Jiggi Uniting Church’s motto ‘we are here to bear your load’ will make a lot of sense once the new outhouse is unveiled this Sunday, 4pm, at the Jiggi Christmas carols and service. The outdoor toilet has a long history at the rural church and church council member Heather Jeffery said it has an important place in the hearts of parishioners.“We found out it’s over 120 years old,” Heather said. “A few months ago, our outhouse started to wobble after a big storm, and a local guy took it away, restored and reinforced it and brought it back.“We hired a modern portaloo but no one wanted to use it.“Now we are going cut a blue ribbon and officially unveil the toilet on Sunday before the church service and carols.”Heather said she took photos of the thunderbox before it was restored and a local told her he remembered when it was first brought to the church on the back of a ute.“It turns out the Smith family who owned the Smithfield farm on Boganville Road donated their old outhouse to the church about 60 years ago,” she said.“So, we tracked down the family and their descendants will cut the ribbon on Sunday.“We are going to have a plaque engraved on the door dedicating it to the Smith family, the guy who delivered it and the and restorer.“Now, it will be good for another 120 years.”The outhouse - before and after restoration.Heather said the little country church has changed over time changed and a while ago, the number of people coming to the church dwindled.“Four years ago, we held a garage sale to raise money to open the windows and fix the back steps,” she said.“Now, people are coming back, particularly older residents. “It’s still an an old fashioned country church with peeling paint and art works on the wall from the Sunday school kids ten years ago.“Last Christmas, it brought people of all ages to the carols and service including farmers and teenagers.“There’s been so much curiosity from the community and Lismore about it. Everyone is invited to come along to the Jiggi Uniting Church carols and service on Sunday, December 15 at 4pm, on Jiggi Road.For information, visit https://www.facebook.com/Jiggi-Uniting-Church-223225084926895/

There’s a new beauty salon in the Village Goonellabah shopping centre.Kristy Saad’s newest Affordable Beauty salon has been open for two weeks now and she’s excited that the new plush massage and spa pedicure chairs have just arrived.“People come in and want to sit in them and just get a massage,” she laughed.“Your back gets a massage while your feet are soaked and given a pedicure.”The Goonellabah shop is the third beauty salon that she’s opened.She’s been in the beauty business for 20 years, working from home originally, before opening her first Affordable Beauty salon in South Lismore ten years ago.“Then four years ago, a friend approached me to open a shop in Ballina,” she said.“I like the business side of things and being able to provide a service – it took me years to work it out and I love the challenge.“I also like to look after my staff.“This year, the people who own the Village Goonellabah shopping centre approached me and said there was a need for a beauty salon here.“I’ve had an excellent response so far,” she said.The Goonellabah shop will be run by another trained beauty therapist, Jess Smith, whose specialty is pedicures and eyelash extensions.“I like making people feel good and build relationships with people,” Jess said.“They come in and relax and walk out feeling beautiful.”Jess is busy putting up the new spray tanning booth in the shop this week and said eyelash extensions are the most popular service people come in for.“Microdermabraisions are also popular – people love a good exfoliation,” she said. “while they are getting their facial, we also do their nails.“It’s a ‘top and toe’ treatment that relaxes people. “We also do eyebrow and eyelash tinting and nails.”Kristy said since she started setting up the shop four weeks ago, the only problem has been waiting for an internet connection.“I’ve been told that by the NBN company that they are busy and haven’t been able to connect me up to the NBN yet,” she said.“It’s a problem for me because my staff and the online bookings are connected via a computer system and I can’t get into it up here.”Kristy said it’s an issue she will be taking up with the Ombudsman.In the meantime, it’s business as usual, as she manages her salons and brings a relaxed glow to the cheeks of Lismore residents.You can find out more information about Affordable Beauty at https://www.affordablebeauty.com.au/

Colemans Bridge in North Lismore will again see changed traffic conditions this weekend while essential maintenance work is carried out.The bridge will be closed to all traffic from 6am on Saturday 14 to 5pm on Sunday 15 December, weather permitting, as part of ongoing strengthening and maintenance work.One of the bridge’s two pedestrian walkways will remain open at all times.Work will be carried out between 6am and 5pm but the bridge will remain closed overnight on Saturday.An alternative route from South Lismore to the Lismore CBD is available via Union Street and the Bruxner Highway (Elliott Road). From the Lismore CBD to South Lismore, use the Bruxner Highway and Union Street.Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit http://livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

