Echo Publications

17/12/2025

MLC Sue Higginson on gun laws

The NSW parliament will be recalled on Monday 22 December in the afternoon and Tuesday 23 December. The only items of business will be a condolence motion and legislation arising from the Bondi tragedy.

16/12/2025

Rising Tide!

What is Rising Tide? It’s ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The successful blockade of Newcastle coal port stands as the largest act of civil disobedience in Australia’s recent history, with around 8,000 people taking part.

16/12/2025

Check out the first entry in the latest Echo short story competition

The Echo and Creative Mullum’s Short Story Competition is off to a great start with submissions so far in both the over and under 18-year-old categories.

16/12/2025

Ballina special rate variation sails through unopposed

Despite a vociferous social media campaign, there were no deputations or members of the public present in the gallery as Ballina Shire Council unanimously voted to proceed with a special rate variation at its epic final meeting for the year.

16/12/2025

Wind and solar cheapest power, says CSIRO

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) have today released the draft GenCost 2025-26 Report for public consultation.

16/12/2025

Useful advice from Marine Rescue NSW for boaters crossing Northern Rivers bars these holidays

The six coastal bars across the Northern Rivers are as beautiful as they are treacherous – gateways to adventure that demand respect from every skipper attempting to cross them.

16/12/2025

Local youth response to 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

Northern Rivers Community Gateway (NRCG) has launched Voices in Light, a new youth-led short film created in Bundjalung Country for the UN 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

16/12/2025

60-day short stay rental cap impacts examined

A report stating that the 60-day cap for non-hosted short term rental accommodation (STRA) in Byron Shire is ‘ineffective’ has been roundly criticised by the Byron Shire mayor, Victims of Holiday Letting (VOHL), and local STRA researcher, Dr Sabine Muschter, who was part of the research team loo...

16/12/2025

FOI docs reveal $1 sale of Mullum carpark

Freedom of information documents released to The Echo have revealed that Byron Shire Council (BSC) agreed with government development agency Landcom to sell the much-used Mullumbimby car park at 57 Station Street to a yet-to-be confirmed community housing provider (CHP) for $1.

16/12/2025

Mandy on (in?) the Illuminati

People have said some crazy s**t about me, but the other day a friend told me a friend of his had advised him not to vote for me in the last election because I was in the Illuminati. How bizarre. I am a member of the Greens and the Bangalow CWA, but that’s the extent of my covert memberships.

15/12/2025

This time of year can be particularly difficult and distressing for some but remember, 24/7 support is a phone call away.

The festive season can be a joyous time for many people, as they take a well-earned break from work and school and spend time with family and friends. It’s a time to rest and reset for the new year.

15/12/2025

Mullumbimby High School captain, Harriet Killips, has won second place in a national songwriting competition for a song titled ‘I Hate the Piano.’