White spot is a highly contagious viral disease that quickly kills prawns and other farmed crustaceans. Wild crustaceans can carry white spot but are rarely affected, and it does not harm humans. NSW DPI says prawns are safe to eat.With white spot now considered established within the existing areas of detection in NSW, based on available evidence and technical advice, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has merged two existing control zones into a single zone, Biosecurity (white spot disease) Control Order 2025. Zoning is needed to ensure containment measures are in accordance with national and World Organisation for Animal Health requirements. Apart from merging the southern boundary of the Evans and Richmond Rivers Zone and the northern boundary of the Clarence River Control Zone with the middle oceanic area, all other existing boundaries will remain unchanged. This zoning ensures areas outside the control zone can maintain white spot-free status for national and international market access, and to maintain Australian border risk mitigation for white spot in imported prawns. The current control order expired on 9 December 2025, and this new control order immediately replaced it. The requirement to cook prawns will continue to apply to prawns caught or harvested in the control zone area, if they are being moved outside the control zone. DPIRD will consider permit applications to move green (uncooked) prawn product to a suitable land-based facility, provided appropriate biosecurity requirements are met. In November 2025, the NSW Government continued its support for the recovery of commercial fishers and prawn farms affected by white spot with a $1.34 million payment, part of the $6.67 million that has been invested in support for affected fishers to date. DPIRD has met with and consulted fishers, including fishing businesses, in discussions about the changes to the control order since November this year.Last month, DPIRD met with representatives from the Clarence River Estuary Prawn Trawl Committee and affected prawn industry participants to provide an update on the latest technical advice, and the future management arrangements for white spot, which was confirmed with prawn fishing stakeholders via email on 5 December 2025. The Clarence River Estuary Prawn Trawl Committee provided DPIRD with industry-based information about the economic impacts of the control order, and the department is currently reviewing other possible support options. The NSW Government has written to the Australian Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to request support with further assistance measures for affected business owners. In 2023, the NSW Government allocated $21.4 million to deliver a biosecurity response and industry recovery to the white spot detection. The NSW Government is committed to working closely with industry and other agencies at state and national levels, providing appropriate advice and support to affected fishing and farm businesses. Mental health support is available for fishers who have experienced negative impacts from the white spot detection from the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP). To find your local RAMHP coordinator, visit https://www.ramhp.com.au/get-support For financial support, contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service, Northern Region, 1800 344 090 or https://rfcsnr.org.au/.  

Lismore Base Hospital experienced a 5% increase and led the way for an increase in emergency department (ED) visits across the Northern NSW Local Health District, according to the latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) report.The BHI Healthcare Quarterly Report (July-September 2025) shows 56,905 patients attended an ED at one of NNSWLHD’s eight hospitals during the quarter. Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) saw 10,544 patients attend, an increase of 501, while Tweed experienced a 4.3% increase, or 604 attendees, to 14,742.NNSWLHD Director Clinical Operations, Lynne Weir, praised staff for their ongoing efforts amid a very busy quarter, which saw the highest number of ambulance arrivals on record across the District. “We’re continuing to see very high activity and our staff are doing an exceptional job of working collaboratively to ensure patients get the right care, in the right place, and in a timely fashion,” Ms Weir said.“I want to thank and commend our staff, from clinicians, to administration and support staff, and cleaners and wards people, who work tirelessly to deliver high-quality care to all NNSWLHD patients.”LBH continues to improve its key ED metrics after underperforming for the last few years. This follows changes put in place by CEO Tracey Maisey around September 2024 that looked at the flow system at LBH and the engagement from all teams, such as medical, allied health, admin and management.During July to September 2025, ED treatment started on time for the majority of patients (72.7 per cent) across NNSWLHD, an improvement of 3.1 percentage points compared with the same quarter in 2024, and higher than the NSW result (64.2 per cent). While LBH is still under the NSW result (61.7%), it was a 10.5% increase on the same period in 2024.During the quarter, 10,400 patients arrived by ambulance, an increase of 6.4 per cent or 625 arrivals, compared to the same quarter in 2024. LBH experienced a 6.8% increase to 3,229 patients.Of these arrivals, 80 per cent were transferred from ambulance paramedics to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, which was above the NSW result (75.7 per cent). Once again, Lismore Base Hospital was below the NSW result at 73.5%, but this is an improvement of 6.9% compared to 2024.NSW Health has worked with the Australian College of Emergency Medicine to introduce new Hospital Access Targets for local health districts and specialty health networks relating to the time from arrival to leaving the emergency department. These new targets are designed to support safe patient care and reflect the complexity of patient needs, and the diverse pathways patients may take once they present to an ED.This is the third Healthcare Quarterly report to reflect the new Hospital Access Targets. Due to the change in reporting, the results for the new Hospital Access Targets cannot be compared to the previous July-September 2024 quarter.From July to September 2025, 80 per cent of ED patients not needing to be admitted or transferred to another hospital were discharged from the ED within four hours, significantly above the state result (63.2 per cent). LBH recorded 66.4%, up on the NSW result.All patients are seen and triaged when they arrive at an ED and, as always, the most seriously unwell patients are treated first. During busy times, people with less urgent conditions may experience longer wait times when large numbers of seriously unwell patients are being prioritised for emergency care.If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, we encourage people to call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, for 24-hour telephone health advice. A registered nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right care.From July to September 2025, NNSWLHD performed 3,994 planned surgeries, an increase of 11.8 per cent or 422 more surgeries compared to the same period last year.The majority of all planned surgeries (83.5 per cent) were performed within clinically recommended timeframes, with the vast majority of urgent planned surgeries (97.3 per cent) completed on time.Patients waiting for surgery are reminded to contact their doctor if they feel their condition may have changed so their urgency category can be reviewed.There were 717 babies born at a NNSWLHD hospital during the quarter, an increase of 4.8 per cent or 33 more babies than during the same period last year.INDIVIDUAL HOSPITAL RESULTS BALLINA DISTRICT HOSPITAL recorded 4,579 ED attendances during the July to September 2025 quarter. The majority of ED patients (74.6 per cent) who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital were treated and discharged from the ED within four hours. During the quarter, 334 planned surgeries were performed, an increase of 17.6 per cent compared to the same quarter in 2024. Almost all (99.3 percent) of planned surgeries were performed on time, with 100 per cent of urgent surgeries performed on time.BYRON CENTRAL HOSPITAL had 5,376 ED attendances during the July to September 2025 quarter, comparable to the same period in 2024. The majority of ED patients (83.5 per cent) started their treatment on time. More than 8 in 10 patients (85.9 per cent) who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, were treated and discharged from the ED within four hours of arriving. More than nine in 10 patients (92.6 per cent) who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance paramedics to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark. CASINO & DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL had 3,612 ED attendances in the quarter, an increase of 4.5 per cent (or 157 attendances) compared to the same time last year. Of those patients treated in ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, 85.2 per cent were discharged within four hours of arriving. More than nine in 10 patients (98.2 per cent) who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance paramedics to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark.During the quarter, 222 planned surgeries were performed, a substantial increase of 52.1 per cent (or 76 surgeries) compared to the same quarter in 2024.GRAFTON BASE HOSPITAL recorded 7,463 ED attendances during this quarter, an increase of 6.2 per cent (or 438 attendances) compared to the same quarter in 2024. Of these, the majority of patients (63 per cent) started their treatment on time, an improvement of 6.7 percentage points when compared to the same quarter in 2024. 1,222 patients arrived by ambulance, up 6.1 per cent compared with the same quarter last year. Of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, 74 per cent were discharged within four hours of arriving. Planned surgery increased substantially during the quarter, with 682 surgeries performed, up 26.3 per cent or 142 surgeries compared with the same period last year. There were 30 per cent (or 339) fewer people on the waiting list ready for surgery at the end of the quarter, compared with the same time last year. LISMORE BASE HOSPITAL had 10,544 ED attendances during the quarter, an increase of 5 per cent or 501 attendances, when compared with the same quarter in 2024. There were 3,229 arrivals by ambulance, an increase of 6.8 per cent (or 207 arrivals) compared with the same quarter in 2024.Despite the increase in demand, the majority of ED patients (61.7 per cent) started their treatment on time, an improvement of 10.5 percentage points when compared with the July-September 2024 quarter.More than seven in ten patients (73.5 per cent) who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance paramedics to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, slightly above the peer group result of 71.9 per cent.  During July to September 2025, 1,350 planned surgeries were performed, an increase of six per cent, or 76 more surgeries, compared with the same quarter last year.Lismore Base Hospital is now also rostering to Safe Staffing Levels in its emergency department, following the completion of recruitment of more than 27 FTE nurses earlier this year.The staffing boost enables the rostering of a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied ED resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.“The improvements at Lismore Base Hospital are a direct result of the incredible efforts of teams across the hospital, from domestic services and wards people through to nurses, doctors and allied health staff all working together to ensure better flow across the facility. Every role makes a difference, so a huge thank you to everyone for your continued efforts,” Ms Weir said.MACLEAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL had 3,686 ED attendances during the quarter, with the majority of patients (75.1 per cent) starting their treatment on time. Of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, more than eight in 10 patients (88.8 per cent) were discharged from the ED within four hours. Of the 548 patients who arrived by ambulance, nine in 10 (90.2 per cent) were transferred from ambulance paramedics to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark. MURWILLUMBAH DISTRICT HOSPITAL had 4,716 ED attendances during the quarter. Almost nine in 10 (89.4 per cent) ED patients started their treatment on time, significantly above the result for NSW hospitals of a similar size (68.5 per cent). Of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, 90.5 per cent were discharged within four hours of arriving. Almost all patients (97.1 per cent) who arrived by ambulance were transferred from ambulance paramedics to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark.During the quarter, 342 planned surgeries were performed, an increase of 11.4 per cent, or 35 more surgeries, compared with the same quarter last year.TWEED VALLEY HOSPITAL had 14,742 ED attendances during the quarter, a 4.3 per cent increase (604 attendances) when compared with the same period in 2024. A total of 3,250 patients arrived at the ED by ambulance, an increase of 10.4 per cent or 306 arrivals compared with the same quarter in 2024, and 79.3 per cent of these patients were transferred from ambulance paramedics to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark. The majority of ED patients (78.6 per cent) started their treatment on time, substantially higher than the result for the peer group of hospitals of a similar size in NSW (57.7 per cent). Of those patients treated in the ED who did not require admission or transfer to another hospital, eight in 10 (80.6 per cent) were discharged within four hours of arrival. A total of 1,063 planned surgeries were performed during the quarter, a 4.1 per cent increase or 42 surgeries, when compared to the same period in 2024.

