Lismore City Council will invest a record $244.8 million to improve capital infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, water and sewerage next financial year, if Councillors adopt the draft 2025/26 budget that is now on public exhibition. Mayor Steve Krieg said this is almost double the amount that was invested in capital programs last financial year in a significantly larger budget that also caps rate rises to the State Government peg of 3.9%. “Council recently went out to the community to find out what they wanted Council to deliver. You told us roads, stormwater, drains, waste management, flood mitigation, youth services and housing,” he said.“We listened and that is the focus of this year’s draft budget. Now we want to hear back from the community again to make sure we got it right. “This is not a back-to-basics budget, this is about investing in the right areas across all Council operations to strengthen Lismore’s economy and create a city and villages that attract people to come live, work and raise a family. “We are investing significantly more in our 750km sewer and water network and 1215km road network, which most people don’t realise is a network greater than the distance from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney.” Under the draft budget, $184.6 million will be invested on roads and bridges, up from $74 million the previous financial year, $28.6 million will be spent on Lismore’s sewer system assets, up from $13 million and $1.04 million is being set aside to invest in drains, which represents a 25% increase in investment from the previous budget. The total budget is $430.5 million, up from $301.1 million for 2024-2025, with a forecast to deliver a cash surplus. “This significant uplift in investment for Lismore was achieved by Council’s ongoing and effective lobbying of Australian and State governments and strong advocacy efforts by civic leaders following the 2022 natural disaster,” Mayor Krieg said. “We have successfully lobbied the Government to fund 10 major resilience infrastructure projects, including upgrades to pump stations at Browns Creek and Magellan Street, the installation of mechanical trash racks to protect inlets from debris, and a new fibre-optics link allowing for remote operations, monitoring and surveillance of current and future pump stations.” “Councillors also understand people are doing it tough with the rising cost of living, that’s why we have frozen rates at the State Government’s rate peg of 3.9%. We are also delivering a 0% increase in rates for inner CBD businesses to support them as they continue to recover,” Mayor Krieg said. "I want to acknowledge the hard work of our staff and Councillors in shaping a budget that strikes the right balance—responsible, forward-thinking, and built for the long-term prosperity of our community. “This budget is about delivering real results. “We're making a record capital works investment—injecting vital funds into the community to strengthen our infrastructure, improve services, and support the priorities that people have told us matter most.”The draft Budget will be on public exhibition until 12 June. To view the budget and make a submission, click here.You can have your say on the new Lismore Community Strategic Plan 2025-2035 by clicking here.

On the second of May, Lismore and the Northern Rivers farewelled Commander (Cmdr) of the Richmond Police District, Scott Tanner. Cmdr Tanner moved to western Sydney to be the Cmdr of Liverpool and Green Valley Police District.Cue the introductions for the Richmond Police District's new Commander, Dave Roptell. Cmdr Roptell joins us from the Tweed Byron Police District, where he spent six and a half years.As you would expect, Cmdr Roptell has had an extensive career in the NSW Police Force. He is looking to go above and beyond to help prevent youth crime, not just lock them up.Cmdr Roptell is a Sydney boy who joined the police force in January 1990, thirty-five years ago, in southwest Sydney, so Campsie and Lakemba. He was promoted to Sergeant at Bankstown before being promoted again as an Inspector at Rose Bay, in Sydney's Eastern suburbs and then an Inspector at Redfern."Redfern really opened my eyes to engaging young people, vulnerable people, the Aboriginal community, and working really closely with them to form partnerships. And that was a real turning point in the way I was made to think and act and see the benefits of engaging the community positively through sport, like early morning boxing programs. I really took that on board," he told the Lismore App.Cmdr Roptell was then promoted to Superintendent as a staff officer to one of the Deputy Commissioners in Sydney before accepting an appointment as a Commander in one of the Police Transport Commands, looking after the south/southwest of the state, which included South West Sydney, down to the border of Bega.Due to his days in Redfern and his understanding of engaging youth, the NSW Police Commissioner asked Cmdr Roptell to set up a Youth and Crime Prevention Command in 2018."For 12 months, I set that command up, working really closely with the PCYC to set a different platform for engaging young people. Then I was asked to come up to Tweed Byron as the commander. I took up that opportunity in January 2019, and now I'm here at the Richmond Police District."While Cmdr Roptell has had a predominantly operational policing role within the NSW Police Force, he did have some secondments in the Close Personal Protection field. This involved looking after Prime Minister John Howard for a couple of weeks and led to meeting world leaders, such as US President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin.While they were highlights of his policing career so far, Cmdr Roptell names COVID-19 and the 2022 floods as his biggest highlights."Lismore, obviously, was the centre of attention, but the Tweed area was as well, particularly the Murwillumbah and Mullumbimby townships were lost for a while. I just saw the resilience in the community there, and in parts of Byron Bay, out in the far west parts of the district, with landslides and so forth."It was amazing that we only lost two people during that time. Two people were too many; this is up in the Tweed, but that was a very challenging time for two or three months of managing the flood and then the after-effects."Then there was the COVID period as well. We all had to deal with the restrictions from a policing/law enforcement side. But what made it unique up at Tweed was the border."Bordering the Gold Coast was very, very challenging, because my understanding is it's the sixth largest city in Australia, and a lot of people lived in New South Wales and vice versa, in Queensland, that commuted across the border each day to work. But when the border was closed, that was a massive challenge for anti-social behaviour and protests. Having five or six thousand people up at the border for three or four weeks running with limited resources was a big challenge for us. We had specialists come up from Sydney to help us."It really opened my eyes up and gave me an understanding of why people were upset about not getting to work and doing the simple things in life, like getting medication."Cmdr Roptell had eighty (80) police officers living in Queensland but working for the NSW Police Force at that stage, who were not permitted to cross the border. Alternative arrangements were set up in Queensland so that those officers would work and support other officers at Tweed Heads.(Commander Dave Roptell (middle) with the latest batch of new recruits at the Lismore Police Station)What does Cmdr Dave Roptell hope to achieve in the Richmond Police District?"I find policing is very similar, especially in my position as a leader, like we're dealing with emergencies, emergency management, anti-social behaviour and crime. That's all the same. So, wherever you go, you should be able to just pick up your skills and deal with it. The only difference, I suppose, is that Tweed itself was very, very busy, just bordering Coolangatta. So, a lot more people gather in the CBD, like Byron Bay, as a holiday place."From what I can see, Lismore is probably not as busy in the CBD as in a lot of people walking around, going to the shops. You still have people doing that, and there's still anti-social behaviour. I'm not watering it down by any stretch, but what I am going to do, so I get a feel for it is, in the coming weeks, we are running a high profile operation in the Lismore CBD, working in with council, focusing on shoplifting, focusing on anti social behaviour, compliance, all that type of stuff, just to get an idea of what's out there in the CBD, and obviously, to reassure the community that we're around."A similar exercise at The Tweed achieved good results, so Cmdr Roptell hopes for similar results for Lismore, Ballina, and Casino in the coming months.Cmdr Roptell's days in Redfern have helped him continue the good work started by Scott Tanner, and that is engaging with young people every Wednesday. In Casino, there is a project called Hometown Hero that is designed to prevent youth offenders from reoffending and falling into a life of crime."Basically, we're looking at leaders in the community that are still youngish, like leaders of the local football club, Aboriginals, to play a game of touch, boxing, looking at some of their heritage, like turtle hunting. There are kids that are vulnerable, when I say kids, I mean 16 or 17-year-olds who have not had the cleanest life, so to speak. But I have the utmost respect for them, and I tell you why."I'd only met them twice, and I had a boxing fight three weeks ago, and I had only been at this command at the time for two weeks. The fight was on a Wednesday up at Fortitude Valley in Brisbane, and I'd already formed a relationship, only going to this program twice. As part of it, I suggested that the young people come up from the Hometown Hero project and support me. And they did. 15 of them jumped in the bus and travelled up and supported me, and that meant so much to me. That has just formed that really, really strong relationship."On top of that, from a youth crime perspective, it's not just here, but it's a number of districts to the west and up here in the North, we are focusing on high visibility, locking up serious offenders for breaking into homes, stealing cars, all that type of stuff. Youth crime has now turned around dramatically. We've really shown our force with youth crime."But having said that, it needs a bit more. And the bit more is, once again, those engagements I'm talking about. One thing I'm really focusing on as well is getting them employment. So ACMENA is the local holding detention centre at Coffs. I went down there on Tuesday, where I saw one of those major offenders who is in there until October when he will be released, but he needs that direction when he gets out."So, I've been in contact with the meat works at Casino, who are very, very, very much on board to the point where they're willing to provide assistance to get these young people employment. So, I spoke to one of the leaders, and I gave him some homework. I said, right, next Tuesday, I'm coming back down. I want you to get a group of your mates from around the Richmond area, around Lismore, around Casino, wherever, and I'm going to bring someone from the meatworks, an employer, who is going to sit down with you and we're going to talk about what options you're going to have. But, it's going to start when you're inside here to hopefully get you employment, so when you're released, you're not going back to where you came from. "We can only try, and hopefully, this type of approach should have a positive effect."Cmdr Roptell went on to explain that if the youth have difficulties in getting to work, the Casino meatworks is looking for solutions to help break previous patterns."What assistance do they need? Is it washing their clothes? Is it picking them up in a bus? What can we do to get them to come on board to help them? These youth are coming from humble beginnings, something we all take for granted. The Youth Officers at ACMENA have a program where they mow the lawn, but some don't even know what a lawn mower is. So, it just shows you that they haven't been shown or given that opportunity in life."As you can read, Commander Dave Roptell is cut from the same cloth as Scott Tanner. It is not only about policing in the Richmond Police District, but it is about prevention when it comes to youth crime, which hopefully leads to fewer people in incarceration.On the personal side, Dave Roptell is married to Alicia, loves the South Sydney Rabbitohs and boxing.He has had about nine fights, including a recent semi-professional fight in Brisbane."It was a very, very good experience. And, yeah, I just really enjoyed it. Hopefully, my next fight will be in August, it will be the Golden Gloves up on the Gold Coast. I competed in that one last year, and went well, and hopefully the World Masters at the end of the year, around October, up on the Gold Coast again."It appears as though we have another excellent Commander at the helm of the Richmond Police District.

