Lismore is about to experience an exciting cultural transformation with the launch of Revive Live in the Lismore Quadrangle (the Quad).An Australian Government initiative, Revive Live is a new, outdoor, free live music program that promises to bring an exciting lineup of musicians to the Quad from April 2025 to March 2026. Revive Live features four series, each designed to showcase the incredible talent of regional and First Nations artists. These include Echo Locator, Our Backyard, BLAKyard Music, and Sound Lab.Echo Locator is curated by Holiday Maker Records, a Saturday afternoon program once each season. Holiday Maker Records is an Australian record label formed in a caravan in the Gold Coast Hinterland in 2020. The label represents artists such as Donny Love, Family Jordan, JB Paterson, and many more.Our Backyard is a legacy program for Lismore. The series showcases local musical talent monthly on Thursdays after the Lismore Produce Market.BLAKyard Music is curated by Mitch King, a proud Yaegl and Widjabul Wia-bul man from the Bundjalung Nation. This series celebrates the rich talent of First Nations artists across the region monthly on Friday evenings.Sound Lab is an experimental music program at Lismore Regional Gallery taking place within the Gallery alongside select exhibitions.Revive Live is about more than just entertainment. It’s a vision for resilience and growth, aiming to attract diverse audiences, bolster tourism, and provide vital opportunities for local musicians.By prioritising inclusivity, the program seeks to empower underrepresented voices, including First Nations artists, women, LGBTQIA+ creatives, and people with disabilities or from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.As a performing artist and creative producer, Mitch King is excited to curate BLAKyard Music and sees it as an opportunity to showcase a talented range of First Nations music artists within Bundjalung and neighbouring nations. He looks forward to working with artists to “share their passion for music and storytelling through a platform that will support First Nations musicians in being more recognised within the Northern Rivers music scene.”Holiday Maker Records share a similar excitement for Echo Locator: “We are honoured to have this opportunity to dream up a music program for the Quad, guided by the creative spirit of Lismore. We look forward to showcasing regional artists, hosting fantastic interstate artists, strengthening our community, and creating regional touring opportunities.” Lismore Regional Gallery Director Ashleigh Ralph is excited to collaborate with the Quad on Sound Lab: “During the gallery’s restoration, we hosted LRG Nights at various venues around Lismore and discovered a strong enthusiasm for experimental music and art. We are eager to bring this kind of programming into the gallery and within our exhibitions.”Revive Live addresses a critical need for accessible, all-ages venues in regional Australia. The Quad’s outdoor setting ensures these events are inclusive and welcoming to all, from families to seasoned music lovers. Each event promises to deliver unforgettable experiences for audiences and invaluable opportunities for the creative community.BLAKyard Music starts on Friday 11 April at 6.00pm featuring the talented Mr Rhodes and The Deadly Good. As a founding member of the celebrated hip-hop trio Teddy Lewis King, musical alchemist Mr Rhodes makes soulful drenched future hip-hop with unparalleled energy and tenacity.“The Deadly Good is a soul, R&B, and disco troupe of plucky LGBTQIA+ and First Nations rebellion fighters looking for a good time and a place to make music and feel seen and safe. All allies and aliases welcome!” Benja Roberts.Stay tuned by visiting the website at www.lismorequad.org.au to see what's on.

Flood Response Planning was one of the agenda items at yesterday's Lismore City Council meeting.Councillor (Cr) Big Rob wanted Council to organise CBD flood response planning sessions in late November and February each year and invite experienced flood and weather forecasters from the local Lismore SES unit and the BOM to speak about expectations, to assist attendees to better understand and prepare for flood and weather events regularly experienced in the Lismore area.Mayor Krieg asked for an amendment to the motion to remove February, thus making it one flood response planning session each year. This was taken on board.While most Crs supported the intent of Cr Rob's motion, those who spoke were not supportive of the reasons Cr Rob put forward."I am concerned about the way information is being interpreted and disseminated, and in relation to the way it was done," Cr Rob said."I take note, Mr. Mayor, that you did say you'll listen to the experts, and yes, we definitely should listen to the experts. But in that situation, what many won't know is that it was the decision of one person. Well, my understanding is when I checked before I released the emergency warning to evacuate, I was told that one person made that decision based on some data from the BOM, and the data from the BOM didn't support that decision."And my concern is that a lot of people are getting complacent when things are wrong. So you know, we hear that better safe than sorry, blah, blah, blah, that's true. And as you said, Mr. Mayor, and I 100% support, prepare for the worst, hope for the best, but there's an extra bit, get ready to go on short notice. So you don't just leave because something might come. You wait until it's going to come, and then you go, and you have many hours' notice. And this is the problem.Cr Rob then talked about how businesses would calculate when they needed to evacuate depending on the flood level at the time."Now, I was doing these calculations during that event, and the worst number I got was six and a half hours. Six and a half hours, that was the worst number, and that was when there was a 28-centimetre rate of rise on the Friday night. So Thursday, we didn't even get to low-level flooding till Friday morning."So, one of the excuses was darkness. Well, you told everyone to evacuate by 9pm, you know, that's darkness, so why not wait till 9am at least? Give another 12 hours, right? We got to low flooding at what 9am we're at, I think, 4.29 or something like that, or 4.23 I think it was. And then not till the afternoon. We got to moderate flooding, and we never got to major. And you would have known that, if you were doing the early rate of rise, we never got close to it."Mayor Krieg made the point that every flood he has seen in Lismore is different."We can sit here and criticise what happened in March this year until the cows come home. But what we were dealing with was not only flooding, we were dealing with cyclonic winds as well. And I heard, as we all hear, stories around the local community about evacuation procedures, and why would you evacuate so early?"And I will recall a story about a long-term, 40-plus-year resident in South Lismore who, when they were door knocked on that Thursday afternoon to evacuate, and said, I know the height of the water to get to before I evacuate. And the local SES person that was door-knocking at that particular location said, that's all well and good until a power line comes down or a tree goes over the road and blocks your only exit out of that particular area, and that person took that advice on board and evacuated on that Thursday night."It was a very different situation to 2022, it was a very different situation to 2017 again, and I think you've got to take the whole picture into context with the forecast up to 150 kilometre an hour winds coming through Lismore. We were fortunate again that wind speeds only reached 85 to 90 kilometres, which minimised damage in our LGA."I'm not going to stand here and blame the SES for making a decision on all of the information that they were given, including potential rainfall, including potential high-velocity winds. I support the decision that was made based on those factors, even though the river height was at 1.51, my family evacuated. We went through the same procedures as we did in 2022 to get our children out of potential danger."Was it the right call? Hindsight would would say, maybe not. But at the time, I fully supported that decision, and I think one thing that I learned is you can never have too much information, and these sorts of seminars can only benefit our community moving forward."Cr Dalton-Earls said he had been to an SES session previously and learned that the Tuncester Gauge is the one that predicts the flood height for South Lismore and that can be anywhere from three to five hours before."I also did want to point (out) that when any individual says this is how we should be doing things, if you get it wrong, then you've got a lot of liability. So, I think we do have to still rely on the SES, the BOM, the state, those types of things as well, to just ensure that not any one individual is saying this is what should happen. Because if you get it wrong, the outcomes can be absolutely devastating. "And exactly what Mayor Steve Krieg has said as well, is it wasn't a typical rain event. If it was a typical rain event, you know, no one would be thinking about evacuating at one metre. It would be ridiculous. But in a cyclone event, for exactly that point, the tree goes down over your driveway, and you can't get out. And if we did get a flood, as could have been possible, it could have resulted in a loss of life. "I would much rather see people inconvenienced than even one loss of life because that's irreplaceable. Cr Jensen agreed with the once-a-year session but did want to gauge public and business interest each year. She also questioned Cr Rob's thoughts."I hear what you're saying, Councilor Rob, but we all know whether it's mother nature or an act of God, we don't know what's going to happen, so to be prepared, in my opinion, is a far better way to be than to wait until the last minute when everyone suddenly panics, the roads get blocked, something might go down across the road, and then we get into a situation that gets out of hand." Cr Gordon talked about the number of new residents or business owners that arrive each year in Lismore."We've got a lot of new people coming to town. And if you look at what's going on in town right now, you can expect, you know, more and more people will choose Lismore as their place to reside and work. And I think, as a result, we probably should get ahead of that because we seem to be having more of these rain events. We seem to be having more flooding. So, to say that you should just work it out yourself is probably not proactive, and it's not best practice in my mind." Cr Gordon then asked council staff for their experience during Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the decision-making behind it.Chief of Operations and Finance Brendan Logan mentioned his conversation with Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dibb."I contacted the minister, and had a conversation with him myself, Mr. Dib, and just said, Look, this is the experience we've got that. The SES seem to be doing things a lot quicker than we would normally expect now. And he didn't shy away from that. He said, Absolutely, that's my expectation. I'd rather go early and not have to do something than go late and have something go wrong. "He said, I've asked the teams to operate like that, which was good for me to know. So then I've gone back to my teams and said, Look, whether you like it or not. That's why it is, so how do we work in with that, rather than ignore it or butt up against it? Mr Logan also shared his time in the Emergency Operations Centre at SCU."I was probably caught on the hop myself by some of these decisions that SES were making, but when they say the BOM data, my experience over that event was that it wasn't calculated, as you might have described earlier Cr Rob. There was an upper limit prediction included in some of the modelling from the BOM that was then provided to SES that was significantly higher than what we experienced. And I imagine that the officers, sort of receiving that, are going well, I've received something now that said this could happen. I need to take appropriate action."Mr Logan felt the bigger issue was the communication from the SES on their new expectations.When the vote was put to the councillors, the support was unanimous. So, the CBD will get a Flood Planning Session this November in preparation for the 2025/26 storm season.

