For the third year running, ETC’s MySmallBiz Expos are back in a big way for 2025 with a series of nine free community events designed to celebrate and support small businesses, self-employed individuals, and aspiring entrepreneurs. On 18 June 2025, join Enterprise and Training Company (ETC) at the Lismore Workers Club as they create an engaging space for people at any stage in their business journey. These expos offer an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to meet, collaborate, and network with the local small business community.Daryl Parmenter, ETC’s Self-Employment Assistance Program Manager, emphasised the importance of these expos, particularly in nurturing local entrepreneurship and supporting businesses at any stage of their journey.“The MySmallBiz Expos are a celebration of start-up businesses and a must for either potential or existing small businesses," Mr. Parmenter said. "Come network, make connections, and speak with local business specialists to gain free support and guidance on moving your hobby into a business or giving your existing business a refresh.”Event Highlights:Networking Opportunities: The expos will offer numerous opportunities to build meaningful connections with other small business owners and industry professionals. These interactions can lead to new collaborations and business opportunities.Interactive Stalls: Explore a variety of stalls showcasing local businesses and services. This is a great chance to discover new products, services, innovations from the local community and to #ShopLocal.Engaging Presentations: Attendees will gain valuable insights from industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and supportive services. These presentations are designed to inspire and provide practical advice for starting or growing a business.Inspiring Success Stories: Hear firsthand from Self-Employment Ambassadors and grassroots startups. Their stories of perseverance and success will motivate attendees to pursue their own business ventures.Expert Advice: Receive guidance from experts in various fields and meet government representatives who can provide information on available resources and support for small businesses.Whether individuals are thinking of starting their own business or looking to support local business, ETC’s MySmallBiz Expos offer something for everyone. These events are designed to inspire and empower attendees, providing the confidence and resources needed to turn dreams into reality.“Previously, I had trouble finding valuable support for my business. Now, with Workforce Australia – Self-Employment Assistance, I clearly defined my needs for business growth. Collaborating with ETC and their MySmallBiz Expos has been supportive and educational. If you're dedicated, have clear goals, and are open to learning and growth, this is a fantastic opportunity,” said Sara, from Healthii Hub, a previous MySmallBiz stallholder. Event DetailsVenue: Lismore Workers ClubDate: Wednesday, 18 June 2025Time: 11am to 2pmClick here to register for your free ticket.ETC is a Workforce Australia – Self-Employment Assistance provider. If you need help to start a business, or support for your existing small business, contact ETC on 1800 007 400, visit www.etcltd.com.au.

The critical decision-making documents, like the Community Strategic Plan, dominated this week's Council meeting. However, there were other motions and votes that are worth writing about.Rural planning changes, Bounty Street parking changes, Business Lismore's $50,000 funding request, and the interview process for the new General Manager were also covered.The changes to Council's Planning Proposal to introduce artisan food and drink industries and creative industries into Lismore's RU1 Primary Production, E1 Local Centre (smaller-scale commercial activity) and E2 Commercial Centre (larger-scale commercial activity) land use zones drew mixed reactions from councillors.On one side, you had Councillors Adam Guise and Big Rob, who were concerned that more microbreweries opening in rural areas would lead to more cases of drink driving. There was also concern about the limit of 100 patrons onsite at any given time, which would lead to road issues.The other side involved Crs Andrew Gordon, Dalton-Earls, Electra Jensen and Gianpiero Battista. Their position was that planning has held Lismore back for the last twenty (20) years because of red tape, that these types of businesses will feed into the Rail Trail and that the agritourism laws are determined by the state government, not Lismore City Council.The motion was easily passed.There were more planning changes to the Lismore Local Environmental Plan when the next motion was put forward. 10.3 involved changes to land zoned E4 General Industrial around the Lismore railway station.The aim of the planning proposal was to allow for additional appropriate commercial and cultural activities around a section of the existing rail corridor that would support the rail trail as a tourist destination for Lismore and the Far North Coast. The additional uses include community facilities, entertainment facilities, information and education facilities and retail premises.(The Lismore railway station to the right of the rail trail)Cr Big Rob was predictable in his negative comments about the rail trail; however, he did support growing South Lismore, as did all councillors. Cr Jensen mentioned she saw eight (8) bikes outside the Southside Bakery in support of the rail trail, while Cr Battista said that we seem to find a problem with everything we do in this town. "Can we focus on the positive, please?" he stated.This was the first of a few unanimous votes from Tuesday's council meeting.The search for a General Manager has begun with a recruitment company advertising the position for three weeks before forming a shortlist of eight (8) candidates. Councillors then have the option to be part of the preliminary interviews and the subsequent second round of interviews.All councillors are invited to be part of the interview process, although they will be held over two full days during a working week. Councillors asked for some flexibility around the actual days given workloads and conferences at the end of June.Bounty Street will have six nominated 2-hour parking spots after another unanimous vote.Bounty Street moved to 10-hour parking, in reality, all-day parking, to accommodate an increase in local flood restoration workers. Unfortunately, Lifeblood Lismore has its donation centre on Bounty Street, and blood and plasma donors were having to park quite far away and walk to the centre to give their life-saving donations. While it was not confirmed during the meeting, you would assume the six spots will be directly outside the front of Lifeblood Lismore. This is a staff decision.There was some more good news, this time for Business Lismore, as they were granted $50,000 in another unanimous vote.Councillors praised the work done by the new Business Lismore board to promote and advocate for the local business community in the CBD, and that this funding includes South Lismore, North Lismore and Goonellabah.Councillors were also impressed that Business Lismore turned down the offer of more money, so they could learn to 'walk before they run'.The final item of the May meeting was a confidential item and involved the lease of 97 Caniaba Street, South Lismore. There were no details as to why this land was being leased and to whom it was being leased; however, there was an indication that it could be for the storage of buyback houses.Watch this space.Despite efforts to get through the meeting agenda, councillors failed to do so. Due to councillors' commitments in the next few weeks, it was decided by the mayor that all other items will be carried over to the June 10 meeting.

The weather can quite often dominate conversations in Lismore and the Northern Rivers; however, not to the extent that it has in the last three weeks.We are used to seeing a lot of rain dumped in our backyard, then blue skies return, and life goes on. But the rainfall numbers in 2025 tell a different story.Already this year, Lismore has recorded 1,155mm at the airport. The Lismore mean rainfall for 12 months is 1,244.5mm, so we have nearly received our yearly rainfall in the first five months of the year.That is a long way from the wettest year on record in Lismore, which was 2,213mm in 1893. However, it is worth mentioning that rain gauges stopped working during the 2022 floods.With the BOM forecasting 3-25mm today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday), plus more lower falls next week, that scenario is highly likely.The BOM's Dean Narramore says an inland trough from Queensland and more southwesterly winds later this morning will bring moderate falls to the Northern Rivers. There is a chance of a thunderstorm over the next three days.As far as May is concerned, Lismore has smashed the mean rainfall of 68.8mm already. To May 14, we have recorded 107mm, with only three days with less than 1mm.The upcoming rain is not welcome news for the organisers of three of the region's biggest events: Primex, Gemfest and Beef Week.Primex opens its gates at the Richmond Valley Events Centre in Casino at 9am today (Thursday), running until 4pm Saturday.Gemfest at the Lismore Showgrounds gets underway at 9am on Saturday and runs until 3pm Sunday.Casino Beef Week doesn't start until Saturday, May 24, but already the Farm Tour, Youth Cattle Program and Youth Education Day Events have been cancelled.Whatever the weather, it is important that we support local events, so don a raincoat, put on some boots and pop the umbrella in the car.