As Norco Primex 2025 wrapped up yesterday, Bruce Wright, the event coordinator, reflected on what has been produced, the difficulties, the highlights, and what happens from here.“We've had a great bunch of exhibitors come in this year, and I think they're a lot more understanding of the conditions that the whole North Coast has been facing. So the weather continues to be a challenge to all of us, but overall, it's been all very positive,” Bruce explained.The weather impacts the success of the show - the vendors and the visitors, Bruce confirms that. But the people at the show were there - not avoiding it because of an external force, but adapting to the conditions.(Gumboots were standard attire for Primex 2025)“Everyone's over the rain. But I think, since the floods, it's like everyone's over the whole finding resilience. It’s built into people naturally - they want to drive forward and find the opportunity.“It has been said that mud makes money. Look at what's happening in South Australia and Victoria, where they've got concrete ground. They can't plant, it's hard to do anything. So it's a weighing up of the type of challenge you've got, and then working out how you're best to move through that.”Bruce explains that solutions, possibilities and workarounds are part of why Primex exists - to provide alternatives and better ways to do things.“The highlight when I put this event on is the fact that there are more opportunities coming to light. It's not one specific stand, but when you've got the industry groups here that can advocate, like the soybean growers and Soy Australia, providing that whole Paddock to Plate experience.”Primex is the only show of its kind between Newcastle and Bundaberg, and Bruce believes this is why the show is so important to such a productive area.“There are so many different organisations coming here and supporting industries that we need. In lots of ways, the relevance of Primex is based on the fact that there is not a huge amount of support nearby.”Bruce is well aware of the benefits of a show of this calibre. “We've proven for years now that we average about $40 to $70 million worth of sales generated in the 12 months following the event.(At the Working Dog Auction, the first dog sold for $18,500)“Our farm gate production value is over a billion dollars. But one highlight last night was the farmers. Without it, we don't get out there and praise them and say, these are all the great things we're doing as a farming community.“When we all come together, all sharing experiences, you know what innovation there is. That's probably a part of the celebration for Primex, because it's the only event that covers all agriculture.”So what makes Primex such a success? Bruce thinks it is in the collaboration that opens up for the region.“Primex advocates for the region. We've all got to come together, and we've all got to be more united in standing up for our region and looking for the things that are going to improve: lifestyle, business and all those elements going forward. “When it comes down to investing in something significantly, people want to have a face-to-face contact, find out more, and have that sort of shop front conversation, despite so much being online.“Also, farmers in our region are conscious that they're also looking for multiple revenue streams. They can't just rely on putting all their eggs in one basket for one industry. One alternative is looking at accommodating people on the farm as a revenue stream - it has become a popular choice.”Bruce is happy with the success of the off-site events that Primex has coordinated and how that deepens the conversations for the agricultural industry. The Young Aggies that were launched this year, networking events and discussions to name a few.“In 1985, when my father first started, it probably had about 40 exhibitors. They were probably 90-something per cent local businesses and dealerships. And now it's evolved. “There's a huge appetite for Primex, and that was shown last year. I think it's just things like the weather conditions, and this year with the federal election and cost of living that has affected the vendor numbers. We've had a good range of visitors coming through despite everything.” Bruce looks forward to getting feedback from those who have attended this year, to delve into what worked and what can be improved on, as tomorrow's job is to start preparing for 2026!(Bruce Wright and Bella, the brains behind Norco Primex)

