The rental crisis in NSW has been at the forefront of public discussion for some time now. Even if you are not directly impacted, you would likely be aware of what’s going on: soaring rents, low vacancies, fierce competition for properties and an increasing number of individuals and families finding themselves without stable accommodation and/or at risk of experiencing homelessness.Much has been discussed about these critical issues and VERTO’s Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS) is seeing increased demand for support across the areas they service. You can read more on the immediate impacts and the support available here.In today’s blog, I want to explore the longer-term impacts of the crisis and how the ripple effects can reshape communities, economies and long-term social wellbeing.Changing workforce mobilityOne significant impact is the movement of low-to-middle-income earners from metropolitan areas or regional cities to outer suburbs or remote areas in search of affordable housing.Workforce mobility may be drastically reduced. More expensive urban areas or regional cities may struggle to fill lower- and middle-income roles. And sadly, many of our most essential community workers may fall into these buckets, from nurses and paramedics to teachers and council maintenance workers.Social wellbeing and mental healthThe uncertainty and stress associated with housing insecurity can have significant health impacts. The strain of finding and maintaining an affordable tenancy can heighten mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, increasing demands on already overstretched community services.Disruption to education and social networksThe impact can be far-reaching for families, too. Frequent relocation can disrupt schooling as children relocate to new school catchment areas. Moving schools repeatedly can affect academic performance and social relationships. This, in turn, can leave children and teens without the support networks that play a vital role in these formative years.Social and community cohesionAs economic pressures push whole demographics out of an area, the social fabric of a community changes immeasurably. Immediately, individuals can become disconnected from their support networks, and in the longer term, it can significantly change the entire shape of the community, its resources and its infrastructure needs.Contributing to intergenerational disadvantageOne of the most devastating impacts is that it can affect families for generations to come. Housing instability is a significant contributor to the poverty cycle. Parents who spend a disproportionate amount of their income on housing have less to spend on groceries, education and healthcare, with the potential to create flow-on effects for future generations.  It’s an issue for us allThe rental crisis in NSW is not simply a ‘renters’ issue; it's a complex challenge with wide-ranging effects on individuals, communities and the broader society. Whether a person is a homeowner, has long-term secure housing, or is facing the current trials of the rental market, it’s an issue we all need to tackle together.If you are a private tenant requiring advice or support to navigate your rights, VERTO’s Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Service (TAAS) may be able to assist. Get in touch on 1300 483 786 or [email protected].

I'm sorry, I just can't sit back and not respond to the article you published on 5th March 2024 titled rather dramatically as "Alstonville Show under threat as extremists target closure of showgrounds". The article quotes Ballina councillor Rod Bruem. If these remarks are indeed attributed to the good councillor, I can only conclude has been bingeing on a diet of bad information, or deliberately distorting the truth to further his own political agenda. In either case, he should know better than to go on record with spurious facts, and you as an editor should have the wisdom to smell bulldust when it is in front of your face.The "mix of people including extremists" are average Mum's and Dad's who happen to own or rent property throughout the village, some in an area immediately next to a new cattle yard development in the north east corner of the Showground. Obviously those closest to the epicentre are most alarmed. There is No affiliation with the Greens whatsoever. They do not want to shut the show down. All they are asking is that Ballina Shire Council seriously consider the implications of approving this development which has not previously been the subject of a Development Application. The yards, a significant infrastructure project built at great cost to the show (admittedly partly underwritten by some Government grants) has not been assessed so far by Council.This development has significant impact potential on a wide area of the town, not just a few residents. These impacts include visual, noise, pollution and health concerns. Again quoting Mr. Bruem, “The opponents include people who’ve bought homes adjacent to the Showgrounds and don’t like the idea of events with animals being held there". Rubbish, these people have No (yes, that's a No) interest in closing down any events. We recognise that the society has always run events including animals, and support them in continuing to do so. The problem the show has is that the area normally used to host these events is now covered with RV's and caravans, all of which provide a nice income stream. I doubt that turning the main arena into a camping ground has ever been subject to a DA either.Mr. Bruen again; "the AAS is facing a legal bill that I understand is already in excess of $100k". I think he has slipped a few digits. The cost of taking a case to the Land and Environment court in the first instance is around $1-$2 thousand dollars. If they have paid $100K then something is seriously wrong somewhere.I won't dignify any of his other assertions by commenting. I will enclose a recent photo (not of the nice main arena) but of the development in question. You will note how close it is to residences.Bruce Hannah

