Financial Crime Squad Detectives have charged two men for the alleged ram raid and arson of two tobacconists in Tweed Heads and Ballina.About 4.30am on Sunday, 22 September 2024, police were called to a tobacconist on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, following reports of a crash.Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District arrived to find a Toyota Corolla sedan, believed to have been stolen from Queensland, driven into a tobacconist, before two unknown males entered the business, destroying several displays and stealing large amounts of cigarettes.A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.A month later, about 2.40am on Tuesday, 22 October, police were called to the same tobacconist following reports a car had driven into a neighbouring business.Police arrived to find a MG SUV had driven into the store – as bollards had been placed in front of the tobacconist – before two unknown men poured fuel inside the business and fled without setting it alight.A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.About 3.30am the next day (Wednesday, 23 October 2024), emergency services were called to River Street in Ballina following reports of a building fire.On arrival, officers attached to Richmond Police District located a silver Mercedes sedan inside the shopfront of a tobacconist, well alight.Police were told the sedan drove into the business before the vehicle caught fire, with the occupants of the vehicle leaving the scene prior to police arrival.Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building was extensively damaged. Surrounding units were evacuated and two other vehicles were damaged by the blaze.No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.After initial investigations linked all three incidents, detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Financial Crime Squad’s Arson Unit commenced Strike Force Albany to investigate.Following extensive inquiries, about 8.30am on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Tweed/Byron Police District and Queensland Police – executed five search warrants across Queensland in Redland Bay, Redbank Plains, Berrinba and Park Ridge.At separate Park Ridge addresses, police arrested two men, aged 25 and 26. During the searches, police located and seized a BMW sedan, electronics, CCTV and clothing items.The men were taken to Brisbane Watchhouse, before strike force detectives applied for – and were granted – extradition to NSW.They were transported to Tweed Heads Police Station yesterday (Thursday, 28 November 2024), where the older man was charged with two counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-not steal etc, aggravated break and enter with intent-in company-not steal etc, destroy etc property in company use fire etc >$5000 and participate criminal group contribute criminalThe younger man was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-not steal etc, attempt to destroy etc property in company use fire etc >$5000, aggravated break and enter with intent-in company-not steal etc and participate criminal group contribute criminal.Both men were refused bail to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court today (Friday, 29 November 2024).Investigations under Strike Force Albany continue.Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Shoppers are being urged to know their rights and to shop smart ahead of the busy holiday shopping season.The annual Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas shopping, Boxing Day, and January sales can give consumers many opportunities to snap up a bargain if they shop carefully, but shoppers need to do their research and be on the lookout for scams.Last financial year (FY), online shopping complaints to NSW Fair Trading surged by 70 per cent to 18,232, with retail complaints in clothing, footwear, accessories, and jewellery recording a notable jump from 796 in FY 2023 to 2742 in FY 2024.Complaints also rose in categories such as electrical goods (1,473 in FY 2024 compared with 982 in FY 2023) and furnishings (1,157 in FY 2024), indicating ongoing consumer concerns with product quality and delivery delays.Fair Trading has a range of compliance and enforcement options available to help protect consumers.These options include education, public warnings, and/or enforcement action, including penalties up to a maximum of $22,000 for individuals and $1.1 million for companies.Consumers are urged to follow these key tips to protect themselves this festive shopping season:Know your rights during sales: Under Australian Consumer Law, consumers are entitled to a refund, repair, or replacement if a product or service doesn’t meet the description. This applies to both online and in-store purchases. Make sure you ask for a receipt and keep it somewhere safe.Research before you buy: Take the time to compare prices, read reviews, and confirm that a sale really is a bargain before making a purchase. Some businesses may offer discounts that don’t always represent true savings.Check delivery and returns policies: Make sure you understand the store’s return policies, particularly for sale items. Businesses are not legally required to provide refunds if you change your mind, but many do so as a courtesy. When purchasing online, check delivery cut-off dates to ensure your items arrive on time.Beware of scams: Scammers often take advantage of busy shopping periods by creating fake websites or ads. Always check that the website is secure, ensure the web address is correct, and save copies of your receipts or confirmation emails for any future disputes.For more information on your rights and tips for staying safe this shopping season, visit https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services.Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said, “With the holiday shopping season upon us, shoppers need to know their rights and be on guard for dodgy products and scams.“Under Australian Consumer Law, consumers are entitled to a refund, repair, or replacement if a product or service doesn’t meet the description, and these rights apply to both online and in-store purchases.“Fair Trading has a range of compliance and enforcement options available to help protect consumers.“These options include education, public warnings, and/or enforcement action including penalties up to a maximum of $22,000 for individuals, and $1.1 million for companies.”

