For those students and ex-students with HELP, or what was called HECS debt, in Lismore and the Northern Rivers, there is some good news today as the Australian Federal Government has cut all student debts by 20 per cent.In Australia, that is three million people with student debt at a cost of more than $16 billion. The government says its number one focus is continuing to deliver cost-of-living relief for all Australians, and that cutting student debt by 20 per cent will ease pressure on workers and students across the country. For someone with the average debt of $27,600, this will see $5,520 wiped from their outstanding Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loans. Backdated to 1 June, this is lifting the burden for Australians with student debt, including all HELP, Vocational Education and Training (VET) Student Loans, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans, Student Startup Loans, and other student loans. In addition to cutting student debt by 20 per cent, the federal government is raising the minimum amount before people have to start making repayments from $54,435 to $67,000 and is reducing minimum repayments. For someone earning $70,000, it will reduce the minimum repayments they have to make by $1,300 a year. This builds on government reforms to fix the indexation formula, which has already cut more than $3 billion in student debt. This means, all up, the government will cut close to $20 billion in student debt for more than three million Australians. The ATO will now begin the work of processing the cut.This will take a little while, but the 20 per cent cut to student debt is guaranteed.Most people will see their balance reduced before the end of the year, backdated to June.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “This is another way my Government is continuing to deliver cost-of-living relief to Australians. “We promised cutting student debt would be the first thing we did back in Parliament – and that’s exactly what we've done.“Getting an education shouldn't mean a lifetime of debt. “No matter where you live or how much your parents earn, my Government will work to ensure the doors of opportunity are open for you.” Minister for Education Jason Clare said, “We promised we would cut your student debt by 20 per cent and we have delivered.“This is a big deal for 3 million Australians. “This will save millions of Australians thousands of dollars.“The average student debt today is $27,600; this will cut that debt by $5,520.“Just out of uni, just getting started, this will take a weight off their back. “We are also cutting annual repayments. For someone earning $70,000 a year, it will cut the amount they have to repay every year by $1,300.“That’s real help with the cost of living. It means more money in your pocket, not the government’s.” Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said, “At the election, students and apprentices sent a resounding message of support for our Government’s plan to cut student debt by 20 per cent.“Now, we’ve delivered on this commitment, making a real difference to the lives of students and apprentices – including nearly 300,000 TAFE students and apprentices.“The Albanese Government is backing Australians with cost-of-living relief, and backing them to pursue an apprenticeship or qualification that sets them up for their future.”

New beef gross margin budget calculations show that returns from NSW beef enterprises have generally improved since October 2024, driven by rising cattle prices and strong performance in the feedlot sector.The recent analysis from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) shows that most enterprises have seen increased returns, although some coastal operations have faced significant challenges from flooding and increases in animal health costs.Analysis shows returns from inland weaner production increased slightly from $39.79 /Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE) to $42.07/DSE, while coastal weaners on improved pasture decreased from $41.83/DSE to $38.11/DSE.Returns from producing feeder steers via a self-replacing herd increased significantly, from $52.14/DSE to $58.76/DSE. Similarly, gross margins from growing out purchased weaner steers to feedlot weights increased from $41.41/DSE to $69.46/DSE.NSW DPIRD Beef Development Officer Todd Andrews said the latest gross margin figures show encouraging signs for most NSW beef producers.“Despite some cost pressures, the overall uplift in cattle prices, particularly for Angus feeder steers and weaners but also for good cows, has strengthened returns across key beef enterprises,” Mr Andrews said. “Angus feeder steer prices have increased by around 17% and this has pulled steer weaner prices up with it, as producers chase weaners for backgrounding operations.“In contrast with weaner steers, weaner heifer prices have remained relatively stable, as demand for females has eased."Coastal weaner production is the only enterprise where gross margins have seen a decline.“A mild autumn and early winter has led coastal producers to hold onto stock longer, and the onset of wet conditions has resulted in a large volume of cattle entering the market at once, affecting prices for off-type or flood-affected animals.”The Australian feedlot sector continues to expand, with a record 1.5 million cattle currently on feed.With this growth driven by both global and domestic factors, Australian feedlots are filling the gap left by reduced U.S. grain-fed beef supply, with local producers increasingly using feedlots to hedge against seasonal variability.Mr Andrews said producers who can finish cattle on pasture and meet program requirements may still nonetheless achieve premium prices, particularly for crossbred weaner heifers currently trading at a discount.“Looking ahead, fertiliser prices are more volatile due to fluctuating supply pressures and have increased since last year,” Mr Andrews said.“After recent increases, transport costs have now stabilised, which is a relief for trading enterprises.“Given the strong seasonal outlook into spring, producers who can manage costs, adapt their strategies, and maintain productivity will be well placed to take advantage of these favourable trading conditions moving forward.”To view the full list of Beef Gross Margin Budgets for 2025 and previous years, please visit the NSW DPIRD website here –https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/budgets/livestock

The Bentley Art Prize will celebrate its 40th Anniversary this weekend (August 2 & 3). The popular annual event was initiated by Reg and Phyllis Hartley in 1985 and has always been supported by a dedicated cohort of volunteers. Reg and Phyllis were the mainstays of the show until 2005, when Helen Trustum became the coordinator.Helen remained in that position for 18 years. On her retirement in 2023, a new team stepped up. Speaking for the team, one of the principal volunteers, Wendy Harris, said: “We are all really excited to reach this anniversary milestone."We’re keen to acknowledge the rich 40-year history of the Bentley Art Prize (BAP) and its continuing value to the community. We’re also looking forward to once again celebrating the prolific artists and generous sponsors who make the show so popular.”The BAP opens on Friday (August 1), with wine and nibbles from 7pm - 9pm, and finishes at 2pm on Sunday, August 3.On Saturday and Sunday, a host of market stalls will join the art exhibition featuring handmade goods such as jewellery, cow and kangaroo hide items, dog collars and leads, botanical print products, crafted wood, acid-washed t-shirts and children’s clothes and candles. In addition, there’ll be a variety of food stalls, along with cakes and jams to take home.Plus, there will be live entertainment all weekend:Friday, August 1: Yolan 7pm - 9pmSaturday, August 2: Luke Vasella, 9am - 12pm, Sylvia Nowlan, 2.30 - 5pm Sunday, August 3: JamieSullivan, 9.45am - 12pmWendy and the volunteer team at BAP would love your support to help them celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Bentley Art Prize.The Bentley Public Hall is a short 20-minute drive from Lismore at 2150 Bentley Road, Bentley.

