Yesterday's Lismore City Council meeting included debating the Lismore Community Strategic Plan (CSP) before adopting the draft document and putting it on display for 28 days. The CSP details the community's 10-year aspirations for Lismore and sets the stage for its future.

The CSP was formed with input from 1,678 people who participated in a community scorecard that delivered a frank assessment of Council’s performance. The results were clear: people want better roads, a clear vision and plan for responsible growth and housing, visible progress on storm water management and waste and more responsive youth services.

Those residents scored Council half the industry average for vision, roads and stormwater. It certainly still has a great deal of work to do.

Council said the feedback was honest, and it revealed areas where it is not meeting expectations. However, it also offered clarity.

The community delivered a firm and detailed mandate for change, and Council is responding.

After spending most of the start to 2025 continuing to work with the community to turn priorities into a shared plan of action, Council today has endorsed its draft integrated Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, and Operational Plan to go on public exhibition.

The Community Scorecard, completed by 1678 residents, identified six top priorities: safer local roads, diverse housing options, support for local economic growth, flood mitigation and recovery, youth services and waste management.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the feedback was clear and direct, residents are not satisfied with the quality or focus of Council’s delivery. Their expectations are clear, and so is their disappointment.

“We accept that. There’s no point glossing over the results, we just need to get on with the job of doing better,” he said.

 “The community told us that above all else, they want safer, better-maintained roads — roads that last, not quick fixes. They want proper flood mitigation, not patchwork solutions. They want to see Lismore built responsibly, with more housing options, better services for young people, and more timely and transparent communication.”

Since the results were delivered to Council in February, Lismore City Council has undertaken one of the most comprehensive strategic planning processes in the organisation’s history, Mayor Krieg said.

“We received the results in February and planned to head back out to community, but were delayed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. In April, we hosted community workshops across Lismore to share both the results and our draft response,” he said.

“We wanted to check with residents if we were on the right path.

“Overwhelmingly, they supported the direction but asked us to go even further in some areas. We’ve done that.”

The result is a new, integrated plan that combines the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, and Operational Plan into a single roadmap — a clear, measurable guide for what Council will do, when, and why.

Among the standout actions:

• Deliver priority road upgrades through the 4-year Capital Delivery Program and keep the community informed of progress.
• Reform the Roads Operational Management Plan and implement a new quality management system for better road maintenance.
• Advocate to Transport for NSW for vital upgrades, including the Hollingsworth Creek Bridge duplication and improved safety at intersections along the Bruxner Highway.
• Implement CSIRO-recommended flood-mitigation strategies and complete outstanding projects such as Brown Creek Channel and Inlet, multiple stormwater pump stations and the Upper Hollingsworth Creek Flood Gate.
• Advocate for the Bureau of Meteorology to upgrade telemetry systems and digital flood monitoring.
• Introduce automated Property Flood Certificates to support rural residents with insurance and development planning.
• Establish or support Service Teams to implement a works program to improve the overall appearance and sense of pride in Lismore CBD and village centres.
• Deliver footpath and cycleway links connecting schools, parks, and key precincts, including Ballina Rd to Albert Park School, Pindari Crescent, and the Rowing Club car park.
• Develop new land-use strategies that support residential, rural, economic and environmental growth.
• Create a Property Strategy to unlock diverse housing options, support intergenerational farming and increase key worker accommodation.
• Partner with NSW Reconstruction Authority to create precinct plans for the CBD, East and North Lismore, South Lismore, and the Health Precinct.
• Renew youth programs, including activation of the new Lismore and Nimbin skateparks, upgrades to Spinaze Park and Nesbitt Park, and safe study spaces with Wi-Fi.
• Restore wastewater facilities in East and South Lismore and the Nimbin water treatment plant to meet future demand.
• Advocate for expansion of rural water tank programs to enhance village resilience.
• Investigate innovative waste recovery and recycling options, including biogas energy and circular economy partnerships.
• Identify priority urban streetscapes for rejuvenation and biodiversity protection.
• Strengthen catchment management and environmental planning to protect Lismore’s ecosystems and mitigate future risks.

The plan includes a commitment to transparent reporting and ongoing community dialogue, with regular reviews to ensure responsiveness in a changing environment, including a full review of the plan each year.

“This plan is not just a document — it’s a shared commitment,” Cr Krieg said.

“We are proud of what we’ve built together and focused on delivering what we’ve promised.”

As Lismore looks to build a region of opportunity where everyone can succeed — the community can be confident that its voice has not only been heard but embedded in the decisions that will shape its future.

Community Survey – Summary of Key Findings for Lismore City Council

Areas of Strength

• Sense of Community:
  • A majority of residents feel a sense of belonging in Lismore and villages.
• Sport and Recreation:
  • Sport and recreation facilities are performing well and are among the highest-rated services.
• Parks and Playgrounds:
  • Parks and playgrounds are positively regarded by the community.
• Support for Local Business:
  • The local area is seen as a reasonably good place to work or operate a business.

Areas for Improvement

• Infrastructure and Amenity:
  • Local roads and bridges were the lowest-rated area overall.
  • Stormwater management and waste services also received low satisfaction.
  • Community buildings and public toilets were rated poorly.
• Flood Resilience and Recovery:
  • There was community concern about disaster preparedness and progress on recovery.
• Economic Development and Planning for Growth:
  • Residents expressed limited satisfaction with Council’s efforts in creating jobs, boosting tourism and activating the local economy.
• Youth Services:
  • Community services and facilities for youth received low satisfaction scores.
• Leadership and Governance:
  • Ratings were low across several governance areas, including leadership, communication of a clear vision, and financial sustainability.

Highest Comparative Scores

(Where Lismore is performing in line with or close to industry average/high)

• Sport and Recreation Facilities
  • Lismore: 64
  • Industry Average: 64
• Sense of Belonging in the Community
  • Lismore: 57
  • Industry Average: 58
• Area to Work or Operate a Business
  • Lismore: 50
  • Industry Average: 58
• Parks and Playgrounds
  • Lismore: 55
  • Industry Average: 64

Lowest Comparative Scores

(Where Lismore is rating as most below average)

• Council Has Developed and Communicated a Clear Vision
  • Lismore: 13
  • Industry Average: 27
• Local Roads (Including Bridges)
  • Lismore: 22
  • Industry Average: 46
• Stormwater Management
  • Lismore: 25
  • Industry Average: 48
• Youth Services and Facilities
  • Lismore: 31
  • Industry Average: 47