Police are targeting violent domestic violence offenders across NSW to ensure the safety and well-being of domestic and family violence victims and the broader NSW community.During this time, Richmond PD will demonstrate their continued commitment to prevention and action against domestic and family violence.If you have any information in relation to the persons shown below, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/All information is treated in strict confidence.Robert Calisti has outstanding domestic violence-related arrest warrants and is known to frequent Lismore.Aubrey Binge has outstanding domestic violence-related arrest warrants and is known to visit the Ballina Area.

Yesterday's Lismore City Council meeting included debating the Lismore Community Strategic Plan (CSP) before adopting the draft document and putting it on display for 28 days. The CSP details the community's 10-year aspirations for Lismore and sets the stage for its future.The CSP was formed with input from 1,678 people who participated in a community scorecard that delivered a frank assessment of Council’s performance. The results were clear: people want better roads, a clear vision and plan for responsible growth and housing, visible progress on storm water management and waste and more responsive youth services.Those residents scored Council half the industry average for vision, roads and stormwater. It certainly still has a great deal of work to do.Council said the feedback was honest, and it revealed areas where it is not meeting expectations. However, it also offered clarity. The community delivered a firm and detailed mandate for change, and Council is responding.After spending most of the start to 2025 continuing to work with the community to turn priorities into a shared plan of action, Council today has endorsed its draft integrated Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, and Operational Plan to go on public exhibition.The Community Scorecard, completed by 1678 residents, identified six top priorities: safer local roads, diverse housing options, support for local economic growth, flood mitigation and recovery, youth services and waste management.Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the feedback was clear and direct, residents are not satisfied with the quality or focus of Council’s delivery. Their expectations are clear, and so is their disappointment.“We accept that. There’s no point glossing over the results, we just need to get on with the job of doing better,” he said. “The community told us that above all else, they want safer, better-maintained roads — roads that last, not quick fixes. They want proper flood mitigation, not patchwork solutions. They want to see Lismore built responsibly, with more housing options, better services for young people, and more timely and transparent communication.”Since the results were delivered to Council in February, Lismore City Council has undertaken one of the most comprehensive strategic planning processes in the organisation’s history, Mayor Krieg said.“We received the results in February and planned to head back out to community, but were delayed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. In April, we hosted community workshops across Lismore to share both the results and our draft response,” he said.“We wanted to check with residents if we were on the right path.“Overwhelmingly, they supported the direction but asked us to go even further in some areas. We’ve done that.”The result is a new, integrated plan that combines the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, and Operational Plan into a single roadmap — a clear, measurable guide for what Council will do, when, and why.Among the standout actions:Deliver priority road upgrades through the 4-year Capital Delivery Program and keep the community informed of progress.Reform the Roads Operational Management Plan and implement a new quality management system for better road maintenance.Advocate to Transport for NSW for vital upgrades, including the Hollingsworth Creek Bridge duplication and improved safety at intersections along the Bruxner Highway.Implement CSIRO-recommended flood-mitigation strategies and complete outstanding projects such as Brown Creek Channel and Inlet, multiple stormwater pump stations and the Upper Hollingsworth Creek Flood Gate.Advocate for the Bureau of Meteorology to upgrade telemetry systems and digital flood monitoring.Introduce automated Property Flood Certificates to support rural residents with insurance and development planning.Establish or support Service Teams to implement a works program to improve the overall appearance and sense of pride in Lismore CBD and village centres.Deliver footpath and cycleway links connecting schools, parks, and key precincts, including Ballina Rd to Albert Park School, Pindari Crescent, and the Rowing Club car park.Develop new land-use strategies that support residential, rural, economic and environmental growth.Create a Property Strategy to unlock diverse housing options, support intergenerational farming and increase key worker accommodation.Partner with NSW Reconstruction Authority to create precinct plans for the CBD, East and North Lismore, South Lismore, and the Health Precinct.Renew youth programs, including activation of the new Lismore and Nimbin skateparks, upgrades to Spinaze Park and Nesbitt Park, and safe study spaces with Wi-Fi.Restore wastewater facilities in East and South Lismore and the Nimbin water treatment plant to meet future demand.Advocate for expansion of rural water tank programs to enhance village resilience.Investigate innovative waste recovery and recycling options, including biogas energy and circular economy partnerships.Identify priority urban streetscapes for rejuvenation and biodiversity protection.Strengthen catchment management and environmental planning to protect Lismore’s ecosystems and mitigate future risks.The plan includes a commitment to transparent reporting and ongoing community dialogue, with regular reviews to ensure responsiveness in a changing environment, including a full review of the plan each year.“This plan is not just a document — it’s a shared commitment,” Cr Krieg said.“We are proud of what we’ve built together and focused on delivering what we’ve promised.”As Lismore looks to build a region of opportunity where everyone can succeed — the community can be confident that its voice has not only been heard but embedded in the decisions that will shape its future.Community Survey – Summary of Key Findings for Lismore City CouncilAreas of StrengthSense of Community:A majority of residents feel a sense of belonging in Lismore and villages.Sport and Recreation:Sport and recreation facilities are performing well and are among the highest-rated services.Parks and Playgrounds:Parks and playgrounds are positively regarded by the community.Support for Local Business:The local area is seen as a reasonably good place to work or operate a business.Areas for ImprovementInfrastructure and Amenity:Local roads and bridges were the lowest-rated area overall.Stormwater management and waste services also received low satisfaction.Community buildings and public toilets were rated poorly.Flood Resilience and Recovery:There was community concern about disaster preparedness and progress on recovery.Economic Development and Planning for Growth:Residents expressed limited satisfaction with Council’s efforts in creating jobs, boosting tourism and activating the local economy.Youth Services:Community services and facilities for youth received low satisfaction scores.Leadership and Governance:Ratings were low across several governance areas, including leadership, communication of a clear vision, and financial sustainability.Highest Comparative Scores(Where Lismore is performing in line with or close to industry average/high)Sport and Recreation FacilitiesLismore: 64Industry Average: 64Sense of Belonging in the CommunityLismore: 57Industry Average: 58Area to Work or Operate a BusinessLismore: 50Industry Average: 58Parks and PlaygroundsLismore: 55Industry Average: 64Lowest Comparative Scores(Where Lismore is rating as most below average)Council Has Developed and Communicated a Clear VisionLismore: 13Industry Average: 27Local Roads (Including Bridges)Lismore: 22Industry Average: 46Stormwater ManagementLismore: 25Industry Average: 48Youth Services and FacilitiesLismore: 31Industry Average: 47