Ponder this. The resilience of the 70,000 students who are starting their final year of school. The kids (provisionally) named 'Generation Zoom'. This generation has been through a lot. They are coming of age in the middle of an all-mighty inflationary shock, with numerous overseas conflicts in the background. Those wars came after the roiling waves of a once-in-a century global pandemic. Which followed a series of floods, fires and droughts of astounding power. Each of these events alone counts as a generation-shaping crisis. Yet Generation Zoom has one ace left. They are destined to become the most educated Australians ever. Graduating from Universities, TAFEs, and apprenticeships, in record numbers. And education, we have believed for more than a century, is the ticket out of trouble. The great leveller. The passport to prosperity. But fate may have another twist for Generation Zoom. They might become the most educated and the least equal. Why? Because inherited privilege is catching education as a predictor for who will gather the most assets from a lifetime of work. To put it simply, housing is the problem. Having parents and grandparents with a property portfolio is beginning to matter more than getting a degree.  Home ownership is a major contributor to a young person’s ability to start a family and pursue a career. Today, many people will spend their entire lifetime just trying to reach that starting line. The prospect of owning a home is now more remote for more young people than it has been in generations. The 1976 census showed, 51 percent of people in New South Wales were homeowners when they were aged 25-29 years old. But by 2016 home ownership among 25-29 year-olds had dropped to 34 per cent. And of course, some people are not able to buy or even rent a home at all.This delay or denial of housing to young families is entrenching an intergenerational wealth gap in NSW. And for young people with a home loan, paying it back now takes longer than it did 20 years ago.  While it’s not surprising that older people have paid off more of their mortgage, the gap is widening. In 1997-98 a typical person in their 50s would have paid off $2.61 for every $1 a person in their 30s had managed to repay. Twenty years later the same 50 year old would have paid back $3.33 compared to their younger contemporaries' dollar. Structural housing inequality like this took decades to build up. It could take that long to break down. But without action now, NSW could quickly turn into San Francisco, where middle class people are having their lives turned on their heads by housing insecurity and homelessness. A healthy democracy, a fair society, and a liveable city depend on everyone having a place to call home. That is why acting on the housing crisis is one of the NSW government's most important missions. We have begun quickly, and are acting thoroughly. We have made sure that major transport investments, like the Metro West will see more homes built nearby. Important - as we are borrowing so much money from our children and grandchildren to build it. We have also begun the hard work of changing the planning system to better balance a person’s right to a home with another person’s right to maintain their neighbourhood’s character. But we need to do a lot more. The next step is to embed how we think about the future of equality when we are planning the future of our economy.  Work is about to begin on the next NSW Intergenerational Report (IGR), due for publication in 2026. Governments of both colours use this report to paint a picture of the state's likely economic future. Giving all of us time to make better choices. The next version of this report will for the first time consider how we split wealth between the generations, the genders as well as between the cities and the regions.  Because the state of equality is as important to the economy as the state of the budget. And we should know whether a child today can turn a lifetime of hard work into at least the same level of wealth their parents did.

Not-for-profit employment and training services provider, VERTO, has today announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ronald McDonald House Charities in Sydney, Northern NSW, and Central West.Under this partnership, VERTO pledges an annual contribution of $10,000 to each of the three chapters over the next three years, totalling $90,000 in support. In addition to financial backing, VERTO will offer its respected training and apprenticeship services to benefit the charities’ operations and community initiatives, and members of the community using the houses.“VERTO is committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of the individuals and communities we serve,” VERTO CEO Ron Maxwell said.“This partnership signifies our continued support of Ronald McDonald House Charities. VERTO has proudly made more than $70,000 in contributions over the past three years that support their mission of providing comfort and care to families during extremely challenging times.”VERTO, as an award-winning not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity, builds upon its ongoing commitment to giving back to those in need, contributing to the betterment of local communities and developing meaningful skills for all Australians.“On behalf of RMHC Chapter’s in Northern NSW, Sydney and Central West, we are grateful for this partnership with VERTO,” CEO of RMHC Northern NSW Ross Bingham said.“Their generous donation will make a real difference for families with seriously ill children who need our support so they can focus on what’s important - their child’s recovery.“We are also extremely grateful to VERTO for providing access to training, apprenticeships and support for seriously ill or injured children and their families. This additional, professional support will continue to make a positive impact to families supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities beyond their stay with us.“As an organisation that relies heavily on the support of the community, we can’t thank VERTO enough for this support and this ongoing partnership. Together we can make a difference for seriously ill children and their families.”

I reference your article on the issue of feral cats causing wildlife decimation (NRJO advocates for making control of roaming pet cats manageable for NSW councils).My view is that humans who seriously take on the responsibility of housing & owning a cat need to take complete responsibility for that animal throughout its life, not only when it is a cutesy fluffy kitten. Too many feral cats have come about through animals being dumped when their novelty has worn off & everything required to care for & love them simply becomes "too bothersome" and at times expensive. If you take on a pet, be it cat or dog (yep, there ARE feral dogs as well) please accept and live up to the responsibility this ownership entails. Jane 

When nurses, paramedics, teachers etc start picketing for more staff instead of wages then they might get more support. EVERYONE has been through COVID , floods etc. Bus drivers, truck drivers, essential shop workers, farmers etc etc worked and work just as hard and were just as important at getting everyone through COVID shutdowns and disasters. Right now, Australians of every profession, ancestry, etc need to pull together and work towards getting things back on track. Everyone has to deal with the higher prices of everything and higher wages are not the answer. This has to be a whole community approach and not an individual one. More money to individuals isn't the answer. Changing our desire for more stuff and living a more meaningful community-oriented life will bring this country back to a better version than pre COVID and disasters. Personally, I admire and hold Everyone who's work was, and is essential, in the highest regard. That includes garbos, cleaners, carers etc as much as nurses, Drs, ambos etc. And thank you to each and every one of you for keeping our amazing country alive and stable through all that has happened and will happen in the future.Alison