Startup company, Paladin Space, has demonstrated the world’s first space payload capable of capturing debris from multiple targets and storing it on satellites for recycling, reducing the cost of space debris removal and making the process more sustainable. The company showcased their technology, called Triton, at a private demonstration event yesterday at the University of South Australia's Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC).The next steps will be to demonstrate the technology in orbit, secure pilot customers and perform qualification testing for a space mission. The company is also expecting to share news of an overseas expansion in the coming months.Space debris is a growing issue that poses significant threats to satellites and space missions. The large volume of debris, combined with its high velocity, creates a collision risk with potential to damage satellites and space infrastructure.A report by Northern Sky Research found that the 'In-Orbit Servicing Market' is expected to reach $4.7 billion by 2031, and roughly half of that market is debris removal and salvaging.Founder of Paladin Space, Harrison Box says their product will be able to capture multiple pieces of debris in a single mission.“Triton will make the process of debris removal more sustainable and cost-effective while also being able to eject its contents on space targets, preserving the spacecraft in orbit to be reused for other missions,” he says.Their solution means Triton will eject its contents from the parent satellite at a very specific time so that its trajectory will not interfere with anyone else’s satellites. Shortly after ejection, Triton will descend into the Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to burn up completely within a matter of hours.The team are designing Triton to be compatible with future in-orbit recycling solutions so its contents can be delivered in-orbit as materials for manufacturing.“We are designing Triton to be able to dock easily with these in-orbit manufacturing stations so that the contents it collects can be recycled into metal rods or sheets for manufacturing satellites,” Mr Box says.“Not only is this practice sustainable, but incredibly cost-effective for satellite manufacturers to ‘skip’ the launch phase of a mission and simply build their assets in space.”The Triton container is designed to capture many small pieces of debris, such as fragments from collisions. However, the product is scalable depending on the mission. If a customer wants a larger volume, they could achieve 600mm (0.6m) cubed, or smaller missions may only require 300mm (0.3m) cubed.Paladin Space participated in UniSA’s space accelerator program Venture Catalyst Space in 2023, supported by the South Australian Space Industry Centre.Deputy Director: Business Incubation at the University of South Australia, Craig Jones, says the novel technology has the potential to make a huge impact on the space debris market.“Triton is on course to revolutionise the space debris industry and contribute to manufacturing in space, a mind-blowing proposition. We look forward to seeing it in action one day soon,” Jones says.“From placing second at an ICC global space hackathon, to participating in the Venture Catalyst Space program in 2023, we are incredibly proud to have played a small part in supporting this team to build their enterprise,” he says.Box says UniSA’s support and infrastructure continue to be instrumental to the success of his business.“The advice I received in the early days helped to shape everything from our pitch deck to the financial accounting for our business, including areas like employability, beach-head markets, problem validation and general customer acquisition practices.“Having an office space to prototype and run our business from was also a game-changer that allowed Paladin Space to be put on the map, and I am still honoured to be a resident at the Innovation & Collaboration Centre - despite the team growing larger.”Box says he plans to keep his company headquarters in South Australia as they grow, for as long as the government continues to support the space industry.Venture Catalyst Space has supported 40 startups that have collectively raised almost $43 million in additional investment and grants, while creating almost 240 space jobs.

The NSW Government is investing $14 million to strengthen support for people with a cognitive impairment who come into contact with the justice system.  The Government is extending funding for the Justice Advocacy Service (JAS), which helps people understand their rights and responsibilities when interacting with police, legal representatives and the courts.  The service is run by the Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS) and has been extended for another two years until 30 June 2027.  It is available across the state, including in regional and remote areas, and has supported more than 9,000 people since 2019.  JAS also provides a voluntary diversion service helping eligible defendants to provide evidence of their impairment, apply for a diversion order, and access the NDIS and other support services.  This diversion service is available across six local courts – Lismore, Downing Centre, Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith and Gosford – and has helped more than 900 clients since 2022.  Attorney General Michael Daley said, “This funding extension ensures the Justice Advocacy Service can continue providing support to people with a cognitive impairment when they interact with police, legal representatives and the courts.  “This is important to ensure equitable access to justice and fairness for vulnerable community members.”  Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said, “Legal processes can be complex for anyone – but for people with a cognitive impairment, navigating the courts without adequate support can result in unjust outcomes with life shattering consequences.  “Thanks to the Justice Advocacy Service, people with cognitive impairment can access the support and advice they need as witnesses, victims or defendants.  “By extending this funding, we’re backing a service that makes sure people’s needs are understood which helps to ensure everyone in our courts gets a fair hearing.”  Intellectual Disability Rights Service Chief Executive Officer Joanne Yates said, “The Justice Advocacy Service supports more than 2,500 people with a cognitive impairment in their criminal proceedings each year.  “JAS advocates contribute to the effective operations of the courts. Our work is critical in supporting vulnerable people with intellectual disability. This includes keeping them out of prison and diverting them into support services as appropriate.  “We welcome the extension of our vital funding for these next two years and thank the Attorney General and the Minister for their ongoing support”.  A former Justice Advocacy Service client said, “JAS saved me when I was at my lowest point in life and through their work has given me so many opportunities. I’m working and I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.  “It changes lives in so many ways, support is unreal, they spend extra time with court matters.  “It will keep a lot of people out of prison, having the diversion in courts is really beneficial for people with intellectual disability as it is keeping them out of somewhere that will make them even more vulnerable than they already are.”  

The sun finally came out yesterday, and so did the crowd, as more than 3,300 people came through the gates for the annual Gemfest event at the Lismore Showground.Sure, it was muddy underfoot in places, and boots were the fashion of the day, but the gems, minerals, and jewellery were on display, and keen customers were looking for items that would look good in the home or on the body. And there was something for every budget, from $2 to $7,000.Organisers from the Lismore Lapidary & Gem Club were slightly worried when celebrating their 60th birthday on Friday night, with the rain pouring down. By the time they woke up, 35mm had fallen in Lismore and the skies were grey.(Celebrating their 60th birthday Friday night and accepting a presentation were Lismore Gem & Lapidary Club's Jenny Vyrenhoek, Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, President Rod Knight, Karen Hogan and founding member Heather Bolton)Those fears were washed away, pun intended, when people began lining up at the gates from 8:30am."It was just a busy first day at Gemfest," Vice President Jenny Vyrenhoek told the Lismore App. "We had a thousand people in by 10 o'clock this morning. We didn't know what to expect after last night's rain.""I want to thank Richmond Sand & Gravel. They let us come over and grab whatever gravel we needed to help with the worst of the mud. We've put down hay and mulch to try and mop up the wet areas."The lack of parking spaces didn't prove a problem because more than 1,000 people caught the Gemfest bus, while others found some dry ground to park their cars.A typical Saturday entry is closer to 5,000 people, but that didn't bother Jenny. "I think it's been exceptional really," she said.There are over 140 tailgaters who were also happy that Lismore turned out once again under difficult circumstances. Christine and Doug drove down from Bribie Island with their two dogs. They love coming to Lismore because of the diverse age of attendees. "There are young people and older people. A lot of the time we go to other areas where the people are mainly old," Christine shared.An early start is the order of the day for tomorrow because of the earlier closing time of 3pm, so the tailgaters can hit the road for their next destination or travel home."We'll be happy if we make the same numbers tomorrow," Jenny said, "And if it is fine again like this, I can't see why we wouldn't."There were plenty of food and drink options, and the gem-fossicking area at the front of the main pavilions was busy with children finding gemstones and minerals.Gemfest opens at 9am at the Lismore Showground and closes at 3pm. Buses run from 9am to 1pm, leaving from the Lismore Transit Centre on Molesworth Street, then picking up further down Molesworth Street at the Koori Mail for those who would like to park at the Browns Creek carpark. It will be running from 2pm to 3pm for the run home.Cost is only $5 for adults and $1 for kids.

