Julia Taranto has been in the retail business for ten years. The first five years were relatively normal, the 2017 flood being the exception.It was the next five years that have taken their toll on Julia. Two years of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the 2022 floods have left her exhausted and ready to close this chapter of her life and open another."It has been unbelievably tough," Julia told the Lismore App, "The shutdown of retail and the shutdown of life really hurt."Julia's clothing boutique started as My Tailoress before she changed the name to Paris in the Strand following the 2022 floods. For a decade, she has been dressing the women and young ladies of Lismore and the Northern Rivers for many Winter Balls, school formals, and award nights."When I bought the shop, it was a mess. It had a lino floor on it, and it was all uneven. I scraped all that back and put the tiles down, which was a wise move because it's done well through the floods. It's a beautiful store, right down to my lovely French doors that my son built. They added such a different vibe to the store.""But now, it's time. It's time. It has been ten years serving the public, and it has been a pleasure. But I feel tired. I need a break. I need to go and travel. I want to go to Paris, and who knows, I might not come back," Julia smiles at the thought of seeing the city of love and fashion for the first time.The closing down of Paris in the Strand, is sad for the business community and the community of ladies, younger and older, that Julia has dressed for the last decade. There is some good news for customers, new and old, as the Closing Down Sale starts today and runs until the doors officially close at the end of the school holidays."Dresses from $99. I want every dress out of the store. I want them to find homes. I want my dresses to find their people."Those people may include many Year 12 students looking for formal dresses for their November Graduation Balls once this year's HSC is completed."Girls love it. They walk in and see all the sparkly dresses, and I think sometimes they get a bit overwhelmed with where to start. But with the experience I've got with dresses, I can generally pick what's going to work for the girls depending upon their colour, their style, their shape and what their vibe is. So, whether they've got a classic look, whether they've got a sporty figure or whether they've got more of that edgy sort of Gothic look. Just finding what they're looking is and picking styles to suit them.""It's been a pleasure. It has been a pleasure seeing them and watching them and the emotion that you see with the parents. Very often, it's the mums that are with them, and just seeing their daughter transform into this graceful beauty when they've been wearing jeans and T-shirts and school uniforms the whole time. Often, the tissue box is needed.""I never understood that I would actually have repeat customers. But then, as time went along, it was the sisters that would come through, or they would recommend me to their other friends as well, which has been sweet. I've met so many beautiful people, absolutely lovely people. And you see the girls as they grow up, and you get to know them on such a personal level while you're doing fittings with them and making them look gorgeous for their formal."It's been an absolute pleasure to serve the community. I have enjoyed every minute of it."You will find Paris in the Strand, in the Strand Arcade (as the name suggests) at 74-78 Molesworth Street, Lismore CBD.Julia is open Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm or you can call her on 0435 082 083.Julia's Closing Down Sale finishes at the end of the school holidays.

Today's rainy patches came from a front pushing across from the west, that will continue across the Northern Rivers into Monday and Tuesday. This will see rainfalls from about 5 to 20mm in most places, but a few isolated pockets between 30 to 50mm in the higher elevations.(Image from the BOM)This rain will be clearing by Wednesday morning in the Northern Rivers, producing a few clear days for these sodden parts.A chilly end to the week is predicted, with another front coming across from the west, but it should not bring us more rain at this stage.If we stay this course, it means we ought to have a mainly clear weekend. (Image from the BOM)

It's Naidoc Week, and there are some great festivites in store to celebrate this years mantra - Keep the Fires Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.For a cultural experience, consider the SCU event on Wednesday. If watching young talent on the field is more your thing, there is a real treat for you on Thursday with the inaugural Naidoc Oztag Gala Day at Hepburn Park.SCU will be holding an event with a wide range of cultural entertainment for Naidoc Week celebrations in Lismore on Wednesday 10th July. The SCU Indigenous Events Coordinating Committee “Invite all staff, students, and community to join us for our 2024 NAIDOC Week celebrations.”The celebrations will start at 11am with the Welcome to Country by an elder, followed by dancing and weaving cultural performances and workshops, community stalls and musicians, including a special performance by Dean Brady.Dean is from the Gugu Yalanji and Birrigubba people and the Matabele Zimbabwean people. He is a singer / songwriter from Brisbane, and his R&B hit “Falling” is described as a “ gorgeous, elegantly wounded” and has a motown influence. Dean's parents were also musical and were part of the Outback Motown group.There is also an Art Exhibition in the SCU Library to peruse and enjoy. But don’t be late, this is a travelling event appearing at three SCU Campuses. They will have to pack up after 2pm.Stuart Barlo, the Dean of Gnibi says, “We have the opportunity to be Blak and Proud! Local communities have had to deal with fires and floods over the last few years - there was not a lot to celebrate.  “We come together now to celebrate the Indigenous spirit.“In 1939, Naidoc week came about in order to protect against colonialism. In 1979, it became a celebration of Aboriginal people. We are still here, we are still a part of it and happy to be here to celebrate.”The SCU Naidoc celebrations will be on campus at the Goodman Plaza (Military Rd East). It starts at 11am and finishes at 2pm.  For those that can't get enough of indigenous talent on the field, a collaboration between CASPA, Lismore Oztag, Aboriginal Affairs NSW and the Widjabul Wia-Bal community, will see players stream in from several Bundjalung Nation communities, including teams from across the Queensland border.Get on down to Hepburn Park as this free event is set to become an annual highlight on CASPA’s cultural calendar. This year its all on one day, but the level of interest will see it expand to a multi-day tournament in future for children and young people aged 10 to 18 years.The Oztag Naidoc celebration will also feature a range of other activities to recognise this year’s theme.(Credit: IB Images)CASPA CEO Naarah Rodwell said she was delighted with the level of interest in the inaugural event which had exceeded all expectations of organisers with 200 people signed up. “This incredible sports-focused community day will bring together hundreds of children and their families from across northern NSW and southern Queensland to celebrate the 2024 NAIDOC Week,” Ms Rodwell said.“With many of CASPA’s services located in the rugby league heartland of northern NSW, we thought a friendly Oztag competition would be the perfect way to celebrate NAIDOC Week and we would love to make this an annual event in the future.”Find out more about Caspa's Oztag event here.If you would like to know more about SCU's headline act, here is a link to some information on Dean Brady.