Three months after the biggest flood in Australia's history tore through Lismore and the Northern Rivers, the NSW Government launched the first temporary pod Village in Wollongbar to house the first of thousands of displaced residents.Wollongbar was soon followed by ten (10) other pod villages throughout the Northern Rivers, including one in East Lismore at the end of Crawford Road.Three years later, in March 2025, Wollongbar was the first 'Temporary Housing Village', as it is now named, to close.(The Wollongbar POD Village May 2022)Four more are scheduled to close by June 27 2025, three in the northern part of the region and one in the south, while conversations are underway with council's and landowners about the future of the other five Temporary Housing Villages.The state government's problem in transitioning people to permanent accommodation is the lack of housing, including affordable, social, and rental housing, in Lismore and the Northern Rivers. This situation was exacerbated by the 2022 floods, and a solution is still a few years off.When asked for an update from the NSW Reconstruction Authority, a spokesperson said, "Kingscliff, Evans Head, Pottsville and Brunswick Heads (Bayside) Temporary Housing Villages will stay open until 27 June 2025."The villages were always intended to be temporary to support flood-impacted residents get their lives back on track. The first village to cease operating was the Wollongbar Temporary Housing Village in March this year"We know that people in the temporary housing villages still need assistance, which is why we are working with Homes NSW and our Community Housing Partners to support residents to find longer-term accommodation outside the temporary housing villages."The NSW Reconstruction Authority is also working with landowners, Councils and Homes NSW to see if operation of some of the remaining villages can be extended for a further period, because we want to make sure that people impacted by the floods get the housing they need while we work on building more social and affordable housing."The Reconstruction Authority is also assessing options regarding potential future use of the temporary housing infrastructure at the temporary villages, including if the pods could be used to support broader NSW Government housing objectives."In the aftermath of the devastating floods in 2022, the NSW Reconstruction Authority established 11 temporary housing villages in the Northern Rivers, with the assistance of councils and other landowners under crisis accommodation planning exemptions."

The general rule of thumb is that politics does not belong in local government. Of course, we all know that is not true, and it was proven at yesterday's Lismore City Council May meeting.The political debate started with the discussion about the five documents that have now been approved to go on public display, that is, the draft Community Strategic Plan (CSP), Delivery Program, Operation Plan, Long Term Financial Plan, the Community Engagement Plan and the draft Fees and Charges.The point of difference concerned the removal of the word 'affordable' when it came to describing Lismore's housing future. Instead, the word 'diverse' is used, which includes affordable housing.The two Greens councillors, Adam Guise and Virginia Waters, and Labor's Jasmine Knight Smith supported adding a point four to the motion, which said that affordable housing is a core strategic outcome of the CSP.Cr Knight-Smith was concerned it doesn't reflect what the community wanted, while Cr Waters said, "It is critical for our community housing providers, as they rely on the CSP and other council documents to support their funding and advocacy efforts," and Cr Guise said the work was done in secret workshops.This point was challenged by Cr Andrew Gordon, who said it was covered in two council workshops and asked whether Cr Guise attended those meetings. Cr Guise replied that if they happened during the day, then he likely didn't attend because he works. Cr Rob said he goes to every briefing and workshop, "Sometimes I forget what Cr Guise looks like because he's never there."Cr Knight-Smith's motion was defeated 4/7 with Crs Dalton-Earls, Knight-Smith, Guise and Waters voting for.Cr Gianpiero Battista had put a foreshadowed motion forward as printed, and then added his own point 4, where all references to affordable housing were replaced with diverse housing where practical.Cr Battista said he was surprised somebody from the Labor party moved the previous motion about affordable housing because he expected it from The Greens. He also mentioned that social housing should have replaced affordable housing, and that social housing was the responsibility of the state government.Cr Dalton-Earls mentioned that the councillors who did not attend the workshops missed out on a lot of context. "If you're not attending those briefings, which often happen in the evening, then you're coming into a council chamber and talking about things that were already discussed at the briefing. And I think that's not always the best scenario, particularly when it's such an involved and long document."Cr Waters said she felt it was a little 'patronising' about whether councillors attended workshops or not. "I think it's setting up a precedent of actually not knowing how we may all share information with each other, and that people are being vilified, basically, for that."Cr Waters then gave a definition of affordable housing: "Affordable housing refers to housing that is accessible to households with low to moderate incomes to be typically defined as housing where the cost does not exceed a certain percentage of the household gross income, often 30%."The counterargument was around supply, or the lack of it, which puts so many residents in the unaffordable basket through higher prices.Mayor Steve Krieg said Lismore, as a regional city, is the only one on the list of regional cities in NSW that has not grown recently."In fact, you could almost say we've experienced negative growth, while our cousins, the Tamworths of the world, only 15 years ago were a population of 43,000 and now are 60,000 with goals to hit 100 (thousand) by 2060. Goulburn, Orange, Wagga, Dubbo, all experiencing growth."Mayor Krieg went on to say that Lismore has been focused on social housing, with demands for developers to give up 10% of their potential developments to the Affordable Housing Contribution Schemes. "If you were wanting to open 100 blocks of land in Lismore, but you can only sell 90 of them, where would you go? Would you come to Lismore and try and do business in Lismore, or would you go to another regional centre who welcome and embrace the diversity and the opportunity."The message from the Krieg team was that diverse housing includes affordable housing, which includes granny flats, apartments, rural residential subdivisions and residential.Cr Knight-Smith said she was 'appalled' that affordable housing has been removed, "It makes me sad," she said. While Cr Rob said that he was appalled at the Federal Labor Party for bringing in immigration and creating a shortage of 100,000 homes.Cr Battista said he refers to Lismore as the lost opportunity town and that he hasn't seen a policy from The Greens or Labor in the last four months about affordable housing. "What are you proposing? Tell me. If it's smart, if it's intelligent, we'll accept it."Cr Battista went on to say that in the past 12 to 14 years that nothing has been done."We lost opportunity left, right and centre, and this town has gone backwards by miles, and we need to bring it back, to go forward."This motion was voted for 9/2 with Crs Krieg, Hall, Dalton-Earls, Bing, Gordon, Knight-Smith, Jensen, Rob and Battista voting for and Crs Guise and Waters against.More politics raised its head when Cr Waters raised a motion regarding the Living Lab and its research findings into timber recovery and reuse, particularly the practical experience of deconstructing two properties in North Lismore.The motion was to note the research, and in Point 2, which the majority of councillors agreed with, acknowledge the three key recommendations to support a robust circular timber and reuse system through the development of deconstruction guidelines, the establishment of a circular recovery facility to store, process and support the reuse of salvaged materials and the development of a value assessment framework to accurately compare the benefits of deconstruction and material recovery versus traditional demolition.Point 3 was where the politics came into play when Cr Waters asked councillors to write a letter to the relevant NSW Ministers and the NSWRA to seek a temporary pause on the demolition of flood-affected homes, as one of four points.The points of view went according to party lines, with Cr Waters saying it is devastating to watch the demolition of buyback homes and Cr Battista saying that the Greens had actively supported and encouraged the occupation of undemolished houses."This poses a risk of having people in flood-affected areas living there when they shouldn't be. The reason why those houses were bought back, and Cr Waters and Cr Guise benefited from the buyback, was because it was deemed to be very unsafe to live in a flood-affected area."Cr Guise then spoke about The Greens being "the only party that's actually standing up and speaking out on the housing crisis and the ecological crisis." He pointed out that not all buyback houses are high-risk, dilapidated or ruined.Cr Dalton-Earls then asked Cr Guise a question about whether some people should not have taken the buyback and rented it out cheaply to people in a housing crisis.Cr Guise thanked Cr Dalton-Earls for the question and acknowledged he had given him another five minutes to reiterate his previous points. At one point during these five minutes, councillors got up and left the chamber, leaving only three in their seats, meaning there was not a quorum in the chamber should a vote be required.However, they came back for the vote, which was lost 3/6, with Crs Guise, Waters and Knight-Smith voting for and Crs Dalton-Earls, Battista, Rob, Bing, Jensen and Krieg voting against, with Cr Hall and Gordon out of the chamber.Cr Battista's foreshadowed motion, removing Point 3, was more of the same discussion points and was passed with Crs Bing, Jensen, Dalton-Earls, Knight-Smith, and Battista voting for and Crs Waters, Guise, Rob and Krieg against.Council meetings are nothing but predictable for the more controversial motions that are tabled. It just depends on each councillor's view of what is good for Lismore.

