Fifteen small to medium businesses and three local councils in flood-impacted towns and villages across the Northern Rivers are set to share in more than $9.2 million worth of grants thanks to the NSW Government’s Towns and Villages Resilient Business Activation Program.In Lismore, the businesses included NORPA, REDinc, Lismore Unlimited, the Lismore Rugby Club, Ecoteam and Lismore Gateway.Announced in September last year, the funding for businesses and local CBD's will be delivered through the Government’s Community Restoration Flood Fund to help support the economic recovery of villages and town centres in the Northern Rivers with direct activation and revitalisation projects.The Program is being delivered across the seven most flood-impacted Local Government Areas in the Northern Rivers, including Lismore, Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Kyogle, and Clarence Valley, with each reporting the highest average damage and other costs for businesses.Applicants were required to show how the project would benefit the local community and align with one or more of the Program’s objectives – for example, repair or replace damaged fixed equipment, machinery, or infrastructure needed to keep the business operating or the implementation of flood barriers, elevated foundations, waterproofing, flood resilient doors or windows and drainage systems.The funding was available through two targeted streams:Stream 1 – Infrastructure support for small and medium-sized businesses with grant amounts from $250,000 to $2 million.Stream 2 – CBD activation and revitalisation projects delivered by Councils with grant amounts from $50,000 to $500,000.This was a competitive program, which received more applications than available funding. The NSW Reconstruction Authority engaged the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to govern the delivery and management of the Program.NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said, “We know that many small and medium businesses are still recovering from the 2022 floods, so this funding is welcome news for those business owners.“The grants provide practical assistance to undertake repairs or replace key machinery or infrastructure and measure to prevent flood impacts, which is essential to the daily operations and livelihoods of the communities in the Northern Rivers.“Three councils will be able to revitalise their CBD’s and ensure there are once again great spaces for community to gather through improvements to the visual appeal, usability and safety of public areas.”

Business NSW is calling for urgent reform to the state’s workers’ compensation scheme, warning that inaction will crush businesses and leave workers without the support they need. “We fully support the rights of injured workers to receive care, rehabilitation and fair compensation – that’s why Business NSW helped establish the workers’ compensation scheme more than a century ago,” Business NSW Regional Director Jane Laverty said. “But today the system is being misused – and it’s hurting both workers and businesses. “Time away from work is a bad outcome for everyone – it is costly and leaves a business under-resourced. The evidence shows, however, that it can be very bad for a worker and their mental health to be disconnected from their workplace.” Last year, the scheme ran a $1.8 billion deficit – about $5 million every day.  Psychological injury claims have risen by 65% since 2021-22 and now exceed 11,000 claims a year, according to the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA). “Many of our members report the scheme being used to escalate workplace grievances and performance issues,” Mrs Laverty said.  “One business had an employee lodge a psychological claim after a routine performance meeting. That claim was eventually upheld on appeal based solely on the worker’s ‘perception of being overworked’ – despite doing half the workload of colleagues.”  Three years later, that worker is still not fit to work more than 16 hours a week. The business is paying higher premiums, can’t replace the role, and has lost hundreds of hours in productivity and admin. “These stories are becoming all too common. The rules changed to allow provisional payments even when the injury stems from performance management. That’s tipped the balance too far,” Mrs Laverty said. Business NSW backs the NSW Government’s push for reform and will keep advocating for a system that distinguishes genuine injuries from workplace disputes. “We must restore integrity and fairness to the system before it collapses under its own weight. This isn’t about taking rights away – it’s about making sure the system works for the people it was designed to protect,” Mrs Laverty said. 

Safety in the CBD has been a concern for business owners and shoppers for quite some time. The matter was brought to the March council meeting through an urgency motion by Councillor Gianpiero Battista because crime and antisocial behaviour were causing safety issues and disrupting business, as well as keeping shoppers away from the CBD block.The motion, which was passed unanimously, asked council to:Write to the NSW Police Commissioner and Richmond Police District, highlighting safety concerns from CBD businesses and requesting a blitzSend a copy of the correspondence to Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, and Federal Member for Page, Kevin HoganInclude in the next budget an agreed amount of funding exclusively designed to increase safety in the CBD.Since then, Business Lismore has had a formal meeting with the acting Superintendent of the Richmond Police District and a Detective Senior Constable to discuss the issue.Business Lismore President Michael Ackrell told the Lismore App that the meeting was scheduled for 30 minutes and ran 90 minutes.In the meeting, it was reported that the CBD (from City Hall to the police station on Zadoc Street) reports an average of 100 incidents a month. In February 2025, this number increased to 180.The majority of phone calls received were centred around tobacconists and the Transit Centre, with mental health an added area of concern for police on top of crime, such as stealing and break and enters.The Richmond Police District used to have a mental health worker based at the police station, funded by NSW Health as part of a program called PACER. If necessary, the clinician would attend with police to assess the person’s mental health needs and organise appropriate care. This could lead to better outcomes and fewer people ending up in already crowded emergency departments.The PACER program is no longer available at the Lismore Police Station. For business owners in the CBD or community members shopping in the CBD, the key message was to report every incident. There was a belief that police would not do anything anyway, so why report an incident? However, if they are not reported, police do not have a true indication of the situation, which could lead to an increase in staffing to help find better solutions and a reduction in incidents.New Superintendent (Supt), Dave Roptell, said police have met with Council and Council representatives."We're in the process of putting together a joint operation which will go over a couple of days, focusing on safety, focusing on offences committed, like shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. Council will also focus on compliance."I will say this categorically, I commenced five weeks ago, but our crime categories are under control. So, there's some good things that are happening within the community as a whole, not just Lismore, but the whole Richmond Police District, which spans Ballina to Lismore and west to Casino and so forth."However, what we are doing to keep a lid on that, and to ensure community confidence and also perceptions of fear of crime, we are still going to run this operation and put a number of resources into it to ensure that the community see us and they feel safe." Supt Roptell said the operational results will determine any future actions."Whatever information we get will then determine how often it is required that we do full patrols or we address certain issues, but let me say this, they will happen regularly." A spokesperson from Lismore City Council said, "Council is continuing to work with Police to ensure everyone in our community feels safe in the CBD and, in particular, around the Transit CentreWhile the joint operation is being planned, you are encouraged to report any criminal or safety issues to police by calling (02) 6626 0599.