The Lismore App reported today that Lismore’s health food shop Fundies Wholefood Market on Keen Street is under voluntary administration.The store is one in a national chain of health food shops since it was taken over by the Natural Grocery Company about two and a half years ago.However, the parent company has been under financial pressure and some of the stores have already closed down this year.The Lismore store will remain open while appointed Voluntary Administrator Timothy Cook of Balance Insolvency manages the company through the administration process.A statement from The Natural Grocery Company said “most of the stores in the chain are still operating”. “They are Fundies Paddington and Lismore; Kunara Organic Wholefood Market; and Flannerys Benowa, Miami, Robina, Paradise Point, Loganholme, Wynnum, Chermside, Victoria Point, Maroochydore, Cronulla, Mona Vale, Gymea and Crows Nest,” the statement said. “The Sydney stores in Bondi Junction and Lane Cove were closed, as was the one in Toowomba.“The Board of The Natural Grocery Company has taken the difficult decision to put the Company into voluntary administration and appointed Mr Timothy Cook of Balance Insolvency as a Voluntary Administrator,” the statement said.“Continued margin pressure and the broader distribution of health food channel products into the mass market retailers had severely impacted business performance.“The Company instituted a comprehensive turnaround plan in early 2019, but despite the significant efforts of management, in-store teams and the Board, the plan failed to yield the required results.“The Company and its directors are working closely with advisers on a Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) proposal to present to the Administrator to transition the business into a smaller and sustainable store network.“Mr Fergus Collins has been appointed as acting chief executive to see the Company through the administration process. “Fergus is an experienced retailer having previously held the positions of chief executive for Metcash Grocery business and chief executive of Metcash Liquor business, Australian Liquor Marketers.“Under the DOCA a large number of the employees will continue with the business and all employee entitlements will be paid in full and the company’s creditors are anticipated to receive a significant dividend,” the statement said. Lismore Fundies manager Drew Pilbeam said “Fundies is still open and trading as normal and the plan is for us to eventually take back control of the business.”Read More: Lismore health food shop under administration

At Christmas time last year, Fili Esau (Fil to his friends) was cutting hair for homeless people at the Winsome Hotel and Soup Kitchen in North Lismore.This year, he’s still cutting hair – but now, he’s has opened his own shop Numak Barber in the Village Goonellabah shopping centre.“I like helping people and this time of year can be lonely for some people,” Fil said.  “I wish I had time help the homeless again this year, but when my business becomes more successful, I’ll make some time to do it again.”Fil came to Australia from New Zealand in 2017 and when he came to the Northern Rivers, he started cutting hair from his home.“I’ve spent the last year working three jobs as well as cutting hair so I could save up money to open my own place,” he said.“I only had $1500 and needed to work to buy equipment for the shop, like chairs and cutting tools.“Finally I have my own shop.”Fil said he wanted to open the shop in Goonellabah because he sees good things in the area.“I have regular customers who love my service and keep telling others - and Goonellabah needs a barber,” he said.“I’m still only advertising on Facebook and Instagram and people have found me.“People come up here shopping or get a coffee and they come in and say hi and hang out in the air conditioning.”Phil qualified to be a barber in 2016 after spending many years cutting hair for friends in New Zealand.“They would bring me a beer and I would cut their hair,” he said.Phil said he wasn’t always so community minded, but as he’s gotten older, he’s changed himself and his attitudes.“I’ve been approached by an Aboriginal community to help on a project next year to keep youth off the streets and help them to fit in,” he said.Fil now has his three sons living here with him and he said the name for the shop – Numak – is a made up from mixing together his sons’ names.If you want to make an appointment with him, look for NUMAK barber on Facebook, or drop in to his shop in The Village on Simeoni Drive, Goonellbah.