The first in a series of five community meetings to identify flood mitigation options for the Richmond River catchment starts today (Thursday) at 10am at the Casino Community and Cultural Centre.Lismore, Ballina, Woodburn and Kyogle will follow next week, on August 4, 5, 6 and 8.The community meetings, run by the CSIRO and NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency), will determine which mitigation options to model along with the relevant councils within the Richmond River catchment area.History shows us that over the last 155 years of official Lismore flood records, we have experienced 142 flood events (minor, moderate, major and catastrophic). Of course, the 28 February 2022 flood was the only catastrophic event, while there have been 33 major, 49 moderate and 59 minor floods over that time.During the 155-year timeframe, there have been 3 Parliamentary Inquiries and 4 Public Inquiries, 41 Technical Studies and 2 Petitions. All of which have led to 5 mitigation solutions:1971: Browns Creek Carpark1976: South Lismore Levee1991: Frank St Riverbank reinforcement2003: CBD Levee (completed 2005)2021: Airport floodwayThere are other rural drains, culverts, and other urban drainage systems, but nothing of significance.For one of the most at-risk communities in Australia, Lismore and the Northern Rivers have spent more money on inquiries and studies than on mitigation solutions.According to the Independent Review into Commonwealth Disaster Funding, the Federal Government spends 87% on recovery programs and only 13% on mitigation.In terms of dollars, $15.9 billion has been spent between 2018/19 and 2022/23, and is forecast to grow to $40.3 billion by 2050.The $11.2 million given to the CSIRO for the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative is clearly the best investment the Federal Government has made in terms of discovering potential flood mitigation options for a flood-prone region.The CSIRO Richmond River Catchment hydrodynamic model has been painstakingly built over the last two years by Jai Vaze and his team. It is regarded as world-leading.The 7,000 square kilometre catchment has been divided into 10.2 million triangular grids, the LiDar and river bathymetry data have been captured, and the hydrodynamic model accurately reflects past floods, including 2022 and 2017.So, the model is built; all that remains is for the two to three scenarios to be determined, with each scenario containing a number of interventions.This is where the people of Lismore, Coraki, Woodburn, Casino, Kyogle and Ballina come into play. If we, as a community, want the best flood mitigation outcomes to be tested, then people have to show up at their respective community consultations.You can put forward your thoughts on what engineering solutions you would like to see modelled to determine what is possible in the way of flood mitigation.Of course, the results are unknown, and it could be that a metre or less is the best outcome, or a metre outcome may be possible through holding basins, newly created channels and new sea outlets.The reality is that we can never stop an event like February 28 2022, or even mitigate against it. The volume of water was just too great. However, if you could take a metre off a major flood, the Lismore levee wall would not have overtopped in March 2022, 2017, 2009, 2005 and 2001.(March 30 2022: the second flood of 11.4 metres flows through the CBD)That would result in security for our businesses in the CBD, and for the remaining houses in low-lying areas in South Lismore and what remains of North Lismore. It could be that our local business owners could experience 1 flood in 25 years. Give any business owner those odds, and they will snap them up.From a federal and state government perspective, the recovery money saved would be well into the billions.The community consultation details are as follows:Thursday, July 31: Casino Community and Cultural Centre (35 Walker Street)Monday, August 4: Lismore Workers Club (231 Keen Street)Tuesday, August 5: Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore SLSC (Lighthouse Parade, East Ballina)Wednesday, August 6: Community Building Woodburn (114 River Street)Friday, August 8: Kyogle Community Centre (3 Bloore Street)You can go to any event between 10am and 6pm to:Hear directly from CSIRO about the model and its findingsAsk questions and engage with technical expertsProvide input on possible flood reduction optionsIf Jai Vaze and his team are busy talking to other people, and time is an issue, there will be forms you can complete.This consultation is a key step in building a list of realistic, evidence-based flood mitigation options that reflect community priorities.Before attending, NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) encourage you to visit the NEMA website. You don’t need technical expertise for the sessions, just a willingness to share your perspective.Can’t make it in person? You can still have your say online. Register your interest here.

Police are reappealing for assistance to locate a teenage girl last seen in the Lismore area.Jalarna Buchanan, aged 16, was last seen at a shopping centre on Diadem Street, Lismore, about 11am on Thursday, 17 July 2025. When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Tweed/Byron and Richmond Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.Police hold concerns for Jalarna’s welfare due to her age.Jalarna is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, 160cm to 170cm tall, medium build, with dyed red shoulder-length hair and brown eyes.She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black pants.Following inquiries, police believe she may have been in the Coffs Harbour area yesterday (Tuesday, 29 July 2025).She is known to frequent the Kingscliff, Coraki, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Inverell, Gosford, Nambucca Heads, Lismore, Casino and Sydney CBD area. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact Lismore Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Police are also appealing for assistance to locate a teenage boy missing from Yamba.UPDATE JULY 31: Konan has been locatedKonan Fittler, aged 16, was last seen in Gulmarrad, about 25km south west of Yamba, about 4am today (Wednesday, 30 July 2025).When he could not be contacted or located, officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.Police and family hold concerns for Konan’s welfare.Konan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 160cm tall, of medium build, with short brown curly hair and an unshaven face. He is often seen wearing a beanie.He was last seen on a dark coloured push bike with orange writing and was carrying a black duffle bag at the time.Anyone with information on Konan’s whereabouts is urged to contact Grafton Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Information is treated in strict confidence.You are reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

The Federal Government is backing Australian families, parents and kids by announcing today that YouTube will be included in its world-leading under-16 social media laws. The government says that delaying access to social media, including YouTube, until the age of 16 will protect young Australians at a critical stage of their development, giving them three more years to build real-world connections and online resilience. Following extensive consultation and advice, age-restricted social media platforms will face fines of up to $49.5 million for failing to take responsible steps to prevent underage account holders from using their services. Age-restricted social media platforms will include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X and YouTube, among other platforms. Informed by advice from the eSafety Commissioner, the Online Safety (Age-Restricted Social Media Platforms) Rules 2025, tabled today, specify which types of online services will not be captured by the social media legislation, including online gaming, messaging apps, health and education services. These types of online services have been excluded from the new minimum age obligations because they pose fewer social media harms to under-16s, or are regulated under different laws. From 10 December 2025, all services that meet the definition of ‘age-restricted social media platform’ in the Act, and are not excluded in the rules, will be subject to the social media minimum age law. Age-restricted social media accounts are defined as services that allow users to interact and post material. The Government is proud to be on the side of families. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, said, “Our Government is making it clear – we stand on the side of families. "Social media has a social responsibility, and there is no doubt that Australian kids are being negatively impacted by online platforms, so I'm calling time on it. "Social media is doing social harm to our children, and I want Australian parents to know that we have their backs.” Minister for Communications Anika Wells, said, “The Albanese Government is giving kids a reprieve from the persuasive and pervasive pull of social media while giving parents peace of mind.  "We want kids to know who they are before platforms assume who they are.   "There is no one perfect solution when it comes to keeping young Australians safer online – but the social media minimum age will make a significantly positive difference to their wellbeing.  "The rules are not a set and forget, they are a set and support.  "There are heavy penalties for companies who fail to take reasonable steps to prevent underage account holders onto their services of up to $49.5 million. “There's a place for social media, but there's not a place for predatory algorithms targeting children.”

