The NSW Government is reforming licensing loopholes and strengthening foreign licence conversion arrangements to ensure drivers and riders on NSW roads meet high safety standards.From today, Sunday, 1 February 2026, a further group of overseas drivers and riders aged 25 years and over from a broader selection of countries will be required to pass a knowledge test and a driving test before converting their overseas licence to a NSW licence.The changes close long-standing inconsistencies that allowed drivers from ‘List B’ countries and jurisdictions to obtain a NSW licence without this testing.Drivers under 25 from ‘List B’ countries are already required to pass knowledge and driving tests, and that requirement will remain unchanged.The reform builds on earlier action requiring long-term residents to convert overseas licences within six months of moving to NSW and brings NSW in line with other states and territories, ensuring consistent national standards. To support the changes, Service NSW is boosting testing capacity, temporarily increasing availability with up to 320 extra driving test slots every Saturday, which has become effective from 31 January, with additional capacity delivered through February across metropolitan service centres.Online bookings are updated weekly, and customers are encouraged to plan ahead and regularly check availability online.The list of impacted countries and testing requirements can be found here.Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said, “Road safety is not negotiable, and we are pulling every lever to keep people safe on NSW roads.“This reform lifts standards and ensures everyone driving in NSW understands our road rules and can drive safely in local conditions.“Fairness on our roads means the same safety bar applies to everyone – and that is exactly what this reform delivers.”Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib said, “We know getting a licence to drive on our roads safely is an important step for all road users.“To help drivers get their licence we have increased the number of driver testers and introduced Super Saturdays to add about 300 extra testing slots every weekend through February.“We would encourage overseas drivers to plan ahead, information is available online to help customers understand what they need to do and what tests may be required and as always, Service NSW staff will continue to support customers and help them access the services they need.”

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium, in partnership with Musica Viva Australia, is offering an intimate afternoon of chamber music featuring violinist Doretta Balkizas and pianist Brieley Cutting on Sunday, February 15.The performance, titled Lyrical Masterpieces, was originally scheduled for 2025.This much-anticipated concert now takes its place in the Conservatorium’s ongoing Visiting Artist program, continuing a valued partnership with Musica Viva that brings exceptional musicians to the Northern Rivers.Set in the Conservatorium’s beautiful heritage concert room in the heart of the Lismore CBD, the performance promises glowing sound, expressive depth and radiant melody.The program features works by Debussy, Brahms, Messiaen, Lili Boulanger and Australian composer Margaret Sutherland, tracing a rich musical journey from shimmering French impressionism to lyrical German romanticism. These works invite deep listening, offering audiences music that nourishes both the heart and the imagination."I started to play piano during my first 12 years whilst on a Farm just outside of Lismore," Brierly Cutting told the Lismore App."I am excited to return and see the Northern Rivers Conservatorium with its newly restored building. I will be presenting a program for Musica Viva and NRC with the amazing violinist Doretta, the music selected being a showcase for the beauty of the piano and violin duo, and one that is filled with lyrical melody and joy.'The Conservatorium’s collaboration with Musica Viva Australia plays a vital role in making performances of this calibre accessible to regional audiences. Through the Musica Viva program, internationally recognised artists are able to share their artistry with local communities, enriching the cultural life of the Northern Rivers while inspiring students and teachers alike.As Executive Director Anita Bellman explains, “Our Visiting Artist program is about connection. It connects our students with professional musicians, our audiences with extraordinary performances, and our region with the national and international music community.”Education remains at the heart of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium. Each week, more than 1,000 students of all ages participate in programs ranging from early childhood music to advanced instrumental tuition, alongside school outreach, community workshops and youth ensembles. Hosting visiting artists extends this learning beyond the classroom, giving students insight into professional musical pathways and reminding audiences of the joy and power of live performance.For violinist Doretta Balkizas, recently returned from a decade performing with leading European orchestras, and pianist Brieley Cutting, a Northern Rivers local with a national reputation for artistry and innovation, Lyrical Masterpieces is a chance to share their passion for chamber music with local audiences.It promises to be a thoughtful, uplifting and memorable afternoon of music. A rare opportunity to experience this level of performance outside a metropolitan area.The Details:When: Sunday 15 February 2026 at 5pmWhere:NRC Concert Room, 152 Keen Street, LismoreHow Much: $40 / $28 concession / $18 under 18How Can I Get Tickets: https://nrcac.edu.au/events.

Richmond Landcare Incorporated is putting out a call for volunteers to help deliver a Nature-based Solutions: Building Flood Resilience in the Lismore Catchment pilot project. The pilot project aims to collect evidence that will demonstrate how revegetation of riparian and floodplain areas in upper sub-catchment streams can reduce flood peaks and subsequent flood risk to downstream communities, as well as improving water quality through reduced sediment loads. The pilot is focusing on sites along the Tuntable and Terania creeks upstream of The Channon. They require community volunteers to support the project, either through participating in planting trees and sedges at key sites, and/or through undertaking maintenance activities such as weed removal around newly planted sites, to help the trees and sedges not just survive, but to thrive. It is critical that these plantings reach their full potential to act as barriers that will slow surface runoff from upper catchment foothills and hold floodwaters breaking their banks onto the adjacent floodplains. Trees and sedges planted in gullies will also reduce erosion and the impacts of sedimentation on water quality. Event Details: Nature-based Solutions Tree Care MorningDate: Saturday 7th FebruaryTime: from 8.30 amLocation: 17 Town Rd, Terania CreekRegistration: https://events.humanitix.com/nature-based-solutions-tree-care-morning. “These volunteer events are great opportunities for the broader community to connect with each other, and have meaningful impact to the health of our waterways,” said Ivy Young, On Ground Works Project Officer. If you are interested in participating and unable to make this event, please contact Ivy Young at projects@richmondlandcare.org to be added to our volunteer panel. You will then be advised when future events will be held. 

