We are joined by Aslan Shand from Echo Publications, who has just announced a change of role within the organisation. Aslan and former editor Hans Lovejoy have swapped positions, marking a new chapter for the publication. We hear what prompted the change, the plans ahead and how The Echo has continued to remain a trusted voice within the Byron Shire community.

Featuring Aslan Shand, Print Editor at Echo Publications 

Reporter: Mia Armitage 

PIC: Aslan Shand, Print Editor at Echo Publications (Emma Setterfield-Smith) 

We are joined by Aslan Shand from Echo Publications, who has just announced a change of role within the organisation. Aslan and former editor Hans Lovejoy have swapped positions, marking a new chapter for the publication. We hear what prompted the change, the plans ahead and how The Echo has continued to remain a trusted voice within the Byron Shire community.
Featuring Aslan Shand, Print Editor at Echo Publications&nbsp;
Reporter: Mia Armitage&nbsp;
PIC: Aslan Shand, Print Editor at Echo Publications (Emma Setterfield-Smith)&nbsp;

Resonating stories and information from the Northern Rivers and afar. Join Community Newsroom reporters as they interview locals and guests from beyond the rainbow region. Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at bayfm.org

Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN

PIC: Mia Armitage interviews NSW Minister for Music, Minister for Night-time Economy John Graham

*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.

Resonating stories and information from the Northern Rivers and afar. Join Community Newsroom reporters as they interview locals and guests from beyond the rainbow region. Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.
Tune in to the Community Newsroom on Fridays from 11am-12 on Bay FM 99.9 or listen online at <a href="http://bayfm.org/">bayfm.org</a>
Facebook: Community Newsroom NRN
PIC: Mia Armitage interviews NSW Minister for Music, Minister for Night-time Economy John Graham
*producer: Mia Armitage. Reports produced by Mia Armitage unless otherwise indicated.

Community Newsroom Interviews

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you. 

Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN

Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com

Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage

Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed; Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne; Jim Beatson; Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more

listen to past episodes and interviews here.

PIC: Mia Armitage and Emma Setterfield-Smith

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you. 
Thanks to the&nbsp;<a href="https://cbf.org.au/about/community-media/">Community Broadcasting Foundation</a> for support.
Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN
Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com
Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage
Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed;&nbsp;Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne;&nbsp;Jim Beatson;&nbsp;Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more
listen to past episodes and interviews <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/community-newsroom">here</a>.
PIC: Mia Armitage and Emma Setterfield-Smith

Community Newsroom: weekly program

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you.Thanks to the Community Broadcasting Foundation for support.

Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN

Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com

Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage

Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed; Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne; Jim Beatson; Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more

listen to past episodes and interviews here.

Resonating stories. Journalists from around the block, interstate and overseas.With no corporate interests and no government bias, when it comes to news, we put community interests first. Our stories come from you.Thanks to the <a href="https://cbf.org.au/about/community-media/">Community Broadcasting Foundation</a> for support.
Facebook: @CommunityNewsroomNRN
Got a tip? Email communitynewsroom@mail.com
Anchor / Executive Producer: Mia Armitage
Contributors: Emma Setterfield-Smith; Anny Reed;&nbsp;Dr John Jiggens; Julie Beesley; Michelle Michels; Dione Green; Kate Payne;&nbsp;Jim Beatson;&nbsp;Emma Meyers; The Wire; National Radio News Service; Community Radio Network and more
listen to past episodes and interviews <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/community-newsroom">here</a>.

Community Newsroom

Echo Publications Aslan Shand reflects on her new role and the importance of print newspaper 

The Byron Shire council voted to withdraw from the Special Entertainment Precinct trial at their ordinary council meeting, on the 19th February 2026.

The precinct would have given the Council special planning powers under NSW governments night-time economy reforms, allowing it to manage entertainment activity differently within a defined area. That included trading hours, managing sound levels and streamlining approvals for live entertainment in the town centre.

Over the past nine months, the proposal has divided the Byron community. Supporters say it would create new opportunities for local artists and live music, while critics argue it doesn’t reflect what Byron stands for — a coastal town known for its beaches, bushland and relaxed pace of life.

We hear from Byron Locals and Byron Shire Councillors, to hear their thoughts following the decision. 

Featuring:
Sarah Ndiaye, Byron Shire Mayor 
Elia Hague, Green Councillor 
Janet Swain, Labour Councillor 

Photo: Supplied by Community Newsroom 

 

 

 

 

The Byron Shire council voted to withdraw from the Special Entertainment Precinct trial at their ordinary council meeting, on the 19th February 2026.
The precinct would have given the Council special planning powers under NSW governments night-time economy reforms, allowing it to manage entertainment activity differently within a defined area.&nbsp;That included trading hours, managing sound levels and streamlining approvals for live entertainment in the town centre.
Over the past nine months, the proposal has divided the Byron community. Supporters say it would create new opportunities for local artists and live music, while critics argue it doesn&rsquo;t reflect what Byron stands for &mdash; a coastal town known for its beaches, bushland and relaxed pace of life.
We hear from Byron Locals and Byron Shire Councillors, to hear their thoughts following the decision.&nbsp;
Featuring: Sarah Ndiaye, Byron Shire Mayor Elia Hague, Green Councillor&nbsp; Janet Swain, Labour Councillor&nbsp;
Photo: Supplied by Community Newsroom&nbsp;
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Special Entertainment Precinct withdrawn from trail stage

11:00 am - Community Newsroom

12:00 pm - Community Newsroom

Community Newsroom  - 20 February 2026

Byron local George Graham, has been monitoring the storm water drainage leaking onto Clarks Beach for over fifteen years. Through independent water testing and researching into the history of the drain, he concludes that the water is not safe for people to swim - even though many do. 

He tells us about his research and what he think the council should do next. 

George Graham: Byron Local, independently researching into the storm water drainage at Clarks Beach

PIC: Clarks Beach, supplied by George Graham 

Byron local George Graham, has been monitoring the storm water drainage leaking onto Clarks Beach for over fifteen years. Through independent water testing and researching into the history of the drain, he concludes that the water is not safe for people to swim - even though many do.&nbsp;
He tells us about his research and what he think the council should do next.&nbsp;
George Graham: Byron Local, independently researching into the storm water drainage at Clarks Beach
PIC: Clarks Beach, supplied by George Graham&nbsp;

Echo Publications Aslan Shand reflects on her new role and the importance of print newspaper

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