Long standing health food shop, Fundies Wholefood Market on Keen Street in Lismore is under voluntary administration.The store is part of a national chain of health food shops which have seen several stores close down recently.Fundies manager Drew Pilbeam has been managing the Lismore store for two years and said the shop currently has administrators operating the business.Read more: Fundies to stay open through administration process“It was after a few of the other Fundies stores closed down in Sydney and Queensland,” Drew said.“Our shop is doing well and we knew that to go into voluntary administration was the only way to go forward.“We are still open and trading as normal and the plan is for us to eventually take back control of the business.”Drew said the Lismore store was taken over by new owners Flannerys Organic and Wholefood Market about two and a half years ago, when the store changed its name from Fundamental Food Stores to Fundies Wholefood Market.“We’ve been working hard to get more stock and keep the shelves full, and we encourage our customers to keep coming into the store,” he said.“It’s important, especially at this time of year to keep shops open, so come in have a browse.”Fundies Wholefood Market was founded in 1979 with a store in Lismore and sells natural and organic foods, with two stores situated in the Northern Rivers area and Brisbane.

Four of the most wanted men in the Northern Rivers were arrested yesterday thanks to proactive policing and the assistance of police dog Yogi.Richmond District Police are sending out a strong message that if you have an outstanding warrant “you can keep looking over your shoulder for plain clothes and uniformed police for the rest of your life, or hand yourself in and get it over with”.Police will allege that at 11.30am yesterday, Wednesday December 12, they were patrolling Casino for a 24 year old Casino man wanted on warrants. They sighted the 24 year old in a car which they pulled over. The 24 year old ran from police, but was found with the assistance of police dog Yogi and had his warrants executed.At 11.40am police were patrolling the Dunoon area for a 35 year old Dunoon man who had an outstanding warrant. He gave police a false name and tried to ride off on his pushbike, but police caught and arrested him.At 2.45pm police attended an Elm Street Casino address in order to locate a 29 year old Casino man wanted for domestic violence related offences. He resisted police attempts to arrest him and intentionally head-butted the side beam of a police vehicle, causing damage. He was charged with the domestic violence related offences along with new charges of Resist Police and Destroy Property. Police will be seeking compensation for the cost of the repairs of the head-butt.At 3.20pm police sighted a 20 year old Casino man who was a passenger in a car at Goonellabah.Police were aware he was wanted for three serious domestic violence related offences. He was arrested and charged.All four offenders were bail refused and will appear at Lismore Local Court today, December 12.The same police will be out today looking for more people who are wanted or have outstanding warrants. @Inquiries will be made at their homes, places where they are known to frequent and their places of work," a police statement said.

Water restrictions in Nimbin have been raised to Level 3 from Level 2, as part of a number of new water-saving measures introduced by Lismore City Council - with immediate effect.From next week, private water carriers will no longer have access to water sourced from Nimbin’s water supply in Mulgum Creek.Lismore Council and Rous Council will also begin installing public water access stations next week in other areas of the district. These public fill taps will be open to anyone, except for private contractors, for up to a maximum of 3000 litres.Lismore City Council Director for Infrastructure Services Peter Jeuken said the tough new restrictions were necessary as the expected water savings under Level 2 were not being achieved. “These new tougher measures are needed because water consumption in Nimbin remained unchanged under Level 2 restrictions and with the long-term forecast showing little signs of consistent rainfall, they are now crucial,” he said. “If the new Level 3 restrictions does not reduce consumption, we will be forced to implement Level 4 restrictions which are very tough and include no watering of gardens, even with a bucket. “We are also actively investigating other options such as bores to ensure Nimbin has a reliable water supply.” Nimbin’s water supply is sourced from Mulgum Creek and is operated by Lismore City Council. The water supply for the rest of Lismore Local Government Area is sourced from Rocky Creek Dam and is operated by Rous County Council.  Rous County Council last weekend introduced Level 1 water restrictions for all areas in the Lismore Local Government Area, excluding Nimbin. Under Level 3 water restrictions, Nimbin residents can:• Watering cans or buckets can be used on established gardens at any time.• Hand-held hoses with an on-off nozzle can only be used to water gardens for a maximum of 10 minutes, between the hours of 4pm and 9am, on odd or even days matching your house number. • Other irrigation, such as sprinklers, and unattended hoses are banned. • Filling of new swimming pools is permitted only to reduce structural damage between 4pm and 9am using a hand-held house with one-off nozzle.• Top up of fountains and water features is not permitted except to maintain fish life. • Washing of driveways, paved areas, walls, windows, roofs and paths not permitted except for health and safety reasons by a registered cleaning business only.• Washing of cars permitted with efficient high-pressure, low-flow rate cleaners with trigger control for five minutes between 4pm and 9am on odd and even days matching your house number. For water hints and tips, and a fact sheet, visit http://www.Lismore.nsw.gov.au  