If you are looking for a creative outlet for your kids these holidays, we have compiled a list of incredible activities to get involved in.  All of these programs are free and instructed by artists. Numbers are limited, so make sure you book quickly so you don’t miss out!We have included one regular after-school activity at the end of the list, also (not free). It is for those who want to really pursue and develop their creative side…Hand Building with Tim FryTim guides his participants in making a pinch pot, cylindrical vase from clay, painting or glazing and decorating it using stencils and cutting patterns into the surface of the clay. Tim will fire the clay so the kids can have a completed ceramic vase for their efforts.Tim Fry is a local artist and teacher whose works have been displayed in Lismore, Byron Bay, Sydney and Brisbane. Tim is looking forward to an exhibition of his works at the Art Gallery coming up at the beginning of next year. You can see his works on Instagram.“I like to let people bring their own flair or their own interests into it. I give them some basic building blocks around like making stuff and technique and see what they come up with.”This program is supported by the Lismore Library.Who: Ages 12 to 18When: Friday 19th July, 1-3pmWhere: Lismore Library Meeting Room at Lismore Central Shopping CentreBook: HERE or at the Lismore Library - 02 6621 2464Speak Up Through Slam - Poetry Workshop with Sarah TemporalSarah says, “It's an opportunity for young people aged 12 to 18 to come along and try their hand at slam poetry. So we do a bit of writing and we basically get them to write about something that's really important to them and to share that story out loud.”A little about Sarah, “So I'm a poet. I've been performing poetry live for about 20 years. I'm really passionate about spoken word because I feel it's just such an immediate way to make a connection with people, and you never know who your words are going to speak to and who's going to resonate with your work.”One of Sarah’s prior students, Inde Henderson, 17, Runner-up 2021 Poets Out Loud Youth Slam says, “It’s really powerful, and I’d encourage anyone to do it. All the nerves go away as soon as you’re up there. Just feeling other people connect with the poem was so special.”This program is supported by the Lismore Library.Who: Ages 12 to 18When: Friday 12th July, 1-4pm (1-3pm workshop and 3-4pm performance)Where: Lismore Library Meeting Room at the Lismore Central Shopping Centre,Book: HERE Lino cut printing on T-shirts and Tote Bags with Estefania MinnitiEstefania will take you through the basics of lino printing. Participants will be able to bring a design or pattern to the workshop but will also have the option to use templates (mainly nature-related imagery such as plants or animals). Once you've chosen an image, we’ll transfer the pattern to the linoleum and start carving. Everyone will be able to finish this process with enough time to roll some ink on top of the carved image and press it onto either paper or fabric. Tote bags and paper will be provided; participants can bring their own t-shirt to print on.  About EstefaniaArgentinian-born Estefania Minniti is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Byron Bay, Australia. Raised in the cultural hotbed of Buenos Aires, she is deeply inspired by the transience of life and of human expression, and the vast, colourful stories and experiences we live and gather as our own. You can find Estefania's work @atriptofania This experience is supported by the Lismore Art Gallery.Who: Ages 16 to 24When: Thursday 18th July, 10-1pm Where: Koori Mail, 11 Molesworth St, LismoreBook: HERE Painting with Wool with Courtney Heffernan In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore the fascinating art of wet felting, a traditional technique that transforms wool fibres into beautiful works of art. The process uses water, wool, and soap to create textual felted scenes. Whether your interest lies in abstract compositions or detailed, realistic landscapes, this workshop provides the tools and techniques to bring your artistic vision to life. By the end of the session, each participant will have created their own unique wool painting to take home and proudly display. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your imagination and a willingness to explore a new medium. All materials will be provided. About CourtneyCourtney Heffernan is a fibre artist from Northern NSW, known for her unique interpretation of the ancient art of felting. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fibres and textiles from Newcastle University, Courtney's passion for textiles and sculptural materials led her to establish her own business, “Pan’s Ancestral Craft.” She explores the intersection of wearable items and sculptural forms, drawing inspiration from the organic shapes found in nature. Committed to sustainability, Courtney creates distinctive felted clothing and wearable art pieces that reflect her dedication to both artistry and environmental consciousness.This experience is supported by the Lismore Art Gallery.Who: Ages 12 to 17When: Thursday 18th July, 10-12 noonWhere: Koori Mail, 11 Molesworth St, LismoreBook: HERE Koori Mail Indigenous Art AwardEntries now open!https://lismoregallery.org/koori-mail-indigenous-art-awardThe Koori Mail Indigenous Art Award 2024 is a new art prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, first launched at Lismore Regional Gallery in 2021. Established, mid-career, emerging, and youth Indigenous artists working in any medium are encouraged to enter the prize.This is a non-acquisitive award that is free to enter. Shortlisted artworks will be included in the exhibition at Lismore Regional Gallery from 30 November 2024 to 2 February 2025.This experience is supported by the Lismore Art Gallery.Solve a crime in a mystery adventureUsing real forensic tools, you can dust for fingerprints, swab for DNA, run interviews, sort through rubbish, examine trace elements and video footage, pick a safe, collect evidence and put together a series of your own questions and actions that form the basis for a unique one-off narrative.Who: Ages 12 to 18When: Monday 15th July, 9-12 noon or 1-4pm Where: Goonellabah Library Book: HERE or at the Library - 02 6621 2464After School Art Class with Rosie GordonThis is an opportunity for creatives to develop and hone their artistic talents.Make new friends and learn new skills! The cost is $20 with all materials provided.Rosie Gordon was born and raised in Byron Bay and spent her youth making photorealistic drawings from her family home in Ewingsdale - also the home of heavy metal band Parkway Drive. The meticulous detail gave her a sense of control in a chaotic, boisterous household and her drawing practice helped her to feel grounded and calm.Rosie has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Southern Cross Uni and has won numerous awards for her drawings, including four People's Choice Awards and a Best Emerging Artist Award judged by Michael Zavros. In recent years and with the influence of her daughter (12) she has learned the value of play and having a more free-form kind of expression as a way to unwind and process the world around her. This experience is supported by the Lismore Art Gallery.Who: All school agesWhen: Every Wednesday 4pm - 5.30pm Where: Lismore Library Meeting Room at the Lismore Central Shopping Centre Cost: $20 per class. All materials provided.Book: HERE For any further enquiries, please email [email protected] 

Get ready to be captivated by enchanting melodies, powerful rhythms, and awe-inspiring performances as the highly popular Northern Rivers Youth Orchestra takes centre-stage once more at the Whitebrook Theatre, Southern Cross University this Thursday, 11th of July at 6:30PM. This eagerly awaited concert promises an unforgettable evening of musical brilliance, showcasing the wonderful talent of our region's young musicians. This year, the Youth Orchestra are excited to be joined by talented buddies from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music!Under the expert direction of esteemed guest conductor Patrick Brennan from the Central Coast Conservatorium, as well as sectional leaders from the Northern Rivers Conservatorium itself, the Northern Rivers Youth Orchestra will bring to life a diverse repertoire that spans classical masterpieces, contemporary film scores, and stunning arrangements of popular favourites. This year, you will hear works by John Williams, Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, Telemann, Grieg, and Adele, as well as well-known themes from TV and movies, including Star Wars and Batman.The concert will be a testament to the hard work and dedication of these young musicians as they showcase their skill and passion for music and to the support and encouragement provided by parents, teachers, and the wider community. (Photo: supplied)Through tireless rehearsals and workshops over the previous seven days and an unwavering commitment to musical excellence, these committed individuals will have honed their skills and developed a greater understanding of the dynamics and teamwork of the orchestra. The Whitebrook Theatre provides the perfect backdrop for this mesmerising musical journey; as the orchestra takes the stage, the theatre will come alive with a symphony of sound, leaving the audience in awe of the power of music. This concert is not only an opportunity to witness the incredible skill of these budding musicians, but it also serves to demonstrate the power of music education and the transformative impact it can have on young lives. The Northern Rivers Conservatorium, the driving force behind the NRYO, provides these students with a nurturing and supportive environment in which they can develop their craft and cultivate a lifelong love for music. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the Northern Rivers Youth Orchestra.  TICKETS: https://events.humani<x.com/nryo-2024 (General Admission $5.50)EVENTS: https://events.nrcac.edu.auENQUIRIES: [email protected] SUBSCRIBE: subscribe.nrcac.edu.auYou can stay in touch with more great events coming up by following Northern Rivers Conservatorium on Facebook, check our website, or subscribe to our mailing list

