Local young swimmers Niquola White, 15, and Sophie Mayes, 14 were both celebrated for their sporting achievements yesterday at an award ceremony with Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan.Niquola and Sophie both train on the swim team at Lismore's Trinity Catholic College with their coach Simon Watkins.They were two of 20 local teenagers who received a local Sporting Champions program grant of between $550-$750 and were presented by Mr Hogan with a certificate in recognition of their achievements.The students at the award ceremony.“You are elite sportspeople,” Mr Hogan told the young people at the ceremony. “You have excelled yourselves representing our community on the national and state stage.”Niquola swims freestyle and backstroke and loves racing and she said she made three personal best times when she swam at the State championships in Homebush, Sydney last year. “I swam 50 metres in 28.4 seconds,” Niquola said.The path to being an athlete can be expensive, with the students and their families incurring travel costs to attend events, so receiving the grant money was a big help to the girls and their families. “The State championships were a week-long and we needed to pay for accommodation as well and flights to get there and back,” Niquola said. The two girls train at least four mornings a week before going to school, and sometimes train on weekends too.“I get up at 5.15am, then I’m at the pool by 5.45am and swimming by 6am,” Sophie said.“I love the feel of the water – swimming really wakes me up, so it’s not a problem at school, but I do get a bit tired by the end of the week.”Sophie said her personal best swim time so far was 50 metres in 28.2 seconds. The commitment of the girls’ parents to taking the girls to training early every morning was another feat that was recognised by the awarding of the grant money.Kalani Franklin, 13, also received an award for representing the State in under 13s Hockey.  Pictured here with his grandmother Doreen Stabb and sister Aysha Franklin.Mr Hogan said the Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport.“Our region has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent,” he said.“Unfortunately succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination – parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions.“I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with financial support through these grants.“Sport is important in the development of young people: it teaches them life-long skills like teamwork, keeps them fit and healthy, and allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy.“I encourage any budding champions out there who have the opportunity of competing at a state, national or international event to apply for a grant.“With the Tokyo Olympics 184 days away, I want to ensure our local Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams and represent Australia in Paris 2024 or LA 2028.”The other recipients of the Sporting Champions awards are as follows:Rugby Union: Thomas Ainsworth and Bryce Spencer.Hockey Abby: Brunton, Kalani Franklin and Tahlia Halliday  Swimming: Niquola White, Sophie Mayes                Athletics: Natalia Hickling, Meggan Ellis, Isaiah Freeburn and Jessica Mckie       Cricket: Darcy Heffernan and Timothy Martin        Gymnastics:   Chloe Leeson    Football (Soccer): Zcharie Hartley and Ederyn Rankin       Canoeing: Declan Ellis         Surfing: Connor Snyman-Mulder     Tennis: Sarah Martin and Amy Martin   For more information about the program, go to http://Ourwww.ausport.gov.au

The new public water refill station in Lake St, North Lismore, near the Lismore Saleyards, is already being put to good use.Rous County Council (RCC) told The Lismore App that the new North Lismore public water refill station was used between 20 to 30 times per day until the rainy weekend last weekend - and the frequency was increasing.For domestic use only, it’s one of two new public stations being built by the local water authority to alleviate the time delays of having a water carter bring drinking water to your water tank.Today, Friday January 24, RCC's website listed the Emigrant Creek Dam level at 64% and the Rocky Creek Dam level at 69%.Rous County Council General Manager, Phillip Rudd said that with a dry outlook for the rest of summer, “it’s vital that we do what we can to ensure people whose tanks are running dry have reliable and easier access to safe drinking water”. “This fill station is a temporary measure to alleviate the pressure placed on water carters during this intense drought,” he said.The new Lismore public fill station is open to the public 24 hours a day and water can be purchased with a credit card and costs $5.75 per 1,000 litres. No licence or account is required for their operation. Customers are required to bring their own container and ensure it is clean, of food grade quality and is only used for the collection and storage of water. Council recommends a 25mm hose outlet to fill containers. Mr Rudd said it is important people maintain clean rainwater tanks and catchment systems for health and safety. “Well maintained rainwater tanks, roofs and gutters are essential for safe drinking water, whether it’s resupplied from a fill station or from rain, and especially during drought conditions when there is more chance of contamination from a build-up of biological matter,” he said.“People should also be aware that debris and ash from bushfires can contaminate tanks.All water that is supplied through fill stations on the Rous County Council network is subject to water level restrictions.A second public fill station is still under construction at Bangalow.The public stations are now part of Rous County Council’s network of designated bulk water filling stations across the supply area of Lismore City, Ballina Shire, Byron Shire and Richmond Valley councils.  There are already 11 stations designated for commercial bulk water carriers, who are required to register with Rous County Council and obtain a 'Permit to draw water from designated water filling stations'. 

