Byron Bay

The Byron Shire Echo is one of two local newspapers that service the Byron Shire on a weekly basis. According to the The Echo's website, "The Echo is the area's free community newspaper. It was founded in 1986 by local residents the late Nicholas Shand and David Lovejoy and remains the independent voice and primary platform for those who love this region.

The Byron Shire of course is not alone in experiencing pressure to conform to the big business conception of development. But surveys show that people here don't want McDonalds or Club Med or Westfield shopping centres, TV, America or Becton dominating the local economy, trashing the environment and siphoning money off to distant corporate bank accounts.

There is a battle for Byron going on and The Echo is a prime source of information for residents and visitors alike. But The Echo is also a source of fun. This area is quite unlike any other in Australia, and we hope you find a flavour of it in this site. Travel in Health."

The Byron Shire News is the other free local newspapers that Byron Shire residents eagerly look forward to arriving on their doorsteps each week. The News tells us:

"Started as a family business in 1971, the Byron Shire News was quickly embraced by the local community as their weekly source of news, profiles, sport and events.

Now, more than 30 years later, Byron Shire News is a respected publication carrying the major news, events and information of the area, as well as being the paper of choice for the local council, real estate agents and leading businesses.

The first edition of the Byron News hit the streets on Wednesday, July 21, 1971 after months of planning by Reg and Jean Wright who had been running their printing business in Byron Bay since 1962. It had eight pages, and a print run of 1200 copies.

The Byron News flourished from that first edition and developed a unique personality because of the many locals who contributed to the content.

Fifteen years late, in July 1986, Reg and Jean handed over management to son and daughter-in-law John and Jo Wright, who expanded the circulation to cover the entire Byron Shire.

In March 1993, the paper was sold to Sydney businessmen, David Kingston and Gregg Burge, and in 1995, the News was bought by present owners APN News and Media. It was at this time the decision was made to move from an A4 to tabloid format.

Today, the Byron Shire News enjoys a healthy CAB audited circulation of more than 16, 400 across the shire each Thursday. "

The newspaper offices may be found at:

The Byron Shire News - 5/75 Jonson St Byron Bay 2481 - tel: 66856358
The Byron Shire Echo - 4/6 Jonsons St Byron Bay 2481 - tel: 66855222

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