The Parliament of NSW announced that Jessica Johnston from Richmond Christian College in Ballina is the winner of the 2024 Parli-Flicks Short Film Award.   This year, students from Years 5 to 12 across NSW were invited to tackle the thought-provoking question: “If you were a Member of Parliament, what is the one law you would want to pass?”.    Parliament received submissions from both primary and secondary students, representing regional and metropolitan areas. Each entry showcased remarkable creativity and offered a unique perspective on democracy.   On November 13, the awards ceremony at NSW Parliament House celebrated finalists across five categories, with Jessica announced as the overall winner. She was awarded a trophy plus a $500 prize for her entry, Helping Animals, which advocates for mandatory courses for new pet owners on how to care for their furry friends.  The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council, praised all students who entered the annual short film award.   “This year’s entries exceeded our expectations. The vision and thoughtfulness of the students highlights the incredible talent across our state,” Mr Franklin said.  “Congratulations to Jessica and all the finalists for their outstanding entries.”   Finalists were awarded a $100 prize and a medal in honour of their achievements. The categories included Best Regional Short Film and Best Metropolitan Short Film, as well as distinctions for Junior and Senior Secondary entries.   For more information about the Parli-Flicks Short Film Award and to view the winning entries, please visit the Parliament of NSW Education website. 

The Joint Regional Planning Panel has approved the $27.88 million Landcom development in East Lismore that will help ease Lismore's rental crisis.The 50 Build-To-Rent apartments will be constructed on the corner of Military Road and Crawford Road, East Lismore, where it is expected to house approximately 110 people.Medium-density housing represents only a fraction of how people live in Lismore. Historically, this has been a city of three-plus bedroom homes that now has a lot of one or two persons living in those homes.The apartments will be a mix of sizes from studios to three bedrooms, with 20% allocated for affordable housing. Landcom staff explained at an East Lismore community meeting that low-income earners will be given priority to rent 20% of the new apartments. The apartments will suit the needs, lifestyles and budgets of different households, with future residents close to shops, schools, Southern Cross University, open space and other community infrastructure. (An early drawing of the proposed 50 Build-To-Rent apartments in East Lismore)The site for the apartments is not prone to floods, and the design aims to maximise solar access and cross ventilation for the well-being of future tenants. The development will also include private off-street parking, as well as outdoor communal spaces, a mix of subtropical plants and views of bushland in the east. There is no indication from Landcom as to when they will break ground on the development.East Lismore is one of three proposed developments aimed at affordable housing.Bristol Circuit in Goonellabah and Cynthia Wilson Drive, East Lismore, will deliver another 56 affordable rental townhouses when built. Landcom is in the process of selecting a Community Housing Provider (CHP) to deliver the development and provide tenancy management services. The CHP will become the owner of the properties and be responsible for maintaining the buildings and landscaping.A Landcom spokesperson told the Lismore App in October, "Landcom, in partnership with Lismore City Council, Homes NSW, the Reconstruction Authority and the CHP sector, is developing an Affordable Housing project in Goonellabah. "The project aims to deliver approximately 56 affordable rental townhouses across two sites: 16 at Bristol Circuit and 40 at Cynthia Wilson Drive. These homes will cater to low-moderate income earners, including essential workers such as teachers, nurses, and retail staff, among others."There will also be an emphasis on providing affordable homes to people impacted by the floods. "The project is progressing and we expect to make an announcement in the coming months to advise the CHP partner and next steps." Landcom will collaborate with the chosen CHP and Council to finalise the design and prepare the Development Application (DA). Community engagement sessions will be held prior to the DA submission, providing community members an opportunity to offer feedback on the project.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan says the Labor Party has struck again. This time, it’s Richmond Waste, which has lost its contract with our local hospitals. Richmond Waste had been providing services to the local health district for over 40 years.Mr Hogan said this follows their shameful treatment of Norco and Hutley Bros. Butchery in South Lismore.“Labor has made their priorities crystal clear: the city over our regional communities. We need to vote them out,” Mr Hogan said.“Previously, businesses could tender for contracts that would cover just our local health area. But now, they are expected to service a much larger area of the State. This is only possible for large multi-nationals. That means the Labor Government is giving the contracts to large multinational companies over our local businesses. Shame on them.“Labor have no reality on how the regions work. Our community proudly supports locals, and this Government is the complete opposite.”“Every decision they make is another kick in the guts to our community, proving that Labor’s city-centric machine doesn’t have a clue about life in the regions.”

