The supposedly sleepy koala is more active than previously thought, according to new research led by Lismore Southern Cross University senior research fellow Dr Janette Norman.The research shows almost a quarter of the koalas in Northern NSW travel up to 16.6km in search of new habitats ­- a surprising result with long-distance movements previously thought to be uncommon.The research, published this month in Conservation Genetics shows that larger areas of habitat need to be managed to ensure the survival of the species. Long-distance dispersal may also facilitate range shifts in response to climate change and enable natural colonisation of new or rehabilitated sites for koalas.The research team, including Southern Cross University co-authors Caroline Blackmore, associate professor Ross Goldingay and Professor Les Christidis, and Biolink Ecological Consultants’ Stephen Phillips, used the koalas’ unique DNA profiles to identify parent-offspring pairs and map their locations within the landscape.“From this we were able to determine if young koalas had settled in areas close to where they were born, or dispersed into other habitats,” Ms Norman said.“We found long-distance dispersal of up to 16.6 km in around 20 per cent of the population, and also found the average dispersal distance, at 5.6 km, was much longer than the 3 km previously estimated for this population using mark-recapture techniques.“Koalas are generally considered to be sedentary animals but our research shows that long-distance movements are common and are essential in maintaining connectivity in fragmented landscapes, which have been impacted through human development.”Dr Norman said current management plans for the koala are based on limited knowledge of dispersal and how it varies across populations and landscapes. Using scaling relationships, they estimated that koalas in inland areas are likely to undertake long-distance movements in excess of 40km.“Conservation planning and management need to be done at larger spatial scales to be effective, as failure to do so may miss opportunities to maintain, or restore, connectivity,” Dr Norman said.“This will require co-ordination between Local Government Areas who have responsibility for implementing Koala Management Plans – koalas don’t recognise political boundaries and are moving between management areas.”The research team said the next step would be to gain a better understanding of the factors responsible for initiating these long-distance movements.Similar research would benefit the conservation and management of other endangered species and populations in Australia.

The Lismore Lions Club are expected to have a new custom BBQ trailer in the next couple of months thanks to the Lismore Workers Club and State Government.Lismore Lions Club president Doug Fraser (pictured left) said the club was successful in obtaining funding under the Lismore Workers Club's Club Grants Scheme.“We received part funding from the Lismore Workers Club's Club Grant Scheme and part funding from a NSW Government Grant,” Mr Fraser told the Lismore App.“Total monies received has allowed us to have a new BBQ trailer built which hopefully will be completed within the next six to eight weeks.“Funds will also be utilized to purchase equipment for the Trailer.“Lismore Lions is the foundation Club of Lions in Australia and the new trailer will help us service the needs of the people of Lismore.“A big thank you to the Lismore Workers Club.”

After 26 years running Lismore Trophies, Brian and Lyn Pool have put the South Lismore business up for sale.The couple have been providing perpetuals, trophies, plaques and shields to local sporting clubs and other organisations - plus an assortment of engraving and printing services - since the early 1990s.However, they're now looking to retire.Lyn’s background is in nursing while Brian was previously an accountant and they got into the business “by accident” after deciding to leave Sydney.“The business was available and we thought it would work well for us as it didn’t require any previous experience,” Lyn said.“It was a five-year plan to start with... and it’s been 26 years now.“A few times we've thought of doing other things but this has been really financially stable - we put three kids through uni and bought a lovely home - so we stayed with it.”Brian said the business had evolved over the years and now involved more engraving than trophy sales.“We do a lot of signage - building signs, directional signs - a lot of specialized engraving on all sorts of different things from timber to glassware - just about anything that people want us to engrave on,” he said.“We've also got a printing system called sublimation, which is full color print, that we use as a value add to what we do.”The strangest commission Brian can remember receiving was engraving mystical symbols on an assortment of test tubes.“They wanted symbols like moons and stars and all that sort of thing,” Brian said.“We found out later it was a Byron ‘alternative’ site and they were selling magic elixirs.“They had coloured water in these test tubes they we had put the symbols on and they sold them as manna from heaven.“The head honcho ended up in jail for fraud and scams.”He said they had also done some unusual engravings for sporting clubs including bones mounted on plaques and “pisspots” for club awards.While the business is doing well and they have enjoyed running it - especially the connection to the local community - Lyn said it was now time to hand over the engraving machines to someone else.“We live at Lennox and we find the drive here is getting tiresome,” she said.“We just want to retire and walk the beach with our dog Banjo and just have our holidays and do stuff and not have to work anymore.”She said it had been a “really good little business”.“It's really kept us going and allowed us to do a lot of things.“Hopefully someone will find us that's going to continue it and maybe have more energy that we have to do more. There's a lot more you could do with it.“I do a lot of graphic work for weddings and baby showers and those sort of personalized things and if someone with some energy was keen to market that online it would be really good.“Hopefully someone with some great ideas will come along.”Anyone interested in buying the business can call Lyn and Brian direct on 66218 912 or 0432371240.

