For those who have missed out on purchasing a Resilient Homes Program buyback house, there are another dozen going under the hammer in early October in Lismore at a new venue.Each of the 12 homes will be sold at a public auction, to be held on Tuesday, 7 October at the Lismore Workers Sports Club (202 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah) from 5.30pm. Six are from North Lismore, two from South Lismore and four from the Lismore CBD, with some renovated and others having a complete blank canvas with exposed stud walls.The twelve houses are open for inspection over the next two days. The first is at 9am this morning (24 September) in North Lismore, while the second six starts at 9am in Lismore tomorrow morning (25 September). The inspection schedule is below:Inspections Wednesday 24 September North Lismore Relocation Homes 9-9:30am: 118 Terania Street, North Lismore9:30-10am: 80 Terania Street, North Lismore10-10:30am: 36 Barrow Lane, North Lismore10:30-11am: 37 Barrow Lane, North Lismore11am-11:30am: 71 Bridge Street, North Lismore11:30am-12pm: 8 Simmons Street, North LismoreInspections Thursday 25 September Lismore & South Lismore Relocation Homes 9-9:30am: 61 Brewster Street, Lismore9:30-10am: 58 Ewing Street, Lismore10-10:30am: 171 Magellan Street, Lismore10:30-11am: 157 Magellan Street, Lismore11am-11:30am: 13 Rhodes Street, South Lismore11:30am-12pm: 23 Rhodes Street, South LismoreA reminder that only registered people can bid on a home. As in previous auctions, there is no reserve price, and a 50% deposit of the purchase price up to $1,000 is payable on the night.A copy of the draft contract, as well as hygiene reports for each property, is available on request. Check out the PRD website by clicking here. You can also see more detailed images of the houses for auction.Nine of the houses are 3 bedrooms/1 bathroom, two are 2 bedrooms/1 bathroom, and one is 4 bedroom/1 bathroom.The Lismore App has heard that squatters are still occupying other NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) owned buyback houses, and asked RA for comment.A spokesperson said, "The RA, in coordination with NSW Police and the NSW Sheriff's Office, is taking firm action to address unlawful occupancy in homes acquired through the Resilient Homes Program following the catastrophic 2022 floods."These properties were purchased because they pose a serious and ongoing risk to life. Illegal occupancy not only endangers individuals but also delays critical recovery efforts, including demolition, relocation, and repurposing."With the support of NSW Police and NSW Sheriff's Office, operations are currently underway to ensure these homes are vacated."RA remains committed to supporting flood-affected communities and will continue to work in partnership with local councils, NSW Police, and other agencies to ensure recovery efforts are carried out lawfully, safely, and with a long-term focus on community resilience."

How can nature, adventure and climate shape our mental wellbeing? Can simple online practices build resilience in a time of global pressures? These are some of the questions being explored by Southern Cross University Psychology Honours students at the 21st annual Honours Conference on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 September at the Gold Coast campus and online.The student-led research spans topics with direct community impact, from how outdoor adventure and nature connection enhance wellbeing, to the effects of climate change on our relationship with the natural world, through to positive psychology strategies for boosting resilience.Now in its 21st year, the Psychology Honours Conference has grown from a modest gathering of a few dozen students into a showcase of ideas and innovation, with 105 students presenting in 2025.The conference is designed to connect students with the wider community while celebrating the culmination of their Honours year, a challenging and transformative experience that sees each student design and carry out their own research project for the first time.Psychology Honours Co-ordinator, Dr Eric Brymer, said the event is a highlight of the academic calendar and a valuable launchpad for emerging scholars.“We have an enormous range of high-quality projects being presented and, importantly, opportunities to ask questions from all researchers,” he said.“The Honours conference offers an opportunity to celebrate the students’ hard work and intellectual growth, network, present their own unique research, gain exposure to their peers’ cutting-edge scholarship, develop valuable communication skills, and enhance their professional identity and future career prospects.”One key theme among the research topics is the health and wellbeing benefits of nature-based experiences.Student Emily Clark’s research investigates how physical activity, adventure behaviour-seeking, and connection to nature (nature-relatedness) influence mental wellbeing.Emily’s research looks beyond the question of ‘how much exercise is enough’ to how seeking out adventure and a connection to nature might enhance the psychological benefits of being active.Using an online survey to capture the experiences of 583 Australian adults, Emily’s research looks at the relationships between activity levels, adventure, connection to nature, and mental wellbeing. Her results showed that while moderate and high levels of physical activity improved wellbeing compared to low activity, the benefits plateaued, once they reached a level beyond moderate, rather than continuing to increase. Engaging in adventurous activities added unique benefits to mental health outcomes beyond physical activity, and people who engaged in adventurous activities often reported feeling more connected to nature, which boosted their wellbeing.“I chose this topic to shift the conversation beyond structured interventions and standard physical activity guidelines. This research aims to inform more accessible, preventative public health approaches to support mental wellbeing at scale,” Emily said.Psychology Honours student Georgia Coleman is investigating how climate change is reshaping people’s relationship with nature and what that means for mental wellbeing.Her research uses in-depth interviews to explore lived experiences, focusing on how climate anxiety influences the restorative effects of time spent outdoors.Georgia’s findings suggest that while participants sometimes experienced fleeting negative thoughts about climate change when in nature, these moments did not override the deeper sense of restoration, freedom and connection the natural world provides.“I hope this research can inform therapeutic interventions and wellbeing initiatives for climate anxiety and build towards theoretical frameworks, for the human-nature-wellbeing relationship, that account for climate change,” Georgia said.Coffs Harbour student Jane Hosking is examining the lived experiences of older adults with nature and how it supports mental wellbeing.Inspired by her love of the outdoors and her mother’s generation, Jane aims to understand how time in natural settings contributes to health and quality of life for older Australians.Using semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, Jane applied a Hermeneutic Phenomenology approach, which treats participants as co-researchers to explore the depth of their experiences. Her thematic analysis uncovered five key themes: transcendence, a sense of belonging, humility, inner peace, and immersive embodiment, all of which highlight the meaningful ways older adults experience and benefit from time in nature.Jane hopes her research will have a practical impact on health practices. “I’m hoping this research will help inform medical practitioners about the wellbeing benefits of time spent in nature for Australia’s older adults,” she said.Kamala Mansfield is exploring a different area of interest, focusing on positive psychology and how savouring-focused online interventions can help build resilience.Her research aims to find accessible, low-cost strategies that support mental wellbeing, particularly in the current global climate where pressures and mental health concerns are increasing.As part of a larger study led by Associate Professor of Psychology Desirée Kozlowski, Kamala examined the effects of a live online psychoeducation workshop focused on the practice of savouring. Participants first completed two surveys to measure their resilience, pleasure and savouring skills, then took part in the workshop where they learned about the science of pleasure and practiced savouring to enhance their positive experiences. A follow-up survey four weeks later measured any changes in resilience, pleasure and savouring.Kamala said her research could have practical applications for mental health support. “I think this research has important implications for building accessible, low-cost and scalable interventions that can help improve people’s access to mental health support and tools to improve their resilience and wellbeing,” she said.The program for the Psychology Honours Conference is available to view here and can be streamed online on 25-26 September, the link will be available to those who have registered to attend.

All public school students from years 5 to 12 will soon have access to the Department of Education’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art generative AI app following a successful trial in 50 schools. The NSW Government will roll out NSWEduChat to all schools from the start of Term 4, ensuring public school students are equipped with the necessary skills and technology to thrive as 21st-century learners. As the sophistication and use of generative artificial intelligence rapidly grows, access to the curriculum-aligned NSWEduChat will enable students to build AI literacy and skills in a safe environment where content is filtered and their data is secure. The expansion will also help to bridge the digital divide by ensuring all students have equal access to this free education tool in the classroom.Principals from trial schools strongly support its expansion, having found NSWEduChat to be a valuable tool for fostering independent learning, critical thinking, and student engagement. Students in the trial said it helped them understand their work better, develop their writing skills and break down complex tasks. Crucially, NSWEduChat does not reveal full answers to students. Instead of providing direct answers like some other AI applications, it encourages critical thinking by asking guided questions and inviting students to reason on the outcome of their questions.  Top five uses of NSWEduChat by students in the trial:General feedback on writing Brainstorming support for tasks Virtual assistant, including supporting planning to complete assessment tasks, prepare for exams, etcConsolidating learning e.g. prompting NSWEduChat with content from lesson and asking it to generate a quizPlanning and structuring written responsesA separate NSWEduChat platform for teachers was rolled out to all schools earlier this year, with surveys showing it streamlines their workload and saves time in producing classroom resources to meet different ability levels. In addition to this tool, the Department is launching Lesson Library, a new online platform providing streamlined access to quality curriculum resources written by NSW teachers, for NSW teachers, to help them deliver lessons aligned to the new knowledge-rich NSW syllabuses and explicit teaching.Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said, “The development of this safe, curriculum-aligned tool shows the power of our public education system to deliver world-leading innovation to classrooms across NSW.“Generative AI is rapidly becoming part of everyday life, and through NSWEduChat we are helping our students to safely and responsibly build the digital literacy that will set them up for success in the jobs of the future. “By making our free and effective AI tool available to all year five to 12 students, we are levelling the playing field when it comes to AI education in the classroom and ensuring that our educators, staff and students are at the forefront of emerging technologies.”