UPDATE 12pmMen's Shed President Bob Grieg has told the Lismore App they have had a magnificent response to his call for help yesterday."I want to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers that are helping us move into our new premises in South Lismore", he said, "this means we will be be out of the Showgrounds on time".Original story below.Time is of the essence for Lismore Men’s Shed president Bob Grieg and his team to move their stuff out of the Lismore Showgrounds to their new shed in South Lismore.For eighteen months Lismore Men's Shed has been looking for a new home, then the January 30 deadline that was given two months ago has rushed up on Bob and his men. He wasn’t sure what to do.So, he put up a Facebook message asking for people to come and help, and people started responding. “We were told we had to be out by January 30,” Bob said. We needed to get everything from the old shed at the showground to the new one in South Lismore.“I am 62 years old and not real healthy, most of our members are in the same boat.“We had got a hell of a lot of stuff to get out - cupboards, tools, shelving, timber, chairs, all sorts of stuff.“We were looking for strong, fit blokes who could help us either move the stuff to our new shed or out into a 15 cubic metre skip bin that had been delivered there for our use.”Bob said today, some non-members turned up to give him a hand, but that there is still some stuff to be moved.“If anyone has time over the next couple of days to help, it would be great,” Bob said. “We will be there under the main grandstand at Showgrounds every day until it is done.“We are a charitable organisation - like all Men's Sheds, we are here for blokes to get together and help each other when that Black Dog comes nipping at our heels.If you would like to help, phone Bob on 0404 860 504.

Twelve new interns have joined the ranks at Lismore Base Hospital this week, among 32 junior doctors launching their medical careers in the Northern Rivers. The interns have come to Lismore through the Rural Preferential Recruitment Pathway, which supports them to do their first two years of on-the-job medical training at a regional hospital in NSW. Lismore-born Karly Potts is returning to her roots after studying in Queensland. “It’s a real privilege to come back to a vibrant place that is my home, and to be able to access these great opportunities,” Karly said. “Lismore was my first preference, and I’ve got a good feeling about the year ahead.” For Myra Pritchett, being able to pursue her medical career in Lismore also means she can stay close to home, having lived in the Northern Rivers for 27 years and raised her three children here. “I feel very fortunate that I can be supported to stay here and further my training, while still being near my family,” Myra said. Over the next two years, the interns will have a chance to develop their skills in a wide range of medical specialties, including surgery, emergency medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatry and orthopaedics. The junior doctors will learn their trade alongside expert consultants with years of experience in the medical profession. “Lismore Base Hospital has a great reputation with junior doctors as a place to learn and develop, thanks to the dedicated input of our specialist staff, and our nursing and allied health professionals,” Dr Tim Williams, Northern NSW LHD Executive Director of Medical Services, said. “These junior doctors have demonstrated a commitment to rural medicine, and are potentially our local specialist staff of the future.” The Tweed Hospital also has 18 intern positions, bringing the total to 32 for Northern NSW Local LHD. The NSW Government is investing $107 million in the internship program this year.Since 2011, intern positions in NSW have increased by 257 or 33%.Interns rotate through metropolitan, regional or rural hospitals, as well as General Practices.NSW guarantees intern positions to all domestic medical graduates of NSW universities, and provides internships to many graduates from interstate universities.