The review into the principle of doli incapax in New South Wales, led by the State Parole Authority’s Geoffrey Bellew SC and former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Jeffrey Loy, could have significant impacts on the state's juvenile justice system, according to not-for-profit out-of-home care provider, CASPA. They say, considering the positions held by Bellew and Loy, it could be assumed that the review’s outcome will be ‘tough on crime’.Doli incapax is the common law presumption that children aged 10 to 14 are not capable of understanding the difference between right and wrong, making it unethical to hold them criminally responsible. Removal of this principle will lead to younger children being prosecuted and incarcerated, which, CASPA says, considering the current state and effectiveness of the youth justice system, is concerning. The ABC’s recently released footage from the Reiby Youth Justice Centre depicting the violent assault on a young person is an example of what could await children if held criminally responsible. The NSW Premier has this year announced that more young people were in prison and being denied bail. "Proof," he said, "that the plan to lock up more kids is working." Caspa said that neither the Premier nor the Attorney General were able to provide evidence that this was the case. Research does, however, indicate that exposure to the criminal justice system increases the likelihood of reoffence. Naarah Rodwell, CEO of not-for-profit out-of-home care (OOHC) provider, CASPA, is uniquely positioned to understand the long-lasting consequences for children caught up with the criminal justice system. “CASPA works with children who have experienced complex trauma, family violence and neglect far too young. Inevitably, many of these young people also come in contact with the criminal justice system,” she says.“Locking up children as young as 10 without consideration for how these environments magnify their childhood traumas and cause further harm does not address the issue’s true cause. Instead, it continues the generational cycle of disadvantage and abuse.”Extensive research shows that while the adolescent brain is still developing, exposure to abuse and violence in youth justice facilities can profoundly impact a young person’s future. Once caught within the system, there is an increased risk of reoffending. It is crucial to direct children and young people away from this trajectory and towards interventions that address their underlying vulnerabilities.A recent NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) report found the youth justice system has a significant overrepresentation of regional, remote children and Aboriginal children under 14, and that two-thirds of allegations were for non-violent crimes. CASPA says it is not through further incarceration, but through providing trauma-informed care, mental health support, and educational opportunities, that young people, but especially those from these communities, can heal and build a better future. The impact of removing the principle of doli incapax from NSW common law promises to be significant:Young children will no longer be protected: Doli incapax is a safeguard that protects children aged 10 to 14. Its removal will mean younger children being incarcerated.Burden of proof not required for incarceration: To incarcerate someone under 14 years of age, the prosecution must prove they can understand the wrongness of their actions. This would no longer be the case if doli incapax were removed. Developmental considerations no longer needed: Recognising that children's brains are still developing, doli incapax ensures children are not unjustly punished for actions they may not fully comprehend. Current facilities not appropriate for young children: If younger, more vulnerable children are being prosecuted and incarcerated, there are significant concerns about the current youth justice system and its appropriateness, effectiveness and safety.  Impact on rehabilitation: Without the protection of doli incapax, there is a risk that children could be subjected to punitive measures rather than rehabilitative support. This would amplify existing trauma and increase the risk of reoffence, rather than addressing the root cause of their behaviour. As advocates for vulnerable children and young people, CASPA implores the government to reevaluate this approach to youth justice. “If the government is serious about preventing youth crime,” says Rodwell, “the focus should be on the lived experience and the suffering of children and young people, rather than the misplaced notion that doli incapax is just a way for them to avoid consequences. Locking up more children will not result in our communities being safer in the long term.”Doli incapax plays a crucial role in ensuring the legal system treats young children fairly and according to their developmental capacity. It provides a buffer so that children on the trajectory to a life of offending and reoffending can break the cycle and be diverted to rehabilitation and support services. Its potential removal could have far-reaching consequences for the futures of vulnerable young offenders.

Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, has welcomed four great active transport projects to help school students get to school safely and improve walking access for all. The funding announced today includes:More than $800,000 for the North Lismore Connections project to deliver safe pathways linking North Lismore residents to the CBD, sportsfields, showgrounds and the planned new Richmond River High Campus.The Dibbs Street – School to Hospital project will create an active transport link to Lismore Public School and Lismore Base Hospital. This will benefit students, staff and the community and encourage walking.In Murwillumbah, there is a project to upgrade pedestrian facilities on Queensland Road with three raised crossings, which will particularly benefit students travelling to Mount St Patrick School.And Wiangaree Public school students will benefit from the building and upgrading of the footpath and kerbs from Summerland Way, along Kunghur Street.“All of these projects are about making it easier and safer for people to take active transport options, to walk safely to school or link residents to key places.“Today is Walk to School Day, and it is projects like this that make it so much easier for our children to walk or ride a bike to school and start a healthy exercise habit that is such a good start in life.

If you are unsure whether to jump in the car and head to the final day of Norco Primex, let us convince you it is. The weather is a part of the experience; it adds to the authenticity. Just put on your boots.If you forget your gumboots go to Bisley Workwear, they have you covered!On the things to see list is the working dog demos. Dogs are such agile creatures, and this is as close to their natural state you want to see them - observing, diving and ducking out of the way just in time. These are star acrobats, tacticians and daredevils all rolled into one. 9.30 to 10 am in the southwest corner.The Dinky Di Rail is a novel way to get around. It is free to use and very easy to call out and let them know you want to stop at whatever you see!The cooking demos are always inspiring and often a treat, if not there, when you get to try it at home. There are plenty of amazing BBQ and smokehouse stalls to satisfy any hunger pains. From 10 to 11 a.m., there are two shows in Pavilion 2 and some others in the afternoon.There are always the happy CWA ladies in the back of Pavilion 1 who have all kinds of delicacies to tempt you. There are ladies from a lot of branches all over the region working together to raise money to help support kids transitioning into higher levels of schooling.(CWA ladies, Jo, Elly, Carol and Jennifer. I can recommend the raspberry and lemon cake!)Karen Hurst and Tina Irish from Lismore City Council's Destination Lismore are launching Lismore’s “Great Pie Trail” at Primex. The trail names all the wonderful bakeries and pie shops to investigate around the area.“We discovered on our travels that every little village and town made a really good pie. So this is a fun pie field adventure that you won't forget,” said Karen.“There's something for everyone. You’ve got savoury, you've got sweet, and we even do exotic flavours really well in our region.”The most unusual flavour is Prawn Laksa at Modanville, which is one of the more isolated destinations.“But the drive is beautiful, and the views from town are amazing once you are there,” said Tina.  Make sure you get a pie voucher when you visit them… Southern Cross University is running a hands-on demonstration using microscopes to understand soil health. However, you will only get the full experience between 10.30 and 11 a.m. The microscopes are part of their display (H12), but this gives you an in-depth look.It gives you a deeper sense of appreciation for the food on your plate when you see all the work that goes into obtaining the right animals, fencing them in, feeding and nourishing them and keeping them healthy, getting the right amount of food and water to them in a weed-free location… Farming is a highly complex workflow of knowledge, technology and coordination.The NSW Government Land Services pavilions have great displays, focusing on safety and caring for the land we depend on so much. There is also great entertainment with the Wildlife Twins, live music, and some demos of pretty crazy-big drones…If you are on the verge of looking for an industry to work in, there are some great opportunities here, whether it is in industry or training to get to where you would like to be. If in doubt, ask. I have found people are happy to share their stories at Primex.Getting up close and personal with some of the animals can be a real treat, too. Tiffany from the Yugilbah Station, a big Santa Gertrudis heifer, is keen to get a scratch from anyone. Hold your hand out, and she will do the rest. Over at the east end, there are LOTS of modes of transport, from farm plants to luxury vehicles and helicopters to see. At CAT, the kids can practice their digging in the sand pit, or you can just wonder about FIFity.For those who like stealth photo bombing tech, Phil and Luke at Falcon UAV have a treat for you. Their stealth-looking drones take near-infrared imagery that can see things that the human eye can’t.“The drones take special imagery that detects crop health. If a question area is found, you can go in and do testing on that soil. And then rectify by treating that specific area with the nutrients and the right biologicals it needs,” says Phil.  Luke adds, “The nutrients to make that area ultra performing - the right amounts, in the right places. You save money, but because you're getting exactly what you need, where you need it.”“Farming with a scalpel, not a Stanley knife!” quips Phil.(Phil and Luke with their stealth photo bomber.)That last phrase sums up a lot of what is on offer at Primex. Technology and ideas that make farming easier and more efficient.  See you there! Gates open from 9am at the Richmond Valley Events Centre in Casino.

A fabulous Friday until the trough from Queensland makes its way to the Northern Rivers tonight. Once the showers ease early tomorrow morning (Saturday), the weather should start to improve for the weekend.It doesn't mean the rain will disappear, and we will see clear blue skies, but it does mean a shower or two and a 50-60% chance of rain with blue sky appearing at times.Certainly, some positive news for the organisers of Gemfest and Primex and those wishing to get along to each event.Norco Primex 2025 has its final day tomorrow, with a full schedule of events, which you can read below. Saturday is typically Primex's busiest day as exhibitors look to make the most of wet 2025.Gates open at 9am and close at 4pm. at the Richmond Valley Events Centre in Casino.As for Gemfest, their gates also swing open at 9am tomorrow and close at 4pm, with Sunday's times 9am to 3pm.About 150 tailgaters have arrived in Lismore with a plethora gemstones, minerals, fossils and jewellery that always attract large crowds into the Lismore Showgrounds in North Lismore.Due to the continuous rainfall and the sodden ground, there is very limited parking available for the general public. There are disabled parking spots available and a pickup/drop-off area.You are encouraged to use the free shuttle bus that will be running from the CBD to the North lismore War Memorial, and then a short walk to the main gates.There are two pick-up points in the CBD. The first at the Transit Centre on Molesworth Street, and the second opposite Browns Creek carpark at the Koori Mail.The free shuttle bus will run from 9am to 1pm on a continuous 10 minute loop and again from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday and 2pm to 3pm on Sunday.You can get a 2-for-1 event deal at the Lismore Showgrounds. Visit the Lismore Farmers Markets, open from 7:30am, and then make your way to Gemfest.On Sunday, the Lismore Free Market is on at the Lismore Community Gardens on Brewster Street between 9am and 11am.Yes, all items are free. Nothing is for sale, can be bartered or traded. Items include food, household items, books, bikes, toys etc.While talking about free things to do around town, the Lismore Workers Club has a free concert on Saturday night with Tommy Memphis on stage playing songs that shaped the generation who grew up in the 1980s.Click here to book your free ticket.Coming up at the Workers Club is:Who's Bad - a tribute to Michael Jackson on Friday, May 30.Kevin Bloody Wilson on Wednesday, June 25Dorothy the Dinosaur on Sunday, July 27 at 10am and 12noon.Live music at the Northern Rivers Hotel, Bridge Street, North Lismore this weekend, includes Adam Gardiner tonight (Friday) from 7pm to 10pm and Lonesome Boatmen and special guests for the Sunday Session from 2:30pm.There are a couple more events to put in your calendar:Beef Week - 24 May to 1 JuneLismore Lantern Parade - 21 JuneSome good news at the petrol bowsers with fuel prices down about 3 cents a litre at various service stations. Diesel owners will save money in the three main centres.Here is the list of the cheapest service stations, saving you the most money in each town:E10 is 175.9 across Lismore, 172.4 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 159.5 at the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 169.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road near the Workers Club in Lismore, 174.4 at The United and the NightOwl Puma on Johnston Street in Casino, and 161.9 at the BP North ballina on Southern Cross Drive.U95 is 185.5 at the two Independents (Brad and Sharon) on Terania Street, North Lismore, 193.9 at the EG Ampol on Canterbury Street, and 173.9 at The Shell at 273 River Street, Ballina.U98 is 193.9 at the Astron and the Liberty on Ballina Road in Lismore and the Liberty on Union Street, South Lismore, 194.9 at Liberty's on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino, and 183.9 at The Shell on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 175.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road and the Caltex on Leycester Street in Lismore, 177.4 at The United and NightOwl Puma in Casino, and 182.5 at The Mobil and The Metro on River Street in Ballina.Have a great weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

A sunny Friday at Primex has brought out the crowds, but it is still gumboot weather as Simon Stahl, CEO of the Casino Food Coop, says, “I forgot mine, and I am going to pay for that later!”Today's focus has been on food and the future, with a couple of Paddock to Plate events, cooking demos, and a celebrity chef event.  Mindy Woods, a proud Bundjalung woman, chef, author and advocate of all things connection, talked about Land Care on Bush Tucker.Mindy has a coolamon packed with all kinds of fruits and leaves. She said, “On the beautiful north coast, we have 6,500 ingredients that are unique to this place.”(Celebrity Chef, Mindy Woods at Primex today)Mindy pointed out some of the foods, “And here is everyone's favourite, the Bagu Alum, the finger lime, the original citrus of the world.“A lot of people don’t realise that Oranges, lemons and limes actually originate from this beautiful food from the Big Scrub.”The future of farming is a major issue today, with tech and land planning taking a front seat.Local Land Services (LLS) hosted a morning tea with the Minister for Agriculture, MP Tara Moriarty, addressing some of the most pressing issues - biosecurity.Ms Moriarty spoke of a $10 million grant for the Good Neighbour program. “It is about coordinating how we are tackling high-priority weeds," she said."I've had a look at some of the work we are doing around the Soda Apple, and we've got to throw everything at these problems."Janelle Saffin, the NSW Minister for Recovery, joined her in support of the program, as did some of the board members from the LLSJolyon Burnett said, “This is greatly appreciated. We have such a high volume of people, area and diversity of land uses in the region. So our staff are dealing with every rural issue you could imagine."A greater focus on biosecurity in the Good Neighbour Program, which is about helping landholders work more effectively with neighbours, often local and state government agencies, is appreciated."Simon Stahl spoke of the importance of Ms Moriarty’s announcement, “ LLS are doing some good work with farmers in our district. She was very informative."That, and wear gumboots are my big takeaways!"In other areas of Primex, the competition is rife. Down at the dog trials, Butch started the day off, as the commentator said “letting off some steam” as he put his heifers through the yard.There is a young contingent from Yugilbah, riding the Dinki Di trains, making the most of what the day offers. Mackiinlay, Olivia, Jewel, Dusty, Logan, Clay and Hunter are all having a great time. (Photo - kids on Dinky Di train)There is plenty to see and do. Zoey can help you with fencing, and Steven Rogers at the Natural Rice Company would like to speak to you if you have waterlogged land - the more the better as far as he is concerned!The rural Boys in Blue, Sam and Lee, are keen to talk to you about things that go awry in the rural world. They deal with crime in agriculture, pastoral and aquaculture. Lee said that “Crime is generally under-reported in these areas.”Sam explained that even if your tractor is emptied of fuel, it's easy to just move on - no one talks about it. “That is often 120l of fuel. We ask if they have spoken to the neighbours. If this kind of thing is happening in an area and we know about it, we can do something.”Everywhere you go, there are people here providing solutions. There is so much information and entertainment on offer at Primex. It's definitely worth a visit. Norco Primex's final day is tomorrow (Saturday) at the Richmond Valley Events Centre in Casino from 9am to 4pm.

The weekend weather is looking more optimistic than during the week, as the Bureau of Meteorology say showers easing on Saturday and a shower or two on Sunday.Certainly good news for those attending Lismore Gemfest 2025 at the Lismore Showground.The rain has caused the Lismore Gem & Lapidary Club, organisers of Gemfest, to cancel car parking on the grass off the Dunoon Road entrance. The risk of cars getting bogged and long term damage to the grass is too high.The result is that car parking will be restricted to off-street, which will entail a walk to the entrance gates. They too are limited as Council has restrictions in certain areas of the showground.There will be disabled parking and a drop-off section near the main gates on Alexandra Parade.Jenny Vyrenhoek, the club's Vice President, is taking a realistic view and is encouraging people to use the free bus shuttle over the two days."Look, there's nothing we can do about the weather; it is what it is. It's totally out of our hands. I know the people of Lismore and surrounds will come to the showgrounds and support Genfest, as they do every year."This is the reason we started the free bus shuttle service. People can park in the CBD, near the Transit Centre or at Browns Creek (Molesworth Street end), where a bus will pick up and drop off, and travel to the North Lismore War Memorial. Then it is a short walk through the main gates," Jenny explained."The longest you will wait is 10 minutes, as the shuttle bus is on a loop."The good news is that the $1.4 million road safety works that were completed in 2024 will play their part in helping you get around the showgrounds over the weekend.The 1.1 kilometres of new road network and drainage means walking around the 150 tailgaters to view and buy the precious gemstones, opals, and fossils will be dry and not involve mud. Of course, if you venture onto the grass, it will still be soft and potentially muddy underfoot, so boots are the order of the day. Many of the tailgaters will display in the top three sheds at the northern end of the showground.Lismore Gemfest 2025 opens tomorrow (Saturday) from 9am to 4pm and 9am to 3pm on Sunday at the Lismore Showgrounds on Alexandra Parade, North Lismore.The free shuttle bus runs on a 10-minute loop, between 9am & 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm on Saturday and 9am to 1pm, and 2pm to 3pm on Sunday.This year, there are more food and drink options, with Potato Works, Thai Kitchen, Goonellabah PS P&C (sausage rolls, pies, sandwiches), Haps Health Bar, Authentic South Indian Food, the Speedway Takeaway, Lismore City Lions Club, Bugsy's Ice Cream Van, Amici Italian Food Van, and Coffeee Addictions.

The NSW Government is in the middle of a three-day blitz to keep invasive fire ants out of NSW, with joint teams of personnel from NSW Police, Heavy Vehicle Regulation Authority and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) undertaking random compliance checks of heavy vehicles entering NSW from Queensland as part of a $95 million investment to eradicate the destructive insects.The Government’s plan is to prevent fire ants from taking hold in NSW by raising awareness amongst communities and businesses on both sides of the border, and establishing a community-wide monitoring effort, so that any infestations are identified early and then quickly eradicated.The Government’s team for conducting this sixth wave of Operation Victa brings together biosecurity specialists, vehicle regulators, Police, and Transport officials to pull over vehicles, check their compliance credentials and inspect their loads and vehicle condition.Over five previous waves, 382 heavy vehicles have been stopped, with 14 vehicles returned to Qld under individual biosecurity directions for failing to meet entry requirements, plus issuing 13 penalty notices and 3 warnings. (NSW Minister for Agriculture at Operation Victa. Photo: supplied)This sixth wave of Operation Victa is a 3-day operation with NSW Police and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator that started yesterday (Thursday, 15 May) until Saturday, 17 May, at three key locations in the north of the state in Chinderah, Yelgun and Jennings.This follows the NSW Government’s suspension of turf being moved from Queensland Fire Ant-infested areas into NSW in November last year. The Government then cracked down on the movement of hay after the near cyclone Tracey period in April, suspending any movement of hay into NSW from Queensland.In February this year the NSW Government ensured that two Queensland businesses were prosecuted and then separately convicted in the NSW Local Court for breaching biosecurity regulations and in total ordered to pay $60,000. These successful prosecutions highlight the effectiveness of the Minns Government's surveillance and compliance activities. DPIRD has now issued over 100 biosecurity directions and 22 penalty notices totalling more than $39,000 since the fire ant emergency was declared in August 2023.Anyone moving high-risk fire ant carriers such as soil, mulch, hay, sand, and plants must be aware of treatment and handling requirements according to the Biosecurity Emergency Order before they can be moved into NSW from the Queensland fire ant-infested area.For more information on fire ants, call the Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244 or visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fire-ants. NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said, “The NSW Government takes the threat of red imported fire ants seriously and we've proven so far in 2025 that this hardline approach to protect NSW is necessary.“We’ve taken a risk-based approach. When the risk moves higher, we’ve made hard decisions, like suspending turf or hay movements.“Our Fire Ant Teams are working hard with other agencies to keep fire ants out of NSW. Swift response, focus, and agility is required as we must keep going because this threat requires diligence.“We also call for vigilance in the community, which is critical to the success of our program. We thank those community members whose quick actions calling our hotline have led to the state avoiding potential problems. “As I’ve said many times, fire ants aren’t marching into NSW, they’re being carried. This is why we increased funding for eradicating fire ants and boosted surveillance and control actions.”“Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, so it’s critical that businesses moving these types of materials comply with the Biosecurity Fire Ant Emergency Order.”

Thursdays are generally the quietest day each year for Norco Primex, but when you add in rainfall, the 2025 year got off to a slower start than normal.That didn't deter a positive attitude from exhibitors and the owner/organiser of Primex, Bruce Wright, who described this year's exhibitors as the most dedicated to the region."I think there was a lot that came in and got sort of turned away from the rain that the region copped last year. And as soon as there's a chance of rain coming again, they're not as dedicated, necessarily, than the ones we've got here this year."For the conditions we've had, this exhibitor list of 300 odd exhibitors has been very easy to deal with, in what you could call challenging for everybody. But it's a testament to them, as far as them just going, this is what we're dealing with every day, not just three days of Primex. This is the stuff that the region has had to deal with 365 days a year for nearly four years."There's adjustments that we've had to make with the site to accommodate it, because there's issues such as the north there that we've had to fiddle with to make sure we can accommodate and give exhibitors a better option here, and we've done everything we can to make it as a positive experience for them, and it's been reflected in the attitudes that they've come up with."Bruce Wright was well aware that the crowds would more than likely arrive at the Richmond Valley Events Centre in Casino as the weather clears. He wants to remind people that there is still plenty to see and do at Primex 2025."It's not like you can't get around. It's not like you can't engage with exhibitors, and you can't enjoy all the features that are here. There's the train, or the animal nursery or the live entertainment. There's the Paddock to Plate with Darren putting on demonstrations over the next two days, and all that. So, there's a huge amount to see and do.(Dressed for the conditions at Primex yesterday, Jess and son Achilles)"We're only on for three days in the year, and we can't determine the weather. But we can certainly determine the whole group of, I describe it as local, national, international brands and exhibitors coming in. That's the reason people should come, because we are here with the community to try and showcase and celebrate our region and its agriculture."So, for the three days in the year that it's on rain, hail or shine, that you come out and support the exhibitors that have traveled and spent a lot of money to be here, and we're doing the best we can to make sure that we can connect them with our farmers in our rural communities."As for the exhibitors yesterday, the always-smiling Ken Jolley, representing the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, received a very generous $250 donation from Hawkins Fire of Lismore.North Lismore's AJ Magnay attends Primex every year and hopes to make thousands over the three days."I'm a little bit concerned about the weather. It is a little bit wet underfoot, but there's plenty of exhibitors here and there's plenty of things to look at. Just bring your boots, be prepared, and turn up and have a look."Matt from Lismore Toyota has a lot of cars on display and is looking forward to meeting people he wouldn't normally meet at the dealership in South Lismore."It's a good event, and it's good interaction with the locals. The weather hasn't been kind, but it will fine up a little bit and there will be a few more people kicking around."Captain Phil from the Northern Rivers Salvation Army has been another regular at Norco Primex for the last five years."The Salvation Army has got a long history of support of our farmers and those on the land in many different spaces that have been through droughts and floods and all those things. So, just having a presence out here gives us an opportunity to connect to those in our community."We're out here, obviously promoting the work that we do in the Northern Rivers. We've got our catering truck on site, so people can come and have something to eat or have a tea or coffee because we've always got the billy on."We've had quite a number of school students today come through and have a look at what we do there, and it's good to chat to some of the others around the region. There may be some who want to put their hand up and volunteer with us when we get deployed in a disaster."We've got a dry spot under our marquees, we've got the Billy on, and it's just a nice spot for people to come and relax from wandering around the site and put their feet up for a few minutes."One exhibitor hit the nail on the head with his thoughts: "You make money from mud, not dust."The gates open again at 9am and close at 4pm on Friday and Saturday.The program for Friday is below, but note that the Working Dog Trials have been cancelled today.

Are you planning to build on newly purchased land? Are you a first home buyer trying to make the numbers work? Have you been flood-affected and want to relocate your house locally? Do you own land and want to add a second small home — a granny flat, tiny home or dual occupancy? Are you a developer or community housing group building affordable rental homes? If you answered yes to any of the above, you could be eligible for a one-off $15,000 grant under Council’s Housing Grant Program. The grants are designed to stimulate the construction of smaller, smarter, more affordable homes across the Lismore area — and they’re already making an impact. There are six clear categories under the scheme, including support for landowners adding a second dwelling, first-home buyers, flood-affected relocations, Reconstruction Authority buyback participants, community housing providers and developers building multi-unit projects for affordable rental.The grants are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until the full $1.2 million pool is committed. With nearly half already allocated, the time to apply is now.Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the program is part of Council’s broader push to improve housing diversity and affordability across the region.“This is a targeted, practical step we can take to help more people call Lismore home — especially those still recovering or trying to get a start in a tough housing market,” he said.“The response so far has been encouraging, but we know there are still many out there who qualify and just haven’t applied yet.”The grant is paid upon completion of the new dwelling, once an Occupation Certificate is issued. To be eligible, applicants must have lodged a Development Application, Complying Development Certificate or Section 68 application via the NSW Planning Portal.For details or to apply, visit https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Building-and-planning/Strategic-planning/Future-housing. 

The housing crisis is a problem not just in Lismore and the Northern Rivers but across the country. The crisis affects people across all walks of life, especially those in need of social housing.The state government may have found a solution after completing NSW’s first-ever 3D-printed social housing project in Dubbo, where it built two brand new homes, marking a major milestone in the state’s efforts to tackle the housing crisis.The two modern, two-bedroom homes will soon be home to Aboriginal social housing tenants. The project was delivered in only 20 weeks, less than half the usual 40-week timeline, thanks to innovative 3D-printing construction methods. The homes were created using approximately 70 tonnes of Contourcrete, a specially developed 3D-printable concrete mix produced by Contour3D. The concrete structures were printed in just 16 days.The success of the project showcases the promising potential of 3D-printing as a sustainable and efficient solution for building social and affordable homes across the state, delivering much needed homes faster to those in need.These homes will be ready for residents to move in this month, providing energy-efficient, low-maintenance housing built with recycled, environmentally friendly materials.This 3D-printed project gives local hope to sites identified as social and affordable, such as Cynthia Wilson Drive, where 40 new homes have been discussed since 2019 (twenty one-bedroom and twenty two-bedroom townhouses).(Photo: supplied)This first-of-its-kind build was a partnership between Aboriginal Sustainable Homes (ASH), Contour3D, and the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO),For more information visit: http://www.nsw.gov.au/homes-nsw/MMC.  Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said, “We’re proud to be the first to use 3D-printing technology for social housing in NSW—and even prouder to see it completed.“This is just the beginning. The success of this pilot proves 3D-printing can help us build quality homes faster, particularly in regional and remote areas where demand is high."This project shows that the NSW Government is committed to exploring every option to build more social and affordable homes faster, especially in regional and remote areas with strong housing demand.  “This project shows what’s possible when government, industry and community work together to find smart, sustainable solutions to the housing crisis.The Hon Stephen Lawrence MLC said, “It’s fantastic to see this groundbreaking project come to life in Dubbo, delivering much needed social housing through 3D-printing technology.“Finding new and creative ways to build homes faster and more efficiently is critical, especially for regional areas like Dubbo.“This is a great example of how new technologies can be harnessed to better serve our communities.”

Unintentional falls remain the leading cause of injury hospitalisation and death for women since 2017–18, responsible for 122,800 (57%) hospitalisations and 3,400 (58%) deaths in 2022–23, according to a new report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.Injury among women 2022– 23 explores the main causes of injury resulting in hospitalisation and death, as well as identifying trends over time. The report also examines the nature and severity of sustained injuries, variations between population groups and circumstances surrounding the injury.‘Every year, thousands of women present to an emergency department or are hospitalised due to injury,’ said AIHW spokesperson Jacqueline Rek. ‘Women contributed to 40% of all injury hospitalisations in 2022–23.’Overall, injury was responsible for around 217,000 hospitalisations, 6,000 deaths and 537,000 emergency department presentations among women in 2022–23. Since 2017–18, after adjusting for age differences, hospitalisation rates have decreased from 1,900 to 1,850 per 100,000 population, while death rates have increased from 41.5 to 43.1 per 100,000 population.Falls and fracturesThe rate of fall injury hospitalisations increased with age. Women aged 65 and over accounted for 73% of all fall injury hospitalisations and almost all fall-related deaths (97%) among women in 2022–23.‘Over half of all injury deaths (57%) were due to falls among women aged 65 and over,’ said Ms Rek.‘The rate of death from falls was 66.5 times higher in women aged 65 and over than for women aged 40–64.’Fractures were the most common type of injury hospitalisation across all age groups and the leading type of injury for emergency department presentations among women. Fractures of the hips or lower limbs were most common, causing 27,000 hospitalisations in 2022–23.Self-harm and assaultAfter adjusting for age, the rate of intentional self-harm hospitalisations among women was the lowest it has been in the past decade (121 per 100,000 population). Over 4 in 5 (82%) injury hospitalisations for intentional self-harm involved self-poisoning in 2022–23.The number of assault injury hospitalisations remained similar over a 5-year period, around 7,600 between 2017–18 and 2022–23, while the number of homicide deaths among women has increased from 48 to 63 over the same period.The highest rate of injury assault (127 per 100,000) was among women aged 25–39. Women aged 65 and over had the highest rate of homicide (1 per 100,000) despite having the lowest rate of assault injury hospitalisation (16 per 100,000). Assault was the leading cause of injury hospitalisation among First Nations women in 2022–23, causing 3,700 hospitalisations. First Nations women disproportionately contributed to almost half (48%) of all assault injury hospitalisations for women.After adjusting for differences in age, women living in Very remote areas are 43 times more likely to be hospitalised due to assault than women living in Major cities.‘Women experience distinct patterns of injury due to various physiological, social and environmental factors including family, domestic and sexual violence, pregnancy, ageing, and mental health challenges,’ said Ms Rek. ‘The monitoring work we undertake helps identify these patterns of injury to improve awareness and inform prevention measures.’In 2024, the AIHW also examined injuries affecting men in Australia. For information, visit: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/injuries-affecting-men-in-australia-a-closer-look/contents/about.