A short walk through Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah reveals how slow the progress is for the Resilient Land Program (RLP).The first house from the $880 million Resilient Homes Program was moved onto the estate in November 2024. By December, four houses were moved into place and would be ready for renovation and sale.The NSWRA said that they would be completed by the end of December 2025, and the first residents would move in soon after.As September comes to a close, leaving three months to complete the renovations, with only new staircases as a sign of progress, the Lismore App asked for an update from the NSWRA.A spokesperson said, "At Mount Pleasant Estate, four Buyback homes have been relocated to RA-owned land in Goonellabah. Following a recent tender process, renovation works will begin shortly, with the homes expected to be ready for viewing and released to market in early 2026."RA has engaged with Resilient Land Program participants to confirm interest in purchasing a block of land, a renovated home, or smaller, more affordable stand-alone housing. Their feedback is informing the final Masterplan. At this stage, relocated homes and additional land are expected to be released from the first quarter of 2026."We remain committed to delivering safe, resilient housing options and will continue to prioritise Buyback homeowners throughout the process."To give you some perspective, and the effect bureaucracy has on progress, not-for-profit group Multitask purchased a block of land in the estate before the NSWRA purchased it. They were to build a brand new house to help accommodate people with a disability, offering an independent life.As the infrastructure was already in place, earthworks commenced in April 2025, and the builders poured the foundations in May 2025. CEO Jody Cheetham said the new build was expected to be finished and the first residents moving in by March 2026. Roughly the same time as the four relocated houses.The question has to be asked: how can the NSWRA take so long to complete four relocatable renovations when another organisation can build a brand new property in less time?(The new Multitask build on the left, next to the four relocated buyback houses at Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah)As stated above by the NSWRA, they are going to sell the land from the final Masterplan, and not build homes or townhouses. The potential community title units will be sold as house and land packages, and the four relocated, renovated homes sold.The Lismore App has received a document which outlines the approximate cost of the land and the four renovated, relocated houses.The Masterplan has not been finalised, so it is a draft only. We know it has changed after community consultation with local residents and Home Buyback participants. Another disclaimer is that prices are subject to change.At the moment, there will be 31 lots between 400m2 and 1,045m2, which could accommodate up to 39 homes of different types – relocated homes, detached new homes, duplexes and community title units. It appears that the smaller block sizes and the mix of housing options would make the properties more affordable for those who have received a house buyback.The suggested home sizes are smaller, with the largest being a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom detached or duplex home. The community units would be 1 bed/1 bath or 2 bed/1 bath. This concept is being explored by the NSWRA.The blocks of land were valued by an independent valuer, based on current market conditions. The cost is influenced by position as well as size. They range from $275,000 to $395,000, and are outlined below;The potential nine (9) community title units are priced for land and house packages.The four relocated homes are valued at:NORTH LISMORE PLATEAUAs for the North Lismore Plateau development, the NSWRA spokesperson said, "The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is progressing the acquisition of land at North Lismore Plateau, with completion expected by the end of 2025. The site already has development approval for 85 residential lots, which will provide safer housing for flood-affected residents and contribute to Lismore’s long-term recovery."Infrastructure works are expected to commence shortly after the acquisition is finalised. Subject to construction timelines, land will be released in stages from early 2027. Priority will be given to Buyback participants registered in the Resilient Land Program before land is made available to the broader public, ensuring those most impacted by disaster have first access to secure, resilient housing options."