The 2025 NAPLAN National Report released today shows some positive progress, with more still to be done to lift literacy and numeracy outcomes across NSW.This year, students in Years 5, 7 and 9 were the first cohort to complete a second NAPLAN cycle under the new proficiency levels first introduced in 2023.For NSW schools, results in 2025 are stable compared to previous years, with students showing strengths in areas including:Year 5 reading up 4.9 percentage points in strong and exceeding compared to the same cohort’s Year 3 results in 2023Year 5 spelling up 6.3 percentage points in strong and exceeding compared to the same cohort’s Year 3 results in 2023 Year 7 spelling up 3.6 percentage points in strong and exceeding compared to the same 2023 cohort in Year 5Year 5 grammar and punctuation up 7.4 percentage points in strong and exceeding compared to the same 2023 cohort in Year 3Today’s results show positive signs for many students in NSW, which is exceeding the national average in writing, reading, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The results also show where continued and consistent support is required, particularly in Years 5, 7 and 9 writing and Years 7 and 9 reading.The NSW Government says it is committed to the work of rebuilding public education and lifting outcomes across NSW by addressing teacher shortages, lifting wages, improving job security, reducing workload and improving the classroom environment by banning mobile phones and restoring principals’ authority to manage student behaviour. The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement the NSW Government signed with the Commonwealth earlier this year, ensures every public school is on a path to getting 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard, with the additional funding going directly towards programs and reforms that will lift student outcomes.The NSW Governments ongoing work to lift student outcomes includes:Introducing a new Year 1 Number Screening Check trial to assess students’ early numeracy skills, with wrap-around early intervention;Delivering the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check with targeted support for schools to ensure students obtain foundational literacy skills;Introducing system-wide literacy and numeracy targets with ambitious goals to improve student outcomes;Boosting the Small Group Tuition Program to provide more targeted literacy and numeracy support;Building teachers’ capacity to deliver the new knowledge and skills-rich K-12 English and Mathematics syllabuses through explicit teaching;The explicit and systematic teaching of writing is a key focus in all new NSW syllabuses to better support all NSW students. The full 2025 NAPLAN national results are published on ACARA's website.Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said, “Congratulations to all of the students across NSW who participated in NAPLAN testing this year, especially those at more than 300 schools in the state’s north who did so in the face of extreme weather conditions.“Students, families and teachers across NSW should feel proud of these results – and know that where there are gaps, we are focused on supporting schools and teachers to close them.“These results show NSW continuing to perform strongly against national benchmarks, and identify areas that require attention."We are committed to reforms that will strengthen literacy and numeracy foundations, including the introduction of an early Phonics and Number Check and a knowledge-rich curriculum explicitly taught across all our schools. These will equip NSW public school students with the vital knowledge and skills they need to achieve excellent outcomes.”

In another major announcement for Lismore yesterday, Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, revealed that Southern Cross University will receive $3,672,000 to build a world-standard regional athletics track on Maurie Ryan Oval that will benefit everyone in the Northern Rivers, not just Lismore.Jack Williamson, the Vice-President of Strategy and Technology for Southern Cross University (SCU), said the regional athletics track was part of its Master Plan that was released in April 2024."It's been just over a year since we launched the master plan for the Lismore campus, and core to the vision of that master plan was a world-standard athletics facility, and we are so thrilled that the New South Wales government is supporting that initiative today."This facility will be transformative for the university, for our partner schools here on campus and schools across the region and the community more broadly. We have some of our incredible local athletes behind us who will benefit from this facility, and the timing is brilliant as we lead up to the Olympics in seven years.(Minister Moriarty, Minister Saffin, Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg and SCU's Jack Williamson with some of our talented local athletes and coaches)"Oddly enough, there used to be a grass running track around this field, many, many, many years ago. That was the kind of initial inspiration for this idea."It will be a world-standard synthetic running track, the 400-meter track, and all the fields as well, so long jump, high jump, and pole vault. And with the grass field continuing on the inside as well.(An artist's impression of the SCU Master Plan, with the athletics track to the right)Jack said that the athletics track will be Phase 1, and SCU is starting early work to investigate how they can upgrade the facilities overlooking the oval, including the potential for seating or a stand on the embankment as part of Phase 2.As for when SCU will start the construction process, Jack said, "Now we have confirmation of funding, we'll go through and identify a vendor to help us with the construction of this. So over the next couple of months, we'll go through that process. Once they're on board, we'll work out timelines. As you can see, this field is very well utilised at the moment, so we'll have to work with all the stakeholders to find a window to do the construction.Mayor Steve Krieg said the new athletics track ties in perfectly with Lismore City Council's plans for Lismore."We've got world-class hockey facilities, we've got Albert Park, which is world-class baseball, we've got Oakes and Crozier, which are now fully functional, and again, region-leading. And now to have an athletics track, as Jack said, we've got the Olympics only two hours drive north of us in seven years. This is an opportunity for Lismore to become a real focal point for those 280-odd Olympic teams that want to acclimatise. They want to get used to Australian conditions, they can set up right here in Lismore and participate in all of the sports that are significant to the Olympics right here in the regional heart of northern New South Wales. So to Tara. Thank you so much for setting up this fund, and Janelle for her constant advocacy."Member for Lismore and Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin, thanked Minister Moriarty not only for the SCU regional athletics field, but also for another five projects in the Northern Rivers as part of an $11.5 million investment by the NSW Government from the Regional Development Trust Community Investment Program. This program focuses on providing funding for projects that demonstrate community benefits."On behalf of the community, I want to say thank you," Minister Saffin said, "These announcements are so welcome, and particularly the announcement where we are at Southern Cross University to develop a regional athletics facility, that's just wonderful. Over $3 million will go into this massive investment. And as Jack just said to me, the Vice President of Strategy and Technology at Southern Cross University, he said, This will bring a lot of people to Lismore. So how good is that? It's just what we need. "This is really, really good news, and I couldn't be happier that it's going to be here at Southern Cross University, a much-loved University."The six initial projects announced for funding include:$3,672,000 for Southern Cross University in Lismore to build the Southern Cross Regional Athletics Facility, which will benefit local schools, clubs, elite athletes and the broader community.$4,089,704 for McCaughey Investments Pty Ltd in Casino to establish a regional cold storage facility with over 1,000 pallet capacity with chill and blast freeze capabilities that will provide a nationwide distribution service for local businesses, better market access and increased food security.$1,500,000 for Tweed Shire Council to revitalise its city’s CBD. The project will transform the border town into a safer and attractive centre and will support the local economy by attracting and retaining visitors, residents and new businesses.$982,726 for the Jagun Alliance Aboriginal Corporation to develop cultural land management practices and support Aboriginal economic development on Bundjalung Country. The project will strengthen economic partnerships between local businesses and Aboriginal-led enterprises creating better jobs within the Indigenous community.$831,024 for the Taree Universities Campus to build local workforce capacity, address workforce shortages and improve access to skills and training. The project will attract new workers to the region through relocation services, higher education advice, and cultural connection providing urgent short-term workforce shortage and knowledge relief.$467,274 for the Waarugirr Indigenous Corporation to establish and develop outdoor industry skills for Aboriginal communities in and around Bowraville. The project will help train local Indigenous workers for better and more highly paid jobs.Further announcements regarding other successful projects from the Regional Development Trust will be made in the coming months.

