A 23-year-old was arrested for spray painting graffiti on M1 near the Ewingsdale, Byron Bay exit at the end of last month. 

The Ballina man was arrested when he spray painted graffiti on the sound barrier of the M1 motorway on 29 March. 

He was arrested, conveyed to Byron Bay Police Station and charged for intentionally mark premises without consent, said the police statement.

The man was released and is due to appear at Byron Bay Local Court on 24 April. The Graffitti has been removed and police will seek a cost compensation order at Court. 

The post 23-year-old arrested for spray painting graffiti on M1 appeared first on The Echo.

The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Garden was A proposal that has been in the wind for 24 years and working on this site for 11 years, said Lismore Mayor at the time Jenny Dell at the opening of the gardens almost ten years ago. 

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the garden there will be an open day on Sunday 28 May at 313 Wyrallah Road East Lismore 3kms from the Lismore CBD. 

Now of course, our gardens look very different. Featuring Specialty Gardens and Walks, such as the Hoop Pine Forest Walk, Rainforest Walk, Wilsons Park Species Garden, Sensory Garden, Palm Gully, Useful Plants and Encounters 2020 Gardens, the gardens are thriving, said president of Friends of the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens (FLRBG), Tracey Whitby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=fOK-pjuwat0

The dream of establishing the garden started in 1988 with the FLRBG, a not for profit group of volunteer forming in Decembe...

Science in the Pub is returning with the first event taking place at The Eltham Pub on Thursday 4 May from 5.30pm with biologist Tim Low who will be exploring the birds of the Big Scrub and how the songbirds of Australias rainforests changed the world.

Tim Low is a renowned writer and biologist and author of the award-winning bestseller Where Song Began. Tim will share his knowledge and experience in an exploration of the birds of

the Big Scrub, and how their unique songs have shaped the world we live in today.

Support bird life

Joining Tim will be Mark Dunphy, from Big Scrub Landcare, who will speak about what landholders can do to support bird life in their own backyards. Mark has a wealth of knowledge on the subject, and will offer practical advice on how to create a welcoming environment for local bird populations.

light refreshments are availbel on arrival and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers and meet other like-minded people interested in bird conservation. Tim Low will be available for book signing after the event.

Tickets are free, however bookings are essential as there are limited spaces. Register here if you would like to come along: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/615346988407 (you can also search for Science in the Pub- Voices of the Rainforest with Tim Low on Eventbrite to find it).

The post Science in...

In what is a first for Byron Shire Council, the diary meeting appointments of both the general manager (GM) and mayor have been made public, and are available on www.byron.nsw.gov.au.

Yet developers, for example, can avoid public scrutiny, with off the record lobbying by phone, as all councillors phone numbers are publicly available. 

According to Mayor Michael Lyons diary summary (from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023), he has regular catch-ups with David Witherdin, CEO of Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC).

Did you know that it is 100km as the water flows from Lismore to Ballina? That is the water challenge that the Boaty Boys, a mens health and fitness group from Lennox Head, are taking on this May to raise money for a number of charities close to their hearts. 

Over three days from Wednesday, 3 May to Friday, 5 May, the group will embark on The Shaking Hands Tour, a 100km paddle down the Wilsons/Richmond River, starting from Lismore and ending at Ballina.

Last year we completed a 48-hour running challenge for charity, so this year we thought we would take our fundraising efforts to the water. The paddle will raise money for The Healthy Minds Club, Parkinsons Disease research, Our Kids Lismore and Revive the Northern Rivers, all charities close to our hearts, said Carlo Maestri one of the coordinators of the Shaking Hands Tour.

The state government has no strategic approach to the sale of rail corridor land in the Byron Shire, and may be selling pieces off without public awareness or scrutiny, Byron Council has heard.

The comments were made by Greens councillor, Duncan Dey, during debate around the sale of a piece of rail corridor land for residential development on 14 Kendall Street, Byron Bay.

The meeting heard that the pending sale of the 261 square metre parcel of land next to Belongil Beach will not impede any future plans to reopen the rail line in the Shire.

However, it highlighted the fact that the state governments Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE) sees such pockets of land as surplus to requirements, and can sell them off to developers without scrutiny, thus contributing to the erosion of the rail corridor.

TAHE has not indicated who the piece of land is being sold to, and The Echo understands no attempt has been made by Council to find out.

The application, listed as a boundary adjustment, only came to the attention of councillors because it contains a small area of protected wetland.

I want us to have a councillor workshop at which TAHE outlines their strategy for selling parts of the rail corridor in the Shire, Cr Dey told the meeting.

