With HSC trial exams underway and some Year 10 students set to leave school permanently at the end of the year, the NSW Government has 85 jobs to fill.Across the state, the search is on for more than 85 apprentices and trainees to work on major projects, marking the commencement of a regional jobs and skills blitz. Transport for NSW’s Apprentice and Trainee Programs give successful applicants paid training on the job while gaining valuable skills, and a nationally recognised qualification at the completion of their program.  Close to 90 per cent of the opportunities will be based in rural and regional NSW.Whether it's project management in Lismore or metalwork in the Hunter, these roles give young people the chance to learn, work and thrive in their hometowns.Programs on offer span eleven specialist areas, including civil construction, business, finance, fitter, project management, bridge construction and maintenance, heavy diesel mechanical, metal fabrication, painting and decorating, engineering mechanical and operational management systems.Transport for NSW is engaging with local high schools across regional NSW and Greater Sydney through a range of career events and six industry days.These days provided students in Years 10, 11 and 12 with hands-on experience in some of the trades Transport for NSW is currently seeking apprentices in.Applications for Transport for NSW’s 2026 Apprentice and Trainee Programs are open now. Sydney-based roles close at midnight on 24 August, with roles across regional NSW closing at midnight on 31 August.For more information about Transport’s 2026 Apprentice and Trainee Program, visit https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers/apprentice-and-trainee-programs.Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said, “The Minns Labor Government is proud to be investing in the next generation of workers cross the state.“These programs generate opportunities for the next generation of skilled workers wherever they live. Nearly 90 per cent of the upcoming roles are based in regional NSW. “I am particularly proud that this year we are aiming for a record high percentage of female and Indigenous representation which will help build a diverse and inclusive workforce. “The new apprentices and trainees will help boost the current workforce and make a real difference across NSW by contributing to the delivery of important infrastructure projects that will support regional communities.”Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, said, "Our state needs skilled workers to build the infrastructure and services our communities rely on, and programs like this are a powerful first step.“These apprenticeships and traineeships provide real, hands-on experience while earning a nationally recognised qualification.Sarah Zemek, First Year Metal Fabricator Apprentice, said, “I'd always been interested in metalwork, but I never thought it would be open to someone like me, because of my age and gender. Then I saw Transport for NSW talking about diversity and inclusion, so I applied and I won the role.“One thing I love about Transport for NSW is that they choose the best people for the role. Gender, race, none of that holds you back here. Passion is what matters most. “I raised my children, and now that they're grown, I asked myself, 'Why shouldn't I go for it?' I want to show my kids that you really can do whatever you set your mind to. “What I love most about working for Transport for NSW is the diversity of the projects I work on and the flexibility in my role as a Metal Fabricator Apprentice. Some days I'm in the workshop, others I'm out on-site. “If someone is considering applying for a role at Transport for NSW, I say if it's truly something you want to do, don't give up. Keep chasing it!”

Regular Lismore App readers may remember the plight of Henry Boothroyd, a happy nearly 3-year-old Coraki boy who suffers from a rare condition called Congenital Femoral Deficiency (CFD), which is a deformity in the ball and socket joint of the hip.The result of the deformity is that one leg is longer than the other, and each year the difference gets larger. In March this year, the difference was 10.5 centimetres. By the time Henry becomes an adult, it will be 23 centimetres.There are no surgical options in Australia at this stage for Henry to correct the deformity. Amputation is offered due to the complexities of CFD.However, Henry's parents, Stephen and Hannah, researched two overseas procedures that are achieving great outcomes for people suffering from CFD.(Henry at two and a half in February this year. Photo: supplied)The first is a SUPERhip procedure in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, in February 2026, while the second is a series of three leg lengthening procedures in Florida, USA, two years later.The SUPERhip surgery is basically a hip reconstruction to correct the deformity and put a stop to the deformity coming back. Essentially, it lays the framework to begin the lengthening procedure.As you can imagine, the cost for these overseas medical procedures is extremely high, namely $570,000.The Boothroyds have been holding various fundraising events and receiving donations from the community to help achieve the ultimate goal.The last fundraiser was in April this year, a concert at the Lismore Workers Club featuring Shannon and Blake Noll and local musician Luke Vasella."We had 390 people attend the concert, and between the ticket sales and the auctions, we raised forty-four grand," Stephen Boothroyd told the Lismore App, "Which got us over the line for the Abu Dhabi surgery, which is going to cost $215,000.""As it stands, we just ticked over the $300,000 mark. So, we're building already towards Henry having his first lengthening surgery in a few years' time in Florida."The Boothroyds' next fundraising activity is for golfers and anyone who would like to help and have some fun.The CFD Foundation Charity Golf Day will take place at the Lismore Golf Club on Sunday, October 26.The format will be the popular four-person ambrose, and the cost is $50 per player."People just register on the day with their team of four, and from 11 o'clock on Sunday, the 26th of October, and we'll do a shotgun tee off at 12. Then we're going to continue at Two Mates Brewery from five o'clock with dinner, drinks and a raffle and prize presentations from six."Hopefully, we'll build on what we did last year. I think we raised about eight grand last year, but this year we're asking for hole sponsors and major sponsors. We've had Haymans Electrical join us with two grand as a major sponsor."With our hole sponsors, we're asking for local businesses to donate $300, and we list them and give them a shout-out as a hole sponsor."Stephen said there is no registration; people rock up to the Lismore Golf Course at 11am for a free barbecue and soft drinks, then tee up from 12pm.Last year, 107 participated, and this year, Stephen is hoping for 150 to 200 participants.With no registration, save the date at this stage; Sunday, October 26 from 11am at the Lismore Golf Club, 1 Barham Street, Lismore.In the meantime, having achieved the first surgery goal in Abu Dhabi, the Boothroyds are organising one more MRI for Henry, passports and a further phone call with the surgeon to lock in an exact date, so flights and hotel can be booked."We'll be in Abu Dhabi for between three and six weeks while Henry recovers. He'll likely need to be in a wheelchair for a little bit. He'll be in a cast, we're not sure for how long, and then we'll have to navigate how we get back to Australia. If he needs to lie down, if we need to book a row of three seats, or something like that. We are pretty keen to get back," Stephen said."It's a really long surgery, but with a relatively quick recovery. So, we're hoping that after six weeks, he can get going again."The Details of the CFD Foundation Charity Golf DayLocations: Lismore Golf Club, 1 Barham St, LismoreTwo Mates Brewery, 7 Engine St, South Lismore from 6pmStart with BBQ Lunch at 11am, ready for midday shotgun tee-offFormat is 4 person Ambrose event (with handicaps)Registration & ticket details - Register on the day, $200 for a Team of 4 OR Individual Registrations $50 eachCart Hire - Golf Carts can be booked through the Golf Club by calling 02 6621 2255. Note, limited numbers, book early.Team & Individual Events - Net team score (1st, 2nd & 3rd), Longest Drive (men and women) and Nearest the PinsDinner and drinks from 5pm at Two Mates Brewery, followed by presentation of golf and raffle prizes from 6pm.For enquiries, please call Stephen Boothroyd on 0450509186 or email cfdfoundation@outlook.comAll proceeds go to The Henry James Fund, which will provide limb-reconstructive surgery overseas for Henry Boothroyd. To learn more, please visit www.cfdfoundation.com.au