The Lismore Ambulance Centre on Keen Street, opposite the Lismore Workers Club, has not been used since the big flood in February 2022. It has been decommissioned.For the last three years, local ambulance paramedics have been working from a temporary building at Southern Cross University that had a refit to meet operational requirements.Yesterday, Minister for Health Ryan Park and Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin announced funding of $9.97 million for a brand new purpose-built building in a yet-to-be-named location."Now we're identifying and in the process of finalising those locations around the new Lismore facility, I want to thank the university for the work that they've done with New South Wales Ambulance to essentially allow us to have a station here and a centre here in such a quick and timely manner. "We know that in both the 2022 floods and the '25 floods that this was impacted significantly. And we know that ambulance personnel, ambulance paramedics, the range of different equipment and services they provide were impacted. What we're going to do at both Mullumbimby and at the location of the new service centre for Lismore is to make sure that they are flood-proof as best we possibly can. And that's why $13.4 million will be allocated. When asked what criteria the new land has to have for the new Lismore Ambulance Centre, Minister Park said, "It has to be accessible for paramedics. That means being able to get onto main routes and arterial roads as quickly as possible. "It's got to be able to withstand significant weather events like what you have here in northern New South Wales. That's a challenge. "It also has to have enough space for us to be able to grow the ambulance personnel. We know in this part of the world, over the last couple of years, in northern New South Wales, we've increased staffing by well over 30 additional paramedics. I think alone in Lismore, that's around 12. There'll be more coming as part of the rollout of our 500 additional paramedics for regional, rural and remote New South Wales. "Our previous commitment that we made going into the last election, already, 250 of those have been rolled out across New South Wales, with the next 250 over the next 18 to 20 months or so, so there'll be more paramedics coming here. "We need a station that's purpose-built. We need a station that allows our first class and front line paramedics to respond as quickly as possible, whilst at the same time, a facility that can stand up to very, very challenging weather conditions like what's experienced in northern New South Wales."Since the Lismore paramedics have been using the temporary facility at SCU, is that an option for the new site?"A range of different sites are in discussion with New South Wales Ambulance, and our legal teams are looking at a range of different sites. I'll allow that process, obviously, to continue to take its course. My priority will be, once we've determined that site, to make sure that we get it out of the ground as quickly as possible. "We're confident that we can have this facility done by mid to back end of 2027. Knowing Janelle Saffin, she'll be on the phone every other week telling me why it hasn't been done, and she'll be out there in her own boots putting it together. But apart from that, I'll work as quickly as I can to get it going as fast as I can."As for the old site on Keen Street, Mr Park said discussions have begun regarding its future, but wouldn't be drawn on whether it will be reused, sold or demolished.The Mullumbimby Ambulance Station also suffered structural damage during the 2022 floods. It will be rebuilt at its existing site at a cost of $3.4 million.The funding for Lismore and Mullumbimby is part of the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, a joint initiative by the Albanese and Minns Governments to help communities become more resilient by investing in building better infrastructure.

It is not very often that you come across a news story that makes you feel good. Keith's Closet is one of those, and is well worth investing two minutes to read about his wonderful achievement.Keith Donnelly is an Irishman with a thick accent. He is also a mental health nurse in Sydney.Keith noticed that when mental health patients use a hospital's facilities, they often come in under the Mental Health Act, which means they walk in with just the clothes they are wearing or, sometimes, insufficient clothing.Looking to rectify the problem and to provide patients with dignity and self-esteem, Keith founded Keith's Closet."Basically, Keith's Closet is a walk-in wardrobe store room where our patients who access the mental health service often with just the clothes on their back or not sufficient clothing to take in, have the opportunity to come to Keith's Closet for a one-on-one shopping experience. Embrace the nice, clean, tidy environment and choose fashion, style and size, whatever they like.""They may not have time to pack a bag. They may not have family or friends to access some clothing. So this just helps them along with their journey, and improves their dignity, self-esteem and confidence."The quality and range of clothing and footwear are high, even down to more formal attire."We hope to cater for everybody. If it's something for a fancy occasion that they have lined up following discharge. If it's something that they want to dress up in casual wear during their hospital stay. We've got PJs, we've got accessories. So, if you really want to come here and shop till you drop, this is the place."Keith supply comes from retailers and individuals who have beautiful clothes just sitting in their wardrobes. His goal is to go global ultimately, but for now, Lismore is closet number six."Look, the goal is huge. I have to say, we want to get into every mental health setting across New South Wales, across Australia, and definitely, one day, our big vision is to go overseas."We do recognise that it is a global issue. I've worked in mental health, obviously, back home in Ireland, I've got friends who work in mental health settings across the globe, and this seems to be a big, big issue. We also find, like the people coming into the hospital, the only opportunity for clothing is often a hospital-like gown, which is very stigmatising. So we want to reduce that and just make a really difficult time a little bit brighter.""Like us all, I guess we all get a sense of looking good and feeling good when we have a nice outfit, when we have access to fresh clothes, when often, many people don't. So, I think it is a very, very simple idea for a very worthwhile impact and a very big impact on people's journey during their stay."Keith has seen firsthand how his new venture has helped people."So many years back, when we opened in 2019, a short time later, I was actually showcasing the closet to a local member down in Randwick, and I remember a gentleman walking up in a beautiful suit, a lot nicer than the suit I have on, and he was either getting that out of Keith's closet, and he was genuine. He's strutting the stuff down the corridor. And he said, Look, what do you think of the suit I got from Keith's closet?"I actually placed the suit in there myself, and I did hope that whoever got this suit would be wearing it, and I would actually get to meet the person. So, I was really delighted, and he was very, very happy with the change that he felt. He felt such a lift, he said."But later that day, when he was asked to change units into the step down ward, I had about three or four patients asking me if he could be discharged that day because he's looking for a psychologist. So, simple things like that. That was, that was one of many, many memories that will long live in my mind and makes it worthwhile."The funding for Keith's Closet comes from the NSW Government. It is not significant like other facilities that have been announced in the last two days, but it certainly matches the impact on the community.Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said supplying the funding was a no-brainer."We know that when we talk about wrap around services, that's not just the quality mental health care that people receive at our mental health facilities like here in the Lismore hospital, wrap around means all of those other elements, and for a lot of people, access to clean quality clothing, something that, for many seems like a pretty basic entitlement, basic right? That's something that they struggle with.(Keith, Ministers and staff from Lismore Base Hospital's Mental Health Unit inside Keith's Closet)"We are looking to fill that gap, and funding Keith's Closet to be here in Lismore is an example of us leaning into those full wrap-around supports. We want people who are experiencing mental health challenges to be on a journey of recovery. We believe that mental health can be something that people live with but recover from, and that journey of recovery requires not just the incredible work here, of the staff, the clinicians, but it also does require things like clean clothes, things like a place to live, things like those psychosocial elements that make a person's journey of recovery one that's successful."So, Keith's Closet plays a critical role in that we have seen it successful already elsewhere in the state, and it was a no-brainer for us to lean into, making sure Lismore had access to this incredibly quality facility."Minister for Health Park Ryan provided the $200,000 so that three additional Keith's Closets could be created, one in Lismore, Bankstown and the Illawarra.

Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is implementing significant changes to its donor rules, which are expected to substantially increase the number of blood and plasma donors, making the donation process more accessible to a broader population.Last month, Lifeblood announced it was removing most sexual activity wait times for plasma donations for gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have sex with men. This month, the rule changes surround cancer patients.People who have fully recovered from many cancers can now donate blood and plasma in Australia 12 months after finishing treatment.Those who have had cancer will no longer have to wait five years to donate, provided they have written confirmation from their doctor that they are in remission and meet all other health criteria. Those who have had blood cancers will continue to be unable to donate.A recent survey by the Kirby Institute, UNSW revealed that over half (54%) of the population believed having cancer made people ineligible to give blood for life. Another 28% of the population were unsure, highlighting a large misconception that could be hindering donations.Lifeblood Executive Director Cath Stone said the change would provide a greater opportunity for those who have had cancer to safely give blood and plasma while strengthening Australia’s blood supply at a time of record-high demand.“Cancer patients are the largest users of blood in Australia; they need 11,000 donations each week. Many cancer survivors have relied on blood transfusions and plasma medicines during chemotherapy or surgery, and we know many are eager to give back,” Cath said.Lifeblood research found that the current five-year wait can be safely reduced to 12 months, with international evidence showing it’s not necessary for donor or patient safety. Large-scale studies have confirmed that cancer is not transmissible through blood transfusion. As with all changes to blood donation rules, this change has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).“Cancer diagnoses usually increase with age, and our older donors often have more time to donate.“Our current five-year wait-time disproportionately affects them being able to give back when it’s safe to do so,” Cath added.On average, more than 5,000 potential donors are asked to wait to donate every year due to a cancer diagnosis, a number that has been increasing every year. Donors are less likely to return after long wait-times.All donors will continue to undergo standard health checks and complete a detailed questionnaire. Only those who are well and meet all eligibility criteria will be able to donate.Cath said that it was likely that many Australians didn’t realise the role blood donation played in supporting people with cancer.“As we see the number of cancer diagnoses increasing, we’re also seeing an increase in the demand for blood to help cancer patients through their treatment. Supporting people with cancer is one of the greatest reasons to donate,” she added.Donated blood is used for:34% goes to people with cancer and blood diseases 19% goes to people with other causes of anaemia18% goes to surgical patients (including open heart surgery and burns) 13% other medical problems(e.g. heart, stomach and kidney disease) 10% goes to orthopaedic patients (including fractures)4% goes to pregnant women, new mothers2% goes to trauma patients, including road accidentsTo find out about donating blood, plasma, or platelets, call 13 14 95 or visit lifeblood.com.au.

Over 3,000 students will head to the Lismore Showgrounds today as part of the 2025 Connect Northern Rivers Careers Expo.The free event is not just open to students; Careers Expo is open to everyone, regardless of age, seeking job opportunities, career advice, or further study.The event will feature a job vacancy board sponsored by MEGT, two pavilions packed with large and small businesses offering jobs, apprenticeships, traineeship positions and numerous universities from across Australia. Expo Partners, TAFE NSW, and CBHG Building t/a Greg Clark Building will sponsor the “Try a Trade” pavilion, providing hands-on vocational experiences in fields such as Aviation, Early Childhood, Hair & Beauty, Construction, Electrotechnology, Business and Finance, Career Pathways and Employability Skills, Animal Care and Management, Automotive, Nursing, Fitness and Hospitality.Participants include Southern Cross University (an Expo partner), SAE University College (Performance Stage Sponsor), various local councils, Australian Defence Force Careers (Expo Partner), Essential Energy, Zeal Futures, McGregor Gourlay Agricultural Services, Frizelle Sunshine Automotive, multiple universities, Home of the Arts (HOTA), headspace & Social Futures (our Expo Sponsor), NSWPF, Sunshine Sugar, The Casino Food Company, Summer Camp USA, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Students of the World, Qld Police and many more.Highlights include Defence Force vehicles, simulators, animals, speedway cars, go-karts, SCU’s electric kombi van and solar Sunflower, Ready Steady Cook competitions, student performances from six schools, CPR demonstrations, fancy cars from Frizelle’s, food and coffee vans, Virtual Reality experiences and the “Try a Trade” activities.Organisers are excited to introduce our First Nations' Enterprise Space this year, showcasing local Indigenous employers and enterprises, as well as opportunities and pathways for Indigenous students.North Coast Community College is excited to welcome the 2025 North Coast Junior Barista Championship back to the Expo for another spectacular year. The third annual event will bring together talented students from across the Northern Rivers to showcase their exceptional barista skills. There will be live music from the incredible Bodhi Acton, and join us in celebrating community, creativity, and talent!For more information, contact Connect Northern Rivers at 1300 183 352 or Ingrid Johansen at 0447 185 428.

