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Memorial Baths and rural businesses boosted at Council meeting

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Simon Mumford

09 March 2021, 8:35 PM

Memorial Baths and rural businesses boosted at Council meeting

In a relatively low key Lismore City Council meeting last night there was some good news for the community.



The Lismore Memorial Baths were to be closed before Easter and the school holidays but will now be extended to cover this period following a motion by Councillor Darlene Cook that was passed unanimously.


Read more Council news: Lismore Council appoints a new executive director


Rural business opportunities received a small boost when a Council Staff Report asked for a Planning Proposal Amendment to the existing Lismore Local Environmental Plan 2012 that would allow additional tourism activities on agricultural land.


What does this mean?


It means that a farmer may operate a function centre for weddings or corporate retreats or facilities for holding yoga and meditational workshops, day spas and health studios or artisan food and drink premises such as microbreweries and distilleries while still farming the land for agricultural purposes.


This would help farmers financially in times of drought driven by climate change or other negative economic and market factors.


The amendment would only be considered for small scale business enterprises up to 120 people so land owners still had an obligation to farm their land.


The initial proposal was put on public display with the majority of the public supporting the idea (67% to 74%) with concern about the environment and neighbouring farms amenities.


The vote was not unanimous with Councillors Marks, Moorhouse, Bird, Cook and Ekins voting in favour of the proposed amendments while Councillors Guise, Lloyd and Casson voted against.


The next step will be to put the proposed amendment on public display once again before returning to council to vote on the changes.


There is a new Financial Report for councillors tabled each month which will give councillors the heads up for any budget variances that occurred in that month. For instance, REX announcing they will pull out of Lismore will have an effect on income for the Lismore Airport and interest income dropped by $126,000 which will have an impact on councils cash result.


The important document is still the Quarterly Budget Review Statement with the next presentation due at the April council meeting. With the 2021/22 Operational Plan now underway including the 2021/22 Budget it will be very interesting to see what state Lismore City Council finances are in and what is planned in the coming financial year.


Will it be finally in the black after years in the red or has COVID and other outside impacts dealt that goal a blow?


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