If you are heading out on the road this Australia Day long weekend, remember that double demerits are in place for four days.Double demerits start Friday, January 24 and run through to Monday, January 27(inclusive). The double demerit points period applies from midnight of the start date to midnight on the finish date. Double demerit points apply for speeding, seat belt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences during all holiday periods such as long weekends, Christmas, New Year and Easter. Drivers caught using their phones during a double demerit period can expect to be hit with the fine as well as up to 10 demerits. The NRMA’s Can't talk. Driving. report reveals that over one-in-five (21%) of drivers have been involved in a near-miss behind the wheel because the other driver was using the phone while driving.As of 17 September 2018, drivers who use a mobile phone illegally are penalised five demerit points. During double demerit periods, drivers who break the rules will be penalised 10 demerit points – a huge amount when the threshold on unrestricted licences is 13 points.Changed traffic conditions on Pacific Highway at WoodburnMotorists are advised of changed traffic conditions on the Pacific Highway at Woodburn in northern NSW with heavy traffic expected over the Australia Day long weekend.Increased traffic in the area is likely from Friday 24 to Monday 27 January.You are advised to plan their journey, allow extra travel time and follow the direction of all signs.Transport for NSW thanks the Woodburn community and motorists for their patience during this time.For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701. Please drive safely and take extra care on the roads.

Lismore City Council is seeking passionate Aboriginal people to join its Aboriginal Advisory Group. The Aboriginal Advisory Group provides advice and guidance to Council on a variety of issues, including projects and services that affect Aboriginal communities.The group meets quarterly and members discuss reports coming to Council that may affect Aboriginal people. If you are a proud and passionate Aboriginal person who resides in the Lismore Local Government Area and who would like to make a difference locally, Council urges you to nominate today.For further information, phone Sandra Campbell on 1300 87 83 87.People can nominate at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au until 5pm, Friday, February 14.

The trees are growing, and so are the weeds. So, it’s time to help Wilsons River Landcare volunteers pull them up.This Saturday, January 25, from 9-11am, everyone is welcome to come to the tree planting area at Simes Bridge and give them a hand.Landcare volunteer Kristen Den Exter said the growth rates of the 2000 trees already planted “are incredible”.“The trees we planted in July last year are as tall as me,” she said. “But the weeds are growing too, so it’s a perfect time to weed. “It’s hot, but the soil is beautiful and it’s easy to hand-pull the young castor oil plants and grass that are coming though.”The trees were planted at the National Tree Day and Big Scrub Rainforest Day plantings in July and December last year.Thanks to the recent rains, Kristen said they don’t have to worry about irrigating the trees anymore.“So, we have pulled up our irrigation off the riverbank,” she said.“The volunteers through the drought were pumping water from the river using a fire pump and into the irrigation system.”If you are coming along to the event, bring gloves and drinking water – it’s humid and we want to stay hydrated,” Kristen said.“We have a call out for wheelbarrows and buckets so we can move the mulch the Council has delivered us onto the trees after we weed and mow.“We are so happy with how the baby trees are doing. They are ready to power on.”The weeding day will take place at Simes Park, in North Lismore, opposite the greyhound track on Winterton Parade.Read more: SUNDAY PROFILE: Landcare volunteer Kristen den Exter

