starring shining Shire local talent Megan Drury, lands in Bruns on Thursday, 14 May, And Cha Cha Bang returns with her burlesque spectacular Wild Women: Pretty Audacious for three big shows on Thursday, May 7 and Friday and Saturday, 15 and 16 May

Tickets for all shows at brunswickpicturehouse.com

In a night that unfolds into sound not structure, PLAYEDOUT features DJs Joey Tuckshop and Jamie Lowe this weekend at The Northern Joey Tuckshop is the new solo project from Joe McKain. It’s a bass-heavy, four-to-the-floor journey of sound. Growing up in Adelaide, Joey spent his early adult life encapsulated by the club scene. This was the beginning of his love for electronic music.

More recently, being based around Byron Bay has given him a new perspective of the industry while playing and being involved with big festivals, events and parties. He has been creating music for many years, and the last few have seen him bunker down and work hard to refine his sound.

This is just the start of Joey Tuckshop, with a lot of music and good times to come.

Hailing from Lennox Head Jamie Lowe has already achieved remarkable success – his talent and dedication earned him coveted spots at festivals that legends are made of ,and he continues to perform at numerous gigs throughout the Far North Coast. With over a decade of experience, Jamie has become a prominent figure in the local music scene.

Known for his signature blend of tech house and unique style, Jamie captivates audiences with his infectious energy on stage. His unforgettable performances at renowned clubs and festivals leave a lasting impression on listeners.

Jamie’s passion for music drives him to constantly push boundaries and inspire others. Whether he’s playing to a packed venue or crafting new sounds in the studio, his focus is always on delivering an unforgettable experience for his audience.

See both of these awesome DJs on Saturday from 8pm at The Northern – this is a free show!

Eclectic Selection

What’s on this week

Possessing a unique stage presence that is both heartfelt and playful at the same time, Luke Bennett has a musical capability that entices listeners in, captivating his audience with rhythmic finger-picking and melodic vocal lines, with a voice that can be described as a powerful, pure calling.

Friday from 5pm at Elements of Byron. Free show.

Introducing Syzygy@ Embody

The venue holds up to 60 people. For information, and requests, email nyckjeanes@gmail.com Seven

Influenced through a wide range of musical genres, and a passion for house music, Raw Ordio encapsulates their own signature sound of electronic music fused by world-class musicians.

Saturday from 5pm at Salt & Stone, Fingal Head. Tickets from $29 +bf from humanitix.com.

Using chilled acoustic and live-looped energy, Guy & Nicci are a soulful duo bringing feel-good vibes to pop, soul, country, R&B and jazz, with rich harmonies and a huge setlist of crowd favourites.

Saturday from 6pm at the Williams Street Kitchen & Bar, Lennox Head. Free show.

The ultimate party band to get you up and dancing, The Cath Simes Band create capacity audiences wherever they go, playing favourite hits from the ‘60s right through to the current chart toppers.

Saturday from 9.30pm at the Hotel Lismore. Free show.

This week at the Ballina Blues Club you can see Hubcap Stan & The Sidewalk Stompers – Stan and the band play authentic, old-time blues – from the heart, not because it’s the fashion.

Sunday from 2.30pm at the Ballina RSL Boardwalk. Free show.

All legends, all classic rock hits – the Filthy Animals return to Byron with another all-star line up, this time featuring the larger than life Skenie from The Poor! The Filthys like to mix it up but you’ll get a stage full of legends and the best rock songs of all time – done right!

Sunday from 4.30pm at the Beach Hotel, Byron Bay. Free show.

Fat Albert is a well-oiled machine that will have you grooving to all your favourite tunes from late last century to the present day. Get ready to jump, dance, and sing along as Fat Albert takes the stage and ignites the party.

Sunday from 6pm at the Kingscliff Beach Hotel. Free show.

Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore. – Lady Gaga

This Sunday at 7pm, and every Sunday following, Nyck Jeanes will host a series of evening events.

This week, Syzygy@Embody presents Luke Bennett, fine local singer/songwriter, exceptional guitarist and wonderful human.

From 3 May, and every fortnight thereafter, well-regarded local chant ‘group’, HeartChant will play. It features Nyck, Tarshito, Paul, Eltara, Pratima, and guests – bringing people together to sing in communion (nondenominational).