Better public transport infrastructure is coming to bus stops in the Lismore electorate with the NSW Government announcing over $1.6 million in funding to improve accessibility and safety across regional NSW.  The latest round of the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme (CPTIGS) will fund the construction of new bus stops and upgrades to existing ones, improving facilities for the entire community. In Lismore, funding will be allocated to the following projects:Perradenya Way, CaniabaThe James Road and Ballina Road intersection.The Lismore Railway Station, Union Street, South Lismore Allsop Park, Nimbin Statewide, the 2024-25 round will see 153 projects funded, including the installation of seating, shelters, improved signage and timetable boards, security lighting and enhanced accessibility. The scheme provides funding to councils, which own and manage bus stops. The Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said, "The NSW Government is enhancing regional bus stops and shelters to improve accessibility, safety, and comfort for all passengers.  “This investment will make it easier for people with disabilities, parents with prams, and older residents to access work, school, healthcare, and social opportunities.  Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, "By upgrading bus stop infrastructure in Lismore, Goonellabah, Caniaba and Nimbin, we are encouraging greater use of public transport, strengthening regional connectivity and making services more inclusive and accessible. “These improvements will make a real difference for those who rely on buses, ensuring they can have safer and more comfortable journeys.” For more information on the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/community-transport-operators/country-passenger-transport-infrastructure-grants-scheme.

Children as young as two years of age can now receive their influenza vaccine from their local pharmacy, which will relieve pressure on GP's.Previously, primarily only GP's were authorised to vaccinate children younger than five for influenza.In NSW, the influenza vaccination coverage for 6-month-olds to under 5-year-olds has declined from 41.3 per cent in 2020 to 25.4 per cent in 2024.Authorising community pharmacist immunisers to vaccinate children as young as 2 years of age against influenza is expected to boost access to the vaccine as parents will now be able to bring their children to get vaccinated closer to home and without having to wait for a GP appointment.The NSW Government has amended the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards to allow for this expansion of eligibility.This announcement follows the launch of the official winter vaccination campaign by the NSW Government ahead of the peak respiratory virus season.International experience indicates the possibility of a higher-than-usual influenza activity season this year. The state government has worked to get the supply of vaccines out to doctors and pharmacists.Families with young children can also access the influenza vaccine through their general practitioner.More information on the NSW pharmacist vaccination program can be found on the NSW Health Website here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/pharmacist-vaccination-expansion.aspx.Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “We want to make it as accessible and as convenient as possible for young children to receive their influenza vaccine ahead of a severe winter season.“Children aged two years and older can now receive their vaccine from their local family pharmacist.“We know it can be difficult to find a GP, and we are taking pressure off our GP's with this rule change.“Vaccination is the best protection from serious illness from influenza.”

The NSW Government has today released a new guide to strengthen consultation practices with regional, rural and remote communities across the state in a bid to build stronger regional communities by delivering solutions tailored to local communities and informed by local knowledge.  The Regional Communities Consultation Guide outlines the Government’s approach to consulting with regional, rural and remote communities, including Aboriginal communities, to make better decisions and improve the lives of people across New South Wales. The release of the Guide follows the introduction of the Regional Communities (Consultation Standards) Act 2024, by Independent Member for Barwon, Roy Butler.In a state first, this legislation enshrines that compliance with the guide is required for certain consultations, setting a clear standard that those affected by decisions should be involved in the decision-making process. The Member for Barwon worked with the Government to address the barriers that have historically faced regional engagement with Government consultations, including population sparsity and digital disadvantages. Appropriately, the Guide is informed by in-depth stakeholder engagement across regional and rural communities, to ensure the priorities and expectations of regional, rural and remote communities are reflected. This included direct engagement with peak organisations, including the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Local Government NSW, the Country Mayors Association, the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation and the Central NSW Joint Organisation.Further, around 200 stakeholders participated in eight regional listening sessions held in Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Nowra, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Narrabri and Bourke.Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “I spoke in Parliament in support of the Member for Barwon’s Bill on this because we needed a better standard for government consultation with regional, remote and rural communities. The release of this guide is a step in the right direction, and I welcome the Government’s action in ensuring solutions in our communities are informed by the people who are most impacted by them. “The Guide provides certainty to our communities about what they can expect of NSW Government consultation, and it will lead to more locally relevant and culturally appropriate engagement.The guide will now be rolled out across agencies for immediate use and can be downloaded along with a detailed engagement summary here: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/consultation-regional-communities.Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales, said, “No one knows what a local community needs better than the people who actually call that place home – that’s what this is about, ensuring that the people impacted by the decisions we make are a part of the decision-making process.“It’s a commonsense step, which I’m grateful Roy brought to the table because I genuinely think our state will be stronger for it.“Every community is different, from large regional centres to small remote villages, and the people within these communities are equally different and diverse too; our engagement and solutions as a government should reflect that.”NSW Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said, “This guide – underpinned by transparency, accountability, and best practice – is a reflection of what regional, rural and remote communities have told us they want from NSW Government agencies.“Effective community and stakeholder engagement is fundamental to good governance.“This new guide demonstrates our commitment to improving consultation practices.”

