The local police are bringing in a new telephone answering service to ensure that all calls are answered during busy periods.“The Richmond Police District is committed to providing our community with the highest level of customer service at all times, but unfortunately there have been times when we receive such a high volume of calls and jobs that you might not have been able to get through when you have rung us,” a post on the Richmond PD Facebook page said.“We’ve listened to your concerns about this and on the 27th August the Richmond Police District will introduce a new telephone system that will improve our service to you and ensure that when you ring your call will be answered.“What does this mean for you when you need the police? First and foremost, if your call is an emergency then you should call Triple Zero (000) immediately so we can help you as soon as possible.“For all other instances, nothing will change how we respond when you ring your local police station as your call is always important to us. “Police are available 24 hours a day, we are a part of your communities and we are here to help you at any time of the day or night.”Calls will be answered by an automated “Interactive Voice Response” service which will give calls the opportunity to make a general inquiry or report a crime, provide information to help police solve a crime or speak to an officer.“The system is designed to be simple and easy to use,” the Facebook post said.“The introduction of this phone system will ensure that calls within the district are attended to in a timely manner, contribute to improving our service to the communities with police and improve our ability to respond to crime in your area.“It is important to understand that this does not replace Triple Zero (000) in the case of an emergency situation you always ring 000.”

The Northern NSW Local Health District is warning people at risk to get vaccinated and take other steps to guard against Q fever, as drought and dusty conditions may increase the chances of the disease spreading.The Assistant director of the North Coast Public Health Unit, Greg Bell, said so far this year there had been 16 confirmed cases of Q fever in the Northern NSW area. In 2018 there were 28 confirmed cases of the disease in the area.Mr Bell said the region typically averages between 25-35 cases each year.“Q fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by inhaling dust particles contaminated by infected animal secretions that does not just affect farmers or people who deal with livestock,” Mr Corben said.“The infection is carried by cattle, goats, sheep and other domesticated and wild animals, so people who work on the land are most at risk.“However, the bacteria can easily be carried on farm tools or work clothes and brought into the family home.”Mr Bell said across Australia there has been an increase in Q fever cases over the past several years and the disease had emerged in groups who do not regularly work on farms or abattoirs, such as Aboriginal people, itinerant workers and contractors.Mr Bell urged residents to be aware of Q fever symptoms, which often appear like severe flu, and which can mean that the infection is under-reported.“People can experience high fevers and chills, sweating, severe headaches, muscle and joint pains and extreme fatigue,” Mr Bell said.“Chronic lethargy can remain for months after treatment.”Mr Bell said a single dose vaccine is recommended for people who work in high risk occupations and anyone over 15 years who has the potential to be exposed to Q fever.“Q fever occasionally affects children, and as the vaccine is not recommended for those aged under 15, it is very important parents know how to protect children from Q fever.”The following steps can protect against Q fever:washing hands and arms thoroughly in soapy water after any contact with animalswearing a properly fitting mask when handling or disposing of animal products or when mowing or gardening in areas with livestock or native animal droppingswearing protective clothing and thick gloves when working with high risk animals or animal productsremoving and washing dirty clothing, coveralls, boots and equipment in outdoor wash areas to prevent exposing other household residentswashing animal urine, faeces, blood and other body fluids from equipment and surfaces and properly disposing of animal tissues including birth by-products. The NSW Government is investing around $1 million to help protect farmers and other people in rural areas who work with animals from Q fever.The NSW Government is working with the NSW Farmers’ Association, the NSW Country Women’s Association, SafeWork NSW, and other primary industry stakeholders to develop and disseminate the Q fever education campaign.In 2018 NSW Health launched an online learning module to help GPs diagnose Q fever and vaccinate susceptible people. In the first 12 months over 400 GPs enrolled in the course.For more information on Q fever, go to the NSW Health website