Women in Social Enterprise (WISE) have received a $25,000 grant to run confidence, financial literacy and business skills programs for disadvantaged and marginalised Lismore and Northern Rivers women.The first WISE initiative will be a networking event at the Lismore Regional Gallery on August 29 called Social Impact! Lismore.It will bring together businesses, organisations, service providers, professionals and community members committed to supporting lasting positive change.WISE coordinator Susanna Carpi said the goal of Social Impact! Lismore was to start a bigger conversation.“[It’s] about how Lismore can grow stronger together, work on the big issues in a cohesive way, and openly share ideas, opportunities and resources for sustained social impact,” Ms Carpi said.“At WISE, our focus is on the wellbeing of women, and we acknowledge that the interconnectedness and community spirit in Lismore is our strength and greatest opportunity for a robust caring community for everyone.”In early September, WISE will launch the Women in Self Employment program for women who are thinking of or are in the early stages of starting a business.WISE is a project of Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services (NORWACS), a grass roots Lismore organisation with a history of supporting women for over 25 years. General manager Mary Willis said NORWACS was one of only 16 organisations to be funded through the Investing in Women Funding Program out of nearly 200 applications.For more information check out the WISE Women in Social Enterprise Facebook page or contact Susanna Carpi at Susanna.Carpi@norwacs.org.au or 0401 956 710.

Skyhe Hoyt is an ambassador for Lismore City Council and loves inspiring young women who want to embark on a career in traditionally male roles.The Lismore City Council Ranger Skyhe Hoyt, who was named the 2019 Lismore Business Awards Outstanding Young Employee of the Year at the annual awards night on July 20, is currently studying a Certificate IV in Government Investigations and is now a permanent Law Enforcement Officer with Council.Skyhe, 28, joined Council in 2016 as a Trainee Law Enforcement Officer and completed a Certificate IV in Regulatory Services. In 2018, Skyhe won the North Coast and Mid North Coast Regional Trainee of the Year award sponsored by the NSW Training Awards.She is an exceptional ambassador for Lismore City Council and loves inspiring young women who want to embark on a career in traditionally male roles.“I have loved my experience at Council and encourage more women to follow their passion in whatever industry that may be,” Skyhe said.“I have been actively involved in local career expos representing Lismore City Council and I believe I have sparked a real interest with some young women just by talking to them about my experience.”Skyhe undertakes a variety of roles from parking enforcement to dealing with abandoned vehicles and dog attacks, but said it’s her work at the Lismore Pound that is most rewarding.“Within the first week of starting my traineeship, I knew it was the right career path for me,” she said.“The work is practical and often involves assisting people in my community. As an animal lover, helping people to find their lost animals, educating them on how to be a responsible pet owner, and rehoming animals from our Pound is the best part of the job. Not every person can go home at the end of their shift and say they made a difference in someone’s life; I am proud to say that I can.”Council’s Senior Law Enforcement Officer Jody Hinds said he was thrilled to see Skyhe recognised for her hard work and tenacity.“Skyhe was enthusiastic and committed from day dot – we knew as soon as we met her in the interview that this was a special young woman with passion and a great sense of humour,” Jody said.“Not only is she 100% committed to her job and helping the Lismore community but she is just a really considerate, compassionate and thoughtful human being. It has been a pleasure to be her mentor and watch her career go from strength to strength. She is so deserving of this award and I couldn’t be more proud.”Skyhe is now in the running for the Northern Rivers Business Awards being announced in October.

