Rous Road in Goonellabah, opposite the Lismore GP Super Clinic, could be the location of a new 320 m2 food pantry on a 4,792 m2 block of land if Lismore City Council approves a new development application (DA).

The $1.93 million development will see two houses demolished and seven trees removed to make way for a new food pantry, called 'The Good Pantry', that will offer low-cost grocery items and free donated goods, such as fresh produce (fruits, vegetables and bread), clothing, books, toys and furniture.

Currently, The Good Pantry operates from a leased building on Wyrallah Road in East Lismore. As it is prone to flooding and deemed inadequate in other respects, the plan is to move it to the new purpose-built building in Goonellabah.

The five separate blocks are zone R1 General Zone; however, because it is a community facility, the DA can be approved according to the Lismore Local Environmental Plan 2012.

A food pantry is also offered at the community hall or the former Church of Christ hall one day a week (Wednesdays) between 10am and 2pm.

The DA says the service aims to support not only the homeless or marginalised but also anyone facing daily living cost challenges.

The existing community hall/Church of Christ hall will remain, and there will be 31 car parking spaces with entry via Rous Road and Pleasant Street and exit via Rous Road, just up from the Pleasant Street roundabout. A loading bay is also in the plans.

The food pantry is expected to operate five days a week between 10am and 2pm, with an expected 50 visitors per day. The anticipation is for 20 vehicles per day, as most people will be using public transport. Given the existing dwellings and the Church of Christ Hall, operating an existing food pantry, the increase in traffic is expected to be four vehicles per day.

The Good Pantry in East Lismore has over 600 user members. In July this year, more than 1,200 shopper visits were recorded.

It is estimated that there will be one full-time staff member, one part-time and up to 8 volunteer staff eventually.

The people running the Food Pantry are well known to Lismore. The land is owned by the Lismore Soup Kitchen, and a charity has been set up called Mountain Blue Foundation. As most of Lismore knows, the Lismore Soup Kitchen operates the Winsome Hotel in North Lismore, looking after our community's most vulnerable people.