The festive holiday season is the peak time for locals and tourists to be swimming in the old Bexhill Quarry, which has been abandoned since 2004.While the popular swimming hole is being used illegally, technically, as it is on crown land, the Bexhill Parklands Association, which was formed in 2022, has been working on ways to turn it into community parklands.Lismore MP Janelle Saffin has just secured a $10,000 State grant for the post-mining land use risk assessment of the old Bexhill Bricks Quarry to investigate whether it can actually be transformed into family-friendly native parklands.Ms Saffin said she strongly supported the Bexhill Quarry Parklands Association Limited’s recreational tourism project, one which had the potential to directly link with a future stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.(People enjoying swimming at the old Bexhill Quarry site)“Association President Des Harris and his committee have generated a lot of interest and support for their concept of an attraction featuring a sheltered picnic area, interpretive centre, native bush walking trails, safe swimming area and carparking,” Ms Saffin said.“This grant will allow the Association to hire Newcastle-based consultants Integrated Environmental Management Australia (IEMA) to run a workshop of stakeholders, provide an opportunity for community input, and develop an action plan for addressing and closing out risks.“The Association had raised $2,000 through meat raffles at the Eltham Hotel, and a further $2,000 from the Greater Bank, but the $10,000 grant will bring the Bexhill Quarry Parklands one step closer to becoming a reality.”Mr Harris said the Association was extremely keen to work in partnership with the traditional owners of the land, the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung nation, and to follow proper planning processes.“We are grateful to Janelle Saffin for believing in our project and for successfully lobbying for this critical grant funding,” Mr Harris said.The project is also supported by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, Lismore City Council, Boatharbour Landcare, Eltham Community Foundation, Northern Rivers Rail Trail, Destination NSW and Northern Rivers Tourism.

The 2025–26 Bleed4Blue campaign officially launched in Lismore this week, with Richmond Police District officers filling the Lismore Lifeblood Donor Centre on Bounty Street to donate blood or plasma and encourage the community to do the same.The national campaign runs from 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026, challenging police across Australia to donate as much life-saving blood as they can over summer.The campaign began after the Australia Day 2018 stabbing of Detective Sergeant John Breda, who required more than 100 bags of blood to survive. For local police, that story is a reminder of just how vital blood donors are.More than 37,000 blood and plasma donations have been made as part of Bleed4Blue since its inception. Centre Services Officer Helen Sager said having 13 officers come through the doors was a huge boost at one of the busiest and most challenging times of the year.“How good is this! We’ve got a whole myriad of people here with great big veins, lots of blood pumping, and it’s good quality blood,” she laughed. “We are very grateful to have them in the building. At this time of year, around Christmas, we are desperately seeking donations. It’s wonderful to see, absolutely wonderful.”(Helen Sager gives her always-entertaining instructions to the officers)Helen said the centre is already feeling the seasonal pressures.“There’s always a call-out at Christmas, but we also have a call-out for January because people go away,” she said. “We lose donors, and that’s okay, but we always need more people to take their place. If you’re interested in becoming a donor, now’s the time, jump online or call 13 14 95 and book in.”Emergency service workers, she added, are frequent and valued visitors.“We do see a lot of hospital, medical and emergency services people come through; they understand the demand,” she said. “But it’s even better when people come in because they want to do something great for another human being. We will always need more donors. Some people can no longer donate due to illness or ineligibility, so we need new blood in the door every single day.”For Sergeant Brendan Shailes, the day marked his first-ever blood donation, and he admitted he was feeling “a bit nervous”.“But it’s something to get involved in,” he said. “We see firsthand in policing how important blood donations are. Only the other day, I had to do an urgent blood run to Ballina to supply blood to someone in need. It shows how many people rely on donations.”Brendan said the campaign gives officers a chance to lead by example.“We’ve got 13 officers here today participating, which is really good to see. If I can do it, anyone can do it. The incidents we attend can heavily rely on this sort of thing to save people’s lives. If we can contribute, not just for our colleagues but for the general public, it’s a good cause to be part of.”As the summer season ramps up, with holidays, road travel and reduced donor availability, the Lismore Lifeblood team hopes the Bleed4Blue momentum will carry into the wider community.Lismore has long prided itself on showing up for one another, especially in moments of need. The Bleed4Blue campaign offers another way for locals to make a direct, life-saving difference.(Constable Carolyn Groves donating plasma)Lifeblood spokesperson Scott Morrison said, with blood demand at a 12-year high and plasma in record demand, donating is a simple thing many of us can do to save a life. “I want to thank police and their friends and families for supporting Bleed4Blue, and I encourage the Lismore community to donate too.”“Donated blood will be required every day between now and Christmas and beyond to treat sick and seriously ill people across Australia. “Please book a donation and help us keep blood supply levels strong over the holidays to meet the need for patients from all walks of life.”Lifeblood’s Lismore Donor Centre is open 6 days a week, they are only closed on Christmas Day.To donate, visit the Lismore Lifeblood Donor Centre on Bounty Street, Lismore or book at lifeblood.com.au. Every donation counts.