Lismore City Council is asking the community to provide feedback on a proposal to increase rates above the “rate peg”.The proposal is a 10-year rating strategy that includes a Special Rate Variation to fund roads and economic development that would see the average urban residential rates bill increase by $308 in two years between 2020 and 2222.The community is also being asked to consider “funding options” for open spaces and sporting/recreational facilities in the future.Part one of the consultation asks residents to consider a proposed permanent SRV to raise $4.5 million for roads and $1.6 million for economic development annually above the rate pegging limit. It would be introduced over a two-year period (2020/21 and 2021/22).“The additional $4.5 million for roads would include $4 million for sealed road reconstruction and $500,000 for gravel re-sheeting each year,” council documents say.“The additional $1.6 million for economic development would fund projects and incentives that increase jobs, drive business and industry growth, support our local businesses to thrive and attract new tourism and investment.” A council media release did not specify how much average ratepayers’ rates would rise under the proposal.However, a fact sheet on the council’s Your Say webpage says rates would rise by 17 per cent in 2020-21 and 6.9 per cent in 2021-22. This equates to an annual increase for the average urban residential ratepayer of $209 in the first year and $99 in the second. Over four years, that same rate payer would pay $258 more under the SRV than they would if rates were only increased at the rate peg. Part two of the consultation looks at future rating options. Residents will be asked questions about our open spaces and sporting/recreational facilities including what services are most important to them and if people are willing to consider funding these through a special rate variation in the future.The length of the community consultation period is two months.For more detailed information on the proposal, see the community consultation page on the council’s website: https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/rates-consultationMayor Isaac Smith in the media release said the council was facing the challenge of balancing community expectations for services with levels of funding.“Like many NSW councils, we deliver a broad range of services from roads to rubbish collection, parks and playgrounds, cultural activities and events, libraries and swimming pools, environmental protection, and much more,” Cr Smith said.“The reality council faces is that it cannot continue to provide these current services without more revenue.“At present, Council’s revenue is regulated by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). IPART sets a ‘rate peg’ that limits the amount by which councils can increase rates from one year to the next.“For many years, the rate peg has not kept pace with the increasing cost to maintain our assets and provide services to the community. We are now consulting about a rating strategy that includes a proposed application to IPART to raise rates above the rate pegging limit.”“We need our community to carefully consider the SRV and longer-term rating options, and give us feedback on how they wish Council to proceed,” Mayor Smith said.“We encourage all residents and ratepayers to get involved in the community consultation and have their say about the services we provide.”Residents can complete an online survey, register for a community workshop and/or visit information kiosks and talk face-to-face with staff. There will also be a random telephone survey of residents conducted by an independent research company in late August.Feedback is due by 30 September with the results due to come back to the council on November 5. The council will vote on whether to apply for the SRV on November 12 with the application due by February next year.For further information, to complete the online survey or to register for a community workshop head to: www.yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au.Hard copy information and community surveys are also available at the council’s Corporate Centre, 43 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah, or at the Lismore and Goonellabah Libraries.

The owner of the Leycester St Food Works - still better known as Menin’s - is making one last great act of generosity before she shuts the shop for good and leaves Lismore.Organiser of the North Coast Food for Farmers Drought Appeal Anne Thompson revealed yesterday that the grocery store’s owner Christin Lancaster would be donating all the remaining stock to the appeal.Despite a closing down sale, there's still plenty of stock left over to go to needy farmers. PHOTO: Supplied.“Well, ask - and yea shall receive?!” Anne posted on Facebook. “All this is being donated from Mennin's grocery shop that is closing today!! “How amazing is that!!”Previously owned for years by the Menin family, the store across from Trinity Catholic College sold groceries to local families for decades and after school treats to generations of school kids. However, Christine announced earlier this year that she would not be renewing the lease on the building after being unable to find a buyer for the business.She told the Lismore App that she hadn’t really wanted anyone to know about the donation.“I didn't really want to get it out there as such,” she said modestly.She said that despite having a closing down sale over the last couple of weeks, there will still be plenty to fill Anne’s trucks heading out west including canned food, cleaning and hygiene products, bottled drinks and more.“It was my plan all the way along,” Christine said.“I've been in drought areas previously and I know how it is.“There's too many people doing it hard out there “I know I've had a bugger of time as well, but they're in worse dire straits that I am.”

Smoke from a car fire disrupted traffic in a Goonellabah street this afternoon.A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesperson said one pump responded to a report of a car fire in Dudley Drive about 4:05pm.When the crews arrived shortly afterwards the driver was out of the Mazda car and uninjured. "They required the police because the smoke was blocking the intersection of Oliver Avenue and Dudley Drive," the spokesperson said."It was extinguished at around 4.25pm."