The financial struggles of Lismore City Council and the other 128 councils in NSW have been well documented. Financial sustainability is an ongoing issue as more councils examine their operating procedures and costs closely, especially putting money aside for asset maintenance and replacement or requesting a special rate variation from the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).Yesterday, the NSW government announced it will support 15 of the 17 recommendations from the NSW Parliament's Upper House inquiry into the ability of local governments to fund infrastructure and services to ensure NSW councils are efficient and financially sustainable.The inquiry was established in March 2024 at the request of the Minister to examine long-held concerns from the sector about the financial challenges impacting councils across the state. The inquiry heard that cost pressures have increased significantly in recent years, impacting councils’ ability to reliably and affordably provide the services communities rely upon, especially in rural and regional areas. The NSW government’s response to the inquiry recognises the need to preserve local democracy and councils’ autonomy, while also ensuring they can sustainably provide services over the long-term without financially burdening ratepayers.The government has proposed five key actions:The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) will continue to oversee council rates to ensure councils’ revenue keeps pace with cost changes, while protecting ratepayers from excessive rate hikesCouncils that want to permanently increase their rates will be required to submit a Comprehensive Spending Review to IPART that forensically examines their expenditure as well as their revenueThe Special Variation process will be simplified and used solely by councils to fund specific projects or programs supported by the communityLocal government financial statements and reporting will be streamlined to increase transparency and councillor and public oversight over council spending Establishing an Expert Advisory Panel of experienced general managers, finance directors and other local government experts to support the government in delivering its reformsThe government will also audit local government fees and charges, to ensure they reflect inflation and changes in market costs. Models for distributing state government grants to councils will also be assessed so that councils continue to receive sustainable and equitable funding.  These reforms, alongside those already in progress, including rewriting the councillor Code of Conduct system, aim to enhance the reputation of local government as a robust, independent tier of government. They will improve transparency in decision making and provide councillors with the financial information they need to be visibly in control of their councils to deliver local government services for their communities into the future. The government’s response to the inquiry can be viewed on the NSW Parliament website here. Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said, “The role that councils play in building connected communities and fostering local development cannot be overstated.“But the reality is, many councils are struggling under financial pressures and this is having flow-on effects to communities in the form of higher rates or reduced services. “It’s clear the status quo is not sustainable for councils, and it’s not fair on communities who will lose out. The ratepayers of NSW deserve assurance their money is being put to good use and that councils are doing all they can to tighten their belts, just like families are doing across the state. “Fixing entrenched systemic issues won’t happen overnight, but the Minns Labor government is serious about delivering long-term structural changes to the sector. “Reforms that ensure councils are being efficient with their money and that decisions that financially impact ratepayers are made with them, not for them. This will come from councillors having transparent and digestible information about their council’s financial position, so they can make more informed decisions about what their community needs most.“I thank the committee for their work throughout this inquiry and all the councils and local government stakeholders for their input.”Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the recommendations are a step in the right direction."I welcome the State Government’s decision to support most of the recommendations made by the upper house inquiry into Councils funding crucial infrastructure and services."Local councils have a limited rate base to pay for the services and infrastructure that the community wants and expects. This makes it extremely difficult for councils to remain financially sustainable, which is has been made worse by the cost shifting previous state governments have imposed on councils."The adoption of these recommendations is certainly a large step in the right direction."

The Lismore CBD is showing more signs of recovery, with movements, renovations, and new openings happening in the next few weeks.Lismore City Council announced the occupancy rates earlier this year when the CBD audit was completed at the end of last year.Keen Street and Molesworth Street led the occupation rates, although the shutdown of Millers may affect those numbers now, with 85% and 86%.On March 28 this year, the Lismore App wrote a story about the number of recently sold commercial real estate properties in Woodlark and Carrington Street, which will eventually lead to more shops and offices in the second half of 2025.Next week, there are two new openings: Asian Mart and Audio Room.Asian Mart is situated in the famous Tropicana building vacated recently by Alex Coranakes. It will offer Asian groceries, including Indian, Chinese and Japanese.Harry, also known as Harjinder, opened the Kebab King shop at 75 Keen Street in January 2023 and has now added to his business offerings.Asian Mart will be open for business on Monday.The other side of Keen Street, and next to the Hotel Metropole is the new home of Hi-Fi specialist the Audio Room.Phil Reed started out on Magellan Street, moved across the street near Lanna Pad Thai, and is now moving to Keen Street on the other side of Larkin Lane (the old jiu jitsu building)."We ran out of room in the old shop and wanted more foot traffic. Our workshop needed more space to make repairs," Phil told the Lismore App.Phil will use the extra room to expand his product lines, too.The Audio Room will be opening on Tuesday next week.While on Magellan Street, the Lismore community welcomes Courtney and her family to the Lismore CBD.Courtney enjoyed working in the Tweed at a hemp shop, but when she moved to the Northern Rivers, she discovered there wasn't a hemp shop in the CBD. Now, she has Essence of Hemp selling hemp homewares, oils, foods, cleaning and skincare.Essence of Hemp is in the old Audio Room on the corner of Magellan and Carrington Street. Courtney is the parent of two children, a 5-year-old daughter and a nearly 1-year-old son. Hudson will join Courtney in the shop daily.There are three major renovations happening on Keen and Magellan streets as well.Two doors down from the Audio Room, the building is being renovated to meet today's codes. The awning was in desperate need of a revamp, the building needed to be re-wired, and the walls built in a more flood-resilient way by using magnesium oxide board (MgO) that can be taken off and hosed, if needed, following a flood.Rumours around town were that Dhezi Deli would have a CBD presence after it opened in Bexhill in November 2022 (formerly Pirlos in South Lismore). That is not the case. Building owner Suzanne Dhesi said that once the renovations were completed, it would be the perfect restaurant location for someone to take up a lease. That opportunity is about two weeks away.The new owner of the Mecca Cafe on Magellan Street has kept a low profile and has been working on the property. CBD business rumours say it will still be a 1950s retro-style cafe, complete with booths, when finished.The graffiti walls next to Intersport, further down on Magellan Street, have seen building movement for the first time in over a decade.A large concrete slab was poured last week, and much more work needs to be done to turn it into a building ready for tenants.Again, the CBD rumours say it will be a graffiti paint supply shop.Whether the rumours are true or not, the fact that the buildings will have tenants by year's end is further proof that the Lismore CBD is continuing to grow, and that is good for Lismore.

Northern Rivers residents are invited to join the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA), and local Nimbin services, including Nimbin Neighbourhood Centre and the Nimbin Disaster Resilience Group, this Saturday (10 May 2025) for afternoon tea and a conversation about disaster planning.Members of the community are encouraged to come along to the Nimbin Town Hall, at 45 Cullen Street, Nimbin, at 1:30pm, to explore the RA’s giant interactive map, to help get a better understanding of the potential risk and impact of future disasters they may face in their community.The afternoon will commence with an afternoon tea, and conversations led by local service providers. From 2pm, residents will be invited to engage in disaster preparedness conversations specific to Nimbin and the surrounding area.The event will conclude at 4pm. For more details, please email NC.region@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.   