For the third year running, ETC’s MySmallBiz Expos are back in a big way for 2025 with a series of nine free community events designed to celebrate and support small businesses, self-employed individuals, and aspiring entrepreneurs. On 18 June 2025, join Enterprise and Training Company (ETC) at the Lismore Workers Club as they create an engaging space for people at any stage in their business journey. These expos offer an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to meet, collaborate, and network with the local small business community.Daryl Parmenter, ETC’s Self-Employment Assistance Program Manager, emphasised the importance of these expos, particularly in nurturing local entrepreneurship and supporting businesses at any stage of their journey.“The MySmallBiz Expos are a celebration of start-up businesses and a must for either potential or existing small businesses," Mr. Parmenter said. "Come network, make connections, and speak with local business specialists to gain free support and guidance on moving your hobby into a business or giving your existing business a refresh.”Event Highlights:Networking Opportunities: The expos will offer numerous opportunities to build meaningful connections with other small business owners and industry professionals. These interactions can lead to new collaborations and business opportunities.Interactive Stalls: Explore a variety of stalls showcasing local businesses and services. This is a great chance to discover new products, services, innovations from the local community and to #ShopLocal.Engaging Presentations: Attendees will gain valuable insights from industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and supportive services. These presentations are designed to inspire and provide practical advice for starting or growing a business.Inspiring Success Stories: Hear firsthand from Self-Employment Ambassadors and grassroots startups. Their stories of perseverance and success will motivate attendees to pursue their own business ventures.Expert Advice: Receive guidance from experts in various fields and meet government representatives who can provide information on available resources and support for small businesses.Whether individuals are thinking of starting their own business or looking to support local business, ETC’s MySmallBiz Expos offer something for everyone. These events are designed to inspire and empower attendees, providing the confidence and resources needed to turn dreams into reality.“Previously, I had trouble finding valuable support for my business. Now, with Workforce Australia – Self-Employment Assistance, I clearly defined my needs for business growth. Collaborating with ETC and their MySmallBiz Expos has been supportive and educational. If you're dedicated, have clear goals, and are open to learning and growth, this is a fantastic opportunity,” said Sara, from Healthii Hub, a previous MySmallBiz stallholder. Event DetailsVenue: Lismore Workers ClubDate: Wednesday, 18 June 2025Time: 11am to 2pmClick here to register for your free ticket.ETC is a Workforce Australia – Self-Employment Assistance provider. If you need help to start a business, or support for your existing small business, contact ETC on 1800 007 400, visit www.etcltd.com.au.

The critical decision-making documents, like the Community Strategic Plan, dominated this week's Council meeting. However, there were other motions and votes that are worth writing about.Rural planning changes, Bounty Street parking changes, Business Lismore's $50,000 funding request, and the interview process for the new General Manager were also covered.The changes to Council's Planning Proposal to introduce artisan food and drink industries and creative industries into Lismore's RU1 Primary Production, E1 Local Centre (smaller-scale commercial activity) and E2 Commercial Centre (larger-scale commercial activity) land use zones drew mixed reactions from councillors.On one side, you had Councillors Adam Guise and Big Rob, who were concerned that more microbreweries opening in rural areas would lead to more cases of drink driving. There was also concern about the limit of 100 patrons onsite at any given time, which would lead to road issues.The other side involved Crs Andrew Gordon, Dalton-Earls, Electra Jensen and Gianpiero Battista. Their position was that planning has held Lismore back for the last twenty (20) years because of red tape, that these types of businesses will feed into the Rail Trail and that the agritourism laws are determined by the state government, not Lismore City Council.The motion was easily passed.There were more planning changes to the Lismore Local Environmental Plan when the next motion was put forward. 10.3 involved changes to land zoned E4 General Industrial around the Lismore railway station.The aim of the planning proposal was to allow for additional appropriate commercial and cultural activities around a section of the existing rail corridor that would support the rail trail as a tourist destination for Lismore and the Far North Coast. The additional uses include community facilities, entertainment facilities, information and education facilities and retail premises.(The Lismore railway station to the right of the rail trail)Cr Big Rob was predictable in his negative comments about the rail trail; however, he did support growing South Lismore, as did all councillors. Cr Jensen mentioned she saw eight (8) bikes outside the Southside Bakery in support of the rail trail, while Cr Battista said that we seem to find a problem with everything we do in this town. "Can we focus on the positive, please?" he stated.This was the first of a few unanimous votes from Tuesday's council meeting.The search for a General Manager has begun with a recruitment company advertising the position for three weeks before forming a shortlist of eight (8) candidates. Councillors then have the option to be part of the preliminary interviews and the subsequent second round of interviews.All councillors are invited to be part of the interview process, although they will be held over two full days during a working week. Councillors asked for some flexibility around the actual days given workloads and conferences at the end of June.Bounty Street will have six nominated 2-hour parking spots after another unanimous vote.Bounty Street moved to 10-hour parking, in reality, all-day parking, to accommodate an increase in local flood restoration workers. Unfortunately, Lifeblood Lismore has its donation centre on Bounty Street, and blood and plasma donors were having to park quite far away and walk to the centre to give their life-saving donations. While it was not confirmed during the meeting, you would assume the six spots will be directly outside the front of Lifeblood Lismore. This is a staff decision.There was some more good news, this time for Business Lismore, as they were granted $50,000 in another unanimous vote.Councillors praised the work done by the new Business Lismore board to promote and advocate for the local business community in the CBD, and that this funding includes South Lismore, North Lismore and Goonellabah.Councillors were also impressed that Business Lismore turned down the offer of more money, so they could learn to 'walk before they run'.The final item of the May meeting was a confidential item and involved the lease of 97 Caniaba Street, South Lismore. There were no details as to why this land was being leased and to whom it was being leased; however, there was an indication that it could be for the storage of buyback houses.Watch this space.Despite efforts to get through the meeting agenda, councillors failed to do so. Due to councillors' commitments in the next few weeks, it was decided by the mayor that all other items will be carried over to the June 10 meeting.