Officers from the Richmond Police District (RPD) have been busy in the last seven days, charging 45 people with 71 offences.Once again, domestic violence related arrests made up the majority of the offences, that is 40.8%.The Top Offences were:Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (Domestic) - 12 (16.9%)Detention application – arrest - 5 (7.0%)Stalk/intimidate… harm (domestic/personal) - 5 (7.0%)Drive with middle range PCA – 1st off - 3 (4.2%)Shoplifting value ≤ $2000 - 3 (4.2%)Drive during disqualification (2nd+ off) - 3 (4.2%)Use carriage service to menace/harass/offend - 3 (4.2%)SIGNIFICANT ARRESTS:On 17 January 2026, police responded to a Triple Zero call from a distressed female requesting police attendance at a residence in West Ballina. A 33yr old male is alleged to have been intoxicated and threatened to harm her and her children, which is in breach of an existing AVO and bail conditions. The male fled prior to police arrival. A new AVO protecting all three victims was granted. On 23 January 2026, police located the male at the same address in further breach of restrictions and arrested him without incident. He was taken to Ballina Police Station, where he was bail refused to appear before Ballina Local Court on the 5 of February 2026.About 7:34pm on Friday, 23 January 6 RPD Highway Patrol officers stopped a vehicle in Lismore after noticing the driver travelling unusually slowly and causing confusion at an intersection. Police breath tested the 49-year-old driver, who returned a roadside positive breath test. He was arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station, where he underwent a breath analysis, returning a reading of 0.204. His licence was immediately suspended, and he was charged with drive with high range PCA to appear at Lismore Local Court on the 23rd of February 2026.On 16 January 2026, Lismore police were informed that a 29-year-old female patient at the Lismore Base Hospital became violent and assaulted a nurse. While being assessed in the emergency department, the female began thrashing, kicked the nurse in the stomach and thigh, then bit their right index finger, causing a puncture wound that will require ongoing medical treatment. A security officer also reported an attempted bite. On 24 January 2026, police located the female in South Lismore ,where she was arrested and charged with assault frontline health worker – actual bodily harm, to appear before Lismore Local Court on the 23rd of February 2026.On 25 January 2026, a service station attendant at Reddy Express, Lismore, reported being threatened by a 29yr old man, who entered the store with a knife concealed in his waistband. After selecting a drink, the man demanded it for free, stating, “I’ll whip it out,” causing the victim to fear they would be stabbed. In the end, the man paid and left the store, after which the victim contacted police. CCTV footage confirmed the offender’s identity, and police located the man shortly after in a room at a local Motel, arresting him without incident. A search warrant later recovered a knife, clothing and other items linked to the offence. The man was charged with Armed w/i commit indictable offence, Carry knife visible in public place-cause fear for safety, Demand property with menaces with intent to steal and Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (personal). He was bail refused to appear before Lismore Local Court on the 9th of February 2026.COURT RESULTS:On the 23rd of January, Ballina Local Court sentenced a 43-year-old Ballina man to 8mths imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 4mths, for Common Assault (Domestic)On 22 January, Casino Local Court sentenced a 28-year-old Coraki man to 18 months imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 5mths, for Armed w/i commit indictable offence and Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (domestic).On 16 January, Kyogle Local Court sentenced a 53-year-old man to a 2-year Community Correction Order, Community Corrections Supervision for 2 years, as well as drug and alcohol abstention for 2 years, for Hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty and Assault police officer in execution of duty w/o abh.On 19 January, Lismore Local Court sentenced a 32-year-old male to 22mths imprisonment, with a non parole period of 14mths, for the following offences: Common Assault DV; Destroy or Damage property DV; Contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO DV x 3; Goods in personal custody suspected of being stolen (not m/v); Stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm DV; Fail to appear in accordance with bail acknowledgement; Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period - 2nd+ off; Police pursuit - not stop - drive at speed - 1st off. A severity appeal has been lodged, to be mentioned in Lismore Local Court on the 23rd of March 2026.

Removing a Lismore rail bridge is akin to the NSW Reconstruction Authority's progress on the four relocatable homes at Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah; they both move at a glacial pace.The Terania Street rail bridge was removed in September 2024, after a prolonged approval process and a number of truck accidents due to drivers not realising the height of their truck and that of the rail bridge. That led to Terania Street being closed for long periods, affecting local traffic.During removal, the condition of the timber was revealed to be in poor condition, highlighting the safety issues involved.Lismore City Council wants the remaining rail bridges removed and has submitted all the appropriate paperwork to Transport for NSW (TfNSW) for demolition.The remaining rail bridges are over Alexandra Parade, Union Street and Winterton Parade (near the racecourse)(The Alexandra parade rail bridge near the Lismore Showground)Alexandra Parade and Union Street are on the State Heritage Register, as was Terania Street, so we know how long the process is to remove it from the register, while Winteron Parade is not listed as state or local heritage, so could be removed quickly.Council's hands are tied because the land and bridges are owned by TfNSW. They do not have details on when the bridge removal will take place.A Transport for NSW Spokesperson told the Lismore App, "Transport for NSW continues to finalise approvals for the removal of rail bridges on Alexandra Parade, Union Street and Winterton Parade in Lismore. "Planned demolition or dismantling of the rail bridges will only occur after all appropriate approvals are in place. "Transport for NSW will update the community once the approvals are finalised and crews are contracted to carry out the work."Don't hold your breath.