Lovemore Fermentary owner Carly Privet is passionate about food and ferment.Gaining a reputation as the ‘ferment mother’, she’s getting ready to expand her café menu and fermented food range in her North Lismore café.While she opened the shop nearly a year ago, Carly has been in a battle with the local Council to get her café approved. Finally, she’s jumped through the hoops and she’s ready to expand the café.“We are a brunch café and want to do a lot more in the kitchen," she told The Lismore App. "We serve the food I like to eat - like things on toast or in a bowl."The food she serves is organic and mostly plant based, but eggs are on the menu and soon Carly will be serving sustainably sourced wild boar ham from Queensland.Carly has making food with traditional ferment methods since she started fermenting at home in 2017.“It’s important that we eat fermented food like yoghurt and kraut and organic veges - it helps the bacteria in your gut to digest your food,” she said."There’s a brain/gut connection that we are only learning more about now. Your gut is a compost making the soil that your body’s garden needs to thrive."When you eat it, your well being is heightened. I have a lot of customers come in who have been told by doctors to eat this sort of food. They have a hard time at first trusting that its safe for them.”Carly’s sauerkraut she sells from the shop - and at the Thursday Market in the CBD - is made from cabbage which has been fermented in water and salt for 30 days.“It’s raw and unpasteurised with a lacto-fermentation method,” she said.Carly selling sauerkraut at the Thursday Market in the Lismore CBD.“The pink kraut is the most approachable – it’s cabbage and caraway seeds and it goes with everything. The golden kraut has turmeric, the green kraut has gotu kola.“We also have salty, crunchy kim chee made with miso handmade in Kyogle.”And then there’s the macadamia vegan cheese, made with biodynamic nuts sourced from Nimbin - which Carly says is a “labour of love”.Carly’s journey with food started when she was growing up."My parents owned a pub in a rural town in Western Australia and I spent time in the kitchen and went on to work in hospitality in Perth and was a chef in Melbourne,” she said.“I grew up on fish, chips, coke and ice cream. I struggled with mental and physical health issues, then I read a book about fermentation and started to incorporate fermented foods into my life.“Then I slowly began to change.”She went on to study nutrition and developed a love of “simple, traditional food” that could improve people’s health and lives.After a stint of travelling, Carly found her home in Lismore.“I bought a house on Terania Street - I feel like North Lismore chose me,” she said.“There was something bigger cosmically happening and I wanted to give some love back to North Lismore.“This café is my offering.”Carly is looking forward to seeing her business grow and expanding her product range.“It’s like raising a baby – I’m really looking forward to getting it out there,” she said.Lovemore Fermentary is located at 59 Bridge Street, North Lismore and is open 7.30am until 2.30pm Tuesday to Saturday.

If you’re ready to go bush for the long weekend, the good news is that North Coast State forests are again open to visitors.There are some exceptions though, with Braemar, Bungawalbin, Broadwater and Woodburn State Forests among those forests still closed.NSW Forestry said the recent widespread rainfall and increased humidity have meant many coastal State forests from Sydney to the Queensland border are reopening today, Wednesday January 22.Forestry Corporation's Senior Manager of Forest Stewardship, Kathy Lyons said “many of these State forests have been closed to the public since last November due to increased fire risk”.“Visitor sites have been checked by Forestry staff in preparation for the reopening,” Ms Lyons said."There are still some smaller burnt areas in the reopening forests, and we ask visitors to keep out of any burnt areas and not to stop their vehicles in these areas."While we have worked to make these areas safer there may still be unforeseen tree hazards."It will be great to have our visitors back to spend time in nature, and also support local small businesses on their way.”Unfortunately, there are a number of forests that will remain closed due to the impact of the fires.Forestry Corporation staff are currently assessing damage to road infrastructure and identifying dangerous roadside trees in these areas."Safety of our forest visitors is paramount and we ask people to avoid closed forests as we assess and repair risks," Ms Lyons said.The solid fuel fire ban has also been lifted for the North Coast State forests.A full list of State forests and their status is available at http://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visitFor a full list of open forests, visit https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/closures/widespread-closures-bushfires