The NSW Government is moving forward with a safety-focused framework for e-scooters and e-bikes that includes rules and speed limits for e-scooters on shared paths, a review of road rules and work to ensure e-bikes are not modified and battery fires are reduced.The Government’s response to recommendations from a recent Parliamentary inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options is due to be tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.The response builds on the E-micromobility Action Plan released by the NSW Government last year for the more than a million e-bike and e-scooters users.The Government is proposing that e-scooters will be able to be ridden on shared paths, with a default speed limit of 10-20kmh and a 20kmh speed limit on roads that are signposted at 50kmh and below. The use of e-scooters would be legal for independent riders over 16 years old, in line with Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia. The NSW Government is not proposing any new speed limits for e-bikes. Work is going on to create a better framework for shared e-bike schemes that will reduce clutter on streets.E-bikes must be mostly propelled by riders; a motor cannot be the only source of power and is there to help riders, for example, when getting started or going uphill.E-bikes that comply with requirements in the Road Rules are defined as ‘bicycles’ and the same rules and responsibilities apply to riders of an e-bike as a traditional bicycle. NSW Police are responsible for the enforcement of road transport offences for illegal e-bikes.To help ensure the ongoing safety of road-legal e-bikes, the NSW Government will review the definition of an e-bike in the NSW Road Rules, referencing a national definition and international standards. E-bikes and e-scooters can bring many benefits to help people move around in a healthy and affordable way, reduce congestion, demand for parking, and boost our economy and environmental outcomes. The latest data in NSW shows:There are around 1.35 million e-micromobility devices in NSW homes47% of people use them to connect to public transport34% of trips replace car trips in Greater Sydney, 45% in Regional NSWThe highest usage is among those aged 18-29, followed by 11-17, followed by 30-49 including working parentsAction is already under way and the majority of the inquiry recommendations are supported, including:Reviewing the definition of an e-bike and potential for footpath riding in the NSW Road RulesEstablishing safety standards and risk-based protocols to reduce the likelihood of battery fires, with nation-leading product safety requirements for lithium-ion e-micromobility devices Boosting rider and road user education, with new voluntary tests, campaigns, and updates to in-school road safety education programs and the Driver Knowledge Test onlineConsidering appropriate fines and opportunities to in collaboration with NSW PoliceOngoing investment in critical infrastructure and improving future design of shared pathsGreater collection of e-bike and e-scooter data to improve safety outcomes.In the coming months, the Government will progress the proposed regulation of e-scooters and Road rule changes will be supported by communication initiatives to build awareness of all community members. For more information about how to safely use this emerging transport mode, visit: nsw.gov.au/e-bikes-e-scooters.Minister for Transport John Graham said, “They’re known as ‘micro’ devices but e-bikes and e-scooters represent a major shift for our road and transport networks.“We believe a sensible set of rules will promote the health and lifestyle benefits of e-bikes and e-scooters while protecting the safety of riders and everyone else sharing the paths and roads with them.   “These devices are creating an evolution in how people move around – and that’s a good thing, but we need to get the balance right. There’s still a lot of work to do but this provides a clear path forward when it comes to properly integrating and regulating this relatively new form of transport.“We recognise the community’s concerns, particularly around device modification, fire risk, discarded shared e-bikes and poor rider behaviour – which is why we’re taking action.”Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said, “Thousands of people in NSW are already making the shift to e-micromobility as a healthy, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to move around urban and regional communities. It’s pleasing we’re able to progress this key reform.“We know there is confusion around the current rules, and we’ve seen some dangerous behaviour, so we’re urging people to exercise caution. E-bike riders should always give way to pedestrians, wear a helmet and check their device is road-legal. It is currently illegal to ride an e-scooter on public roads and paths.”