Lismore and the Northern Rivers are leading the country in developing a sustainable rice industry outside traditional growing areas.Recently, local farmers and rice growers gathered at South Gundurimba to tour a research farm that could hold the key.More than 500 varieties have been put to the test over the last few years in the Southern Cross University project, funded by the Australian Research Council, to develop a drought and disease-resistant, ‘climate-smart’ variety suitable for local conditions.Lead researcher Dr Szabolcs Lehoczki-Krsjak said he was optimistic about the results.“A sustainable rice industry needs to be climate-smart. Which means we need to look at genetics that ensure drought tolerance, cold resistance and Blast [fungus] resistance. We have narrowed it down to a handful of candidates so far, and I am confident the eventual winner will do well in the Northern Rivers and beyond.”(Dr Szabolcs Lehoczki-Krsjak discusses the research project with local farmers. Photo: SCU)Less than five per cent of Australia’s overall rice production – but close to 100 per cent of sustainably grown rice – comes from the Northern Rivers, which has a small but increasing number of rice growers. Most Australian rice is grown in the Riverina region in southern New South Wales. But rice is a thirsty crop, and the Riverina industry is dependent on flood irrigation, whereas Northern Rivers farmers, thanks to the area’s high rainfall, grow without flood irrigation, in a practice known as dryland or aerobic rice farming. With fresh water becoming a precious resource worldwide and ponded rice fields having a significant share in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, this sustainable, water-saving, low-emission growing method is the future of the rice industry. Southern Cross University and industry partner Natural Rice Co. are at the forefront of developing new varieties to facilitate the growth and higher share of eco-friendly rice in Australia.The front runner in the trial is highly nutritious Black Rice varieties, which are rich in naturally occurring compounds called ‘anthocyanins’, known to be beneficial agents in reducing inflammation and with major antioxidant properties. A recent incursion of Rice Blast has offered additional opportunities to test the disease resistance of Black Rice. Rice Blast is a fungal disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (synonym Pyricularia oryzae) and is considered the most significant rice disease worldwide. It has been detected throughout the Northern Rivers this season again, and together with the unusually dry January and February, has caused significant yield losses for farmers, in some cases up to 90 per cent.The Riverina region is Blast-free thanks to stringent biosecurity and less favourable conditions for the fungus, although the research underway in northern NSW could ultimately benefit that area as well.Professor of plant genetics and breeding at Southern Cross University, Tobias Kretzschmar, said the move towards healthier and more sustainable staple crops was a global concern. “Black Rice is gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers and is prized for its nutty flavour and chewy texture, but all Black Rice in Australian supermarkets is imported. We think we can change that in a win-win for consumers, for growers and for the environment.”Steve Rogers, General Manager of the Natural Rice Co., said it was pleasing to see the trial progress.“I’m very happy to see the results so far. Although we are still a few years from a commercial option of Black Rice for growers, the breeding work and testing we have been able to do with the University is setting us up for a resilient and more environmentally friendly industry in the future.”As part of an AgriFutures Australia project on improving weed control options for dryland rice, growers and advisors at the field day were also able to walk through weed control trials where current and new herbicide combinations are being tested in an effort to reduce weeds and increase yield, and thus water use efficiency.

Byron Bay has lost its mantle as having the highest number of people sleeping rough in NSW following the release of the 2025 Street Count.Inner-city Sydney now has the highest number of people sleeping rough after a 24 per cent increase since last year's count. Byron Bay recorded a 16 per cent decrease, with 291 rough sleepers, down from 348.In Lismore, the numbers showed a small increase from 64 to 66. Ballina is around the same number, 63 to 64, while the Tweed has the second-most rough sleepers, as they, too, saw a decrease from 174 to 155. There are very low numbers in Kygole and Richmond Valley, with 3 and 4, respectively.The 2025 Street Count reinforces the importance of the NSW Government’s targeted investment to build more homes and strengthen homelessness services, with 2,192 people recorded as sleeping rough across the state.These results reflect positive progress following the NSW Government’s $2.3 million investment to establish a dedicated Assertive Outreach team on the North Coast, which was announced in May 2024. The initiative is helping connect vulnerable people with housing and support, delivering better outcomes for regional communities.The NSW Government is putting money and resources into building a comprehensive approach to help combat homelessness. This includes strengthening specialist services for immediate support and increasing housing supply to deliver long-term solutions that prevent insecurity.Key actions underway to ensure experiences of homelessness are rare, brief and not repeated include:Investing in more housing through the Building Homes for NSW Program: the $6.6 billion initiative the largest-ever investment in social housing and homelessness in NSW. It aims to build 8,400 new public homes, more than 21,000 affordable homes, and repair 30,000 public homes in need of maintenance.Delivering support through the Homelessness Innovation Fund: More than $16.6 million has already been allocated under the $100 million Fund to directly support the ideas and innovation of our Specialist Homelessness Services providers and other partners on the frontline of the housing crisis.     Reforming temporary accommodation: Greater investment in providing temporary accommodation and crisis services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.Designing a better system: The NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025-2035 will be released in mid-2025, providing a whole-of-government plan with a focus on prevention, early intervention, and tailored support including stand-alone action plans for Aboriginal people, children and young people.Targeted planning reforms: The NSW Government has developed the Social and Affordable Housing Rezoning Pathway, which seeks to accelerate rezoning proposals for NSW communities in need and amended planning controls to fast track the delivery of temporary and crisis accommodation.More than 370 local organisations partnered with Homes NSW to complete the 2025 Street Count in 415 towns and suburbs across 77 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in NSW.This year’s results were captured between 4 February and 26 February 2025 and are published annually. The 2025 Street Count data can be viewed in full here:  www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/homes-nsw/social-housing-resources/street-count/2025-resultsMinister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said, “Every year the Street Count gives Government a sense of the scale of homelessness across our state and I want to thank all the volunteers, councils and organisations who participated.“The uptick in rough sleepers is a stark reminder of the homelessness and housing crisis we face, and an urgent call to action. “Every person deserves a safe place to call home, and the NSW Government is working tirelessly with our partners to provide the support and resources we need to make this a reality.“Through Homes NSW, we expanded our assertive outreach teams and working hand in hand with community organisations, housing providers and all levels of government to address the root causes of homelessness.“We’re reforming the system, planning for the future and thanks to our record investment in the Building Homes for NSW program we’re delivering more homes to ensure that no one is left behind.“We are determined to work to drive down homelessness and as we continue to innovate and expand our efforts to provide more safe, secure and affordable housing for all.”