The purchase of 72 hectares of flood-free land from Southern Cross University that will see the development of 400 new housing blocks was Lismore's worst-kept secret.Yesterday, the purchase of the land in East Lismore, along Crawford Road, was officially announced by Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon, and Vice-Chancellor of Southern Cross University (SCU) Ben Roche.The potential deal was announced 12 months ago, when NSWRA and SCU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the first project as part of the $100 million Northern Rivers Resilient Lands Program.When asked why discussions took twelve months, Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said once the MOU was signed, the talks began."Who's going to develop it? How is it going to be developed? Will it be the university as a development partner? Will it be the RA or Landcom? As you could imagine, bringing everyone together just takes time, and to work out what is the best plan, so that we can deliver the best for the local community. It was just a process that had to be worked through."Once complete, the development will go a long way toward addressing Lismore's housing shortage by providing 400 new housing lots and 50 Build to Rent apartments, 20% of which will be allocated for affordable housing.Ms Saffin said she wanted to ensure the RA and Landcom make them really affordable."We often talk about affordable housing. And when people say, what is it? It sometimes defies description. I want it to be really affordable. We don't have to build the McMansions. We don't have to do that. We can build lovely homes, smaller homes, but beautiful places to live in. And I want to see some of that here as well, so people can really afford them."The site, in East Lismore, is being developed for new land and homes in partnership with Landcom, the NSW Government’s land and property developer.The development will include a diverse range of land sizes as part of its housing options. It also includes residential lots for new builds and, importantly, land suitable for relocating existing homes from flood-affected areas. NSWRA's CEO Mal Lanyon said flood-affected residents will get first dibs when the blocks become available."Our firm focus is to start with those residents who were part of the Resilient Homes Program as a buyback. We want to make sure that those people have the first opportunity to get land here."What's exciting about this space is the mix of housing that will go on, as well. As I have said before, low and medium density, and also Build to Rent. It's been a really exciting partnership. Obviously, there's been a lot of work to get through, and I really thank Southern Cross University for the way that they have worked with the Reconstruction Authority and Landcom."The blocks will be offered at prices that reflect the local market.SCU's Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Education Impact, Ben Roche, said the university has been working behind the scenes from day one post flood to think about what role it can play in the recovery of Lismore."This development here in this really beautiful location will not only provide new opportunities for housing, but it will also add further activation to the existing suburbs in East Lismore. It will provide close proximity to four schools that are within walking distance, and many other assets just around the corner and the Lismore campus of Southern Cross University. We're thrilled that this is going ahead."Mr Roche said the money from the sale will be put towards creating the ambitious masterplan it released about 18 months ago."Post '22, the campus has become a vibrant education precinct, home to three schools and TAFE and a range of other activities, including the Medicare Mental Health Hub. So, we're really looking at how we continue to reinvest in the campus and grow the infrastructure base on campus. It's that old saying, we can do more together than we can alone."And so building shared infrastructure on campus, whether it's new amenities that the education students can access, whether it's sports infrastructure or whatever it might be, that is vitally important for us in realising the master plan for the future. So, any of this activity goes in support of that."Landcom will invest $60 million to develop the site, and the RA is contributing up to $15 million for the land and funding for enabling infrastructure, including new roads, power, water and sewerage connections.Consultation between Landcom, Lismore City Council and the RA is underway to progress a master plan for the site and to ensure new housing and community infrastructure will be delivered as quickly as possible."We're working very closely with Landcom now, as the delivery partner. Landcom have great expertise in putting together housing packages and land. The first thing that the community will see will certainly be the Build to Rent, and that was something that the minister announced before. I expect that will be in 2026 when we will see those homes."We're working very closely with Landcom now to be able to put out that master plan, so the community can see that with a view that there will be a timeline for what that looks like."As you can imagine, with such wonderful land as there is here, there's going to be a lot of enabling infrastructure that's going to have to go into the land to make sure it supports the housing. So we'll be working through that. But as soon as we've got that settled with Landcom and we've got a time for the master plan, we'll very much work through the community with that."Landcom CEO Alexander Wendler said, “The impact of the floods continues to be felt in Lismore and is exacerbated by the current housing crisis. We recognise this hardship and are stepping up to provide more housing opportunities to accommodate the needs of the local community.“Landcom is making homes happen. This project will unlock housing to suit a range of needs with diverse, sustainable and affordable options.’

Monday was opening day in Lismore and nearby Wollongbar, with Blakebrook Public School, the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, and the new purpose-built community services hub in Goonellabah all declared open.The new building in Goonellabah brings together staff from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), Homes NSW, and Youth Justice, enabling better family and community support across government services. These essential services need to be on deck and available at all times – none more so than DCJ if we have a crisis or natural disaster, as the lead agency to establish and operate evacuation centres. The new purpose-built office will allow local staff and caseworkers to return from temporary sites, where they have often worked from demountables, cars and home following their displacement due to the 2022 floods. The NSW Government has opened three other government offices in Lismore as part of the recovery effort:17 Conway Street, opened August 2024214 Molesworth Street, opened October 202421 Conway Street, opened November 2024 Together, these facilities restore permanent infrastructure for government operations in the Northern Rivers, supporting the ongoing delivery of vital services to local communities. (Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin admires new artwork by Sheldon Harrington inside the new building)“We are deeply committed to ensuring the people of Lismore and the wider Northern Rivers region continue to receive the support they need to rebuild, recover, and thrive," Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said.Minister Washington also wanted to acknowledge case workers and staff whose work often goes unseen and unappreciated by the broader community."Primarily, I really want to thank all of the case workers, child protection, out of home care, staff, all the DCJ teams who are here today. I want to acknowledge the importance of your work. I acknowledge that it is so often unseen, and I want you to know that our government sees you and that we are doing everything we can to try and make sure you feel valued. And this office is a big step in that direction. We know we've still got a lot more work to do." Minister for Recovery, Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, took the opportunity to thank the minister for getting vulnerable children out of motels."I just want to commend Kate, and I have to say this here, because it doesn't get said enough since she's been minister and with her agency, and all of you, she has worked to get our most vulnerable children out of motels and into proper care. And I just really want to acknowledge her and all of you and say that's just one of the best things. We talk about buildings, we talk about structures, but how good is that at a human level?"“As the local member, I want to thank all the local people who have had to engage with and visit DCJ, Homes NSW and Youth Justice, as I know it wasn’t always easy. I also want to acknowledge and thank the frontline DCJ, Homes NSW and Youth Justice staff who’ve worked through difficult conditions to keep services running. The new home of DCJ, Homes NSW and Youth Justice is the old Northern Star building on Ballina Road, Goonellabah, near the Holland Street roundabout.

The Richmond Police District are looking for two people, one is in connection with a theft incident and the other is a missing person.Lismore TheftPolice are appealing for information following a stealing incident in Lismore on the 14th of July 2025.Police have released CCTV images of a person they wish to speak to and who may be able to assist with the investigation.Police are urging anyone with information to come forward and contact Lismore Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.Police Ref: E100993472Missing PersonCan you help us find Phillip?Phillip, aged 60, was last seen at Grafton Train Station, boarding a train that was headed toward the Casino area on Friday, 18 July 2025.He was last seen wearing black pants, grey jumper with a red flannelette shirt underneath.Anyone who sees him is urged to contact Grafton Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote E 87316481.

The Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital (NRWH) was officially opened today, with a large crowd of supporters in attendance at its location on Lindendale Road, Wollongbar. The Wildlife Hospital is situated on Crown land, conveniently located between Lismore and Ballina, in a building designed and purpose-built to provide specialist care for sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife.Following a Welcome to Country by Ricky Cook, Madeleine Faught, Chair and Volunteer Board Member of NRWH, told the crowd that it has been a long and hard journey to reach this point."I think of the pain of the challenges, the delays, the weather, COVID, are now behind us, and we get to move forward from here on, and we're already working with a lot of animals, so there is a lot to be happy for and a lot to look forward to in terms of our wonderful animal survival."Ms Faught was referring to a journey that began over 10 years ago with a conversation between Sue Higginson (now NSW Greens MP) and the late Tony Gilding (Macadamia Castle, conservationist and environmentalist).(A large crowd is waiting for the official opening of the NRWH)Treasurer of NRWH Ninian Gemmell told the crowd that in 2018, a small group of people held a community meeting."A group of about eight people sat around Megan Kearney's Ballina surgery dining room table and sort of formulated how we would take this project forward, and we formed the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital Limited with three inaugural directors.""Now, whilst we had no money, we had no land, we just had the desire to create a facility for the benefit of the community on public land, and it was aimed to be a member-based and community-based project."In 2020, the NRWH signed an MOU with the Department of Primary Industries about using crown land and the existing building. In October 2020, a lease was signed."We always wanted it to be centrally located across all seven local government areas in this region, and we're pretty close. Wollongbar is pretty close to that. So we're very grateful for being able to tick off those aspects of our strategy."Construction of the new building commenced in August 2023. Mr Gemmell acknowledged that the NRWH ran into complications that required items to be replaced, not refurbished, adding significant costs and time to complete the project.He thanked not only the volunteer members and staff but also the organisations, governments and philanthropists who generously donated or funded the project, including the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), the Commonwealth Government and the NSW Government and their parliamentarians in Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, Member for Ballina Tamara Smith and Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Heritage and the Environment, Penny Sharpe.Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, who cut the ribbon on the new building, thanked all the volunteers for their selfless, sigh unseen, hard work."What I want to say about the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital is that it's totally 100% community-owned, community-driven, and community-run. Everyone is a volunteer. A lot of good things that happen in the community come from a group of good people, like-minded people who come together and say, This is a need. And that's what everybody did, and we ended up with the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital."I feel so pleased to have the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital here. It speaks about our community. It speaks about our values, what we value as a community."Dr Megan Kearney, another Volunteer Board Member and Chair of the Vet Advisory Committee, gave some insights into why the NRWH was needed."When I did my study in 2018, it was something like 10,000 wild animals were rescued every year by dedicated wildlife carers, so Wires, Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers, Friends of the Koala and Australian Seabird Rescue. It is creeping towards 14,000 animals a year now."We know that through research, if rescued wild animals receive veterinary assessments and treatment within the first 24 hours of being rescued, then we can improve the outcomes for wildlife. And that's really what's motivating me and many of us as part of the team in the Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, we want to improve outcomes for wildlife."Stage TwoThis is only the first stage of the NRWH. It is the critical element of a vision that includes the development of a dedicated animal pathology and diagnostic lab, vital for managing emerging threats such as avian influenza (bird flu) and koala retrovirus.The hospital also needs to secure funding for outdoor enclosures for animals requiring intermediate care and rehabilitation.In April this year, Dr Kearney said, “This hospital isn’t just about treatment — it’s about research and regional resilience. Our pathology centre will help identify and respond to the illnesses threatening some of Australia’s most iconic species."While stage one is to be acknowledged and celebrated, stage two is where attention has already turned to, and of course, the treatment and care of our injured wildlife.

The NSW Government has today announced more than $930,000 of funding to improve and promote recreational fishing across the North Coast region, ensuring money from the Recreational Fishing Trusts is spent on the ground supporting local anglers.The funding is part of the government’s plans to build fishing opportunities across the state and ensure that fishing remains accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable for generations to come.The North Coast fishing community will see the benefits of new fishing infrastructure, with some $310,000 of grants awarded towards the construction of facilities, including:$280,000 for new accessible fishing platforms at Tumbulgum Village and Terranora Creek$11,987 for a new fish cleaning table and shelter at Wooli Terrace Boat RampYoung people and students on the North Coast will soon be able to learn important life skills and enjoy the benefits of casting a line, with $36,000 funding approved for:$7,510 to establish new fishing sessions for Banora Point High School students$7,500 for fishing for wellbeing primary school programs at Tweed Heads, Tweed Heads South and Cudgen Public Schools$4,000 for resources for the new “Coastal Explorers” initiative for learning support classes at Maclean High School$8,300 for Sawtell Public School recreational fishing for sport each week$9,600 for Byron Youth Service Inc’s ‘Tight Lines’ fishing and mentoring programA further $586,000 over the next two years has also been allocated to the community partnership between OzFish and Landcare NSW to improve 40 waterways across the North Coast and the state.The funding, from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust, demonstrates how licence fees are invested to boost recreational fishing in NSW, through new fishing infrastructure and programs to promote the well-being benefits of getting outside and casting a line. The North Coast grants are part of some $2.4 million in funding to be allocated in the latest round of grants.These grants are in addition to the NSW Government’s Get Hooked program, which allows primary and secondary schools to incorporate recreational fishing subjects in their curriculum.In 2024/25, more than 415,000 recreational fishing licences were issued, with all revenue raised reinvested into programs and projects that support and grow recreational fishing activity and the environment for vibrant fish habitats.Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said, “The NSW Government is proud to support projects that promote and build recreational fishing opportunities across the state and ensure that fishing remains accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable for generations to come.“These grants are about making sure money from the Recreational Fishing Trust is funnelled back to on-the-ground activities and is supporting the fishers who are out wetting a line.“Whether it's a new fish cleaning tables or accessible fishing platforms for people with disabilities, these infrastructure projects make a real difference to ensuring people of all ages and abilities can enjoy recreational fishing.“It’s great to see programs funded through the Recreational Fishing Trust are helping young people experience the health, social, and emotional benefits of fishing.“As someone who understands the joy and relaxation fishing brings, I’m thrilled to see licence fees being invested back to fund so many great ideas.Minister for Recovery, Small Business and the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, said, “Spending time by the water is something many in our region treasure — so it’s great to see funding towards projects that will improve recreational fishing on the North Coast and help our local community get the most out of our stunning waterways.“By investing in better fishing facilities from Tweed to Port Macquarie, these Recreational Fishing Trust Fund grants will make fishing more enjoyable for everyone, from families to seasoned locals.”“There is no doubt that recreational fishing can have a powerful impact on well-being, and these grants will help more North Coast youth experience those benefits in the short term and for years to come.”