They have been playing every fortnight very regularly for over 12 years. On the alternate weeks, many things will be on offer.

Initially there are always local artists, unique presenters and inspirational leaders celebrating local culture, heart, art and spirit, health and wellbeing, environment and nature.

Then, including movement and dance, comedy, Astroplay, and a little later Nyck will launch a live-streaming radio show, with a small, ticketed audience.

Embody is a new space that already hosts some great local offerings.

Check it out at www.embodyspace.au for info and bookings.

JB’s Blues Breakers

Keeping it local and fresh and real every weekend.

Monthly residencies

The Rails Byron Bay, Great Northern Hotel

Lennox Hotel, Club Lennox, Feddy’s Alstonville, Coolangatta Hotel

Seven Seven

CINEMA GIG GUIDE

The Drama

Save the date – written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself, Dream Scenario) and from indie powerhouse A24 comes The Drama, a sharp, off-kilter comedy starring the powerhouse match made in acting heaven, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson

Zendaya and Pattinson play a couple who seem flawlessly paired until their big day starts to feel less like a fairytale and more like a dress rehearsal for disaster…

At a Tatte café in Boston, Massachusetts, Charlie (Pattinson) approaches Emma (Zendaya) while she is reading, pretending he has read her book. Emma seemingly ignores him, and he returns to his seat before approaching her again to apologise for making her uncomfortable. Emma then notices him and explains that she is deaf in one ear and had not heard him earlier, and invites him to retry his original approach, leading to a date. Two years later, Emma and Charlie are to be married within a week and then the drama really begins! Borgli’s signature blend of cringe, and dark wit, peels back the fondant layers of modern romance to reveal the anxieties, ambitions, and absurdities hiding beneath the buttercream.

As champagne flutes crack and carefully-written vows are called into question, The Drama becomes a comedic autopsy of commitment in the age of performance. Is the wedding a promise, or just a production? With A24’s flair for the beautifully uncomfortable, the film toasts to romance while gleefully smashing the cake in its own face.

The Drama is screening at Palace Cinemas, Byron Bay. IT’S FREE

e: gigs@echo.net.au w: echo.net.au/gig-guide.

DEADLINE 5PM ON FRIDAYS Seven days of entertainment

WEDNESDAY 22

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, GUY KACHEL

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 6PM TRILLA

■ BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 6.30PM A.C. GRAYLING

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM KATIE WHITE + DJ ALICE Q + DUELING PIANOS

■ THE PADDOCK PROJECT, MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM CURRY JAM

■ OTTILIES, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM MONDO JAZZ CATS

■ THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH, 6PM SCREENING: ‘EATING OUR WAY TO EXTINCTION’

THURSDAY 23

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, TIM STOKES + HAYLEY GRACE DUO

■ BYRON THEATRE 6.30PM SCREENING ‘SOUTHERN EDGE’

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 6PM JORDAN MAC + DJ OREN SELECTA + DUELING PIANOS

■ GARDEN BAR, BYRON BAY, 8PM TEMPLE OF FIRE

■ FOXY LUU’S @ COORABELL HALL 5.30PM DJ SIR ENITY

■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM JOSH LEE HAMILTON

■ BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 7PM AMELIA JANE HUNTER

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

■ ELTHAM HOTEL 7PM D.C CROSS AND ANDREW TUTTLE

■ LISMORE REGIONAL GALLERY 5PM AUREOLIN YAYA

■ BLAH BAR, LISMORE, 6.30PM DEM MOB + MR RHODES

■ LISMORE CITY BOWLO 7PM THE SUPPER CLUB SOUL BAND

■ THE CITADEL, MURWILLUMBAH, 6PM SINGER SONGWRITER NIGHT

■ MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, GOLD COAST, 7PM STAHR

FRIDAY 24

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, GOODRICH

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 5PM HAYLEY GRACE + THE VYBEZ BAND

■ ELEMENTS OF BYRON 5PM LUKE BENNETT

except Wed: 3:20PM, 5:45PM, 8:15PM. Wed: 3:15PM, 5:40PM, 8:30PM FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER (M) NO MONDAY & WEDNESDAY Daily except Mon, Wed: 8:30PM FUZE (MA15+) Daily: 8:30PM I SWEAR (MA15+) Daily except Mon, Wed: 8:00PM. Mon: 8:30PM