The final weekend before school goes back on Monday is perfect for outdoor activities, with Saturday partly cloudy and a top of 29 degrees, while Sunday is mostly sunny and 33 degrees.A southerly change will come through on Monday, bringing some rain and cooler temperatures. The rainfall range is 2-25mm for Lismore with a maximum of 25 degrees.It is another pretty quiet weekend in Lismore.The Farmers Markets opens its gates tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 7:30 at the Lismore Showgrounds.Plants, orchids, figs, and Luke Vassella await you along with fresh fruit and veg, breakfast and coffee & tea until 11:30am.The 2026 Samson Fitness Challenge is five weeks away (March 6 & 7) at Hepburn Park in Goonellabah.Around 500 people are in training for the gruelling, annual Our Kids fundraising event. The Samson Challenge is a four-person team event with each team put through nine gruelling challenges, which includes a farmers walk with jerry cans, a prowler push, 130kg truck tyre flip, burpee challenge, 2x2km run, 1km swim, the sled plug and a crazy obstacle course to complete.There are plenty of free activities for the family over the weekend, check out the NRs Rail Trail, bush walks and Heritage Park in Things To Do, or what's available in Family Fun.LIVE MUSICIf you love country music, then the Ultimate Superstars of Country is for you.Next Friday, from 7pm, enjoy the biggest extravaganza of country music at the Lismore Workers Club. Tickets from $50. Click here to purchase.Coming up at the Lismore Workers Club:Faulty 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 PRICESFuel prices have been stable in the Northern Rivers this week. Here is the list of the cheapest service stations for this week:E10 is 169.9 across most of Lismore, 173.9 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 169.5 at the Mobil and Metro on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 170.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 175.9 at The United and the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street, and the Liberty's on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino, and 171.5 at the Mobil and Metro on River Street, Ballina.U95 is 179.9 at the two Independents on Terania Street, North Lismore, the Liberty on Ballina Road, Lismore and the Independent on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, 197.9 at the EG Ampol at 130 Canterbury Street in Casino, and 183.5 at the Metro on River Street, Ballina.U98 is 187.9 at the Liberty on Ballina Road, Lismore, the Independent on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore and the Liberty at 113 Union Street in South Lismore, 195.9 at the Liberty on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino, and 191.5 at the Metro on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 187.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 185.9 at the two Liberty's on Centre and Hare Street, the Casino Roadhouse and The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 186.5 at the Mobil and Metro on River Street in Ballina.Have a great weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

A long-running proposal to build hundreds of new homes on the North Lismore Plateau has been knocked back, with the NSW Land and Environment Court dismissing an appeal by developer Mackycorp Pty Ltd and refusing consent for the subdivision.The Northern Regional Planning Panel had already refused the development application in December 2022. So the developer appealed to the NSW Land and Environment Court, asking the Court to overturn that refusal.That decision was handed down today, the same day construction activity and government announcements moved ahead on neighbouring land immediately beside the proposed subdivision site.Commissioner Peter Walsh dismissed the appeal by Mackycorp Pty Ltd and confirmed the refusal of the development application, which sought approval for a large-scale subdivision across 18 parcels of land in the Dunoon Road area of North Lismore. The proposal involved up to 667 residential lots, new roads, public reserves and a local centre on more than 126 hectares of land.The proposed development site along Dunoon RoadIn his judgment, Commissioner Walsh made clear that while the site has long been identified for residential use and holds strategic importance for post-flood recovery, the application failed on the point of understanding the Aboriginal cultural heritage significance and the impacts the development would have on that heritage.“There is evidence that the proposed subdivision has potential to bring about serious impacts in relation to Aboriginal cultural heritage significance,” the Commissioner wrote, finding that the applicant had not provided “a satisfactory assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage significance of the subject land within the wider landscape”.The North Lismore Plateau was recognised by the Court as a place of very high cultural significance, not only because of physical artefacts found during archaeological testing, but because of its role as a broader cultural landscape tied together by pathways, stories, ceremonial sites and long-standing cultural connections.The judgment was particularly critical of the developer’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report, noting that understanding cultural significance must come first.“Understanding cultural significance comes first,” Commissioner Walsh said, referencing the Burra Charter, before impacts can be properly assessed or mitigated.The case was carried forward by Bundjalung Elder and traditional owner Michael “Mickey” Ryan. His objections centred on the irreversible harm the development would cause to both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.Al Oshlack, who represented Mr Ryan, said the decision was the culmination of around 15 years of litigation and planning battles over the plateau.“This has been going on for about 15 years,” Mr Oshlack said. “We’ve litigated five or six major cases, and each of those involved hundreds of procedural and interlocutory matters. It’s been a massive case.”He said the Court accepted every substantive issue raised by the respondents and was openly critical of parts of the developer’s evidence.“Every single point we raised was successful,” Mr Oshlack said. “The Commissioner was fairly critical of some of the evidence that was put forward by the developer.”Mr Oshlack described the case as a clear “either-or” decision.“Either you set about destroying what we estimate could be hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, of artefacts for the sake of this development, or you don’t,” he said. “There was no real ground for compromise. That’s why this became a precedent case.”The judgment acknowledged that the proposal offered real benefits, including housing supply on elevated land close to the Lismore CBD and its role in flood recovery planning following the 2022 disaster. However, the Court found those benefits did not outweigh the risks posed by inadequate assessment of cultural heritage impacts.“The applicant has not been able to demonstrate that the impacts of the proposed development… are acceptable,” the Commissioner concluded.The timing of the decision added another layer of complexity.On the same day the Court handed down its ruling, the NSW Government confirmed it had acquired 18.5 hectares of high-ground land immediately beside the refused subdivision site as part of the Resilient Lands Program. That neighbouring land will deliver around 85 housing lots above the flood line, alongside the future Rivers Secondary College Richmond River High Campus.Mr Oshlack said the coincidence was deeply ironic.“Yes, it’s ironic,” he said. “Everyone involved knew this case was underway and how significant it was. This case traversed years of evidence, expert cultural heritage witnesses, and multiple hearing blocks. You’d think decisions around the plateau would wait for that process to conclude.”While the Court ruling applies only to the Mackycorp subdivision, Mr Oshlack said the plateau remains under ongoing pressure from what he described as inappropriate or inadequately considered development.“The plateau is still under threat,” he said. “This decision doesn’t mean the story is over.”The developer may still seek to appeal the ruling, and Mr Oshlack confirmed an application for costs will now be pursued, arguing the case was unnecessarily prolonged.For Lismore, the decision has drawn another sharp line through one of the city’s most contested development sites… on a day when new housing and infrastructure were being celebrated just metres away.