Lorraine Gordon has been announced as the 2020 Australia Day Ambassador for Lismore.In 2018, she was named Rural Community Leader of the Year for Australia and last year was a finalist for Australian of the Year for her work with farmers.“We are thrilled to have Lorraine as our Australia Day Ambassador,” Lismore City Mayor Isaac Smith said.“Lorraine has a long list of accomplishments to her name and we are honoured to welcome her as our guest on the day, give an Australia Day address and help present our 2020 Australia Day Awards.”“As a council, we see further developing our Agri-economy as one of Lismore’s six key economic opportunities – a sector that Lorraine is very passionate and knowledgeable about.”  As Director of the Federal Government’s Farming Together Program, Lorraine has assisted more than 28,500 farmers, fishers and foresters around the country to develop collaborative projects and establish Cooperatives.The Program was an award winner at the 2019 Australian Financial Review Awards and 2019 BHERT Higher Education Engagement Awards.She is also the founder of the National Regenerative Agriculture Alliance based at Southern Cross University. As Director of Strategic Projects at SCU and Associate Director of the University’s Centre for Organic Research, Lorraine acts as a conduit between industry and research, delivering sustainable and regenerative agriculture solutions nationally.Lorraine is a beef cattle trader at Ebor in the New England Tablelands turning off up to 1000 steers per annum and Director of Moffat Falls Pty Ltd and Yaraandoo which operates a number of successful tourism, agricultural, and health businesses in both the New England and North Coast Regions of NSW.Previous positions have included chief executive of Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast, Regional Agribusiness Manager with Westpac Bank, Director of the Graduate Network of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, and Executive Director of Economic Security for Women. Lorraine has also presided on the Small Business Review Panel of the Reserve Bank of Australia. A Graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and previous NSW ABC Rural Woman of the Year Lorraine is currently completing her PhD in Ecological Economics through UNE.The 2020 Australia Day Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, 26 January from 9am at Lismore City Hall. It will include a Citizenship Ceremony and be followed by a free morning tea.

Regional roads and bushfire disaster response were two of the big issues on the table when NSW Shadow Minister for Local Government, MP Greg Warren came to Lismore today.On a listening tour of the Northern Rivers with Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Mr Warren engaged in roundtable discussions with local councils, including Lismore City Council.Mr Warren said that after meeting with Lismore Council, he had heard it had “some serious financial issues to navigate through and they are taking steps to manage that”. “It is deeply disturbing to hear from Lismore Council that it is only now receiving the final payment from State Government for the 2017 floods - nearly three years ago - and that the payment fell well short,” Mr Warren said.“It’s important we have that money in local council pockets so they can use it for recovery efforts from the recent bushfires.”Mr Warren and Ms Saffin both discussed the issue of the State Government taking back control of a number of regional roads and providing funding to maintain them.Mr Warren said there were up to 15,000 kilometres of roads in the local region, across the four local councils in Ms Saffin’s electorate (Lismore City, Kyogle, Tweed Shire and Tenterfield Shire), and that the government was slow to make any commitment about funding them.“There is no certainty, but there is some loose language from the government about that commitment,” he said. “The government needs to clarify what they will be doing with those roads and provide councils and communities with certainty,” he said.Lismore City Council has identified a number of priority council roads they would like to see under State Government control, including Wyrallah Road, Nimbin Road, Kyogle Road, Dunoon Road, Blue Knob Road and Coraki Road.Ms Saffin said the taking back of responsibility of these local regional roads was a State Government election process and she had written to NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole last October, asking when his independent expert panel would be appointed and how councils will have to justify priority roads under new arrangements.“I also asked for a commitment that local councils would be able to use their own road gangs so that the employment would stay here, and it wouldn’t be contracted out beyond our regions,” Ms Saffin said.“I also put forward a list of identified roads from the four councils in my electorate of Lismore.“I got correspondence back from the minister saying it’s complex, we haven’t set up the panel yet and he does recognise the concern I expressed about keeping local workers in jobs - but there’s no commitment and certainty around it. “These roads are costly for local councils to upkeep.“All of us complain about roads and potholes - we do want the state government to take back financial responsibility for the maintenance of them - but we also want to make sure the jobs are kept local.”With no timeframe given on the rollout, Ms Saffin said “it’s frustrating - but I don’t give up.”Mr Warren said the ongoing cost shifting from the NSW State Government to local governments to provide needed infrastructure and services has already amounted to around $900 million.Mr Warren was concerned about how the recovery process is going following bushfires which impacted on the Nimbin area last year.“The feedback I’m getting from community is that the disaster response from government has not been quick enough,” he said. “I want to see immediate funding made available in the right places.“The devastation suffered in parts of the North Coast is absolutely heartbreaking.“Regional areas are being left behind - we still have people living in tents here.“But it is inspiring to see how much communities throughout our state – like here – have rallied together to support each other.”During his visit, Ms Saffin also arranged for Mr Warren, who is also the Minister for Veterans, to meet with Lismore RSL Sub-Branch Vice President Darryl Hawke and Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia Far North Coast (NSW) Sub-Branch Incorporated President Sheldon Maher OAM. 

