Community Newsroom - 10 July 2026

Coercive Control named an underreported offence by NSW Police

Coercive Control under legislation is considered a criminal offence in NSW. According to NSW Police, it is an underreported offence.  Harassment, monitoring and tracking recorded the highest in NSW Bureau of Crime and Statistics and Research, in the year of 2025. Far West Orana and Midwest Region…

Byron Shire Councillor David Warth on Hybrid Water Supply for Mullumbimby

Byron Shire Council voted against the recommendations in a Staff report, which recommended using the Rous County Council water supply which is being used now for Mullumbimby. They voted to look at other options on the Hybrid model which would go back to using upgraded water treatment from the Lave…

1000 Voices Report shines a light on homelessness in Byron Shire

Byron Shire has one of the highest rates of rough sleeping in New South Wales, second only to Sydney according to the latest Street Count. In this interview, we speak with representatives from the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration Byron Shire about the findings of the 1000 Voices project, which …

NRAS Animal Adoption Day Ballina

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc (NRAS) is preparing for its monthly adoption day in Ballina, with a range of cats and dogs looking for their forever homes. We hear about the work involved in caring for rescue animals, what prospective adopters should consider before bringing a pet into their li…

Byron Shire Homelessness, Regional Water Supply and Northern Rivers Animal Adoption

This week on the Community Newsroom, we look at homelessness in Byron Shire following the release of findings from the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration's 1000 Voices project, which gathered insights from more than 700 community members. We also unpack Byron Shire Council's closely contested dec…

Beached Yacht Wyuna 1 finally back in the water

We revisit the story of Wyuna 1, the yacht that captured the attention of locals after becoming stranded on North Belongil Beach for more than six weeks. After several setbacks and plenty of community interest, the vessel has finally been returned to the water in a dramatic salvage operation that …

Byron Shire Councillor Michael Lyon on rejected Rail Trail funding

We look at what's next for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail after a major setback for the long-awaited project. A joint funding application by Byron and Lismore councils for $42 million in federal support was recently rejected, leaving questions about how the rail trail can move forward. Community …

Parkinson's Australia CEO Olivia Nassaris on herbicide paraquat and Parkinsons disease

We examine the ongoing debate surrounding the herbicide paraquat following the release of a major review by Australia's pesticide regulator. Despite growing concerns about possible links between paraquat and Parkinson's disease, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has stop…

Gulgan Village, Byron Shire's newest suburb

We take a closer look at plans for Gulgan Village, a proposed new residential community near Brunswick Heads that could become Byron Shire's newest suburb. Byron Shire Council is inviting public feedback on a suite of planning documents that will help shape the future of the development, which inc…