Throughout the CBD, there have been many buildings wrapped in construction fencing and signage as they wait to be rebuilt or restored following massive damage in the 2022 big flood.

During the second half of 2023, some of that signage has slowly been removed as Lismore takes another step towards recovery.

Yesterday, the heart of the local tennis community, the Elaine Blanch Tennis Courts clubhouse, was officially reopened as Mayor Steve Krieg handed back the keys to the fully restored clubhouse on behalf of Lismore City Council. Tennis Queensland displayed the prestigious Brisbane International Trophy for the occasion.

"Obviously, this is a small step in the rebuild of the city and the infrastructure work that we have to do, but it's a big step for the Lismore Tennis Club, which is one of the key sporting clubs in town, Mayor Krieg told the Lismore App.

"It caters for a lot of social and competitive tennis and council has been able to deliver, not just what they had before the flood, but to a much higher standard with flood resilient floors and a stainless steel kitchen upstairs in the clubhouse. So a real asset not only for the Lismore Tennis Club but for the city."

As many large-scale projects have been, the Tennis Club project was managed by Bennett Constructions, a comprehensive overhaul breathed new life into the clubhouse's foundations. In addition to the restoration, the building received a bright new exterior paint job and accessibility enhancements have been integrated to ensure inclusivity for all.

It is only ten more days until Christmas and there could be two more good news announcements in that time.

"Hopefully before Christmas, the Baths will be open. Funnily enough, it's been staffing that's been the challenge rather than getting the pool open. But we've got all of our staff trained up and accredited and ready to go. So it's really exciting to have the pool back open before Christmas."

"We're also hoping to open one of the major remediation works on the Lismore to Nimbin Road before Christmas as well. That was a major body of work for our road crew to undertake and to have that open before Christmas will be really exciting for people commuting between Lismore and Nimbin."

As each flood recovery project is ticked off one at a time on what is a long list of flood restoration work, it is easy to forget what has been achieved.

"To see the amount of work that's actually getting done and signed off on is just incredible. And, I think, because we live it every day, we almost take for granted the Bennett Construction signs and the Lismore City Council signs around, not only the city, but the outlying areas as well. But there's a huge body of work that our council has undertaken and has been able to achieve in 12 months. It really is a credit to Brendan (Logan Chief Operating Officer LCC) and his team what they've been able to achieve."

"There's also business as usual projects as well, like Richmond Hill Road being totally upgraded, and Union Street being repaired. As well as undertaking flood restoration work jobs like that that are getting done, like drainage and clearing."

"There are exciting times ahead as well. With our sewage treatment plant works, hopefully getting underway soon and major infrastructure works rolling out in the next 12 to 18 months, it will be really good for the city."

For updates on the progress, visit https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/buildings-parks-and-facilities.