Will the Dunoon Dam go ahead? We have not heard much about the Dunoon Dam lately and many people are asking “What is happening with that dam?”The short answer is that Rous is definitely planning on building the Dunoon Dam as part of Stage 3 of its Future Water Project.Six of the eight councillors on Rous are strongly in favour of the dam.  They will decide whether it goes ahead. These same six councillors circulated a petition in 2021 which specifically discounted all permanent water supply options other than a new dam. Based on that petition they do not accept recycling (“toilet to tap” as they call it), or groundwater, or desal plants.   Kerb-side push-poll signatures for this petition were collected by asking “do you want to drink toilet water or do you want a new dam?” Rous incorrectly counted 1000’s of these signatures as valid submissions to its public consultation process for its revised Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan in 2021. (This was the plan which excluded the Dunoon Dam). The result was an apparent majority in favour of the dam.However, all of the other submission processes since 2020, using valid submissions not just petition signatures, have been overwhelmingly against the dam: 1. Rous’ consultation on the Future Water Project in mid-2020: 98% against the dam2. Dept Planning and Environment (DPE) consultation on the Draft Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy in late-2020: 95% against the dam3. DPE consultation on the 2nd Draft Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy in 2022: 97% against the damThere is clearly a lack of social licence for the dam and a strong social movement against it. The DPE released the final Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy in June 2023. The dam was not included in the short list of options. They took account of the strong community opposition, the “major to extreme” environmental effects, and the lack of cost-effectiveness of the dam. Nevertheless, the DPE has not precluded Rous and the four LGAs (Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley) from going it alone in their pursuit of the dam. The dam could still be constructed by Rous, despite the evidence that the dam is not viable economically, socially, culturally, environmentally, or in the provision of drought or flood security.                                                   Location of proposed Dunoon DamFor those who are new to this issue here are some of the reasons why this community and region do not need the Dunoon Dam.CostThe original $220 mill cost of the dam is now estimated by DPE at $514 mill, or $841 mill if the service area were extended to include independent water supplies such as Nimbin and Mullumbimby. Dam construction habitually blows out by 50% so this figure could be expected to rise. This huge upfront cost would place a large financial burden on residents who would be paying water storage costs from day one without any benefit for forty years or more. With government funding unlikely, it would be financed primarily by current and future water users. Rous has not provided an estimate of the effect of the dam construction on the price of bulk water to the LGAs. That would be helpful in order to work out what ratepayers would have to pay in extra charges. For the many people who are already struggling, inflated water rates would be an additional but unnecessary hardship.Water securityThe proposed 50 GL dam would have 3.5 times the capacity of the 14 GL Rocky Creek Dam upstream but has only half the catchment area. Rocky Creek Dam holds roughly one year’s supply of water. With 4 years of minimal rain and no wet season, both Rocky Creek and Dunoon dams could be empty.  A full dam in a flood year is no security for a prolonged drought.Dams no longer defeat drought, especially when global heating is already making extreme droughts and floods more likely. Droughts more than a decade long have been recorded in the past and will be more likely in the future.  The DPE explains the evidence clearly in the Regional Water Strategy.In a warming climate with increasingly erratic rainfall, water supplies that are rain-dependent are inherently insecure. The high cost and the all-water-in-one-bucket approach of a new dam would impede other water strategies that show a higher cost/benefit ratio, i.e. they would cost a great deal less and provide real benefits.Water authorities and governments recognise the need to reduce dependence on rainfall; 50% non-rainfall dependent supply is recommended. The region supplied by Rous already has a dam. Now we need the numerous other sources and strategies to be implemented so that we have true water security.  Well-funded water efficiencies have been proven repeatedly to be the quickest way to obtain the most water for the least cost.Catastrophic events can occur, making a new dam a less safe option that the alternatives. Blue-green algae contamination already occurs at Clarrie Hall Dam and Emigrant Creek Dam. Increased heat and evaporation makes contamination events more likely.Dam failure is not out of the question.  In the 2022 flood, Rocky Creek Dam came so close to over-topping, and hence failing, that downstream residents were warned by text “Dam failure. Evacuate now”. If the earth-wall dam did fail and the released water hit a rolled-concrete wall a few km downstream the results would be unthinkable.  Such extreme flooding as we saw in 2022 may well be exceeded in the future.As for flood mitigation, over 1000 GL of water moved through Lismore in the 2022 flood. A 50 GL dam upstream, even if completely empty at the start of the event, could do very little to reduce that volume. And then, to be ready for the second flood a month later, it would have to be immediately emptied into an already flooded landscape.  Cultural effectsThe Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation have said repeatedly since the dam was first proposed in 1995 that they do not accept it. In 2011, senior knowledge holder Uncle John Roberts, revealed to anthropologists the location of a burial ground and other significant evidence of Aboriginal occupation at the site (2011 Dunoon Dam Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment (CHIA)).Two years later, this information was confirmed in the 2013 CHIA in which the eminent archaeologist, Dr Douglas Hobbs, stated that the burials were likely to be pre-European. Rous has decided to impose yet another study on the Widjabul despite their resistance and their determination to follow Uncle John Roberts’ wishes of “No dam, No more studies”. They are very tired of being assured that they are being fully consulted when their stated wishes are swept aside.This site is Widjabul Wia-bal heritage but also Australian heritage; we must not lose it. We all have rights to protect our shared heritage and the Widjabul people have a great deal of community support to do this.  They were the ones who provided unstintingly for the whole community with the Koori Mail flood hub – they deserve some reciprocal respect.Environmental effects The DPE’s Draft Regional Water Strategy determination that the environmental effects would be “major to extreme” deals just with the aquatic ecology. The terrestrial effects would be even worse. The Dunoon Dam Terrestrial Ecology Impact Assessment of 2012 revealed that an Endangered Ecological Community of lowland subtropical rainforest would be destroyed by the construction of the dam. This rainforest on the western edge of the Big Scrub represents about 6% of the remaining 1% of the original Big Scrub.72 ha of Koala habitat would be drowned, cleared or fragmented.  Koalas are now classed as Endangered, mainly because of loss of habitat, which drives deaths from disease, car strike and dog attack. Three km of Platypus habitat in Rocky Creek would be lost – a big lake is not what Platypus need.A new environmental study is to be done, insisted on by the pro-dam councillors. We can expect it will recommend offsets which will propose setting aside some non-alike vegetation to compensate for the destruction of the subtropical and warm temperate rainforest at the site. Rous has already proposed revegetating the weedy slopes at the site as an offset for the unique warm temperate rainforest on sandstone in The Channon Gorge. The Indigenous and environmental issues both face considerable Federal cultural and environmental legal hurdles.  These are effectively what stopped the dam in 2020, before it was put back on the table by populist politics. New dams are not smart options in a new era of extended drought.The Dunoon Dam is being promoted primarily to cater for unsustainable growth of housing and tourism on the coastal strip.  This should not be at the expense of our beautiful hinterland.   Please keep informed and be prepared to continue defending this precious place.For more information go to waternorthernrivers.org.Letter by Nan Nicholson of Water Northern Rivers 