Lismore City Council is urging residents to act against the illegal dumping of asbestos, a problem that has surged since the 2022 natural disaster.The call comes as National Asbestos Awareness Week, from 25 November to 1 December 2024, raises awareness of the ongoing dangers of asbestos across Australia.Lismore City Council Regulatory Services Officer Stuart Thomson said the Council is investigating a significant case of asbestos dumping on Frank Street, South Lismore."It is one of two illegal dumping sites, totalling about 25 tonnes of asbestos, under investigation. These illegal activities pose serious health risks and cost ratepayers significant money to address,” he said."The Frank Street incident is particularly concerning, and we are asking anyone who has information about recent bathroom renovations to come forward immediately.”Council spends significant resources investigating, collecting and safely disposing of illegally dumped asbestos to protect the environment and community. The risks of exposure to asbestos fibres, even from a single instance, can be fatal.Currently, residents within the Lismore LGA pay $560 per tonne to dispose of asbestos at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery facility, while those outside the LGA pay $600.Regarding the cost of waste fees, Mr Thomson also said there was a misunderstanding about fees for dumping asbestos at the facility.“To put the cost into perspective, a kitchen, on average, would contain no more than 100kg of asbestos, which will cost a minimum of $60,” he said.Asbestos remains a hidden hazard in millions of Australian homes, particularly those built before 1990, poising both a health and environmental threat.Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg emphasised the dangers of asbestos."Asbestos is a deadly threat, and the rise in illegal dumping is alarming,” he said.“This week is a reminder to handle asbestos responsibly. There’s no excuse for endangering others through unsafe practices."Council is stepping up its efforts to combat illegal asbestos dumping.Regulatory Services Officer Stuart Thomson highlighted the importance of proper disposal and the penalties for non-compliance."Dumping asbestos is not only illegal - it’s extremely dangerous,” he said.“The risks of asbestos exposure, even at the smallest levels, are fatal. Council has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal disposal, and we will investigate and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law."“When taking asbestos to the waste facility, it must be wrapped in heavy-duty black plastic, sealed with tape, and placed into hazardous material bags.”Individuals face fines of up to $15,000 for a first offence, with corporations fined up to $30,000. Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties. Maximum penalties can reach $1 million for individuals and $4 million for corporations.Before 1990, asbestos was present in many building products, including sheeting, vinyl flooring, adhesives, insulation and downpipes.Homeowners renovating older homes should assume asbestos is present and consult professionals.If you have tested and identified only small areas of asbestos, Council offers a subsidised Household Asbestos Disposal (HAD) Kit for $30.This kit allows for the safe removal of up to 10m² of bonded asbestos (approximately 2–3 sheets of fibro). Please note this cost does not include the disposal fee for the asbestos waste.HAD Kits can be purchased from the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre or the Corporate Centre in Goonellabah.If you remove more than 10m² of asbestos or any amount of friable (non-bonded) asbestos-containing material, you are legally required to employ a licensed asbestos removalist.For more information on identifying, removing and disposing of asbestos, visit https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au and search asbestos.

Communities from Lismore and across the Northern Rivers region are being urged to get behind their local volunteer finalists for the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. The Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year finalists will join more than 200 of their peers in Sydney next month at a gala celebration to help mark the announcement of the NSW Volunteer of Year for 2024. The finalists include Goonellabah's Leoni Byron-Jackson, who helped establish the Northern Rivers branch of the NSW Wildlife Rescue Service more than 20 years ago, and she has continued to lead and volunteer there across many different roles. She is also a small mammals expert, having trained hundreds of volunteers in how to care for echidnas, possums and gliders. She has become an essential conduit between animal rescuers and local vets, police, wildlife hospitals, and businesses.Leonie was named Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year 2024 at a ceremony in October at Twin Towers.The NSW Volunteer of the Year finalists were chosen from 25 regions across the state and announced at local and regional celebrations over the past few months. The Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year finalists for 2024 are: Northern Rivers Young Volunteer of the Year: Jackson Whitney from NSW SES (Yamba)Northern Rivers Adult Volunteer of the Year: Simone Clark from Wardell CORE, Orange Sky and Mary’s Place (Ballina)Northern Rivers Senior Volunteer of the Year: Leoni Byron-Jackson from WIRES (Goonellabah)Northern Rivers Volunteer Team of the Year: Agape Outreach The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said the awards had uncovered countless stories of people giving their time to help build better and stronger communities. “More than 4 million people volunteer each year across NSW, contributing a staggering $178 billion in social and economic benefits,” Ms Rygate said. “Volunteers across the Northern Rivers region are an important part of this incredible effort. We wish the Northern Rivers Volunteer of the Year finalists the very best for the state awards. “Most importantly, we thank all the volunteers across the region for their selfless and remarkable contribution.” The 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards Gala ceremony will be held in Sydney on Tuesday, 10 December.