With a growing population of people who are homeless in the area, what to do about it was one of the agenda items discussed by Lismore City Council at last night’s council meeting.Councillor Ekins said the issue of homelessness was “a wicked problem” which has been in council’s strategic plan for ten years and it was time to address it.“We have over 200 people sleeping rough in our community every night - maybe party by choice, or because there are no other options – it’s a difficult issue,” she said.“This is about getting agencies together to investigate funding and accommodation options and we need to start engaging with people about it.“We need to build appropriate safe accommodation options.”Cr Ekins said there was already money directed toward the Winsome Hotel for providing a service hub and meals and was a place agencies could go to help people.“We know that women over 55 are increasing in homelessness… but it only accommodates 12 men,” she said.Cr Ekins said some of the park areas in Lismore she goes to have people living on them.“There are concerns from nearby residents about it because fires are being lit there.“We need to investigate options and take action on this before another ten years passes.”The original motion to address homelessness was generated by Cr Bird. The motion noted that the “proportion of homelessness people has grown between the last two census’ (8.4%) in Lismore LGA and is growing at a rate that surpasses its population growth (-.06%)”.It also suggested that council, in partnership with relevant organisations in the Lismore local government area,” investigates funding options to support the creation of an integrated strategy that takes a holistic approach to homelessness, housing and wrap around service delivery”.It also asked council to investigate options including the lease and no cost development to Council of Crown land or buildings in South Lismore to create a social enterprise to support the transition of homeless people through training and education opportunities.Council’s general manager Shelley Oldham said council had already held preliminary conversations with stakeholders about the issue.“There’s also a Federal initiative on counting homelessness, with a count due to happen in Lismore next year,” she said.“We want to be on the front foot to support agencies in town and see if there’s buy-in in our region.”Cr Casson spoke against the motion, stating that with the recent rates increase, council should not be looking at spending money on homelessness.“We are trying to be everything to everyone,” she said.“I feel sorry for the homeless, but bottom line is, it’s not our jurisdiction – it’s State and Federal. “Council is limited to managing behaviour in public places. “We have appalling roads and shouldn’t spend dollars on something else.”Cr Casson noted that there was no funding source listed to pay for staff time needed to pursue the issue if the motion was passed.As it was a requirement for the motion to be passed, the vote was held off until the motion was brought back to next council meeting in February.

After a hard year, it’s time to give back to those who have been doing it tough during the recent fires.A special Wishing Tree has been set up at Santa’s Wonderland by Lismore City Council where the local community can donate gifts for families affected by bush fires at Rappville.Lismore's acting city centre manager Nathan Dee said many families across our region have been hit hard by these devastating bushfires.“Particularly our neighbours in Rappville where more than 20 houses were lost,” he said.“To make sure the families in Rappville have a good Christmas, we have set up a special Wishing Tree at Santa’s Wonderland in the CBD.“We want to spread the Christmas cheer and help those who are doing it tough, after all that is what Christmas is all about.”Mr Dee said all donated gifts will be distributed to families with the assistance of Richmond Valley Council.“People can simply bring their gift into Santa’s Wonderland, collect a tag from our helpers at the front counter, complete the relevant details such as the suitable age for the gift and leave it under the tree,” he said.Santa’s Wonderland is located at 142 Molesworth Street and open every day from 10am-4pm up until Christmas.