JEAN VALJEAN (M) NFT Daily: 11:00AM, 1:45PM, 4:00PM, 6:15PM LEE CRONIN'S THE MUMMY (MA15+) NO SCREENING WEDNESDAY Daily except Wed: 8:00PM MICHAEL (PG) NFT Daily: 10:50AM, 12:30PM, 1:30PM, 2:30PM, 3:15PM, 4:15PM, 5:15PM, 6:00PM, 7:00PM, 8:00PM PROJECT HAIL MARY (M) Daily except Sun, Wed: 11:15AM, 4:00PM, 7:10PM. Sun: 11:15AM, 7:10PM. Wed: 11:15AM, 4:00PM THE DRAMA (MA15+) Daily except Wed: 3:30PM, 8:30PM. Wed: 3:30PM THE STRANGER (M) Daily except Mon, Wed: 11:10AM, 1:10PM, 6:00PM. Mon, Wed: 11:10AM, 1:10PM, 8:00PM

■ NORTH BYRON HOTEL 5PM NAT WHITE

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 7PM BREDDA BROTHERS + DJ JAMIE LOWE + DUELING PIANOS + NEWTON FAULKNER

■ THE PARK HOTEL, SUFFOLK PARK, 6PM NOAH ROBERSON

■ STATION STREET CO-OP, BANGALOW, 6.30PM ADRIAN HEATH + CAITLIN REILLY

■ HOTEL BRUNSWICK 6PM THE PRESETS DJ SET + TAYA

■ OCEAN SHORES TAVERN 5.30PM OPEN MIC NIGHT

■ WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 4PM DJ LAINIE GODIVA

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

■ MULLUMBIMBY CIVIC HALL 7PM THE THREE SEAS

■ LENNOX HOTEL 9PM THE FUNNY GOATS BAND

■ CLUB LENNOX 7PM ADAM HARPAZ

■ HOTEL LISMORE 9.30PM ADAM GARDINER + DJ DAKODA

■ MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB 6.30PM TAYLAH LITTLE

■ KINGSCLIFF BEACH BOWLS 5PM JASON DELPHIN

■ SALTBAR, KINGSCLIFF, 5.30PM ELEEA

■ CLUB TWEED 7.30PM RIVERSHED

■ MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, GOLD COAST, 7PM DZ DEATHRAYS

■ COOLANGATTA HOTEL 7.30PM COSMIC VICE, GYPSY BANDITS, TICKETS TO SPACE & TUCANA

SATURDAY 25

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, JASON DELPHIN BAND

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 7PM JEROME WILLIAMS BAND + DJ MY HAPPY PLACE

■ TWILIGHT MARKET, BYRON BAY, 4.30PM BROADFOOT

■ NORTH BYRON HOTEL 5.30PM DANI QUAYLE MUSIC

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 7PM JB’S BLUES BREAKERS, DJ RENEE SIMONE, DUELING PIANOSW + PLAYEDOUT

■ THE PARK HOTEL, SUFFOLK PARK, 6PM ARCADIA

■ BANGALOW HOTEL 4PM ADAM HARPAZ

HOPPERS (PG) Daily except Sat: 5:00PM. Sat: 5:10PM MICHAEL (PG) NFT Daily except Sat, Wed: 10:45AM, 12:10PM, 1:30PM, 4:15PM, 7:00PM. Sat: 10:45AM, 12:20PM, 1:30PM, 4:15PM, 7:00PM. Wed: 10:45AM, 12:10PM, 1:30PM, 4:15PM, 6:30PM

PROJECT HAIL MARY (M) Daily except Sun, Wed: 3:10PM, 6:30PM. Sun: 6:30PM. Wed: 3:10PM RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (PG) 25TH ANNIVERSARY Sun: 4:00PM THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 (CTC) SPECIAL EVENT Wed: 7:00PM THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE (G) Daily except Sat, Sun: 10:30AM, 2:45PM. Sat: 10:30AM, 3:00PM. Sun: 10:15AM, 2:45PM THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE (PG) Daily except Sat, Sun: 10:00AM, 12:50PM, 7:15PM. Sat: 10:15AM, 12:50PM, 7:20PM. Sun: 10:00AM, 12:30PM, 7:15PM