A mother whose toddler spent seven days in Lismore Base Hospital after being diagnosed with meningococcal last week has urged parents to do their research and take prompt action if they feel like something is wrong.Tegan Culverhouse, 20, said her son Harley, who is nearly two years old and normally vibrant and energetic, seemed tired and listless last Wednesday morning.Tegan lives at Ballina but both her and Harley’s dad, Kieren Maloney, have family in Lismore. Harley is Lismore community radio host and bellringer John Maloney’s grand-nephew.Tegan Culverhouse with her son Harley. PHOTO: Supplied.“Usually when Harley wakes up he wants to be straight out the door in the garden playing in the dirt but he just wanted to lie on the couch and watch kids’ shows,” Tegan said.By noon, Harley had napped three times, which was extremely unusual."When he woke up from the third nap I noticed he was really hot and sweating but he was also shivering and short of breath,” Tegan said. “I was starting to get quite worried so I took his shirt off to help him cool down and that's when I noticed some red dots starting to appear on his body.”Tegan took Harley to hospital after noticing red dots on his front. PHOTO: Supplied.Meningococcal is a rare but serious bacterial infection, spread by secretions from the nose and throat of a person who is carrying the bacteria, that can cause death within hours.Harley had been vaccinated for the disease but while vaccination is the best prevention it is not always 100 per cent effective.The North Coast Public Health Unit last week warned that cases of the disease normally started to increase towards the end of flu season when people’s immune systems were weaker from viruses and that people should be on the lookout for symptoms.There has been at least two other cases of the disease on the North Coast this year.The health unit advises that meningococcal can mimic other common illnesses, so it is important people be aware nearer spring that nausea symptoms, vomiting, neck stiffness, joint pain, light sensitivity, or a sudden fever, could be something else.Tegan knew that the red dots were a red flag and took Harley to Ballina District Hospital.By this stage, it was about 1pm and the tyke was limp, crying, had refused to have anything to eat since first thing in the morning and had a temperature of 39.4 degrees.The red dots on his body were spreading quickly so the medical staff decided to give Harley antibiotics on the assumption that he had meningococcal even though they hadn’t yet confirmed the diagnosis with a blood test.By 7pm the dots, which had started off on his belly, had spread around his back, down his thighs and over his arms and an ambulance was organised to take him to Lismore Base Hospital where he would spend the next week.The results from the blood test which confirmed meningococcal took 48 hours to come back.“It was really stressful because I had obviously done my research and I knew that what the possibilities were,” Tegan said.“I just tried not to think what could possibly happen.”Harley was confined to his hospital room until he was deemed not to be infectious anymore and his parents and family also had to take a course of antibiotics in case they were carriers.“It was so nice to be able to go home yesterday,” Tegan said.“By the end of it, you could just tell how much Harley wanted to go home. He was starting to get frustrated and grumpy and throwing tantrums because he didn't want to be connected to the drip constantly.“To be able to take him home and put him in his own bed and give him some dinner that I know he really likes... just to have him here is just such a nice feeling knowing that there was a chance that I could have not even brought him home at all.“I'm just so thankful that he's back home. It's a massive weight off everyone's shoulders.”Harley is normally a vibrant and active toddler. PHOTO: Supplied.Tegan said parents should take the time to read up on the symptoms of meningococcal and other serious illnesses.“My advice to other parents would be: look out for the signs and if you feel like your child isn't themselves take it as a red flag; you know your child better than anyone else,” she said.Tegan said she wanted to thank all the doctors and nurses who had given Harley such excellent treatment.“Thankfully we've had the best outcome that we possibly could have had in terms of how bad meningococcal can really be,” she said.“They said that I'm really lucky that I brought him in when I did because it could have been a different outcome.“I'm so glad that I took the symptoms as a red flag and took him to the hospital.”

Lismore City Council is to construct a bridge on Mountain Top Rd, Georgica, to replace a culvert damaged in the 2017 flood.“Council plans to start repair of the 2017 flood damage on Mountain Top Road, Georgica, by removing the existing culvert and replacing it with a single span bridge,” the council said “The old culvert suffered damage during the 2017 flood event and needs to be replaced. “Design options have been investigated and it’s been decided that a single span bridge is the most cost effective and environmentally sound solution.”Construction of the bridge is due to start in early August with works expected to take around three to four months, subject to the weather.A temporary single lane side track will be installed to divert traffic while the new bridge is being built.