Former Meat and Livestock Australia’s managing director, Jason String, is bullish about the state and resilience of the country’s beef industry.“Recent discussions about tariffs is a really good example of where something gets made out to be this terrible challenge and disaster, but what people forget is how resilient the red meat industry, and in particular the beef industry, has been,” Mr Strong said.His main message to Norco Primex’s Future in Livestock panel discussion at Casino next Friday (May 16) will be: ‘Keep calm and carry on. Focus on the opportunities.“Over the last generation, we’ve transitioned from unreliable, low-quality products to a really high-quality, consistent product that now has preferential access into all the major markets of our world,” he said.“It’s been about people wanting to better understand where their food comes from and, in the same way, producers have been very proactive in identifying better ways to produce a high-quality product, so there’s been very much reward for that effort.”Mr Strong believes there are great opportunities ahead of the red meat industry while understanding there will be challenges. “But everyone’s got to remember we are incredibly resilient and very good at dealing with challenges. You can’t ignore the risks but focus on the opportunities.”He said there was still room for improvement in export programs and cattle productivity, likening the industry to a new race car that’s only done a couple of warm-up laps to date.“There’s a huge opportunity for us to implement things we know that will increase our productivity and efficiency, and there’s also opportunities into those high-quality markets. We’re a lot more connected to a very discerning, high-quality global consumer then we’ve ever been before. How we exploit that is really important.”Mr Strong will be joined at the Norco Primex - Meat and Livestock Australia’s panel discussion at the Casino RSM Club on Friday, May 16, by two other MLA Ambassadors _ Mackas Australian Black Angus Beef producer Robert MacKenzie and Agriculture Jobs Auswide's Zoe Carter.The three panellists, with a range of industry experiences, will provide insights into current topics and issues for Australia’s red meat industry _ from environmental policies to marketing to finding the right farm staff.“Our Future in Livestock is an event exclusive to eastern Australia, aimed at helping producers understand the next steps to drive profitability and productivity on-farm,” says Primex director Bruce Wright.“Issues such as staffing, production costs and efficiencies, what measures need to be taken on government and environmental policies, who’ll drive the next generation of farm and production practices plus the latest on-farm research and technologies will all be up for discussion.”Sustainable practices on Mr MacKenzie's 6500-hectare property in the Hunter Valley have improved productivity and profit in recent seasons while producing an excess of carbon credits. Now the MacKenzies are keen to share Macka’s Australian Black Angus experiences.“Part of our commitment to the beef industry is to just tell our story and let people know that sustainability is achievable and in some ways equals profitability,” Robert says.“We want to support others, show what worked for us, how it worked, and hopefully give other producers the confidence to start on a sustainable journey.”Ms Carter, 26, started Young Aussie Farmers seven years ago to offer online courses _ built for firstyear farmers _ with advice and information on how to enter the agricultural industry. And her Agricultural Jobs Auswide showcases job openings that encourage applications from first year job seekers.Ms Carter says while some farmers believe ‘no-one wants to work’, she sees hundreds of applications for many first-year jobs advertised on her website.“People say they want people with experience, well, why don’t they train someone up, train the worker they want? Most of the time, you train someone up, and you’ve got a good environment, they’ll stick around for years,” she said.Among Ms Carter’s advice for first-time job seekers in the beef business is to look for work in the dairy industry, a more controlled environment for working with cattle.This year’s Norco Primex field days also celebrates 130 years of Norco _ the Australian-owned dairy co-operative founded in Byron Bay in 1895 _ and its continued engagement with agriculture across the Northern Rivers.The Norco sites will host two days of sessions on Buffalo Fly control, drench and worm resistance, animal nutrition and pasture management.Norco Agrisolutions manager Luke Couch said Primex provided Norco with a unique platform to connect directly with customers. The company has partnered with Primex for more than 10 years to showcase Norco’s product range and solutions for farmers.“Primex has become the highlight of the year for us and customers alike. It’s where we come together to celebrate innovation, share knowledge and forge deeper connections with those we serve,” Mr Couch said.Now in its 41st year, Primex is one of Australia’s largest agribusiness events, showcasing leading brands and suppliers to the agricultural, forestry, fishing and natural resources industry sectors, along with Paddock to Plate experiences and entertainment. Exhibitors range from heavy machinery dealers to rural health professionals.Our Future in Livestock will be held on Friday May 16 from 6.30pm at the Casino RSM Club. Tickets include an introductory drink and nibbles in addition to the panel presentation and industry networking.The 2025 Norco Primex opens 9am to 4pm on Thursday, May 15, Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. Tickets can be bought online _ for a 30 per cent discount _ or at the gates. One-day pass $20; three-day pass $45. Children under 12 free; 12- 17 day pass $10 + three-day pass $20. Student/pensioner one-day pass $10; three-day pass $20.For more information, check www.primex.net.au