New environmental research facilities will be built at Southern Cross University to help researchers in the fields of geoscience and biodiversity.Member for Page Kevin Hogan announced today that the Federal Government would provide funding for the world-leading facilities, which includes a facility for 4D habitat modelling that will help researcher’s measure changes in natural habitats and eco-systems over time.The funding includes $580,000 to establish a unique facility that can conduct tandem trace element and isotope analysis; $430,000 to build a custom-made portable spectrometer to measure biogenic volatile organic compounds in coastal waters; and $310,000 for the 4D habitat modelling facility. “This infrastructure will allow Australian researchers to better understand the workings of our landscapes and ecosystems and how we will face future challenges on our resources,” Mr Hogan said. “Researchers will also use the latest drone and underwater image capture equipment to measure changes in marine habitats over time to enhance research into marine biodiversity.” Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the Government was investing in the infrastructure that enabled researchers to conduct world-leading research. “The research done by our universities can lead to the development of new products and innovations that drive job growth, business opportunities and productivity gains,” Mr Tehan said. “That is why our Government is making a significant investment in Australia’s leading-edge research infrastructure. “The research collaborations that are developed through these projects will strengthen research networks throughout Australia and internationally.” The Federal Government is providing $30.7 million to fund 47 new research projects through the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities scheme. More information is available at the ARC website. 

Stylish sandstone barriers that double as seats have replaced the temporary orange crash barriers at the Lismore Quad. The orange barriers were installed as a temporary measure in October after two cars separately jumped the curb and drove across The Quad.Lismore City Council’s Major Recreation and Cultural Facilities Manager Tony Duffy said “the safety of our community comes first and we don't want to run the risk of injury or worse, so the temporary barriers were installed”.The new sandstone barriers that now encircle the Quad were lowered into place last week and leave pedestrian access to the grass and Regional Art Gallery.A boom gate has also been installed for approved vehicle access. “The new sandstone blocks look terrific and are a great improvement from what was there,” Mr Duffy said. “When the temporary ones were installed, a lot of the feedback we got from the community was that they wanted something that could also be used as street furniture. “Not everyone wants to sit on the grass so it’s great that people now have that option.”

Lismore Theatre Company’s home - Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah - was tagged with graffiti last week. But thanks to the newly installed security cameras on the building, the tagger was caught red handed and identified by police.Company member Jenny Dowell said the building had just been freshly renovated and painted and she was “gutted” when she saw it.“We were there for a rehearsal on Saturday at lunchtime and the graffiti was not clearly visible from the street,” Jenny told The Lismore App. “We’d been there two hours before we opened the side doors and saw it and were gutted. “It takes a lot to look after a community facility with volunteers - and having it being freshly painted was distressing.”Lismore Theatre Company president Sharon Brodie said the young person who was identified by the camera footage has been interviewed by the police and rectification action is happening.“It’s a good outcome because the cameras did their job,” Sharon said.  “We were initially vandalised late last year and so we fundraised to install an alarm system and cameras. This time we got pictures of the young person and the police were able to identify them quickly.“Now the young person is taking responsibility for their actions and will be back at theatre painting it over. We have a painter who has offered to support him to do it.“He was apologetic and realised he was acting silly.  Sharon Brodie at the theatre. “It was thanks to the community support we got last year in our fundraising campaign for cameras that we had a good outcome. It meant the situation was dealt with quickly and it really made a difference.”Sharon said the young person is making restitution and wants to meet with the committee and apologise and listen to what they have to say. “So, it’s good news, even though it’s disappointing – he will learn a lesson and it’s a good thing,” she said.Sharon said before the theatre was painted last year, it hadn’t been painted for decades and needed a facelift.“So, we got a cultural grant to fix it up and it was looking great until this young kid thought ‘ah well, blank canvas’ and targeted it.“The cameras were there because someone was setting fires at the theatre. “We had three arson assaults on the building and they were getting worse. The volunteers ended up sleeping at theatre to make sure nothing happened before we had cameras installed.”Lismore Theatre Company requested The Lismore App not to post a picture of the graffiti, as the young person involved is making restitution. 