16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence started on November 25th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10th, the International Day of Human Rights.This year in Australia, 52 women have died at the hands of their intimate partner or family member. Globally, a woman is killed every 10 seconds under the same circumstances.NORWAC has chosen to highlight this event by remembering the women who have been lost this year with a moving display of empty shoes, where attendees were invited to place a flower in memory of those lost.Emma Siegel, the manager at the Lismore Women's Health and Resource Centre, was one of the women behind the event.“We always support the 16 days of activism. It's an international initiative that's been going since 1991 and we usually do some kind of event or grassroots action. “No more empty shoes, which is what we're doing today, placing women's shoes and flowers to remember the women that have died in Australia at the hands of their intimate partner or other family member.“We just want to stand up and say it's enough. We want to keep these women in the front of our minds in the conversation. They're not just statistics.“Women have the right to feel safe in their own homes. They have the right to feel safe on the streets. So we wanted to use this installation to take up space, to bring the conversation to the community.”Shoes of all types were used in an artistic sense, setting up a powerful metaphor. No longer in use - they represented the end of an unfulfilled journey. Destiny cut short.“It's not just a women's issue; it’s a human rights issue, and we need to keep putting pressure on our lawmakers and governments to continue taking action.”Many gathered to pay respects to those lost, including two women, Kelly and Camille, who happened past and decided to join when they realised what it was about. “We wanted to stay and be a part and support such a good cause bringing awareness to the community,” said Camille, “It brings a space of reflection for me about how important it is to remain aware and educated about what's happening in our community.”Kelly added, “The shoes are a powerful visual representation. It’s like an artwork. It’s left me feeling moved.”(Kelly and Camille paying respects)John Leggott was also drawn in as he was coming past. Initially attracted by the colour and curiosity of what was happening, he stayed to pay some respects, bearing in mind an experience he had with a former partner who had grown up in a situation that normalised abuse.  In the absence of abuse, she has started to perpetrate it, and the relationship didn’t last. John believes her trauma is affecting her current relationship.“What women endure because they want to keep their families together. It just goes on, never stops once it starts, and it gets worse. How do you break that cycle?”It was an emotional experience, and tears threatened when he thought about his granddaughters and the dangers they could face.NORWAC and other organisations are holding events to help women around this event.  (Madeline's statement earrings were made locally by Paulette Hayes.)One program by Women's Outreach Trauma and Health Services, or WORTH, is holding a series of workshops around the area called Green Flags. Alice, a domestic violence specialist at WORTH co developed the program as a positive way of approaching relationships.“Green Flags is a day-long workshop, and we talk about healthy relationships and green flags to look out for. We also talk about boundary setting and ways that we can set boundaries for ourselves.”There is one workshop left for this year in Ballina on December 3rd, but due to the popularity of the program, it will be rolled out again next year in Lismore and surrounding towns.For more information on NORWAC and the 16 days of activism, have a look at the Norwacs Facebook page.

Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah doubled its housing numbers yesterday when the second relocated flood home was moved early Wednesday morning.The NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) has said the goal is to move four homes onto the prepared sites before Christmas. The homes will be renovated to a high standard in early 2025, with the first homeowners moving in towards the end of 2025.Mt Pleasant Estate is part of the NSW Government's $100 Resilient Lands Program (RLP). Thirty-nine (39) homes will be built in the estate and offered to flood-affected people and families first before hitting the open market.The four houses have been purchased under the $790 million Resilient Homes Program (RHP), with more to be offered for sale in 2025 as the program progresses. It is funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments with the goal of moving people off the floodplain.One of the key objectives of the project is to demonstrate the relocation process and potential for these character homes and how they can fit within a new neighbourhood. A local architect has been commissioned to provide the RA with design options for alterations to make sure the homes contribute to the character of the Goonellabah community and surrounding environment.  Mount Pleasant was the second RLP site announced in 2024. The site will demonstrate a mix of small and standard lot sizes as well as detached and attached housing types with a range of price points for buyback participants.Mount Pleasant is one of seven sites that have so far been identified under the Resilient Lands Program, the others are at East Lismore, North Lismore, Brunswick Heads, Ballina-Lennox Head, Summerland Estate near Casino and Junction Hill near Grafton.It will also demonstrate housing types that could be rolled out at other RLP sites and builds on the community master planning work led by the RA in partnership with the Living Lab and Government Architect NSW. The RA has held two community information sessions and BBQs at Mount Pleasant in May and September this year to keep the community updated on the proposed development. Changes have been made throughout the process, such as reducing the number of properties from 50 to 39.Not everyone is happy with the end result, especially moving traditional Lismore timber homes into an area with a mostly modern brick/brick veneer build. Both houses have been raised to allow parking underneath, which has also upset some local homeowners on Dudley Drive who used to look over bushland towards Tucki Tucki Creek.(The four-site block of relocatable homes at Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah. Two down, two to go)The masterplan is moving towards finalisation to accelerate the delivery of new homes on the site. The site will be developed progressively over three stages from the end of 2024 to 2026.RHP participants who have accepted a buyback offer will have the first opportunity to purchase property delivered under the RLP. Following the offer to RHP participants, any remaining properties will be made available to the broader public.To stay up to date and receive more information about this or any other RLP development, people can register their interest by emailing RLP@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au or phone 1800 844 085.Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “Australia’s largest resilience adaptation program is underway in the Northern Rivers, and the relocation of these buyback homes to Mount Pleasant is an important milestone.“This really strengthens the link between the Resilient Homes Program and the Resilient Lands Program and gives people impacted by 2022 floods a way to get off the floodplain.“The Mount Pleasant site will be an architecturally designed development that demonstrates the best use of mixed-housing types with the surrounding neighbourhood and natural features.”Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “We are providing homeowners hit by Australia’s worst-ever flood disaster with a range of options to get them off the floodplain and out of harm’s way.”“We have reached a major milestone as the first homes are relocated off the floodplain, retaining their unique character and working with the local community to provide a more resilient future.” Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said, "There is a high level of interest in the community for relocating homes or purchasing relocated homes and Mount Pleasant will be a good demonstration of how that can be done.“Preserving these historic homes and providing that link to the past is important for the community, but Mount Pleasant will also provide a diverse range of other housing options and different price points.”

Richmond Police District Police are appealing for assistance from the public to identify the male depicted in the images below. Police believe the male may be able to assist with enquiries in respect of an alleged stealing offence that occurred at Alstonville on 25 November 2024.Anyone with information is urged to contact Evans Head Police Station on (02) 6629 7551, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au and quote E82830821.All information is treated in strict confidence.

The economic cost of child poverty in the Richmond-Tweed region is more than $1.8 billion a year, according to landmark research commissioned by peak social services body NCOSS. The report titled Lasting Impacts: The Economic Costs of Child Poverty in NSW calculated for the first time the impact of failing to invest in our children. About 16 per cent of children in the Richmond-Tweed region live in poverty, and the economic impact equates to more than $6,800 per person. NCOSS chief executive Cara Varian said the total cost of childhood poverty in NSW is $60 billion, eclipsing the annual contributions to the state’s economy from major sectors such as construction ($52.9 billion), manufacturing ($42.3 billion) and mining ($32.5 billion).“There are more than 8,600 children in poverty in the Richmond-Tweed region,” she said. “Child poverty hurts us all - it robs children of their future and steals more than $1.8 billion from the Richmond-Tweed region economy every year.” “Children from households living in poverty are three times more likely to also experience poverty in adulthood. We are setting up a cycle of disadvantage.  “Poverty during childhood has a lifelong impact. These children go on to have poor physical and mental health and earn less at work. They are more likely to be unemployed, homeless or land in the legal system as an adult. “We live in one of the world’s wealthiest nations - poverty is preventable, and this research shows the immense economic opportunity available to the NSW Government if it takes the steps necessary to avoid the long-term consequences of child poverty.” The economic costs from childhood poverty include $26 billion in direct costs (delivering Government services, reduced labour market participation and productivity) and $34 billion from diminished health and life expectancy. Ms Varian said the NSW and Australian Governments must do the following to lift families out of poverty:Substantially increase base rates of income support payments, particularly JobSeeker and Parenting Payments (e.g. match rates of the Age Pension), and index them to community living standards.Ensure that a minimum of 10 per cent of all housing is social and affordable housing; further increase Commonwealth Rent Assistance to keep up with private rental rates; and ensure homelessness services are resourced to support everyone who needs help.Commit to joint decision-making to empower First Nations communities in the design and delivery of services, including boosting funding for the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector.Guarantee all children have access to at least three days a week of quality and affordable childcare, with removal of the Activity Test on the childcare subsidy.Invest in high-quality integrated support services for children and families, that help them early in life. For this report, child poverty is defined as a child (0 -17 years) living in a household with income less than 50 per cent of the median household’s income (including government benefits, and after tax and housing costs), adjusted for household size.To read the report, go to ncoss.org.au.