Lismore and the Northern Rivers have always had their fair share of volunteers to thank for helping the community during times of need, especially since February 2022. Think SES, Red Cross, Resilient Lismore, Lions Club and The Salvos, to name but a few.Now, you are urged to shine a light on the state’s dedicated and brave volunteers through the inaugural NSW Emergency Volunteer of the Year award.This award is the first of its kind in NSW, designed to recognise all types of volunteers who have made an exceptional contribution to the NSW community during times of crisis.The award is delivered as part of the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, which are run by the Centre for Volunteering – the peak body for volunteering in NSW.The award is open to emergency services volunteers, but also community groups and individuals who volunteer to support their community to prepare for, respond to, or recover from disasters.Nominations can be submitted for anyone who volunteers in association with an emergency services organisation, a community-based organisation, a non-government organisation, or unaffiliated with any organisation.This initiative follows the announcement earlier this year of the Premier’s Flood Emergency Citation, ensuring that the unique and vital contributions of emergency responders and volunteers during major NSW flood events between 2021 and 2023 are recognised.Individuals or volunteer teams can be nominated for the NSW Emergency Volunteer of the Year award across emergency prevention, preparation, response, or recovery efforts.Nominations can be submitted before 5pm on Friday, 23 May 2025.To nominate, visit: https://www.volunteering.com.au/awards/about-the-awards/Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “This award improves the recognition of not only volunteers from emergency services organisations, but also informal volunteers and other community organisations. It’s just one way to let your local emergency volunteers know their dedication and contribution don’t go unnoticed.“Our dedicated volunteers across NSW provide emergency support for people when they’re most in need. They’re often first on the scene, protecting and caring for us when we need it most.“Almost everyone knows someone who gives their time as an emergency volunteer. I urge you to go online and take the time to nominate them for this important award.”Minister with responsibility for volunteering Jodie Harrison said, “Volunteers come from all walks of life and represent the beating heart of communities across NSW.“Volunteers deserve to know they are valued, and that’s why this award matters.“We know volunteers don’t work hard for accolades, they do it because they are committed to building better communities and helping those in need.”Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said, “The Centre welcomes the additional support this year of NSW emergency services, which highlights just how important these awards are to the state.“Volunteers are always there to provide care, support, and lifesaving response during floods, storms, and fire across our beaches and water ways.“This is a wonderful initiative of the NSW Government, and we look forward to meeting many of the inspiring emergency volunteers at our regional ceremonies later in the year.”

May is the month that thousands of locals from all over the Northern Rivers start heading to the coast for at least one day in the hope of spotting whales on their annual migratory route north.The whale watching season runs from May to November along what is commonly called the Humpback Highway, as over 40,000 whales head north, wowing spectators from 4 to 84 as they playfully break the water and surge into the air with cameras at the ready and binoculars glued to eyes..The most common whales sighted are the humpback and southern right, but you could also spot orcas, blue whales, minke whales and sperm whales.The reason for the migration is that whales move from the cold, nutrient-rich waters of Antarctica to the warmer breeding grounds near the Great Barrier Reef.The peak viewing times are typically around the end of June and throughout July, when the highest numbers of whales can be seen from the NSW coastline.National Parks has a Top 10 list of the best places to watch the migration:North Head walking track in Brunswick Heads Nature ReserveCape Byron Lighthouse in Cape Byron State Conservation AreaBroken Head picnic area in Broken Head Nature ReserveCape Byron Information Centre in Cape Byron State Conservation AreaThree Sisters walking track (Broken Head) in Broken Head Nature ReserveTallow Beach in Arakwal National ParkPalm Valley in Cape Byron State Conservation AreaIluka Bluff lookout in Bundjalung National ParkCaptain Cook lookout and picnic area in Cape Byron State Conservation AreaBroadwater Beach picnic area in Broadwater National ParkMore information can be found for each viewing point by clicking here.If you intend to use a boat or watercraft to go whale watching, you are reminded to always maintain a safe distance from the whales. Follow local guidelines and respect the marine environment.

Lismore City Council is undertaking more Flood Restoration works in the CBD, beginning in May and ending in July, as they continue to replace items damaged in 2022.These works will see a rollout of safety assets, such as bollards and tactile ground surface indicators (aka tactiles) that will also improve the look of the CBD block in line with Council's updated style guide.Council says that once completed, these upgrades will bring benefits to both pedestrians and road users, enhancing safety and boosting the visual appeal of the Lismore CBD.Works will progressively take place along Woodlark and Molesworth Streets between May and July, with temporary slow/start traffic operations as needed.Around the same time, a replacement bus shelter will be constructed at John Crowther Carpark, near the corner of Dawson and Woodlark Streets.Council warn that increased noise, dust and vibrations may be experienced during the works, though crews will do their best to minimise disruption to the community.Specific dates, times and locations will be communicated directly to businesses and organisations in proximity to the works.

The Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative (NRWI) is well underway with projects coming online across the region in riparian restoration and catchment revegetation, landscape rehydration, redesigned floodplain drainage and soil health improvements. A community planting took place last Friday (May 2) to help plant 400 rainforest trees near the confluence of the Wilsons River and Coopers Creek, in close proximity to the Boatharbour Nature Reserve. The event was attended by Boatharbour Landcare, Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy, Rous staff, including Phillip Rudd, General Manager, and members of Rous’ governing body, Cr Steve Krieg and Cr Eva Ramsey. Anthony Acret, Catchment and Cultural Awareness Manager at Rous, noted the importance of riparian restoration as part of the NRWI. Riparian restoration and catchment revegetation works will provide benefits to water quality and natural flood mitigation through reducing erosion, increasing resilience of riverbanks and acting as a natural barrier to slow the flow of floodwater across the landscape,” said Anthony Acret. “We are pleased to see the community turn out to help plant trees as part of the initiative and here in support of the program.” The NRWI highlights the valuable collaboration between councils and organisations across the Northern Rivers, all working together toward shared goals, according to Phillip Rudd, General Manager, Rous. “The Boatharbour planting day emphasises our community’s support for the NRWI and the long-term benefits that natural restoration projects can bring to our region’s ecosystems and river systems,” said Phillip Rudd. “Speaking on behalf of the NRWI partners, we are grateful for the $5M grant from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, championed by Janelle Saffin MP, to launch the NRWI over two years.” Originally designed as a $150 million project across the region, the NRWI is a catchment and estuary restoration program endorsed by the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (NRJO) to address ecosystem health, water security and flood risk issues across the Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond and Evans River systems. The NRWI was originally created through partnerships between Whian Whian Landcare, Lismore City Council's Floodplain Risk Management Committee and Rous. The Northern Rivers Joint Organisation and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin were integral in advocating for the NRWI, which is being led by Rous in partnership with six local councils (Ballina Shire Council, Byron Shire Council, Kyogle Council, Lismore City Council, Richmond Valley Council and Tweed Shire Council), North Coast Local Land Services and the Casino Food Coop. About Rous County CouncilRous is an organisation of experts and advisors supplying the Northern Rivers with water, weed biosecurity, and rural flood mitigation. Water: Rous sources, stores, treats and supplies water to the Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley councils. These councils then on-sell this water to their communities. Rous is proud to provide high-quality drinking water to approximately 110,000 people in the region.Weed biosecurity: Rous protects the region’s biodiversity by managing and eradicating high-risk weed species. We work closely with communities and councils in Ballina, Byron, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Kyogle and Tweed Shire regions.Rural flood mitigation: Rous manages the rural flood mitigation for the Richmond River floodplain. This includes monitoring and managing an 80km network of levees, 750 floodgates, and 180km of drains to reduce inundation and divert flood waters.