Lismore has the feeling of moving forward, rather than looking over its shoulder regularly following on from the devastating 2022 big flood.Of course, there is the continuous threat of our city being hit by another major flood, especially heading into storm season, but medium to long-term plans are being made, which look well into the future.Lismore City Council is one area of government that is taking the longer-term view while dealing with the short term rebuild issues.Mayor Steve Krieg sat down to talk about some of those issues in the latest Talking Lismore podcast.The usual practice for Council is to vote in a Deputy Mayor every 12 months over its four-year term, as it does for when it wants to hold council meetings and at what time.Both these issues were addressed last week when Council voted to keep Councillor (Cr) Jeri Hall as Deputy Mayor until the next elections, as well as keep its day-time meetings from 10am, with public access from 9am."It's really hard in this position. The reality is, I think I've had one week off since the 2022 flood. I make it a conscious effort, as much as I can, to invite all councillors when dignitaries or politicians are in town. But the reality is, Jeri, in her position over the last few years as deputy mayor, has built a relationship with people like the Premier and the Planning Minister and the Emergency Services Minister. She knows Janelle quite well as the Recovery Minister, and there's going to come a time where I'm probably going to have another week or two off. To have that consistency of relationship is really, really important for Lismore," Mayor Krieg said."Moving forward, she knows the processes, she knows the people involved. And so that was the main thing; to keep that consistency of relationship with state and federal government ministers and bureaucrats as a constant. And she does a great job."To be honest with you, I think people don't realise that the deputy mayor is not a paid position, but she's expected to give up her time and quite often at her own expense, to meet with these people. If, for example, the premier was in town, she would have to get someone in to do her job, to cover her bus run, and all of that sort of stuff costs money. So, it's not an easy job. It's a bit of a thankless job, really. And she loves doing it. That was a bit of a no-brainer to keep her in that position until the end of the term.DAYTIME COUNCIL MEETINGS"I know there's a bit of debate about daytime versus nighttime meetings. It costs less, and that's been shown by the staff reports that have come in and our viewership on online is actually more engaged during the day. We've had more people speak at public access in the last 12 months, than what we have the previous 12 months during nighttime meetings, so the statistics back up daytime meetings."But there's also a range of WHS issues. We expect our council staff, and they do, to start at anywhere between 7:30 and 8 o'clock on that Tuesday morning. They used to push right through until council meeting finished, sometimes at 11pm and then they'd be back 7:30 or 8 o'clock on Wednesday. We don't expect any other sector of work to put those sorts of hours in."So, there is a lot of things that are I'm very mindful and conscious about, as well about having the daytime meetings. For me, you put in a full day's work and then come to a council meeting you're tired before the meeting starts. 10am starts, you're fresh, you make better decisions. And we're not alone in this. More than 50% of New South Wales councils have their meetings during the day. It's not an uncommon practice."SUPPORTING DETENTION BASINS, CULVERT AND A SEA OUTLET FOR THE CSIRO TO MODELJai Vaze, the lead scientist, is in Lismore and the Northern Rivers this week to present his recommendations to the seven councils, Rous County Council, and other stakeholders. Lismore City Council felt it was important to state its priorities for the CSIRO to model."I thought it important that council had an official position, and everyone's entitled to an opinion, that's the beauty of democracy, that's the beauty of living in Australia. And I was sitting in a in a Rous meeting, and one of the councillors brought forward an urgency motion, which was supported that it was urgent, which was good for a start. It didn't get up, but that motion was in and around not supporting the CSIRO in a way, and demanding nature-based solutions as part of the possible modelling."There are reasons why nature-based solutions aren't in the CSIRO modelling, because you cannot model subjective matter. And so I thought, that raised discussion at the Rouse meeting, and in talking to the general manager and councillor Gordon, who was also at that meeting, I felt it was important that we support the CSIRO."This isn't a small project that they've undertaken. They need to feel like the work that they're doing is valued, and it's critically important to not just Lismore, but the whole region, and we want to see the best model that can be built and protect Lismore."And it's really important that every single person in this LGA and in the broader region accepts the umpire's decision of what's going to be modelled. Everyone's had a say, and hopefully, now the right things are modelled and we can get a result that will benefit Lismore and those towns and villages downstream as well.REGIONAL WASTE PLANIn a confidential session, it was decided that Lismore City Council would explore a regional waste solution rather than just look after its own backyard. As the discussion was held in confidential, no details can be discussed, but the broader talk about the seven local councils working together has been had, especially since the 2022 floods."It's probably fair to say that it is a little bit frustrating that we all think individually before collectively, and you can't do it for everything. After the 2022 flood, when our landfill was totally destroyed, you had to find different options. Sadly, that is shipping to Queensland and and then you find out that every other council, just about, is shipping to Queensland as well. And it's not cheap. Their levy is more expensive than the New South Wales Levy."So we've done a lot of work in and around, not only restoring our landfill, and I've had the opportunity to go up there and stand on the wall and see the amount of work that goes into building a landfill site. It is huge, and that'll see us through for, potentially, the next decade. But it takes about a decade to get everything in place for a new landfill site."The reality is that out of the seven member councils in our NRJO, Clarence Valley is the only council with a landfill site longer than the next 10 to 15 years. For whatever reason, they've got their reasoning, they said they want to keep the Clarence Valley landfill site, and that's fine. But there's an opportunity here for Lismore City Council to provide an option for the region, and also an economically beneficial option for the region. We can stop taking our landfill across the border, and every time we do we've got to pay the Queensland Government something like $160 a tonne. I think the New South Wales waste levy is about 100, so not only are you saving transportation costs, you're also saving $60 a tonne on a waste levy as well.Cell 2B, which was destroyed by the big flood in 2022 should now be ready to reopen before the end of the year."That was supposed to be finished, I think, at Easter next year. Thank goodness for nice, fine weather. These guys have managed to work even when it has rained, to be able to get this cell up and operational. We should start with what they call a fluff layer. I've been learning so many terms since I became the mayor, but they want to start putting a fluff layer down, which is basically a bedding layer before Christmas. So that's good."THE CITY OF LISMORE WITH A POPULATION OF 60,000Lismore City Council is using two very experienced and highly credentialed people to plan for Lismore's population growth up to 60,000 residents."One is Gary White, who is the former head planner for New South Wales and Queensland. Another guy, Brendan Nelson, who's been awarded Australia's best planner two years in a row. They are very highly credentialed gentleman that see Lismore and the Northern Rivers as the great untapped market of New South Wales. "They have been up here several times, and they just see unlimited potential in what Lismore and the Northern Rivers can offer as a growth area. This is something I don't want people in Lismore to get all nervous or worried about. This is over many decades, but we're probably two decades behind other regional centres that have experienced a lot of growth pretty quickly. Tamworth is an example. It gets floated around our council chambers very often, but Griffith, Wagga, Bathurst, Albury, have all experienced 5 or 6% growth per year when the state average has been around 1-1.5%. Lismore has been less than 1%."We've got a bit of catching up to do, to be honest with you. There's a lot of positives for growing your population and for people that get worried about it, think cheaper rates, for a start, more money to put towards roads and infrastructure. The bigger your population, or the more secure your population, the more opportunity have to build that critical infrastructure. "We've just opened the skate park, for example. Things like that, we're able to not only maintain but build on. When you've got a bigger population, it also encourages more retail outlets wanting to come to town, and more industry and more jobs. So the goal is to create really good employment opportunities, get people here, and then get them to stay."Nothing is going to be perfect, no plan is going to be perfect, and no area is going to have green lights the whole way. There's always going to be some element of give and take with things. But if we want to see a really thriving and successful regional city, we've got to have that give and take. We've got to be able to give up some of our ideals to allow certain things to happen and but we hope to iron all of those sorts of things out. Caniaba is a classic example. Look at that place now. It's a beautiful estate, amazing people living up in Caniaba. "There were a few issues when that development was first flagged, and it's worked out really, really well. Eastwood Estate Stage 1 has sold out in record time. They're about to start work on Stage 2 in the near future, which is really exciting there. It wasn't a perfect plan at the start, but we've gotten to a point where they've given up a bit, we've given up a bit. You find your middle ground, and you move forward, and I think if we can do that unilaterally, across all political influences, I think Lismore has got a really, really bright future." PROPERTY STRATEGY REPORTWhen do we see the Property Strategy Report?"It's close, and within a matter of months that should be coming back to council. That will guide Council's decision-making about where we want to be as a council, what assets we need. The reality is, for a council our size, and you talk about growing your population. Lismore Council is carrying way too many assets for our current population base. All of these things go through my head as to how we can keep rates as low as possible for our residents. I know the discussion is that we're already paying two higher rates. I get it. I'm paying rates on two properties, my business and my house, and it's hard, it's hard to manage."So, that property strategy will guide what properties we as a council need. There's potential that we can possibly sell some of our assets that are unused or could be used in a better purpose, or by a different organisation or group for a better purpose. But the reality is, if we're going to stay a financially sustainable and a financially viable Council, we need to look at our asset base, and how we can run our organisation in a more lean and more fit for purpose way.AIRPORT and BRIDGESThis week, Mayor Krieg, Deputy Mayor Jeri Hall and General Manager Eber Butron are in Sydney for meetings with Transport NSW, the USU and an airline for potential flights back into the Lismore airport."We're also meeting with Transport for New South Wales about a lot of topics, actually, the train station, being one of them, and where our roads program is at."I'm also meeting with a few professional sporting organisations about the potential of coming to Lismore for a few different things. The Newcastle Jets is one group I'm meeting on Monday afternoon, because after their visit they absolutely fell in love with Lismore. They wanted to do a five-team, week-long pre-season tournament. So, we'll begin the early stages of engaging the interest of that first and foremost, and what we need to do to make that happen in Lismore, and make that a, hopefully, regular event."We're also meeting with the USU, the union. As an organisation, we're trying to get better, and that involves a bit of change, and we need the support of the unions with everything we want to do at Council, but it's exciting. It is really exciting about what Lismore is transforming into, and we just need everyone to get on board and get behind us, and we'll make it happen. "I migrated here from the West Coast in 1997, thinking I'd stay for two or three years and move on, and I fell in love with the place like we all do. I was listening to or reading Jenny Dowel's article in the Echo last week, and she came up from Melbourne with the same sort of thing and settled here. It's just the most beautiful part of the world to call home, and we should be optimistic about the future. We might not agree on everything, but that's no reason to not be optimistic about our future. "Be optimistic about the potential that we have here as a city and as an LGA, and I'm excited to see what we can deliver for the residents of Lismore over the next two or three years."The full conversation with Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg, can be heard by clicking Talking Lismore podcast for the App version or by clicking https://talkinglismore.buzzsprout.com/ for the website version.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for the NSW Government’s world-leading Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program (PFG).From today, eligible applicants can apply to have the NSW Government commit to purchasing off-the-plan dwellings in eligible residential developments to help secure finance and bring construction forward on much-needed housing across NSW.The State Government has introduced a range of reforms to increase the number of homes entering the system and speed up assessment timeframes, but getting homes built is the next big challenge.Under the five-year initiative, the Government will leverage its strong fiscal position to commit to buy up to 50 per cent of homes off the plan in approved NSW housing projects.Eligible homes will be valued at up to $2 million each, with support ranging from $5 million to $50 million per project.Up to $1 billion in pre-sales will be committed over the life of the project through the use of a revolving fund.As homes are sold and projects are completed, builders will have the option to:Rescind the commitments, releasing the funds and allowing the program to bring more homes forward for construction, or,Call on the Guarantee, where the homes are then purchased by the NSW Government at a discounted rate and either rented, or sold into the market.The challenge of meeting pre-sale requirements is one of the most common issues cited by stakeholders in securing finance, and has been outlined as a key hurdle for industry in the NSW Productivity and Equality Commission’s Review of housing supply challenges and policy options for New South Wales.In the past five years, the time between approval and commencement of new apartments has increased 39 per cent, from 5.6 months to 7.8 months, and in NSW, there are more than 13,000 developments approved but not commenced.This landmark program will not only shorten the time between approval and construction but also reduce risk in the residential construction finance sector, giving lenders and homebuyers greater certainty. The NSW Building Commissioner will also be engaged as part of the program’s application assessment process, so only developers, builders and their projects that meet capability, credibility and capacity benchmarks are supported.Developers are now invited to submit an Expression of Interest to join the program. Applicants who have planning and indicative or binding finance approvals and are ready to build within six months will be initially assessed to determine if they and their projects are eligible to participate in the program.To submit your Expression of Interest, visit Pre-sale Finance Guarantee | PlanningTreasurer Daniel Mookhey said, “This guarantee will give lenders greater confidence, reduce risk in the housing finance market and accelerate the delivery of new homes across NSW.“This is about turning approvals into actual homes, supporting jobs, boosting housing supply and strengthening the state’s economy at the same time.”Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “This is a game changer. This will bring forward the construction of homes, offer greater certainty for our building industry and reduce the level of risk in the financing sector. “We have more than 13,000 homes sitting there approved but construction has not commenced. This is bad outcome for our housing delivery, our economy and our communities. “We’re checking capacity, credibility and capability, we want good quality homes from reputable builders, and we want them soon.”Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said, “We established Building Commission NSW as a dedicated building regulator to restore confidence in the residential construction sector. “As the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee supports delivering the homes our state desperately needs, the Building Commission NSW will be doing all it can to make sure those homes are well-built by trusted professionals.“The Minns Labor Government won’t be sacrificing quality for quantity as we get our housing supply back on track.”NAB Group Executive, Corporate and Institutional Banking Cathryn Carver said, “This initiative will provide certainty for developers and get more houses built in NSW – which is exactly what’s needed to provide access to housing, let alone keep home ownership within reach. NAB is proud to contribute to innovative solutions that contribute to housing supply, helping more Australians achieve their home ownership goals.”