Lismore City Council Councillors voted unanimously at yesterday's April meeting to appoint Eber Butron as the acting General Manager for a maximum period of twelve months until the council appoints a new permanent General Manager or until a further decision of council to appoint a different acting general manager, whichever occurs first.(New acting GM Eber Butron. Photo: Lismore City Council website)Mr Butron held the position of Chief Corporate and Community Officer and was one of two Deputy General Managers with Brendan Logan (Chief Operations and Finance Officer). Mr Butron's salary will be the same as former GM Jon Gibbons. He officially begins in the role on Saturday, May 3.The first item on the agenda was the Development Control Plan for the huge 1055 Bruxner Highway development, which will see it divided into five (5) precincts for residential single dwellings, medium-density housing, such as townhouses and apartments, mixed-use commercial and shop-top living, plus an industrial area.There were technical audio issues at the time, so no comments could be heard. However, the vote was unanimous.In another unanimous vote, Cr Jeri Hall put forward a motion that involved council writing a letter of support for the Bexhill Quarry Parklands Association, and contacting Crown Lands to request a review and a response indicating how any ongoing risks may be addressed to allow public access.Cr Hall said the association had already received support from Kevin Hogan, Janelle Saffin, Ben Franklin, and the Northern Rivers Rail Trail to name a few."The purpose of this motion is just purely to help them get their ideas off the ground. Bexhill Quarry is visited by a lot of tourists annually, and there's a lot going on there that isn't quite what we'd like to see happening in our community. There's a lot of rubbish dumped, there's a lot of illegal camping, there's a lot of anti-social behaviour. "Their plans include viewing decks and swimming holes and things like that. We heard from Des that the water is tested quite regularly by Southern Cross University, and it does not pose any risks to health, regardless of some of the rumours that we hear floating around." Cr Dalton-Earls agreed that the Bexhill Quarry has long been an asset. (Bexhill Quarry)"It's just been unrealised because of the risks and different things, because it basically has been community taking it over. As Des pointed out, as soon as the fences were put up, they were taken down within a day. It's something that I visited many times as a younger person; many people go there on a hot day. "If we can get this done up, it will help the Bexhill Parklands Association to push to get this done up. It will be a huge asset for our community, particularly along the rail trail corridor. Cr Dalton-Earls was at the quarry on Sunday walking his dog and heard comments about having a swim and going to the Eltham Pub or going back into Lismore."All these tourist attractions are what's going to help us recover and to have sustainability in the future as a preferred destination spot. So I definitely support it, and I hope that Crown Lands can come on board." Cr Gordon said that as soon as they abandoned the old Bexhill Brickworks, it filled up with water and people began swimming there."It's a great asset considering the Rail Trail and its proposal to go further ahead. You can imagine riding from Lismore to Bexhill having a swim, then riding down to the Eltham for a few beers, and then perhaps riding home or getting collected. I think it's a wonderful, wonderful part of this whole master plan about giving people things to do." Cr Knight-Smith said she swam there when it was safe and unsafe."I remember years ago when you got in, you got out, and your skin felt like it was really tight because it was so acidic. And then later, I swam there, and it wasn't like that. I think it was in 2002, it was the first time a report came out saying that it was safe to swim. And people have been flocking there for as long as they can. "And I know that it's Instagram ready, that blue water is so photogenic that people come from the coast and all over the place just to take their photo in front of it. And like councilor Rob said, we're not going to stop people swimming in it. And so we should support a community group that wants to do something and make it an asset for us going forward and with the rail trail."While council was on a role of unanimous voting, Cr Waters put forward her motion for council to include 40 Cullen Street, the old Vinnes building that is for sale, in council's Property Strategy Review and write to St Vincent's de Paul to inform them the assessment is taking place.It was no wonder that council went into confidential at 11:51am after starting the meeting at 10am. This was the most unified the 11 Lismore City Councillors has been leading to the shortest council meeting in history. Okay, that is a stretch, but it must be in the Top 10.The next Lismore City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, May 13 at 10am, with public access at 9am.