Become a part of a Living Memory this week in a regional project to capture North Lismore in imagery and story. This Thursday and Saturday, you have the opportunity to visit a pop-up photo booth where professional photographers will capture moments. “At the heart of this work is the desire to creatively support a community experiencing a massive transformation — to tell their stories in their own words.”Photographic artist Cherine Fahd believes photography can bring people and communities together, and creatively address moments of significant social change. "Photography has the power to make us visible to each other, to make us feel seen in ways that say, 'I belong, I am here.' “The simple act of making portraits creates a thread between people, a reminder of our presence in this moment, of resilience, of being held in each other's sight so that we know we were here in North Lismore together." In October many current and former North Lismore residents ('Northies') came together for a Living Memory community co-design workshop, sharing stories and ideas of how they would like North Lismore to be remembered. Local historian Adele Wessell and photographic artist Cherine Fahd are advocates of the Living Memory project and are capturing imagery and stories for a showcase in March 2025 and then to live on in a digital archive.Lismore App's Lara Leahy happened across the photography team taking the promo images for this event. Lara and her dog, Tilly, had a lovely time sharing some laughs and capturing a few moments to give expression to the project.Lara has been involved in telling many people's stories in North Lismore and beyond, and Tilly is often not far away. In her first photo shoot, Tilly was not accustomed to so much attention directed at her, but her beautiful character shone through.(An impromptu opportunity to contribute to the legacy of North Lismore. Image credit: Elise Derwin)You can take part in the North Lismore pop-up Photo Booths:Thursday, 28 November 4pm—6pmSaturday, 30 November 8.30am—11am Galaxy Underground, 51 Bridge Street, North Lismore AND 43 Bridge Street, North Lismore (old general store building)This event is free, and you are asked to come along with whoever you would like - by yourself or with your family, neighbours, mates or local club! Bring memorabilia and personal stories, and help the Living Lab to create some lasting memories of the neighbourhood you are part of. The oral histories of the Northies will be documented in interviews with Adele Wessell, local historian. Adele looks to explore “themes of home, community and locality in the words of locals from the areas where homes are being bought back.”If you have a story you would like to share, get in touch with the Living Lab Northern Rivers at livinglabnr@scu.edu.au. Living Memory is a community project with Living Lab Northern Rivers and the NSW Reconstruction Authority exploring the stories, history and memories of North Lismore.Executive Director of the Reconstruction Authority's Northern Rivers Adaptation Division, Kristie Clarke, described the Living Memory project as a 'people first' approach to recording the cultural and historical significance of North Lismore. "North Lismore, like many areas of the Northern Rivers, is undergoing significant change following the 2022 floods and this project takes a very personal approach to telling that story," she said.After the showcase in March, the Living Memory archive will be accessible for long-term future reference, along with a collection of historical materials and artefacts. Together they will form a record of a North Lismore, it's place and people, at a particular time. For more information, visit llnr.com.au/living-memory.

Lismore South Public School has received the Resilient Australian National School Award for its implementation of the Mackillop Season's Stormbirds program.The 2024 Resilient Australia Awards is a nationwide program that celebrates, shares and promotes initiatives that build and foster community resilience to disasters and emergencies.Since 2000, the awards have showcased innovation and exemplary practice across Australia, celebrating achievements that might otherwise go unseen and inspiring others to build greater disaster resilience in their own communities.Three-quarters of students at Lismore South Public School (PS) lost their homes and belongings in the February 2022 flood. Not only that, their school and the Ngulliboo Jarjums Preschool were severely damaged, so much so that the old school is being demolished and rebuilt.Lismore South PS Assistant Principal Gaye Titcume oversaw the implementation of the program, with six staff members trained to deliver Stormbirds. More than 100 students went through the program, which is believed to be one of the largest implementations of this well-being and recovery program for young people.Gaye Titcume, Lismore South Public School Assistant Principal, said, “It became very obvious that we needed to sit with the children after the flood and just be with them. Learning went on the back burner, and wellbeing was at the forefront.”“Stormbirds was a program that we jumped on and thank goodness we did because what’s come out of that program has been beautiful.”“It created that space where the children felt valued and safe and cared for and respected. All those things have led to more connections with teachers that they, perhaps, wouldn’t have otherwise had.”“There’s no question our children have increased their resilience, and they are really the ones who should be receiving awards, each and every one of them.”Stormbirds supports young people to understand and manage the changes and impacts they experience as a result of a natural disaster.The awards are run by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience and were announced at the 2024 National Resilience Australia Awards in Canberra. They build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies around Australia.Larissa Polak, Lismore South Public School Principal, said, ""We are honoured to receive the award, which recognises the unwavering commitment and dedication of our school team in delivering the Stormbirds program.“This recognition prompts us to pause and reflect on the progress we've made since the 2022 floods. The award highlights the collective efforts that have gone into creating a safe school environment for healing. The compassionate connections established at school ensure that our children receive the care and support needed as we move forward in the disaster recovery journey.”“We are grateful for the partnership with Mackillop, Season to deliver this program at a whole school level, putting our school forward for both state and national recognition.“Thank you to the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience for recognising our school’s efforts.” Fiona McCallum, General Manager of MacKillop Seasons, says it is an honour to have partnered with Lismore South Public School and is delighted at the win.“The beauty of a program like Stormbirds—as well as our other program, Seasons for Growth—is that they are designed to build lifelong resilience skills within the community. We take a community-driven approach and work with school communities and agencies to train local professionals, building local capacity to deliver the programs with a sustainable approach.“With positive benefit to community connectedness, knowledge sharing and inclusive support, we know many other communities are keen to learn from the success of this model so they too can support their own unique context.”