As summer temperatures bed in for the upcoming holiday season and visitors flock to our stunning national parks, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is urging everyone to stay vigilant and safe around water.NSW NPWS offers countless opportunities for swimming, fishing, paddling, and boating; however, our pristine beaches, tranquil rivers and lakes are natural environments that can be unpredictable and pose serious risks if safety precautions are ignored.National parks are wild places, and most beaches, creeks, rivers and lakes are remote and do not have lifeguards.Mobile phone service may be limited, which means you may not be able to call for help if you need it.The safest place to swim is always at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags. You can find one of these locations at Beachsafe.org.au.    National Parks and Wildlife Service Executive Director Naomi Stephens said, “spectacular beaches and waterways in NSW national parks may look like idyllic places for a summer swim, but dangers can lurk beneath the surface.”“Watch out for hidden hazards, including rip currents, cold water, rocks, submerged objects and sudden drop-offs.“We want everyone to enjoy their national park visit and get home safely to loved ones,” Ms Stephens said.Visitors are urged to plan ahead and follow these essential safety tips:Stop, Look, Stay Alive - it’s important to take responsibility for your own safety.Avoid unpatrolled beaches and always swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches.Check for rips and hazards before entering the water. If in doubt, do not go in.When rock fishing always wear a life jacket, check tides and weather, do not turn you back on the sea and never fish alone.Tell someone your plans and expected return time.Check conditions as water levels can rise suddenly after rain or dam releases.Beware of fast currents and submerged hazards.Enter slowly. Never dive headfirst or jump from heights. Riverbeds can change quickly.Never swim alone: Always have someone nearby who can help in an emergency.Avoid alcohol and drugs around water. These impair judgment and increase drowning risk.Cold water alert: Even in summer, inland waters can cause hypothermia.When Boating and Paddling wear an approved life jacket at all times.Check weather forecasts and park alerts before heading out.Following the success of last year’s initiative, NPWS is running another digital campaign targeting Mandarin Chinese-speaking and Indian communities across various channels to increase broader multicultural awareness of beach, water, fishing and rock platform safety in NSW national parks.With Mandarin being the second most spoken language after English in NSW, safety tips have been translated into simplified Chinese at nswparks.info/beachsafetychinese and nswparks.info/fishingsafetychinese.For more information on water safety in NSW national parks, please visit: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/water-activities.

The weekend weather is a mixed bag, some sunshine, potential rain and a possible thunderstorm.If it does rain, we can expect up to 2mm on Saturday and 3mm on Sunday, with top temps in the high 20s.Christmas 2025 has hit countdown mode, with under two weeks until the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes. Don't forget, if you want to listen to some Christmas music at work or in the car as you look at Christmas lights, go to the front page of the Lismore App and click on the Christmas button Christmas Music.There are two more Christmas Carols this weekend. One is Bethlehem Revisited at the Lismore Anglican Church tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 Zadoc Street, Lismore CBD, between 5:30pm and 8:30pm.This is a combined churches event where the story of Christmas is told. There will be food, music, shepherds, interactive activities, Roman soldiers, a petting zoo, sausage sizzle and Christmas cake.The Clunes community have their Carols in the Common at 17 Walker Street between 5pm and 7:30pm on Sunday (14 December). Get your family and friends, chairs & blankets and get ready to sing and celebrate Christmas.MARKETSThe annual Tullera Christmas Markets start at 4:30pm this afternoon (Friday, 12 December) at the Tullera Hall, 682 Dunoon Road.There will be over 20 stalls, with face painting, Christmas gift ideas, a sausage sizzle, a Vietnamese food cart, the CWA and more.The Lismore Farmers Markets are in full festive spirit with a host of gift ideas tomorrow from 7:30am to 11:30am. The CWA Evening Branch have been busy baking and creating Christmas goodies, and will be selling them tomorrow. As well as other gifts, don't forget the fresh fruit and vegetables that the markets are known for and live music from Mish Songsmith Music.The Sunday Markets are at The Chanoon from 9am and 3pm, with over 220 stalls of delicious foods, condiments, handmade goods and more Christmas ideas. Head up to the hills to Coronation Park.Christmas EventsThe South Lismore Bowling Club's Community Christmas Party is on Saturday between 3pm and 9pm at 25 Wilson Street.Free rides, jumping castle, fairy floss and live music with Kyla-Belle.The annual 2025 Christmas Cup takes place next Friday (19 December) at the Lismore Turf Club in North Lismore. Perfectly timed for staff parties or end-of-year drinks.This is a major fundraiser for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. The $10 entry fee all goes to this vitally important service.LIVE MUSICRokustix kicks off the live weekend music tonight at the Northern Rivers Hotel on Bridge Street, North Lismore from 7pm.The Sunday Session makes a return this weekend with Hibilly Skank between 3pm and 6pm.If you are searching for some Christmas fun, get to the Northern next Thursday at 6pm for Leanne's Karaoke Christmas Party.Coming Up at the Lismore Workers Club:The Noughty Nineties Party featuring all your favourites like Blink 182, Shania Twain, Britney Spears, Robbie Williams and Beyonce. Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 7:30pmThe Ultimate Superstars of Country Friday, 6 February 2026Faulty Towers The Dining Experience Friday, 6 March 2026Inxsive & Gold Chisel Tribute Show Saturday, 21 March 2026The Italian Tenors Sunday, 19 April 2026To book tickets to any of the above concerts, click here.CHEAPEST FUEL PRICESIt was steady as she goes regarding fuel prices this week. Here is the list of the cheapest service stations:E10 is 174.9 at the Ampol Foodary on Union Street, South Lismore and the EG Ampol on Diadem Street near the Square in Lismore, 175.9 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 172.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 173.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 177.9 at The United on Johnston Street, and the Liberty's on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino, and 174.5 at the Mobil and the Metro on River Street, Ballina.U95 is 182.9 at the two Independents on Terania Street, North Lismore and the Liberty on Ballina Road, Lismore, 198.9 at the Independent at 169 Canterbury Street in Casino, and 185.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.U98 is 190.9 at the Liberty on Ballina Road, Lismore, 197.9 at the Liberty on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino, and 194.5 at The Metro on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 189.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 187.9 at The United and the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street and the Ampol on Dyraaba Street in Casino, and 193.5 at the Mobil and Metro on River Street in Ballina.Have a great weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