A Lismore dad said he was excited to take his kids on a shopping spree after scoring one of the top prizes on an Instant Scratch-Its ticket - $100,000. The top prize winning $5 Crosswords Instant Scratch-Its ticket was purchased at Lismore Central Newspro, Shops T10 Lismore Central Shopping Centre, Lismore. Sharing his joy with a NSW Lotteries official yesterday morning, the hardworking man explained how he scratched the winning ticket while he was having a break at work. “I was having a busy day at work and so I decided to have a quick break and have a cup of tea and scratch the ticket I’d bought earlier,” he explained. “I was just scratching away when I saw I won $100,000. I didn’t believe it!“When I went home I had my family check it and they told me it was true. “It is great! You don’t often have one hundred thousand dollars just come along, so this is amazing. “I am definitely going to celebrate with my family when the money is in my account.” When asked how he planned to enjoy his prize, the family man said he would put it to good use. “I don’t want to waste it. I will put it in the bank and use it when we need it,” he shared. “We are a work, work, work family so this will just help us relax a bit. “It will take some stress away. “I will take my kids on a shopping spree though, and let them pick out some things they want! “I might buy a few little toys for myself as well.” Lismore Central Newspro newsagency assistant Allison Harris said she was thrilled to have sold a major prize winning Instant Scratch-Its ticket. “It’s excellent and it’s great it’s gone to a regular customer,” she said. “He is such a deserving winner and we are thrilled for him. “We have sold a few major prizes in the past and are so excited we have sold another and can add this to our list. “We can’t wait to sell more in the future.” In 2018, 155 Instant Scratch-Its top prize winners collectively took home more than $14.26 million. During this same time, 25,716,051 winners pocketed more than $205.8 million across all Instant Scratch-Its prize tiers. 

Lismore City Council won two awards this week for the redevelopment of Oakes Oval and the annual Eat the Street festival.The council and contractor/builder Bennett Constructions won an award for ‘best sporting facility between $2-5 million’ at the Northern Regions Building Awards on Saturday for the $2.8 million Oakes Oval redevelopment.Eat the Street won gold in the events category at the North Coast Tourism Awards last night. The council’s tourism and events manager Mitch Lowe said Eat the Street had grown every year and now attracted around 25,000 people.“People love food and they have loved this event from the first year we launched,” Mr Lowe said.“We continue to grow and develop Eat the Street each year with things like progressive dinners, mixology classes, and food and foraging tours. We are already planning next year’s event and have some really exciting new culinary surprises in store.“I am so proud of the team that organises Eat the Street. It has become a signature event for Lismore and that is testament to the hard work of our events team.”The Oakes Oval upgrade included the expansion of the ground to accommodate AFL games as well as new grandstands, upgraded change-rooms, and a new electronic scoreboard.Lipman Group chief executive Rob McKee, Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith, Bennett Constructions Commercial Manager Tim Cohen and Lipman Group CFO Peter Thomas at the Northern Regions Building Awards on Saturday in Ballina. PHOTO: Supplied.It was funded with $1.4 million from the federal government, with AFL Queensland, Lismore Swans AFL, Lismore City Council and NSW Cricket matching the funds in cash or in-kind.“This was the first stage of our greater Oakes Oval and Crozier Field redevelopment and I’m thrilled that the hard work of our Council team and Bennett Constructions has been recognised. The work that has taken place so far is fantastic and has improved the facility significantly,” Mayor Isaac Smith said.“We are now undertaking stage two of the redevelopment which includes a refurbishment of the Gordon Pavilion, a new grandstand, new amenities blocks for Oakes and Crozier Field, new landscaping and a covered terrace connecting the two sports fields. “Once this is complete our major sportsground will be the envy of everyone in regional NSW and we will be able to attract major national sporting tournaments and entertainment shows. “I would like to thank everyone involved in this significant redevelopment so far – the Oakes and Crozier precinct will soon be the jewel in the crown of Lismore’s sporting infrastructure.”