It appears to me that they have no strategic approach. Thats whats illustrated to me through this development application. The application was only on our agenda by accident by virtue of the fact that 700m away, theres a little piece of wetland in the rail corridor.

We dont see all of the boundary adjustments, and other small sales of land, and I have great fear that bits of it are being sold off that we will never find out about.

While the boundary adjustment application was passed unanimously by councillors, Cr Dey and Independent councillor, Peter Westheimer, are now working on a motion for the next meeting requesting clarification from Council.

This could include asking representatives from TAHE to attend a workshop, or informing the body of Councils position regarding the sale of rail corridor land to private interests. The ongoing erosion of the railway corridor for private development has been an issue of ongoing concern for some locals.

The post Govt asked to explain rail sell-off strategy appeared first on The Echo.

Former Socceroo, broadcaster and social justice advocate, Craig Foster, will be in conversation at Byron Bay Theatre on May 26 to help raise funds for the Gilchrist Foundation.
Craig will return home to the Northern Rivers for a one night only and will present on a number of topics including reconciliation and independence, the Voice and the republic.
He will be in conversation with Mick ORegan.
Funds raised will be used to provide a new sports scholarship for disadvantaged or a disabled student at Griffith University or Southern Cross University.
Tickets to attend the fundraiser can be found at the foundations website at https://gilchrist.foundation/

The post Craig Foster talks in Byron Bay appeared first on The Echo.

The Bangalow Bluedogs premier league side will take on Lismore Richmond Rovers this Sunday in Lismore to contest for the 2023 Anzac Day Cup.
The side is going into the clash after collecting wins against Byron Bay, Lennox Head and Alstonville in the knock-out competition.
The Bluedogs are also on top of the premiership ladder after a strong start with three wins form three.
The run has included beating Alstonville 60 and outscoring Mullumbimby-Brunswick Valley 51. They also took on Richmond Rovers, and in a foretaste for this weekends game, triumphed in a close fought fixture 43 last Sunday.
Richmond Rovers approach the Anzac Cup with wins under their belt against Mullumbimby, South Lismore and Goonellabah.
The Anzac Day Cup final game gets underway at 2.30pm Sunday April 23 at Bill Harris Field in East Lismore.

Byron Bay FC

There will also be football action this Sunday at the Byron Bay Recreation grounds where the local side is featuring in both divisions of the Callan McMilan Memorial Shield.
In B division, Byron Bay takes on Kyogle (12.30pm) and in the A division Byron Bay are up against Alstonville (2.30pm).

The post Bangalow Bluedogs set sights on 2023 Anzac Day Cup appeared first on The Echo.

The Byron Shire Rebels have started the 2023 season in good form, winning reserve and first-grade games playing away against Ballina on Saturday afternoon.
The outing was the first competitive game for the new rugby joint venture between Byron Bay and Bangalow rugby clubs.
First-grade made an emphatic start to their season winning 500.
Gavin McGonagle and Sam Reid scored two tries each for Byron Shire, while Robert Taylor, Dominic Tydeman, Darcy Woods and Jordan Elliott also scored. Dominic also kicked five conversions.
The Man of the Match award went to Otis Floyd.
Other games in the round where also one-sided as Wollongbar-Alstonville Rugby beat Lismore 660.
But they were all outdone by Casuarina who put on 88 unanswered points against Casino.
The winning clubs also took out their second grade fixtures with Casuarina beating Casino 297, WAR beating Lismore 7319 and the Byron Shire Rebels got over Ballina 2814.

Presidents Cup

Playing at home the Mullumbimby Moonshiners lost their season opener against Evans River, 2219, despite scoring the opening two tries.
The Moonshiners dominated the early exchanges but Evans Head scored a try before half-time, and went to the break losing 125.
The game turned when Evans Head maintained the momentum and scored the first three tries in the second half to put them on top 2212.
The Moonshiners managed another converted try but ran out of time.
In other games from the round Yamba put one on Lennox Head, winning 5212, while Richmond Range beat Kyogle 765.
Next week the local teams head west with the Byron Shire Rebels taking on Casino and the Moonshiners playing Richmond River.

The post Big win for the Shires new rugby venture appeared first on The Echo...

Have you ever heard of the Southern Pink Underwing Moth?

Dont worry, we hadnt either.

Unfortunately, if action isnt taken there may be none left by the time we wise up to their existence and place in our local ecosystems.

Many of our threatened species in Australia are less well known thanour iconic koala, but are just as important when it comes to protection.