During the week, the NSW Government released a document stating it was rewriting the framework that determines road management in NSW. It announced a modern road recategorisation system that provides councils with certainty over who will manage and maintain different roads, allowing for more targeted investment where communities need it most.Road recategorisation is the process used to decide whether a road should be managed as a State, Regional or Local road. This system determines who maintains it, who funds it and how it fits into the broader transport network.The battle over who maintains which roads has been an issue for Lismore City Council for a number of years during a number of different governments. Lismore Council maintains more than 1200 km of roads, 804 km of which are sealed roads.Many roads are still categorised based on how they were used decades ago, despite major changes in population, traffic volumes, freight movements and local growth.The unfair, outdated approach created long backlogs and increased pressure on local councils, who manage around 90 per cent of the state’s road network and continue to face huge challenges from climate change, worsening weather events, rising construction costs and a growing workload after repeated natural disasters. Something that the residents of Lismore know only too well.The NSW Government says it’s new road recategorisation framework puts evidence ahead of politics, replacing an ad-hoc political approach with a clearer, fairer and more responsive model that focuses on how a road functions within the network. The new framework includes:Clear statewide criteria to support consistent, needs-based decision makingAn always-open application pathway, replacing decade-long review cyclesA new online self-assessment data tool to help councils understand early whether a proposal is likely to meet the criteria, reducing administrative burdensPrioritisation for roads that unlock housing, freight efficiency, resilience and major infrastructure delivery.This is a major reform that will put the right roads in the right category, cutting red tape, reducing duplication and improving how maintenance and investment are delivered across the network. It won’t fix every challenge at once, but it’s a strong step forward.With the portal now live, local councils and road managers will be able to put forward proposals for recategorisation. Reviews of the system and processes will be conducted at three months, six months and then annually to refine the model.Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said, “The Minns Labor Government is rewriting the rules so councils have a clear, fair and reliable way to get roads into the right category.“For decades, councils have been stuck with a slow, ad-hoc system. From today, decisions will be driven by evidence and need, not politics or outdated processes.“Drivers don’t care which level of government manages a road. They care that it’s safe, accessible and well-maintained. This new system is designed to help roads receive the appropriate investment and ongoing care, supporting better outcomes for our communities. “Local councils are our partners. Collectively, they manage about 90 per cent of the NSW road network, and we understand the pressures they’re under. After years of floods, fires, storms and rising costs, we know they can’t do this alone. This framework helps us work together in a more consistent, transparent and practical way.“Clear criteria and modern data tools mean these decisions are no longer left to chance or politics. Everyone can see the basis for a category change, and that brings greater transparency and confidence to the system.“The Liberals and Nationals promised to reform road recategorisation for over a decade. During their 12 years in power, the Liberals and Nationals recategorised a fraction of what was promised. They failed councils, they failed drivers, and they failed NSW.”Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, said, “Local governments have been calling for a fairer and more responsive road recategorisation process for years. Today’s announcement delivers exactly that.“This is about strengthening the partnership between State and local government and making sure the right roads sit in the right category so maintenance and investment can be better targeted.“This change will make a significant difference for councils, especially those in regional and rural NSW, where roads aren’t just a means to get from A to B, they’re a lifeline for these communities.”Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said, "This new approach is certainly a step in the right direction, and the Government should be applauded; however, it must be matched by Government funding to help improve deteriorating road networks, particularly in regional areas like Lismore.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant is calling on parents, carers, and young people in regional and rural communities to visit eSafety.gov.au and access resources designed to help them handle social media age restrictions, which are now in effect. Developed collaboratively with Australia’s leading mental health and support organisations, the resources explain what is changing, why it matters and how to support young people through the transition. “We understand that these changes may have a greater impact on some young people, particularly those living in rural and regional areas,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. “That is why I strongly encourage parents, carers and young people to visit esafety.gov.au, download our resources, which features practical guidance for parents and carers and information for young people such as where to go for help and support. “Remember, this is not a ban. It is a delay — increasing the minimum account age from 13 to 16, so that young people can have a reprieve from the powerful and persuasive design features built to keep them hooked and often enabling harmful content and conduct,” Ms Inman Grant said. “Young people from regional and rural communities can still connect and communicate with friends through group messaging services, gaming and video conferencing apps. “And we have everything from conversation starters to step-by-step guides designed to support parents and carers to reset family digital rules and make this delay a positive opportunity to build digital literacy, critical thinking and emotional resilience in the years and months before they turn 16 and are allowed to have a social media account,” Ms Inman Grant said. eSafety partnered with mental health and support organisations, including headspace, Kids Helpline, Beyond Blue, Raising Children and ReachOut Australia to develop the range of free resources available at esafety.gov.au. The resource package includes: A dedicated online hub with tailored FAQs explaining what is happening, and how to prepare.Practical guidance for parents and carers, including conversations starters and get-ready guides.Youth-friendly content outlining what the new restrictions mean for young people, downloadable action plans and where to go for help and support. “These resources are relevant, inclusive and responsive to the needs of families across Australia, including those living in rural and regional communities,” Ms Inman Grant said. “We are also running extensive live webinars across Australia to answer parents’ questions, throughout December and in the new year. These are also available on-demand on our website. “And, as health services are exempt from the minimum age obligations, some services, like headspace, are also providing safe online communities where young people can connect,“ Ms Inman Grant said.

At Tuesday's Lismore City Council meeting, the topic of water security was hotly debated among councillors as they sought to affirm their position and submit it to the Far North Coast Regional Water Supply Project.They also want to request that DCCEEW (Department Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water) and Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, undertake further and more effective consultation with councils and the community with regard to this project.The debate went along party lines, with The Greens' Adam Guise and Virginia Waters, along with Labor's Jasmine Knight-Smith and Harper Dalton-Earls, raising the motion was purely to put the Dunoon Dam back in play, while the conservative independents of Steve Krieg, Jerri Hall, Andrew Bing, Andrew Gordon, Electra Jensen and Gianpeiro Battista, and independent Big Rob, said they wanted all options on the table to make the best decision for the region.The motion was a result of the recent quietly publicised DCCCEEW community meetings in Lismore and the Northern Rivers, where people were asked their thoughts on connecting the Tweed Shire and Rous County Council bulk water systems, building regional desalination plants, integrating town water supplies, using Toonumbar Dam and linking to the South East Queensland Water Grid.It was also resolved at the recent NRJO (Northern Rivers Joint Organisation) meeting that they also submit a formal response for the Far North Coast Regional Water Supply project.The debate involved the majority of the chamber. Cr Guise got the ball rolling, saying, "This is about flogging the dead horse of the Dunoon Dam. And I will be speaking against this. This should be laid to rest. This is about giving cover to keeping the giant mega dam, a 50 gigalitre Dam, on the table when we have moved on from that."Cr Guise said the cost would be well over half a billion dollars, which would take at least a decade to build."The world has moved on since then in terms of water options; we should be investigating things around water efficiency, not having all these water leaks and waste of water in our water network."Mayor Krieg responded by talking about desalination. "Let's look at the options that DCCEEW have put forward; the great green saviour of the world, desalination. Let's build a massive plant powered by that beautiful coal-fired energy right next to the ocean to turn salt water into fresh water for us to drink. All the while, we live in the highest rainfall catchment area of New South Wales. We've got fresh stuff falling from the sky on an almost daily basis, but God forbid we look at capturing it."I can't wait to put my hand up and support 10.9 and tell that state government we don't want desalination. We don't want the solar farms and the wind farms to power our desalination plant that's going to cause an environmental disaster for the coast of Byron Bay and stop the whales from migrating and the dolphins from swimming up the estuary. We want to capture our rainfall. We want to on-sell the purest form of rainfall and water in our area, and that is from the sky."Cr Gordon then spoke about the $600,000 being spent on looking at alternative water security options. "That's simply just investigating. It's about exploring that opportunity, the pros and the cons. So it's been $600,000 spent so far on desal and on recycled water. So, we're halfway, maybe only three-quarters of our way through our investigations."Cr Gordon mentioned that the 14 gigalitres that Rocky Creek Dam holds is not a lot of water to serve the population it does today. "I think it was built to service 20,000 people. It now serves over 100,000 people, and it won't be very long, in a dry spell, that water security will become a very real problem. We don't want to revisit that; that's holding it back, that's holding back the potential of any community."Cr Dalton-Earls then pointed out that the Sydney Water desalination plant costs $22 per person per year. "$22 per year is actually pretty affordable, so you'd use it for the same comparison to Lismore. Similarly, it's backed by 100% renewables. It's not actually coal-powered. And the Regional Water strategy also highlights Toonumbar Dam is underutilised. And I don't see anywhere in this recommendation that it has about capitalising or looking at Toonumbar Dam in terms of connecting up Lismore."Cr Dalton-Earls also mentioned the Dunoon Dam. "So at this point, I think for me, it reads quite political. It doesn't read as in the best interest of the community. I think that this is a political hot potato at the moment, in terms of people trying to push the Dunoon Dam, that has been going for years and that most would benefit places that aren't actually in Lismore. So, Lismore would get the denigration of some of the most beautiful rainforest areas that we're known for, that people come here to travel, and then we would be left with a dam that services mostly outer areas of Lismore. And funnily enough, for the highest water catchment in I think it's Australia, we have the highest water rates."Cr Waters said she believes in water security; however, she is not in support of all of the recommendations of Rous County Council, especially the Dunoon Dam."I mean, the environmental damage and the proposal of the dam, I clearly can't support as a water supply option. It's based on environmental, cultural and community grounds. The proposed site would inundate areas extreme, higher ecological value, and around 18% of the footprint overlaps with Nightcap National Park, one of the most threatened and sensitive landscapes in the region, particularly after the 2019 and 2020 fires. The biodiversity loss and downstream ecological impacts would be significant and irreversible, and the only other thing with this is the safety of the communities below this dam that's being proposed as well."Cr Knight-Smith was another to speak against the motion. "Mostly because I just felt like it was redundant. I don't quite see the purpose that it serves, given that, you know, it's reaffirming a position that is surely already been made aware. And secondly, requesting consultation that's already occurred. I just don't comprehend the purpose. But also, it's important to look at everything, including recycled water. I think that it's important to recognise that water is finite."Cr Battista then had a dig at the politics of water security in the Northern Rivers. "I must say that the Labor Party and The Greens have learned from the Prime Minister, each-way Albo, each way is a good way. One way we say, oh, water security is the most important and vital things of our region. But guess what? We're not doing anything about it."Cr Battista went on to mention that there is growth coming to Lismore and the Northern Rivers, and we need to be prepared."But there'll come a point where we need to seriously start thinking about, where do we going to get the water for our future generation? And we've been looking for 20 years all the way around it, there's no other option but to build a dam."Cr Hall spoke about the economic growth and tourist facilities that building a new dam would have on the community. "Imagine a Big4 right on the side of the Dunoon Dam, water skiing, power boats, stocked fishing grounds. To me, that sounds like a pretty idealistic Lismore, and that's why I vote in support of this one."Cr Jensen mentioned previous community surveys. "Now, when I first moved up here, a survey had recently been conducted, and there was about 13,500 replies. 10,500 of those were in support of the dam or wanted further information. So I'm a bit confused by the fact that some people seem to be saying that no one wants it. I do understand, at some stage in the past, one Green councillor may have said they don't care about the Dunoon Dam or the trees, they just don't want Lismore to grow, which is my understanding."In his right of reply, Cr Rob pointed out that the position of those in favour of the motion just want to put all options on the table. "What that motion is, as the General Manager explained, the summary of council's position to notify DCCEEW, so they can make it very clear that our position actually is everything on the table, not Dunoon Dam, it's everything on the table.""Rous has already progressed the studies for desal and for ground recycled water, and they've priced them out of the market, pretty much. They've put them down to option three and four. So they're still looking at Dunoon Dam, because they're still doing the cultural heritage study, the environmental impact statement."Cr Rob rebutted Cr Dalton-Earls numbers on the Sydney Desal Plant. "Great point, about $22 per household. Now, when you look at Sydney, there's about five and a half million households in the urban area of Sydney. Now you times that by 22, and that's over $120 million a year. $22 sounds great, but it's actually over $120 million a year just to run it. That doesn't count the cost of actually drinking the water that comes out of it, plus the connection fees and everything that goes with it. That's just to run it.He then moved on to Cr Guise's claim of the Dunoon Dam being a mega dam. "I'm going to go into what some of the dams around the country are. And my favourite is actually named after Cr Gordon, who's a supporter of the Dunoon Dam. Lake Gordon, that's 11,146 gigalitres, right. Then, Lake Argyle was 10,431 gigalitres. Lake Eucumbene is 4,366 gigalitres in New South Wales. Dartmouth Dam in Victoria, 3,827 gigalitres, Lake Eldon, Victoria, 3,250 gigalitres. Ours is 14...14 gigalitres. And if we get the Dunoon down, that's 50...five zero, so we'll have a total of 64. That's it. If you call that a mega dam, you don't know what a mega dam is."The vote was carried 7/4, with Crs Jensen, Gordon, Hall, Rob, Battista, Bing, and Krieg voting for and Crs Guise, Waters, Dalton-Earls and Knight-Smith voting against.While the debate continues at all levels of government, water security for a growing population becomes a more serious concern as each year ticks by.