Rather than eat too much this Christmas season, why not help yourself – and others – by starting to train for next year’s Samson Fitness Challenge.The Lismore Samson Fitness Challenge will be held next year on March 6 – 7, bringing hundreds of competitors together to raise funds for the Our Kids charity. Every year more than 600 competitors train from December to March to ensure they can last the distance. Team Samson organiser, Jason Clarke said this year’s event has something extra special. “The Samson is now in its 10th year,” Mr Clarke said. “This time we have a Mystery Leg, which will incorporate the number 10 and promises to keep our competitors guessing. Watch this space.” The Samson sees teams of four people complete nine gruelling challenges including strength activities, running, swimming and an outdoor obstacle course. The fittest team takes home the Samson Title. The 2020 Samson will include Samson Solo for adults, Samson Teen Sprint and Samson Kids, to ensure there is something for all ages. The Samson raises funds for Our Kids to help purchase paediatric equipment for our local hospitals. This year funds raised will go towards a wireless CTG machine at Lismore Base Hospital to help record fetal heartbeats and contractions during labour. The Samson will start at Hepburn Park in Goonellabah, the run will take competitors through the streets to the GSAC where the swim leg will take place before competitors will run back to the oval and complete the last two fitness legs. “The Samson attracts people from all over the state and South East Queensland who enjoy keeping fit,” Mr Clarke saidThis event is a way to put your body to the test and at the same time help support local children.Registrations open online on December 7 and the Early Bird fee is $320 per team. For more details on the course head to http://www.lismoresamson.com or phone the Our Kids office on 6620 2705.

We know there are smart criminals and dumb criminals, this story clearly puts this guy in the dumb criminals column.Richmond District Police will allege that on Monday a 31 year old man Victorian man was visiting Lismore when he rammed a shopping trolley into a strangers car for no apparent reason on Brewster Street.Later in the day, police sighted the man in the Lismore Square. When approached he would only give police his first name while not supplying any ID. He was placed under arrest and taken to the Lismore Police Station.This is where things became interesting.Police found out that he has outstanding warrants for three offence in Coffs Harbour from March 2015 and four outstanding warrants in Victoria.He was charged with Destroy Property, had the warrants executed and bail refused. He appeared in Lismore local court where he was granted conditional bail. He is due to appear at Lismore Local Court next week.The burning question asked is "if you have multiple warrants, why would you do something so stupid as to suddenly ram a car for no reason?" It takes all sorts.....

Local Land Services is calling on the community to step forward and help make a difference by applying to the local North Coast Board. Positions on local boards will become available across all 11 regions when the terms of 29 current board members and chairs end in March and April next year. Chair of the North Coast Local Land Services Board, Bob Smith, said that the organisation needs to be able to draw on the experience and expertise of qualified people who understand the local community and industry. “We are experiencing challenge and hardship across the state and now, more than ever, we need our board members to work closely with landholders to identify and deliver services relevant to local needs,” Mr Smith said. “Within North Coast Local Land Services we are recruiting for the chair and one board member. “The successful candidates will help build resilience within our region’s communities and make a real contribution to land management in NSW.” Mr Smith said North Coat Local Land Services hopes to attract candidates with a commitment to high ethical standards and teamwork and who bring unique experiences and knowledge to the local boards.  There is also a focus on increasing the number of women on local Boards, along with Aboriginal people and younger people. “We recognise the potential for genuine collaboration with Aboriginal people to share culture, heritage and traditional land management in a modern context. Our local boards should truly reflect the demographic of the communities that they serve. “Having a mix of people on our boards introduces new experiences and skill sets and new voices. These are the people who can provide strategic direction, improve service delivery and work closely with our regional communities,” Mr Smith said. Candidates will need to demonstrate a strong understanding of corporate governance, a commitment to high ethical standards and teamwork, and well-developed communication, negotiation, advocacy and influencing skills.  Local Land Services is interested in people who have expertise, knowledge and skills in one or more of the following areas: • Leadership, strategic planning and management • Community participation • Regional service delivery • Working with industry, government and other partners • Audit, financial control, reporting and risk management • Primary industries or providing services to support this sector • Contemporary biosecurity programs in animal and plant health, pest and weed management • Emergency management especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies • Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation • Working with Aboriginal groups and communities and/or local government. Local Land Services is on the ground, delivering agricultural production advice, biosecurity, natural resource management, emergency management, sustainable land management and soil conservation services.  The Board Recruitment Package is available on Local Land Services website. For a hardcopy of the Package or for more information, visit https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/ or phone 02 6623 3900. Applications close 5pm, Friday 13 December 2019.  