Today's announcements on the Richmond River High Campus (RRHC) and North Lismore residential development begin to paint a picture of the suburb's future four years on from the 2022 big flood.The projects are not separate entities, but part of a synergistic approach in rebuilding an important part of Lismore's future."That's the idea of this integrated community," said Graham Kennett, Executive Director Reconstruction of the NSWRA. "That you've got a safe, connected and secure community."We've got an extension on North Lismore that aligns with the strategic planning design the council's already got for the growth of Lismore. Bringing education and housing to the table as the first steps in realising that, I guess, integrated vision for the North Lismore area, is key.The image below shows the RRHC (2) and the residential development (1) side by side. You can imagine future students walking to school and living in a flood-free part of Lismore.Combine that with upgrades to the Lismore Showgrounds, which will host an increasing number of major events, including Primex in May this year.Future land use discussions have already begun and will continue throughout 2026. This includes land around the old Richmond River High Campus site on Lake Street and Winterton & Alexandra Parade.North Lismore's future looks different from what it was pre-flood, but it is more defined than it has over the last four years.NORTH LISMORE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT(NSWRA's Graham Kennett, NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg discuss the North Lismore development site.)NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) retained the same subdivision approval that was granted pre-purchase, meaning that 85 lots will sit on the adjoining RRHC site.Of those, 76 will be taken up by Resilient Homes Program (RHP) buyback recipients and people wanting to live in the new development. The average size of a block of land is 600 square metres.How many buyback recipients will relocate or build new houses on the site is unknown at this stage."Homes NSW will lead that conversation," said Graham Kennett, Executive Director Reconstruction of the NSWRA. "The RA through the Resilient Lands Program also has a concierge team that will work side by side with Homes NSW, and have already been in touch with a lot of those people who are interested in this site, our site at Mt Pleasant and the site at East Lismore as well.Mr Kennet said that 140 RHP participants have registered their interest. Approximately 50 of those were for the North Lismore site specifically. So, supply will exceed demand at this early stage.The remaining nine lots will be used for a mix of social and affordable housing, which Mr Kennett said will have "33 housing outcomes". This will mean a combination of townhouses and units to reach those numbers. The exact number will be confirmed by Homes NSW.By mid-2026, Homes NSW want to have finalised the expressions of interest and locked in land purchases. The titles for the land will be available in early 2027.RICHMOND RIVER HIGH CAMPUSIt was more ceremonial today on the RRHC site, off Alexandra Parade, when Minister for Recovery and member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, P&C President Megan Bennett, school captains Beau and Tara, and Principal Luke Woodward turned the first sod of soil.However, it was a significant moment for staff and past and future students as the build begins in earnest with an opening target of early 2027. Ms Saffin joked she hoped for Term 1, but that outcome remains with the weather and construction.The good news is that it is a prefabricated build, so it is faster than a traditional build."This is a milestone, not only for flood recovery, but it's a major milestone for Lismore," Ms Saffin said. "And people are feeling that optimism."Principal Luke Woodward was emotional in his speech to an enthusiastic crowd. You could tell this moment meant so much to him, given the journey over the last four years."Today signifies a massive step for Lismore and for Richmond River. I'm thrilled to be here, Mr Woodward said to the backdrop of cattle sounds at the saleyards, an apt feeling given its rich agricultural history."It's a moment that marks a significant milestone for Richmond River and our entire community. We have dedicated staff, dedicated students and a dedicated community to our school."This build will transform education in Lismore moving forward, and it's not just for our students now, it's for generations to come."The new Richmond River High Campus will be above the probable maximum flood level (PMF) and will feature state of the art facilities:36 modern classrooms3 support classrooms14 specialist learning spaces, including science labslibrarymultipurpose hallperformance spacesfacilities for agriculture, metal, construction and food technologysports fields and sports courts.Ms Saffin spoke about the impact that the 36 new teaching spaces and the state-of-the-art facilities will have on its students."They just engage in a different way with the way the classrooms are designed. The way they move from one area to another. And, as a trained teacher a long time ago, I say a good teacher can teach under that awning, but when you've got well designed facilities, that just improves it for everybody."The new campus will eagerly await RRHC students who have been educated at temporary facilities, firstly at SCU and then in demountables at the back of Lismore High School in East Lismore. RRHC will be able to accommodate 660 students. Currently, it sits in the 500 range with the 2026 school year set to kick off on Monday.(A large crowd of people gathered for the sod turning today, from the NSW Government, the NSW Department of Education, Staff and students from RRHC and the construction company Hutchison Builders)