Jo and Brendan Kilburn are excited and slightly nervous about their house relocation from Pine Street, North Lismore, to Modanville on Monday night.They are acutely aware of the dramas their friends, Stacey and Ben Walder, have experienced during their house relocation exercise and are hoping for a straightforward move.One of their big advantages is the size of their house. It is small enough that it does not need to be cut in half, not by much, but enough.That one detail means a quicker house set-up at Modanville that leads to a shorter move in date."We had Mackay and Sons come and check both sites, here (Pine Street) and the delivery site last Tuesday. Everything is good to go," Jo said."It's going to be a pretty hairy ride up to Modanville. We'll be there; we'll be watching and following. But they're confident it is going to be ok."The weather won't delay Monday night's move, but it is where the potential for water damage comes into play with the roof being removed. At this stage, the forecast says a shower or two for Monday and Showers for Tuesday. Once the house is at the Kilburn's new block at Modanville, a tarp will be thrown over the roof and the preparation begins for the house stumps."We need to be on-site for 7am Tuesday morning for them to position it. Then they'll dig the piers, council comes Tuesday afternoon to do the footing inspection, and then they'll pour the pier holes, I'd imagine maybe Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning, and then set it down."Jo and Brendan's good friends Stacey and Ben Walder, experienced lengthy delays with their move. However, the Kilburn's are not expecting the same result."I think ours will only be three or four days because they don't have to put it back together. So, it's just a matter of putting it onto the piers and then putting the roof back on because they have to drop the roof.""Electricity, water and sewerage are all ready to go. Everything's ready," Jo said confidently.The house has been completely renovated since the February 28 2022 flood, so all being equal, Jo and Brendan expect to be living at their new Modanville address three weeks after the move."We had a chimney here in Pine Street, but we won't be rebuilding that. Brendan will put a wall up between the kitchen and lounge room, rather than replacing it. That's the only thing we will have to fix."Then Brendan adds, "We'll also paint the outside of the house and clean it up to get the occupation certificate."The plan is in place; now the Kilburn's are hoping for life to not throw any curve balls their way. The light can clearly be seen at the end of their long tunnel.

East Lismore residents had an eventful Friday night with police car sirens and an eventual crash into a power pole out the front of Northern Air.NSW Police said, "About 11.55pm last night (Friday 5 July 2024) officers attached to Richmond Police District attempted to stop a Subaru station wagon on Conway Street, Lismore, for the purposes of a random breath test. "When the vehicle failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated."A short time later, the vehicle crashed into a pole at Dalley Street, Lismore, and three people were seen leaving the scene on foot."Following a foot pursuit, police arrested a 13-year-old boy."He was taken to Lismore Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence and be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner."He was granted conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on Thursday, 1 August 2024."Following inquiries, police will allege the vehicle was stolen from an address on Henson Lane, Yamba, about 5pm on Friday (5 July 2024)."As inquiries are ongoing, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."

The July school holiday's begin at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon. Many parents, carers and grandparents always wonder how they can entertain their children.You can add the Lismore Theatre Company's (LTC) latest pantomime, Robin Hood, to that list.LTC has said it is a twist on the traditional Robin Hood story with lots of whacky adventures to be had by the merry folk of Sherwood Forest.Robin, Friar Tuck, Little Joan and all the crew are joined in arms to defend the village against the evil plot of the Sheriff and his sidekick Dennis, with an additional cast of loveable and funny characters. ( Robin Hood, Friar Tuck and Little Joan. Photo: Daniel Cohen DCSports Photography)(The Outlaw Gang in Robin Hood. Photo: Photo: Daniel Cohen DCSports Photography)Director Danica Taylor and Producer Jade Johnston are back to lead this amazing group of 16 local young people in this hilarious show designed to entertain the whole family.Danica Taylor said, "The audience can expect a hilarious and interactive show that engages all audiences with a modern twist on the traditional Robin Hood story."Our cast of 16 from ages eight to 20, some of whom have never performed before, but all have worked extremely hard to bring these characters to life. We couldn’t be more proud!" The Lismore Theatre Company's Robin Hood Pantomime show at Rochdale Theatre, 603 Ballina Road, Goonellabah on Thursday 11, Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July at 10am and 3pm these school holidays.To book your tickets, click here.