A man has died following the car accident earlier this afternoon on Kyogle Road, Tuncester.As more details came to hand, we can reveal that the two car accident happened around 3:10pm. The two vehicles, a Nissan Pulsar and a Holden Epica, were travelling in opposite directions when the cars collided near the intersection of Leycester Road.A number of witnesses stopped and offered assistance.The 25 year old males driver of the Nissan pulsar died at the scene.The 17 year old driver of the Holden Epica suffered serious internal and leg injuries and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital. He was later transferred to Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.His passenger, a 16 year old boy, suffered lacerations and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital in a stable condition.Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstance surrounding the crash.3:57pm - Original StoryA 17 year old man involved in a car accident on Kyogle Road has been flown by the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter to the Gold Coast University Hospital.The accident took place just after 3pm this afternoon, approximately five kilometres out of Lismore on Kyogle Road.The road is still closed to traffic in both directions on Kyogle Road near Fernside and Lismore Police advise people to avoid the area. Kyogle road is likely to be closed for a further 3 hours while the accident is investigated.A number of emergency services attended the scene, including Police Rescue, Fire & Rescue NSW Lismore and NSW Ambulance.The man had multiple injuries and was treated on scene by paramedics and taken back to Lismore airport helicopter base in a stable condition.

Richmond District Police are appealing to the public to identify some jewellery they have.If you can identify the jewellery, please contact Lismore Detectives (02) 66260625 or email 40281@police.nsw.gov.au

Nimbin’s feral splendid peacock Jesus, and his peahen partner, Mary, have hatched four peachicks.In time for Christmas, the elusive babies have been spotted with their parents a few times since they were born in November.The resident birds can be seen on the main street of Nimbin, wandering around, frequenting cafes like the Oasis.Doug Pinch, radio broadcaster and citizen journalist at Nimbin FM told The Lismore App he’s seen the birds around town for a few years now.“They have been dumped in Nimbin town, just like the feral roosters were,” Doug said.Read more: Fowl deeds: Feral rooster attacks child in Nimbin“When I was in Nimbin hospital a few weeks ago, I was having breakfast on the veranda and the peacocks just came up to me – it was incredible.“My friend who walks her dingo every day said she’s seen them on Cecil Street.“One of them was killed there a while ago and it’s interesting that the birds come back to the place where it was buried.”Doug said he likes watching them crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing. “They have to because there’s a rail that stops them just walking onto the road.“It’s hilarious – now they’ve started a new family.”Doug said a year ago, the birds hatched another batch of chicks, but unfortunately, they were killed by a dog in Nimbin.“They used to live in the old parsonage behind the police station, but we’re not sure where they hatched their babies this year,” Doug said. Doug said it’s been hard to know what sex which chicks are.“These ones have longer legs than the last batch, so we think they might be male,” he said.“Everyone dying to find out how many splendid peacocks we will have.”The Lismore App will keep you posted about the elusive peachicks.Read more: Fowl deeds: Feral rooster attacks child in Nimbin

A man charged with multiple fraud offences for allegedly impersonating a Rural Fire Service officer, will appear in Lismore Local Court today.Richmond District Police originally arrested the man in November, but after more inquiries, the man was again arrested on Monday and further charges were laid against him.Police reported that officers from the Richmond Rural Crime Prevention Team were alerted to a man alleging to be a member of the NSW Rural Fire Service in the Northern Rivers region between Friday, November 8 and Sunday, November 10.Following investigations, police executed a search warrant on Tuesday, November 12, on a home on Cox Road in Koonorigan.During the search, officers seized a number of items, including documents related to alleged fraudulent activity.A 36-year-old man was arrested and charged with dishonestly obtain property by deception, attempt register, renew registration by false statement and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.He appeared in court and was granted conditional bail to appear in Lismore Local Court on Monday, January 6, 2020.Following further inquiries, on Monday, December 9, the 36-year-old man attended Lismore Police Station and was arrested again.He was charged with impersonate organisation officer to exercise function, two counts of do act intending to pervert the course of justice, wilfully swear falsely in an affidavit, two counts of intention to defraud by false/misleading statement and fraud.The man was refused bail to appear in Lismore Local Court today, Tuesday, December 10.