Farmers have celebrated the news that virtual fencing has been legalised for cattle in NSW. On Thursday, a new regulation was introduced by the NSW Government to allow for the use of technology in an exciting step forward for beef and dairy farmers across the state. The legalisation of virtual fencing, following discussions with farmers, NSW Member of Parliament for Orange, Phil Donato, and considering the recommendations of the Legislative Assembly Committee Inquiry into the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2024.Farming groups, animal welfare enforcement agencies, and suppliers have been consulted to draft a best practice regulation that fosters modern farming and ensures the welfare of the livestock.Virtual fencing is an AgTech solution to managing cattle without the need for physical fencing within a farm’s boundaries. Instead, collars or neck bands that use GPS technology deliver sensory cues to influence the movement of livestock. The technology can also monitor the activity, health and welfare of cattle, and can reduce the stress of the animals that can arise from herding with quad bikes and dogs.The enabling of this technology for NSW has the potential to markedly improve the efficiency of rotational grazing systems and reduce the need for the costly establishment and maintenance of internal fences.The regulation adopts the NSW Guide to Animal Welfare for Virtual Fencing of Cattle that provides appropriate safeguards for animal welfare in the design and operation of virtual fencing, including:The user must be trained in how to use the device by the supplier or manufacturer.The user must ensure devices are regularly monitored, and animal welfare standards are met.Devices will allow users to control the boundaries that trigger cues to the animal, but users cannot deliver cues directly to an animal.Devices must use vibrational or audio cues first, before using electric cues.The technology can only be used for cattle.The technology has built-in features which can temporarily disable the device based on animal behaviour, location, system connectivity or as a safeguard. It also alerts the user to any animal welfare issues and determines if user intervention is required.“This technology has been a game changer not just in other parts of Australia, but around the globe, and it’s high time we got on board,” NSW Farmers’ Animal Welfare Committee Chair Rob McIntosh said. “This technology gives us flexibility we’ve never had before – we can graze and move stock without building kilometres of fences and laneways, and we can also easily move these virtual fences to help manage our livestock and our land. “From reducing ongoing fencing and maintenance costs to protecting biodiversity, limiting stock handling, and increasing monitoring and grazing accuracy, the benefits of this technology are endless – and we can’t wait to start using it.” Mr McIntosh said it was positive to see the NSW Government had created practical, state-specific settings to guide the use of the technology in NSW, following strong advocacy from the state’s peak farm body.“The rules had to reflect the needs of producers, and it’s great to see our government listen to us on this,” Mr McIntosh said.“This new technology provides a whole new tool to innovate and improve productivity on farm – and we’re so excited to use it to help feed the future.”eastAUSmilk CEO Eric Danzi said, “eastAUSmilk welcomes the decision to legalise virtual fencing in NSW. In states where the technology is already available, dairy farmers have achieved significant productivity gains and efficiencies. NSW dairy farmers have had a tough year with disasters, and this technology promises to help ease the load.“We have many dairy farmers who are eager to put in virtual fencing as soon as it is legal to do so. We thank Minister Moriarty for being so proactive to allow this technology to be available for dairy farmers in NSW.”

The Office of Local Government (OLG) has authorised a misconduct investigation into Councillor Big Rob, following a referral made by Lismore City Council in November 2024.The authorisation document, which has been made public, confirms that the investigation will examine a social media post published around 22 March 2024, along with “any other matters relevant to and/or arising from the investigation.”While the OLG declined to comment on this specific matter, a spokesperson reiterated its standard position: “The Office of Local Government does not comment on matters it may or may not be investigating.”The referral stems from a decision by Lismore City Council to censure Cr Rob for breaches of the Code of Conduct and escalate the matter to the OLG for possible further action.For many in our community, the announcement has raised questions about what an OLG investigation actually involves. While the word “investigation” can sound serious, the process sits within administrative legislation and is designed to determine whether conduct meets the definition of “misconduct” under the Local Government Act.The Act defines misconduct as including:a breach of the Code of Conductcontravention of the Act or regulationsfailing to comply with an order issued under the misconduct provisionsbehaviour intended to prevent council from functioning effectively.Once an investigation is authorised, OLG officers gather information, request interviews or documents, and prepare a departmental report. The councillor involved is given a chance to respond before the report is finalised. The Departmental Chief Executive then decides what action, if any, is required. Possible outcomes include:taking no further actionreferring the matter back to councilreprimanding or counselling a councillordirecting an apology, mediation or trainingsuspending a councillor for up to three monthssuspending their right to be paid for up to three months, even if they remain in office.The post in question was part of an online exchange between Cr Rob and the administrator of the Facebook group ‘Lismore Council Watch’ Janine Wilson. It was about council spending in the CBD, which became personal after Cr Rob posted in response to one of Janine’s posts.The referral relates to whether the tone and content of comments made during that exchange were consistent with the behavioural standards set out in the Code of Conduct.Cr Rob rejects both the basis of the censure and the referral to the OLG. He said he believes the process is fundamentally flawed.“It’s been more than 600 days since the post they are referring to, and I was told the OLG was looking at this 2 weeks ago. I didn’t even remember which post it referred to. Having something like this hanging over your head for nearly two years isn’t appropriate.”He also argues that updated Code of Conduct guidelines introduced after the 2024 local government election would have changed how his matter was handled.“If the new guidelines had been in place earlier, I genuinely don’t believe I would have been censured or even investigated.”Cr Rob maintains the referral was politically driven.“My opponents weaponised the Code of Conduct after the election. The post was from March, the election was in September, and they censured me in November.”He said he is not particularly worried about potential outcomes.“If the OLG decide to do more than censure or reprimand me, I believe I have a right of appeal. I am very comfortable with getting into a tribunal or court room to consider the details more closely.”