Only a few Lismore signature events have been around for over 30 years: the Lantern Parade, the Lismore Show, and Gemfest.The 33rd Lismore Gemfest is this weekend at the Lismore Showgrounds. It attracts large crowds every year, eager to view and purchase some spectacular and eye-catching gemstones, minerals, fossils and jewellery.While Gemfest celebrates 33 years, the Lismore Gem and Lapidary Club, the organisation that puts on Gemfest, celebrates its 60th anniversary this week.The Lismore Gem and Lapidary Club was established in May 1964. It was founded as the Lismore Gem and Mineral Society by Dick Reeve, FGAA, who presided over the inaugural meeting attended by 50 enthusiasts at the Lismore Art Gallery rooms. Dick's wife, Val Reeve, served as the first publicity officer.The club has since evolved into one of the longest-established lapidary clubs in country New South Wales, offering a full range of lapidary activities, including gemology and regular fossicking trips. It is affiliated with the Australian Federation of Lapidary & Allied Crafts Associations and the Gem & Lapidary Council of New South Wales Inc. Heather Bolton is the only serving foundation member. She joined the Lismore Gem and Lapidary Club with her father in 1964."It's been wonderful," Heather told the Lismore App, "I've made lots of friends, and we've been to lots of places, and I've learned lots of activities. I'm more interested in landforms and geomorphology and things like that, rather than cutting and polishing stones. So, the thing about this club is you can have all sorts of different interests. Some people specialise in opals, and some specialise in faceting, and some make their own silver. It's really a great place to learn."Heather and her Dad lived in Nimbin, which was the perfect place to encourage a lifelong hobby."You could go looking in the creeks, because the Mount Warning volcano left a lot of gemstones and interesting minerals. Since then, we've gone further afield; some people have gone way up to north Queensland. And because of my interest in this, when you go for a drive, you notice landforms, you notice quarries, and you stop and say, I wonder if there's something interesting here.Heather's lifelong fascination with gems and minerals is the same as the people of Lismore and the Northern Rivers. Between 10,000 and 15,000 people go through the Lismore Showground gates to view the beautiful opals, crystals, amethyst, emerald, and quartz, to name a few."We must be doing something right, because we get the same dealers and the same customers year after year. And you think, maybe we should change it a bit. And you think, no, it's working."The weather forecast is for a shower or two, something we have been used to since March, so no big deal.The club's Vice President, Jenny Vyrenhoek, said the rain won't pose too much of a problem as the majority of the 150 tailgaters displaying their wares are undercover."We have the fine arts pavilion and the two large pavilions at the top of the showground, plus more undercover areas as you walk to the bottom gates," she said."Fingers crossed we have more sunshine than showers, but there are plenty of reasons to come and look at what the tailgaters have brought to Lismore this year."There is parking available at the Lismore Showgrounds, and once again, there is a free shuttle bus running in a loop between the Lismore Transit Centre and Alexandra Parade from 9am to 1pm both days and 2pm to 4pm Saturday and 2pm to 3pm Sunday.Lismore Gemfest 2025Venue: Lismore ShowgroundsDate: Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18Times: Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 3pmCost: Adults $5, Kids $1

At today's Lismore City Council May meeting, Lismore's draft 10-year Community Strategic Plan (2025 to 2035) will be discussed and put on public display if the staff's recommendation is adopted.Four other supporting documents will also be discussed and put on display: the draft Delivery Program, draft Operation Plan, draft Long Term Financial Plan, and the Community Engagement Strategy 2025, which includes the Community Participation Plan.Once completed, this will bring Council's Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) program up to date for the first time in a decade. The Community Strategic Plan (CSP) dates back to 2013, when it was developed. Since then, it has been adopted for each new council term because of the effects of natural disasters in 2017 and 2022.Through the community input of 1,678 people, who told Council about their priorities, aspirations for the future, and guided the development of a clear vision for Lismore, four key pillars have been developed. They are: Place - Plan sustainable growth to ensure liveable communities and a vibrant regional city Environment - Value, protect and enhance local biodiversity, natural landscapes and waterways and strengthen resilience to natural hazards Community - Foster safe, healthy and inclusive communities for all ages, cultures and abilities Prosperity - Support the growth of prosperous and vibrant communities 5. Leadership - Ensure effective governance, advocacy, engagement and partnerships with a focus on long-term financial sustainabilityThis has led to a Vision for Lismore that reads:Lismore, the heart of the Northern RiversWe envision a vibrant community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, supported by strong economic foundations for meaningful employment, growth and wealth creation in a thriving economy - all while celebrating our culture, fostering the arts, promoting sports and protecting our natural environment.The CSP is the driving document, supported by the other documents. The diagram below outlines the IP&R Framework, which delivers a clear path forward.The main focus of Council, since the 2021 elections, has been to get Council's finances in order. The budget has only seen red ink for as long as anyone can remember, and the asset renewal and maintenance ratio has been a continued thorn in Council's side. Although the 2022 big flood has helped that cause, as flood-affected assets will be rebuilt using government funding.The Operating Performance Ratio and the Own Source Operating Revenue Ratio are two key benchmarks that need to change for Lismore City Council to get back in the black consistently.Over the next five years, the Operating Result before capital grants and contributions shows an improvement in position from a $10.9 million loss to a $4.2 million loss. It is still a loss; however, a huge oil tanker is slow to turn around, but it can be done.We will be paying the maximum rate peg for rates in the 2025/26 financial year of 3.9%. This is set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).The $75.00 Waste Levy will stay as our landfill continues to be transported to Ipswich in Queensland, following substantive damage as a result of the 2022 big flood.Sewarge charges will increase 3.9% and water will increase 5%.The Long Term Financial Plan shows Lismore City Council breaking even in 2034/35, after an $11 million loss in 2025/26. The warning here is that a lot can happen in a decade, including more natural disasters, so this will be a flexible document.You will have 28 days after the documents go on display to read and understand Council's vision and plans to ensure they reflect community expectations and desires for our future.The Lismore City Council May meeting starts at 10 o'clock this morning.

They say a week is a long time in politics, just ask Peter Dutton.For Kevin Hogan, the Federal member for Page, the last ten days have been more positive than it has been negative despite the thumping loss to Labor on May 3 for the coalition.Mr Hogan was re-elected for a fifth term for Page with a virtually unchanged vote. His primary vote is at 45%, down only 0.4%, while his two-party preferred vote is at 59.5%, down from 60.5%.At a party vote today, Mr Hogan was elected Deputy Leader of the National Federal Parliamentary team.He was promoted to the front bench in June 2022 as Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism and now adds the second top job in the Nats to his resume."I am incredibly honoured to have been elected Deputy Leader of The Nationals Federal Parliamentary team, alongside our Leader David Littleproud and Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie."As someone who grew up in regional Australia, and has proudly represented regional communities for over a decade, I consider it a great privilege to take on this role."The Nationals main focus is our regions, and I am committed to ensuring sure the voices of the nine million people who live outside our capital cities continue to be heard loud and clear in Canberra."The Nationals have not lost a lower house seat since 2007. At this election, we also achieved a major swing toward us in Bendigo. This is a credit to our entire team, our candidates, and local campaigns that work tirelessly across the country."I want to acknowledge Senator Perin Davey for her service as Deputy Leader, a Shadow Minister and a strong advocate for regional NSW. She will be deeply missed in the Parliament."Thank you to my colleagues in the Party Room for the trust they have placed in me. "I stand proudly with my colleagues and our Leader, David Littleproud to move forward united, with a clear goal — to deliver a fairer, stronger future for regional Australia."

