POLITICS SUCKS, BUT THERE’S NO ALTERNATIVE – YANIS VAROUFAKIS The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 40 #48 • May 6, 2026 • www.echo.net.au
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The return of Love for One Night
ove for One Night is returning to the Eltham Hotel – back four years on for those who never forgot it – and for everyone else who missed out the first time. Love for One Night unfolds across the Eltham Hotel’s bar, beer garden and upstairs rooms, while audiences watch from a purposebuilt seating bank in the carpark. Conceived and directed by NORPA’s Artistic Director Julian Louis (inset), Love for One Night transforms a country pub into a wonderland of the everyday. Love for One Night first premiered at the Eltham Hotel in September 2022, as the Northern Rivers community was still grappling with the aftermath of the devastating floods; an event that shattered so much of the region, including NORPA’s own home at Lismore City. It is now returning from 27 August to 12 September – book tickets early at www.norpa.org.au. Photo Jeff ‘Not Much Good In Bed, But Alright On The Floor’ Dawson
Rate rise on table for Byron Shire Tragedy off Ballina coast Paul Bibby Byron Council is considering a significant increase in residential rates that could see local rate bills jump by more than 30 per cent over three years, as it tries to address its deteriorating financial position. With Council staff warning of a ‘risk of insolvency’ unless action is taken, councillors last week gave a preliminary tick to draft budget documents that include a modelled Special Rate Variation (SRV). These documents will now go on public exhibition, giving locals
the chance to have their say on the possibility of a major rate hike. The proposed increase is one scenario modelled in Council’s draft long-term financial plan. It involves annual rate increases of around 10 to 12 per cent over three years from 2027. Council’s financial outlook has become increasingly strained, with documents showing ongoing operating deficits and a steady decline in its unrestricted cash position. Council’s own modelling indicates unrestricted cash reserves in the general fund are expected
Tamara Smith opts out of next election ▶ p2
Big rate rise on table as Council finances slide ▶ p5
to fall to zero by mid-2027 without intervention. The scale of the potential rate increase, and the financial context behind it, prompted concern from community representatives during last week’s Council budget meeting. Mullumbimby Residents Association convenor Dale Emerson told councillors the documents ‘confirm… ongoing and significant operating deficits’ and questioned whether enough work had been done to identify savings before ▶ Continued on page 5
On Monday evening three people were confirmed dead, while four people have made it to shore after two vessels got into difficulties off the Ballina coast. Emergency services were contacted about 6.15pm Monday, 4 May after a member of the public reported a yacht which appeared to be in difficulties off the South Ballina Breakwall. A crew from Marine Rescue NSW responded; however, their vessel rolled while crossing the Ballina coastal bar in heavy conditions. Marine Rescue NSW with six
Liberal Party needs to go back to where it came from ▶ p12
The life of local dairy farmer ▶ p16
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crew members responded. The body of two crew members, aged 78 and 62, were located. Four further crew members aged 55, 75 and two aged 61 made it to shore. No flares or distress calls came from the yacht. One body, believed to be that of the sole person on the yacht, was found. The yacht sank. The Echo understands Ballina Shire Citizen of the Year, Geoff Hutchison, was one of those who was seriously injured in the tragedy. ■ Read full story in The Echo
online: www.echo.net.au.
‘Life beats down and crushes the soul, and art reminds you that you have one’ – Stella Adler
Arts feature ▶ p21