Lismore Cinemas Grand Opening is next Wednesday, 17 December.It is arguably the most anticipated local event of 2025, as residents have waited nearly 4 years to drive into the CBD and watch a newly released box-office hit.Lismore Cinemas is a four-screen independent cinema that brings together premium presentation, community connection, and creative innovation, making it one of the best cinemas in regional Australia.It will be home to The BIG Screen and The Wilson, which features cutting-edge Barco 4K projection, Dolby Atmos, KRIX sound, and luxurious seating, alongside quality food and beverage experiences.Before crowds flock to the Lismore Cinema to see their movie of choice (list of movies below), there will be a VIP Night next Tuesday, and the Lismore App is giving you the chance to join the Red-Carpet Premiere of The Running Man, a brand new action blockbuster from Paramount Pictures.We have 8 double VIP tickets to win, so you can join Lismore's dignitaries and special guests with exclusive access to the first screening at the new venue.Simply click on the Win! button on the front page of the Lismore App, read the T&C's, fill out the entry form and cross your fingers.Not only will you be part of a historic night, but you will enjoy the red-carpet arrival and photos, drinks, popcorn and cinema-style canapés.Entries close next Monday, 15 December 2025, at 4pm, with the winners drawn at 5pm. They will be notified via text message.As for the amazing line-up of movies coming to the new Lismore Cinemas over the Christmas/New Year holidays, you can see:Wicked: For Good, the highly anticipated continuation of the global musical phenomenon;James Cameron’s epic return with Avatar: Fire and Ash;and the action-packed franchise revival , Anaconda.For those seeking heart-racing cinema, House Maid brings a bold, emotionally charged story to the big screen.Families and younger movie-lovers will be treated to a vibrant summer lineup featuring Zootopia 2 and a brand-new SpongeBob adventure.Looking ahead to 2026, it is packed with major global releases. The year will kick off with the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, followed by Disney’s soaring live-action Moana and the long-awaited return of Toy Story 5.Families will also be treated to the vibrant, galaxy-spanning fun of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, ensuring a powerful start to what promises to be one of cinema’s most exciting years.

Last week, Social Futures and the NSW Government opened the new 54-room homeless hub in Lismore. This week, Minister for Housing and Homeless Rose Jackson and Minister for North Coast Janelle Saffin stated they are building and have built 112 new social homes in Lismore, Alstonville and Casino.Of the 112 social homes, 32 have been completed, 29 will be completed by Christmas, and the other 51 will be ready by mid-2026.It’s all part of the historic $6.6 billion investment into social housing to deliver 8,400 new homes across New South Wales.Eleven projects across the Northern Rivers are underway or recently completed, including:16 brand new homes in Lismore, with about 20 tenants recently moving in. A further 6 homes are under construction, to be completed by mid-2026.61 new social homes in Casino, with 29 to be ready by Christmas and 32 more homes set to welcome tenants by mid next year.16 modern homes recently tenanted in Alstonville, with another 13 due for completion by mid-2026.(A further six homes are being built in East Lismore)Construction across these eleven developments has also created a much-needed boost to the Northern Rivers regional economy, with hundreds of jobs expected to be created over the life of the projects for local trades and industry.The NSW Government is also strengthening homelessness support on the North Coast through the Homelessness Innovation Fund, an initiative bringing close to 100 new crisis and transitional beds online in the area.These beds come with wraparound services delivered by local organisations, ensuring people not only have a safe place to stay but also access to the support they need to move into more stable housing.Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said, “We’re getting on with the job of delivering exactly what we promised, delivering over 100 new homes for people in the Northern Rivers who need a safe and secure place to live.“We know this region is still recovering from the devastating 2022 floods, and delivering new, fit-for-purpose social housing is about giving people security, dignity and a fresh start. “This is a vital step in helping families rebuild their lives.”Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said, “The North Coast has some of the highest rates of homelessness in NSW, and it is our urgent priority to work together to support access to safe, secure and affordable housing across the region.  “These homes are an important step in continuing our government's record investment in public housing that our community needs and deserves.”

There were no absolute steals at last night's NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) buyback auctions at the Workers Sports Club in Goonellabah, but once again, all 10 properties sold, with sale prices ranging from $7000 to $25,500.The RA has exceeded its target of selling 42 flood buyback houses before Christmas after 60 people attended the last auction, showing there is still an appetite for purchasing the flood-affected houses.One hundred and thirty buyback properties have now been offered for sale in the Northern Rivers since December last year.PRD Lismore auctioned off 10 homes for a total value of $143,300, attracting 30 registered bidders, including four phone bidders.The highlights included: 20 Rhodes Street, South Lismore: $25,500.      30 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $16,100.95 Crown Street, South Lismore: $12,000.​85 Elliott Street, South Lismore: $7000.61 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $8500.51 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $16,000.49 Newbridge Street, South Lismore: $11,000.34 Elliott Road, South Lismore: $6200.25 Crown Street, South Lismore: $22,500.12 Crown Street, South Lismore: $15,500.Eleven buyback auctions have been held, with the first Casino sale last weekend, when two houses sold for $500 and $ 8,605, respectively. It’s been a year of firsts with the auction program in 2025. There has been consistently high public interest and a wide range of sale prices, including one house for $1, and the most expensive house going for $200,000. All homes earmarked for relocation have been purchased by the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the buyback stream of the $880 million Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments.  All house owners will now have until the end of 2026 to relocate their property to flood-free land. Every property is unique, with homeowners expecting relocation costs upwards of $100,000 depending on the property.The auction program will pause over Christmas and resume in early 2026.All NSW proceeds from the home sales (after costs) are reinvested into the Resilient Homes Program to support more flood-affected residents. Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “I asked the NSW Reconstruction Authority to supercharge these flood buyback auctions as they have proved extremely popular. “Seeing young families and first-home buyers walk away with keys to a safer future is incredibly uplifting.  “These homes are part of our shared history, and the fact they can now be repurposed and relocated to flood-free land gives our community real hope. “This program has always been about people, not price and giving these houses a second life and delivering safer housing opportunities for our community.”   NSW Reconstruction Authority A/Head, Adaptation, Mitigation & Reconstruction Kristie Clarke said, “We’ve had some great stories, including families who have become first-time homeowners thanks to this initiative.“One hundred and thirty homes have been offered for sale and eventual relocation. This is an amazing outcome, and we will be back with more homes in the New Year.”