This International Nurses Day, the vital contributions of nurses across NSW are being recognised as they continue to be at the heart of healthcare in every community.Minister for Health Ryan Park thanked nurses for the important role they play in providing compassionate care and clinical expertise in a range of clinical, outpatient, and community settings.International Nurses Day is an opportunity to shine a light on the incredible dedication NSW nurses show every day in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care to thousands of people across the state. If you know a nurse or midwife going above and beyond, International Nurses Day is the perfect time to nominate them for the Healing Heart Award, as part of the 2025 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards. The Healing Heart Award recognises a nurse or midwife whose compassion, kindness, professionalism, or other attributes stood out.Nominations for the Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards are open until 12 June. People can nominate at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/einmaThe Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards consist of nine awards, including seven local health district and specialty network-nominated awards, one consumer-nominated Healing Heart award and one colleague-nominated Healing Heart award.Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, and I want to thank each and every one of them for the vital role they play in our health system.“Their contributions are critical to ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate healthcare, and their commitment is essential to the resilience of the entire health system.“The care and expertise provided by nurses supports thousands of people across our state every single day, and International Nurses Day is a chance to shine a light on the incredible work they do.”NSW Health’s Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross said, “Nurses are everywhere all the time, contributing to health outcomes for the people and communities of NSW. They are in community settings and in acute and complex care environments, and everywhere in between.“I am incredibly proud of my nursing colleagues and would like to thank them for their compassion, professionalism, and round-the-clock commitment to caring for patients in the public health system.“As the single largest workforce group in NSW Health, nurses are there at every turn, making a real difference to the care and experience of patients and their families and carers.”

The NSW Police Force is celebrating 100 years of commitment to road safety initiatives, honouring the dedication of its traffic officers and exploring new technologies to further reduce road trauma.This year marks 100 years of Road Safety in the NSW Police Force and 50 years since the establishment of what is now known as the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command.To commemorate the milestone, more than 50 NSW Police vehicles, including 24 motorcycles and 11 privately-owned historic police cars, will drive in convoy from Sydney Motorsport Park at Eastern Creek to the Sydney Opera House today (Monday, 12 May 2025).The anniversary coincides with national and international road safety week.There have been major advances in technology and vehicles in the past 100 years, with the introduction of seatbelts and random breath tests recognised as key developments that played a significant role in reducing road trauma.(Random Breath Testing machine 1983. Photo: supplied)In 1975, there were 1288 recorded fatal crashes, which reduced to 620 in 1995 and 326 in 2015.There have been 131 deaths so far in 2025, which Assistant Commissioner David Driver, Commander of the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, said was “still 131 too many”.Today, highway patrol officers, crash investigators, and other specialist staff use state-of-the-art equipment in their work, and the Command continues to pursue further technology to improve road safety.Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said she looked forward to seeing how this technology advanced in the coming years as she reflected on the NSW Police Force’s significant milestone.“For a century, what is now the NSW Police Force Traffic & Highway Patrol has stood as a constant presence on our roads saving lives and keeping communities safe with a dedication that often goes unseen but never unappreciated,” Minister Catley said.(An AJS police motorcycle in 1926. Photo: supplied)“Marking 100 years of road safety in the NSW Police Force is not just about looking back - it’s about recognising the thousands of officers whose grit, discipline, and quiet courage have protected countless lives from tragedy on our roads, with some themselves making the ultimate sacrifice.“This centenary is a chance to honour a special legacy - 100 years of service, from back streets to highways, with every kilometre patrolled helping to save lives.”Commissioner Karen Webb said NSW Police had seen great advancements in technology over the years to keep the community safe."For a century, the NSW Police Force has been a pillar of safety and security on our roads,” Commissioner Webb said.“The dedicated men and women of what is now Traffic & Highway Patrol Command have for the past 100 years been committed to road safety. Their efforts have helped save countless lives, and they continue to protect our communities.“At one stage during my career, I held the role of Commander of Traffic & Highway Patrol Command, and I am extraordinarily proud to be here today to celebrate this significant milestone.”(Amy Milgate and Gladys Johnson, the first uniformed female police officers in 1948. Photo: supplied)Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said keeping the people of NSW safe on our roads was one of our highest priorities.“I want to thank the NSW Police for the critical role in road safety that they have played for 100 years,” Minister Aitchison said.“As first responders at crash scenes, in traffic management and in enforcement, the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command is there for the NSW community on the frontline saving lives every day.”Today’s convoy will see vehicles travel via the M7/M2 Motorway, Bradfield Highway and Cahill Expressway, before arriving at the Sydney Opera House forecourt. Police will then recreate photos of Traffic & Highway Patrol cars and officers that were taken at the same location.The first photo dates back to the years between 1938 - 1940, and the second was taken in 1996.National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, partnering with road safety organisations and government.The week, which runs from Sunday, 11 May to 18 May 2025, highlights the impact of road trauma and ways to reduce it.Significant milestones in road safety:1925 - NSW Police created the Public Safety Bureau.1937 - Speed limits were legislated.1954 - Speed detection radars were first used.1968 - A blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.08 was implemented.1969 - Demerit points were introduced.1971 - Introduction of compulsory wearing of seatbelts. In 1970, there were 1309 recorded fatal crashes. This fell to 1092 in 1972, with the decreases likely attributed to the introduction of seatbelts.1975 – The Highway Patrol Command was established, with more emphasis placed on deterring traffic offences, including distinctly marked, highly visible vehicles were introduced with light bars and sirens fitted to the roof.1980 - A blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.05 was implemented.1982 - Stationary random breath tests were introduced. There was a significant drop in fatal crashes recorded in 1982 from 1253 deaths to 966 in 1983.1987 - Mobile random breath testing was established. There was a decrease in fatal crashes recorded from 1029 in 1986 to 959 in 1987.1990 - Speed cameras were introduced. There was a decrease in fatal crashes from 960 in 1989 to 797 in 1990.1997 - Double demerits came into effect.2001 - 40km/h school zones were introduced.2005 - Automatic number plate recognition technology, which is now fitted to all marked Highway Patrol vehicles across the state, was introduced. The technology advanced to reading six number plates per second in 2009.2007 - Roadside Drug Testing was introduced.2024 - Random drug testing processes introduced where a driver who tests positive for an illicit substance during an initial swab test will be arrested and undergo an immediate roadside oral test. This replaced the former practice of transporting drivers to a police station - saving officers more than 55,000 policing hours in enforcement. In 2024, NSW Police conducted more than 3.4 million random tests for alcohol and drugs. When averaged out over the year, it represents more than 9,500 tests each day across NSW.