Well-respected local builder Joel Jensen Constructions won another four awards at the recent Masters Builders Association of NSW event at the Ballina RSL, including the prestigious Young Builder of the Year Award.(Ten of JJCs team at the Master Builders Award night at the Ballina RSL displaying the five awards. Photo: JJC Facebook)Joel Jensen Constructions (JJC) also won:Historic Residential Restoration (a 120-year-old farmhouse in Casino)Commercial Projects $450K -$750K (the new La Baracca rebuild)House Renovation under $400K (East Lismore flood renovation)Commercial Shop Fit-Out (187 Cantina - the Mexican restaurant in Nesbitt Lane, Lismore CBD)JJC won the five awards against some stiff building competition from Tweed to Coffs Harbour and west to Tenterfield."These awards are pretty prestigious, so we're pretty chuffed, Joel told the Lismore App, "I was blown away actually. I thought if I got one, I would be pretty stoked, but to get five and then the major one at the end was fantastic. I got a bit emotional on that one."It is hard to think of Joel as man in his early 30s after all that he, and his wife Brittany, have achieved in JJCs short business career. Even the judges have been in contact as they have followed his building journey."I actually got a call from one of the judges. He just rang to congratulate me on getting the Young Builder of the Year Award and said, look, it's been a big journey. I still remember you entering your first awards, and he said we were pretty hard on you, and they were. If they go into one of your builds, and it's not up to where it should be, they'll let you know, like this isn't good enough, and they'll tell you why, which is good. I used to take that and go righto, this is where I need to be, so I need to get better.""He said we're proud of you. To see where you've come from then to where you are now. So that was nice to hear. And as a team, it's good for the for the JJC family. It's good recognition for all of them for how much work they've put in and to see how chuffed they were at the awards night and when I brought them home."The judging criteria is thorough looking at the quality of the build, judges talking to the clients, asking about customer service, the building timeline, so whether it was delivered on time, and they look at costs to make sure the builder does not overprice the project."The judges walk through each build and check everything, like doors, tiles, painting, everything. They got through it all.""The judges are retired builders. They're pretty passionate about it because they want it to stay at a high standard, which is good. And, like I said, they generally let you know what you could do better, which is put in the memory bank."Joel talked about his award-winning builds and renovations with a great sense of pride that he and his team achieved. But, the Young Builder of the Year Award was a special personal award."That's up to the age of 40. I've had a crack at that in the last few years, and there's just been better people in front of me, and this year, I was lucky enough to jag it. That was pretty special. It's sort of based around myself and the team, but more around what we do in the community as well as our builds.""Right back to where our crew went and jumped in and helped out with cleaning mud out, and doing home inspections to make sure people could back in safely to just ripping in, I suppose. Again, the judges talk to staff and talk to our clients to see what our customer service is like. There's all those things in that category."I definitely wasn't expecting to win it. I had to get up and give a speech at the end, and I didn't have anything prepared. I had a few beers by that stage, but do remember a '*&ck yeah!' in it," Joel laughs.(Joel Jensen giving his speech at the Ballina RSL. Photo: JJC Facebook)"It was pretty special to win that one for not just myself, but for Brit too. It says Joel Johnson Constructions, but there's so much more to it than that. She's been right there beside me since the start. The rest of the crew, our families and people in the community who have helped us and mentored us and supported us. When I go to those awards, I represent Lismore, so I take a bit of pride in that I'm doing it for town as well.If one person can embody the passion, love and spirit for Lismore, Joel Jensen would be very high on that list. You can't think that the top gong of Builder of the Year won't be far away.

Hot on the heels of Thursday's new Return and Earn machine at Southern Cross University, Nimbin is being considered for a Return and Earn, thanks to the actions of a nearby resident, Sarah-Jane McGrath.Looking at the region, there is quite a large area between recycling facilities, and Sarah-Jane, a recent resident of Mount Burrell, thought it was a good idea to do something about it.(The map of the closest Return and Earn facilities)“Casino, Kyogle and Lismore are the closest. Then it's Condong, which is just on the other side of Murwillumbah, so I asked, where the hell's ours? All the roads lead to Nimbin - we should have one here.”)Sarah-Jane feels strongly about the ability for everyone to be more responsible for the waste they produce. Sarah-Jane is also aware of the financial incentive that is not available to her neighbours.“If you put it in the bin, it goes to council. They're the ones who make money. We should be able to claim the money."After talking to residents earlier in the year and learning how to get action, she posted on Facebook explaining what to do. That was on June 22nd.On Monday, July 1st, Sarah-Jane was told by Return and Earn that they were starting the process to look into her appeal.“It seems they are seriously considering our requests, which is very exciting,” says Sarah-Jane, “ I don't know how many people have sent their stories through emails, rung up, whatever, but everyone was completely positive about it.“I think people should continue to get on board and let them know that this is a really great thing, not only for Nimbin but for surrounding areas. Cawongla, Wadeville, Mount Burrell, Kunghur, Coffee Camp, maybe as far as Uki, depending on where you're going.’(Sarah-Jane showed people how to write up their "recycling story")To add your voice to the campaign, you can calculate your use and how much impact you would make HERE You can share your story on your story and how you feel about a service in Nimbin HEREEmail them at [email protected] or call 1800 290 691 and talk to them about what is important for you.For more developments, keep an eye on Sarah-Janes posts on community forums.

The weather has gone downhill following last weekend's sunshine, especially Sunday's cracking 25 degrees.The Bureau of Meteorology was spot on with the forecast we published last Sunday. As the southerly hit the coast from the high in the Tasman, Ballina received more rain than Lismore, 104.8mm to 63.4mm, respectively, was recorded at each airport since Monday. Although, there is no doubt other parts of the Lismore LGA and Ballina LGA would have received more rain. Lismore App reader Bill said his rain gauge in Goonellabah registered 105mm for the week.There is no prize for guessing there will be more showers over the weekend. Saturday is expected to be the wettest day with 2 to 15mm of rain, while Sunday's forecast is for the showers to ease with 0 to 3mm of rain expected. It's not ideal for the first days of the winter school holiday break.Next Thursday is when we should see the most sunshine to what will, hopefully, be a fine Saturday and Sunday next weekend.Another fairly quiet weekend in the Lismore LGA.The Lismore Farmers Markets get underway from 7:30 tomorrow (Saturday) morning at the Lismore Showground. Hot coffee/tea and breakfasts, fresh fruit and vegetables, live music from Sam Green, and you can check out the game birds at the Far North Coast All Game Club annual show. That will be happening behind the Jim Muldoon Pavilion behind the market area.There are different types of live music across the weekend.The Northern Rivers Hotel has Dan Grace Music tonight between 6 and 9:30pm and the popular band Soul Fish for the Sunday session between 2 and 6pm.The Lismore Jazz Club has the Bobbie Goddard Trio plus Tilly Jones and Finn Crethar at the Lismore City Bowling Club between 2 and 5pm on Sunday afternoon.The Robin Hood Pantomime runs next week for the school holidays at Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah. There are six shows, two each day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday July 11, 12 and 13 at 10am and 3pm. You can buy tickets here.Some sporting fixtures may be in doubt depending on the sporting fields condition after this weeks rainfall.In the NRRRL, the Marist Brothers Rams will be favourites in their game against Lower Clarence under lights at Crozier Field tomorrow from 5:30pm. Lower Clarence have not won a game this season.Northern United are back in action after last week's bye. They take on Casino at Crozier Field at 2:45pm on Sunday.In the Football Far North Coast fixtures Goonellabah are travelling south to Maclean for tonight's match. Then tomorrow, The, unfortunately, all other matches are postponed due to field conditions.The Women's Premier League matches will go ahead as scheduled at this stage. Tonight, it is Ballina v Byron Bay and Lennox Head v Richmond Rovers, and on Sunday it is Alstonville v Bangalow.Fuel prices have risen in Casino, but remain steady in Lismore and Ballina. Lismore is still the most expensive place to buy fuel, with Casino and Ballina up to 18 cents a litre cheaper. Diesel is the only exception.Here are the latest prices in each town:E10 is 191.9 at the Ampol on Woodlark Street and the Ampol on Union Street, South Lismore, 179.9 at The EG Ampol on Canterbury Street in Casino, with the new Mobil (485 River Street) and The Metro in Ballina the cheapest at 173.5.Unleaded 91 is 193.9 at the new Astron on Ballina Road, 181.9 at the Coles Express on Centre Street in Casino and 175.5 at The Metro and the new Mobil in Ballina.U95 is 203.9 at the Independent on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore, Northside Liberty and Bakers Corner at North Lismore, 196.9 at the EG Ampol on Canterbury Street, Casino and 186.5 at The Metro in Ballina.U98 is 208.9 at the new Astron on Ballina Road, 200.9 at the Liberty's on Hare Street and Centre Street in Casino and 185.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.Diesel is 185.9 at the new Astron on Ballina Road, 191.9 at the United and the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street in Casino and 185.5 at the new Mobil and The Metro in Ballina.Talking Lismore will release a new podcast on Sunday. We welcome back to the microphone Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg.The mayor has been in Canberra this week as part of the Australian Council of Local Government Forum with four Lismore City Councillors. We discuss the behind closed doors meetings and where Lismore sits on the awareness stage in our capital city. We also talk about the North Lismore land site and the house raisings and retrofits and the upcoming local council elections.Check out the Podcasts button in the Lismore App or tab across to Podcasts on the Lismore App website. They are free to listen to and will play through your phone, tablet or PC speakers.Have a great weekend!

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is urging families to plan ahead these school holidays, with persistent rainfall expected to impact widespread parts of the state this weekend and into early next week. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast rain to develop over the northwest from Sunday and shift east during the first half of next week, as a low-pressure trough moves over the state. Moderate falls are possible with this system, mainly across northern parts and the far west of NSW.   NSW SES Duty Commander, Dallas Burnes, emphasised the importance of being cautious when traveling, especially on unfamiliar roads.  "As the school holidays commence for much of NSW this afternoon, we are expecting an influx of holidaymakers to hit the roads. The NSW SES is urging travellers to plan ahead as adverse weather conditions are expected across much of the state.”  “A potential risk is water pooling on roads, leading to flash flooding and road closures. The NSW SES is urging travellers to understand their risks and prioritise safety for themselves and their families.” "If you encounter a flooded road, turn around and seek an alternative route. Please never drive, ride, or play in floodwaters,” Mr Burnes said.   The NSW SES is also asking holidaymakers to download the Hazards Near Me app to their smart devices or visit Hazard Watch. "During holiday periods, it's crucial for those unfamiliar with their surroundings to use the Hazards Near Me app. Set a watch zone for your holiday destination to receive alerts about storms, floods, and other hazards, and know how to stay safe," he said. With catchments saturated and dams mostly full across eastern parts of the state, there is a heightened risk of localised flooding from rainfall. While riverine flooding is not anticipated, rapid responses in local waterways are possible.  To keep up to date with current road closures in your area visit Live Traffic NSW.  In emergencies, contact the NSW SES on 132 500. For life-threatening situations, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. 

Southern Cross Universities, Proffesser Renaud Joannes-Boyau and other scientists have coordinated efforts to document and date what is thought to be the oldest known evidence of storytelling - a cave painting found on the Indonesian Island of Sulawesi.Southern Cross University (SCU) along with Griffith University (GU) and the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) have been studying the Leang Karampuang rock art for three years, and are now able to publish their findings.(Karampuang Hill and entrance to the cave)Professor (Prof.) Renaud, explained what has been uncovered, “We dated the rock art found within Indonesia, and it turns out to be the oldest narrative rock art in the world at 51,200 years old.“It's a scene. So, you have three human-like figures interacting with a wild animal, and in this case a very large pig. When I say human-like figures, it’s because they are anthropomorphic, so there is mixing of animals and humans in the field, which is very common.”(Enhanced images)The rock art was discovered in 2017, and scientists have been working on dating it at SCU for three years. A small chip was removed as a sample, and it was dated with a very precise laser.“As you can imagine, the paintings are 51,000 years old, so they're a bit degraded, but because of the carbonate layers that form on top of it, it is kind of preserved. So even if it's grey in places, we can still make out, very easily, the painting and the scene. (Credit: BRIN Google Arts & Culture. “Beyond the carbonate, there's still the painting of those early humans.”)“For whatever reason, they painted these records in difficult to access places. You basically have to lay on your back to look at it. And this is not uncommon. The ones in Europe are the same. They're very deep inside the cave so they had to work really hard to get to it. And that is something we don't really fully understand still today.“The caves are hard to access, so they were not doing daily activities - they're not sharing meals there. It's more a place for a reason that we don't understand - perhaps it's a spiritual place. So they probably go there for the painting. They might have some rituals, but they don't leave any traces of occupation. It's not a living area.”Dating rock is very different to dating carbon. Innovating new techniques at SCU made this discovery possible.“One of the complexities for dating rock art is there is no organic material. So everything is mineral, which limits a lot of what kind of dating you can do. We came up with this new approach, which is using a very precise laser and we map the surface of the carbonate that forms on top of the painting. (Prof. Renauld working in the lab.)“We can extract uranium in it, which is a radioactive element that decays naturally. By measuring these, we can extrapolate the clock from the formation of those layers just on top of the painting, and we can get the age of it.”(A small piece of the rock art is used for testing)Finding and dating these ancient artworks is a piece of the larger puzzle of understanding people's lives and mapping where they lived and when.“One question that is very important, is we have rock art at the minimum age of 51,000 years ago. And, we have the first Aboriginal Australian arriving around 60 to 65,000 years. So could it be the same people on the way to Australia? “We know that they went through Asia, and we talk about the northern route or the southern route, but it's those different islands that they took to actually get to Australia. So, are they the same people? “And if so, we should be able to find all the records closer to the age of those 60,000 years when Aboriginal people first arrived in Australia. So the next step is probably looking for those records and then dating more and more of them until we maybe find one that is older and closer to that age.”Defining life from rock art over vast periods of time, with different people, environments and creative styles, makes it difficult to determine an accurate timeline.“What is sure is that they are depicting a scene, they are telling a story. And the story is complex to us. We don't get the significance of it, but to them, it showed some activities that they were doing.  “In this particular case, hunting, but also a test of a certain spirituality of those individuals, their social structure, and also an interrogation of the world around them.”(Griffith and BRIN team members. From L to R Budianto Hakim, Maxime Aubert, Adam Brumm, Adhi Agus Oktaviana. Credit Ratno Sardi)The next oldest narrative work was found in the same region as this one, but is only 40,000 years old. It was published in 2014. The oldest examples in Europe are around 35,000 years old.“We have other artwork that is very controversial, maybe older, but it's not a narrative scene, they're more kind of scratches similar to geometrical scenes. It's hard to identify if it's human-made or it could be animal scratches.”(Prof Renauld)This breakthrough is the 15th worked on by Prof Renaud. Works are currently underway for future discoveries.

Plan C is championing a new course to familiarise young adults with the challenges they face when disasters, such as floods, storms or fires, hit. They are looking for 17 to 24-year-olds who want to make a difference - in their lives and the lives of those around them when difficult circumstances arise. The importance of this arose when Plan C participants spoke to the youth of Lismore and the Northern Rivers and realised they needed guidance.Rena Frohman, the Program Director, says the course runs for four days. Each day, participants discuss a different aspect of disaster and survival and then take on a personal project.  “So day one is all about disaster prevention, preparation, response and recovery.“The second day is psychological first aid when you learn how to keep your cool in difficult situations.“Day three, we have practical first aid skills. We have a fantastic person coming down who's doing scenario-based first aid. So it's not certified, but there'll be fake blood and bandages. “Day four is a bushcraft skills day - very hands-on and interesting.“Day five, your own time - is projects. We don't really mind how big or small the projects are. What we want is for the youth to have agency and power to say I can actually share this and connect with somebody else.”For their project, the participants are encouraged to self-evaluate their situations at home and around them and to pursue some course of action to make a difference.  “Examples of projects would be, we don't have a grab bag at home. We don't have an evacuation plan in my house. I'm going to go home and talk to my family or the people in my household about what we could do exactly.“Maybe people might join the SES or the RFS. Other people, if they're in high school, might say, I'm going to teach people how to purify water, because I learned that skill on the course, and I'm going to teach my friends.”To become a Next Gen Navigator, you are asked to bring your phone and critical thinking skills and attitude.  Plan C is about Plan ‘Community’ and making people more capable and aware when a disaster looms.“Plan C developed a five-day, free CCR training course, which they offered to adults across the seven LGA is in the Northern Rivers. By doing the course, you become a CCR or a Community Carer and Responder. There's 270 adult CCRS in the Northern Rivers. “The five days of training includes three days of knowledge about preparation for bushfires, storms, heat waves, a day of CPR and First Aid training and a day of psychological first aid training.”The coordinators of the Plan C program named the CCR program for young adults the Next Gen Navigators.Rena says, “The background to the program is we have a combination of funding from three different sources that have the goal of training 60 young people across the Northern Rivers in the Next Gen Navigators Program. We kicked off around March, just talking to young people.”The three sources of finance for the Next Gen Navigator course come from the Siddle Family Foundation, the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and a private funder.The classes start next week in Mullumbimby, where they have 15 students taking the course. Lismore is the next location to get an opportunity for involvement in August.For the course in Lismore, beginning on Tuesday 13th August, apply by August 5th, here.Plan C are hoping the success of this course will bring about further funding and courses in the future.

Yesterday, the North Lismore Resilient Lands Program site was announced, with 85 new blocks to be developed.The site is next to the new Richmond River High School, which is the land to the right of the Lismore Sale Yards on Lake Street (as you look at it) and opposite the Lismore Showgrounds.The North Lismore site was one of the worst-kept secrets in town, this was acknowledged by Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin."In Lismore, particularly in the Northern Rivers, we're not good at keeping secrets as we know what's about to be announced. Some of them are the worst-kept secrets in our area, but today they're formal announcements, and that's the beauty of it. Having the ministers here, just gives it that extra edge.""I just want to say one thing. One announcement today, in particular, gives real confidence to our community that we are building back better and that we will have options on this side of town in North and that leads us into our other areas in the CBD. So that's a good thing."A question mentioned on social media a great deal is, "Is the land flood free"? This was answered emphatically by Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully."The land that has been chosen did not flood in the previous floods. We've done a lot of work to make sure that the land we are providing is flood-free. That certainly doesn't mean that the land around is not impacted, but the land that we are providing as part of these packages is flood-free land, and that's really important. It's great to give surety to the community that that's what they'll be building on."As was mentioned in yesterday's story on the Lismore App, 85 blocks was an underwhelming number, albeit a start for those who have a buyback and want to continue their lives in North Lismore. The question of future sites in North Lismore and Lismore itself met this response from NSW RA CEO Mal Lanyon."We've already made announcements of over 500 blocks of land within the Lismore area at a range of sites. And we're continuing to work obviously with landowners, continue to look with councils and also other parts of crown land that we may be able to get here. Our commitment has been unwavering that we want to find sufficient land that we can actually build back homes and give people opportunity."While not answering the question directly, Mr Lanyon did not rule out further land announcements from the North Lismore area.Those residents who have a House Buyback offer accepted by the NSWRA need to register their expression of interest to move onto one of the newly announced 85 North Lismore blocks. You can do this by emailing [email protected] Lanyon also revealed this was the first time that the NSWRA used the Land Acquisition Act."We're looking to put 85 homes on that block of land there. A lot of work is still to be done with the land owner. We've served notice on them. This is the first time the Reconstruction Authority has used the Land Acquisition Act, which is actually significant because it says we are looking at all avenues to provide flood-free land and options for the community to be able to move to flood-free land."As Lismore develops a vision for the green spaces left in North Lismore and that plan is implemented, you can't help but think the Land Acquisition Act will be used again in the future.The subject of squatters was raised once again. This time, Minister Scully explained the government's position."Those houses are empty for a reason; they cannot be used. They should not be used; you should not be squatting in them. We will be taking action against those people who are squatting because they shouldn't be there, and we'll work with, and we're already working with the sheriff, the police, Homes New South Wales and community housing providers because if people are at risk of homelessness to make sure they are housed and accommodated properly. But you shouldn't be living in those homes.""However, there are homes under the buyback system that may be able to be used in that intervening period or while they are relocated or gifted or whatever may happen to them in the end. You may be able to occupy those, but only with an occupation certificate from an occupation license from the Reconstruction Authority.""This is not some sort of free-for-all that you find an empty home, you rip off the plywood, and you go in there and sleep out. If you're going to do that, go through the proper process otherwise we will be forced to remove you. That's that's the bottom line on this one."It was 12 months ago that Ministers Dib and Scully joined Janelle Saffin to discuss the Flood Recovery Re-set. The first part of that process was to listen to the community and then build solutions based on those discussions.Minister Dib said the NSW Government was able to work on delivering those solutions."Recovery is not easy. It's complex, and it takes a lot of time. But we are working through that complexity. We are giving it the time, and we're giving it the funding.""We said from the very first visit, this is a community, it's very clear when you walk through, or you drive through, and you see those love hearts, this is a strong, a resilient, a proud, a determined community. They want to stay here. We will do everything that we can to not only rebuild the Northern Rivers, but to build it back better. And to make it better for everything that the community wants. The aspiration here can be met with all of the things that we can do as a government, working with the agencies, also working with local government, and most importantly, at the heart, that centre, the community itself."While our journey to recovery is in its very early days, the first signs of new growth are beginning to appear giving people hope that Lismore and the Northern Rivers will be better than it was before February 28 2022. The start of construction will be the next phase.

People living in Lismore and surrounding areas will now have access to a new temporary Service NSW Centre located in the Lismore CBD.Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin visited the new centre at 152 Molesworth Street ahead of its opening today.(Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib and Service NSW CEO and staff at the new entrance on Molesworth Street)For the past two years, Service NSW staff have been squashed into a small space at the Lismore Golf Club site on Barham Street. The trying conditions were not ideal. However, they provided the necessary services the community needed.Belinda Cooling is the Manager of Service NSW Lismore and Casino. Although Belinda has been with the Lismore office for six months, she knows how much this move means to the staff."It's served its purpose, definitely, but it's cramped. It's not like a normal Service Centre. Everybody's crammed into one little space.""I think they're still in shock because it's so awesome. They haven't had that for two years, coming from a big centre where they had 11 counters. It was definitely time to move on from that site as well and not to go back there." While Molesworth Street is not as big as the old Ballina Road site, it is bigger than Barham Street."We've also increased our capacity to serve. We only had five desks and now we've now got seven with the ability to serve off another desk if we need to, so eight," Belinda explained."We've increased the space. We've also got a beautiful meeting room where we can have private meetings and bookings with people. We haven't been able to do that at Barham Street, so it's lovely to be able to give that back to our community.""The big difference is, we're down in the CBD. So we're part of the heart of the city. Coming back to our community."Moving to the CBD has a positive and negative effect on staff and users alike. The positive is that ten regular staff members will be spending money at local shops and cafes helping them through what's been a tough year so far.The negative is the lack of parking. Staff will need to park at Harold Frederick or Crowther Carparks for the all-day free parking and take the short walk to walk each day. Service NSW customers will need to find a carpark at Clyde Campbell, Hensley or Kirkland Riviera Carparks for free parking or be lucky enough to find a 2-hour middle parking bay on Molesworth Street."It is not ideal," Belinda agreed, "But, there are places that people can park and walk to us from. I think parking, generally, in Lismore is a problem, and I think, even when we get to Goonellabah that it's still going to be an issue. We have to adapt with that and just try to service people as best we can with what we've got."As Belinda mentioned, Service NSW's final destination is Goonellabah.The permanent centre will accommodate driver testing and the full suite of government services and transactions and will be located in the “The Village” shopping centre, behind Rivers and The Reject Shop. Planning approval from Lismore City Council has to be approved, and once received, the building process should take 12-18 months, depending on the weather.(Ms Saffin and Minister Dib share an eye test joke with staff watching on)Anyone attending the new Molesworth Street Centre will be able to access the full range of NSW Government transactions and services while driving and knowledge tests will continue to be offered on the ground floor of the Lismore Workers Golf Club at 1 Barham Street by appointment only.Staff at the Service NSW Centre can also connect business owners with a Business Concierge for free, ongoing and personalised support for every stage of their business.The Molesworth Street Centre will be open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, while the Barham Street Centre will be open Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm for driving and knowledge tests, but by appointment only.Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said, “The NSW Government remains committed to supporting the Lismore community following the 2022 floods, and this new temporary Service NSW Centre helps provide certainty for locals until a permanent site is built at Goonellabah.”“The new Lismore CBD location is convenient for locals wanting to renew a licence or register a vehicle, and the NSW Government’s investment in a new centre ensures government services remain accessible to those who need it the most.”Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “This Service NSW Centre in Lismore’s CBD will offer convenience and continuity for local people needing to access a range of Government services.”“Local tradespeople assisted with the fit-out, and I’m sure Service NSW staff are looking forward to serving customers in this new space.”“These staff have done a tremendous job while operating out of the ground floor of the Lismore Workers Golf Club in East Lismore, where driving and knowledge tests will continue to be offered.”“Post-flood, we have all had to adapt and make the most of makeshift arrangements as we rebuild our existing premises or relocate to higher ground.”For more information, visit the new location at 152 Molesworth Street or check the https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/service-centre/lismore-service-centre.

Today was announcement day for the $790 million Resilient Homes and the $100 million Resilient Land Programs in Lismore as two NSW Ministers, two local Members (Lismore and Ballina) and CEO of NSWRA announced the North Lismore site for 85 homes and gave more details of the House Raising and Retrofit Programs.(CEO NSWRA Mal Lanyon, Member for Ballina Tamara Smith, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, Phyllis Street resident Terry Roth, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib outside of Terry Smiths home)Until now, the only progress made for House Raising and Retrofits has been made in the Byron Shire, where eight offers have been approved and five offers completed (as of 28 June 2024) and Tweed with 1 offer approved and 1 completed.We were told that approximately 370 homeowners have been identified as eligible for home raising or retrofit in the Northern Rivers and that over 110 property assessments have been undertaken."That's really about sitting down with the property owners, making sure they understand the options," CEO NSWRA Mal Lanyon told media, "As you can imagine, one size doesn't fit all, and it may well be that a solution doesn't work for a particular family, may not work for a particular demographic and person. So, it's important we take time."The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is working with leading architect for flood resilient design, James Davidson from JDA Co, to establish the program and develop guidance for home raising and retrofit work. After receiving their free in-home assessment report, homeowners can appoint their builder of choice to deliver works suitable to their home to make it more resilient to future flooding.Eligible homeowners will be granted up to $50,000 for a home retrofit and $100,000 for a home raise with a dollar-for-dollar co-contribution between the RA and homeowners, up to a maximum of $100,000 for retrofits and $200,000 for home raising.One of those homeowners to be successful for a House Raising and who received his assessment report yesterday was Terry Roth.Terry has lived on Phyllis Street, South Lismore, since 2006. He remembers the February 28 2022 flood well, saying, "It was pretty harrowing, like it was for everybody." Terry made his way to his neighbours across Phyllis Street in neck-high water in the dark early hours of Monday morning because their house was already raised."It was really bad when it happened. When you leave your house and you think it might not be there when you come back, and it is, it's a bonus. I was just lucky it survived because it's old, and it's tough."Terry didn't qualify for a House Buyback but wouldn't have accepted it if he had."I work here, I live here, I love living in Lismore, and I really like the street. Look at the end of the day; if I had got a buyback, I wouldn't have had enough money to go anywhere. I would have to get another mortgage. I don't have one now, which is a really good feeling. Even though it's a cheap house in a cheap area. I don't have a mortgage and that to me is the way I want to roll."As for the height that Terry wants to raise his beloved home?"I haven't had an in-depth chat about it, but probably 2.7 (metres) or 3 from where it is now. It (the flood) went in 2.7, so if it goes 2.7 from here, I am above 2022. I don't mind walking upstairs."As for when Terry's house is likely to be raised?"We're in the process. We got the report, and the next stage is to get a builder, and they do a scope of works. The ball is rolling, but I'd say six months to a year, I guess. I don't like living in high houses, but I'd be mad not to. I don't like swimming either."The flood modelling used to determine who gets a buyback and who gets a retrofit was the best available data at the time. However, with the CSIRO data available from July 1, will it be used to recalibrate the modelling and potentially change buybacks, raisings and retrofits?"All of this information is recalibrated based on any new information as we get it," Minister Scully said. We cannot have just a point-in-time assessment.""We know that the climate is changing, the impact of natural disasters vary. The frequency and the extent of any event can be very, very different from the one before it. So, just like everyone else, when there is new data to be input into a model, we look at it. However, in terms of what we've used and what we've said in terms of the initial eligibility, it's based on that initial guideline."Many flood-affected people didn't want to wait until funding was available to raise or retrofit their houses, so they completed the project at their own cost. Are they eligible for reimbursement?"It's a case by case basis. I would encourage anyone to talk to the RA and talk through the concierge service to see whether it is a possibility. It may not always be a possibility."Ms Saffin confirmed that has been the case for people who were eligible and whose work was completed according to the standards in the building code.Today, we embarked on a key recommendation of the NSW Flood Inquiry, to reduce the risk to human life and reduce the frequency of potential flood-related damage. Australia’s largest disaster adaptation project on the Northern Rivers continues its journey.