With so many bushfires causing poor air quality in our area and affecting people's health, the arrival of an air quality incident monitor is good news for locals.Hourly air quality updates will be available to Lismore residents following the installation of a temporary monitor in response to the ongoing bushfires burning in their areas.Other areas to receive temporary air quality monitors include Ballina, Taree, Coffs Harbour and Grafton.Link to air quality monitoring information: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/air-quality/air-quality-concentration-data-updated-hourlyRead more: Heat and smoke prediction brings health warningRead more: Which masks are effective against bushfire smoke?NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Director of Climate and Atmospheric Matthew Riley said that smoke from bushfires across NSW is significantly contributing to poor air quality in areas across New South Wales, and these additional monitors will provide up-to-date real time info for the people on the North Coast."These areas normally have some of the best air quality in the world," Mr Riley said."Unfortunately, the severe bushfires in these regions and the unprecedented fire season we are dealing with has resulted in ongoing air quality issues from the smoke and dust."These temporary monitors will ensure people and health services in those areas can get the information they need to make important decisions on providing health care advice for the community or for individuals implementing their own health plans."The need for a permanent air quality monitor in Lismore was recently taken up by the office of local MP Janelle Saffin."Our office contacted the Minister of Energy and Environment in September, representing a constituent who was concerned about the unavailability of a permanent air quality monitoring in Lismore," Ms Saffin said."We were advised that the Department’s Science Division is working to identify the best location for a permanent air quality monitoring station and there is no timeline for this."Our office has written a follow up letter to the Minister, asking him to expedite the process to install this permanent air quality monitoring station."We are awaiting a reply from his office."Mr Riley said the NSW Government operates the most comprehensive accredited air quality monitoring network in Australia."Now with approximately 90 stations across the state, and we have been working to broaden the network into more regional areas in consultation with local councils," Mr Riley said."The expanded Rural Air Quality Monitoring network together with the ongoing incident monitoring in Port Macquarie and the new station in Armidale have provided important information on the air quality impacts of these bushfires."NSW Government scientists will now be able to use the information gathered by these emergency monitors to build a more complete assessment of air quality across NSW during this emergency.NSW Government scientists are also working with the NSW Rural Fire Service to understand wildfire conditions and the likelihood of smoke persisting, and the Bureau of Meteorology who give a broader outlook on winds and weather conditions that exacerbate air quality in New South Wales.Information about air quality in NSW, including subscription to email and SMS alerts is available at https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/air/about-the-air-programHealth advice in relation to air quality is available at NSW Health: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

The Lismore temperature is predicted to hit 36 degrees today, and in some parts of the state, it's predicted to reach the mid-40s. So, NSW Health is again reminding people to take necessary actions to keep cool to avoid overheating.NSW Director of Environmental Health Dr Richard Broome said the combined effects of persistent bushfire smoke and soaring temperatures means vulnerable people should take extra precautions.“Hot weather and poor air quality are a recipe for severe illness unless people take simple precautions,” Dr Broome said.Read about the new air quality monitor in Lismore: Air quality monitor arrives in Lismore“We are urging people to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, to minimise physical activity, to keep well hydrated and reduce their exposure to smoky air.“Hot weather puts a lot of strain on the body, causes dehydration and can make underlying health conditions worse. It also causes heat stress and heat stroke.“Compounded by the continued impact of smoky air from bushfires, it’s important that people are prepared, particularly people with underlying medical and respiratory conditions.“It’s best to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, which is generally from about 11am to 4pm. Staying indoors also protects you from bushfire smoke. "If you don’t have air conditioning, using a fan can cool you down and keeping curtains shut helps to keep the heat out of your home. It’s also important to minimise physical activity and to drink plenty of water.“It’s also really important to stay in regular contact with elderly neighbours, friends and relatives because they may be more vulnerable to the heat.“Signs of heat-related illness include dizziness, tiredness, irritability, thirst, fainting, muscle pains or cramps, headache, changes in skin colour, rapid pulse, shallow breathing, vomiting and confusion,” he said.Dr Broome said it’s important to get to a cool place quickly if symptoms occur. People showing severe signs of heat-related illness should seek urgent medical attention, in an emergency situation call Triple Zero (000).More information can be found at the NSW Health website: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat