Tuesday's final council meeting for 2024 covered a lot of ground on a lot of topics during a marathon seven-hour session.

Today, we cover the Regional Vision and Masterplan, who owns the Lismore Levee? how many code of conduct's did council receive on councillors or our GM in the last 12 months? Bridge removals and a change of plan for our waste serves.

Regional Vision and Masterplan

We learnt during the Mayoral Minute that during February's Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO) meeting, discussions will begin about what to do with the vacant blocks of land created by the Resilient Homes Program House Buybacks.

A Community Leaders Forum will put forward a Steering Committee to the NRJO for the creation of a Regional Vision and Masterplan.

The Steering Committee will be chaired by Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin. It will involve Mayor Krieg as the Chair of Regional Cities NSW, Councillor Cherry from the Tweed Shire as Chair of the NRJO, plus members of a new planning body that includes Kiersten Fishburn the Secretary of the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully and former NSWRA CEO Simon Draper who is now Secretary at the Premier's Department.

The idea is that the Steering Committee will drive the Regional Vision and Masterplan through the CSIRO.

"So, the NRJO is virtually going to be a funding body because there is money available," Mayor Krieg explained, "So, government money will go to the NRJO to administer to the CSIRO."

"We're hoping to have an outcome in the third quarter of 2025 with a draft Regional Vision, which will be led by our state member."

Who Owns and Operates the Lismore Levee?

This question has been an ongoing debate for over a decade. Mayor Krieg suggested an answer may be agreed to in 2025 as Rous County Council want to offload the asset and have Lismore City Council own and maintain the levee wall. Mayor Krieg said Rous councillors, which include himself and Cr Andrew Gordon, have asked for a briefing on the issue. The mayor asked for Lismore City Council staff to be included in the briefing.

If Rous moves the asset of its books and on to Lismore City Council what financial ramifications will that have on Lismore Council?

Code of Conduct Statistical Reporting

Each year council is to provide a report of the annual Code of Conduct statistics, which is forwarded to the Office of Local Government.

Council received 20 complaints from the community and 4 from councillors.

The number of complaints referred to the Office of Local Government was 4. There were 2 referred to a conduct reviewer, while 1 was progressed to full investigation by a conduct reviewer.

CBD Footpath Upgrade

Mayor Krieg put forward a motion, which was passed unanimously, to seek funding opportunities so council could continue the rest of its footpath upgrades.

"It's something that if we're promoting civic pride, if we're promoting a fresh, new, vibrant Lismore, we need to get the small things right," the Mayor said.

There was some debate over the pebbly finish that Keen Street has, as it is unsuitable for those with disabilities or using wheelie walkers.

Lismore & Villages Community Pride

There was another unanimous vote for Council to establish a 'Community Pride' team that would be responsible for:

• Enhancing and maintaining the entrances to the city and villages by improving landscaping, signage, and aesthetic features
• Coordinating an appropriate cleaning and maintenance schedule for all signs, footpaths, bench seating, BBQ facilities, and public areas within the city and villages
• Engaging with the community to identify priority areas and collaborate on beautification projects
• Providing a quarterly report to Council on the activities, improvements, and outcomes of the ‘Community Pride’ team

Bridge Removals

Lismore's heritage-listed rail bridges have never been spoken about more in 2024. It was a monumental moment when the Terania Street rail bridge was finally dismantled and removed.

Council now has its sights on the other rail bridges.

A motion was moved by Cr Bing to write to Janelle Saffin and Transport for NSW to seek the expeditious removal of the Union Street and Alexandra Parade rail bridges, in that order, before moving on to Winterton Parade in North Lismore.

The rail bridge at Crane Street will not be removed to ensure proper connectivity for future sections of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

This was another unanimous vote.

Balanced Regional Model A

The last item on the agenda was about Lismore City Council's waste services.

In December 2023, council adopted Balanced Regional Model C following the most comprehensive review of Council's waste and resource recovery operations. It was said that Balanced Regional Model C would save council $6-8 million each year.

In a confidential session, council has now rescinded that motion to adopt Balanced Regional Model C and adopt Balanced Regional Model A.

As the matter was in confidential, no further details were supplied.

The Lismore App has asked council to explain what Balanced Regional Model A involves.

The next Lismore City Council meeting will be held on February 11 2025.

Let's hope it doesn't run for another seven hours.