Nurses, doctors, administration and support staff working in Northern Rivers Hospitals' emergency departments (EDs) received an early Christmas present today when the latest patient experience survey results revealed a positive scorecard.The Bureau of Health Information’s Emergency Department Patient Survey provides a snapshot of the experiences of 2,449 patients who attended Northern NSW Local Health District’s (NNSWLHD) EDs from July 2024 to June 2025.Nine in ten patients surveyed (90 per cent) rated the care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’, with the vast majority (93 per cent) rating the ED health professionals who treated them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. Lismore Base Hospital's scorecard was excellent, with scores in the 80 per cent range; however, they were lower than most hospitals in the NNSWLHD. Healthcare teams were also praised for their compassionate approach to care, with 87 per cent of respondents indicating their health professionals were ‘always’ kind and caring, and 86 per cent saying the staff they met on arrival were ‘polite and welcoming’. Cleaners were once again recognised for their excellent efforts in contributing to a positive patient experience, with 88 per cent of patients agreeing the ED treatment areas were ‘very clean’, the highest result in the state.NNSWLHD rated significantly higher than the state average in 25 key measures, the most of any local health district, including those relating to care, communication, kindness and environments.Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Tracey Maisey said creating a positive patient experience was a team effort and praised the collaboration between all staff involved in patient care and support.“I’m incredibly proud of all our healthcare staff for the kind, skilled and attentive care they provide to our patients, and I include all our support staff, such as administration staff, cleaners, wardspeople, linen and kitchen staff, in this as well.“You cannot deliver excellent care without everyone working to a shared goal, which is getting the best outcome for our patients, and that’s what our teams are doing here,” Ms Maisey said.“We know how important it is to make sure patients feel comfortable and listened to when they’re in our facilities, so it’s wonderful to see these sentiments reflected in the patient survey.”Several hospitals, including Ballina, Byron Central, Maclean and Tweed Valley, received a number of results significantly above the NSW average, across areas from overall care and treatment, to teamwork, communication and cleanliness.Murwillumbah District Hospital recorded 28 results significantly above the state average, more than any other hospital in NSW. Of respondents, 94 per cent of patients said their health professionals were ‘always kind and caring’, the top result in the state. Byron Central Hospital was once again given the top score in the state for cleanliness, with 97 per cent of patients agreeing the ED was ‘definitely clean’.Individual hospital highlights:BALLINA DISTRICT HOSPITAL: 91 per cent of patients rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.95 per cent rated the health professionals who treated them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’79 per cent agreed they ‘definitely’ received safe, high-quality care.84 per cent said they ‘definitely’ had trust and confidence in the ED health professionals treating them.BYRON CENTRAL HOSPITAL:92 per cent of patients rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’94 per cent rated their health professionals as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.86 per cent said staff were ‘always’ kind and caring97 per cent of patients said the ED areas were ‘definitely’ cleanIn total, Byron Central Hospital recorded 11 results significantly above the NSW average.CASINO & DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: 95 per cent rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good.’96 per cent rated their health professionals as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. 83 per cent agreed they ‘definitely’ received safe, high-quality care.89 per cent said the staff they met on arrival were ‘definitely’ polite and welcoming. GRAFTON BASE HOSPITAL:86 per cent of patients rated their overall care as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.90 per cent rated the health professionals who treated them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.84 per cent said the staff they met on arrival were ‘definitely’ polite and welcoming.87 per cent of patients said they were ‘always’ treated with respect and dignity.LISMORE BASE HOSPITAL:83 per cent of patients rated their overall care as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.88 per cent rating their health professionals as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.84 per cent said the health professionals were ‘always’ kind and caring. 85 per cent of patients said they were ‘always’ treated with respect and dignity.MACLEAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL: 93 per cent of patients rated their overall care as ‘very good’ or ‘good’, and their health professionals as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.90 per cent said the health professionals were ‘always’ kind and caring85 per cent agreed they ‘definitely’ received safe, high-quality care.92 per cent of patients said the ED areas were ‘definitely’ cleanIn total, Maclean recorded 13 results significantly above the NSW state average.MURWILLUMBAH DISTRICT HOSPITAL:96 per cent of patients rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.98 per cent rated their health professionals as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.89 per cent agreed they ‘definitely’ received safe, high-quality care.94 per cent said the health professionals were ‘always’ kind and caring93 per cent of patients said the ED areas were ‘definitely’ cleanIn total, Murwillumbah recorded 28 results significantly above the NSW state average.TWEED VALLEY HOSPITAL:91 per cent of patients rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.93 percent rated their health professionals as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.85 per cent agreed they ‘definitely’ received safe, high-quality care.91 per cent said the health professionals were ‘always’ kind and caring.In total, Tweed Valley recorded 14 results significantly above the NSW state average.

Essential Energy has advised that they will conduct an urgent low-level flyover inspection of the network using a helicopter in proximity of Wyrallah Road between Woodburn and Lismore today (Wednesday, 10 December), from 10am.This work is part of their ongoing commitment to maintain a safe and reliable electricity network.Customers in the aerial inspection zone have been notified by SMS. Essential Energy encourages all customers to check with their electricity retailer to ensure contact details are up to date.Low-flying aircraft can startle livestock, particularly cattle and horses. For safety, if possible, please move animals away from powerline corridors and secure gates before the inspection.If customers have any concerns, special requirements, or flight restrictions on their property, they should contact Essential Energy on 13 23 91. More details are available at essentialenergy.com.au/aerial.