The open mic community gathering on Bailie Street, North Lismore, or unauthorised protest, according to police, got out of hand earlier today as another house was due to be demolished.Two people were arrested by officers from the Richmond Police District in the first incident of civil disobedience.The Lismore App understands the two people tried to jump a fence to stop the demolition.(Photo: Mark Bailey)A NSW Police Media Statement said:About 9am today, (Tuesday, 8 April 2025), police were called to Baillie Street, North Lismore, following reports of an unauthorised protest.On arrival, officers attached to Richmond Police District found approximately 30 people gathered at the location.Two women, aged 28 and 60 were arrested, and taken to Lismore Police Station where inquiries are ongoing.The group has now dispersed, and police remain in the area.Today was the second Resilient Homes Program (RHP) House Buyback to be demolished in Baillie Street, North Lismore. Two more are scheduled for demolition.As reported on the Lismore App earlier this morning, there are 428 more homes to relocate or demolish through the RHP (Baillie Street demolition highlights unity to division in three years).Is this the beginning of an escalation of events?

Mayor Rick Firman OAM, Chairman of the NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA) has bemoaned the major parties’ lack of commitment to Local Government and their failure to address funding shortfalls that were clearly identified in the Interim Report into Local Government Sustainability. “Despite ongoing calls from all Local Government peak bodies and from individual councils for the annual Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to increase 1% of taxation revenue, not a single party has addressed the issue” Mayor Firman said. “Do they think that if they ignore us, we will just go away? Not likely!” The Local Government sector has identified falling revenue as the major contributing factor to the financial sustainability challenges that many councils in NSW currently face. Maor Firman said, “declining Commonwealth contributions, coupled with rate pegging in NSW and increasing operating costs are making it extremely difficult for councils and particularly country councils to continue to deliver services and infrastructure at the levels their communities need and deserve.” “Local Government expects that the unique role that councils perform in delivering on-ground services to the people living in every corner of Australia will be recognised and funded appropriately by the Commonwealth. The Federal Election provides a platform for all parties and the Independents to make that commitment.” Mayor Firman said. Country-based councils across NSW face unique cost pressures with many Local Government Areas the size of small European countries. Councils are required to deliver public services like administration, recreational facilities, pools, libraries and waste facilities in multiple locations in order to ensure equity of access, which increases the cost of council operations. “The Interim Report identified that Local Government is being increasingly relied upon to deliver services and infrastructure which were traditionally under the purview of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, and yet Commonwealth grants have decreased not increased” Mayor Firman said. “We believe it is completely unacceptable that we should wear the responsibility without adequate funding.” In addition, CMA research has shown that apportioning the Grants based on population does not see funds go to where they are most needed. In smaller country councils in NSW the Grant can constitute over 70 per cent of revenue, while income from rates and Council fees is essentially stagnant and prospects for growing these income sources are extremely limited. Deputy Chair Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick stated that the report from the Auditor-General of 31st March confirms that: 16 Councils have insufficient cash to meet three months of expenses40% of Councils did not meet operating performance benchmarks35 Councils met none or just one of the three key financial sustainability benchmarksRevenue growth lags expenditure growth after adjusting for inflation resulting in negative growth.“We all know that Australia is a big country, there is no getting away from the fact that local councils take on the lion’s share of the responsibility for delivering services and infrastructure into our rural, regional and remote communities. It is about time that this was recognised with appropriate levels of Commonwealth funding” Mayor Firman said. Prior to the announcement of the election, the CMA had written to the Prime Minister, Hon Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Opposition, Hon Peter Dutton MP and to the Leader of the National Party, the Hon David Littleproud MP requesting meetings to discuss the issue. It is incredibly disappointing that we have not had a single written response to our correspondence about this critical issue. “A recent Zoom meeting with Shadow Minister Darren Chester did not provide any indication that the Coalition was prepared to provide any leadership on the issue. While the CMA appreciated the time the Shadow Minister took to meet with us, we seem to be on very different wavelengths” Mayor Firman said. Local Government is constantly expected to step in to fill the service and infrastructure gaps left by the Commonwealth and yet they seem to be ignoring the very real financial constraints that most councils are working under,” Mayor Firman said. “Enough is enough! Something has to give, the status quo simply cannot continue.”

A community group seeking an independent candidate to represent the electorate of Page has concluded its 2025 election candidate selection process, without selecting a candidate.The group, Voices Of Page, has announced it will not be putting forward a candidate at the upcoming election. That leaves the registered candidates at five for the May 3 election (2025 Federal Election).Despite receiving several candidate nominations, the group has been unable to select a suitable candidate in time for the May 3rd Election.Tim Williams, a member of Voices Of Page, said, “Our group formed late last year, and is passionate about integrity in politics. We have been working to find a candidate who really knows our community, can champion its people, and has the right set of values.”“We are sad to say we haven’t found the right candidate for this election, and to be honest, we left our run too late. We needed more time, so a candidate had a chance to fundraise and build their campaign.”“We won’t stop what we are doing. We are determined to work with the community to find an outstanding candidate for the following election.”“Over the past few months, we’ve refined our candidate selection criteria, based on feedback from the community. This provided us with a very clear picture of the characteristic we’d expect to find in a strong independent candidate.”“For this election, we conducted a candidate identification and selection process. We took nominations and we’ve talked with a number of potential candidates. ““Ultimately, we have not been able to find a candidate that has the energy to put themselves forward at this election, and whose values fully align with our group candidate selection criteria.”“We want to thank the wonderful people who nominated themselves or who were nominated by others as potential candidates. They were all people of good character, and they each have a lot to offer the community. We will continue to take candidate nominations and talk with all of the potential candidates to see what the future holds.”“We knew from the outset that we didn’t have much time to find a candidate and unfortunately time has got the better of us.”“We are not going away. During the election campaign, we’ll be attending community events, growing our membership base, listening to the community and searching for our future election candidate.”People wishing to find out more, nominate a potential candidate or find out more about Voices Of Page can visit the group’s website at www.voicesofpage.org.