The long-awaited and highly anticipated North Lismore Plateau Resilient Lands announcement is finally here with Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib in town with Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin.The North Lismore development will deliver around 85 home sites, which is lower than community expectations.This follows previous announcements at East Lismore (400), Goonellabah (50), Brunswick Heads, Casino and Lennox Head, with more than 2,800 housing sites now in the planning pipeline across the Northern Rivers.Lismore's share of the 2,800 housing sites is 535, with the Crawford Road site at East Lismore delivering approximately 400 blocks, Just Street in Goonellabah 50 and now North Lismore 85. As of 28 June, Lismore easily had the largest number of Buybacks approved, 559, with Tweed next at 158.We can only hope this is not the last of the Resilient Land announcements for the Lismore LGA.North Lismore will be master planned and developed in consultation with the community, taking into consideration the site’s environmental, biodiversity and cultural significance.(North Lismore Plateau development Parkview artist impression)As part of the supporting infrastructure program, to assist primary producers, up to 100 drains that support agricultural properties across the Northern Rivers are being repaired and cleaned out through the $5 million Northern Rivers Agricultural Drainage Reset Program.Vegetation build-up presents a serious problem with large drains unable to channel water away from the land.The program will drive long-term resilience and ensure farmers and communities are better equipped to withstand and recover from future floods. It is being delivered by the RA in partnership with Soil Conservation Service and in cooperation with local councils.The recovery program is being informed by feedback from the community and the Northern Rivers Community Leaders Forum, which was established 12 months ago.Between August 2023 and January 2024, the RA doorknocked more than 4880 homes across seven LGAs. Pop-up information offices continue to be an important conduit between the RA and the community, with more than 4,339 visitors as of late June.These changes are expected to lead to better outcomes as the region moves into medium to long-term recovery phase from the 2022 floods.Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “What we’re doing in the Northern Rivers is not a simple rebuilding exercise – we’re making significant long-term changes to where people live, how we plan for climate change and how we mitigate future disasters.“As part of our commitment to disaster mitigation, there’s already been significant progress with the Resilient Homes Program, but there is still more to do.“As of June 28, 788 buyback offers had been approved and 656 offers accepted, which represents an 83 per cent take-up rate.“Today we’re announcing that North Lismore is the sixth site for more homes through the Resilient Lands Program and there are more to come.”Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “During our many visits to the area we have seen the community working together to maintain the unique identity of the region and the strong desire to build back better.“We established the community leaders forum to guide decision-making and local engagement is informing projects supporting flood recovery efforts and making communities more resilient.“Across the region a wide range of projects are underway including improvements to evacuation routes which will provide better access for emergency workers and supplies during disasters.”Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “As chair of the Community Leaders forum I am enormously pleased to see input from that group included in announcements like today.“Feedback from the community has helped the NSW Reconstruction Authority to develop a more people-friendly, place-based approach to determine eligibility for key programs like the Resilient Homes Program. That is a good thing.“Repeat visits by my parliamentary colleagues show the reset is progressing in the Northern Rivers and the NSW Government is in this recovery for the long haul.”Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said, “I am pleased that the NSW Government agreed to Council’s call for a ‘reset’ a year or so ago and developed a more community centric approach that has seen the pace of our recovery pick up, although as we all know. We still have some way to go."I welcome the announcement on North Lismore that will allow disaster-affected families to build new houses or relocate their existing timber home. The commencement of the Raise and Retrofit program will also be very welcomed by the community.”

In the lead-up to NAIDOC Week, students at Lismore Public School are learning how First Nations communities approach disability and inclusion through a free program being delivered to schools.  The Milkiri Inclusion in Culture program was designed by Social Futures NDIS local area coordinator Richard Clarke, a proud Ngembaman from Brewarrina in Northwest NSW. Social Futures is a proud NDIS partner.  Richard explains four key perspectives of disability from his culture – everybody is different, everybody has a role, we take care of each other, and staying connected to mind, body, spirit and country helps to keep us strong.  “That’s the message I emphasise in schools – we may be different, but everyone is still valued, has a role and is needed by their community,” said Richard.  Richard’s grandfather used a wheelchair, and this didn’t stop him from playing an important role teaching Richard and others about culture, country, stories and bush foods.  Since creating Milkiri, Richard has visited more than 30 schools and met with more than 3000 students.   Richard explores ideas around disability through dances, demonstrations, songs and storytelling. He also introduces students to Aboriginal tools and artifacts, including explaining the importance of the digeridoo.  The name Milkiri is a Ngemba word meaning ‘ant dance’ and was given to Richard by his Uncle Roy to use when teaching others about culture.  “I engage students through culture, and after the Acknowledgement of Country I ask them to think about where they come from, where they are connected, and who their mob is,” he said.  The children have given the program glowing reviews. One student told ‘Uncle Richard’ that he now understood it was okay not be the same as everyone else. (Richard having some boomerang fun with students from Lismore Public School. Photo: supplied) “I always leave schools with a sense of pride because the students have learnt something from me, and I also get to see the Aboriginal students step up and share their culture with their class peers.  “I witness them explaining, ‘This is how you do that’ and then I again feel so proud. I thank those students for sharing.”  Richard, a Ngemba man, has sought the permission of the Bundjalung Elders of northern New South Wales to showcase Milkiri on Bundjalung country.  “I am grateful to have this opportunity to share my culture and demonstrate how it is so inclusive,” he said. “I always pay my respects to my people and to the Bundjalung people.”  The idea for Milkiri came from a conversation Richard and an LAC colleague had while they were discussing community and the importance of inclusion at The Koori Mail hub in Lismore a month after the 2022 floods.  “I was explaining the many ways First Nations families and communities support each other, valuing difference through roles, responsibilities, and kinship,” Richard said. “From that Milkiri was born.”  Milkiri is a Northern NSW school program to help students understand disability inclusion from an Aboriginal Cultural perspective.  For bookings and information on participating in the Milkiri program, Northern NSW schools can call 1800 522 679 or visit https://socialfutures.org.au/service/milkiri-ant-dance/