In response to the devastating bushfires, the Federal Government has announced measures to immediately support impacted small businesses.  Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the current grant allocation of $15,000 is being increased up to $50,000 for affected small businesses.  “We'll also be providing loans of zero interest for two years of up to $500,000 and over 10 years at a concessional rate of what was around about 0.6 per cent on the current rates,” Mr Hogan said. “This is going to save small businesses rebuilding their businesses with working capital and they don't have to have had direct impact of the fires on their business to access these loans.  “That's worth over $100,000 in interest payments they wouldn't have to make. This means that the loan doesn't get bigger; they can just get back on with it. The customers come back and the businesses rebuild and the local towns and communities rebuild with their support. A support line, which will be staffed by trained financial counsellors, will provide information on the assistance and support available to small businesses in bushfire affected regions. The Commissioner of Taxation has agreed to provide a range of assistance measures to businesses in identified bushfire-impacted postcodes to help to alleviate cash flow pressures and assist these businesses with their recovery efforts. While the specialist Support Line is being established, businesses can call 13 28 46 or visit http://www.business.gov.au

After a weekend of significant rainfall, the Lismore Government Area's dams are starting to fill up.The much needed rain that arrived on the weekend saw Lismore receive a total of 168.2 mm of rain - with 128.6mm on Saturday and 38.6mm on Sunday.NSW Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) forecaster Abrar Shabren said over the last three days, Nimbin received 143.2mm and Clothiers Creek received 119mm on Sunday - and predicted more rain showers for today, with possible storms during the week.Local water authority Rous County Council reported today that the Rocky Creek Dam is at 69% capacity and Emigrant Creek Dam is at 61%. Despite the welcome rainfall, Nimbin town’s water supply – which is sourced from DE Williams Dam – is still looking low.With Lismore on Level 2 water restrictions and Nimbin still on Level 3 water restrictions, Lismore City Council Civic Services acting manager Garon Clough said the rain in Nimbin was a significant welcome relief, however the situation has not materially changed. "The level in the dam has risen from 48% to 68% over the last week,” Mr Clough said.“The level in the dam is still below water restriction implementation level of 87% and consumption from the village still exceeds target demand.“The level in DE Williams dam will continue to rise over the coming days as available flow is extracted from Mulgum Creek and the situation is being continuously monitored.”So, what’s planned for the rest of the week as far as weather and temperature goes?Bom forecaster Mr Shabren said there is a coastal front lingering around offshore.“And we will see another one move across in next few days and shower activities in Northern Rivers,” Mr Shabren said.“The temperature until Wednesday will stay in the low to mid 30s, but will get warmer on Thursday, rising to 35 degrees. “You can expect warm and hot conditions that night elevate fire danger in the region, as there is a north to north west wind coming – but it’s too early to say.“Our weather forecasts are modelled by computers over a five to seven day period“We can be more accurate about the next couple of days, but beyond that, we don’t know.”