The team at Priceline in the Lismore Square are smiling from ear to ear following some significant wins on the state and national stages recently.The list of awards the Priceline Lismore team won is impressive:Store of the Year: State winnerBeauty Advisor of the Year Michelle Le Page: State winner and National WinnerSisterhood Foundation Award: State and National winnerBeing so close to the Queensland border, Lismore is included in the Northern NSW/SE Queensland area of the Priceline stores. In Australia, there are around 470 stores. This is what makes Lismore Priceline Retail Manager Kristy Paterson so proud of her team's achievements.The Sisterhood Foundation Award is the one that Kristy holds dear because it is awarded to the team that raises the most money to be distributed among the eight Sisterhood Foundation Charity partners, that is Jean Hailes for Women's Health, Smiling Mind, Her Heart, Share the Dignity, Fitted for Work, SisterWorks, Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA) and Motherless Daughters."We were the highest fundraiser in the country for the reporting period," Kristy said. "We raised over $30,000 through in-store activities, like community days. So, we'll have face painting, nail painting, and bake sales that we set up outside the store. People come and donate money, and all that money goes to the Sisterhood Charity."The baked goods are not store-bought and resold, the Priceline staff get to work baking cakes, biscuits and slices at home."Everything sells, but it's all about the slices for me. Cookies always go."Asked if one staff member stands out in the baking department, Kristy replied, like all good managers do, "Oh, you can't ask me that. They're all very good."It wasn't just the baked items that raised money throughout the year."Every month, we were doing things to raise that money, and our staff donated their time, and we contacted suppliers and asked for products and things like that, so we could create goodie bags that we could sell. So, those sorts of things as well."Part of the criteria for winning the Priceline State Award for Northern NSW/SE Queensland, and for Michelle Le Page to win the National Award for Beauty Advisor of the Year, is through community engagement. This is on top of fundraising."We're always looking for opportunities to support the community. We're always donating hampers and items, as lots of people approach us and ask for support for raffles. We provide products to lots of schools to help them fundraise. We've given sunscreens to local schools and daycares, and some of our staff, especially our beauty advisor, go to some of the disability support places and do manicures and things. Michelle just did a day where she went to a nursing home and spent the day doing manicures for the residents of the nursing home. Any chance we have to get involved in the community, we go."The lucky recipients of Michelle's manicures and beauty treatment were the residents of St Joseph's Nursing Home in East Lismore.Of course, Michelle's criteria also include growth in the beauty department, which includes cosmetics, skin care and fragrance. She also completes all the relevant training that is offered to her."She has to be actively involved in all the fundraising and the community engagement as well, which she is. She's a powerhouse." Kristy said.That compliment was returned by Michelle. "I wouldn't have received this award without the support of Kristy," Michelle stated.To win the national award, Michelle had to travel to Melbourne and give a presentation to a panel of judges about why they deserved to winKristy said she and the team won't rest on their laurels following this year's success."We sort of have just kept doing what we're doing. We know our strengths, so we're just doing a lot more of that. This year, we've focused a little less on our fundraising for the charities and a lot more on our community engagement, because we think, especially being a regional town, that's really important for us to be really visible in the community and give that support. So we focus a lot of our stock and time into that, but we really just doing what we were doing. I think the store does a really great job. We're always growing."Priceline is looking for employees right now. So, if you want to join an award-winning team, pop in to Priceline Lismore Square and talk to Kristy Paterson.

As many residents of Lismore and the Northern Rivers know, there are holes in mobile phone coverage all throughout the region, with block spots on the Bruxner Highway, Goonellabah (now that the tower on Rous Road has been removed) and along the M1, north and south.Farmers are also not happy as they accuse the federal government of delivering a lacklustre response to a major telecommunications review. On Thursday, the federal government finally issued a response to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review, promising little to improve the rural connectivity divide after spending nine months reviewing the report. NSW Farmers Rural Affairs Committee member Sarah Thompson said the lack of government action on the issue was bitterly disappointing as many farm communities continued to struggle with poor or non-existent mobile coverage. “We know mobile coverage maps have not told the truth, and many farmers and communities were stripped of what little mobile coverage they had when the 3G networks were shut down last year,” Mrs Thompson said. “There’s gaping holes in our connectivity, and nothing’s been done to deliver the mobile service we need to stay safe, let alone connected.” Draft legislation to establish a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) was released by the federal government this week – but farmers urged this must guarantee reliable and affordable mobile service, and complement other efforts in the space. Work to expand mobile coverage, reduce blackspots, boost data capacity on networks and increase access to connectivity technologies was urgently needed to deliver acceptable connectivity in the regions, Mrs Thompson said. “Both the Regional Telecommunications Review and a recent Senate inquiry told us plain and simple what work needs to be done to fix our connectivity crisis, and our governments must listen,” Mrs Thompson said.“Our federal government has promised us universal mobile coverage, so they must deliver it – alongside better oversight, strategy and competition in the telecommunications space. “We can’t continue with mobile coverage like this, and farmers, the people who literally feed the nation, deserve better than this.” 

The Lismore Library is excited to announce the launch of a new weekly program aimed at supporting writers, students, researchers, and creatives in the community. The library will host “Shut Up & Write” sessions every Tuesday afternoon from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, starting this Tuesday, 23 September.  These sessions offer a quiet, structured space for individuals to focus on their writing projects, whether it's a novel, thesis, journal entry, or grant application. The format is simple: arrive, set a goal, and write in silence alongside others. No critiques, no pressure, just dedicated time to get words on the page . Lismore Area Librarian Michael Lewis says, “Our library is more than books; it’s a space for creativity, connection, and community. Shut Up & Write gives people the chance to carve out an hour each week where their only focus is the joy of getting words on the page.”  “These are not writing workshops, and there is no reading of your work or giving feedback. The format is simply to ‘Shut Up and Write’ and there is something about doing that in a room full of other writers that works.”  The Details: · What: Shut Up & Write – Silent Writing Sessions · When: Tuesdays 1.30 to 2.30 pm starting 23 September · Where: Lismore Library, 110 Magellan Street, Lismore. · Who: Open to those 18 years and over.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own writing materials, laptops, notebooks, or tablets, and arrive a few minutes early to settle in. Tea and coffee will be available, and no registration is required.  For more information, contact the Lismore Library at 6621 2464 or visit rtrl.nsw.com.au and go to ‘events’. 