Lismore City Council's final meeting of the year went off with a few points of order and a dispute over who was the meeting's chairman, after Mayor Steve Krieg and Councillor (Cr) Harper Dalton/Earls had a small altercation yesterday.Among the five hours, Crs adopted the Property Portfolio Strategy, approved a Farm Experience at Bexhill, an MOU with NORPA, a footpath for safety reasons at The Channon Public School, and will try to improve safety at Whian Whian Falls.The Property Portfolio Strategy moved into another debate about whether Council should move back into the CBD, as Crs took the opportunity to use council assets to make a point about the Municipal building not been granted to house the Lismore Historical Society and museum.Cr Knight-Smith said the exercise to complete the strategy will "possibly cost over $500,000 without a report, without a business case. Just defer to the GM".Another sticking point was the apparent power being given to the General Manager, Eber Butron."The strategy promises tiered tests and governance, need, function, affordability, optimisation, but in practice, it feels like a signal that the CBD is a move without scrutiny. Defer to the GM, don't look here. Adopting this strategy now bakes in risk, not transparency. If council wants a CBD move, bring back a standalone business case with full costings and benefits. Until then, I oppose adoption."Cr Dalton-Earls was also concerned about the powers of the GM by adding two points in an amendment that included an annual report and an early council notification before a property is sold."There is a lot of concentration to the powers of the GM in the current property strategy, which I'm not speaking to at this particular point. And I just think that this is good governance. An annual report isn't that much. It's probably just churning out what you've already got, but it's covering the whole VCP, rather than looking at them individually and reporting on individual properties."And the second point, just is, clearly, if we're going to divest from something, that councillors get early notification of that, because there is a lot of remit for the GM to make decisions. And I'm not trying to say that that wouldn't happen without earlier councillor notification, but I think that it's important to embed it in policy."The GM clarified that he does not have the delegation to sell any property. Those reports have to come back to council for a council decision.Cr Rob reinforced this in his opposition to the amendment. "I've read the report, and I have no problem with it, because everything has to come back to council for a ratification or resolution. You can't sell a property without the councillors agreeing to it."The amendment vote was lost 8/3.Cr Waters also had concerns about relocating staff to the CBD. "I'm not opposed to some of our business units being down there; however, I do not think operationally it is a good move for our council. So I was, I'm very disappointed that we couldn't wait for this property strategy to be available for us to make these decisions, because this is the framework that we need to make for all our future decisions."So, I'm very happy to see it; if it's applied properly and consistently, it should be more transparent for our decisions and a stronger foundation for the council and the community. It's been a while coming, but I welcome it."Mayor Krieg, a supporter of moving council back into the CBD, said it was easy to focus on one property in the portfolio. "I wonder how many people in our LGA knew that Lismore City Council was responsible for 390 sites. I get accused a lot of favouring sport. I had no idea we had 139 sites in our parks, sports and open space."We had a $52,000 a year return on 139 sites. Unbelievable. We've got 92 sites that are vacant in our LGA, which we are responsible. Council owns three houses, of which earn $6,000 a year in rent. How good would it be to get one of those? We talk about affordable housing, is Council at the forefront?"It's about time we knew exactly what we were responsible for. We knew exactly the cost-benefit analysis is with these properties and how to maximise best use and best return for our ratepayers. We owe it to our 45,000 ratepayers who are paying their rates to be aware of the 390 sites that council is responsible for."Some councillors may have spoken against moving to the CBD but they did support the motion to adopt the Property Portfolio Strategy.Cr Waters said, "The standouts to me in the document is the shift towards resilience and smarter asset management. It's not shying away, but we're living with such things as major floods. It actually addresses this, and I think that is vitally important. We've had major floods, and it's caused enormous damage to our buildings, added years of recovery costs and this strategy will enable council to look hard about future viability, and I think that's really very important."Cr Rob, said, "If this stuff doesn't get managed properly under the property strategy, we're going to go backwards.When it came time to vote, the original motion was passed 9/2, with Crs Knight-Smith and Guise opposed.The development application at Bexhill where a Farm Experience was looking to run for 16 days with a 65 person cap, was debated about making a farm experience lawful versus a history of operating not in compliance, and the impact on the environment and neighbours.Cr Gordon started by saying, "We've heard today that there's many businesses in the surrounding area, farming, other events, there is lots. So why would this be any different from any other business? It's a double standard to think that you can do something on your farm and then everyone else has to not do anything because of what you've done."Cr Guise said this DA had come to a head, "Because it sounds like they've been operating this sort of development, this activity on the land not in compliance with those separate clients historically, and so now they're trying to come and lawfulise what seems to have been non-compliant activities in the past."He also said it would be better in another appropriate venue. "Rather than being plonked in a sensitive environmental area, impacting local roads, neighbours and habitat. These impacts are unacceptable because we're hearing about a koala corridor, an extensive planting on the neighbour's property in very close proximity to these proposed camps. And so, therefore, the noise from these camps, in terms of the amplified music and microphone and speakers, etc, will have an impact on habitat and animals, as well as the traffic movement going to and from the side."Cr Waters spoke against the DA for similar reasons. "I think that actually what we're allowing is going to be too much for this area, including, like, taking into account environmental sensitivities and koala populations, etc. So I don't think that I can actually support this, unfortunately, for those reasons, and the fact that, you know, 36 days with 20 people camping, and then the 16/65, on top of that, is too many in what I believe is happening at the moment."Cr Batista asked the question as to why, when one person plants 30,000 trees on their property, another neighbour is now restricted on what they can do on their own property.Cr Jensen clarified that the DA was actually for 16 days with a threshold of up to 65 people, "Not for 36 like a lot of people seem to be referring to around the room."Cr Hall spoke about the benefit to youth that the DA would have on the community."I'll often passionately get up and speak in the chambers about anything that makes a child's life better, especially in this region. We want to do things that stop them going out onto the streets, that stop them taking drugs, that stop them getting involved in all of these illegal activities and whatnot. The DA we've got in front of us has an opportunity to provide these kids with farming experience, with environmental experience, but also a connection to spirituality. So I'm not sure which way everyone's orientated here, but from what I heard from the applicant, to me, it's nothing but good things."The DA was approved with a 9/2 vote, with Crs Guise and Waters against.The NORPA memorandum of understanding (MOU) was approved by unanimous vote of councillors, who praised the commitment of Lismore's nation-leading performing arts company, which has produced outstanding work, such as Rhoda Roberts 'My Cousin Frank', currently showing at the Sydney Opera House."That contribution is incredibly important for our creative sector, for our identity as a region, and for Lismore and for the stories that come from here and reverberate nationally," Cr Waters said.Mayor Greig also praised NORPA for buying a flood-damaged property, moving into the CBD and renovating it back to glory. He also had a dig at opponents who don't want council to move back to the CBD when he added, "We're in such support of NORPA, as am I, but god forbid that council would think of moving to the CBD as well in a very much flood resilient building. Go NORPA."The Channon Public School footpath revealed some interesting revelations. One being that a portion of The Channon community did not want a footpath to be constructed in the first place. Cr Hall called it a "sticky one" since its inception. Now council was looking to approve the final stage of construction."They said the kids were safe walking on the road. There was a bit of back and forth," Cr Hall said.An Independent Road Safety Audit report was commissioned, which revealed that the road was very dangerous for children walking to and from school."So, I do implore you all to vote for it, even if the background and history is a bit messy," Cr Hall added.Cr Rob said this has been going on for two years, and it astounds him that this would be so difficult to do."We are supposed to be the leaders here. We're supposed to make decisions. Here's one to make. Let's make it."Cr Guise spoke against the motion, declaring that "We still need to listen to the community." Cr Hall said the response rate was 18% of the community.The deciding factor for some councillors was that The Channon Public School supported the footpath being built.Keeping children safe won the day when councillors voted 10/1 to approve the final stage of the footpath.Another issue of safety concern was the lack of parking facilities at Whian Whian Falls as the tourist destination becomes more popular, especially this time of the year.Mayor Krieg put forward a motion that would see Council put in temporary speed measures during bridge repairs in January 2026, write to the Rous GM requesting a car park be built, and work with Rous officials on signage about rubbish and dogs.There was debate about Council not promoting the falls as a tourist destination because of liability; however, the motion was approved unanimously.Lismore City Councillors now have a two-month break. The monthly meetings will return on Tuesday, February 10 2026.

Public hospital admissions for elective surgery have risen to 791,000 in 2024–25, up from 712,000 in 2015–16.  New data published today to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) Hospitals platform shows national, state and hospital-level elective surgery wait times and emergency department (ED) presentations for 2024–25.  Elective surgery  Overall, half (50%) of patients were admitted from a public hospital elective surgery waiting list within 45 days in 2024–25, which was similar to 2023–24 (46 days).  The proportion of patients who had waited more than a year to be admitted for elective surgery was 6.0%.  ‘Cataract surgery was the most common procedure with 88,000 admissions, an increase from 84,000 in 2023–24,’ said AIHW spokesperson Clara Jellie.  ‘Half of these patients were admitted within 106 days, a decrease from 189 days in 2023–24.’  Emergency department presentations  There were 9.1 million ED presentations in public hospitals across Australia in 2024–25, a rate of 328 presentations per 1,000 population. This is an increase from 7.6 million and a rate of 316 presentations per 1,000 population in 2015–16.  Half (50%) of all patients were seen within 18 minutes, which was the same as the previous year.  ‘Around 10% of patients, or 1 in 10, waited longer than 1 hour and 58 minutes to be seen after presenting to an ED,’ said Ms Jellie.  ‘Overall, 67% of patients were seen on time for their triage category, including all patients requiring immediate care.’  More than half (53%) of people who presented to an ED had their care completed within 4 hours, compared with 55% in 2023-24. Of those who were subsequently admitted to the same hospital, just under one-third (30%) of ED presentations were completed within 4 hours. 

Lismore is set to host one of the region’s biggest machinery showcases when Ongmac hosts Demo Day 2025 this Saturday, 13 December, bringing major brands, family activities and a relaxed community atmosphere.Everyone knows where the Ongmac building is on Conway Street, but Demo Day 2025 will be held at 172 Bruxner Highway, opposite the Lismore Airport, attracting farmers, tradies, property owners and machinery enthusiasts from across the Northern Rivers. While the day highlights new equipment and technology, organisers say it’s just as much about community connection.“People come for the machines, but they stay for the conversations, the atmosphere and the chance to catch up,” an Ongmac spokesperson said.Major Brands Under One RoofThis year’s line-up brings Kubota, Greenworks and Grillo together in one location — a rare opportunity for locals to compare leading machinery brands side by side. Demonstrations and walk-throughs will include tractors, mowers, excavators and SVLs, with staff on hand to answer questions about property needs, terrain, attachments, running costs and finance options.You can expect tractors, mowers, excavators and SVLs on site, ready to check out up close so you can see what really suits your jobs.Ask experienced staff about property size, terrain, attachments, running costs and finance options, so you can make more confident decisions before you commit to buying new equipment.Organisers say the aim is to give attendees a clear and practical understanding of what equipment suits their work, land size or operating style.Excavator Challenge Expected to Draw CrowdsA highlight of every Demo Day, the Excavator Skills Challenge, will return with operators putting their precision and control to the test in timed tasks. The friendly competition traditionally attracts a strong crowd and will once again offer prizes for the top performers.A Family-Friendly Day OutAlongside the machinery displays, visitors can enjoy a free sausage sizzle, meet the Ongmac team and take part in a family-friendly day that has become a fixture on the local calendar.Event DetailsDate: This Saturday, 13 December 2025Time: 9:00am–2:00pmLocation: 172 Bruxner Highway, opposite Lismore AirportHost: OngmacBrands Featured: Kubota, Greenworks, GrilloContact: 02 6621 5981Those planning to attend are encouraged to register their interest by calling 02 6621 5981, or fill out the form at the end of the Demo Day page, helping organisers prepare for the expected turnout.Demo Day 2025 promises a mix of machinery, competition and community spirit — marking another major agricultural event for the Lismore region.