In a historic vote during last nights Lismore City Council meeting, the motion to hand back council-owned land at the North Lismore Plateau to the traditional owners was passed.

The parcel of land is 37 hectares in size (not the 74 hectares reported in councils business papers) is at the southern end of the plateau and includes the old quarry.

The history and significance of the North Lismore Plateau was talked about in public submission by Uncle Mickey Ryan and four other speakers including his sister Aunty Marie Delbridge.

"This is a very big step by our community for justice and reconciliation for all of us, for indigenous and non-indigenous alike," Uncle Mickey said.

"There is no question that the land identified to be handed back contains some of the most significant and sacred sites within the Bundjalung nation. My responsibility and duty as a senior elder of the Bundjalung nation is toward the protection of our ancestral lands, all the animals, plants and people who dwell within."

Mayor Vanessa Ekins, who put the motion forward, said "It is a pretty small but significant gesture that links Lismore with the national native title process that is going on around us everywhere."

Councillor (Cr) Guise described the vote as 'quite a significant moment in time', Cr Lloyd said "this was the most significant motion that has come before me in the last 5 years she has been in chambers", Cr Cook was very excited when she saw the motion and said, "we do it as a matter of reconciliation".

Cr Elly Bird added an amendment that included a briefing for councillors to examine the relevant process, possible time-frame and budgetary impacts plus that an inclusive, transparent consultative process is identified in order to engage all relevant stakeholders.

This is the motion that passed.

It was mentioned that the process would not be quick and will involve significant costs to council because it is not in the budgeted delivery program as council staff find a way to make this handover legally compliant.

Cr Neil Marks voted for the motion but raised a point about the land handover not being used to stop the North Lismore Plateau development.

"I do believe that is part of the future of Lismore for all people," Cr Marks said.

Uncle Mickey Ryan had said in his four minutes that he will continue to fight for all of the land on the North Lismore Plateau not to be developed.

When put to a vote, it was 7 councillors for and only one councillor against, Bill Moorhouse.

The Lismore Airport will undergo a consultation process with the community and key stakeholders after a unanimous vote. Part of the discussion will be addressing aircraft noise and the future desires for the airport with the reuslts reported back to councillors at a briefing.

In another unanimous vote, council staff will begin to prepare an Affordable Housing Strategy for the region.

Councillors acknowledged the housing crisis and the impact that it is having on our community with Cr Elly Bird saying "we have a lack of diversity, we are being driven by the private market."

This was another item that will not have a quick impact in the community but the wheels are in motion.

The people of Nimbin will be able to have their say on the Nimbin Development Review and Response as it was voted to go on public submission in 'Your Say'.

While the vote was once again unanimous, councillors were split on their reasons with Cr Adam Guise saying Nimbin is suffering from over development without the required infrastructure being in place and Cr Neil marks saying Nimbin residents were willing to take its fair share of growth in our area.

The main concerns are around urban sprawl and the security of future water supply.

Residents will be able to view the policy and comment via councils 'Your Say' webpage in the next few days.

Finally, in some good news and yet another unanimous vote, the Albert Park Baseball and Softball complex will name fields 3 and 4 'Shailes Fields' after Kayleen Shailes.