Arguably, North Lismore was the hardest area hit by the 2022 big flood. It has been deemed a high-risk suburb of Lismore, receiving a high number of house buybacks from the Resilient Homes Program.In what may be a test case for Lismore City Council, a development application (DA) has been lodged to build a commercial business at 53 Terania Street, opposite the old laundrette.The applicant will spend $698,000 on the proposed development, demolishing the existing house and building a new indoor recreational facility (gymnasium).The obvious question around future flooding has been addressed in the DA.Lismore City Council released a visual representation of flood events for the property. Image below.The proposed DA is for the new building's floor height to be 13.88m AHD, with a maximum roof height of 16.88m-1814m AHD. There will be undercover car parking at a level of 9.6m AHD.When you build a structure that has a floor height of 13.88m, you need to build easy access for patrons. A lift is proposed in the plans.Along with the lift, the gym will have a weight and gym room, a sauna and ice bath room, red light therapy room, four showers and three toilets, one a disabled toilet.The decision for council planners to make is that the area has been classified as H5, and a small part, at the rear of the block, is H6 in the Hazard Vulnerability Classification at 1% Annual Exceedance Probability (or 1 in 100), which is about 12.9m.H5 means Unsafe for vehicles and people. All buildings vulnerable to structural damages. Some less robust building types subject to failureH6 means Unsafe for vehicles and people. All building types considered vulnerable to failure.According to the company that was used to write the Flood Risk Impact or Management Plan, the design and building at the proposed address complies with Council's DCP and LEP.There was a pre-lodgement meeting in March 2025.Now we wait for Council Planners to deliver a verdict.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan says the mental health and crime issue in Lismore’s CBD is getting worse. There are frequent reports of assaults, abuse, and antisocial behaviour, which is leaving businesses and shoppers feeling unsafe.Mr Hogan is calling on the NSW Government to reinstate a proven program to address the problem.The Government’s Police, Ambulance and Clinical Early Response (PACER) program places a mental health professional alongside police when responding to certain crimes. This provides officers with support, and ensures people experiencing mental health are managed appropriately.“PACER works. It helps police deal with situations more effectively, and it means people with mental health issues can get the care they need,” Mr Hogan said.“Until recently, Lismore had this position based at the Police Station. Currently, the role is vacant, and I am calling on the Government to fix this immediately.”“Our police need this program. Our community deserves this program. We need the PACER role in Lismore filled and operating again without delay.”“Local families and businesses deserve to feel safe in our CBD. Right now, too many people are telling me they don’t feel safe. That is unacceptable.”

Relationships Australia NSW has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of its low-cost Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) services, offering separating couples a more affordable alternative to the legal route.At a time when more separating families are staying under the same roof due to cost-of-living pressures, the financial and emotional strain of separation is becoming even harder to manage. The centrepiece of the campaign is an emotive new video depicting the chaos and uncertainty of modern co-parenting – from miscommunication to mounting pressure – before cutting to a calm, neutral setting with a mediator. Produced by Home Prod Co, the video was filmed in suburban Sydney and draws on raw, relatable moments from everyday life. “Separation can feel overwhelming and emotionally charged – especially when parenting and financial decisions are left unresolved,” said Relationships Australia NSW CEO Elisabeth Shaw. “This campaign is about showing that support is available, and that we can be a steady, trusted presence through that process.”The not-for-profit organisation says the need for accessible mediation has never been greater. While lawyer-led mediation can cost between $300–$600 per hour, Relationships Australia NSW offers government-subsidised sessions starting from around $30.The campaign is rolling out across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Google, backed by a $30,000 digital media spend. A complementary out-of-home transit campaign is running across metropolitan Sydney bus depots, targeting commuters in high-density areas.“We wanted to show the often-unseen mental load of separation – the confusion, the conflicting advice, the overwhelm,” said Marina Pliatsikas, Digital Marketing Lead at Relationships Australia NSW. “We contrasted that chaos with the calmer and more collaborative environment of our mediation room to demonstrate that there’s another way.”Family Dispute Resolution – also known as family mediation – is a process that helps separating couples resolve parenting and financial matters with the help of a neutral, expert facilitator. In most cases involving children, attempting mediation is now required before families can apply to court.Last financial year, the organisation delivered more than 12,200 mediation sessions with funding support from the Australian Government, alongside over 12,700 counselling sessions and hundreds of group programs across NSW.Relationships Australia is a community-based, not-for-profit Australian organisation with no religious affiliations. Their services are for all members of the community, regardless of religious belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, cultural background or economic circumstances.

As forecast, the short run of clear blue skies ends today as an East Coast weather system shifts into overdrive throughout Wednesday and Thursday.The worst of the weather looks to hit the mid-north coast again, with a number of Stay Informed flood warnings issued for Coffs Creek, Thora, Coutts Crossing, Glenreagh and Bellingen. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) is forecasting up to 185mm for Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie over the next four days.For Lismore and the Northern Rivers, the situation is slightly lower than our southern neighbours. At 6 o'clock last night, the BoM was forecasting up to 120mm throughout Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, by 10pm that had increased to 150mm. The lower end of that scale is 18mm. However, Angus Hines, Senior Meteorologist with the BoM, warns us that the situation could change as the weather event gets closer. Usually, the further away the weather event is, the hazier the forecast.(The potential cumulative rainfall along the NSW east coast 6pm Monday from the BoM)"I wouldn't take these numbers and lock them in stone just yet," Angus said, "they might shift up, they might shift down."When speaking about the current flood watches around the mid-north coast, he said, "I would like to reiterate once again that we could see changes to this flood watch, potentially new rivers throughout northern NSW and even southern Queensland could be added into the flood watch as our information changes."The message for Lismore and the Northern Rivers is to stay up to date with the weather forecast and the warnings. The Lismore App will keep you informed of any developments.

Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, took the extraordinary step of temporarily closing her Carrington Street Electorate Office yesterday because of homeless protestors camped outside.Ms Saffin told the Lismore App that the main reason for the closure was for the well-being of her constituents and her staff."It's disturbing and it's intimidatory to people coming to the office and even to my team in the office. I'm not saying anyone's deliberately intimidating, but it's that presence. People coming in and out of the office feel that, and I have an obligation to my community, to my constituents, and also to my wonderful electorate office staff.There have been social media posts where protestors are asking Ms Saffin for a 15-minute meeting to discuss the homeless situation as she is walking to her car. However, Ms Saffin has met with the protesters on many previous occasions."I've spent time with them. I've spent time with a whole lot of people, and there's no further reason to meet. Now, if anyone's genuinely homeless, we know who they are. I help them. We help them. There's no reason to meet at all."Asked if she could see an end to the disruption, Ms Saffin replied, "Yes, I do. I'm fine with disruption. I'm fine with protests. I support that with my background."Disruption with no outcome other than some political sort of agenda and no outcome in housing people is just pointless. It's pointless."I'm cracking on with looking after people who are genuinely homeless, and doing my best to get crisis accommodation, social housing and long-term housing solutions here. I'm engaged with people who work in that area, who are very committed and working to make sure that we do everything we can to end homelessness here. We say we can do it."While Ms Saffin's office is closed, you can contact her by calling 02 66213624 to talk to a staff member, or email lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.au.The other big news story of the day was the declaration that Janelle Saffin will be seeking a further four-year term at the next NSW election in 2027."I was asked the question on radio (Richmond Valley Radio). So I said, Yes, I am. I'm definitely running."I gave a commitment that I would see us through recovery and beyond, and we've got a lot of work underway. We've turned the corner where I said, not only surviving, we thrived, and now how do we prosper? And how do we make sure that we are so ready for anything that comes our way, whether it be COVID, whether it be bushfire, whether it be flood, whether it be anything else, that we're ready for it and that we are building a safer, stronger community, and that's what I'm committed to.If Ms Saffin wins a third term as Member for Lismore, where would she like to see Lismore and the Northern Rivers in six years?"What I'd like to see, and what I know I will see, is this very vibrant, strong, prosperous community. We will be a model for how you come back from the biggest, most costly disaster in recent times, and how you thrive during that. That's what I will see."I see stronger economic development. I said, early on, let's use what happened to us as a great tourist hook as well. We've done this, we can do this. Yes, it's challenging, but you know, we can do it. It's the Northern Rivers. People still want to live here. People are still moving here. People are still moving to Lismore. They're moving to the Northern Rivers. They're moving to Tenterfield. I can remember what the cost was of a house in Tenterfield, and they've gone up there as well. There's some beautiful communities here.""Some of my National Party friends, and I have a lot in the National Party, and a few Green friends as well, they're the ones saying I'm not running again. That was wishful thinking."

Last Tuesday's Lismore City Council meeting revealed a number of discussion points that the Lismore App wanted to discuss with Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg.CBD safety, Council staff restructure, car park plan near Oakes Oval, the East Lismore Sewage Treatment Plant, and the new skatepark facility in the CBD were all on the list when the Lismore App recorded a Talking Lismore podcast.LISMORE SKATEPARKThe new Lismore Skatepark has been in use for the last two weeks. It has seen people of all ages riding skateboards, scooters and pushbikes on the world-standard facility that will host national competitive events in the years to come.Mayor Krieg puts the new skatepark in the excellence basket, and admitted to never being a skater, but has had discussions with those who are as to how to improve the facility and make it more attractive in the future."It'll be an evolution around that area as to how we can activate that a little bit more to cater for a broader range of people. But I couldn't be more happy for our skate community, who really haven't had a good skate park for a long time. To be honest, the old metal half pipe over behind Heritage Park was not much fun.(A large crowd gathered at the new Lismore Skatepark on Saturday to watch demonstrations and enjoy the new facility. Photo: Lismore City Council)"Number one, that was raised was a beginner's area for a start, like those just learning the very basics. Somewhere where they can go exclusively, where they're not going to get hit by a more experienced skater and the like."The other idea was a pump track for bikes. As much as bike riders love doing the half pipes or whatever the case may be, or the scooters, having a dedicated pump track for those two-wheel options is something that was discussed today."We can't commit to anything. It's something that we'd have to look for some grant funding to do. But how good would that be?"Mayor Krieg said the CONVIC team, the company that specialises in building adventure parks around Australia, felt you could build a very exciting pump track in the space that is available.Skatepark rules leading to community safety were also spoken about."Everyone's entitled to use it, but it is designed to be used in a particular way. And we were talking today about maybe putting some signs up about the rules and how to use the skate park properly to minimise the accidents."And again, that's something that as a council, we will be speaking to the skate community about how best to do it and what message is best to promote there, so that you do minimise harm for everyone. But it is a public facility."I want it to be well looked after, well maintained and utilised, and by all accounts, that's exactly what the skater community wants as well. We'll just hopefully keep growing that precinct and keep making it a world-class venue."CBD SAFETYCBD safety has been the talk of the town on social media pages in the last two weeks. How does council, along with police and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, make the CBD safer for shoppers and shop owners?"It saddens me greatly to understand the needs that are not being provided to certain elements of our community, and a lot of the problems that are arising are due to mental health issues, and we need to be better as a community to be able to provide for these people."I mentioned today to someone, we have rehab facilities for people who break their legs or have spinal injuries or whatever the case may be, because they're physical injuries and you can actually see them, and they're tangible. Mental health is so much more difficult because you can't actually see the illness, other than the increased aggression or the unsociable behaviour."As I said, as a community, we actually need to be better at tackling this. And what does that look like? Because everyone deserves the right to feel safe, no matter where they are, whether it's walking around the CBD, whether it's running their business in the CBD. But we also need to provide the adequate care and medical support that these patients need, and quite clearly, we're not achieving that at the moment, so we do need to come together and find a solution."The complaints the mayor receives are not limited to the CBD."It's not, sadly, confined to the CBD as well. There are several complaints about our Rail Trail and the little tent city that's popped up over there as well. So it's not just a CBD problem, sadly, but I will make the point that it's not just a Lismore problem either, and this is something that is a state issue, but probably broader than that, a national issue."We need to look at how we manage and facilitate the treatment of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and mental health issues, because it is a real disease and a real problem, and it's not fair to the patients who aren't getting the treatment that they deserve. It's not fair on the people who have to deal with the symptoms that surface in and around the shopping precinct, for example."EAST LISMORE POD VILLAGEOur pod village was discussed during last week's council meeting. There were comments that it didn't have many residents and was a waste of a resource. What do you know?"I know that there's a hell of a lot more people utilising that resource than what was suggested during the council meeting. The pod village in Lismore, for me, is something that will need to be looked at for its future use at some point. But the reality is that the Lismore and probably the Coraki pod villages will still be used to house our flood victims for a little while yet."And I think trying to expedite the future use of that particular site is premature. There's a lot of groundwork to be put in. It's also on the site that the state government has just bought off Southern Cross University to create the Resilient Lands Program, the 400 or so blocks up there."It's not just as simple as some would like, or some would suggest. It's more of a complex problem, but it's something also that Lismore City Council has been dealing with the state government for, and I don't think it's necessarily for the forum of Council at the moment to start advocating one way or another, because we're just not there yet. It has been extended till 2027 at the moment."EAST LISMORE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTDoes the East Lismore Sewage Treatment Plant still have a shortfall in government funding to rebuild it?"It's been highlighted at the highest level of state government, with the premier. Again, we were able to have a couple of meetings only last week in Parliament House and raise that issue again. It's certainly the gift that keeps on giving, there's no doubt about that."There's no easy solution to it, but Lismore City Council is currently negotiating perhaps an alternative solution, which I don't really want to expand upon at the moment, but we've come up with a different or an alternative way of funding this project, which is not exactly as one would intend."I've copped a fair bit of flack over some of my outlandish comments, or as some would see them, but the reality is, we're dealing with a middle management type scenario, and we want to cut that level out and just deal direct with the funding source, so that council can actually get on and design and build exactly what we want and and we think by doing that, we'll be able to save the tens of millions of dollars that we might need to build it back."We've got some amazing people in this space who are chomping at the bit to have a crack at it. So, for me, it makes sense to back our own people in, but there's always got to be an element of control. It seems that signing over a check to the tune of $60, 70 or $80 million is not in the state government's mantra without knowing where it's going to be spent."LISMORE CITY COUNCIL STAFF RESTRUCTUREMayor Krieg mentioned that new General Manager Eber Butron has been with Lismore City Council for nearly five years, so he understands the machinations of council."He's seen what works and he's seen what doesn't work, and so Eber's now tasked with finding efficiencies in our organisation asl part of our long-term financial plan to be more sustainable. And I think the people of Lismore want to see more people out and about, doing the parks and gardens, doing the road patching, doing all of those tangible things that council should be doing, rather than having a lot of people drafting and developing things that are probably not seen so much."The preliminary procedures are underway to consult with the staff, to consult with the unions, as to what that looks like. I can't say too much about it because these are people in our community who might, in some way, be impacted by these things. But I'm exceptionally proud of the work that our council does, but we all know we can do better."Mayor Krieg mentioned how the Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Road A-League pre-season clash at Oakes Oval recently came together with only three and a half weeks' notice. Council staff worked hard to make it happen. This has led to the possibility of future games."I've spoken to both the Jets and the Roar about what they want to see in the future. And again, I wish I could say more about what that looks like, but we'll be developing a bit of a prospectus for both those clubs as to what it looks like in the future. But I think this time next year, Lismore might be pleasantly surprised about what the potential is coming to the city through the A-League. We've got a lot of work to do, but both teams expressed their desire to return, which is great."CAR PARKING IN THE CBDIn 2025, Lismore has hosted the Legends of Cricket and now the A-League press season game at Oakes Oval with large crowds. There is the potential for the AFL and NRL to play a part in future pre-season matches too. Does it make sense to creat more parking around the house buyback area of Cathcart Street?"Everything is on the table at the moment. There's nothing in writing, but already we're thinking about future use of the flood-prone lands from the buybacks. Clearly, part of the buyback principle is not to return residential accommodation to those properties. So then what do you do with the land? And it's either light industrial or commercial type setups, which we need to grow. There's no doubt we need more industry and more jobs in Lismore. So that's an option."But also, as you say, in and around oaks and Crozier oval, we do need more car parking for those bigger events like the A-League soccer, like the blues when they come to town, like the rugby union Grand Finals, when you could have eight teams from eight different towns all descending on Lismore to use Oakes and Crozier for the Rugby Union grand final day."We need to be able to accommodate larger crowds. And we all know public transport is not an option here, so to be able to be within close walking distance to our facilities would be great. But as I said, that's not a decision that's locked away or even really been planned, but it is in the thought bubble of what to do with those lands into the future, that's for sure."FUTURE DEVELOPMENTIn previous podcasts, we have asked the mayor about residential and commercial investment and developments. When will we see graders on the ground or cranes in the air?"We're definitely closer now than we were during the last podcast. There are elements of confidentiality around a lot of the stuff that myself and the other councillors are aware of. I wish I could say more, but let me just say that through the private sector investment that are interested in coming to Lismore, I think the lead up to Christmas, and even a little bit further through to Easter, I would be very surprised if we don't see some form of movement in and around residential, commercial, sorts of and other types of investment as well."For me, it's not just about recovery, it's about rebirth and actually seeing tangible growth. We don't want to hover around the 40 to 45,000 mark for population. We want to see that growth hitting 50,000 and gradually climbing as we can accommodate those people and and bringing the young professional families into the town."There are good jobs here, whether they're nurses or specialists at the hospital or whatever their chosen profession or how they make a living, we want to be able to accommodate them."Everyone complains about their rates notice, well, one way to keep rates low is to get a bigger rate base. So, I'm excited about the potential of the growth of our region, but in particular in and around Lismore. I go to bed every night, hoping and praying that one of these proposals will get grow legs and we'll we'll see some action.There is one thing for sure: by the next podcast, we'll be a step closer.To listen to the full Talking Lismore Podcast, click Talking Lismore podcast for the App or here for the website podcast.