■ WANDANA BREWING CO., MULLUMBIMBY, 3PM RECYCLED SOUNDSYSTEM

■ MIDDLE PUB, MULLUMBIMBY, 6PM PIANO BAR WITH JOHN

■ BILLINUDGEL HOTEL 6.30PM CINNAMON SUN

■ WILLIAMS STREET KITCHEN BAR, LENNOX HEAD, 6PM GUY & NICCI

■ CLUB LENNOX 7PM JOE CONROY

■ LENNOX HOTEL 2PM DJ LONGTIME + EPIC

■ CHERRY STREET SPORTS CLUB, BALLINA, 5PM NATHAN KAYE

■ BALLINA RSL BOARDWALK 6PM ALLY PALMER

■ HOTEL LISMORE 9.30PM CATH SIMES BAND

■ MURWILLUMBAH SERVICES CLUB 6PM MR TROY

■ CABARITA BEACH SPORTS CLUB 4PM JON J BRADLEY

■ KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL BARNES STORM

■ KINGSCLIFF BEACH BOWLS 5PM BRETT HEALY

■ SALTBAR, KINGSCLIFF, 5.30PM HARRY NICHOLS BAND

■ SALT & STONE, FINGAL HEAD, 2PM DUSTY BOOTS + RAW ORDIO

■ CLUB TWEED 7.30PM RADIO CITY

■ MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, GOLD COAST, 12PM TILT SERIES 1 FT PARKER, LIV HEYER AND OLLIE TWOHILL + ROLLERBALL + THE PANASONICS AND JED JISM

■ CHINDERAH TAVERN 2.30PM JEROME WILLIAMS BAND

■ COOLANGATTA HOTEL 8PM BACK 2 BUSINESS

SUNDAY 26

■ RAILWAY HOTEL, BYRON BAY, HASHIMOTO’S CACTUS

■ BEACH HOTEL, BYRON BAY, 4.30PM THE FILTHY ANIMALS

■ NORTH BYRON HOTEL 5PM DJ SCOTT WOLFE

■ THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY, 5PM KANE MUIR + DJ VINYL SUNNY SIDE UP + DUELING PIANOS

■ THE PARK HOTEL, SUFFOLK PARK, 5.30PM JOE CONROY HOTEL BRUNSWICK 4PM LIONHEART REBELLION BRUNSWICK HEADS PICTURE HOUSE 6PM SWAMPLESQUE

■ OCEAN SHORES COUNTRY CLUB 3PM OPEN MIC

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

■ BILLINUDGEL HOTEL 1PM O AND SHEA

MONDAY 27 ■

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Classifieds

ECHO CLASSIFIEDS – 6684 1777

CLASSIFIED AD BOOKINGS

PHONE ADS

Ads may be taken by phone on 6684 1777

AT THE ECHO HEAD OFFICE

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

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

5-YEAR MARKET LICENCES

Byron Shire Council invites applications of 5-year market licences. Register with Vendor Panel to view proposed market licences and assessment criteria.

Expression of Interest closes 2pm, 11 May 2026 For more info visit https://www.byron.

nsw.gov.au/EOI or contact

Lyndal Brennan, Leasing Coordinator 02 6626 7300

WHERE TO GET THE ECHO

If you live in Newrybar, Lennox Head or Ballina, but outside our current home delivery area, you can pick up an Echo from many locations, including: Newrybar Providore Newrybar; Richies

IGA Ballina, Ballina RSL, One Stop Shop Ballina, Ballina Golf Club East Ballina, Brighton St Takeaway near the Shawsy, Seagrass Lennox, Lennox pub drivethrough, Station St Grocer Lennox

Road Impacts

DEADLINE TUES 12PM

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

RATES & PAYMENT

LINE ADS:

$17.00 for the first two lines

$5 .00 for each extra line

$17 for two lines is the minimum charge.

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

These prices include GST.

Cash, cheque, Mastercard or Visa

Prepayment is required for all ads.

Byron Bay Triathlon

Sunday, 26 April 2026

Impacted 4am and 12pm

Bay Street between Fletcher Street and Middleton Street, Middleton Street between Lawson Street and Kingsley Street, Middleton Lane between Kingsley Street and Ruskin Street, Lawson Street between Fletcher Street and Massinger Street, Middleton Street between Bay Street and Lawson Street.

