When Lismore City Council LCC staff arrived with three police in tow to search his farm at Coffee Camp, Rainbow Wholefoods’ owner Tony Stillone had a panic attack.

“I had to immediately take my heart medication pills and a valium,” Tony said.

"Why have police to raid me and make it look like a crime scene?

“I was panicky and shaky and worried I’d have another heart attack.”

Tony said he was handed a search warrant by LCC’s compliance officer, who was accompanied by Council's senior public health officer.

“The search warrant was to search my premises for illegal operations,” Tony said.

“They said they can do anywhere on my property and I said I have nothing to hide, please do.

“I think the police were nice and were feeling sorry for me – one said his mum was a regular customer.

“They went through my warehouse and told me I couldn’t sell my stock without Council permission.

“But we are a farm and grow fresh produce here and I’m pretty sure other farms sell produce they grow from their gates too.

“They walked around my property and went into my family home and told me that the extension on my home wasn’t legal and that I would need to submit a development approval for that.

“I’m now waiting for Council to get back to me and tell me what the situation is and where I stand with what I can and can’t do on my property.”

The Lismore App contacted Lismore City Council for comment on the incident and a spokesperson said “the warrant was sought to ensure safe and lawful access of staff to the property and to determine accurately what activities were taking place at the premises”.

The issue

Since Tony closed the Terania Street Rainbow Wholefoods shop about a year ago, he has been operating his business from his farm at Coffee Camp. Read more: Rainbow Wholefoods' future still uncertain - but there is a light of hope

As a practicing herbalist and naturopath of 45 years, Tony dispenses herbs and medicines to the public and sells them from his home clinic - mostly through mail order and deliveries.

The problem it seems, is the other items he has been also been selling – such as bulk grains and rice.

“It’s all our stock we were trying to clear out of the Keen Street shop before Council made us close earlier than expected,” he said.

“The only reason we still have it is because Council forced us to shut without giving us a chance to clear our stock.

“Depending on what happens with Council – we will need to quickly sell all of our produce and dry goods at cost price.”

History

Tony said in 2017 after losing everything to flood, the council and other government bodies encouraged him to clean up and start over.

Tony said he had invested $250,000 in the business before Council told him he had to close on January 7, 2021. The main reason was over the need to have a firewall erected.

At the time, there was a dispute between the building owner, who refused to pay for it – and Tony, the renter, who couldn’t afford to pay for it.

“We couldn’t find suitable new premises so we moved all our stock and equipment to our shed on our farm.

Future

“I want to open a shop again – but I can’t find a suitable place in Lismore that’s ready for us to use.

“My aim is to keep going and grow produce ourselves and get community involvement. We will adapt and try to get through it.

“I would like to get a DA to run an on-farm café in future like The Farm at Byron Bay – but I have no money yet.

Support

“Lots of people have been so supportive since this happened.

“We are so fortunate to live in our region where community is our family. ,

“I have never been in a raid, with a search warrant to go through my property in my life and I don't know many that have experienced one - especially for an illegal operation on a farm.”

Home

Tony said part of the problem with the “illegal” extension to his home came from historical discussion between him and council since the 2017 floods.

“Council told me I could operate from a kitchen in my home while I cleaned up after the floods, so that’s when I set up a commercial kitchen from my home on the farm,” Tony said.

“But now, the house extension has become a problem.”

Tony said he was worried the “raid” was not just about the “illegal operation” of his Rainbow Wholefood’s business, but about a vendetta against his family.

He said he wasn't sure why the raid happened, but that it might have been because of complaints by his ex-staff members - and annoyed Council staff.

“What we need is common sense and compassion,” Tony said.

“Over regulation is destroying all areas of our life. Is this the end or another beginning?”