Commonwealth, state and territory governments have agreed to progress work towards a national product stewardship scheme for solar panels, ensuring they are managed from start to end of life.At Friday’s meeting of the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council in Sydney, NSW presented a paper advocating a national mandated scheme to prevent solar panels ending up in landfill, instead directing them towards remanufacture or recycling. NSW is already developing a mandated stewardship program for batteries.Annual solar panel waste volumes in Australia are predicted to nearly double over the next five years, from 59,340 tonnes in 2025 to 91,165 tonnes in 2030. The surge in waste is expected to be greatest in metropolitan cities from domestic use, with volumes beginning to grow in regional areas from large-scale solar facilities after 2030.Energy Ministers recognised increasing calls for improved end-of-life management of solar panels, including those at large-scale facilities. Many solar panels are disposed of well before the end of their useful life and typically end up in landfill, stockpiled, or exported.More than 95% of a solar panel is recyclable and contains valuable materials, including aluminium, glass, copper, silver and silicon, which can be beneficially recovered and reused.The Smart Energy Council estimates that around one-third of solar panels could be re-used instead of being thrown away. This could contribute up to 24 gigawatts of energy by 2040, enough to power six million homes a year.Energy Ministers agreed that NSW will lead preliminary work, together with other jurisdictions, in drawing up a Regulatory Impact Statement.The draft will help the Government evaluate options for a national mandatory product stewardship scheme that could catalyse a national recycling and reuse sector for solar panels and their batteries.The Commonwealth is also supporting low-cost recycling technologies for solar PV through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, to help support the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of industry approaches to solar product stewardship.Minister for Energy and the Environment, Penny Sharpe, said, “We are proud to be leading the charge to create a unified approach to solar panel waste management and recycling.“This work builds on the momentum of our nation-leading reform on batteries, and the new legislation already in place in NSW to enable a mandatory product stewardship scheme – ensuring suppliers take responsibility for the safe design, recycling and disposal of their products.”Smart Energy Council CEO, John Grimes, said, “It's been a decade since the federal government acknowledged solar panels going into landfill was a problem. Now, four million panels are coming off roofs a year, with less than 5% being recycled.“The time for talk has passed, an immediate first step is a national solar stewardship pilot to keep the industry alive and inform the Regulatory Impact Statement.“The Smart Energy Council welcomes the restated focus from governments on the critical need for stewardship of solar PV, and particularly acknowledges the efforts of the NSW government for leading on this.’Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union NSW/ACT State Secretary Brad Pidgeon said:"A national solar panel stewardship scheme is a major opportunity for Australian jobs.“Remanufacturing and recycling panels here means more onshore work in the renewable energy supply chain instead of shipping valuable materials offshore or losing them as waste."