North Coast road users will soon benefit from safer and smoother journeys with traffic changes on the northbound off-ramp and roundabout at the Ballina interchange on the Pacific Highway.From 2 December, Transport for NSW will implement changes to the traffic turning movements.The left lane will continue to allow a left turn towards Lismore and will now be used by those continuing north on the Pacific Highway towards Tweed Heads.The right lane will change to only allow a right turn towards Ballina or a U-turn back onto the Pacific Highway towards Coffs Harbour. All other turning arrangements remain unchanged.Transport for NSW Regional Director North Anna Zycki said that during busy travel times, traffic on the northbound off-ramp could queue back onto the Pacific Highway, increasing the risk of crashes and causing both delays and frustration to road users.“Changing the traffic turning movements will improve efficiency and reduce congestion,” Ms Zycki said.New signage and line marking will be installed to guide motorists.  Transport for NSW will continue to monitor safety and queuing at the interchange.

Farmers have beaten the odds to lift NSW’s agricultural production to its third-highest level in history, according to a new report released by the state government this week. Despite challenging seasonal conditions during the first half of the year, NSW’s agricultural sector recorded a gross value of production of just over $20 billion in 2023-24, with the state’s agricultural exports reaching $11 billion in value over the twelve-month period.NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said it was pleasing to see the sector was well on its way to achieving its goal of being a $30 billion dollar industry by 2030, in spite of the challenges it continues to face. “Dry seasonal conditions inland and livestock prices presented a real challenge over summer for many farmers, but despite all odds, our sector remained a force to be reckoned with on the global stage,” Mr Martin said. “In 2023-24, livestock and cotton exports reached new record highs, and the gross value of production for farmed oysters grew six per cent to $52 million – its highest level in history. “Every single day, our farmers have stepped up to the plate to keep clothes on our backs and food on our forks, no matter what, and these numbers tell that story.” While the sector still faced many challenges, Mr Martin said the opportunities and potential of the NSW agriculture sector were plentiful. “Many farmers in the south have faced dry conditions and frost this year, while those in the north of the state, some experiencing flooding, are on the front line of major biosecurity threats like cattle ticks and fire ants,” Mr Martin said. “High input costs are also challenging farmers across NSW, yet they continue to take great leaps and strides in securing our food security for generations to come.“With their knowledge, resilience and stewardship for our landscape, Australians can rest assured our farmers will continue to grow the healthy plants and animals that feed not just our nation, but also the world.”