A new Agtech Collaboration Site in Clunes is set to provide local producers with the opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies that will enhance remote livestock monitoring, enable data-driven decision-making, and improve overall farm management.Part of the NSW Government’s Farms of the Future program, the site will operate at Banyula farm until June 2028 and offer local farmers hands-on experience with technologies tailored to their specific needs.Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Agtech Specialist Tom Flanagan said the site is hosting a field day for local beef producers this Wednesday, 9 April 2025, to celebrate the official launch.“This event will provide attendees with a firsthand opportunity to explore how Agtech solutions can boost productivity, reduce costs and emissions, and help producers remain competitive in an ever-evolving industry,” Mr Flanagan said.“For instance, GPS-enabled cattle tracking systems allow farmers to monitor their herds remotely, saving time on animal checks, improving herd management, and ultimately boosting productivity while lowering labour costs.“By showcasing these innovations, our new Agtech Collaboration Site will empower farmers to assess technologies that can improve farm management, reduce operational costs, and increase resilience to market and seasonal fluctuations.”While the field day will focus on beef production, the technologies and other activities on display are relevant to a wide range of livestock systems and include:Local Expert Presentations: Hear from Tom Flanagan, representative of the Farms of the Future program, who will discuss the vision behind the Agtech Collaboration Site and how it will directly benefit local beef producers by providing access to innovative Agtech solutions. Supplier Insights: Meet with local Agtech suppliers and see how their technologies can be integrated into local farming operations. Get expert advice on how these solutions can improve productivity, reduce costs, and make data-driven management easier for local farmers.​ Carbon Management Demonstration: Learn from Clare Edwards, NSW DPIRD Development Officer (Carbon), about the On-Farm Carbon Advice (OFCA) project and how Agtech can assist local farmers in managing emissions. Clare will outline how the site’s technologies can improve carbon measurement and monitoring, supporting farmers in meeting sustainability goals and potentially accessing carbon credits.According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), cattle and calves are the top agricultural commodity in the Richmond and Tweed regions, accounting for $109.3 million of the $501 million total agricultural value.“With beef cattle farming making up more than a third of the region’s 1,741 farms, the introduction of Agtech solutions at the Banyula Agtech Collaboration Site is particularly important, offering local producers the tools they need to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in this vital industry,” Mr Flanagan said.“So far, we have seen a promising uptake of AgTech across the state and we’re eager to see farmers in the Richmond and Tweed regions embrace this innovative shift.“Producers who have already taken the leap are sharing that Agtech helps them to run their operations more efficiently, save money, and make better decisions using data.”The Agtech Collaboration Site in Clunes is the latest investment by the NSW Government to boost uptake of new technologies, and is among several sites sharing AgTech data and learnings and helping producers to get ahead across NSW.For more information on the AgTech Collaboration Site or to RSVP for the event, please visit www.agtech.dpi.nsw.gov.au.

The Lismore City Council April meeting will be held this morning at council chambers in Goonellabah.Just like the extraordinary March meeting two weeks ago with the Eastwood Estate's 176 new housing sites in Precinct 2, this council meeting has another large development on its agenda. 1055 Bruxner Highway is a large development at the end of the new Oliver Avenue extension in Goonellabah that will provide residential home sites, which include general and medium-density housing as well as a local centre, a mixed-use area and an industrial area. Councillors will vote on a Development Control Plan (DCP) that council staff have created.The DCP is to give developmental guidance to potential land owners and investors who want to build houses, townhouses, apartment blocks, and commercial or industrial buildings on flood-free land. 1055 Bruxner Highway would be made up of five areas:General Residential - this is at the north (Ballina Road) end of the site.Medium Density Residential - this precinct will be home to a diverse housing range, such as townhouses and apartment blocks that must be designed in accordance with building height and minimum lot size controls.Local Centre - This is the area where commercial and community uses are enabled, as well as shop-top housing. The DCP suggests a 'High Street' type village centre with high-quality footpaths, outdoor seating etc. Buildings can be up to five stories high and must have active street frontages. The village centre adjoins a key parcel of public open space that is to be integrated with the Tucki Tuck Creek reserve.Mixed-Use - This precinct is to enable commercial development as well as shop-top housing. Buildings here will have a maximum of four stories, with any upper levels setback to minimise the bulk and scale to the street.Industrial - this is the most southern end of the precinct, so closest to the existing Goonellabah Industrial Estate.The community had the opportunity to provide feedback on the site, and 83 submissions were received. The results were 43% were happy and very happy, 43% unhappy or very unhappy, and 13% were neutral.Council staff adjusted elements of the DCP based on the community feedback.In other council business, Cr Virginia Waters wants to staff to do due diligence on council buying the old Vinnies building at 40 Cullen Street, Nimbin.Cr Jeri Hall would like council to write a letter of support to the Bexhill Quarry Parklands Association in their efforts to transform the quarry into a regional parkland bringing tourism and economic development to Bexhill and Lismore.There will be a discussion in confidential about the appointment of a new General Manager. You can view the Lismore City Council meeting from 9am for public speakers or 10am for the meeting proper via council's Facebook page.