While Lismore Base Hospital (LBH) struggles to turn its key measures around for its emergency department in terms of patient treatment times, its nurses and doctors are recording satisfaction scores well above the 90s.The results are not just exceptional for Lismore, they are across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), where health staff have been recognised for their ‘kind and caring’ treatment of adult patients, in the latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) survey.The District was among the top performers in BHI’s 2024 Adult Admitted Patient Survey, which asked patients admitted to hospital about their experiences across a range of important aspects of care.The survey shows that 93 per cent of respondents rated their overall care as ‘very good’ or ‘good’, slightly higher than the NSW average of 92 per cent. LBH's figure was 94%Almost all surveyed patients (96 per cent) rated the nurses who treated them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’, with LBH receiving a 98% score. While doctors who treated them as 'very good' or 'good', scored a 95 per cent rating, LBH doctors scored 97%It further found 89 per cent of patients rated the treatment they received from health professionals as ‘kind and caring'. Once again, LBH scored higher than the NNSWLHD average, with 91%.The majority of patients (90 per cent) found staff to be polite and welcoming upon their arrival at hospital, while 91 per cent of patients felt they were treated with respect and dignity.Across the District, health staff were rated significantly above the NSW average for their teamwork and organisation.Murwillumbah District Hospital and Casino and District Memorial Hospital were standout performers, with both recording among the best satisfaction levels in the state, when compared to facilities of a similar size. NNSWLHD Chief Executive Tracey Maisey thanked all of the District’s health staff for their unwavering commitment to providing kind, compassionate and professional care for patients.“People are often at their most vulnerable when they are in hospital, so to know our doctors and nurses are so highly regarded by our patients is extremely heartening,” Ms Maisey said.“Our health staff are known for their focus on patient-centred care, and these results, particularly in the area of kindness and compassion, are particularly pleasing.“I’d like to thank each and every one of our staff for their dedication to providing the best care for our patients every day.“I’d also like to thank all those who took the time to complete this survey. A total of 2,401 patients from NNSWLHD provided their feedback.“This high participation rate enriches our data and provides an accurate reflection of the opinion of our patients, which is vital in helping us focus on areas in need of improvement.”Individual hospital resultsBALLINA DISTRICT HOSPITAL:77 per cent of patients rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’.Almost all patients (97 per cent) rated the nurses who cared for them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.96 per cent rated the doctors who cared for them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.91 per cent said staff ‘always’ treated them with respect and dignity.90 per cent said their health professionals were always kind and caring.Overall, Ballina recorded seven measures which were significantly above the NSW average.BYRON CENTRAL HOSPITAL:88 per cent of patients rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.96 per cent of patients rated their doctors as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.89 per cent rated their nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.83 per cent said they were ‘always’ treated with respect and dignity while in hospital.82 per cent of patients said the health professionals were always kind and caring.CASINO & DISTRICT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL:Almost all patients, (93 per cent) rated their overall hospital care as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.96 per cent of patients rated their nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.95 per cent rated their doctors as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.91 per cent of patients said the health professionals ‘always’ treated them with respect and dignity.89 per cent said they were always kind and caring. Casino recorded 22 measures significantly above the state average, across areas such as overall care, trust and confidence, respect and kindness, communication, organisation of care and cleanliness.GRAFTON BASE HOSPITAL:94 per cent of patients rated their overall care as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.97 per cent rated the doctors who cared for them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’96 per cent rated their nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.91 per cent said they were always treated with respect and dignity.88 per cent said the health professionals were always kind and caringLISMORE BASE HOSPITAL:94 per cent of patients rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.97 per cent rated the doctors who treated them as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.98 per cent rated the nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.91 per cent said the health professionals were always kind and caring. Overall, Lismore recorded seven measures which were significantly above the NSW average.MACLEAN DISTRICT HOSPITAL:93 per cent of patients rated their overall care as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.96 per cent rated their nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.94 per cent said their doctors were either ‘very good’ or ‘good’.91 per cent said the health professionals were always kind and caring.92 per cent said they were always treated with dignity and respect.MURWILLUMBAH DISTRICT HOSPITAL:Almost all patients (97 per cent) rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.98 per cent rated their nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good.96 per cent rated their doctors as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.96 per cent said their health professionals were ‘always’ kind and caring, equal highest in the state.96 per cent said they were always treated with respect and dignity.92 per cent would speak highly of their experience if asked by family and friends.Murwillumbah recorded 34 measures significantly higher than the NSW average, receiving positive feedback from patients for overall hospital care, organisation of care, respect and kindness, communication and involvement in decision-making, and cleanliness.TWEED VALLEY HOSPITAL:92 per cent of patients rated the overall care they received as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.92 per cent rating the doctors as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.94 per cent rating the nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.84 per cent of patients said health professionals were always kind and caring89 per cent said they were always treated with respect and dignity.

