In a move that did surprise many Lismore City Council observers, an Extra Ordinary Council meeting has been scheduled for 4pm today to debate and vote on two rescission motions put forward by councillors Ekins, Guise and Bird.

The first relates to a development application (DA) for 117 Magellan Street, in the Lismore CBD which was a change of use of a car park to a mixed-use development of flexible markets.

There were two camps with councillors (Crs) Bing, Colby, Gordon, Hall and Rob voting against granting the DA as per Section 415 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act as it is not in the public interest, the impact on traffic, car parking, existing businesses and water and waste.

Councillors Bird, Cook, Ekins, Guise and Krieg voted to grant the DA because it is an innovative concept that would act as an incubator for future brick-and-mortar businesses and would attract people to the CBD.

Last Tuesday, the vote was a 5/5 tie with Mayor Krieg using his casting vote after discussions with Cr Jensen who was away for the meeting.

The contentious issue that dominated last week's monthly meeting was the LCC Waste Facility Review.

At the end of the meeting, there was a motion resolved that Council proceed with the implementation of the Balanced Regional Model (C) as presented to councillors during the workshop on 11 September 2023.

As the discussion and debate were in a confidential session, the details were not known but it is believed that the outsourcing of Lismore's waste is an option being explored due to the high cost to ratepayers of running its own waste operation.

Apart from the Waste Facility Review vote, most of last week's debate was whether the motion and subsequent debate should be in confidential or in an open public forum.

Again the two differing views revolved around, the discussion being contrary to public interest because it relates to personnel matters concerning particular individuals (other than councillors) which was denied by the opposing councillors.

That vote was lost 6/4 so it is difficult to see either vote being overturned tonight after using more of the same arguments. It could be another Groundhog Day meeting.

The LCC Extra Ordinary Meeting starts at 4pm and can be viewed live via LCCs Facebook Page.