Last Thursday, the Federal Government announced its ambitious 2035 climate change target range of 62% to 70%, which was recommended by the Climate Change Authority (CCA).The Federal Government said, "It is an ambitious but achievable target - sending the right investment signal, responding to the science and delivered with a practical plan. It builds on what we know are the lowest-cost actions we can deliver over the next decade while leaving room for new technologies to take things up a gear."It also said that, according to the best available analysis, the majority of the reductions for Australia to reach the initial stages of our 2035 climate change target range can be achieved through actions in five priority areas, building on its existing policies. These are:Clean electricity across the economy: more renewable electricity generation, supported by new transmission and storage (including household batteries)Lowering emissions by electrification and efficiency: our New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, supporting consumers switch to EVs and improving energy efficiencyExpanding clean fuel use: establishing a low-carbon liquid fuels industry and supporting green hydrogenAccelerating new technologies: through Future Made in Australia investments, and innovation support through ARENANet carbon removals scaled up: enabling landholders to earn money for eligible carbon storage and a robust ACCU schemeIn points two above, the CCA has said that, at some point before 2035, half of the light vehicles sold should be electric vehicles (EVs). The Lismore App asked the question, Is that achievable? After all, Australia is larger than all of Europe; we have a very large country and a love of caravanning.To give you an insight into the gains that need to be made, the Australian Automobile Association shows that so far in 2025, 72.19% of all new light vehicles sold are ICE or driven by internal combustion engines only. 7.87% are BEV (battery electric vehicles), 4.28% are PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), 15.66% are hybrids, and 0% are hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles).The biggest selling BEV are medium-size SUVs at 4.18%, which account for 24.91% of all new light vehicles sold this year. The largest selling car in Australia in 2025 is the Toyota Rav4, a car that is only available in hybrid, PHEV and petrol versions. Does that show Australia's concern for purchasing BEVs? With range anxiety and charging options a real concern.The next best-selling cars are the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Hilux.According to Tom Rocks from Lismore Toyota, the problem we face is that Australians need and love vehicles that carry a load, something that current BEVs cannot achieve. That could be for work purposes, such as a tradie or a farmer, or it could be the tens of thousands who want to tow a caravan and see Australia."I think the answer is that pure battery electric will maintain a particular part of the market. But will it be 50%? I don't know. It will definitely be a certain percentage of the market. But what percentage by 2035, who knows?"The material science is changing so quickly, you've got zero emission biofuels, you've got hydrogen, you've got fuel and power sources that have a zero carbon footprint, that allow you to have a ladder chassis combination vehicle that can tow, and can weight-load and can go four wheel driving."As an example, the material science at the moment only allows for pure battery vehicles to be aluminium monocoque structures that have an 800-kilogram lithium-ion battery pack at the bottom of the car. And so therefore, even if their charge times increase, they're not going to be suitable for a lot of roads in most countries, including Australia."Currently, your Toyota Hiluxes, Range Rovers, and Land Cruisers have a type of chassis known as a ladder chassis. The engine, drivetrain, and suspension are bolted onto the ladder chassis, offering flexibility for different builds (single cab versus dual cab) and offering the high ground clearance and extensive wheel articulation needed for rough terrain. This allows larger cars to weight-load and/or tow.(An example of a ladder chassis)Lithium-ion battery packs that are used in BEVs cannot be weight-loaded."You've got an 800-kilo battery pack at the bottom of the car. If you put two batteries in the car, it turns into 1,600 kilos and but you don't get double the range. You only get a 25% increase because you've added so much weight to the car. Will we get to 2035, and it will be all electric? No, it won't be. But will we be carbon neutral in our automotive industry by that point? Probably, but it's by other means," Tom said.So, the difference in the way the cars are built is a significant challenge. However, there are alternative solutions to achieve zero emissions other than all-electric that will help achieve the Federal Government's climate change targets.Tom said that Australia's mining companies are using synthetic diesel fuels as a way to transition to zero emissions by 2050 because the technology does not exist for them to use 100-ton trucks using batteries.On its website, Mining Technology said, "BHP has teamed up with BP to trial the use of a blended HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) diesel at its Yandi iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The trial “provided valuable insight and knowledge in renewable diesel”, with BHP saying that the results will be used to determine how renewable diesel may be “a practical complementary transition pathway” to its operational decarbonisation plan."Mining giant Rio Tinto has already made the shift to biofuels. In May 2023, its Boron operation in California became the world’s first open-cut mine to fully transition all its heavy vehicle fleet to renewable diesel, reducing emissions by up to 45,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of CO₂ equivalent."  Tom said that a major benefit of synthetic fuel mixes is that they can be used retrospectively."You can put it in older cars, so all of a sudden you don't have to scrap every car in the country, you can just use a biofuel of some description that lowers the CO₂, but you still get the same output. So you can say, caravan. You can put all your tools in the back. You can have all of that trade, utility, work and still have that CO₂ output."There is so much on the runway that will drop in the next sort of four or five years. As an example, once they produce solid state batteries, which are very different to a lithium-ion battery, you're going to have way shorter charging times, and you're going to have way longer range, but you're going to also have a slightly lighter car. That solid state battery will be paired with a small combustion motor of some description, whether it's a two-litre diesel or a 1.8 litre petrol, and those two components together, you're going to get a couple of 1000 kilometre range, and that's coming from a 50 to 55 litre tank."The CO₂ outputs will be within the NVES (National Vehicle Efficiency Standard) range. It aims to reduce emissions from new passenger vehicles by 60% by 2030 (currently 141 grams per kilometre). But you're talking 2000 kilometres or 1800 kilometres, with a 1.8 litre petrol motor, with a solid state battery pack, and it can weight-load. That's probably where it will go."The you look at vehicles that are completely battery electric. The battery technology hasn't really developed much. If you look at the range of the Tesla ten years ago, and you look at it now, it is five to seven and a half per cent better over 10 years. They're already at capacity with that type of material science."Hydrogen-powered vehicles are another technology that is making progress."In Japan and America, you can get a hydrogen Toyota. We've had them here in Australia, but unless you're the government or a university, you can't buy them because you can't fuel them. The hydrogen fuel cells take about 45 litres of gas, and they do 600 kilometres, and they emit water, but it's got a really high power output as well. So, once that is mastered, there won't be battery anything. You'll be filling your car up with hydrogen or some type of gas that will give you 2000 plus kilometres, and 300 kilowatts. That will happen in our lifetime."There is so much stuff on the runway, and I'm just sort of predicting what I've seen and what I'm told is going to happen, but we'll get there. China's about to release a V12 engine, so this combustion thing's not over."Pure electric has a very definite place, and it has one now, and it will continue to have one. But will it be the main power source? I don't believe so, but it has a very definite place across the world."As the proverb says, "There are many ways to skin a cat".

The NSW Government has passed legislation strengthening protections against image-based abuse by outlawing the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfakes.The Government has zero tolerance for image-based abuse, which is disproportionately targeted at women and girls and is the latest frontier in gender-based abuse. AI-generated sexually explicit deepfakes are increasing in prevalence and have become more realistic amid advances in technology.The material can be used as part of sextortion schemes, including where perpetrators threaten to release further explicit content unless victims comply with demands.  The circulation of this material can be extremely distressing, humiliating, degrading or intimidating.The reforms expand offences related to the production and distribution of intimate images without consent, including covering those created entirely using artificial intelligence.The amendments to the Crimes Act 1900 make the production of a sexually explicit deepfake designed to be a genuine depiction of a real, identifiable person an offence punishable by up to three years’ jail.Sharing or threatening to share such images, even if the person hasn't created them, is also a crime punishable by up to three years’ jail.In addition to these new offences, the Government has criminalised the non-consensual creation, recording and distribution of sexually explicit audio, whether real or designed to sound like a real, identifiable person.The Crimes Amendment (Intimate Images and Audio Material) Bill 2025 passed the upper house late Thursday.It is already a crime in NSW to record or distribute intimate images of a person without their consent or to threaten to do so. This includes distributing photos that have been digitally altered, but not images wholly created using AI.Existing court takedown powers will apply to these expanded offences.The changes do not affect existing child abuse material offences that already criminalise the production, possession and dissemination of explicit material of a child.Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said, “There is no place for gender-based abuse in NSW, and that includes through the use of deepfakes."These are important changes to keep women safe from this insidious form of abuse.“This legislation sends a clear message: those who seek to target women using this technology now face serious consequences."Attorney General Michael Daley said, “We are making sure our laws keep pace with rapidly evolving technology and ensures women are better protected from all forms of AI-generated sexual exploitation.“Non-consensual, sexually explicit deepfakes are a form of abuse disproportionately targeted at women and young girls.“This bill ensures people who seek to objectify, intimidate or degrade women using AI can be prosecuted.”Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said, “The passing of this bill is another way the Minns Labor Government is building a safer New South Wales for women and girls. “These new laws build on and modernise the existing framework by strengthening and expanding current offences to protect women from exploitation through explicit deepfake material. “I thank the many stakeholders, including Full Stop Australia and Domestic Violence NSW, who provided crucial feedback in the development of this bill.”NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin said,  “I’m pleased that we have seen the passage of legislation to criminalise AI-driven deepfakes. Sexually explicit deepfakes can be weaponised to cause immense harm in the real world. “Women and girls are the main targets of deepfakes, and the impacts of their dissemination can be devastating.“This legislation sends an important message that image-based abuse will not be tolerated, and it brings NSW in line with other jurisdictions that are striving to limit the impacts of this terrifying technology.”Full Stop Australia CEO Karen Bevan said, “We welcome the passage of this legislation, which strengthens legal protections for victim-survivors of image-based abuse.“Technology-facilitated abuse is growing rapidly, with perpetrators continually finding new and dangerous ways to exploit emerging technologies.“The legislation sends a strong message that this abuse is unacceptable, and perpetrators will be held accountable.”Support: Anyone impacted by sexual violence can contact the NSW Sexual Violence Helpline 24/7 on 1800 424 017.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin handed over the keys to a brand new Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) Class 2 Pumper to the Deputy Captain of the Goonellabah Fire and Rescue team, Tara Blunn, yesterday.As the name of the new vehicle was a mouthful, Ms Saffin jokingly called it the super, duper fire truck."This is something that the team here has wanted for a while," Ms Saffin told the media, "I can remember when they first raised it with me. So, I'm really happy to be here and say job done."The half-million-dollar new CAFS Class 2 Pumper is a significant upgrade from the two-decade-old model fire truck."Two things I know about the truck is that it uses five times less water, and it has the ability to put out a whole range of fires," Ms Saffin said.Fire and Rescue Acting Inspector for the Northern Rivers, Price Conlan gave more detail as to the benefits of the new fire truck."It is a compressed air foam system appliance. It mixes foam inside the truck with compressed air and provides us with a really effective extinguishing medium. It allows us to put out fires using approximately five times less wate. The truck actually replaces a very old truck that has been servicing the area for quite some time, and the truck is a brand new, state-of-the-art piece of equipment that's going to serve the local community for the next couple of decades."It covers a range of fires. And the way it works is that it provides the foam that smothers a fire. It cuts out the oxygen from allowing the combustion process to continue. So, you also get the cooling effect of water, but we also have the foam, which puts a blanket on the fire, cutting out the oxygen. It's much more efficient at putting out a fire for us."Acting Inspector Conlan also said that reliability was an issue for the old fire truck."It's a lot more reliable than what the old appliances are, the old one here at Goonellabah was not so reliable. When trucks get old, they start to break down a little bit. So that's why this new appliance, apart from having the new equipment and the new system for putting out fires, just having a new appliance is a game changer for the local community."As for the fire season ahead? Acting Inspector Conlan said the wet weather over winter has meant a lot of undergrowth, and that no hazard reduction was possible. Already, they have seen a number of grass fires happening in the district."The long-range forecast, as far as I'm aware, is for a reasonably wet spring and summer. So hopefully that comes true. I know everyone's sick of the rain, but it makes our job a little bit easier as far as putting out or stopping bushfires to start with. Now, that kind of kicks the season further down the road. Sooner or later, it's going to dry out. This wet period that we've had creates a lot of growth, and sooner or later, we're going to be back to where we were in 2017 so unfortunately, but at the moment, things are looking optimistic for the fire season."The advice to prepare for the bushfire season has not changed."The normal bushfire preparation, making sure that around your house is clear from any debris. Gutters are clear. You've got a constant water supply that you can call on, a little panic bag to take, pre-plan, make sure if you're going to leave, you leave early. All that preparation stuff is available on our website and also the RFS website. Get ready, because sooner or later, it's going to affect us."If you have been thinking about a career as a firefighter, the Fire and Rescue team at Goonellabah are looking for a couple of people to join them. This is a paid, part-time position."I'd encourage anyone who's interested in firefighting and lives in the area of Goonallabah to apply or certainly make some inquiries on the fire brigade website. As for on-call firies, have a look at what they do. It's a very rewarding experience if you end up qualifying and then getting employed. It's a paid position. We pay to train our fires. They're very highly skilled, and they consequently attain other skills that they wouldn't necessarily get outside of the fire service."It's a very rewarding role as well, helping the community, and you're getting paid for your time as well, which is another bonus. So, anyone who's interested in applying at Goonellabah, I'd highly recommend it."An excited Deputy Captain Tara Blunn said she was so happy to receive the new CAFS Class 2 Pumper."The compressed air foam system brings with it a big improvement to our service. It's the only one in the Lismore area, so hopefully you'll see it out on the road soon."As Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib said, "The new state-of-the-art firefighting vehicles like this will help keep regional communities safe, and ensure our firefighters have the tools they need to tackle a range of fires.”This weekend, the NSW Fire Service (RFS) will be throwing open station doors as you are urged to begin preparing for the upcoming bush fire season.The events will include firefighting equipment displays, information stands and workshops at various venues. The list for Lismore and the Northern Rivers includes:Lismore Bunnings 8am and 4pmTulera Rural Fire Station (Flick Road) 9am and 11amJiggi Hall 4pm and 8pmWyrallah Hall 4pm and 8pmThe Nimbin Show 7am to 4pmNewrybar 9am to 4pmRiver Festival at Wardell (3 Sinclair Street) 11am to 4pmCasino Town Centre (Walker Street) 7am to 3pmCrawford Square Casino (car Centre & Light street) 8am to 2pmLennox Head Rural Fire Station (9 Byron Bay Road) 11am to 1pmBallina Emergency Services Expo (Missingham Park, Kingsford Smith Drive) 10am to 2pm

Livestock producers are being reminded to monitor their stock for barber’s pole worm, with the recent wet and warmer weather increasing larval pasture burdens, making stock more vulnerable.Barber’s pole worms (Haemonchus contortus) are about 1.5 to 2.5 centimetres long and are blood feeders, which attach to the lining of the stomach of livestock including sheep, goats, alpacas and cattle, causing anaemia. The current conditions across much of NSW are ideal for egg hatching, larval survival on the paddocks and reinfection of stock. Integrated control programs, including paddock management, worm monitoring and quarantine drenching, can help reduce the negative impacts of barber’s pole worm, according to Local Land Services Principal Program Manager Animal Biosecurity and Welfare, Lyndell Stone.  "Producers should be doing worm tests to work out how high their worm burdens are,” Dr Stone said.  “Talk to your Local Land Services District Veterinarian or private veterinarian about doing a worm test as they can advise on the timing and type of testing and help interpret the results to guide a treatment and management plan, keeping in mind a long-term strategy is best.  “Proactive producers who have worm tested regularly, understood their property’s drench resistance status, used effective drenches only when necessary and utilised the environment to kill larvae, have had low egg counts, which is pleasing.”  Clinical signs of stock that are affected by barber’s pole worm may include: pale gums and conjunctiva (inside the eyelid)  bottle jaw (fluid collecting in a pouch under the jaw)  lacking stamina, for example they want to lie down when being mustered or moved losing body condition and stock deaths.    If you have any concerns about barber’s pole worm, or you notice unusual symptoms or stock losses, contact your Local Land Services District Veterinarian on 1300 795 299. 

A wet Saturday morning, then partly cloudy conditions for the rest of the weekend is the forecast from the BoM.There is a chance of thunderstorms this evening and tomorrow. If they are severe, the Lismore App will put out a notification.The warmer spring weather is a sign of more community events in the lead up to Christmas.The 105th Nimbin Show will take place at the Nimbin Showgrounds, 33 Cecil Street, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to around 5pm.The annual Nimbin Show features horse and livestock competitions, plus local entries of food, flowers, produce, arts & crafts, and much more displayed in the Pavilion exhibit. There is Sustainability Alley with lots of information, produce stalls, and activities.The annual Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Carnival is on now at Oakes Oval until Sunday from 9am to 5pm each day.There are road closures on Dawson Street between Rural and Magellan streets. Detours are available.The Zonta Open Garden is on this weekend at 131 Platypus Drive, Uralba at Crew Garden between 9am and 2pm each day.View the beautiful sub-tropical garden with feature ponds and paths. Plants are for sale as well as food and drinks.Entry is $12 or $10 concession, with the proceeds going to support women and girls in the Northern Rivers through the Zonta Club.MARKETSThere are three markets on this weekend.The Lismore Farmers Markets kick off proceedings tomorrow morning from 7:30 at the Lismore Showgrounds.Fresh fruit & veg, orchids, breakfast, tea and coffee, and other items will be for sale. The CWA Ladies Evening Branch make their monthly visit, and Georgia Cortes Rayner will be playing live music this week.The Bowlo Markets have over 30 stalls for you to browse on Sunday between 9am and 2pm at the Lismore City Bowling Club on Molesworth Street (171A).You will find Trash and Treasure, vintage clothing, bric-a-brac, plants, honey, plus more on sale.Also on Sunday is the Lismore Free Market between 9am and 11am at the Lismore Community Garden, 50 Brewster Street.The Free Market is exactly that, everything is free and cannot be sold, bartered or traded. Every item or service is given away for free.ARTSThe Lismore Regional Gallery has the Bulaan Buruugaa Ngali exhibition displayed over the weekend. In the exhibition, nine ancestral woven objects held in the Australian Museum collection are in Lismore until November 9.The Lismore Regional Gallery is open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.COMING UP2025 Lismore Workers Club Lismore Cup - Friday, September 26, from 12 noonDaylight Saving Time starts Sunday, October 42025 Lismore Show Thursday, October 162025 and final Nimbin Roots Festival Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26LIVE MUSICThe Lismore Heights Sports Club (181A High Street) has the Roxy Rose Spring Garden party on Saturday night from 6 pm.Bookings are essential on 02 6624 3040, and a courtesy car is available after 4pm.It is a big night of classic music at the Lismore Workers Club on Saturday night when Oh What A Night! takes to the stage at 8pm. The musical tribute to Frankie Valley & The Four Seasons.Sing-along to all your favourites like Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Sherry, Who Loves You and more.Book your tickets by clicking here.Coming up at the Lismore Workers Club:The Flying Forties - Penny Pavlakis, Greg Gould and friends celebrate the music of Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole and more with their 9-piece big band: October 4 at 8pm.The Noughty Nineties Party featuring all your favourites like Blink 182, Shania Twain, Britney Spears, Robbie Williams and Beyonce. Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 7:30pm.CHEAPEST FUEL PRICESFuel prices have been steady this week. As usual, Ballina is still the cheapest town to fill the tank over the weekend, especially if you are there after 8pm, when prices tend to drop another 10 cents a litre.Here is the list of the cheapest service stations, saving you the most money in each town:E10 is 176.9 at the EG on Diadem Street near Lismore Square and Coles Express on Dawson Street, 172.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 165.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 174.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 174.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 167.5 at the Metro and the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.U95 is 183.9 at the Liberty on Ballina Road, and the Independent on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, 198.9 at the EG Ampol on Canterbury Street, and 179.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.U98 is 191.9 at the Liberty's on Union Street, South Lismore and Ballina Road, Lismore and the Independent on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, 194.9 at the two Independents on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 187.5 at The Metro on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 180.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road in Lismore, 181.9 at The United and the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street, and the two Liberty's on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 185.5 at Metro and the Mobile on River Street in Ballina.Have a great weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

As you would expect, not everyone is happy about the 62% to 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035 announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday.NSW Farmers warned that they must not shoulder the burden of meeting the Federal Government’s new emissions target.“Before government does anything else on emissions, they need to pay their debts and recognise agriculture’s unique capacity to sequester carbon, not steal it,” NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said. “Farmers are apprehensive about what this target could mean for them now, after they have already made, and continue to make, huge contributions to carbon sequestration, with the crops they plant and landscapes they look after sequestering millions of tonnes of carbon out of the atmosphere.“Alongside that, Australian farmers are driving a huge number of carbon sequestration activities and projects on-farm to hold carbon in soils or trees, both under management programs and informally. The fact is, we’re well and truly paying for everyone’s carbon sins.”Engaging properly with the agricultural industry on sustainability was essential, Mr Martin warned, with farmers and food security already under the pump thanks to renewables and reams of green tape that had been imposed on agriculture. “Not only have billions in carbon credits been stolen from us, but our farm communities are bearing the brunt of the impacts in the race to renewable power,” Mr Martin said. “Meanwhile, we’re the only sector in the Australian economy that has substantially reduced emissions over the last 30 years, and that data’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to farmer’s contributions to sustainability over the years. “Farmers have been blamed unfairly and left to foot the carbon bill for too long. That must stop, so we must speak up.”It was expected that Opposition Leader Sussan Ley was directly opposed to the target. She sent an email saying:Labor’s new 2035 emissions reduction target is built on fantasy.  It assumes the government achieves its 2030 target, which experts have overwhelmingly said it will not. Labor refuses to reveal the cost of its 2035 plan, or its economic impact on households, businesses, and regional communities. We have seen this show before. Labor announced its 2030 target, produced glossy modelling, and promised the world.  In reality, costs went up, reliability went down, and emissions flatlined.  Labor promised Australians a $275 cut in their power bill by 2025.  Instead, bills are up by an average of 39 percent, or around $1,300.  If Albanese can’t deliver his 2025 target for electricity prices, how can anyone trust his 2035 target for emissions? Emissions are now stuck at 28% below 2005 levels. This is exactly where they were when the Coalition left office. Australia must act on climate change. However, targets must be grounded in reality, achievable, and protect jobs and household budgets.  Labor’s 2035 plan does none of these. The only guarantee is higher costs. We will oppose any attempt to legislate this target.But then, an independent, not-for-profit group, Rewiring Australia, is a fan.Rewiring Australia has welcomed the focus on cleaner and cheaper energy, and the electrification of homes, transport and industry as the key components of the plan to reduce Australia’s emissions by 62-70 per cent by 2035.  The Federal Government today announced the 2035 target, and sector plans to get there, including electricity generation, the built environment, transport and industry.  The Commonwealth announced $2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, $5 billion for Net Zero Fund to assist industries in decarbonising and $40 million to accelerate the roll out of kerbside and fast charging for EVs.  “Electrification is the key to reaching this target, and Australians are already well on the way to achieving it through everyday decisions about household energy and transport,” Rewiring Australia CEO Francis Vierboom.   “We know upgrading from fossil-fuelled appliances to electric ones is not only good for cutting emissions, but it’s also great for household savings. Australians don’t have to make sacrifices to help reach this target. They will actually save thousands in the long run by switching to electric appliances and power systems at home, including installing rooftop solar, a home battery and driving an electric vehicle. “We welcome further investment towards electric transport. More EV charging on our streets is a great step. The existing EV tax break and the NVES are helping too, but with the opportunity to save millions a day on fuel imports while cutting emissions, we continue to call on the government to increase their ambition for the switchover to cleaner, cheaper, zero pollution electric vehicles. Going faster on EVs is something we need to do to hit the higher 70% end of the target range,” Francis Vierboom said.  The Federal Government also today announced $85 million for frameworks to help households and businesses figure out how to become more energy efficient, as well as $50 million for sports clubs to reduce their emissions.  “The Treasurer today spoke about the economic opportunity this plan presents, and our research backs that up. We can create jobs in Australia, shore up energy independence, and become more resilient to our changing climate.  “The faster we can help households, including renters and those in social housing, electrify, the sooner we can reach this target. It’s better for the environment, and better for our hip pockets too. We look forward to working with the Federal Government to electrify everything as quickly as we can,” Francis Vierboom said. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen told the ABC he will have to assess whether there is a pathway to legislate the government's coming 2035 climate target. Labor would need the support of The Greens, who were after a target above 70%.For now, it provides a lot of discussion and debate.

Healthy North Coast is pleased to announce the extension of the care finder program in Northern NSW for the next four years, ensuring vulnerable older people continue to receive support to interact with My Aged Care, access aged care services, and other relevant supports in the community.The care finder service has been operating nationally for almost three years. Attesting to the initial success of the program, and in light of wide-sweeping once-in-a-generation reforms included in the new Aged Care Act due to commence on 1 November 2025, care finders has been identified as an essential element of the new aged care system.For the 2025-2029 period, following a competitive tender process, the providers of care finder services in the region are:Footprints Community | Kyogle, Tweed, Byron and Ballina regionsEach | Coffs Harbour, Nambucca and Bellingen regions; Clarence Valley, Richmond Valley and Lismore, Port Macquarie Hastings and KempseyCare finders is designed to support older individuals who face challenges accessing aged care services on their own, and came about in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Royal Commission highlighted that the aged care system was challenging to navigate, making it hard for people who were already vulnerable to get the support they need.This initiative is free, fully commissioned by Healthy North Coast through the Australian Government’s PrimaryHealth Network program , with a commitment of almost $14 million to the North Coast over the next four years.Care finders can help people with:talking to My Aged Care on their behalf to arrange an assessmentattending and providing support at the assessmentfinding and shortlisting aged care providers in their areacompleting forms and understanding aged care service agreements+ much more.Most older adults who need aged care should call My Aged Care on 1800 200 244 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to discuss their needs and arrange an assessment. They can also walk into any Services Australia centre.If additional support is needed to navigate aged care options, individuals or referrers such as GPs can contact Footprints Community on 1800 366 877 or visit footprintscommunity.org.au, or contact Each on 1300 003 224 or visit each.com.au.Justine Elliot MP, Member for Richmond said, “For so many in our community, accessing aged care services can be challenging, and that’s why programs like care finders are vitally important.“Care finders provide free individual support for older people needing help to access My Aged Care and other aged care services.“The Albanese Labor Government is delivering almost $14 million in federal funding for Healthy North Coast to commission the care finder program on the North Coast. “As your local MP, I’m always working to improve aged care services in our region.” Monika Wheeler, Healthy North Coast CEO said, “We’re delighted to welcome Footprints Community and Each as the trusted providers of care finder services on the North Coast for the next four years.“The opportunity to operate the care finder service on the North Coast was highly contested, with Each and Footprints both demonstrating strong local knowledge and expertise in supporting vulnerable older people.“The ageing population in our region means it’s essential that all older people can access care and services to allow them to live independently at home for as long as they wish. Part of Healthy North Coast’s ageing strategy is to ensure no one gets left behind.”Tanya Bell, Footprints Community CEO said, “Over the past two years, our care finders have been working closely with older people in the region, seeing firsthand the hardships, barriers and issues they encounter to accessing support.“The launch of 4 more years of the care finder program in the region means Footprints Community will still be there on the ground, assisting older people to connect and navigate often complex support systems and services during what tends to be times of high stress intheir lives.”Natalie Sullivan, Each CEO said, “Each is proud to continue delivering the care finder service across the Healthy North Coast region – now extended for another four years in partnership with Healthy North Coast PHN.“Since we started delivering the care finder service two years ago, we’ve supported hundreds of older people to navigate a complex aged care system. We see the difference it makes when someone has a care finder by their side - when forms become less overwhelming, when connections to housing or health services are finally made, and when dignity and independence are restored.“Together with local providers and community organisations, we’re building stronger, more connected pathways to care.”

Community radio plays an important part in our community. They offer a wide diversity of music programming that is not provided by the two commercial radio stations licensed to broadcast in the Northern Rivers, ZZZ and 2LM.The problem for community radio stations is finding enough money to not only fund their operational costs, but also the expensive capital costs for their broadcasting equipment.92.9 River FM, based in South Lismore, is having a fundraising night next Saturday, September 27, by showing the movie about rock legend Bob Dylan, 'A Complete Unknown' at the Star Court Theatre.River FM is one of NSW's oldest community radio stations. It began operations in 1976 after the license was issued to the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education using the call letters 2NCR. When Southern Cross University came into being, the studios were moved to the East Lismore Campus. They have been in Club Lane and the Conservatorium of Music as well over the years.SCU lost interest in the radio license, so a new association was formed to take over control of the license, North Coast Radio Inc. The official name of the radio station is still 2NCR, but it has been known as 92.9FM and, more recently, River FM.Since 2008, River FM has called South Lismore home, on the second floor of the Hernes Security building on Foley Road.(Fran Healy broadcasting on 92.9 River FM from its South Lismore home)North Coast Radio Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation, and River FM is run by volunteers. It makes money through 'sponsorship' advertising, because community radio cannot run commercials like ZZZ and 2LM due to government non-compete legislation. Yes, it is legislated that there can only be one commercial license in the Northern Rivers.River FM's main source of funding is through government grants. This is due to its niche programming that caters to Lismore's indigenous and ethnic communities, like Italian and French, giving them a voice that they would not otherwise have.Being on the second floor in South Lismore during the 2022 big flood did not affect their broadcasting equipment or their transmitter, which is at South Gundurimba. But that was where River FM's luck ran out. The transmitter was being repaired at the time of the big flood in Lismore's CBD.Basia Klim has been River FM's station manager for 10 years. Basia told the Lismore App they could still broadcast thanks to a small, old transmitter used as a backup."It was much lower power. So, we were running that for a while, but it had faults, so we ended up having to swap it for a loan transmitter. We got it off Cow FM, they're in Casino."Since those dark days, River FM has managed to buy a new transmitter, but it is still broadcasting on low power until it installs the recently purchased new antenna system.The problem is that the antenna installation costs $25,000, and that is money that River FM don't have sitting in the bank account."Just before the end of the financial year, we bought the antenna system itself. The transmitter we bought about six months ago," Basia explained. "The antenna system is basically in parts, parked in a warehouse, and the installation cost is what we're working on. That is substantial. The installation cost will be about $25,000 because it requires high expertise. It requires three riggers to be climbing around, pulling down the old antenna, getting the new one up, and setting it all up."They're beautiful pieces of equipment and wonderful things, but they don't come cheap. So, this is why it's taken us a very long period of time and big effort of multiple grants to get to this point, and we're still slightly short."We have the good fortune to have a high-end technician on the transmission end of things who has worked right across Australia. He is now retired, but he's a friend of the station, and he basically just charges us for parts and his petrol. So, his part of things in terms of the transmitter talking to the antenna system is going to be free, other than his costs.Once the money has been raised and the antenna is installed, the result is a stronger signal for River FM, meaning you will be able to hear the community radio station across most of the Northern Rivers, from Ocean Shores in the north, Yamba in the south and Kyogle out west, which is what its license allows for.Topography has always been an issue for low-powered transmitters and antennas, so people living in Dunoon or Modanville would have trouble receiving the River FM programming on 92.9. That will be a thing of the past.Basia said the original grant timeframe has come and gone; however, they did manage to get an extension until the end of the year. Which is why they are now desperate to raise the $25,000 installation cost, and why they are raising money from a rock and roll icon who is regarded as one of America's greatest singer-songwriters. 'A Complete Unknown' is a James Mangold movie about a 19-year-old Bob Dylan.A Complete Unknown is showing next Saturday, 27 September, at the Starcourt Theatre from 4pm. The cost is $25, concession $20, with money raised going towards the new River FM antenna installation.It stars Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan, Edward Norton as Peter Seeger, Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash and Scoot McNairy as Woodie Guthrie.You can book your ticket by clicking: https://www.trybooking.com/DERBT or from the Star Court Theatre website.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared that Australia's new climate change target is to reduce carbon emissions by 62% to 70% by 2035. This is a major change from the previous number of 51% as Australia and the world were striving to reach net zero by 2050.The Albanese Government released the following statement:Today, we’re announcing Australia’s next step in acting on climate change and seizing the economic opportunity before our nation.The Albanese Labor Government has accepted the Climate Change Authority’s independent advice and will set our 2035 climate change target at a range of 62% to 70% reduction on 2005 emissions.  This is an ambitious but achievable target - sending the right investment signal, responding to the science and delivered with a practical plan. It builds on what we know are the lowest cost actions we can deliver over the next decade while leaving room for new technologies to take things up a gear.According to the best available analysis the majority of the reductions for Australia to reach the initial stages of our 2035 climate change target range can be achieved through actions in five priority areas, building on our existing policies. These are:Clean electricity across the economy: more renewable electricity generation, supported by new transmission and storage (including household batteries)Lowering emissions by electrification and efficiency: our New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, supporting consumers switch to EVs and improving energy efficiencyExpanding clean fuel use: establishing a low-carbon liquid fuels industry and supporting green hydrogenAccelerating new technologies: through Future Made in Australia investments, and innovation support through ARENANet carbon removals scaled up: enabling landholders to earn money for eligible carbon storage and a robust ACCU schemeIn addition to help meet the target, the Albanese Labor Government is today announcing we will deliver:A new $5 billion Net Zero Fund in the National Reconstruction Fund, to help industrial facilities decarbonise and scale up more renewables and low emissions manufacturing$2 billion for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to continue to drive downward pressure on electricity prices$1.1 billion to encourage more production of Clean Fuels here in Australia$40 million to accelerate the rollout of kerbside and fast EV charging across our suburbs and regions$85 million for frameworks and tools to help households and businesses understand and improve their energy performance$50 million for sports clubs doing their bit to decarbonise and drive climate action The global shift to clean energy represents one of the biggest economic transformations since the Industrial Revolution – and it presents Australia with an enormous economic and jobs opportunity.Today, the following documents to support the Australian Government’s 2035 climate target are available.The Net Zero Plan and six supporting sector plans: The Net Zero Plan outlines how the Australian Government will meet Australia’s net zero target. The sector plans outline the opportunities and challenges across the economy as we decarbonise towards 2050, the key policy levers the Government is using and where future emissions reduction potential is seen.The Treasury’s economic modelling: This modelling assesses the economic opportunities from the global net zero transformation for Australia and shows an orderly path to net zero supports more jobs and investment, higher wages and living standards, and a bigger economy. The Treasury modelled two orderly net zero scenarios consistent with our government’s approach and 2035 targets and a Disorderly Transition Scenario.The Climate Change Authority’s advice: This advice, informed by CSIRO modelling, considers the climate science, economic and national interest in advising the Government on Australia’s 2035 target, as well as examining emerging technology and future opportunities on the road to 2050.Our Nationally Determined Contribution: This reflects our international obligation and signals to the world Australia is ready for investment. This document will be submitted as Australia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), consistent with our obligations under the Paris Agreement.Australia is not alone in acting on climate change - with around 80% of global GDP covered by national net zero commitments.Global investment in clean energy projects is set to rise over USD $2 trillion – we want to grow this, and Australia’s share in it. This is the right target to protect our environment and secure our prosperity and to create jobs and economic growth for our nation.   The Government’s sensible, practical approach means our exporters, farmers and key industries will be able to compete and succeed in the world and our environment will be safe for future generations.    Vitally, this target range balances what the Commonwealth can achieve with existing policies and technologies, and what the country could achieve with a whole-of-economy and whole-of-society effort. A range enables greater ambition, recognising how quickly technology can change and the potential for even greater emissions reduction in the next decade.    We know every effort to tackle emissions today will help avoid the worst impacts of climate change in the future. This range will see Australia halve its emissions compared to current levels. It is in line with global efforts to limit dangerous global warming. We are not the biggest polluter or the biggest economy but our commitment to action on climate change matters. It matters to our neighbours, it matters for our economy and it matters for the country that we pass on to our children. 

UPDATE: 10:41Bruxner Highway open and clear after accident.UPDATE: 10:27AMEastbound traffic has reopened. Allow extra time.The Bruxner Highway has been closed to eastbound traffic at Sneaths Road at Wollongbar.The intersection is fast becoming a hotspot for accidents. Today at 9:39am, two cars crashed, causing the closure.Live Traffic said that emergency services are in attendance.Diversions are in place. Use Sneaths Road to turn left, and right onto Lismore Road to rejoin the Bruxner Highway at Alstonville.