The Gooley name is as synonymous with Lismore as the Volpato family. Since humble beginnings, both families have purchased quite a few buildings in Lismore's CBD.George Gooley Menswear has been located at its Molesworth Street location for sixty years. It has been a Lismore clothing institution for as long as most people can remember. Jean House and Gooleys Workwear followed in Woodlark Street.The Millers clothing store on Molesworth Street closed earlier this year. Its mother company, Mosaic, went into administration in October 2024, and the Receivers went about trying to find buyers for its brands, such as Rivers, Katies, Rockmans and Millers.The Millers building is owned by the Gooley family, and is a very large retail space that, usually, only national brands can afford to rent. Millers closing meant that the Gooley's had to rethink their business plan or the shop may go untenanted for the next two decades like another on Molesworth Street.(Inside the new Jean House and Gooleys Workwear shop on Molesworth Street)Ben Gooley, along with his brother Matt, share the role of General Manager of the Gooley stores. Ben told the Lismore App that Millers closure brought an opportunity for them to consolidate their three retail outlets."That was the start of the idea. We've outgrown where we were (Woodlark Street) because of the embroidery and print side of the business. We've just outgrown those shops. So, it was a really good opportunity to bring it around here. Logistically, it's going to be way easier for us.The new shop will be split into three sections: Jean House, Workwear and Embroidery and Digital Printing."Two-thirds of it will go to the Jean House side, and then another third to the Gooleys Workwear. But then, I'll expand the back area to incorporate my embroidery, digital printing and our web department, where we sell online. They will move here as well."A lot of their stock is picked out of those stores in Woodlock Street, and our web department is actually run from above the menswear shop in Molesworth Street. So, as I said, logistically, that's going to make our lives a lot easier as well."When it comes to future floods, Ben explained that his 600-kilogram embroidery machine can be moved using his van."I can still pop that in my van and get that out of town. But then there is a massive area upstairs that was still one and a half metres out of the '22 flood. So that's where all my stock will go from now on, instead of having to get that out of the CBD."Moving from Woodlark to the large Molesworth Street building allows for the two smaller buildings to be more easily rented out to future retail prospects.Ben and his team of nine are preparing the new building for a soft August 18 launch, so they can test the new systems and processes before an official launch in September."I guess it's a way for us to work out any issues. I've renovated a shop before, but I've never had a move this big. It's all got to run smoothly. There can't be hiccups. I need everything to work when I open the doors. So, if I'm going to have a song and dance, I want to make sure we dance and sing," Ben joked.Ben is excited about what the new building will offer customers."I think it's exciting. If you've shopped with us before, you're going to want to come and have a look. We're going to be able to do a way better job than what we're doing now, just with the extra floor space, spreading things out, things won't be as congested."I know it's difficult for people with prams. It's been a pain in the ass pushing a pram through our shops, so for us to be able to display stock better and make it easier for everyone to have a look at the products we've got. This is a great opportunity for us."For now, the preparation involves building many metres of racking, connecting the Ethernet, installing data points and getting new signage organised.As the sign on the doors says, "Gooley Things Happening. Watch This Space."

The NSW Government has released an interactive digital map showing the safety star ratings of more than 20,000 km of state and 15,000 km of regional roads. There has long been a discourse between state and local governments over the transfer of state roads to local councils, for which each council is responsible.The government says NSW is performing well compared with other Australian states and territories, with more than 71 per cent of all road travel taken on state roads rated 3 or more stars according to the Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) national standard. The data was collected over the past 10 years.This means NSW is closing on the national target of 80 per cent of all road travel in the state being taken on state roads rated 3 or more stars by 2030 – roads that have the most modern safety features, such as barriers, divided dual carriageways and wide shoulders.The NSW Government continues to invest more than half a billion dollars into road safety in NSW to upgrade and improve our roads with the rollout of safety measures.While this map confirms NSW has some of the safest road corridors, including the Hume and Pacific Highways, it also highlights opportunities to increase road safety measures further:By far most state roads in NSW are rated 3 stars, which represents a high-quality road, which meets national and regulatory standards.Less than 1 per cent of roads are rated 5 stars (such as new and high-speed roads) and represent the newest and busiest roads, such as new or upgraded freeways and arterial routes.Some 90% of all road travel in NSW takes place on state roads rating 2 stars or more, with room to lift more roads to 3 stars through installing extra safety features.A further 23.5 per cent of travel is on state roads are rated 2 stars and 3.8 per cent rated 1 star. A 1-star rating does not mean unsafe. These roads have far less traffic and less installed safety features.AusRAP targets do not require all roads in NSW to become five-star; rather, they focus on lifting more of the network to three stars or above, focusing on those roads with higher traffic volumes, which research shows significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death.For example, going from 1 to 3 stars requires roadside barriers to protect road users from impacting power poles or trees, and increased shoulder width to allow more recovery time for drivers. Over two years, the Commonwealth-NSW Road Safety Program is improving an estimated 450 km of 1 and 2-star roads to at least 3 stars or greater.Not all roads need to be 5-stars, and not all 1-star roads need to be upgraded to be fit for purpose.In most cases, the biggest impact on road trauma comes from upgrading high-risk roads where people travel the most, resulting in reduced crash risk and trauma.The release of this data is part of the government’s effort to improve fairness and transparency across the road network, pinpointing locations for further investment.This map will enable evidence-based decision-making about road safety improvement funding, ensuring fairness in distributing safety infrastructure like barriers and wider shoulders.Other states are expected to release their mapping data in the coming months. However, NSW has gone beyond the national requirements by measuring not only State roads but also Regional roads for the first time. All states have committed to work together collaboratively and to share road safety information alongsideAustroads as the peak association of transport agencies.Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said, “We are being fair dinkum with the people of NSW.“While in NSW more than 71 per cent of all road travel taken on roads rated highly under the national standard, we know there is room to roll out more safety features on our roads.“We’re using this information to take a serious look at our road network and then leverage the data to deliver evidence-based upgrades and safety improvements.“You can’t fix what you don’t measure. This map shows us what’s working and where we can go further. It’s a vital step forward in making sure every region gets the safe, high-quality roads it deserves. “In the recent Budget, we announced we’re investing $2.8 billion in road safety projects across the state.“These are much-needed projects that will greatly reduce the risk of death and serious injury across our road network. For example, over two years, we will improve an estimated 450 km of the 1- and 2-star roads to at least 3 stars or greater. “We have been hard at work for two years, but cannot turn around 12 years of Liberal-National neglect overnight.“We know some parts of our network have been underfunded and insufficiently maintained. Labor has made historic investments in maintenance, road safety and upgrades, quintupling recovery funding.“Independent budget costings showed the Liberals and Nationals had budgeted $0 for new regional and rural road commitments for 2022-23 and 2023-2024, and only $85 million set to be delivered in the 2025/25 year. They only committed $230 million over four years, less than the $390 million we put out in our first year on regional road repair.“The Minns Labor Government is about delivering safer, smarter and fairer roads for everyone across NSW. We want to base investment decisions on data, not guesswork. We’re pulling every lever to save lives.”Geoff Allan, Chief Executive, Austroads said, “Austroads commends Transport for NSW for publishing their AusRAP results. Road safety star ratings are a powerful tool to help road managers prioritise improvements that save the most lives as quickly as possible, while providing transparency for the community.“As the national manager and coordinator of AusRAP, Austroads is looking forward to sharing results from other jurisdictions in the near future.“The NSW results show strong progress towards the 2030 target of 80% of travel on 3-star or better roads. But that milestone is just one step on our journey. Achieving our long-term vision of zero deaths and serious injuries on Australian and New Zealand roads by 2050 will require continued commitment and action.”You can view the interactive AusRAP map by clicking here.