A leading Lismore construction firm won a swag of gongs at the regional Master Builders Association awards on the weekend for the heritage restoration of a flood-damaged church in the CBD and development of a "pod" dwelling on the coast.Greg Clark Building’s Jenny Clark said an average of 10 tradesmen worked on restoring the Uniting Church on the corner of Keen and Woodlark streets for about 10 months following the 2017 flood.“It was wonderful working with the Uniting Church to restore the church after the flood,” Ms Clark said.“Like everything in Lismore it was pretty extensively damaged.”Ms Clark said the brief covered all aspects of the historic building - from cleaning and repointing the exterior bricks to repairing the plaster and timber veneers. Even the sloping floor was levelled.“We actually had to bring some of the older tradespeople in town back work to show the younger ones how to do some of the techniques that are no longer in use so the work would match,” Ms Clark said.“We had help from Sidney and Hacking who did a lot of the plastering and roofing, and Goldsmiths who also did a lot of the plastering.”All this was done while the church continued to run services.Greg Clark Building also took home three awards for their work on an unusual “futuristic” residential dwelling on Point Danger at Tweed Heads that incorporated two round "pods" and had no straight lines or right angles.“The other project was completely different to the Uniting Church,” Ms Clark said.“It was quite difficult. No one wanted to take it on. We had to engage some of the artists and designers at Movie World to help us.”She said the Movie World technicians helped create three dimensional molds of the pods for the concrete reinforcement.“You had to think outside the square for that one,” she said. "It wasn't your normal building.”Ms Clark said that the awards meant a lot to the team.“It's recognition of a lot of hard work for some excellent tradesmen,” she said.“It's a testament to the people we employ who were able to apply their skills and meet the challenge the jobs presented.”

The police have warned about a new scam doing the rounds that promises a $100,000 windfall.Richmond PD crime prevention officer Senior Constable David Henderson said local residents have been receiving information via email or telephone that they have won $100,000 in the Workers Compensation Board Lottery."Victims are then requested to deposit money in order to receive their cash prize," Senior Constable Henderson said in a post on the Richmond PD Facebook page. "Each time the victim deposits money they are then requested to deposit further money for different reasons."This is a SCAM and people are warned not to deposit money into these accounts that are provided."Police advise against depositing monies into accounts of persons not known to you."Remember: If it's too good to be true then it probably is."

More than 100 people turned up and planted more than 1000 trees in just minutes at North Lismore on Sunday to mark National Tree Day.The Wilsons River Landcare Group organised the planting at Simes Bridge which included a welcome to country by Aunty Thelma Jones.Heidi Lunn from the Wilsons River Landcare Group said about 120 volunteers planted about 1100 trees.A crowdfunding campaign over recent weeks raised more than $3,000 which paid for trees and will be used used to ensure the site will be well looked after into the future. Lismore Council provided support for site preparation and also donated mulch.“National Tree Day is a once a year celebration of hope, when people come together to do what is the number one action, after preventing any further habitat loss, which is to plant more trees,” said Heidi.“We thank everyone who came to plant on this amazing stretch of riverbank, the Rouse family for their support, to those who donated to the crowd funding, and everyone who donated trees. “We had tree planters from landcare groups around the region, planters from the Knitting Nannas, Rainforest Rescue, staff and students from Southern Cross University, young children and older people – all joining together to take action for our river and for our planet. “This is what National Tree Day is all about”.The trees included lowland rainforest trees donated by Rous County Council and grown by Firewheel Nursery and Friends, rainforest trees grown by the Friends of the Rainforest Botanic Gardens, koala food trees donated by Friends of the Koala, native bush nuts donated by the Macadamia Conservation Trust, and hoop pines donated by Kevin Glencross.National Tree Day was co-founded in 1996 by Planet Ark and Olivia Newton-John. It has grown into Australia's largest community tree planting.