Gardeners and homeowners are well aware of how damaging weeds can be to their lawns and garden. It is also essential to understand how weeds spread. In this post, we share helpful tips and preventative solutions for suppressing garden weeds throughout every season.What You Need to Know About Weeds and How to Treat ThemHere at Plateau Landscaping, we want to provide you with adequate knowledge to control and manage weeds before they cause permanent damage to your beloved garden.How to Identify Weeds and Why They’re BadWeeds aren’t just annoying; they’re considered invasive plants. Unlike native shrubs and flora, weeds were introduced into Australia from another country, typically growing in various areas of your garden, lawn and backyard.Weeds are a threat to our native plant life and wildlife. The damage caused by weeds also impacts agriculture, food prices and our general health.Why Suppressing Garden Weeds is a Community EffortWe all need to take care of our gardens and public areas, keeping them free of weeds.Did you know? The NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 explains that all members of the community in New South Wales have a legal duty to protect the environment from weeds.The Act also contains a list of state priority weeds to use as a helpful reference. The document also provides a guideline to prevent, eliminate, and minimise the risk created by weeds.Another resource, the Weeds of the North Coast of NSW guide, is functional for local residents to understand and identify regional priority weeds, and how to control those weeds.Practical Methods to Remove WeedsWhen pulling out weeds manually, it’s essential to wear protective gloves. Also, digging up all the roots from the ground is vital, as weeds can still thrive from dead or rotted plants.Removing weeds through biological control involves using natural enemies such as insects, mites and even plant diseases. Using biocontrol agents from other plants and wildlife makes suppressing garden weeds a natural process that is also eco-friendly.Before attempting to suppress garden weeds with chemical herbicides, it’s crucial to read the label carefully. Certain products will require a permit, and users will need to comply with permit conditions.Effective Weed Control MethodsUsing mulch will help retain the health of your soil while controlling weeds. If weeds are thick and mature, it’s best to mow or cut them before applying mulch.When suppressing garden weeds with a chemical spray, please use the spray with caution. Commercially produced herbicides can be toxic and dangerous. A safer alternative is to create homemade mixtures from salt, vinegar and soap.Try to keep a close eye on your garden and remove weeds as soon as they appear. Regular weeding will help prevent them from further spreading across your yard and lawn. It will also avoid costly management and control solutions.How to Prevent WeedsWhile weed prevention requires extra care and attention, your garden will reap long-term benefits. Suppressing garden weeds can be incorporated into a daily gardening routine by:Ensuring your existing plants are free from weedsRemoving or having plants that will potentially grow into weedsConstantly clearing your garden from garden wasteFeel free to call our friendly staff to chat about your lawn and garden weeds. Our experienced team can help put together a practical weed plan.As the local organic mulch suppliers in Ballina, Byron Bay, Alstonville and the Northern Rivers area, we can help keep your garden healthy and clear from weeds. We have all the landscape supplies and products you need to keep your lawn tip-top shape.Visit our landscape supplies centre in Alstonville for gardening and landscaping inspiration. We can also deliver your landscape supplies to Alstonville, Byron Bay, Northern Rivers and Ballina.Need help with suppressing garden weeds? Contact us on 02 6788 1234 to chat with our friendly staff or call into our premises at 14 Kays Lane, Alstonville.

The Lismore App has released a range of premium ad formats utlising products designed to enhance the ability of advertisers to be noticed and engage with customers."We have over 30,000 readers each month," managing director of the Lismore App Simon Mumford said."The release of these new and innovative ad formats will help advertisers stand out, engage with consumers, and communicate their message in a way that no other digital or print daily newspaper can."Recently released ad formats are demonstrated below.The Amazing CubeThis displays 6 images and captions of your choosing in a very slick rotating cube. Great for capturing attention. Supports individual links per image.The Countdown ClockCountdown to a big event or end of a sale. Displays a customizable and human-readable countdown, such as "7 days, 3 hours, and 10 minutes," which updates.YouTube Ad 2.0Embed a YouTube™ video as an advertisement, with an optional message below the embedded video. Responsive and mobile-friendly. This format tracks video plays as clicks, and several other events. With YouTube Ad 2.0, you’re able to track how many times videos are played, paused, and how much of each video is watched.Scratch InteractiveJust like a lottery scratch-off! Specify a front image that can be scratched and an optional back image that will display underneath the scratched area. Beta, but stable.Shop Local Text Line This advertisement is designed to increase the number of clicks through to your business listing with the added result of more contacts and a higher Google search ranking. It will appear randomly in the middle of news stories on a rotating basis.Shopping Centres with Multiple BusinessesThis advertisement is ideal for Shopping Centres that have multiple businesses. A banner would have rotating businesses which can vary in number with the aim of attracting people to the shopping centre. The cost can be shared thus lowering the expense for each individual business.Advertising creativity coupled with the Lismore App's incredible reach throughout Lismore and the Northern Rivers is a recipe for advertising success. To discuss how these amazing products can work for your business contact Debbie 0400 319 296/ [email protected] or Donna on 0419 620 010/ [email protected].

Dealing with steep hills and slopes in your backyard can be tricky.Finding the right landscaping solution can also be a challenge.Outdoor sandstone stairs are an excellent option.With adequate planning and sourcing materials from a reputable local landscape supplies centre, you can transform your rugged garden slopes into an attractive outdoor feature.Our 5 Steps to Success for Building Sandstone StairsThis blog post outlines the simple techniques to create stunning sandstone stairs with an appealing natural look. Get ready to be uplifted.1. Choose the Right Area Finding a suitable garden location for your sandstone stairs is the first step in the right direction.Using a garden hose lets you work out the curves for your flight. You can also determine the best direction and position while making necessary adjustments to your pathway.When deciding on space, think about having enough room for two people to walk side-by-side. Our recommendation is to plan a width of 90 centimetres to 1 metre for your stairway. 2. Selecting Materials WiselyWhether you’re looking for a curved path or structured sandstone stairs, you want to choose the right blocks and stone type to enhance the surroundings.The choices can be overwhelming. Start with a sketch of your ideal structure and take your ideas to an experienced landscape rock supplier who can help you choose suitable materials.The friendly Plateau Landscaping team can provide advice and recommendations on building your sandstone stairs. Our landscape supplies centre holds a wide selection of blocks, slabs, and other decorative landscaping supplies perfect for your sandstone stair design. 3. Marking Out Your Ideal Sandstone Stairs LayoutWe suggest using spray paint to mark the path and location of your sandstone steps. You can also then calculate the highest point of your flight and locate its lowest. The markings can also be a guide to see how many steps you need to build. 4. The Only Way is Up in Preparing Your Sandstone Stairs Excavating the ground for your sandstone stairs project will require the most manual labour.The rest of the process will be more straightforward, once you have levelled out the ground for the base step. Having the right tools will help make the job easier.Our recommendations include:ShovelPickaxe or mattockTrowelLevelRake Don’t forget to arrange a wheelbarrow and a skip bin to remove and dispose of the excess dirt.This part of the project might also be a great time to call on a friend for some help. 5. Lay the sandstoneWhen setting down the first block of your flight of sandstone stairs, it’s essential to align and centre it to the pathway. You want to ensure that the ground is level for this part of the building process. Establishing the foundation correctly for the base will make building the rest of the sandstone stairs easier. Your pathway will also be safe, avoiding awkward slopes and tripping hazards. Here at Plateau Landscaping, we want to make sure your sandstone stairs project is rewarding and fun.Located in Alstonville, our team can offer professional advice for landscaping and natural paving in Byron Bay, Ballina and the Northern Rivers area.As your local landscape rock supplier, we can answer all your questions if you’re at the planning stage for your sandstone stairs.Our team will be happy to give you advice on which decorative landscaping stones will best work with your sandstone stairs while providing other valuable tips.We can also deliver sandstone and landscape supplies throughout Alstonville, Byron Bay, Northern Rivers, and Ballina for our keen gardeners and DIY enthusiasts. Ready to build your sandstone stairs? Let the team at Plateau Landscaping help with the right supplies.Call 02 6788 1234 to chat with our friendly staff or visit our landscaping supplies centre at 14 Kays Lane, Alstonville

Hugh Nicholson, member of local group WATER Northern Rivers, has written a letter to the editor with his ideas and solutions to mitigate flooding in Lismore. Engineering works have been proposed to mitigate the extreme flooding experienced in Lismore in February and March 2022. Here are the suggested options:1. Build a higher leveeThe cost of raising the levee is as yet unknown but could be expected to be many millions, if not billions. The money is not yet sourced or assured.  Enormous disruption would be caused by the removal of existing infrastructure and houses, by the extensive excavations required for the site, and by the transport of earth and rock from other areas to provide fill for the levee. The construction would devastate efforts to rehabilitate the current levee area. The gross inequity involved in attempting to protect only the CBD and flood-prone parts of East Lismore is unacceptable.  A higher levee would:(a) signal the abandonment of South and North Lismore, and significantly intensify their flood hazards and problems.  (b) speed up and magnify the flood effects on downstream farmers and townships such as Coraki.Now that climate change and its damaging consequences are beyond all doubt we have to ask how high the next major flood will be. It could be 18m or 20m or 30m. There is no known limit – all we know is that more frequent and bigger floods are assured. Spending huge amounts of money in an attempt to alleviate, but possibly worsen, a threat of unknown size is the height of poor planning.  We need to admit that the existing levee was an expensive failure which merely protected parts of Lismore from small and medium floods. It has made major floods much more dangerous and destructive for both the “protected” areas and the remainder of Lismore.  We must not compound this blunder by repeating it and subjecting more people to greater peril and heartbreak.2. Construct “containment ponds”, aka dams, on upstream tributaries.The proposed Dunoon Dam (the DuD), below the existing Rocky Creek dam, has been advocated by some (although not Rous County Council) as the prime candidate for supposed flood mitigation in Lismore.Apart from the intractable problems of destruction of (a) nationally significant Indigenous heritage and (b) internationally significant rainforest, this dam would provide no flood mitigation and would in fact increase risk to downstream residents. Map of Lismore catchment (permission from Dr Rob Garbutt)Ineffectiveness of upstream containment dams. As the map above shows, the catchment of Rocky Creek, on which the DuD would be built, contributes very little to the flood waters that inundate Lismore. Figures provided by Rous show that Rocky Creek catchment above the DuD is 50 km², or 3.57% of the 1400 km² catchment above Lismore.Even in the extremely unlikely event that Rocky Creek Dam and the DuD were empty at the beginning of the rain event, they could not intercept more than 3.57% of the flood water heading for Lismore. A second flood within a month, as happened in March 2022, would be even less able to be contained as there would be no possibility of emptying the DuD into an already flooded landscape. This would be true of any other dams constructed on other tributaries with the aim of holding back flood waters. They could not provide mitigation, their cost would be astronomical and their construction would entail large-scale loss of farmland and native vegetation.  Increase in downstream risk.  The downstream risk from a large dam is explained in the 2012 Environmental Flows Assessment (EFA), commissioned by Rous CC. It states that the most extreme floods may be exacerbated in the 3 km immediately below the dam wall.  “Modelling shows that the magnitude of the largest floods may be increased, with the largest flows in the natural regime of 17,280 ML per day shifting to 20,456 ML per day with Dunoon Dam operating”.  This is an increase of 18.3% on the largest flood.The additional impact is explained by the surface area of a large dam. “When full, the dam acts to increase catchment runoff efficiency, with all rain that falls directly onto the water surface delivered directly into downstream flow when the dam is spilling. This phenomenon results in increased peak magnitude of the modelled flood events when these conditions are met.” This phenomenon on Rocky Creek Dam already increases the flood peak downstream. On 28th Feb the following text was sent to all residents below Rocky Creek Dam, including The Channon village and parts of Keerrong: “NSWSES DAM FAILURE EVACUTION ORDER ROCKY CREEK DAM. People at your home address BELOW ROCKY CREEK DAM should evacuate now to a higher ground” What warning would the SES have to send if there were another dam with an even larger surface area located only 3 km above The Channon village?  And at 3.5x the volume of Rocky Creek Dam, what would happen if that dam did indeed fail?3. Modify rivers by straightening bends, cutting diversion channels or deepening river bedsAny modification which hastens the flow of flood water past a town can only compound the problems for downstream people, towns, farms and land. It is a moral issue. Prioritising one community for protection over another is intolerable.Dredging the river, as done in the past to keep channels open for shipping, would have no effect on floods. The river at Lismore is tidally influenced so a deeper channel will always be full of water and will have no capacity to hold flood water. In conclusion, it is clear that Lismore will continue to flood in ever-escalating cycles in the years ahead. Whatever the solutions are, attempting to control with engineering remedies the colossal natural forces at work is at best childish and at worst criminally negligent.High NicolsonTerania Rainforest PublishingThe Channon Terania Rainforest Publishing