On Saturday, the Lismore App published a news story about the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) involving Resilient Lismore in providing additional support for people who have registered for the Resilient Homes Program (RHP) and have been assessed for a house raising or retrofit.This has nothing to do with house buybacks, which has been the focus of the RHP since it was established. House raisings and retrofits have a similar Resilient Land Program (RLP) feel, and that is, moving at a glacial pace.As at 28 April 2025, 420 homeowners in the Northern Rivers have been prioritised for resilient measures (home retrofits and raisings), who are receiving tailored assessments to make their homes more resilient against flooding.Two hundred sixty-five (265) home assessments have been completed and are at various stages of works with the homeowner. Forty-nine (49) resilient measure (raise, retrofits, relocation, rebuild) offers have been approved, with 20 completed. The above statistics, were not split into LGA's. However, as of 28 March 2025, Clarence led the way in terms of numbers, followed by The Tweed, Lismore, Byron and Richmond Valley.Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “I want to see as many homes as possible get raised and retrofitted and while we’ve got lots more to do, we are beginning to make some good progress here. “I’m glad that the Reconstruction Authority is helping people get their homes assessed, and that 265 homeowners in our community have a path to make their homes more resilient against flooding. “The most important thing about the Resilient Homes Expos is that our people who need clear information on making their homes more resilient, or on how to relocate a buyback home, are able to sit down with a real person and get the help they need.” A NSW Reconstruction Authority spokesperson said, "The NSW Reconstruction Authority will hold three Resilient Home Expos in May at Richmond Valley (Woodburn), Lismore (Goonellabah) and Clarence (Maclean), following one earlier this week at Murwillumbah. "These expos help Resilient Homes Program homeowners looking to make their homes more flood resilient, and community members seeking to relocate a buyback home to a new location. "The expos will provide information about the Resilient Homes Program grant process, development approval processes, and how successful resilient building and relocation projects can be delivered. "Homeowners and business representatives can visit information stands and speak with representatives from councils, Reconstruction Authority, SafeWork NSW, Building Commission NSW, and various industry associations and businesses interested in resilient building services. "Sessions on resilient measures, development approval processes, and relocation will also be on offer throughout the expo. There will be opportunities on the day to book 15-minute one-on-one appointments with a Council Officer or a RHP team member.   For more details on the expos or to register visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/our-work/events.

The fences are up, the asbestos removal sign is on display, which means the demolition of the Goonellabah Fire Station on Taylor Avenue (corner Rous Road) is not far away.Residents in Goonellabah would have noticed the removal of the telecommunications tower approximately four weeks ago in preparation for the rest of the demolition.The tower removal has led to many residents complaining about reduced mobile phone signal strength, which has decreased the services delivered by their provider.The Lismore App contacted Optus, which was on the tower, and provides access to resellers, such as Vodafone, Amaysim, TPG, and Virgin Mobile. They acknowledged that the nearest tower is now quite far away, and there is a problem in the area.The good news is that Optus is working on a new tower; the bad news is that there is no restoration time period.Back to the demolition and rebuild of the Goonellabah Fire Station.The firefighters who have called Goonellabah home are in a temporary facility until the completion of the new $7 million Goonellabah Fire Station, which is expected to be in October 2026.Demolition will occur over the next three months, with construction starting in August.During that time, the new plans will be completed by June, and at the same time, the conceptual drawings will be finalised.The concept is to construct a modern, purpose-built building with facilities that are in line with today's standards and culture. This includes male and female privacy areas, which until now has been a shared space. Females now represent over 10% of the Fire and Rescue service personnel.Another important addition to the new building is the 'clean firefighter program'. This is a designated area for firies to bring back carcinogens and other harmful particulates from fire scenes.When complete, the new Goonellabah Fire Station will accommodate both the permanent (full-time) firefighters currently based at 141 Molesworth Street, Lismore, and the existing retained firefighters of the Goonellabah Fire Station. Their truck and associated resources will also be housed at the new facility.The purpose of this redevelopment is to relocate essential emergency services outside of the major flood zone, ensuring that the crew and equipment currently based in Lismore are not displaced during flood events.Currently, the Lismore station is staffed by both permanent and retained personnel. Once the redevelopment is complete, the permanent staff will relocate to the new Goonellabah Fire Station, and the Lismore station will operate as a retained-only station.

If you are travelling south on the Pacific Motorway this week, be prepared for some delays as Transport for NSW carries out bridge maintenance and asphalt patching work.The Harwood Bridge maintenance work begins at 6am tomorrow (Monday, May 12) until 12 midday Wednesday, May 14 with contraflow lane closure of the bridge and a 40km/h speed limit in place for the safety of motorists and workers. Intermittent stoppages might be required, and motorists can expect delays of up to five minutes.Then on Thursday, May 15 work will be carried out from 6.30am to 4pm at Farlows Overbridge, and on Friday, May 16, near Ferry Park.Traffic control will be in place at each location during work hours.Alternating traffic flow and a reduced speed limit will be in place Farlows Overbridge and a single lane closure on the southbound carriageway of the Pacific Motorway will be in place near Ferry Park.Intermittent stoppages might be required, and motorists can expect delays of up to five minutes.Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.For more information on this work, visit livetraffic.com/incident-details/233952, download the Live Traffic NSW app or call 132 701.

Primex 2025 swings open its gates at the Richmond Valley Events Centre, Casino, this Thursday (May 15) as Australia's sustainable farming and primary industries expo gets underway.As usual, there are plenty of items to see and do from agriculture to lifestyle, such as extensive livestock displays, the Nourish Food & Drink Fest, the Health & Wellbeing Hub, Agtech Alley, Affordable Housing, the Regenerative Agricultural Hub and the NextGen schools and farming programs, to name a few.These 41st Primex field days at Casino look to the future of agriculture across the region _ from the latest in ag technology to 21st century farming techniques _ while recognising the long-term commitments to the Northern Rivers from the likes of machinery dealers through to the Country Women’s Association. Primex director Bruce Wright says the 2025 theme _ Our Future in Farming _ underpins this year’s expo.“Our theme sounds simple but covers a host of topics and exhibits from the latest in agricultural technology through to future planning in the Northern Rivers area,” he said.Mr Wright _ long an advocate for the region _ adds that this is a critical time for the food and fibre producers of this diverse agricultural area, often undervalued by governments, to develop a cohesive voice.Along with a number of the Northern Rivers stakeholders, he has facilitated innovations such as the Young Aggies program to grow a network for the region’s next generation of farmers.Since 1985, the family-owned Primex field days have evolved to cater for one of Australia’s most diverse primary production regions, with a farm gate valued in excess of $1 billion per annum according to the DPI. Today, Primex hosts more than 430 exhibitors, 1200 suppliers and some 30,000 visitors while engaging with 30 grower organisations and groups throughout northern NSW. Over three days, Primex showcases leading brands and suppliers to the area’s agricultural and rural sectors, generating between $45-70 million in sales per annum and injecting an estimated $2.5-3.5 million into the region.For today’s farmers and rural communities, the 2025 Norco Primex offers a wide range of exhibits and exhibitors, alongside agricultural innovations and personal health advice. Days Machinery returns with the latest in Case, New Holland and Stihl products, RDO will have a paddock of John Deere machinery on show, while Local Land Services are back with advice for rural landholders, and the CWA and Baptistcare are among local service organisations.There is also a host of workwear suppliers, from AAA Socks to Ringers Western, alongside farm gear from gates to sheds. Recreational and work vehicles on show include the hybrid BYD Shark utility, the latest in GWM products, and Chev Silverados.The Norco Primex is a one-stop shop for farmers and rural people for machinery, agricultural solutions and services from the likes of Norco Agrisolutions, the NSW DPI and rural health practitioners. All these exhibits are complemented by a number of seminars and panel discussions from a Local Government Networking Event to a Forestry and Timber dinner, a Business Leaders luncheon and a ‘Future in Livestock’ discussion panel with red meat industry experts.The Primex ‘Nourish Food & Drink’ offers a complete supply chain experience where farmers and foodies meet to share food experiences, and destinations, with the program showcasing the region’s locally produced foods and products to create a connection between farmers and foodies.This program is set to profile food, brewery and distillery products with leading chef demonstrations and Paddock to Plate events offering fresh culinary experiences.All this is further complemented by activities from working dog trials and drone demonstrations to an interactive truck exhibition, Steering the Future, plus a range of entertainment, along with food and drink outlets.  A Dinky Di train will help visitors move around this year’s Norco Primex site. The 2025 Norco Primex opens 9am to 4pm on Thursday, May 15, Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. Tickets can be bought online _ for a 30 per cent discount _ or at the gates. One-day pass $20; three-day pass $45. Children under 12 free; 12-17 day pass $10 + three-day pass $20. Student/pensioner one-day pass $10; three-day pass $20. For more information, check www.primex.net.au.