NORPA has announced that one third of local hip hop outfit Teddy Lewis King will join the theatre company for a residency next month.Yaegl and Bundjalung performer and creator Mitch King will be researching and developing a new work with the working title Flow as part of NORPA’s Indigenous Makers Studio initiative.“Flow is a piece about the connections we have with water and the relationships we’ve had with this element throughout history, from our ancestors to the present,” King said. “I’ll be exploring how the universal theme of ‘water' Flow connects with the Bundjalung nation and Yaegl country, respecting the stories that make us who we are, not only from the land but also the rivers, lakes, waterfalls and ocean. “The stories continue to create connections to the places we call home, family and community.”King is a creative producer specialising in hip hop music and dance and has previously worked with NORPA as an associate producer and is currently a NORPA associate artist. He is one part of local hip hop group Teddy Lewis King and a youth educator through the Dream Bigger initiative in Northern NSW. He will be researching the project on Yaegl country on the coast in the weeks prior to the residency and will be collaborating with community and other artists during this time. There will be a community sharing of the work - which will include elements of projection, music, poetry and dance - at NORPA at Lismore City Hall on August 16. NORPA’s Indigenous Makers Studio supports emerging and mid-career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists originating from or based in NSW to deepen their performing arts practice, hone their professional skills and develop ideas for new works. As part of the initiative, King will receive an artist fee, access to NORPA’s studio space, production support, producer support and access to the theatre company’s creative expertise."This residency at NORPA will be a great opportunity for me to explore and extend on what these stories mean to not only myself but to the community,” he said. “Through this research and development I also want explore artistic mediums that will continue to keep these stories alive."

A local beauty therapist is opening a third salon and this one is in Goonellabah.Affordable Beauty started up just over 10 years ago and already has salons in Ballina and South Lismore.“We are so excited to announce Affordable Beauty is expanding again,” the owners said in a Facebook post.“Who would have thought, just over 10 years ago, this home-based business would be opening its third salon.“We would like to thank all of our amazing clients for your support throughout these years. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to continue this fabulous journey.”The post said the salon was opening in September at the Village Goonellabah and would offer “the same amazing treatments at an affordable price”.Treatments offered at the existing Affordable Beauty salons include Diamond Microdermabrasion, Swedish Massage, Spray Tanning, Teeth Whitening, Aduro Signature Hydrogel Collagen Infused LED Facials and Lash Lifts.

A man has been charged and prohibited drugs seized from an unregistered vehicle following a police pursuit near Lismore yesterday."Just after noon, officers from Richmond Highway Patrol were notified of a Subaru station wagon allegedly driving erratically on Nimbin Road towards Lismore," a statement from NSW Police Media said."When the station wagon refused to pull over on Terania Street, North Lismore, a police pursuit was initiated."Shortly after, the vehicle came to a stop and officers arrested the driver, a 19-year-old Lismore man."During a search of the vehicle, police located and seized cannabis to undergo forensic examination."The man was charged at Lismore Police Station with possess prohibited drug, police pursuit - not stop - drive recklessly, use uninsured motor vehicle, use unregistered registrable Class A motor vehicle on road, and resist officer in execution of duty.He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Lismore Local Court on August 12. Investigations are continuing.

Lismore City Council has some good news for East Lismore parents, families and children.Nine months after being damaged by vandals, Wade Park is set to reopen this afternoon.The park was closed after play equipment was severely damaged by fire in October last year.Restoration of the facilities was delayed by an $80,000 insurance claim by Lismore City Council which was eventually successful.“Thanks for your patience while we went through the lengthy insurance and rebuild process,” the council said.“Hope you enjoy the new play area!”

The installation of new upgraded digital CCTV cameras in Lismore's CBD has begun.Lismore City Council's compliance coordinator Matt Kelly said the installation should be complete in early August."This renewal has been funded by a $433,000 Federal Government grant," Mr Kelly said."This project includes replacement of the 1998 analog network with a new digital network with greater coverage across the CBD. There are 56 new cameras that will maximise surveillance in the CBD."The replacement of this network is a key community safety action identified within Council’s Crime Prevention Plan and Imagine Lismore Delivery Program 2017-2021."The council also also received a $250,000 NSW Community Safety Fund grant for expansion of the Lismore CBD network and renewal of the Nimbin CCTV network.The Lismore expansion will include from the intersection of Woodlark/Keen Streets down to the roundabout at the corner of Brewster and Uralba Streets and up to the Trinity bus interchange."This additional work will be completed by Christmas," Mr Kelly said."The Nimbin CCTV network renewal includes the addition of two new cameras (one in the western carpark and one opposite the community centre) and this will also be completed by Christmas."The CCTV grants were announced last year.

More than 30 Lismore electorate community projects are competing for votes to receive money through the NSW Government’s My Community Project.The My Community Project funds projects in each NSW electorate to help improve the wellbeing of people and communities.Successful projects will be determined through a public vote and the projects that receive the most support will receive funding. Up to $260,000 is available for each electorate.Projects nominated in the Lismore City area include:Gingerbread Jarjums Belonging Outside, Lismore $33,649To update and refurbish the outdoor environments creating warm, engaging, natural materials focused play environments for the children.Our Happy Women Designs – Cultural Arts Hub, Goonellabah, $50,000To establish a local cultural arts hub and social enterprise to transform the lives of Aboriginal women and their families, providing a vehicle for social and economic self-determination.Gathering, Yarning & Creating: A Local Women's Initiative, East Lismore, $22,000To implement the Gathering, Yarning and Creating Project, which will be self-sustained after year one. The project will educate and empower women to have a voice in violence prevention; and celebrate cultural diversity and identity.Bringing Wayapa to Lismore, Goonellabah, $45,430The funding will train 10 facilitators in Wayapa Wuurrk - an Indigenous-based, earth mindfulness practice - and promote and deliver six public sessions to the Lismore community. Securing the Safety of the Region's Koalas in Care, East Lismore, $56,532Provision of security fencing around the rehabilitation runs at Friends of the Koala and constructing a koala kindy to ensure all the koalas are safe.Connecting and Revitalising our Communities with the trail, Girards Hill, $35,750To develop an interactive website for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. A world class rail trail requires an innovative and interactive website to help all visitors enjoy its full potential.Flood proofing the Lismore Rugby Union Club, North Lismore, $188,959To flood proof our future, upgrade our facilities and provide a free community facility to all.Nimbin Community Centre Aged Care - New Car Platform, Nimbin, $70,000To build a level vehicle load/unload platform to improve all-abilities access to the Nimbin Community Centre Aged Care facilities.Waterless Compost Toilet at Lismore Community Garden, Lismore, $68,733Providing an accessible waterless compost toilet facility at Lismore Community Garden for volunteers, event participants and visitors.Building Wellbeing in our Young People, Nimbin, $67,650Fitness equipment in our grounds suitable for our secondary students will create opportunities for exercise and to build their fitness.Lismore's Heart Safe Defibrillator Initiative, South Lismore, $42,946Installing public access defibrillators in strategic locations in case of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Defibrillators increase chance of survival by 85 per cent.Integrated PlayScape-to build fitness, brains and bodies, Nimbin, $75,000To construct a play environment from largely sustainable materials that stimulates a child's imagination, creativity, social skills and healthy mind.Lismore PCYC Community Facility Upgrade, Lismore, $59,400To air-condition the gym, boxing & dojo rooms, upgrade the lighting in the main hall and to purchase new dojo matting.Heritage Park:Our Rainforest Adventure:Central Pathway Spine, Lismore, $28,710Create a central pathway spine (1.5 metres wide) connecting play spaces, waterpark, picnic areas and entry/exit points providing accessibility for whole community.Improving Lismore's Cyclability, Lismore, $24,042The project will deliver 15 heart bicycle parking stations and two deluxe bicycle repair stands to support healthy lifestyle choices.Tregeagle Community BBQ, Tregeagle, $22,000Provide an electric BBQ and shelter at Tregeagle Hall and Tennis Courts for local community.Green Innovation Awards Northern Rivers, Goonellabah, $36,000It is a competition for primary school and high school students to submit their green innovative ideas.Clifford Park Seating Project, Goonellabah, $62,528The project will provide seating for 60 people at Clifford Park in the heart of the Aboriginal Community in Goonellabah.Finding Financial Freedom, Lismore, $55,602A series of regular financial education nights covering different themes with a healthy dinner and babysitting service being provided.Mortimer Oval Fencing, Lismore, $115,000Installation of white PVC fencing of Mortimer Oval for cricket, Australian Rules Football, school sport and general public recreation.Access for all, South Lismore, $80,000To provide an access solution at the Tropical Fruits club house in addition to our stairs and an accessible toilet for our less mobile members.To see more details of the projects head to: https://mycommunityproject.service.nsw.gov.au/Treasurer Dominic Perrottet encouraged people across NSW to get involved in the innovative program, which empowers communities to make decisions that will enhance their local community, by proposing and choosing projects to get funded.“My Community Project gives you the chance to develop your great idea to revitalise or renew your neighbourhood, whether that be through the addition of a community garden, a safe and inclusive playground or holding a cultural fair,” Mr Perrottet said.“Through this program, locals can think about what their community needs, develop that idea with a sponsor such as a local council, TAFE or a charity, and then work with them to transform their concept into reality.To vote for a community project go to mycommunityproject.service.nsw.gov.au until 15 August 2019. You’ll need a MyServiceNSW Account and your Medicare card to vote.You can vote for up to five projects with points awarded as follows:1st preference – 10 points2nd preference – 5 points3rd preference – 3 points4th preference – 2 points5th preference – 1 point

Tomorrow’s Lismore Eats monthly market has been cancelled and the future of the event is in doubt.Organiser Jacob Stone said confusion among vendors over the date of this month’s event at the Lismore Showground meant several had to drop out.“We’ve also got a number of other ongoing issues - some of which involve the council and development applications - which mean I’m having to reassess what I’m doing,” Jacob said.Jacob started up the popular monthly foodtruck event last year, funding the startup costs such as public liability insurance out of his own pocket.It has regularly drawn good crowds and featured live music, eating competitions and other entertainment.However, he said had not yet been able to make a profit.“I’d just like to thank the community for all the support we’ve received over the past 10 months that we’ve been doing these events and I am looking forward to coming back with a variation of Lismore Eats at some point,” he said.

The organiser of the Food for Farmers - North Coast Drought Appeal, Anne Thompson, has delayed the packing of hampers for drought affected farmers. Ms Thompson said packing was due to begin at the end of July but would not start until the first or even second week in August because of a lack of media coverage. The North Coast Drought Appeal has been sending truckloads of necessities out west for 26 years.“Last year the drought conditions were dire; now they are disastrous, with many places running out of water,” Ms Thompson said. “People are asked to donate non-perishable food items that are not past the use-by date or in rusty cans. “We only have to look in our own cupboards for grocery items we can do without.”Items needed include tea, coffee, sweet biscuits, crackers, fruit cakes, cereal, tinned fruit/vegetables/soup/tuna/salmon, jams, vegemite, peanut butter, honey, packet mixes, sauces, pasta, rice, long-life milk, as well as treats like dried fruit, nuts and lollies, toiletries, sanitary and laundry products and pet food.Items can be dropped at the following places:Lismore Showground Pavilion – next to the OfficeLismore Library – Magellan St. Lismore,Goonellabah LibraryCurves - BallinaWallace’s – River St., BallinaEric Box Mitsubishi – CasinoClunes Auto Centre – ClunesCentury 21 Real Estate – Main St, AlstonvilleAnglican Church Op-shop – Byron BayBangalow CWA Gift Shop – BangalowRay Towers Carpets – MullumbimbyVolunteers will be needed when packing commences at the Lismore Showground Pavillion during August. Cash donations can also be made to North Coast Drought Appeal: BSB 728 728 A/C No 22321288.Follow Food for Farmers - North Coast Drought Appeal on Facebook for updates.

The doors of the Leycester St Foodworks - still often affectionately known as Menins - have temporarily reopened.Owner Christine Lancaster is having a closing down sale in a bid to sell off the last of the shop’s stock.Among the items still left are drinks, juices, breakfast cereals, washing powders, petfood and frozen meals.“Everything is under $10,” Christine told the Lismore App.“The soft drinks are all $1, deodorants are all $3, regardless of variety and brand.“Everything across the whole store is drastically reduced.”Christine decided to shut the shop - which has been a local fixture for decades - when the lease came up for renewal at the end of June.Almost all of the fixtures have already been sold.“Basically the only thing I've got left to sell is the deli cabinets,” she said.Christine said her plan was still to move back to Queensland, where she has family.She said she had no idea what would become of the building once she left.The closing down sale would last a few more days and she would close the doors of the store permanently on Monday or Tuesday, she addedJobsHernes Freight Service:Local HC/MC DriverHernes has been a recognised & respected name in the refrigerated road transport industry for two generations.The origins of what is now Hernes Freight Service can be traced back to Harvey Herne’s humble beginnings in 1974 when he started off carrying frozen groceries down the east coast of Australia & frozen chickens back up with just one Mercedes Benz prime mover. Today Stuart, Harvey’s son, owns & operates a modern fleet of over seventy vehicles comprising of mostly Western Stars, Kenworths and Volvo’s; being one of the most versatile privately owned fleets on the eastern seaboard.We have a position available for a LOCAL HC/MC Driver based in our Lismore depot. This is position is Casual or Full-Time.