Northern Rivers Rail Ltd (NRRL) has received information that the railway tracks are now being ripped out at Casino.Federal Nationals MP for Page, Kevin Hogan committed $7.5 million to destroy the 13km rail line from Casino to Bentley and replacing it with a bike trail.Railway experts say this is the best piece of track in the whole railway line.If it was the same to repair as the section for the Byron Solar train this would cost $6.5 million to repair the railway track to Bentley, less than the cost of the bike trail.Lismore City Council has recently accepted the funding offer of $9.9 million for a bike trail for the 16.3 km section from Bentley to Lismore, made by Kevin Hogan.At the same costings it would be $8.15 million to repair the tracks. Why waste money on ripping up valuable infrastructure?Jan Mangleson, Chairperson of NRRL says, “After the recent disastrous floods, having the roads blocked meant empty shelves in supermarkets and people unable to buy essential food or petrol.Especially when they’d lost everything it was important to have food and be able to get around.The Casino to Murwillumbah railway was built to be flood free and could have been an effective transport link for these essential supplies.We’re being let down by out-of-date government thinking and the total loss of public transport is an added disaster for everyone”.Beth Shelley from NRRL says, “We need to question in this time before the Federal election why the Nationals are wanting to rip up railway tracks. We know they don’t favour action on climate change.Railways have been proven to be the best way to cut transport emissions quickly. Yet here we are seeing the destruction of a railway in a busy, populated area like the Northern Rivers. Traffic congestion, road damage and accidents will continue to worsen.It’s sad to lose our transport because of a deliberately negative government report.”  It seems that local council in Casino are getting in early to destroy the line before the Federal election and possible government change.A different government could possibly withdraw the funding for the destruction of this great railway line if they cared more for our communities and action on climate change.”Construction of a bike trail at Murwillumbah has been happening for the last few months and after the floods we’ve seen what a mess is left when water washes away a bike trail.This would not be happening if the rails were still there to hold the earth in place.This bike trail is going to end up costing heaps for ratepayers when the government should be providing decent public transport for locals and the many tourists that come to the Northern Rivers.People come to the Byron Shire in huge numbers but have no transport to get around to the rest of the region.Finding transport to get to a bike trail in Casino won’t be possible for many of the tourists to Byron. Trains to Byron would offer the chance for them to get out to Lismore, Casino and Murwillumbah to visit these areas.Beth Shelley says, "Kevin Hogan doesn't show any real care for this community when he offers money to rip up the railway. People need to vote for someone who cares about our needs and we need our railway."For more information please call, Jan Mangelson on 0431 477 445 or Beth Shelley on 0423 030 346.

The following letter to the editor was written by Terania Creek resident Nan Nicholson:With the new Rous County council being made up of 6:2 pro-dam councillors there is now a demand for Rous to shelve the current Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy (IWCM) and put the Dunoon Dam (DD) back on the table. Much has been made of the 10,000 signatures on a petition which insisted that the DD be reinstated. Some pro-dam councillors have said that they can’t ignore these people.They apparently believe that the 10,000 people (6.6% of the population) should determine water policy for Rous County Council.But, these same people emphatically ruled out groundwater, recycled water, and desal plants as permanent water sources. Some of these measures are already being used by Rous and have been for many years.Does “rule by the 10,000” mean that Rous should immediately pull out the new deep bore that has recently been drilled into the Clarence-Moreton Basin?Should Rous immediately stop pumping water from the Wilson River (into which Bangalow releases its treated sewage) up to the Nightcap Treatment Plant?Should Rous be ruled by populist demand?  If Rous councillors dictate that Rous County Council should bow to the 10,000 and go with the only option they agree with (the new dam), then it will have to abandon all the other water management options that it has spent the last year developing and implementing.Rous would be become unworkable. How embarrassing for all of us. Our Northern Rivers community will look like a bunch of backwoods hicks who are stuck in the past and can’t read a scientific report or a cultural heritage impact assessment.Nan Nicholson 