House buybacks have been a contentious issue for the community since they were announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and then NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in October 2022.Contentious because of the determination as to who would receive a buyback from the $880 million Resilient Homes Program (RHP) in the Northern Rivers and who would miss out.Contentious because when the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) first tabled the amount needed in NSW Parliament, it was $1.4 billion, and we ended up with $880 million.This meant that some homeowners who wanted a house buyback would miss out. Kerrie and Tony Loveday are an example of people who would take a buyback if it were offered. However, that is looking extremely unlikely.Part of the criteria used by the NSWRA (Reconstruction Authority) was to offer buybacks to those deemed to be at high risk in a future flood. That was determined by flood modelling at the time; however, no details were released to the public. And then there were 'extenuating circumstances', so the elderly, those receiving NDIS funding, the infirmed, those left traumatised, etc. These were determined on a case-by-case basis.If you turn the clock back to February 28 2022, with the water level rising rapidly around you, then entering your house, and reports saying that this will be a 14-metre flood. What do you do?Kerrie and Tony did what many people did that day: they swam to higher ground, which happened to be their neighbours' house, as their floor height was just over 14 metres. They swam together for safety and were hit in the back by a table and other floating objects from the fast-flowing current. This was while listening to the cries for help from other neighbours.Kerrie and Tony have submitted five claims for a house buyback, but their harrowing experience was deemed not traumatising enough by the NSWRA, according to Kerrie."It was the second last appeal, so the fourth one, I got a phone call stating that, from what they can see in my appeal for a buyback, I haven't been traumatised enough. I kind of got a bit stroppy. I said, so it's not normal to swim from a front door. It's not normal.""I had Kerrie on my back," Tony chimed in. "Because she was stressing out so much, pushing me under the water. We're getting hit by gas bottles and stuff coming out black and blue. It was crazy. They just don't seem to care."It wasn't just getting themselves to safety. Marley, the family cat, and Ruby, the family pug, were rescued by Tony via a tub and suitcase in a return swim once Kerrie was safe.Kerrie continued sharing her memories of that day."Hearing people screaming, like our neighbour across the road, she was 80, getting up and down on a ladder, and she was screaming, hoping somebody would rescue her. We felt really bad because the boat came about 11am to collect us. She was screaming for help, and we said, Go and collect her. He goes, No, somebody will come back for her."And then when we got onto Casino Street, all I remember is, it looked like a family of five, and they looked like deer in headlights, these big, wide eyes, just absolutely petrified on the awning of their roof.""I just don't understand how they can feel that that wasn't traumatising enough. And they go, Oh, you've got no psychologist reports. Everyone deals with trauma in their own way. They don't have to go and see a psychologist."Just by sitting down and talking to people, seeing how they react after Cyclone Alfred that came through, there are a lot of people that are still suffering PTSD, and I am definitely one of them."Kerrie and Tony's story improves a little at this point because Kerrie's brother, Tim, a wall and floor tiler, came down from Brisbane to help renovate the house and make it liveable again. He also brought his caravan with him, allowing them to live in the driveway for six months until they could move back in, as the threat of looters was high.Rather than wait and see what the government was going to do, the Lovedays were back in their lovely renovated house towards the end of 2022 when the Resilient Homes program was announced and the buybacks were starting to be discussed."According to them, we're low risk. That's what they've said. We're low risk," Kerrie stated.A few houses down Crown Lane, one home is fenced off after receiving a buyback. Around the corner on Webster Street, you can see a few more houses that have been bought back by the NSWRA. In this part of South Lismore, they are the exception rather than the rule.The street has also changed as neighbours sold their homes for what they could get to move out of the flood zone. Some went higher up the hill to Goonellabah, while others left Lismore altogether.Back to Kerrie's ongoing battle with the NSWRA to be offered a buyback."I was told after the last one, because I said, well, it won't be the last you'll hear of me. And they go, No, that is your last review. You are not allowed to put any more in. And I went, who said so? She went back and spoke to someone else, and they said, No, you cannot put any more reviews in. We'll approve you for a retrofit or a house raise."They've only had one retrofit approved from the last statistics I looked at. The hoops I've got to jump through. I have to give them all my receipts, which is not a problem, I've got a filing cabinet full of receipts, but they're all faded because they only last a certain amount of time, and my brother was the builder, so when they came through last time, they said, if you just get your brother to do a stat dec (statutory declaration), saying he's put the house back together, and if you've got proof that you've been giving him money every week. I said, Yep, not a problem. But then, when they phoned me three weeks ago, they said, Oh no, who told you that we can do that? They're always backpeddling."And then there's the house raising. That's an absolute joke, because I had a house raiser from Byron Bay who didn't even come here. He just Googled my house and said, Oh yes, gonna be about $200k to raise it. He knew what the government is putting in, because he goes, you'll get 100 (thousand) and buffer for another 20, so you'll get about 120,000, and you'll have to put in 80,000 or so. He said, I'll be out of pocket about $80,000."Kerrie also explained that the land is on pug soil, like most of the Lismore CBD. This brings other challenges when raising a house."When it moves, things will shift. And he said, No. He goes, it'll be levelled straight up. And he goes, so your kitchen will probably pop, your walls will pop, tiles will crack. So, you'll probably be up for about $130,000 to $140,000 because your whole house would have to be redone."The Lismore App contacted a local house raising company, who confirmed that damage to a house could occur if it were raised. Each situation is different.There are a lot of variables for people like Kerrie and Tony, which raises the question of how to move forward.Do they spend $80,000 to raise the house and possibly more, depending on the damage it would do to raise their house?Do they stay put and go through the retrofit process to recoup money spent on the renovation and continue to be traumatised when it rains?Even if they were granted a buyback, the price they may be offered may not reach the pre-2022 flood levels of $800,000 to $850,000 from a real estate agent. The common range is $500,000 to $650,000.Regardless of which way Kerrie and Tony turn, there appear to be both inconvenience and additional costs. The positive sign is that they do not have a mortgage, but removing themselves from the floodplain and purchasing a property out of the flood-zone, would change that scenario."At our age, we really don't want to have another mortgage. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Kerrie ended.The Lismore App contacted the NSWRA for comment. An RA spokesperson said, "We do not discuss individual cases for privacy reasons. However, the Authority is happy to meet the property owners to discuss the issues raised.It is another tale of the 2022 big flood trauma and how people move forward with their lives. The options are not always palatable from a Resilient Homes Program that was flawed from the start.

The new once-a-month Sunday Bowlo Markets were in full sunlight and full swing yesterday at the Lismore Bowling Club.After a week of opening anything that moved last week, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg reunited to cut the ribbon to formally declare the markets open. Also in attendance were the club's five life members, ranging in age from mid-eighties to 94. There have been two previous markets in June and July. The Bowlo Markets are held on the bowling green near the Lismore Baths, and have already grown from 25 to over 40 stallholders selling everything from baby clothes, metal artwork, woodwork, hats, fur wear for your pet, opal jewellery and different food offerings.Mayor Krieg said the development application that the Bowling Club needed to lodge to operate was successful, so Sharon and Mark Pepper, along with the Board, can legally operate the markets on the third Sunday of every month."One of the most asked questions that Janelle and I get constantly is when are the Car Boot Markets coming back?, or when are we getting a market in town? The cinema is number one, and we have solved that problem with them opening before Christmas, hopefully. The markets were number two," Mayor Krieg said."I just want to say it is exciting to be here, and I want to thank everybody associated with the Lismore Bowling Club, not only for today, but for the way they stepped up in providing live entertainment and services here."“The Lismore City Bowlo already has its Jazz afternoons on the first Sunday of the month, and now the markets on the Third Sunday, and they can go ahead even if it rains.”"This is actually one of those days where you can truly celebrate," Ms Saffin told the crowd. "And I know this will grow bigger and better."The next Lismore Bowlo Market will be held on Sunday, 21 September, 171A Molesworth Street, between 9am and 1pm.

Resilient Lismore is holding its first formal dinner, Hearts and Stars, at the Lismore Regional Gallery on 19th September.“We welcome locals to dress up, dine and celebrate our strengths, while raising our spirits!” said Elly Bird, Executive Director.The evening promises glamour, fun, and community connection – all while raising funds to support Resilient Lismore’s ongoing recovery and resilience work across the Northern Rivers. There will be games to play and prizes to win – including best dressed award!.“The theme is ‘Hearts and Stars’, so we’re encouraging guests to wear their hearts on their sleeves and shine like stars,” said Emma Newman, Events Coordinator. “It’s a chance to feel fabulous while supporting something really meaningful.”The MC for the evening will be funny lady Gabrielle Griffin (GG), who you may know from band duo Mutton, or previously from The Two Frocks, or maybe even from the face of the Sun at the recent Lantern Parade. Local musicians will provide dulcet tunes, and games will be played for prizes. Sumptuous catering will be provided by Take Care Cafe, the new cafe at the gallery.Funds raised will support Resilient Lismore to continue to offer a free tool library, community events, workshops in tool and repair skills and support locals to be better prepared for future disasters.Hearts & Stars DetailsA night with Resilient Lismore Lismore Regional Gallery Friday 19th September 2025 from 5.30 – 9.30pmBookings essentialTickets:Early bird until 5th September $60Second round 6th to 14th September $70For ages 18 +Enquiries: 0411 967 690 or events@resilientlismore.org.auBookings & info: resilientlismore.org.au/workshops-events/ or come into the Resilient Lismore Hub at 215 Keen Street, Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm.