Impacted 5am and 11.30am

Marvell Street between Middleton Street and Tennyson Street, Tennyson Street between Marvell Street and Browning Street

Impacted 7.20am and 11.30am

Ruskin Street between Middleton Lane and Tennyson Street, Gilmore Terrace between Lawson Street and Tennyson Street, Kingsley Street between Cowper Street and Middleton Street, Bangalow Road between Browning Street and Broken Head Road, Broken Head Road between Bangalow Road and Beech Drive North

HEALTH

KINESIOLOGY

Clear subconscious sabotages. Reprogram patterns and beliefs. Restore vibrancy and physical health. De-stress. 0403125506 SANDRA DAVEY, Reg. Pract.

HYPNOSIS & EFT

Simple and effective solutions. Anxiety, Cravings, Fears & Trauma. Maureen Bracken

Mindfulness @ Work

Bring greater focus, clarity and calm into your workplace.

Certified

MARY MCNEILLY

23 February 1936 – 14 April 2026

Colleen passed away peacefully with family at home.

Much loved wife of John (dec.) Loving mother of Janice and Peter. Grandmother of Daniel and Justin. Adored mother-inlaw to Tracy and Lydia. Family and friends are warmly invited to celebrate Colleen’s life at St. John’s Catholic Church Mullumbimby at 11.00am 1st May 2026. Followed by service at Mullumbimby Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request that you share your fondest memories of Colleen in a card or a letter as a keepsake for her family.

David Maxwell Jones 4/9/42 – 12/4/26

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a celebration of his life, to be held at the Old Maclean RSL, 38 River Street, Maclean, on Friday 24 April at 11am.

In lieu of black please wear colour, in lieu of flowers donations to Parkinson’s Australia would be appreciated.

Classifieds / Community at Work

GARAGE SALES

Indi

MUSICAL NOTES

- Community Support Assistants -

MDNC is in need of dedicated volunteers to be part of a big loving family. All skill sets welcome. Contact SylviaVolunteer Coordinator Mon-Fri 6684 1286

#991003002444239

Location: Murwillumbah For more information contact Yvette on 0421 831 128. Please complete our online adoption expression of interest. https://friendsofthepound.com/adoptionexpression-of-interest/

Visit friendsofthepound.com to view other dogs and cats looking for a home. ABN 83 126

Timmy is a 7-year-old Tonkinese who thrives on connection and companionship. Tonkinese cats are intelligent and social. Timmy has a gentle, graceful presence and loves engaging with people, curling beside you or seeking ear scratches. Playful and curious, he enjoys being involved in daily activities. He’s best suited to a calm indoor home with a couple or solo owner who values his affectionate nature. He brings quiet joy and loyal companionship every day.

Rehoming Number R251000060

6681 1860 E:

Meet Wendy, who’s as sweet as can be! A petite, young, black and white girl, with a very friendly and easy going nature. She’s been in the shelter a while now through no fault of her own, and would love to be adopted into a fun and loving home. She’s gorgeous...prepare to fall in love! Desexed and vaccinated. Microchip 900164002387379 D.O.B 1/6/25 See more on our socials!

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

ONLY ADULTS

NUMBERS

Community at Work

Byron Anzac Day Parade

Anzac Day Parade in Byron Bay will form up from 10am at

at the top of Fletcher Street this year, and proceed along Fletcher Street into Marvell Street, to the ceremony at the Cenotaph at 11am. This is owing to roadworks in Jonson Street. Lunch at Services Club after. Dawn Service at 5am as usual.

Organic Landcare

Organic Landcare’s next volunteer day will be Saturday, 25 April, from 8.30am until 1pm, at the Brunswick Heads chemical-free site. Meet at the end of South Beach Road, fire trial gate. Tasks will be to follow up glory lily by applying Ellen White management approach; that is to target it three times, during growing season, from spring to the end of summer. This is a very easy task, however challenging, because we are covering five hectares. I hope I can count on you. Even if we can’t cover the entire area three times per year, it’s already a great achievement to stop the glory lily to seed. Please wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants for sun protection and to avoid scratches, a hat, gloves and bring water and some morning tea, for a 10:30 break. I will provide a first-aid kit and some weeding tools. Please bring your own gloves. For more info visit organiclandcareinc.org.

Mullumbimby CWA

Homemade Anzac biscuits will be on sale at our stall on 24 April in front of Stewart’s Menswear in Mullumbimby’s main street. The ladies will be selling the delicious biscuits from 9am. The branch meeting is on the second Wednesday, and the handicraft group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Come and join us. For more information call secretary Jenny on 66847 282 or contact her on cwamullum@gmail.com.