There is another tick in Lismore's flood recovery box today as shovels have hit the ground on the build of the new Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus in North Lismore.The original Richmond River High Campus was damaged beyond repair in the 2022 floods, with students attending school in temporary facilities at The Rivers Secondary College Lismore High Campus over the past three years. The new campus will have modern spaces at a new, elevated flood-resilient site on Dunoon Road, opposite the Lismore Showgrounds.The campus will include 36 new classrooms, three support classrooms, science labs, wood and metal workshops, a new library, a multipurpose hall, performance spaces, facilities for agriculture, construction and food technologies, and sports fields.The new school buildings will be placed on high ground overlooking sports fields and green spaces. The design has been informed by Connecting to Country consultation, honouring Bundjalung culture.(An artist's impression of the sporting fields looking up to the elevated classrooms. Image: supplied)“It’s incredibly exciting to see the works beginning for our brand new campus. Our community has faced and continues to face challenges, and the new campus shows commitment to the community and public education in Lismore," said The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus Principal Luke Woodward.“The new flood-resilient campus is a critical investment in the long-term stability and success of our school community and will provide certainty and continuity of education for our staff and students in the event of future floods. “Seeing construction begin gives us real optimism for the future, and we look forward to welcoming the next chapter of our school.”NSW Minister for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “The start of construction on the Richmond River High Campus marks a major milestone for Lismore. “I want to thank the community for their support and patience. It’s great to see construction underway on a project that’s been shaped by so much local input. “The school community told us they wanted to retain a College campus that meets the needs of North and South Lismore and the surrounding villages, and that maintains the open rural feeling. Looking at the designs, that’s exactly what is being delivered. “The new Richmond River High Campus will be a school designed for this community, by this community, and built to be flood-resilient and support Lismore’s students well into the future.”Enhanced planning powers under section 68 of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022 have been used to fast-track the rebuild of the school, which will have students set to learn from the new facilities in 2027.This is the fourth time these powers have been exercised by the Minister for Recovery to accelerate the reconstruction of a flood-affected public school, supporting the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver safer, more resilient learning environments for local communities. Since 2022, 18 flood-damaged schools have been repaired or rebuilt in the Northern Rivers, with the two most recent, Tumbulgum Public School and Condong Public School, welcoming their respective students back on earlier this month.A portion of the funding for the Richmond River High rebuild project has been allocated through the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.  Commonwealth Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said, “The Albanese Government is really proud to be working with the Minns Government to improve essential infrastructure like schools so Lismore can continue to recover from the 2022 floods. “Construction starting on this new campus is such an important milestone, and I’m sure families and students are looking forward to what this new space will bring.” NSW Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said, “This is an important milestone for the Lismore community as construction begins on the new Richmond River High Campus.“This rebuilt campus will deliver flood-resilient, world-class facilities that meet the needs of students and the broader community, ensuring teachers and learners have a safe, modern, and future-ready school.“The resilience of this community has been extraordinary, and I’m proud that the Minns Labor Government, together with the Albanese Labor Government, is building this school back better.”

Since the NSW Reconstruction Authority's $100 million Resilient Lands Program (RLP) was announced, a number of flood-affected buyback participants have put their lives on hold waiting for the North Lismore site to be released. That moment takes a big step forward today.As locals already know, the NSW Government officially acquired 18.5 hectares of high-ground land in North Lismore late in December 2025. The land is expected to hit the market in mid-2026.The site will provide 85 land lots to enable construction of social, affordable, and private housing—all located above the 2022 flood line.Project Highlights:Priority Access: 76 land lots to be made available for Resilient Homes Program participants, giving flood-impacted residents the first opportunity to relocate to safer ground.Social & Key Worker Housing: Homes NSW will construct 24 social dwellings and provide four land lots for affordable key worker housing.Integrated Community: The precinct will sit alongside the new Rivers Secondary College Richmond River High Campus, set to open in 2027.Economic Boost: The nearby Lismore Showground is receiving a $4.7 million upgrade to support major regional events like Primex, further anchoring the precinct's recovery.Timeline: Development application approvals are in place, and preparatory work has commenced, with land expected to be available for sale in mid-2026, with home relocations beginning in early 2027.The development is a collaborative effort between the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Homes NSW, ensuring the new neighbourhood is well-connected to schools, transport, and green space while respecting the cultural heritage of the Widjabul Wia-bal peoples.For more information, go to nsw.gov.au/resilientlandsprogram. Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson said, “By securing this land, we are delivering on our promise to provide safe, diverse, and affordable housing for the people of Lismore. “This isn't just about blocks of land; it’s about providing a fresh start for families on ground they can trust."Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, "Acquiring this land is a huge win for the North Lismore community. “We know how much it means to people to stay connected to their neighbours, their schools, and their community, but with the peace of mind that comes from being on higher ground. “This is about building a secure, connected future for North Lismore."

It is officially the final day of school holidays for public schools across NSW. Students will be back in the classroom from this Monday, February 2.During the summer holidays, there was a $1,314, 937 maintenance blitz, which has benefitted eight public schools in the Lismore electorate as teachers, students and support staff get ready for Term 1.The maintenance blitz was welcomed by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin.  Ms Saffin said highlights included a canteen refurbishment at Albert Park Public School in Lismore and a sports court refurbishment at Barkers Vale Public School. She noted that other planned maintenance was carried out at Lismore Heights Public School and at The Rivers Secondary College – Kadina High Campus and Lismore High Campus. In the Murwillumbah area, tradies worked on maintenance projects at Chillingham Public School, Dungay Public School and Tyalgum Public School. The NSW Government is delivering more than $200 million in routine maintenance, minor upgrades and larger refurbishment projects at almost 850 public schools across New South Wales. Ms Saffin took the opportunity to wish all school communities in the Lismore Electorate the very best for the academic year ahead.