The NSW RA (Reconstruction Authority) began to demolish the next lot of buyback houses yesterday, this time on Baillie Street, North Lismore.The activity will occur for the rest of the week as there are several homes to be demolished in an area that floods regularly as the Wilsons River wraps itself around the street, along with Wotherspoon Street on its way to the CBD.The RA says that demolition only occurs after a "strict risk assessment".Buyback house demolition has divided the community, as has the flood recovery itself.Three short years ago, Lismore came together as a community to rescue those caught in the floodplain on 28 February 2022, some on their verandah standing in waist or chest-high fast-flowing water or those on their roof.At that time of the flood, Lismore was more unified than at any other time in its long history.Three years on, it feels like we are a more divided community than ever.It began with the $800 million announcement by the state and federal government for the Resilient Homes Program ($700 million) and the $100 million Resilient Lands Program in October 2022.This was after the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation had tabled in parliament a costing of $1.5 billion for 2000 house buybacks, 2000 house raisings and 2000 home retrofits.The $800 million has today become $880 million for the Resilient Homes Program (RHP) after the state and federal governments threw in another $90 million each last year.It has long been known that the initial $1.5 billion was never going to be committed. The February 2025 estimate from NSWRA CEO Mal Lanyon is for a maximum of 1,300 house buybacks.The reason given for the house buybacks was to remove the most vulnerable homeowners/renters from the floodplain and reuse the land for community purposes.The initial debate was around affordably relocating the buyback houses that did not suffer irreparable damage, thus saving some historic Lismore big scrub hardwood homes.This is where the community division begins.Maybe in retrospect, the NSWRA should have started the Resilient Lands Program (RLP) before or at the same time it started the RHP. After all, you have a home to relocate but nowhere to move it to. Everything is clearer in hindsight. We need to keep in mind this type of program had never been rolled out before in NSW.Affordability became a key issue. People bought or rented in the Lismore floodplain because it was cheaper. In conversations with real estate agents, it was their first step on the Lismore property ladder as a first home buyer. The other types of people on the floodplain were generational Southies and Northies.These houses were $300,000 to $350,000 (approximately) in 2019. Then, during the COVID years, prices increased in a way Lismore hadn't seen before as people moved out of capital cities and into the regions. House prices were now around the $500,000 to $550,000 range.The dilemma for those with a house buyback offer was that $500,000 would not buy them a house out of flood. That cost is more likely $700,000 plus. So, a $200,000 loan would be needed to move. Of course, getting a loan depends on your age and financial situation.If you were to relocate a house, a block of land would be around $400,000, with removal costs of $120,000 to $150,000 plus renovation costs to make it liveable, including landscaping. Again, the price was north of $650,000 at best, depending on where you purchased the land.In Lismore, for a flood-affected buyback person to move into similarly priced accommodation, they would be looking at a townhouse or unit. Simply put, the supply of these housing types is very low in the LGA, and no new construction has begun to date.The affordability scenario combined with a housing crisis has exacerbated the situation.To complicate matters, squatters then move into various NSWRA-owned buyback houses, especially Pine Street, claiming everyone has a right to have a roof over their head.The flood recovery, which includes house relocation, raisings, retrofits and demolition, along with the development of identified land through the RLP, is moving far too slowly for some. One Lismore Facebook page admin put out a nationwide call "For all that are homeless to come to Lismore and I will give them addresses of the 100's of empty homes here."This type of situation may slow progress further, or it may spur the NSWRA into acting faster, leading to more demolitions and fewer relocations as the RA tries to avoid more costly court action.When asked about the latest demolitions and the reuse of materials, a spokesperson from the NSW Reconstruction Authority said, "Our aim is to recycle and reuse materials from homes during all demolitions. So far, contractors recycled more than 70 per cent of all materials. This includes timber, metal, concrete and organics. "To date, 55.12 tonnes of metal, 883.46 tonnes of concrete and 62.48 tonnes of timber have been recycled. Over 1000 tonnes of materials have been recycled."Our priority is to relocate bought-back homes as much as possible however some have had to be demolished because they were structurally unsound, severely dilapidated, in high-risk areas or were unsafe to live in because of the presence of asbestos."We expect more demolitions will need to take place as part of the program however that decision is only made after a strict risk assessment."Eight homes were recently assessed as needing to be demolished because they were deemed high risk or impacted during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred."Neighbours in adjoining properties and previous owners of the homes have all been notified ahead of any work starting."Community members interested in enquiring about the recycled materials should contact the demolition contractors engaged by RA:• TCDE: www.tcde.com.au/contact• Mackay & Sons: www.houseremovals.com.au/contact-us/"For ongoing updates, please visit the RA website at www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/our-work/northern-rivers."There is a part of the community that disagrees with the NSWRA house demolitions. They are holding a community gathering on Baillie Street, North Lismore between 9:30am and 11:30am today. Reclaim Our Recovery says it is an open mic where you can have your say.A statement from House You said that 50 homes have been demolished with a further 62 to go by mid-year, making a total of 112 Lismore flood-affected homes.The NSWRA put 31 homes up for relocation, with multiple offers on some properties. The latest RHP figures for the NSWRA on March 28, 2025, showed that there have been 624 Buyback offers, with 540 approved. That leaves 397 more homes that will be relocated and/or demolished throughout the next few years.The Lismore community understands the RHP and the RLP have had major issues; however, nothing can change the last three years of our flood recovery.What has changed in the last three years is the shift from a united community willing to help each other in every way to a deeply divided community where verbal abuse is dealt out from both sides of the housing debate, and that is sad.

UPDATE: Mickalya has been locatedORIGINAL STORYPolice are appealing for assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from Lismore.Mickalya Schipp, aged 15, was last seen in Lismore, about 12.20pm on Friday 28 March 2025.When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Richmond Policer District were contacted and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to her age.Mickalya is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 145cm tall, of medium build, with dark brown shoulder length hair, freckles and grey eyes.She was last seen wearing black pants, a black cropped hooded jumper and wearing glasses.Mickayla is known to frequent the Wollongbar, Alstonville and Lismore areas.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au Information is managed on a confidential basis.The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

The Easter School Holidays are on our doorstep. Term 1 2025 ends this Friday and students will return to school on Wednesday, April 30.If you are not hitting the road for the holidays and wondering how to entertain your children, the Hockey & Multi-Sports Camp returns for all children aged 5 years and over.With financial support from NSW Department of Regional Youth, Far North Coast Hockey Inc. offers FREE entry for youths aged 12 years and older for the full 4-day event.To ensure the most affordable holiday care in the Northern Rivers, children aged between 5 and 11 years can attend all 4 days of the camp for a registration fee of $85.00.Lunch, morning tea, and equipment are provided throughout the 4-day camp.The camp aims to provide an environment where children can explore different sports, build skills, and make new friends.The camp presents an opportunity for children to connect with others outside their school zones, while demonstrating the amazing benefits Sport gives to children:Break down social barriersBuild inner strength and resilienceExperience less stress and anxietyForm supportive relationshipsAll camp staff, coaches, and volunteers have essential qualifications including WWCC, coaching certificates, and experience. A Child Safety Officer, First Aid & CPR Officers, and a Child Support Worker will be onsite to ensure a safe, inclusive environment for all participants.The diverse line-up of sporting sessions allows children to find a sport that suits their own personal attributes, whether it is individual, partnered, or team-based. This camp provides an opportunity to discover which sports may interest them in the future.Hockey-Hockey is one of the most skilful team sports in the world, and yet we teach the game so that every participant knows they can play the game well, and if there is a passion for team sports they may not have yet discovered.For returning camp attendees, their hockey capabilities will be continued to the next level in the Hockey-‘Play-On’ series to further their skill and competencies. For seasoned or regular competitive players, Francisco, will be lead a special squad dedicated to ensuring our experienced players are challenged with a new range of engaging drills and games, providing specialized attention and directly focusing on individual strengths.Table Tennis-A fast-paced, individual sport taught by leading Far North Coast Table Tennis coaches, available for further development, locally in our own back yard.Taekwondo-Developed through individual effort. Ree & Damian from Jung Shin Taekwondo, with over 30 years of experience, instruct on kicking, punching, blocking techniques, as well as coordinated foot and body movements, among the individual sporting challenges.Tennis-Sessions are delivered by On Tour Tennis in Lismore. Dean and his team bring their enthusiasm and equipment to showcase the very best of one of the most popular racquet and ball sports.Fitness Kidz-A locally owned and operated organisation providing unstructured physical and creative activities on the last day. Children use their imaginations to tumble, roll, race, and team-up, to create their own adventures.Places will run out with this event being one of the most popular diverse holiday programs for kids in the Northern Rivers region.Register Now at: AUTUMN HOLIDAY HOCKEY & MULTI SPORTS CAMP. The Details:AUTUMN HOLIDAY HOCKEY & MULTI-SPORTS CAMP- 14 – 17 April, 2025.Free for all children aged 12 years and older, or $85 for children aged 5-11 years.Sporting camp during the Autumn holidays for children aged 5 and above.4 days, 5 different sports modules, with a focus on hockey.Monday 14th to 17th April (9am – 3.30pm)Goonellabah Hockey Turf Fields (Oliver Av. Behind Workers Sports Club)