Byron Hospital

Auxiliary

The Echo’s Market Guide

Byron Community Market – 8am–3pm Pottsville Beach Markets – 7am–1pm

2nd SUN: The Channon Craft Market – 9am–3pm Chillingham Markets – 8am–1pm Coolangatta Arts & Craft Markets – 8am–2pm Tabulam Community Market – 9am–1pm

3rd SAT: Mullumbimby Community Market – 8am–2pm Murwillumbah Makers & Finders Market – 9am–2pm Salt Beach Markets, South Kingscliff/Casuarina – 8am–1pm

SUN: Federal Village Market – 8am–2pm Uki Buttery Bazaar Market – 8am–2pm Pottsville Beach Markets – 7am–1pm Lismore City Bowlo Markets – 9am–1pm 3rd SUN (Dec & Jan): Byron Community Market – 8am–3pm 4th SAT: Kyogle Bazaar – 9am–2pm

Last SAT: Evans Head Rotary Market – 8am–1pm 4th SUN: Bangalow Market – 8am–2.30pm Nimbin Markets – 9am–3pm Murwillumbah Showground Market – 8am–1pm

4th SUN (in a 5-Sunday month): Coolangatta Arts & Crafts – 8am–2pm 5th SUN: Nimbin Markets – 8.30am–3pm Seasonal: Byron Beachside Market – four times a year: Wed 7th Jan 2026, Easter Friday, Sat 11th

FARMERS/WEEKLY

the link to adopt him (#59). www.whogivesacluck.org/shop/

SOCIAL ESCORTS

Byron Bay Hospital Auxiliary will be holding their autumn garage sale on Saturday, 2 May from 8am until noon at 105 Beech Drive, Suffolk Park. All your favourites including, bric-a-brac, cakes, jams, pickles and plants. All proceeds go to support Byron Central Hospital.

Women’s day trip

Free women’s day trip to Tweed Gallery and Hosanna Farmstay Local not-for-profit Together She Thrives is inviting women to enjoy a free, fun-filled day out on Wednesday 6 May. 57 women will be treated to a private coach trip from Mullumbimby to the beautiful Tweed Regional Gallery for a guided tour of inspiring exhibitions, followed by a relaxing visit to Hosanna Farmstay to unwind, connect, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings — including feeding the friendly farm animals. The day runs from 9.15am to 2pm and includes transport, gallery entry, guided tour, and animal feed. Participants can bring their own lunch or purchase food on-site. This free event is designed to support women’s mental health and wellbeing through connection, community, and shared experiences. Bookings are essential as spots are limited and can be made by visiting https://www.togethershethrives.org. au/womens-events

Byron Seniors Club Canva workshops

Discover the power of design with Canva. This beginner-friendly workshop will guide you through the essentials of the free version of Canva – including creating your first project. You’ll gain confidence in navigating Canva’s tools and features while exploring what you can create and share. You’ll also have the chance to connect with your community, share ideas and feel inspired in a relaxed, supportive space. When: Friday, 24 April from 10am to 1pm, Where: Byron Community Centre, 69 Jonson Street. Cost: free for club members – bookings essential seniorsbyroncentre.com.au.

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

Property Insider

Striking architectural home with sub-division potential

7 Bulgoon Cresent, Ocean Shores

Perched on a hilltop with 180-degree views of the Mount Warning caldera hinterland, this property will stop you in your tracks. Architecturally-designed and built in 2015, this four-bedroom Bush Pavilion home sits on a generous 3,408sqm of established gardens with tropical fruit trees and lush lawns. This expansive property presents a truly rare and exciting opportunity for the astute investor or visionary.

Arrive via the private entrance with its generous turning circle, take a deep breath and leave the outside world behind. Step through the front door and the home opens up – gleaming red ironbark floors and soaring six-metre ceilings with clerestory windows seem to pull the outside in. Natural light pours through every corner. A slowcombustion wood heater anchors the living space, warm and unhurried.

The kitchen is a foodie’s dream – black granite benchtops, a Smeg cooktop, a Bosch dishwasher, a huge walk-in pantry and soft-close drawers throughout. The open-plan living and dining flow seamlessly to the large wraparound hardwood balcony, where you’ll find yourself stopping, coffee in hand, just taking it all in.