A key piece of Lismore’s student housing network is set to come back online, with Southern Cross University’s Sirius Student Accommodation nearing completion after being severely damaged in the 2022 floods.The 27-unit complex on Military Road will soon provide 60 beds for students studying in Lismore. It will ease some pressure on our rental market, and is delivering an economic boost through construction, student spending and long-term population growth. The refurbishment is due to be completed in the coming weeks.Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin toured the site today alongside Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin and local builder Joel Jensen, describing the project as a deeply local investment with far-reaching benefits.“There’s 60 beds that will be available for students that will come from all over Australia, some local, some from everywhere,” Ms Saffin said. “This was an investment in the local economy, in local tradies, and that means the money goes back into our economy.”The Sirius buildings were inundated during the February 2022 floods, with floodwaters sweeping through the ground floor and leaving the accommodation uninhabitable. Rather than walking away, Southern Cross University committed to rebuilding, investing around $1.5 million of its own funds to restore and upgrade the site.Professor Carlin said the decision reflected confidence in Lismore and the university’s role at the heart of the city.“This facility has always had a long tradition of serving students, it was our most popular residence,” he said. “Today, we’re bringing it back.”“In Lismore there’s 60 additional beds, that’s 60 students who are going to find friendship, a home, and their intellectual journey ahead of them. In a few weeks from now, this place will be full of students from our region, from around Australia, and from around the world, joining this beautiful community we’re so proud to be part of.”The redevelopment includes 21 two-bedroom and 6 three-bedroom apartments and has been designed with flood resilience, sustainability and long-term durability in mind. Materials and finishes were carefully selected to withstand future flood events while remaining low-maintenance and energy efficient.Local builder Joel Jensen, Director of Joel Jensen Constructions, said delivering the project entirely with local trades and suppliers was a deliberate choice.“This has been 100 per cent local trades, contractors, suppliers and materials,” Mr Jensen said. “Every dollar spent stayed in the Northern Rivers and supported the local economy.”He said the local workforce’s commitment helped keep the project on track.“People pushed through Christmas and weekends, because they know how important this is for town,” he said. “It’s about getting students back into Lismore, back into restaurants, shops, cafes and casual work.”Ms Saffin said those flow-on effects are critical as Lismore continues its recovery.“Those 60 students mean 60 extra people in our local area,” she said. “They’ll shop locally, eat locally, fuel their cars, use local services, that stimulates our economy and helps create or keep jobs.”She also highlighted the pressure student accommodation takes off the broader housing market.“We know there’s a housing crisis,” she said. “Having students live on campus means other housing across Lismore can be available for locals.”Professor Carlin said quality accommodation plays a vital role in attracting students who might otherwise not consider moving to Lismore.“This is going to pay great dividends in terms of student experience and bringing people into the city,” he said. “When students live in residence, they don’t just study, they build friendships, connect with the town, and become part of the community.”Southern Cross University remains one of Lismore’s largest economic anchors, supporting hundreds of local jobs and injecting millions of dollars each year through education, construction, research and student spending.For those involved, the reopening of Sirius represents more than just a building, it’s a statement of belief in Lismore’s future.“This is about regrowth and reinvigoration,” Professor Carlin said. “It’s the beginning of a real surge of momentum for us in this town, and for this town itself.”

A single front door for all major planning projects is taking shape with the NSW Government putting the proposed regulatory changes to create the Development Coordination Authority (DCA) on public exhibition.These changes will make navigating the planning system faster and easier for applicants and councils by centralising State agency advice and decision-making so applicants no longer need to navigate at times conflicting and confusing advice from up to 22 different areas of Government.Through the DCA, the NSW Government is putting a stop to unnecessary delays, ending a system which saw a DA with just one referral take an average of 60 days longer to assess than a DA without one, and where each additional referral added up to 100 days to assessment timeframes.This is the first public exhibition to implement the landmark Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 , which passed parliament with almost universal support in November 2025.Under proposed regulatory changes, the need for expert advice from the DCA and other bodies on local DAs will be consolidated from more than 800 dispersed, duplicative and inconsistent requirements across 175 planning instruments into a single list aligned with State priorities.This list will sit in State Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021, making it easier to access and understand for all users of the planning system and safeguarding areas like the environment, heritage, bush fire management and infrastructure operation with the DCA as a single point of contact on all State matters.The DCA will be required to meet strict timelines.The DCA and other bodies will have 28 days to provide feedback on development applications (DAs), providing consistent response times and helping speed up assessment times.The DCA began initial operations in December and is already helping connect applicants to the right areas of Government and providing post-development consent support so projects can begin construction sooner.Its main functions - to bring together experts from a broad range of state agencies so conflicts can be resolved quickly and allow a single, coordinated response - will begin on 1 July. Find out more here.The proposed changes are part of a landmark overhaul of the State’s planning system designed to tackle delays and complexity, adding to construction costs and creating a faster, fairer and modern planning system in NSW.How DCA will work and proposed regulatory changes will be exhibited from Thursday, 29 January to Wednesday, 25 February 2026. To have your say, visit https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/exhibition/have-your-say-establishing-development-coordination-authority-dca.Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “The Minns Labor Government is cutting confusion and unnecessary delays in the planning system to support more homes, jobs and improve environmental outcomes.“The Development Coordination Authority is one part of the Minns Labor Government’s reforms to make NSW’s planning system faster and easier to navigate.“There is nothing more frustrating for applicants than having their DA bounced from one department to another and then getting conflicting answers as to what they need to do. It has often meant that a proponent gets to the front of one queue only to be told to join another one.“Delivering a single front door for applicants and councils needing input from NSW Government agencies on local DAs will result in clear, consistent advice supporting better outcomes for NSW.”

