Norco has marked two years since its Lismore ice cream factory reopened after the 2022 floods. The celebration was held today out the front of the iconic Union Street site, with locals lining up for free Cape Byron ice cream, face painting and games for the kids.

The event also fell on National Agriculture Day, giving Norco a chance to thank farmers, workers and families across the Northern Rivers.

Norco CEO Michael Hampson said the anniversary is a proud moment for the co-operative and for the local community.

“We’ve been able to inject around $50 million into the local economy through wages, local jobs and local suppliers,” he said. “It shows the value of the investment that helped us rebuild, and we’ve now been able to repay that through what we’ve delivered for the community.”

The Lismore factory has been part of the city for more than a century. It was one of the hardest-hit industrial sites during the 2022 floods, suffering around $100 million in damage. Norco received $34 million in support to rebuild the plant. Hampson said it was the only reason the site could reopen and keep its 130 workers employed.

“We have multi-generation families who’ve worked here,” he said. “Rebuilding meant rebuilding jobs. When you put $50 million into the local economy, that money goes around and helps with recovery. It’s been a big lift for Lismore.”

Since restarting operations in late 2023, the factory has produced more than 34 million litres of ice cream for supermarkets across the country. Cape Byron, Norco’s premium brand, was relaunched after the floods and is now on shelves nationwide. Hampson said bringing it back was a way to honour the region.

“Cape Byron celebrates our local area,” he said. “We’re proud of what we make here, and today we’re giving it away as our thank-you to the community.”

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the Norco story represents the wider recovery of the city and the Northern Rivers.

“It’s amazing to stand here less than four years after this site was 14 metres underwater,” he said. “It’s a great recovery story for Norco, for Lismore and for the whole Northern Rivers.”

He said Norco’s presence on one of Lismore’s busiest intersections is a reminder that industry has returned and confidence is growing again.

“The region is growing and thriving,” he said. “Jobs are everything for a regional city. Keeping those 130 jobs here is critical. Norco is a major employer and a big supporter of our agriculture sector and local events.”

The factory grounds were busy throughout the day as families stopped by for ice creams and kids’ activities. Workers mingled with locals, and many long-term employees brought relatives along to celebrate the milestone.

Hampson said today was about showing appreciation.

“We just wanted to say thank you,” he said. “This community stood with us after the flood. Today is our way of giving something back.”

The celebration wrapped up with hundreds of ice creams handed out, a steady crowd of visitors and a strong sense that the factory’s recovery is now firmly part of Lismore’s story.