The two big stories to come out of the monthly Lismore City Council meeting last night was the approval of the Nimbin Cullen Street Development and Neil Marks' appointment as Deputy Mayor for the next twelve months.

The Cullen Street development means Nimbin's CBD will be revitalised once the project is complete with retail shops, take away food premises, a 12 seat café, a Medical Centre and communal open space garden areas.

The majority of councillors referred to positive feedback from the community with Councillor Bird saying "That beyond a doubt that the community supports this DA. It can only bring positives to our community."

There was some conjecture as to the amount the developer would pay in contributions for the Western Carpark and beautification of the garden area. The initial amount was $74,840, this was reduced to $20,000 as it was deemed enough for the proposed work to be completed without the developer walking away from the project.

There were two candidates for Deputy Mayor, they were Neil Marks and Nancy Casson. Neil Marks was voted in as Deputy Mayor 5 votes to 3.

In his speech Cnr Marks said 'This has been a difficult time for councillors and we have not always worked well together. As Deputy Mayor I hope to bring us together."

"I feel I have worked closely with every member and hope I have earned their respect."

Five councillors thought so while three supported Cnr Casson with Cnr Ekins abstaining from the vote.

Cnr Casson suffered more disappointment earlier in the night when her motion to offer Financial Hardship Assistance to some struggling ratepayers through the creation of a reserve fund through the saving of former councillors Gianpiero Battista and Greg Bennett's wages, was lost 3 votes to 6. The money council saves from those two wages will be put into the general fund.