Daniel Peterson replies to Col Baker on the Dunoon Dam. Read the original letter: Letter To The Editor: Col Baker on the Dunoon Dam in reply to Nan NicholsonSimply claiming that Hugh Nicolson’s accusations are “untrue” based on what you “believe”, is not sufficient evidence with which to identify what you imply is either an “outright lie” or “distorting the truth”. In fact, what you “believe” those accusations were, is exactly that; your beliefs. You’ve described a petition in favour of your position, but failed to mention Rous’ community consultations requesting submissions and feedback on the Dunoon Dam option, moreover what the results of those community consultations have been. Perhaps those results were less supportive of your argument? You claim the Dunoon Dam (Dud) will “hold up to 4 years’ worth of water”, but you apparently fail to consider any corresponding rate of consumption. You go on to acknowledge desalination as a rain independent option, yet apparently fail to carry this acknowledgment through to provide an answer to your very own question of where we might get water to refill our tanks during drought. While we’re talking desal, apart from hyperbole, you’ve referred to “huge energy consumption” but failed to mention any renewable energy options. I like your idea that “the dam will release environmental flows in times of drought”, but simply asserting an occurrence will not make it occur. Likewise, I’m not sure what you are referring to by using (and repeating) the term “toilet water” moreover, how this (whatever it may be) will “reduce during a drought” – do we not use the toilet as much during a drought? Perhaps next time you what to tell us what Nan believes, you might do better by telling us what Nan says she believes, or even possibly asking Nan what she believes; simply asking the reader if Nan believes something is a very old and lazy way of “attacking those who disagree with you”. You also seem to assert that you have crystal-ball insight into what water rates will be in the future and exactly what projects “the Government” will subsidise. After giving us a paragraph on how economically affordable the Dud would be, you then shoot yourself in the foot, by exclaiming the Dud is “the most cost-effective long term option” (by far) “even without gov grants”. The reader must surely be wondering if you’re saying Government funding is actually required or not? I must say, you’ve done well to mention at least once “the Widjabul Wia-Bal people” by implying this stakeholder group would not be ignored by the Dud, but unfortunately, you then proceed to never mention the group again. You then imply Nan “should be ignored” but somehow found Nan worthy of a 1000+ words Letter To The Editor. But never mind all that, because you’re more than capable of speaking for the land, right? By implying the Dud footprint “has been cleared and farmed in the past” you’re parading naked your colonial mind-set before a 21st century readership, who will not accept what you admit as “environmental damage”. I don’t know if your apparent faith in the “offsets” regime says more about you or more about the regime. Have you asked anyone to show you the significance of the place which underpins their objection to the Dud? The ”demonstrations” you’re correlating with “anarchy” are not mere threats, they’re happening already every time Rous meets to discuss the Dud you’ll notice (if you look) dozens of demonstrators on the street and hundreds off the street, all demonstrating to you how much this issue means to them. If you want the Dud to be built, you’re going to have to fight for it. I think it might be called something like believing in one’s own convictions. You also claim to be happy with the CSIRO’s proposed “independent” and “impartial” investigation, but at the same time imply that the Dud is the “best option by far”. Seeing as you’ve been “reared on a farm” you’ll no doubt appreciate the phrase: putting the cart before the horse. Despite having “no political aspirations” and pining your hopes on the CSIRO’s intended “non-political” investigation, you have however, “banded together” with the Our Future Northern Rivers group to “give the silent majority a voice” – a contradiction perhaps? Scott Morison’s victory speech of May 2019 proclaimed a “miracle” and a victory for “the quiet Australians”. You also say you want to “salvage our area from rapid decline”, and that water security is “holding our area back”. So, you’ll need to try harder, a lot harder, if you want to convince me you’re not simply talking politics. - Daniel Peterson

Housing Developments or Overshoot? Are we experiencing an affordable housing ‘crisis’ or is that another symptom of human overshoot? In our personal lives, most of us recognise a limit to what we need, and a limit to what we can get. So why is it apparently impossible to recognise our public limits, in public spaces; in politics? Housing becomes ‘affordable housing’ when the housing cost is below about 30% of one’s income. At the moment in the Lismore Local Government Area, median mortgage repayments are above median household income. Meaning that it’s no longer ‘affordable’ for the average mortgaged homeowner, to live in their own home – it used to be a right, but now it’s a privilege. Over the last generation or so, ‘affordable housing’ has become synonymous with rental housing. When residential development proposals claim to provide affordable housing, they’re actually providing investment opportunities for asset owners who benefit from owning property in the Lismore LGA, without actually living here, or being a part of the Lismore LGA themselves. It’s yet another way, capitalism sucks wealth from those who can least afford it, to make the wealthy wealthier – business as usual – another symptom of overshoot.Human overshoot occurred in the early 1970’s. The number of planet earths required to support our average human footprint is now at 1.7 – Australian’s require 3.8 – and it’s rising just like atmospheric CO₂. In 2010, of all countries, Australia had the 5th highest ecological footprint per person. Since European arrivals began, 10% of Australia’s land mammal species have become extinct – this number is also rising. According to the Genuine Progress Indicator, Australia reached an optimum human population of 15 million in about 1974. During Australia’s 2019-20 fire-season about 3 billion individual non-human animals were killed by what the Australian National University say is a “wake up call”. Some federal politicians (while in opposition) have remarked on an “accelerating and disastrous extinction crisis”, but during the same 12-month period of time, the number of Australians increased by 331500 individual humans. Human population growth is growing, when it should be contracting. But hang-on, I hear you say; if only we could live more responsibly, reduce consumption, we would reduce our damaging impacts on the environment, and then, a sustainable future would be possible for all! Unfortunately, not. Self-interest is a hard-wired aspect of being human, for most people, most of the time. When the 2015-2035 Lismore Growth Management Strategy is directed by ‘community aspiration’ for “population and economic growth … to be managed and sustainable in the longer term”, how can I possibly believe otherwise? Don’t get me wrong, I still advocate for reducing consumption, but I believe the issues of human population and consumption must be considered together. If our reformed human consumers are going to have something to consume, we must address human ‘overshoot’. I’m afraid we can’t have our cake and eat it too. What happened to the warning of unlimited growth on a finite planet? How is our Local Government Area not part of our planet? Lismore’s current LGA human population is close to 44000 people or about 34 people per square kilometer; that’s a higher population density than such countries as Sweden, Laos, Butuan, Papua New Guinea, or New Zealand. Hovering just above us is the population density of the United States of America. The average Australian enjoys a lifestyle at the expense of an ecological footprint of 6 hectares, which therefore gives the 1290km² of Lismore’s LGA a carrying capacity of 21500 people. On this basis alone, the Lismore LGA should reject any new residential development and manage the steady contraction of resident numbers. Hey, we might even make housing more affordable in the process. Given the current Council election, I’ve questioned each Mayoral candidate with the same question: What’s the optimum number of residents in the Lismore LGA? Disappointingly, not one candidate has a numerical alternative to the growth agenda. Responses below are summarised and listed in the order they were received. Vote wisely. Krieg = “… 50000 in our LGA is attainable by 2041” Marks = “… the magic number is approximately 70,000 and above” Rob = “I don’t do as I am told” (No response) Ekins = “We need to meet the needs of our community first and I don’t think the growth model will do it” Cook = “…we are not picking a number that would be optimal and committing to it”Bird = No response- Daniel John Petersen 