2026 is a Census year for all Australian households. On Tuesday, the 11th of August, all residents and households will be counted to provide a comprehensive picture of Australia's population. This is used for planning services and infrastructure.This year's census is particularly relevant for the Lismore LGA, as it will provide an accurate picture of the population following the 2022 floods, which decimated about 2,000 homes. Since then, there has been a lot of debate about the decline of Lismore's population.A Census year also means the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) looks for casual employees to help with the process, which includes regional centres. Right now, the ABS is hiring more than 2,700 Field Managers for the 2026 Census.Field Managers play a critical role in helping communities across Australia complete the Census.Each Field Manager will train, lead and manage a team of up to 12 Field Officers in their local area.Census National Spokesperson, Emily Walter, said Field Managers will be hired locally, where possible, to provide valuable local knowledge and support to Census staff on the ground in communities.''To run a successful Census, we need to reach everyone across Australia, from our capital cities to our most remote towns," Ms Walter said."While we expect most people will choose to complete the Census online, there are many people who will require extra support. Field Managers will play a key role in providing this support."As well as managing a team of Census Field Officers, Field Managers will help places like local hotels, hospitals and caravan parks to prepare for the Census because not everyone will be in a house on Census night."We're looking for people who have experience training and supervising teams, and who are interested in flexible, temporary work beginning in April 2026," Ms Walter said.The ABS is looking for people who have the following skillset:experience managing, training and supervising teamsstrong communication and stakeholder engagement skillsconnections to their community and local area knowledgeability to communicate sensitively and respectfully and consider different cultural and diverse backgrounds when communicating.In addition to Field Managers, the ABS is also currently hiring Local Engagement Officers. For these jobs, the ABS is looking for people who have experience working with diverse communities, including people experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, and people who speak languages other than English.In the coming weeks, the ABS will also open applications for Mobile Field Representatives, Remote Area Management team members and team leaders, and Community Field Officers.People can visit www.census.abs.gov.au/jobs for more information and to join the 2026 Census Talent Community to be notified about future Census jobs.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has congratulated four apprentices from her electorate on being among 225 recipients of the 2025 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships.One of the four was Hamish Webster, 36, of Nimbin, who is one year into a carpentry apprenticeship with Dunoon-based James Irving Carpentry and Building. He attends Wollongbar TAFE.Hamish's name may be familiar to Lismore App readers. In June 2024, we ran a story about Hamish relocating his 100-year-old North Lismore house to Nimbin subdivision after receiving a buyback for his flood-impacted cottage. You can read the story here.Ms Saffin said each apprentice will receive up to $15,000 in support over three years, helping to reduce financial pressures, buy essential tools and equipment, and stay on track with their training.“These scholarships, named in honour of the late Bert Evans AO, continue his legacy of championing practical training and opportunity for all, and recognise our apprentices’ exceptional dedication to their chosen trades,” Ms Saffin said.“I’m particularly pleased that 109 recipients are from regional New South Wales, reflecting the Minns and Albanese Labor governments’ shared commitment to developing skills in regional communities.”The Northern Rivers recipients include:Hamish Webster, 36, of Nimbin, who is one year into a carpentry apprenticeship with Dunoon-based James Irving Carpentry and Building. The mature-age apprentice attended Woodlawn College before working as an outdoor educator, cabinet maker, arborist, and nurseryman. He attends Wollongbar TAFE. Hamish also accepted a buyback offer for his flood-impacted North Lismore cottage and has relocated it to a subdivision in Nimbin. He says five other neighbours did the same.Chris King, 31, of Tyalgah, was a food and beverage manager in the hospitality industry before taking up an electrical apprenticeship with Jayden Patterson’s Tweed River Electrical. Originally from Manchester, Chris is loving working four days a week and studying a day a week at Wollongbar TAFE. He and his partner Sadie are expecting their first child in July.Andrew Duke, 26, of Tyalgum, was a warehouse manager in Murwillumbah before getting his start with Frizelle Sunshine Mazda at Tweed Heads South as a car washer for six months. Andrew moved up to the workshop and is now 18 months into a Certificate 3 Light Automotive Technology course. His scholarship helped him buy tools and extra storage for them.Jack Evans, 19, of Murwillumbah, attended Murwillumbah High School and is Andrew’s buddy in the same course at Kingscliff TAFE. Jack has honed his practical skills in Victory Auto World’s Tweed Heads South mechanical workshop for the past year. Before that, he took a gap year, installing garage doors for a Murwillumbah company. While at school, he completed a Certificate 2 in Electrotechnology.   

The upgrade of the Browns Creek pump station in downtown Lismore has taken another important step forward, with detailed inspections and GPS mapping of the creek’s underground pathway beneath Clyde Campbell Car Park now complete. Browns Creek has flowed through a concrete culvert since 1969, forming a 400‑metre hidden watercourse beneath central Lismore. The creek travels from an inlet near John Crowther Car Park, under Browns Creek carpark and through to the pump station beside Wilsons River. The recently completed investigations are a vital part of the project, providing accurate information to ensure future construction is safe, precise and responsive to both engineering requirements and environmental considerations. Inspections were completed through a collaborative effort between Lismore City Council staff, specialist contractors and NSW Police Rescue. Detailed underground mapping confirmed the creek’s precise alignment, with the data now informing the next stage of works and ensuring the final design accurately reflects the infrastructure beneath our streets. Supporting local wildlife was also a key focus. Local ecologist Veronica Silver joined the group to identify microbat species known to roost within the pipe. Two species – the Little Bent‑wing and the Southern Myotis – are regular inhabitants of spaces like these. Veronica's involvement will help ensure the project continues to protect and support Lismore’s urban ecology while essential infrastructure improvements are delivered. With underground mapping now complete, the findings will feed into the final design of the new pump station, supporting Council’s ongoing work to strengthen Lismore’s resilience to future flooding. Construction is expected to begin later this year. For more information on Lismore City Council’s resilience efforts, visit https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Building-and-planning/Flood-Restoration-Portfolio/Flood-resilience.  

Lismore City Council is putting a spotlight on its urban stormwater network, with a major drain‑clearing program now underway across the Lismore CBD.  Comprehensive CCTV inspections completed in 2025 identified a number of priority sites requiring attention to ensure the stormwater system performs effectively during future weather events.   Using this information, Council’s specialist contractors are now on the ground utilising high‑pressure water jetting and vacuum trucks to remove tree roots, debris and other blockages. Each drain is then re‑inspected using CCTV to confirm the line is clear and flowing as intended. The work will continue through February, with crews operating from early morning into the evening on weekdays, and on Saturdays when required, to get the job done as efficiently as possible.  (The map shows the location schedule for drain-clearing. Image: LCC)Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the work is an essential part of Council’s resilience efforts. “Drainage may not be glamorous, but it’s important,” he said.  “We’re removing blockages and obstructions that directly resulted from the 2022 floods – silt, gravel and even the odd keyboard – to ensure our system performs the way it should.”  This program builds on ongoing maintenance across the city and the clearing of more than 8km of open stormwater drains. It also complements a series of pump station upgrades that are underway or scheduled to begin later this year. Council acknowledges there may be some temporary inconvenience associated with the works, and crews will continue to minimise disruption wherever possible. Residents and businesses affected by the program will receive advance notification from contractors with specific dates and timings. This project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.  For more information, visit: https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Building-and-planning/Flood-Restoration-Portfolio/Roads-and-bridges/FR-Lismore-CBD-Drain-Clearing.  