A new study has found that improving pre-hospital stroke identification accuracy in women to match that of men will lead to significant health benefits and cost savings for all Australians.Published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the study sought to estimate the long-term gains in life years and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and the cost savings that could be achieved if ischaemic stroke was identified in women with the same level of accuracy received by men, versus the status quo.Western Sydney University lead researcher, Associate Professor Lei Si from the School of Health Sciences and the Translational Health Research Institute, said that women are 11 per cent less likely than men to be correctly identified as having a stroke by emergency medical staff.The study used a health economic modelling approach to quantify the health and economic cost of the missed opportunity to diagnose women as accurately as men are currently diagnosed, revealing that it costs the Australian public millions.“Our study shows that if we could match the accuracy with which men’s strokes are identified, women would gain an average of 51 extra days of life and nearly a month of life in perfect health — all while saving nearly $3,000 in healthcare costs per patient,” said Associate Professor Si, corresponding author of the study.“At the national level, this could translate to over 250 additional life years, 144 extra quality-adjusted life years, and $5.4 million in healthcare savings each year.”“This is an important finding because accurate and timely pre-hospital stroke identification increases the chance of receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) within the critical 60-minute treatment window, which significantly improves patient health outcomes and saves medical costs.”Jordan Springs resident, Kelly Ryan, was only 32 years old when she suffered a stroke in September 2020 in the cerebellum posterior part of her brain after a chiropractic session left her with a bilateral vertebral artery dissection.At the time, her symptoms were loss of balance, blurred double vision, vomiting, and an ice-pick style headache, and she was incorrectly diagnosed with vertigo and a migraine.F.A.S.T is the current acronym commonly used in identifying a stroke, which includes noticing changes in a patient’s Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and acting in a Timely manner to receive treatment for the best outcomes.However, the F.A.S.T protocol does not capture all types of strokes and overlooks other stroke symptoms, including changes in balance, eyes and nausea that Kelly was experiencing.While both men and women can experience the classic F.A.S.T positive stroke symptoms, women are more likely to present with additional, sometimes subtle, symptoms that can easily be overlooked.“Initially, I was shrugged off as just having a migraine and vertigo, as I was not FAST positive, it took six hours to get a CT scan, and I was sent home with an outpatient appointment for an MRI a week later. It took a total of 2 weeks to be diagnosed as having a stoke,” said Kelly.“Had my stroke been recognised early on, I may have been a candidate for the clot-busting drug, which could have stopped or at least reduced the damage of the stroke.”“People all around the world have been through the same thing, sometimes even waiting months for someone to take them seriously, as medical staff are so focused on someone being FAST positive to diagnose stroke, people like me are falling through the cracks.”The study, ‘Health and economic benefits of improving pre-hospital identification of stroke in Australian women: a modelling study’ was led by a team of researchers from Western Sydney University, UNSW Sydney, and The George Institute for Global Health Australia and UK.

Goonellabah’s Tucki Tucki Creek is showing signs of ecological recovery thanks to the sustained efforts of two dedicated Landcare groups, according to ongoing water quality monitoring conducted by local environmental consultancy Ecoteam. Ecoteam was founded in 2003 with a handful of founding staff members and is a Lismore business success story despite challenges such as COVID and recent major floods, with 22 employees at present.Ecoteam very generously agreed to undertake detailed bi-annual stream and ecosystem health assessments on the Tucki Tucki Creek on a pro bono basis over a period of three years, commencing in December 2023. Since that start date, twice-yearly assessments by Ecoteam staff members have tracked the health of the creek at two key sites. Fresh water testing at Site 1 takes place upstream on the Tucki Tucki Creek near Birdwing Butterfly Gully in the area managed by Goonellabah Tucki Landcare, with Site 2 downstream at a pool and reach under Just Street Landcare’s stewardship. The monitoring program combines water quality testing, macroinvertebrate sampling, and fish surveys to evaluate stream health. Field teams measure in-situ parameters like pH and temperature using handheld devices, collect water samples for laboratory analysis, and assess turbidity levels. Aquatic macroinvertebrates are sampled with nets to gauge biodiversity and ecosystem health, while fish are surveyed using traps and nets to record species presence and abundance. These methods collectively offer a comprehensive picture of the creek’s ecological condition.Initial findings and ongoing challengesResults from the last two years indicate that water quality in the Tucki Tucki Creek has generally remained within Australian guidelines, with key indicators such as dissolved oxygen, phosphorus and turbidity staying stable. However, nutrient levels, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, have exceeded recommended thresholds in recent sampling rounds. Total nitrogen peaked at 0.52 mg/L at Site 1 in June 2025, and phosphorus levels also rose above guideline levels, likely due to increased stormwater runoff from heavy rainfall events, which occurred prior and during the past two sampling assessments. Despite these nutrient spikes, heavy metals such as lead, zinc, and arsenic have remained low, suggesting minimal contamination from industrial sources.Encouragingly, biological indicators point to a healthier ecosystem. Macroinvertebrate diversity has increased; documented through improved macroinvertebrate assessment or ‘SIGNAL’ scores, which reflect better water quality. Fish diversity remains limited, with the Crimson Spotted Rainbow Fish consistently present, although their numbers fluctuate seasonally. Rarer species like Firetail Gudgeon and Catfish were only observed in December 2023, indicating that some aquatic fauna are still recovering.(Ecoteam scientists examining macroinvertebrates)Protecting our platypus populationPlatypus face threats nationwide and locally due to habitat loss and water pollution. While the creek’s current water quality remains within acceptable limits for platypus survival, levels of nutrients like phosphorus are approaching thresholds that could impact their populations. Elevated nitrogen and phosphorus levels can reduce aquatic invertebrate prey and degrade habitat quality, increasing the risk of decline. Maintaining and improving water quality through continued restoration and monitoring is vital to ensure the future of this unique species, which is sighted regularly at Tucki Tucki Creek.Looking ahead: continued monitoring and restorationGoonellabah Tucki and Just Street Landcare’s riparian planting and habitat restoration efforts appear to be making a positive difference, enhancing the creek’s resilience to storm events and improving overall ecosystem health. The next phase of Ecoteam’s monitoring program will include new sampling sites plus data collection over a further three years in partnership with Goonellabah Tucki Landcare on its significant new project site bordering on the Tucki Tucki Creek below Kookaburra Terrace and further East. Approximately 10 hectares is being planted as part of a project funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, supported by Lismore City Council’s Environmental Strategies Team. This extensive new site will add to the approximately 18 hectares of regenerating riparian rainforest already planted along Tucki Tucki Creek which is enjoyed and appreciated by so many residents and visitors. Ecoteam’s onging testing across the new site aims to provide a baseline to measure potential long-term improvements in water quality and creek health at the largest single riparian planting project ever undertaken by Goonellabah Tucki Landcare.Takeout from the water quality testingEcoteam senior environmental engineer and company director Lise Bolton oversees the water quality testing program, which provides the opportunity for a sizeable number of her scientific and other staff to undertake sampling and monitoring. (Ecoteam's Jacob and Anna using a fish trap in the Birdwing Butterfly walk)“We’re really happy to partner with Landcare groups and provide our knowledge and expertise on a sponsorship basis,” commented Lise. “We’d like to see the scientific assessment of the state of all our region’s waterways form the basis of an annual ‘Healthy Waterways Report Card’ which can inform everyone just how their favourite creeks, streams and rivers are doing.”“The encouraging signs from Tucki Tucki Creek’s waterway health and water quality monitoring underscore the importance of sustained ecological restoration and vigilant water quality monitoring and management,” said Lise, adding that “Support from local government to establish a more widespread and comprehensive Healthy Waterways program would bolster these efforts, ensuring that Goonellabah’s creeks remain vibrant habitats for native species and a vital part of the community’s natural landscape.”