Before Col Baker of Future Northern Rivers accuses Hugh Nicholson and others of distorting the truth and outright lies he would do well to check his facts. Read more: Letter To The Editor: Col Baker on the Dunoon Dam in reply to Nan NicholsonI do not support Hugh Nicholson’s comments about the Rous General Manager. We have worked side by side for the last 4 years to transform Rous County Council into a modern, fit for purpose agency to combat weeds, floods and supply our water. Phillip Rudd has been an outstanding leader through a period of significant change. However, Mr Baker’s letter contains a number of fundamental errors.1. Rous Councillors were not provided a copy of the Ainsworth Cultural Heritage Study or a briefing on its contents. As the Chair of Rous I was advised by staff that I could not view the Cultural Heritage Report due to a dispute with the traditional custodians who had refused to provide consent for its release. I eventually viewed a copy via direct discussions with Traditional Custodians but not via Rous. That is a fact, not an opinion.2. Mr Baker’s assertion that a Dam will be cheaper because it is the only option that will get State funding is absolute nonsense. A standard funding formula applies for all urban water supply projects that are part of an approved Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan. A dam has by far the highest upfront cost and even with State funding will require substantial loans to finance the balance of the construction cost. Another fact.3. Col says it’s all just weeds. It’s funny how Col says he wants more science but he refuses to accept the science we do have. Existing ecological studies show 52 Ha of Koala habitat lost and 33Ha of sub-tropical rainforest lost. Again facts, not opinion.4. Mr Baker says when you stoop to distorting the truth or telling outright lies and to attack those who disagree with you, you have lost the debate. Yet for the last year, spokespersons for Future Northern Rivers have shown no shame in repeatedly calling me a liar. It must be political interference they shout, pointing to a Facebook post by Bob Carr. Really, is that your evidence?How about you consider the 436 pages of a highly qualified archeologist’s detailed study like I did? It’s now publicly available on the Rous website in de-identified form following negotiations I undertook with the Traditional Custodians.The Dunoon site contains a burial ground of at least 25 graves dating from before European settlement to the recent past. Assessed against Heritage Act criteria, the site is described as State Significant.The archeologist employed by Rous was clearly of the view that the Minister for Planning would be unlikely to give consent to the Development Application for a dam at Dunoon, unless all alternative water supply options had been exhausted and genuine negotiation with the Traditional Custodians had been undertaken.This is a significant legal problem. It will either be resolved through the courts or by negotiation. Rous Councillors, sensibly chose to put the dam to one side until the next review of the plan in 5 years time, to allow those negotiation to occur.The site will not be sold. The matter will be reconsidered. In the meantime, Rous will get on with our job of securing additional water by 2024 and continuing to investigate all other viable water supply options for future years.The belated publication of the Ainsworth Cultural Heritage Report has no doubt been damaging to efforts to explain the Rous Council decision. It has allowed political opportunists to ignore reality and reduce a complex matter to a Trump like ‘Build the Dam’ slogan.But we need more than lies, dam lies and slogans.Keith WilliamsCouncillor Keith Williams

This letter to the editor was sent in by Nan Nicholson.Read more about the issue: Patrick Healey leads independent team into council election campaignPatrick Healey, of the Lismore Independents team, claims to support Bundjalung heritage but also supports the Dunoon Dam which would destroy extremely important Aboriginal living heritage as well as burial sites that have been dated as pre-contact.Strangely, Patrick Healey doesn’t even mention by name the people who would be shattered by this desecration: the Widjabul Wia-bal people.He is of Aboriginal descent himself, and all the people on his team are either Indigenous (but not local) or are apparent supporters of Indigenous people.There are a few possible reasons for this stand:1. Patrick Healey's team holds local Widjabul Wia-bal people in contempt2. they hope that the Widjabul Wia-bal people will not notice this betrayal.3. they have been told that the sites are somehow safe. This is what Patrick Healey claimed in a FB reply but when challenged to supply evidence of this claim he deleted it. Here is the link to the (redacted) Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment released by Rous. https://rous.nsw.gov.au/page.asp?f=RES-UZW-46-31-12   It shows that the burial sites and other important cultural sites would indeed be destroyed by the dam.Please Patrick, be true to your people and renounce this cruel support for a project that would damage them so badly.Keep the rest of your policies but let go of this one that diminishes you and all of your team as well as the Widjabul Wia-bal people.Claiming that you don't have to decide because of the newly announced CSIRO investigation does not absolve you of responsibility to stick up for your people. You need to show where you stand right now and support Indigenous citizens.

Hugh Nicholson write a letter to the editor in response to Rous County Council's problems with Ballina Council in securing the future water supply. Read more: Rous County Council hits a setback in future water plans"In her role as a Ballina and Rous County Councillor Sharon Cadwallader has played the 'bad cop' to Keith Williams 'good cop' in a way which has alerted the broader community to the importance of our future water supply.Without this division and controversy within the council, the broader community would never have stirred itself to become informed of the complexity of water-supply issues in the Northern Rivers.Through the past 18 months of discussion and debate, residents in Byron, Ballina, Richmond River and Lismore Council areas have become acutely aware of the need for Rous CC to investigate a safe and secure water supply.It is such a relief to realise, through this process, that Rous councillors have seriously engaged with the issue and voted to provide water to the community from multiple, scalable sources instead of running with the simplistic, single source of a second dam on a small creek.Thank you Sharon for 'stirring the pot'; and thank you Rous for alerting the community and bringing us with you on the current water supply options. Get on with it!"Sincerely,Hugh NicholsonThe Channon 2480