Farmers with cellar doors and fruit stands should beware of huge new bills being slapped on them by the state government, NSW Farmers says. Reports have spiked of family farmers being forced to pay up to $300,000 in land taxes to the NSW Government for diversifying their businesses with small farmgate sales and agritourism experiences.Typically, farmland has been exempted from these taxes as it has been used to produce food and fibre for the nation – but NSW Farmers' Business Economics and Trade Committee Chair John Lowe said it was clear farmers were now being penalised for selling what they grew. “Between drought, flood and every other challenge we face on farm, it’s become harder and harder to make a living on the land – and that means farmers have had to adapt and diversify to simply survive,” Mr Lowe said. “Governments have encouraged this activity as a means to spread risk and deal with drought, natural disaster and other challenges – and we’ve loved seeing people from all over enjoy our cellar doors or cherry-picking adventures on farm.“But now, we’ve been punished for innovating, diversifying, and opening our doors to our friends in the cities – and it could spell the end for many of our family farms.” On Tuesday, NSW Farmers launched a statement of expectations to outline the series of practical changes to primary production land taxes needed to ensure a future for farming. With farm input costs expected to rise by a further five per cent in 2026, Mr Lowe said sensible changes to land tax laws were needed to ensure farmers were not crippled with six-figure bills for small-scale value-adding within their operations. “The costs to run a farm are already outstripping inflation, and families cannot realistically afford to pay this huge extra tax on top of this,” Mr Lowe said.“Our government is saying they’re happy for us to grow our own apples, but don’t even think about trying to sell the juice. “It makes no sense, and meanwhile, our major supermarkets are making a killing off our produce – and both farmers and families are paying the price.”Editor’s note: View NSW Farmers’ statement of expectations on this issue here.

Young sporting talent from across the Northern Rivers was firmly in the spotlight today, with 29 local athletes recognised at a Local Sporting Champions Award ceremony celebrating dedication, achievement and the extra effort it takes to compete from a regional community.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan presented each recipient with a certificate and confirmed their grants through the Local Sporting Champions program, which provides financial assistance to young people aged 12 to 18 who are competing, coaching or umpiring at representative level.Mr Hogan said the event was always a highlight on the calendar, bringing together families and young people who have already achieved impressive milestones in their chosen sports.“This is a wonderful day of celebration,” he said. “We have children between the ages of 12 and 18 who have excelled at their sport. Some have represented our region, some our state, and in rare cases, even our country.”He said young athletes from the Northern Rivers often face significant travel demands compared to their city counterparts.“If you live in Sydney, you might be five kilometres from where you compete,” he said. “But our kids have to travel. There are fuel costs, accommodation costs, time away from school and work for parents. That can be quite onerous on families.”The Local Sporting Champions grants range between $500 and $800 depending on travel distance, and Mr Hogan said even a small amount can make a meaningful difference, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis.Today’s recipients reflected the diversity of sport across the region, with athletes competing in hockey, water polo, athletics, cross-country and more.Among them was local hockey player Taj Vantaggiato, who travelled to Brisbane to compete at the Under 14s Australian National Championships after being selected to represent New South Wales.Taj Vantaggiato speaks with Kevin Hogan about his time at the competition“There’s a lot of training and a lot of travel,” Taj said. “You’ve really got to want it. This grant is going to help so much with the costs.”He said coming from a regional area and competing against athletes from major cities was both challenging and motivating.“They’ve got all the facilities up there,” he said. “But as a regional kid, it’s really great to be able to compete at that level and hold your own.”Athletics was also represented, with Ruth Byrnes travelling to Sydney to compete at the NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association championships in javelin. Her father, Patrick Byrnes, said the financial support made it far easier for families to back their children’s sporting ambitions.“In our case, it was fuel to get to Sydney and back, accommodation, and basic things like food,” he said. “Without that support, it would be much more difficult for one of us to travel with Ruth.”He said regional athletes can feel outnumbered at large metropolitan events, but they consistently rise to the occasion.“The regional kids might feel like fish out of water at first, but they certainly hold their own,” he said. “These grants give kids opportunities they might not otherwise get.”Water polo player Patrick Silver was recognised after travelling to Hobart to compete in the 13-and-under National Development Carnival, representing Queensland after progressing through a demanding selection pathway.Patrick Silver is all smiles as he is presented with his certificate “There’s a lot of travel involved, especially being regional,” Patrick said. “We’re going to Brisbane pretty much every week for training.”He said being part of a small regional club made the achievement even more special.“Alstonville is such a small club, but we still do really well at those big championships,” he said. “To be selected and then come second at a national carnival was pretty amazing.”Mr Hogan said hearing stories like these was one of the best parts of the day.“It’s always fascinating to see the range of sports and to hear how hard these kids train and what excites them,” he said. “Today is about celebrating them, acknowledging their achievements, and supporting families so these young people can keep chasing their goals.”Our latest Northern Rivers Sporting Champions acknowledged today were:Amahli Adams from Goonellabah - NetballAmirah Shah from East Lismore - AthleticsBailey Skinner from Alstonville - Cross CountryBryce Byrne from Casino - Rugby UnionChloe Kiss from Keerrong - AthleticsCrystal Gill from Casino - AthleticsElla Davey from Caniaba - NetballEvie North from Wollongbar - Touch FootballFinley Gleeson from Koonorigan - Sailing/YachtingGus Collings from Caniaba - SoftballIndie Walker from Casino - AthleticsIsabelle Slater from Wollongbar - Touch FootballJed Duignan from Evans Head - Rugby UnionJohn Bull from Georgica - CricketLatrell Lowah from Evans Head - AthleticsLucas Murray from East Lismore - Rugby UnionMackenzee Daley from Geneva - AthleticsMackenzie Skinner from Alstonville - Water PoloMason Creighton-Stephenson from Lismore - AthleticsMikayla Evely from Richmond Hill - NetballMikayla Krassos from South Lismore - NetballNate Walters from Kyogle - AthleticsPatrick Silver from Lynwood - Water PoloPrimrose Scott from Alstonville - Water Polo