Lismore police are investigating after a Wyrallah Road Public School student was approached by a man in East Lismore on Wednesday morning.The school issued a warning in a Facebook post to be “aware and alert”.“A Year 5 child was approached by an unknown Caucasian male with short brown hair and a short brown beard on Neilson Street between Walker and Elizabeth Sts in East Lismore,” the school said in the post. “He was wearing a grey shirt and asked her to ‘come here’.”“She came directly to school. “This has been reported to the police and school incident report line.”A Department of Education spokesperson said the school did not wish not make any further comment.Anyone who may have footage or information about the incident should contact the Lismore Police Station on 6626 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Another runaway car careened down Bexhill and crashed this week after a customer at the general store forgot to put their handbrake on.Eve Forman, who lives a few houses down the hill from the store, said it was the second time it’s happened in as many weeks, and the fourth time in two years.About 5.50pm on Wednesday evening, the Toyota SUV that had been parked across the road from the store rolled down Bangalow Rd/Coleman St before hitting a tree outside Eve’s house and ending up on its side.“It stopped on the pathway and didn’t hit my house luckily,” she said.“It’s very lucky it did not hit any other car or people at busy hours after school.“Last weekend a car almost hit my neighbour Glen’s house.“We all want someone to do something to help stop this kind of dangerous thing from happening.”The Toyota SUV that rolled down Bexhill on Wednesday evening. PHOTO: Supplied.The area where people park on the western side of Bangalow Rd opposite the shop is on enough of an incline for for cars without handbrakes applied to roll.Another Bexhill resident, Cheryl Hollands, said a red ute rolled down the hill from the Bexhill shop in February last year.The red ute that rolled down Bexhill in February last year. PHOTO: Supplied."It went through the front yards of two houses entering the backyard of my neighbour," Cheryl said. "A tree stump in her backyard stopped it from smashing into a shed in my backyard. "The driver of this car had also left the handbrake off. "Sooner or later someone is going to get seriously hurt."It’s understood that because no other cars have been damaged or people injured, the police have not been called to the incidents.The issue is only one of a Bexhill’s concerns about the road.On Eve’s post in the Bexhill NSW Community Group on Facebook, people also complained of cars driving at high speed through the village with calls for a speed camera to be installed.Eve said she wasn’t sure what could actually be done about the runaway cars, other than their owners remembering to put on their handbrake.“Maybe they could put a guardrail on the roadside or something in the middle of the road try to stop the car rolling away?” she said.Bangalow Rd is under RMS jurisdiction so Lismore City Council says it’s up to them to deal with it.“Council has passed on the request to the RMS for further investigation/remediation if required,” said assets manager Scott Turner.An RMS spokesperson responded to the Lismore App's inquiries by pointing to laws requiring driver's to apply their handbrake when parking.The penalty for failing to do so is 20 "penalty units"."Drivers in NSW are required to apply the parking brake effectively before leaving the vehicle," the spokesperson said in a statement.The Bexhill general store declined to comment on the record to the Lismore App.Article updated at 1:14pm on August 2, 2019: Added response from RMS.Article updated at 2:29pm on August 2, 2019: Added additional photo and comment from Cheryl Hollands.

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.