Healthy North Coast has released its health needs assessment for 2025-2028, offering a comprehensive overview of the region's health priorities and challenges. This assessment, developed through extensive community engagement and data analysis, will guide future health service planning and commissioning across the North Coast.The key findings included:The most common chronic conditions in general practice were anxiety, osteoarthritis, asthma, depression and osteoporosisThe North Coast has the highest incidence of melanoma in NSWFewer children on the North Coast aged 1, 2 and 5 years were fully immunised than in either NSW or AustraliaThere are disparities in accessing primary care and hospital services on the North Coast across geographical areas and communities, with limited access to after-hours services.Healthy North Coast has developed 12 detailed Local Government Area (LGA) fact sheets, from Port Macquarie Hastings LGA to Tweed LGA. These fact sheets highlight unique health attributes and challenges within each community.For example, the table below outlines the Lismore LGA risks from lifestyle habits, and compares them to the rest of NSW.There are also fact sheets for specific health priority areas, like Aboriginal health and wellbeing, mental health, and older persons' health.When asked, "Which do you see as the most serious health concerns in your community? The Lismore responses were:Mental health issuesLack of access to health careAgeing populationDrug and alcohol useLack of dental careIn Lismore, more than 1 in 5 people have two or more chronic conditions. The most common chronic conditions are anxiety and osteoarthritis.“As a result of this process, there is a wealth of great information available that we hope will be useful for the whole community. Those employed in health, local government, education, employment and social and community services may find the resources useful for their work. I’d encourage you to jump on our website and take a look,” said Healthy North Coast CEO, Monika Wheeler.The assessment draws on insights from over 3,200 responses from the North Coast community to Healthy North Coast’s Better Health Community Survey in 2024, plus community workshops held in Kyogle, Grafton, Macksville, and online. These contributions have been instrumental in identifying key health needs and gaps in the health system.“We thank the community members, health professionals and service providers who generously shared their time, experiences, and knowledge in the health needs assessment process.“Your input has been vital in shaping a local health needs assessment that reflects the diverse communities of the North Coast. It gives us a clear path forward to make sure the right services are available in the right areas, to improve health in ourregion,” added Ms Wheeler.Healthy North Coast’s health needs assessment is undertaken every three years. Findings from previous health needs assessments have helped to shape the delivery of mental health services available via the Medicare Mental Health Phone Service, GP outreach clinics in homelessness services, the Primary Care Access initiative which offers free same-day GP appointments across the region through telehealth triage, education programs supporting immunisation skills enhancement amongst health professionals, and many more.The full health needs assessment, along with the LGA and priority area fact sheets, are available on Healthy North Coast’s website at hnc.org.au/health-needs-assessment-25-28.

A new study challenges a common assumption that Australian women who divorce or separate in midlife are destined for a bleak future.While finances can be a struggle and personal happiness declines in the short term, it gradually increases within a few years, often exceeding pre-divorce levels. That’s one finding from a South Australian study that tracked over 1400 women who had divorced or separated, comparing them with a control group of over 2500 women who remained in long-term relationships. Life satisfaction was tracked over multiple decades, using data from nine waves of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. The findings have been published in the Journal of Happiness Studies. Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the University of Adelaide said that social support, perceived control, and income satisfaction influenced how well women adjusted after their relationships dissolved. Lead author, UniSA clinical psychology master’s student Olivia Arcangeli, says that divorce and separation are among the most stressful experiences of adulthood, yet little is known about the impact of later-life relationship dissolution. “When long-term relationships end during midlife (age 45-50), people still have decades ahead of them, but also less time to re-establish themselves financially and in other ways,” Arcangeli says. “We found that within three to four years, divorced and separated women returned to their pre-dissolution levels of life satisfaction. This contrasts with a similar study in Germany, which showed that women still had not returned to pre-divorce levels of happiness five to six years after their relationship ended.” The difference between the two countries may be attributed to more lenient attitudes towards divorce in Australia, where there is far less stigma around divorce than in Germany. University of Adelaide psychology lecturer, Dr Anastasia Ejova, says the Australian study showed that life satisfaction levels for divorced and separated women matched those of married and partnered women approximately 13.5 years after their relationship ended, and continued growing somewhat faster, slightly exceeding the control group’s life satisfaction in the last few years of measurement. “This finding can be explained through the lens of post-traumatic growth, whereby individuals who experience major crises may develop increased insight and gratitude regarding their circumstances, which in turn increases their wellbeing,” Dr Ejova says. “We would ideally need to keep following the women for another few years to see whether the faster growth post-separation is sustained.” Women whose life satisfaction levels fell sharply in the years surrounding the relationship breakup experienced greater long-term happiness afterwards. The researchers say this could be linked to feelings of relief after dealing with high levels of stress and conflict during their relationship. Among the control group, happiness levels also rose later in the marriage, consistent with the view that many marital problems were able to be resolved over time. Women with strong support networks, a sense of control over their lives, and a greater ability to manage on their available income reported higher life satisfaction post-separation. The effects of re-partnering, having children, and education were either non-significant or unexpected. Unlike previous research on men and women, this study did not find re-partnering to improve life satisfaction levels post-divorce for Australian women. The researchers note it is possible that the benefits of re-partnering are more likely to be seen in men. In addition, despite an assumption that children present significant emotional and financial challenges for divorcees, the study showed minimal differences in happiness levels post-divorce between women with and without children. “The findings highlight the need for targeted support services for middle-aged women going through divorce and separation,” Arcangeli says. “Providing access to counselling, financial advice and social support networks could help women navigate the emotional and economic challenges of separation more effectively, making a big difference to their long-term wellbeing.”