Tonight's monthly Lismore City Council meeting has a full agenda with some controversial issues to be debated and voted on.

Mayor Vanessa Ekins has two motions on the table that will cause some debate in the chamber and in the community.

The first motion is for Council owned land on the North Lismore Plateau to be handed back to the traditional owners of the land.

The parcel of land that Lismore City Council owns is 74 hectares and includes the old quarry that ceased operating in 1978. The land is zoned Environmental Conservation, Environmental Management and Residential. The residential zoning is towards the northern part of the council-owned land that would back onto the Winton Group residential development in the southern end of the North Lismore Plateau if it was ever given the green light.

The Mayor told the Lismore App the North Lismore Plateau development has been spoken about for 20-years or more with millions of dollars already spent on water and sewage head works plus more on the planning process and conversations with the traditional owners.

"I know how important the sleeping lizard site is to the Widjabul Wiabal people," she said, "there are six significant sites on council-owned land."

"During the 2011 consultation process, I heard about the cultural connection to that place and how precious it is to them."

"This is a small act but a significant act. It is part of the national native title process that returns country to the care and control of the Widjabal Wiabal people."

Mayor Ekins added that there is no intention for council to do anything with the land in the medium term.

"We don't have the resources to go there," she said.

"The small part of residential land needs to be accessed from the north which would be a significant investment."

"If there were plans to build an Aboriginal Cultural Centre and some affordable housing in that area, I would be happy to look at that. But at the moment that is not in the planning."

If the land is handed back to the traditional owners, the rates would be negotiated by council staff in the discussions and the normal development application process would be followed if any building was planned in the future.

One stumbling block in the Mayor's way, in the short term, is council finances. While the initial investigation and briefing can be covered by staff in the current budget, further detailed investigation would have a significant cost to council that is not funded in this year's budget. However, that would be a discussion for the new Mayor and Councillor team in the November council meeting following the September elections.

"We lead the way in waste management, coal seam gas and now native title. I hope this is supported tonight," the Mayor added.

The motion is likely to pass with the Mayor, fellow Green councillor Adam Guise, Eddie Lloyd and Nancy Casson making it four votes. The Mayor would then use her casting vote to pass the motion even if the other four councillors voted against it.

The second motion put forward by Mayor Ekins is to do with the aircraft noise emanating from the Lismore Airport, aircraft flight paths and the airport's future use.

This has been the subject of social media debate creating another controversial issue in the community.

Mayor Ekins says, "It is worth having a conversation with our community about aviation rights and responsibilities, good neighbour policies, Council’s role and the future of the airport."

"The consultation process could start with a targeted 'Your Say' forum which will inform key stakeholders in a face to face session. Council staff can advise on an appropriate process."

Council has applied for grant funding through three (3) funding streams for the preparation of a master plan for the Lismore airport which will address the future direction for the airport and its supporting infrastructure. 

In other matters going before council tonight, council staff are recommending that councillors give the green light on building an Affordable Housing Strategy for the region.

This follows discussions with key industry groups such as developers, real estate agents, planning & building consultants and Lismore's largest employers.

The Nimbin development control plan is being reviewed as the discussion progresses about the towns population growth.

Plus, a request has been been made to council to name Albert Park Baseball/Softball complex Ground 3 and 4 "Shailes Field" after Kayleen Shailes.

A full rundown, of what looks on paper to be a very long council meeting, will be on the Lismore App when you wake up Wednesday morning.