Running a business, small, medium or large, can be very challenging, especially here in Lismore and the Northern Rivers when you consider the natural disaster factor.A new course called Business Beyond Disasters launches today and runs for 10 weeks. It is designed for the extremely busy lives of owners and managers alike, and will be open until the end of the year.CEO of Resilient Ready, Renae Hanvin, told the Lismore App that the microlearning program is free for all businesses and nonprofits operating across the Northern Rivers."Each week, we issue out a new module which has a different topic. It's all focused on learning how to build resilience in your business or nonprofit in five-minute intervals. I know that, as a small business person myself, it's hard to find the time in the headspace to think about preparing for disruptions, so we've broken it down into little things that can be done in five-minute intervals."Each of the modules has some questions just to prompt your thinking; really simple questions. We've got really simple worksheets so you can print them out or fill them out online, catch up with the business person next door to again get you thinking about how to better prepare, and they also have a local case study video. So these are sort of about five-minute videos, which are with local Northern Rivers business people, and they share their experiences relating to each of the module topics." As an example, Renae spoke about filming Brad and Steve from the Goat Collective last week. The Lismore-based operation talks about competitor collaborations."They actually met as two competitors working in the rebuild after the flood recovery," Renae explained, "And they worked sort of side-by-side for 12 months, and then thought we should just go into business together, so now they're a great example of working together." The Business Beyond Disasters is not just focused on natural disasters; it deals with various disruptions to businesses, such as an economic downturn or a COVID-type scenario."The sort of impacts to your business is pretty much 80% going to be the same. So, the topics that we look at are things like the 80/20 rule, how you can plan for all types of disruptions at once? We look at your essential operation, so what are the baseline parts of your business that you need to make sure you can safely keep trading?"We look at operating through disasters, like what things can you set up so if you need to operate from a different premises or again connecting to see some competitors and get those plans sorted; essential information, so the likes of your insurance premiums or other customer or client data. How do you get them when it's all being a bit disrupted?"Insurance, I know lots of people hate talking about insurance. It's complex. It's boring, it's expensive. Some people can't get it. We've got a great case study from a local insurance advisor who's been in the business for 56 years in the Northern Rivers and Mike's got some awesome knowledge to share with people about the choices you can make."We look at financial viability. Again, don't put your head in the bucket; go and get help, there's help out there, because if your cash flow is not working and you're going back financially, that has major consequences both personally and professionally."We look at evacuation triggers, so if you know what the warning signs are for all types of disruptions, and disasters can bring opportunities. Whilst a lot of businesses we have spoken to have, I hate the word, but pivoted and are now doing some great things as an outcome of disruptions."The Business Beyond Disaster program was designed by Renae back in 2021 with different communities in NSW, including Lismore. They have been run in Kangaroo Island, south of Adelaide, and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria with a large take-up and positive results."Disaster preparedness and thinking about your business operations is not necessarily what you wake up to do every morning, but the results have been really great. Some people have actually changed their whole business structures because looking at things like financial liability, they've realised that they've got one revenue stream and that's a major risk, so they've diversified revenue streams. "We have a whole plethora of modules with about 50 module topics. In Yeppoon in Queensland, they had a module on Can't Keep Going and the data told us that 25% of those businesses wanted to close their doors, which is pretty alarming for a regional town. So, we then got to look at why and realised they just needed help with a bit of marketing, and again, things like diversifying revenue streams."Each module has two questions that we ask, and we share that back with the funders, which is Reconstruction New South Wales, so they can see what the trends are and look to do things to enhance it. So, like the Yeppoon example, where they were telling us that they were thinking about closing down. We did some workshops and got them some support in some key areas, and as a result, not many of them shut down, which is a great outcome." There are five specific versions of the Business Beyond Disaster program depending on the type of your business:Retail, professional services and educationAgribusiness and aqua businessTourismHealth and social servicesConstruction, trade and manufacturing.  More information can be found at the Reconstruction Authority (RA) website.You can sign up for the 10-week program by clicking here. Business Beyond Disasters is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the NSW Government. 