A diet rich in vegetables and fruit is associated with reduced psychological distress, a detailed analysis of health survey data from more than 45,000 Australians has found.The study by QUT researchers based at Brisbane’s Translational Research Institute (TRI) found that people who consumed less than one serve of vegetables per day had 1.6 times the odds of suffering psychological distress compared with those who consumed five or more serves per day. Psychological distress is an umbrella term covering depression, anxiety and stress.Study first author Dr Kerri Gillespie from QUT’s School of Clinical Sciences, found the benefit of vegetable consumption appeared to be greatest in women.“Women appear to go on benefiting from vegetables in their diet up to five or more serves per day, while for men the benefit appears to peak at around three or four serves per day,” Dr Gillespie said.The study also found a correlation between fruit consumption and reduced prevalence of psychological distress, but mostly for women and only up to two daily servings.Study last author Professor Selena Bartlett, from QUT’s School of Clinical Sciences, said the findings were unexpected.“The findings are extremely significant because it’s an Australian study with a very large sample of more than 45,000 people. It’s very exciting,” Professor Bartlett said.“Correlation is never causation, and we have to be careful about that, but rarely do we think deeply about how diet affects our psychological health, and I think that's the beauty of the study.”Dr Gillespie conducted a second study of the association of diet with mental health based on an online survey of healthy adults.“We found an interesting pattern between the consumption of sugary soft drink and the risk of depression,” Dr Gillespie said.  “Having seven or more cups of soft drinks a week increased the odds of depression by almost five times. “Conversely, there appears to be a relationship between a high fibre diet and slightly lower anxiety.”Dr Gillespie cautioned that the study was based on a sample of only 129 people, but it showed patterns that could be looked for in a larger sample. Professor Bartlett said Dr Gillespie’s work added to the evidence of a link between diet and mental health.“Having the curiosity to ask these questions, that’s how these papers happened,” Professor Bartlett said.“We are not in any way saying eating more vegetables is a cure for mental health, but this research supports the existing health messaging recommending diets high in vegetables and low in sugar.“We hope this work will help the public and improve health and well-being, which is our role here at the Translational Research Institute,” Professor Bartlett said.The first study, Vegetable and Fruit Consumption and Psychological Distress: Findings from Australian National Health Survey Data, 2011–2018, was published in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.The second study, The association of dietary components with depression and anxiety symptoms: findings from a cross-sectional survey, was published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail, Invercauld House and Contained in Nimbin have struck gold in the recent North Coast Tourism Awards.The Northern Rivers Rail Trail won Gold in the Adventure Tourism category, as well as Silver in the Tourist Attraction category.This year's win makes it back-to-back for the Rail Trail, as it won gold in 2024 in the Outstanding Tourism Start-up category.Late 2024 saw the completion and opening of the Lismore to Casino stage of the eventual 132km trail between Murwillumbah and Casino.There are two more sections to be built in the coming years (Lismore to Byron Bay and Crabbes Creek to Mullumbimby) before the final Mullumbimby to Byron Bay section completes the 132km rail trail.Dean Cooper, Regional Lead for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, said the award is a powerful acknowledgment of the team’s vision, collaboration and community impact.“Winning Gold this year in the Adventure Tourism category is an incredible honour. It reflects not just a great visitor experience, but the combined efforts of multiple councils, community champions, trail operators and volunteers,” Dean said.“This win represents the success of multiple open sections from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek and from Casino to Lismore, all of which have rapidly established themselves as iconic drawcards for the region.“We are grateful to Tweed Shire Council, Richmond Valley Council and Lismore City Council for their leadership in construction and ongoing operation. A huge thank you also to our trail users, local villages, supporters, and commercial operators. Without your energy and passion, this trail wouldn’t be what it is today,” he said“To be recognised with a win again this year—and as Silver award winners in the Tourist Attraction category— is testament to the continued momentum of the Rail Trail and its powerful connection to nature, local culture and sustainable tourism,” Dean said.Lismore was well represented at this year's awards in Byron Bay, with Invercauld House winning gold in the Business Event Venues category and Contained in Nimbin won gold in the Self-Contained Accommodation category.(Eli Fuller with his Gold medal award in the Business Event Venue category. Photo: Invercauld House)Karen Hirst from the Destination Lismore team said this year's gold winners will travel to Sydney for the NSW Australian Tourism Awards on October 14.The hugely popular Lismore Lantern Parade won a Bronze medal in the Festivals and Events category to wrap up a fantastic night for Lismore at the award ceremony."Congratulations to all our winners," Karen said, "They all raise the profile of Lismore and generate publicity for the region."

We are just over two weeks away from runners in the 2025 Darrell Chapman Fun Run taking off from Woodlark Street in Lismore's CBD.For those who have spent months training to be at peak fitness for the annual event, there is another opportunity to keep the fitness motivation going as we move into spring.The Alstonville Wollongbar Fun Run is back and is being held on Sunday, September 14, from 7am to 12pm at Alstonville High School for friendly competition and community fun.Lace up your sneakers and choose from a variety of distances to suit all fitness levels: 10km Run5km Run 3km Run 5km Walk1km Junior DashCommunity RelayWhether you're a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or a budding artist, there's something for everyone at this year's event, including prizes, plenty of activities, food and live music.Between races, you can also check out the Young Entrepreneurs Market.Running alongside the Fun Run, the Young Entrepreneurs Market, presented in partnership with D-Vine Creatives, is a vibrant showcase of young talent and creativity. This market provides a platform for young people to display their small businesses and handmade products. Explore a diverse range of offerings, including original art (paintings, drawings, and mixed media creations), handcrafted jewellery, crochet, sewing, badges and much more! It's a fantastic opportunity to support young entrepreneurs, discover unique treasures, and enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere. Organisers would like to thank their sponsors, as their generous support makes the Alstonville Wollongbar Fun Run possible: Allambi Care, Ballina Buslines, Daley Street Dental, Fitness Kidz, McGrath, Somerville Laundry and Lomax Solicitors, and Trident Fish & Grill.Register today at alstonvillewollongbarfunrun.com.au. For the market, stalls are $20 and can be booked here: https://www.trybooking.com/DDWCS.Don't miss out on an exciting day of fitness, creativity, and community spirit.

The NSW Government has announced Dr Katherine Clift as the state’s new Independent Biosecurity Commissioner, to provide expert advice and strengthen the state’s safeguards against biosecurity threats.Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has welcomed the announcement that one of Dr Clift’s first priorities will be to provide advice on the state’s Cattle Tick Program.“The tick program has been running for more than 100 years in our region, to protect livestock in north-east NSW up to the Queensland border, where the tick is a well-known pest.“I have been working with farmers, veterinarians and farmers' organisations to get attention for this program and am very pleased to see it has been flagged as such an important issue for the Commissioner.“The NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, has asked Dr Clift to determine the most effective approach for the future management of cattle tick in NSW, and I thank the Minister for highlighting this as a priority.“Dr Clift will work with stakeholders in the beef industry in our region, review the present program and make recommendations for improvements to get more effective biosecurity outcomes.“Dr Clift is an internationally respected leader in biosecurity animal welfare, and regulatory reform, and recently held the role of Commonwealth Inspector-General of Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports.“It was a Minns Government election commitment to set up the role of Biosecurity Commissioner to provide independent expert advice on biosecurity protection, detection and response. This year, the government has invested a historic $1.05 billion to protect the state’s primary industries and boost growth in the sector.”