Eligible homes and businesses in Lismore with a nbn Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) connection can now unlock the benefits of Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) by upgrading to a full-fibre connection#. Upgrading to full fibre delivers a range of benefits for customers when compared to copper connections, including smoother video calls, enhanced streaming, quicker response times for gaming, and the ability to connect more devices simultaneously – including smart TVs, home security systems, and smart home technology. To upgrade to full-fibre, eligible new and existing customers have to place an order for an eligible high-speed plan (at least 100 Mbps download) through an internet service provider.To help customers understand and take advantage of this opportunity, the nbn Local team will be visiting Lismore from tomorrow (Tuesday 8th April) to Sunday 13th April. During this time, the team will be available to meet with residents and business owners to discuss how they can upgrade from FTTC to FTTP, the benefits of full-fibre connectivity, and the steps to access higher-speed tiers.Residents and businesses are encouraged to drop by to learn more about the upgrade process and to discuss eligibility and next steps with nbn representatives. Residents and businesses can also get tailored advice on how full-fibre connectivity can meet their home or business needs at the event.Fibre to the Premises delivers fibre optic cabling directly to homes and businesses, enabling higher speeds, including access to our nbn Home Ultrafast plan with download speeds close to 1Gbps#. Improved reliability with fibre technology providing a more stable connection, particularly during peak usage periods and future-ready FTTP infrastructure help ensure communities are ready for emerging technologies and growing data demands.Eligible customers on a Fibre to the Curb connection can check their upgrade availability and arrange for the upgrade through their preferred retailer service provider#. Head of nbn local NSW Tom O’Dea said, “We are pushing fibre deeper, into more cities, towns and communities across regional NSW,” he said.“Upgrading to full fibre means whether you're working from home, streaming movies and sport, gaming online, or connecting with loved ones, a fibre upgrade can help make a difference to an online experience, especially when multiple people are online at the same time.“Upgrading to full fibre when it becomes available will mean customers can access faster speed plans when new hyper-fast residential and business products are launched from 14 September 2025.”Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers Director Anthony Schreenan said, "Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers encourages local residents to take advantage of the opportunity to speak directly with the nbn Local team.“It’s fantastic to see initiatives like this that are helping our community connect with the future. Upgrading from a nbn FTTC to FTTP connection means the opportunity for faster, more reliable internet – a real boost for our residents, businesses, and local economy. I encourage everyone to attend the sessions and learn more about how this upgrade can benefit them,” he said.To find out more about the benefits of upgrading to FTTP or to confirm your eligibility, visit https://www.nbnco.com.au/connect-home-or-business/check-your-address or speak to your Telco, or drop by to meet with the nbn Local team during their visit to Lismore:Tuesday 8th / Wednesday 9th April Lismore Square Shopping Centre -9am to 5pm Thursday 10th / Friday 11th April March Lismore Central Shopping Centre – 9am to 5pm  Saturday 12th April Lismore Farmers Market – 9am to 1pm Sunday 13th April Sydney Tools Complex Bruxner Highway – 10am to 3pm(# Refer to nbnco.com.au to understand the terms and conditions which may include amongst others, placing an order for an eligible high-speed plan through your preferred internet service provider.”)

With just under four weeks until we head to the polling booths for the 2025 Federal Election, the Lismore App today launches its 2025 Federal Election button.On the front page of the Lismore, you will see an orange button with a white tick. This is all the information you will need to vote for your preferred candidate, this includes all Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) information.There are some important details to note at this stage of the election campaign.You need to enrol to vote, if you haven't already, by 8pm tonight, Monday, April 7, 2025. You can do that by clicking here.If you are uncertain, you can check your enrolment by clicking here.And, if you have changed address, and need to update your electoral information, you can do so by clicking here.Again, all of the above needs to be completed by 8pm tonight.There are currently five candidates registered to contest the seat of Page. They are:Kevin Hogan - The NationalsDr Luke Robinson - The GreensWendy Backhaus - LaborAndrew Grady - Family First PartyJennifer Baker - Australian Citizens PartyThis is half of the ten candidates that ran in the 2022 Federal Election campaign in Page. Missing is the One Nation Party, Liberal Democratic Party, Australian Federation Party, Indigenous Party of Australia, United Australia Party, The New Liberals and any Independents.Family First and Australian Citizens Party did not run a candidate in 2022.Pre-poll voting will begin on Tuesday, April 22, after Easter. We will be adding a Pre-poll Voting button as the date gets closer.We will also be adding a Where to Vote button for those who like to vote on election day itself, Saturday, May 3.

Work is set to begin on a $1.3 million fibre optic network, which will improve the resilience of Lismore’s flood management infrastructure and better protect the community. This vital project, funded by the Albanese Government and administered by the NSW Government, will install a 10-km fibre optic cable to connect Browns Creek, Gasworks Creek, Magellan Street and Lower Hollingworth Creek pump stations to Lismore City Council’s central control system. This will mean that Lismore City Council can remotely activate, monitor and survey pump stations to reduce future flooding. The project has been funded as part of the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP), where the Australian Government provided $150 million to the NSW Government to support flood mitigation and resilience projects across the seven local government areas impacted by the devastating February and March 2022 floods. The installation of the fibre optic cable will be complemented by several other projects being undertaken by Lismore City Council’s Flood Restoration Portfolio, including upgrading capacity at Browns Creek Pump Station, installing a new electric pump at Magellan Street pumping station, and installing mechanical trash racks at Browns Creek Inlet, Gasworks Creek and Lower Hollingworth Creek to protect pumps from debris. The NRRRP includes six projects focused on flood pump station and drainage improvements, totalling $31.27 million that are being delivered by Lismore City Council in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority. For more information on the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, visit https://www.nema.gov.au/our-work/resilience/the-northern-rivers-recovery-and-resilience-program. NSW Minister for Recovery and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said, “This is what real action looks like when it comes to building better infrastructure to make sure our community is better prepared, safer and able to recover from the devastating impact of floods,” “This upgrade of our local pump stations will make a huge difference to the lives of people working and living in Lismore, it is really welcome support for our community because it helps us prepare for the future.” Lismore Mayor Steve Kreig said, “As one of the first major projects being delivered under Council’s Flood Restoration Portfolio Resilience program, the project marks a significant step forward in our ability to prepare for and respond to future flood events,” “Recent ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred reinforced the need for the automation that this project will provide. Our people did an amazing job implementing and then shutting down the flood management operations, but we can leverage technology, like this fibre optic connection, to not only improve our preparations and responses but also make our community safer and more resilient.” NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said, “The NSW Reconstruction Authority is proud to be assisting councils like Lismore City to improve safety through vital works as part of the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program. “As we saw during ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, technology can play a critical role when it comes to flood management, and this project will not only revolutionise how Lismore City Council operates its flood management infrastructure, but it will greatly improve safety for workers by reducing manual operations, allowing them to prioritise other tasks in a disaster.”