The newly created outdoor wellness haven is something else entirely. A glass-fronted Innerlight deluxe infrared sauna with red light therapy and a custom-made cold plunge to take in the lush surroundings.

A large 3-bay carport and a lock-up workshop with plumbing and 3-phase power offer exceptional utility – ideal for tradies, hobbyists, or those with an eye for future dual-living potential (STCA). Preliminary plans have

already been prepared to subdivide the property, creating 2 additional lots and unlocking significant future income. Whether you choose to further develop, capitalise on the subdivision, or sell the newly created blocks as is, this offering provides exceptional flexibility and scope to add value.

■ Call Julie-Ann Manahan today to arrange your private inspection 0411 081 118

Waterfront Retirement

perfectly positioned opposite Yamba Marina and the only retirement living community in Yamba with onsite care. A new release of thoughtfully designed apartments and villas is now selling, offering comfort, connection and peace of mind in a truly special location.

Enjoy added confidence with:

• No stamp duty

• 90- day change of mind guarantee

• No sales or marketing costs when you leave

• Ser vice fees stop 42 days after you leave Enquire today and secure your place by the water.

For Sale

7 Bulgoon Cresce nt Ocean Shores NS W

Striking architectural home, sub-division potential (stca), panoramic views on 3,408sqm ... what are you waiting for! Perched on a hilltop with 180-degree views of the Mount Warning Caldera Hinterland, this property will stop you in your tracks. Just 18 minutes from Byron Bay and moments from the beaches of New Brighton and South Golden Beach. This expansive property presents a truly rare and exciting opportunity for the astute investor or visionary.

HIGHLIGHTS:

4 Bedrooms

2+ Bathrooms

5 Cars

Land 3,408sqm

Solar system 13.2kw 20kw Battery system

EV charger

6-Metre ceilings

Large wraparound balcony

Newly built outdoor wellness haven with infrared sauna & cold plunge

Lock-up workshop with plumbing / dual-living potential (stca)

Julie-Ann Manahan 0411 081 118 jam@manare.au

At MANA, we go beyond traditional property marketing. Our exclusive ELEVATE campaigns use leading technology to ensure your property reaches every potential buyer and stands out in the market. With MANA, you can trust that you’re getting the best result for your property.

Your success is our priority

Have your property seen in the Echo newspaper and online at echo.net.au

Reach an engaged and affluent audience! Research shows that advertising is more effective placed within news content.

22,000 weekly Echo newspapers are distributed directly to homes and businesses across the Northern Rivers. Plus we have over 30,000 weekly readers online at www.echo.net.au.