The Salvation Army's Red Shield Appeal is celebrating sixty-one years of national fundraising that helps people in local communities who are having a tough time, including some students at Lismore and Goonellabah Public Schools.The Red Shield Appeal has changed quite a bit since COVID ran rampant through the country in 2020. What once had been an annual doorknock, traditionally in the last week in May, has turned into a digital doorknock fundraising event that includes June as well.Captain Philip Sutcliffe from the Northern Rivers Salvos said people can create their own fundraising page on the Salvos website, plus they will still be out and about in the community."We're just kicking off the appeal, and our biggest focus around here will be the last two weeks of May. We'll be out at different events and shopping centre locations. We'll be collecting out at Primex, and then we'll cover Ballina Fair, Alstonville Plaza, and Lismore Square throughout the last couple of weeks of May. And then we've got a number of other events that we'll be fundraising at. We've got some schools on board who are doing fundraisers, barbecues, and things like that as well."For those worried that the money raised in Lismore and the Northern Rivers will be sent out of the area, Capt Sutcliffe wants to make it clear that all money raised here will stay here."The money that's fundraised locally stays local, and that's been a huge change for us, and the way that we can actually deliver programs and services here."So, we have a number of key projects that our Red Shield Appeal money goes to across the region. We cover Richmond Valley, Lismore, Ballina and Byron LGA's (local government areas)."Down in Ballina, we do a free community barbecue every Wednesday, and we're seeing about 100 people come through every week now. We provide a barbecue lunch, coffee and other things like that.""There's a really wide mix of people who are coming down there, and obviously, other people smell the barbecue and come across. We're in a good location down in Ballina, opposite the bus interchange there, so we get a lot of people coming through who just want to stop by and have a feed and have someone to chat to on Wednesday."On top of the weekly Wednesday barbecue, Capt Sutcliffe and the team deliver hot meals on Sunday nights."We go out and deliver them to those sleeping rough around the Ballina community. We've been delivering between 40 and 50 hot meals every Sunday night to the community. So, that's where our Red Shield money is at work, down in the Ballina community.(Auxiliary-Lieutenant Soseh Cowham (front left) with volunteers Carolyn (back left), Vicki (back right) and Dianna, cooking meals to deliver to people experiencing homelessness. Photo: supplied)"Here in Lismore and Goonellabah, we've been supporting a couple of local public schools with long-life food packs to help students. We found both of those schools have a lot of students going without lunch, and obviously, when you've got an empty stomach, it's hard to concentrate and hard to learn."So, in partnership with those two public schools, we've been able to provide about 100 lunch packs every term, which the teachers can distribute to students, and give them something healthy to eat.(Caption - Salvos Stores Area Managers help Northern Rivers Salvos pack 200 Food Packs for local Public Primary Schools. Photo: supplied) "We've also heard stories back from the schools that sometimes they're actually sending those packs home with them as well, so the students have got something to eat at nighttime as well. It's really heartbreaking in the world that we live in, with so much availability of food and so much food wastage, that there's people in our community who are going without. So, wherever we can help there, it's fantastic."The money also helps subsidise our low-cost Food Pantry, so we can keep the prices very low. And when people are struggling to even be able to afford to buy groceries out of the pantry, we provide vouchers that people can then go and shop in the food pantry, and all of that comes out of our Red Shield money."The biggest project we do is obviously our Christmas Cheer Appeal. So, what we fundraise in May goes to help buy all our toys, food hampers, and vouchers that we distribute at Christmas time. Last year, we had 285 families and nearly 500 kids who got assistance during our Christmas Cheer Appeal, so that on Christmas day, they had a hamper of food and toys under the Christmas tree, so that they could have a fantastic Christmas Day."(Northern Rivers Salvos - Christmas Toy Warehouse, helping provide Toys and hampers for 450 Local kids at Christmas. Photo: supplied)If you would like to donate money to help local children, families and those in need, click here to go through the website or look for The Salvos at the upcoming local events and at shopping centres.For those who fundraise over $500 on The Salvation Army's Door Knock page, you will be sent a pair of Salvation Army socks.

Last Wednesday (April 30) was International Guide Dog Day. A day when Guide Dogs NSW/ACT shone a light on the local hospitality venues and businesses, helping to build a more accessible and inclusive world for people with low vision and blindness.The new Guide Dog campaign is called ‘Is Inclusion on Your Menu?’ Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is not only raising awareness of the legal rights of Guide Dog handlers, but also celebrating the cafes, restaurants, and community spaces that are already doing it right.While research reveals that 80% of Australians living with low vision or blindness experience barriers to public access, and that cafés and restaurants are among the most common places where refusals still occur, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is supporting business action access strategies to decrease refusals and create an accessible world.Regional communities are leading the charge, where local businesses are actively creating inclusive environments that welcome Guide Dog handlers and value accessibility.Jessica Hough is a client connections specialist with Guide Dogs and is based in the Alstonville office. Jess told the Lismore App that the campaign was about highlighting some of the problems that people who use guide dogs experience when they access hospitality venues."Anecdotally, of course, this is much more of an issue in more built-up areas. It seems that in the Northern Rivers, everybody's a little bit more relaxed and happy to take the time to learn how to be good at including people. "I would say that by and large, in the Northern Rivers, even though there's always room for improvement, we are very, very lucky to have a really good, inclusive, open-minded hospitality Industry.For any readers who are in the hospitality game, below are Jess' Top 4 tips on how to look after somebody who is vision impaired:If a person who is blind or has low vision comes to your venue, introduce yourself and don’t be afraid to ask how you can help them.Announce the items you bring to the table such as menus, drinks or meals.Offer to explain what is on the table using the clock-face method, eg “your drink is at two o’clock.If a person has a guide dog, provide all your attention to the person and ignore the guide dog.Jess acknowledges that point four can be very difficult to uphold. After all, who doesn't love to pet a dog?"It is honestly so hard. It's so hard. They're so cute and gorgeous, and well-behaved, and you just really want to pat them, but when they're working. It's really important to the person who is the dog handler that this dog is paying attention. It's about their safety. It's a safety issue."So, it's just really important that, as hard as it is, ignore that dog. Do not pat it."So, in Lismore and the Northern Rivers, which businesses are best at looking after a vision-impaired person?"We chose to celebrate International Guide Dog at Swish in Ballina because they just do such a good job. Their staff are really on the ball and they go the extra mile, like bringing the points of sale to the table rather than having people go to the counter, things like that."It was really, really close though between Swish and The Bank in Lismore, because they are also just so good at it."It doesn't matter what time you go in or what staff member you get; they immediately understand that you have got a vision impairment and go right into adjusting their serving style to meet your needs. And it's just really nice to be able to go to a venue and feel welcome. It's an easy process because getting around with blindness and low vision can be very challenging, so it's nice to be able to just be part of the community and for it to be a seamless, nice experience."If any business owner or manager would like help to improve their vision-impaired customer experience, feel free to contact Jess."They can definitely reach out to us in the Alstonville office, to reach out to me specifically. We have a brochure that's really simple, but staff can read and digest it very quickly."The hospitality industry is not a slow-paced one, so it's designed to make it easy for the staff to get a handle on it. So, they are absolutely welcome to contact me and I'll email them a brochure or I'll pop in and see them and give them one."To get in touch, email connections@guidedogs.com.au or call 02 9412 9489. You can leave a message.