The Southern Pink Underwing Moth is one such species, and Envite Environment, an ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation organisation are continuing to work towards its survival.

The Southern Pink Underwing Moth is named for the brilliant pink patches on its dark hindwing (which also have eight white spots on the trailing edge).

When at rest the moth resembles a dead leaf. The Moth is sparsely distributed in sub-tropical rainforest from Nambour in south-eastern Queensland to Bellingen in northern NSW.

Habitat loss and environmental degradation are what has ultimately led to the Southern Pink Underwing moth becoming threatened.

Recent survey and habitat restoration work has been undertaken to ensure the survival of this magnificent species by Envite Environment bush regeneration and ecologist teams in Big Scrub rainforest remnants on the NSW North Coast.

The teams have been searching for the Carronia Vine (Carronia multisepalea), the only plant that the caterpillars of the species feed on, and have successfully located caterpillars at over 12 rainforest remnants.

The numbers found at each site range from a single caterpillar to 66 individuals at various
stages of development, some of which were found at locations where the species have never previously been recorded.

Our work is providing new knowledge on species distribution and ecology, which will contribute to guiding future management for the survival of the Southern Pink Underwing Moth. says Envite Senior Environment Coordinator, Maree Thompson.

Earth Day serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect our planets biodiversity and ensure the survival of threatened species.

Envite bush regenerators are continuing to restore Southern Pink Underwing Moth habitat through weed control in rainforest remnants wh...

The RDA Northern Rivers Board has announced the release of the RDA Northern Rivers Regional Economic Recovery Plan 2025 (RERP).

The Regional Economic Recovery Plan captures the impact of the 2022 floods providing a picture of the financial burden and its impact on the region. This document proposes to support the efforts of Northern Rivers economic development practitioners to fully recover from the recent catastrophic flood event.

With a focus on recovery, the Plan sets out a roadmap for an economic recovery, where the region is stronger, more prepared, and able to mitigate the devastation experienced in the February/March 2022 flooding.

The report tackles the fact that housing, transport, infrastructure, and businesses were all devastated in the floods across all seven council areas.

Primary production and rural landholders were also very severely impacted leading to millions of dollars of losses to many sectors, including beef, dairy, sugar, horticulture, forestry, apiary, and other primary production sectors.

RDA Northern Rivers Chair, The Hon Don Page said he nevertheless had great confidence in the resilience of the community to overcome challenges,

Like so many other regions, together we sustained our communities through drought, bushfires, a long period of pandemic and rain events, Mr Page said.

All these events, however, have been overtaken in size and scope by the catastrophic flooding which hit Northern NSW and South East Qld from February 28, 2022.

&...

Byron Council is asking the community to make the inaugural 2023 Byron Shire Community Awards the best ever by taking the time to nominate individuals and groups whove made an exceptional contribution to community life in the last 12 to 18 months.

Thinking back on the last couple of years, I think weve all been touched by the extraordinary actions and compassion of members of our incredible community, Byron Mayor Michael Lyon said.

I can think of at least 10 people I would personally like to nominate to receive an award and they are people who have risen up against absolute adversity, have shown strength of character and have solved problems for the community in creative ways that will make a massive difference to peoples lives.

During the floods and the huge task of recovery, there have been so many people whove given over and beyond whose efforts need to be recognised and whose stories need to be told.

This year the Council is embarking on new timing for the annual event, with some time in the first week of August the designated date rather than Invasion Day.

Please show your support, make your nominations now and come along to the event in August not only to celebrate the achievements of the nominees and winners, but to be part of something inspiring, Cr Lyon said.

Councils Community Awards Ceremony will be held during Local Government Week (1-7 August) with information and updates released on Councils website closer to the time.

This years theme for the Byron Shire Community Awards is  what makes our community great? and there are nine award categories:

• Community Member of Byron Shire
• Young Com...

Dead cows, barrels of chemicals, raw sewage and enormous trees were found washed up on Ballinas beaches after last years flood and landslide disasters, creating an overwhelming clean-up challenge.

The Ballina Shire Council says it cant afford future similar clean-up bills without help and has amended its beach debris management policy to specify when it will and wont take responsibility.

Speaking in support of the update, independent Cr Rodney Bruem said the council had been lucky in the last couple of floods to have received state government funding to clean up the shires beaches.

You remember after the flood a year ago there were tanks and all sorts of things sitting on our beaches, they were an absolute mess, Cr Bruem said.

No council budget for beach disaster clean-ups