The "heartbreaking" illegal poisoning of a mature Tallowwood koala food tree and a Bloodwood tree in a neighbourhood park in Fischer Street, Goonellabah is being investigated by Lismore City Council.Drilll holes used to poison the trees were found at the base of the two trees last December.“The poisoning of these habitat trees is heartbreaking,” the council’s Environmental Strategies Officer Wendy Neilan said.“Koala scats that we found under the Tallowwood when we inspected the trees confirm that this is core habitat for local koalas.“Koalas are very particular about the eucalypt leaves they eat with only a few species providing a suitable food resource. Tallowwood is one of their preferred food trees.”The trees are estimated to be between 80 to 100 years old. Koalas, tawny frogmouths and wallabies are regularly seen in this small patch of urban bushland.Koalas are vulnerable to extinction in NSW and we are very fortunate here in Lismore to be home to a significant koala population.Our local populations are all the more precious given the devasting estimated losses of koalas in South East Australia due to recent bushfires.“Mature habitat trees that are dotted throughout our urban landscape in parks and backyards are essential for koala survival,” Ms Neilan said.“By virtue of their size, these old trees provide more food and nesting resources than younger trees. These mature trees are vital to maintaining the biodiversity in our urban landscape.“Many Australian native animals such as possums, gliders, antechinuses, wood ducks, rosellas, cockatoos, owls and microbats are reliant on tree hollows for a place to roost and raise their young.”One of the drill holes.Council’s Environmental Health Compliance Officer Stuart Thomson said drill holes used to poison the trees were found at the base of the two trees last December.“Besides their importance to our native animals, these trees created shade for a children’s playground,” he said.“It is hard to fathom why anyone would do this. It is as an unlawful act of vandalism that destroys habitat and a community asset.”Damaging habitat of threatened species carries a hefty fine and can attract a jail term.  Anyone with information can call council anonymously on 1300 87 83 87 or the NSW Environment Line on 131555.

NSW Health is warning of high-dose MDMA (ecstasy) pills/capsules that are circulating in the community.Blue tablets shaped in the ‘Adidas’ logo, green and white capsules, and clear capsules have all been found to contain high doses of MDMA.Professor Andrew Dawson, Clinical Director of the NSW Poisons Information Centre, said the dangerous drug contained more than double the common dose.“While one MDMA tablet/capsule alone can cause life-threatening toxicity, the risk is greatly increased if high doses or multiple MDMA tablets or capsules are consumed over a short period, or if MDMA is consumed in combination with alcohol or other stimulants, such as methamphetamine or cocaine,” Prof Dawson said.“Hot weather will also increase the dangers, as MDMA causes the body to dangerously overheat, potentially leading to organ failure, loss of consciousness and death.”The average dose of MDMA in the blue “Adidas” shaped tablets was 145mg, while the green and white, as well as clear capsules had average doses of 130mg. These high levels are of serious concern and NSW Health urges festival patrons to dispose of tablets in the supplied amnesty bins.“Consumption of high doses of MDMA has been linked to cases of serious illness and death in NSW. It can cause severe agitation and paranoia, raised body temperature, seizures or fits, heart rhythm problems and death,” Prof Dawson said.The NSW Government recently announced Amnesty Bins would be placed at some music festivals so patrons have a chance to discard illegal drugs without fear of prosecution or penalty.The measure formed a key part of the NSW Government’s response to the Deputy Coroner’s recommendations following her inquest into the deaths of six patrons at NSW music festivals, which found MDMA toxicity was the cause of death in five people, and combined MDMA and cocaine toxicity in one person.NSW Health has also released updated Guidelines for Music Festival Event Organisers which support the delivery of safer music festivals.Professor Dawson urged anyone who was unwell from MDMA to immediately call Triple Zero.“Importantly, look after your mates. If you feel unwell, or if your friend feels unwell, do something about it. Don’t ignore it. You won’t get into trouble for seeking medical care,” he said.For support and information on drug and alcohol, please contact:The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) – 1800 250 015 – a 24/7 service offering confidential and anonymous telephone counselling and information.For information about the potential adverse effects of MDMA, please contact the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter has responded to an emergency at a property north of Lismore, at Rosebank, where a female had fallen from a horse. ASNSW Paramedics and the Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team stabilised the patient who has been flown to Lismore Base Hospital in a stable condition with lower leg injuries.SUNDAY PROFILE: A tribute to the late Bundjalung artist Albert Digby MoranNeil Marks: We were warned, but glad we did