BreastScreen NSW will begin reporting women’s breast density later this month to help women better understand their breast cancer risk. Breast density refers to the ratio of fibroglandular (dense) tissue compared to fatty tissue. It’s estimated up to 40 per cent of women who have screened with BreastScreen NSW have dense breast tissue and for most women, their breast density reduces as they age. While having dense breasts doesn’t mean a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer, extremely dense breast tissue can reduce the visibility of cancers on a mammogram and is a known risk factor for breast cancer. NSW is one of an increasing number of states and territories providing this important information to help women make more informed decisions about their breast health and improve health outcomes. Breast density reporting will be phased in over coming months using new technology recently implemented by BreastScreen NSW. Information relating to a woman’s breast density will be provided as part of women’s regular screening results. There will be no change to women’s appointment times or how long it takes to receive results.  BreastScreen NSW recommends women with high breast density speak with their doctor about their individual breast cancer risk factors and whether they may need additional testing. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women with breast density just one of many risk factors of the disease. Age is the biggest risk factor, with more than 75 per cent of breast cancers occurring in women aged over 50.  Family history, genetic, reproductive and modifiable risk factors like diet and alcohol consumption can also increase a person’s risk of the disease.It is important to recognise that regardless of an individual’s breast density, mammography remains the best breast cancer screening test, with 98 per cent of breast cancers treatable if caught early. Regardless of their breast density, women aged 50 – 74 years are recommended to have a breast screen every two years. BreastScreen NSW recommends Aboriginal women start screening at 40 years.  Any woman who has noticed a change in their breasts, like a lump, should see their doctor without delay.  For more information and to make an appointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van, call 13 20 50 or book online at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.   Minister for Health, Ryan Park said, “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in NSW, with almost 7000 women expected to be diagnosed with the disease in 2025 and more than 1000 women expected to lose their life to the disease. “We are committed to providing women with the information they need to best take care of their health. “By incorporating breast density reporting into routine practice, we can have a better understanding of how breast density affects the women of NSW, contributing to better cancer outcomes for women.” NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Cancer Institute NSW Professor Tracey O’Brien AM said, “It’s recognised globally that informing women of their breast density is best practice to help women understand their breast cancer risk and improve their health outcomes. “We know women want this information to make informed decisions about their breast care as well as have a better understanding of their breast cancer risk. “It’s important to remember it is common and normal to have high breast density and regardless of your breast density a free mammogram every two years remains the best way to detect cancer in its earliest stages.”

A great deal has happened since the last Talking Lismore podcast with Mayor of Lismore Steve Krieg. We have had a tropical cyclone and over 550mm of rain fell at the Lismore airport in the month of March.The Lismore App sat down with the mayor to talk about the resignation of General Manager Jon Gibbons, the state of our roads, the latest in finding a home for the Richmond River Historical Society, the recent Community Strategic Plan community meetings, and Lismore's future growth, which excites the mayor given the foundations being laid.On GM Jon Gibbons, Mayor Krieg said it was sad to lose him, emphasising the importance of family first."He's been here for nearly two and a half years and has made a real impact in Lismore, but we've had some pretty emotional discussions over the course of the last six to eight weeks, and there has to come a time where you put your family first," Krieg said.The mayor said that the process of appointing a new permanent GM is ongoing, and he is seeking advice from various sources to determine the best course of action during the interim period. As for the current state of Lismore's roads, the mayor acknowledged the frustration of residents and emphasised the council's commitment to road repairs. However, he stressed that the ongoing wet weather hinders effective road repairs."You cannot fix roads properly when it's so wet," Mayor Krieg explained, highlighting the futility of temporary solutions like pothole patching. He expressed hope for a dry winter to allow for meaningful roadworks and emphasised that funding is secured for disaster road repairs."We've actually got the money in place. We've got the people in place. We've have to pray for a bit of sunshine. That's what we need now to actually get in between now and Christmas, and as I said, right up through till the middle of 2029. If we get that run of good weather, people will see tangible and really good results, not only about our roads, but about our drains as well."The lack of state and federal support for business and primary producers has frustrated Mayor Krieg following Tropical Cyclone Alfred. He urged for faster rollout of assistance, particularly for businesses that lost trading days due to the cyclone. He expressed concern that the current support measures are inadequate and called for a reevaluation of the support system to be rolled out faster."The federal government was quick to announce that 13-week wage subsidy and that sort of thing might have its place, but it's the people paying the wages, the people that are impacted through their loss of trade, that is where we need to get better and roll that support out a little bit faster," he said.Lismore City Council has concluded a series of four community workshops aimed at gathering input for the development of the city's new Community Strategic Plan (CSP). The workshops, held in Wyrallah, Lismore, Goonellabah, and Nimbin, saw approximately 100 residents participate in discussions about the future of Lismore over the next decade.Mayor Steve Krieg expressed disappointment with the turnout despite strong initial registration numbers, attributing the low attendance to weather and other factors. The workshops were designed to provide a platform for residents to share their vision for Lismore, with an independent facilitator leading the discussions to ensure impartiality."It's not about what councillors want, this is an opportunity for us to listen to what the community wants to see Lismore look like over the next 10 years," stated Mayor Krieg. He emphasised that the council is committed to presenting a CSP that reflects the community's needs and aspirations before June 30. This is the first time the CSP has been rewritten in a number of years.One key topic discussed was the future utilisation of vacant land left behind by buyback houses. Mayor Krieg revealed that the Reconstruction Authority presented their future property strategy to the council in late February, outlining plans for nature reserves, light industrial, and commercial areas, particularly in North and South Lismore. You can listen to the full Talking Lismore podcast by clicking on the link.