Open For Inspection

First National Byron

• 7/18 Sunrise Boulevard, Byron Bay. Wed 3–3.30pm

• 23 Ann Street, Mullumbimby. Wed 3–3.30pm

• 305/3-7 Grandview Street, East Ballina. Wed 3.30–4pm

• 160 Reardons Lane, Swan Bay. Thurs 11–11.30am

• 5/124 Lighthouse Road, Byron Bay. Thurs 12–12.30pm

• 5 Koala Close, Ewingsdale. Fri 10–10.30am

• 50 Sunrise Boulevard, Byron Bay. Fri 10–10.30am

• 3/40 Ruskin Street, Byron Bay. Fri 10–10.30am

• 484 Coorabell Road, Coorabell. Fri 10.30–11am

• 103 Paterson Street, Byron Bay. Fri 11–11.30am

• 7/37 Childe Street, Byron Bay. Fri 11–11.30am

• 7/11 Constellation Close, Byron Bay. Fri 11–11.30am

• 6 Roses Road, Federal. Fri 11–11.30am

• 20 Taylors Lane, Ewingsdale. Fri 11–11.30am

• 29a Stoneyhurst Drive, Lennox Head. Fri 11–11.30am

• 2 Palm Place, Byron Bay. Fri 12–12.30pm

• 5 Botanic Court, Mullumbimby. Fri 12–12.30pm

• 2 Whian Road, Eureka. Fri 12–12.30pm

• 892 Main Arm Road, Main Arm. Fri 12–12.30pm

• 73 Alcorn Street, Suffolk Park. Fri 12–12.30pm

• 23 Ann Street, Mullumbimby. Fri 1–1.30pm

• 134 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby. Fri 2–2.30pm

• 37 Tristran Parade, Mullumbimby. Fri 2–2.30pm

• 1/2 Hazelwood Close, Suffolk Park. Fri 2–2.30pm

North Coast Lifestyle Properties Brunswick Heads

• 14 Yengarie Way, Ocean Shores. Fri 4–4.30pm

• 87a Balemo Drive, Ocean Shores. Sat 9–9.30am

North Coast Lifestyle Properties Mullumbimby

• 185 Palmwoods Road, Palmwoods. Sat 10–10.45am

• 10 Lorrikeet Lane, Mullumbimby. Sat 12–12.30pm

Mana Re

• 14 Mitchell Street, Uki. Thurs 10–11am

• 14 Sisters Court, Kungur (20/2981 Kyogle Road, Kungur). Thurs 11.30am–12pm

• 7 Bulgoon Crescent, Ocean Shores. Thurs 2–2.30pm

• 33 Robin Street, South Golden Beach. Fri 10–10.30am

• 10 Gin Gin Crescent, Ocean Shores. Fri 12–12.30pm

• 4/19 Oceanside Place, Suffolk Park. Fri 1–1.30pm

Tim Miller Real Estate

• 1041 Bangalow Road, Bexhill. Fri 12.30–1pm

• 31 Charlotte Street, Bangalow. Sat 9.30–10am

• 40 Booyun Street, Brunswick Heads. Sat 10.45–11.15am

• 23 Sheaffes Road, Goonengerry. Sat 12–12.30pm

• 129 Mafeking Road, Goonengerry. Sat 12.45–1.15pm

• 21 Midgen Flat Road, Newrybar. Sat 2–2.30pm

New listings

First National Byron

• 7/18 Sunrise Boulevard, Byron Bay

• 892 Main Arm Road, Main Arm

• 73 Alcorn Street, Suffolk Park

• 23 Ann Street, Mullumbimby

• 186 Byrrill Creek Road, Byrrill Creek

Mana Re

• 9/33 Redford Drive, Skennars Head

• 16 Gloria Street, South Golden Beach

• 11 Waranga Crescent, Burringbar

Property Business Directory

Backlash

The Victorian government is the first state government to appoint a Minister for Men and Boys to tackle the manosphere, mental health and family violence. ‘It comes with an explicit dual focus: on one hand, boys’ and men’s own wellbeing, and on the other, the harms boys and men perpetrate,’ according to The Conversation

‘I’m a fan of the kind of political correctness that is about not promoting prejudice. But some people in America are offended by equality because when you’ve had privilege for so long, equality feels like oppression.’ – Ricky Gervais.

‘Cat paw pads, also known as toe beans, are so good at cushioning falls, scientists studied them to create better footwear for paratroopers.’ – www.livescience.com/ science-facts.

For the fun task of following up glory lily by applying the Ellen White management approach you can join Organic Landcare’s next volunteer day on Saturday, 25 April at Brunswick Heads chemical-free site from 8.30am until 1pm. Meet at the end of South Beach Road, fire trail gate. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants for sun protection and to avoid scratches. Bring hat, gloves, water and some morning tea, for a 10.30am break.

It is time to howl, at the Brunswick Picture House where they are showing a double-screening event hosted by Defend the Wild and Dingo Culture on Sunday, 17 May. Moort: Calling Dingo Back to Country

as Mick.

explores the deep kinship between Cultural Custodians and the dingo, highlighting a united effort to protect them from widespread killing programs. Book tickets via the Brunswick Picture House website.

The Echo office will be shut for the public holiday on Monday 27 April.

Supporting local farmers, Norco CEO Michael Hampson announced ‘a five cent per litre increase to its farmgate milk price from May 2026, which will deliver an additional $1 million per month to farmers as rising input costs continue to place significant pressure on the sector.’

Humanoid robots can now win half marathons against humans as demonstrated last Sunday in Beijing. The robot completed the 21-kilometre race in 50 minutes

and 26 seconds and was faster than the human world record holder, Uganda’s

Triextra Carpet is an eco-friendly carpet that is perfect for your active household!

• Made in part from renewable plant-based ingredients

• Manufactured locally in Australia

• Chemical-free cleaning with just cold water

• No tropical treatment is needed

3/5 Clark Street, Ballina 6686 3855