New research from CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has busted the myth that weight loss must be a linear downward trend to be successful. The study, recently published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, analysed data from more than 6,500 CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Online members over a year. (The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet is a scientific approach to weight loss, with self-monitoring tools such as meal plans, food diaries, and progress trackers.)It found that even those who experienced weight fluctuations or temporary plateaus – periods where little to no weight loss is recorded - were still able to achieve clinically significant weight loss over time. Two in three members lost at least five per cent of their starting body weight by 12 months, while one in three lost at least 10 per cent of their starting weight.  The study identified the most common weight loss patterns, each including at least one three-month plateau: 15 per cent of members lost weight for six months, then maintained their weight for a further six months, resulting in an average 11kg weight loss after a year (12 per cent of their starting body weight) 11 per cent lost weight in the first three months, then maintained for nine months, losing 5 kg after a year (nearly six per cent of their starting body weight) Nine per cent lost weight for nine months, followed by three months of maintenance, resulting in an average 16 kg loss (17 per cent of their starting body weight). Lead researcher Dr Gilly Hendrix said the findings reframe the concept of failure when it comes to weight loss. “The study gives hope to anyone who has ever felt disheartened throughout their weight loss journey,” Dr Hendrie said.  “The reality is weight loss isn’t linear. Periods of maintenance and small regains are normal - but with persistence, meaningful results can happen.” The study found that regular engagement with self-monitoring tools - like CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet’s meal plans, food diaries, and progress trackers - led to better outcomes. Highly engaged members saw more than 21 per cent weight loss over 12 months.Dr Hendrie said now is typically the time when many people hit a plateau and assume they’ve failed. “It’s common to start strong in January, only to feel stuck by April,” she said.  “But a plateau isn’t failure - it’s a sign to reset. Setting new goals, tracking food, and refocusing can make all the difference.” Find out more about the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet. Case study: Sarah Wolter's storyFor Sarah, understanding that setbacks were part of the process was key to her 83 kg weight loss on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet. A serious neck injury left her fearful of exercise, and during the pandemic, limited movement and disrupted routines led to weight gain. But she refused to let temporary challenges define her. “Whether it’s stress, parties and events, or even holidays - there will always be times when the wheels fall off in a weight loss journey. The difference now is I know how to get back on track and overcome setbacks thanks to the skills I learnt on the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet. You can refocus and reset as many times as you need, just don’t give up.” Starting at 158 kg, Sarah lost more than half her body weight over two years. Today, she’s active, energetic, and no longer avoids photos, or feels like the odd one out in a room. “It’s not just about the numbers on the scale. It’s about how you feel, your relationship with food, and how you show up for yourself. Progress isn’t about being perfect, it’s about moving forward.” 

World-first research from the University of South Australia shows that autistic students are still struggling at school, despite efforts to improve services and supports.Conducted in partnership with Flinders University, the new study assessed the experiences of 225 autistic students aged 10-14, finding that they need increased support, acceptance and understanding to thrive and succeed at school. Capturing autistic students’ voices of their wellbeing at school and the critical factors influencing it, the meta synthesis highlights the challenges they experience with relationships at school, fitting in at school and the overwhelming sensory school environments. Specifically, the study found that:autistic students need more support to fit in at school and to experience positive relationships with their peers and school staffschool staff need to be more in tune with the needs of autistic students, and provide tailored supportsschools need to improve school environments to better cater for autistic students’ sensory needs. The findings emphasise the acute need for Australian schools to create more inclusive environments that recognise and respect autistic students’ identities. Lead researcher UniSA’s Dr Kobie Boshoff says that schools can better support these students by fostering positive relationships, offering flexible learning strategies, and ensuring physical environments cater to sensory needs. “Autistic students’ school experiences are often marred by being poorly understood, high levels of bullying, interpersonal difficulties, and academic struggles, all of which impact their mental health into adulthood,” Dr Boshoff says. “This research amplifies the voices of middle-year autistic students, allowing them to share their firsthand experiences and for us to learn directly from them about the support they need. “Wellbeing is strongly linked to how students see themselves, how others respond to their autism, and how they fit into the school environment. While some students embrace their autism as part of their identity, others try to hide it to fit in. Long-term masking can have detrimental effects on their mental health. “Positive relationships with peers are vital, yet many autistic students find it hard to make friends. As friendships foster a sense of belonging, schools must prioritise social inclusion alongside academic success. “Similarly, caring and supportive school staff can make a significant difference. When students feel understood, they feel safe, respected, and heard. Teachers who adapt their approach for different students, communicate clearly, and create flexible learning environments have a profound impact on student wellbeing. “A school’s physical and social environment also plays a crucial role. Noisy, crowded spaces and unpredictable routines can trigger anxiety, making it harder for students to engage. Schools that offer structured support, sensory-friendly spaces, and flexible learning strategies create a more inclusive experience.” This year, Australia launched its $42.3 million inaugural National Autism Strategy (2025–2031) to create a safe and inclusive society where all autistic people are empowered to thrive. In South Australia, a $250,000 state government trial is introducing autism inclusion teachers (AITs) in nine public high schools to better support neurodiverse students. While Australia's educational landscape is increasingly recognising the importance of inclusivity for students with autism, Dr Boshoff says there is still a long way to go. “Support for autistic students shouldn’t fade as they grow older - their needs evolve, and services must evolve with them. Yet, there’s a growing trend of assuming that older students require less support, when in reality, they just need different support,” Dr Boshoff says. “Every child deserves the chance to succeed at school. Schools play a critical role in shaping a positive and inclusive learning experience, but they need more funding, training, and professional support to make this a reality. “We must invest in practical solutions to ensure every individual autistic student feels valued, understood, and empowered to thrive.”

Aged Care is not a priority for the upcoming Federal Election; the cost of living, tax cuts, housing, and energy are all issues that will affect the May 3 result. Should Aged Care have more of a focus? After all, it affects wait times in our local hospitals when there are not enough aged-care beds to move older people into after an emergency department visit. And, the situation will only get worse in the coming years as our population ages.Ageing Australia is calling on all parties to ensure aged care remains a national priority ahead of the Federal Election, addressing the workforce crisis, supporting transition to the New Act, and improving access for older Australians.“The number one priority for aged care providers is improving the lives of older Australians. Unfortunately, we face chronic workforce shortages and challenges attracting and retaining workers, on top of financial sustainability pressures,” Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. There is an estimated shortage of 4,043 registered in aged care alone. That figure is set to blow out to 17,550 by 2035. There is also currently an expected shortfall of up to 35,000 direct care workers. “To address the workforce crisis, we’re calling for streamlined migration, strengthened education and training, and a boost to incentives for regional providers to attract the workers needed,” Mr Symondson said. Ageing Australia is also calling for improved access to aged care, reduced wait times, strengthened affordability measures and support for innovative care models. “We know that people are sometimes waiting over a year for the home care package they need. Many are also waiting for higher-value packages to support their increasing needs. With increasing demand, the official waitlist of 81,000 packages is set to blow out over the coming months, and we’ll need many, many more.” “We need the right number of packages, at the right level, for the people who need them. Staying in your own home isn’t just a preference, it’s a fundamental part of maintaining their independence, dignity and connections to their own communities, close to family and friends.” Transition to the new act is also a priority, with more time needed to implement such sweeping reforms. “We all want these reforms to succeed, but the current timelines are so tight they border on the impossible. For the sake of older Australians, we need to get this right. Without more time, we risk confusion for older people and providers alike.” “Entire computer systems will need to be upgraded or replaced at massive expense to providers, yet we still don’t have the information or funds to get on with the job.” “We have the chance to build an aged care sector that all Australians can be proud of, but we need a measured approach to reforms of such magnitude and that means more time to get them right.” “Failure is not an option. The last thing we want to see is an older person receiving a lower level of care on July 1, just because we rushed reforms. The runway is getting shorter by the day.”