A man has died in a single-vehicle crash in the state's far north.About 12pm today (Tuesday 26 November 2024), emergency services were called to Dulguigan Road, Dulguigan - about 5km north of Murwillumbah - following reports a hatchback had crashed.Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District attended and found a hatchback had crashed into a tree.NSW Ambulance paramedics attended and treated the driver; however, he died at the scene.He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be aged in his 60s.A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident commenced.Anyone with information about the incident, CCTV or dashcam footage is urged to contact Tweed/Byron Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A Lennox Heads resident or visitor is a newly minted millionaire, though they may not yet know it, after pocketing $1 million in last night’s Weekday Windfall draw. The mystery millionaire held one of the four division one winning entries nationally in Weekday Windfall draw 4473, drawn Monday 25 November 2024. Each division one entry took home $1 million. As a non-registered Lott Member, officials are eagerly waiting for the mystery ticketholder to check their ticket and come forward. The winning entry was purchased at TSG Lennox Head, Shop 3, 5 Snapper Drive, Lennox Head. The Lott spokesperson, Eliza Wregg, said she hoped to unite the Northern River’s latest division one winner with their million-dollar windfall soon. “Our mystery ticketholder is likely oblivious to the fact that they’ve woken up as a millionaire this morning following last night’s Weekday Windfall draw,” she said. “We’re urging anybody who purchased a Weekday Windfall ticket from TSG Lennox Head to check their tickets today! “Just imagine the thrill of discovering you are an overnight millionaire! Your plans for the rest of the year would surely change in a heartbeat! “Make sure you check your tickets, and if you discover you are holding the winning ticket contact The Lott on 131 868 to begin the exciting prize claim process. “This is also an important reminder for players to register their lottery tickets to a player card or online account with The Lott Members Club, so if they are to score a major prize, we can reach out to them with the winning news.” The winning numbers in Weekday Windfall draw 4473 on Monday 25 November 2024 were 12, 17, 42, 14, 39 and 8, while the supplementary numbers were 23 and 25. 

Funding has been extended to continue delivering specialist support to children and young people who accompany their mothers to women’s refuges in Lismore. The Minns Labor Government has invested $48.1 million to expand and extend the Specialist Workers for Children and Young People (SWCYP) program, ensuring 21 existing contracts have funding certainty to June 2026, and a further 10 contracts receive new SWCYP funding. One of these extended services is the Northern NSW Homelessness Support Service for Women Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence. Since it launched in 2022, the service has provided significant support to vulnerable women and children across LGAs, including Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Tweed, with support through the SWCYP program.Under the expansion, SWCYP will now also cover the Northern NSW Homelessness Support Service for Aboriginal Women Experiencing Domestic and Family Violence across the same LGAs. Both services are led by Momentum Collective.  The SWCYP program provides a path to recovery for children and young people from 0 to 18 years of age, staying in refuges with their mothers after escaping domestic and family violence. Under this program, children and young people are recognised as victim-survivors in their own right and offered holistic, trauma-informed and preventative support. Specialist workers develop an individualised support plan for each child or young person to help break the pattern of violence and prevent intergenerational trauma. The $48.1 million boost to the SWCYP program forms part of the NSW Government’s $245.6 million emergency package to reduce the rate of violence against women and children in NSW. Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “Domestic and family violence can have a devastating impact on children and young people, whether they have witnessed or directly suffered abuse.  “This early intervention program run by Momentum Collective works to disrupt the cycle of violence and empowers children and young people to build a future free from violence.” Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said, “Extending and expanding this program means 1,800 children and young people will now have access to support from more than 55 specialist workers in 32 refuges across regional and metropolitan NSW every year. “This investment is crucial and will provide life-changing assistance for children and young people as they recover from past trauma.” 

More than 10 Olympic sized swimming pools of flood debris has been diverted from landfill and reused, saving $2.4 million following a collaborative effort between the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Richmond Valley Council.The debris, made up of soil and vegetation from landslips during the 2021-2022 floods, was collected from the damaged Naughtons Gap Road and repurposed for the Northern Rivers Rail trail.More than 12,000 tonnes of the material has now been placed along both sides of the trail to provide added stability and improve safety for cyclists.NSW EPA Executive Director Operations, Jason Gordon, said this is a great example of what can be achieved when we all work together."Severe weather events often generate significant waste volumes, and it can be challenging and costly to clean up. Rather than this material being dumped into a landfill, we've come up with a joint solution by reusing it to improve an important community and tourism asset."We know the impact the floods left on Northern Rivers communities is still being felt today but we are committed to continuing to work with Council and other agencies to ensure projects like this one come to life and help the region thrive once again."Richmond Valley Council Mayor, Robert Mustow said right from the word go the EPA engaged with us to come up with positive solutions."If this material ended up in landfill it would have cost $2.4 million. This huge saving is fantastic for our community seeing important repair work done while enabling us to upgrade infrastructure."The EPA is continuing to work with Council on multiple flood recovery projects to minimise material being sent to landfill.Naughtons Gap Road has been closed since 2021 and is set to reopen in December as part of the $15.8 million Betterment of Naughtons Gap Road project. (Naughton's Gap Road. Photo: Richmond Valley Council)The project to repair the road and make it more resilient to future natural disasters was funded jointly by the Australian and NSW Governments and was the first Regional Roads and Transport RecoveryPackage project to start work. For more information visit Council's website.The Environment Protection Authority has also been working with Lismore City Council on its flood cleanup.A spokesperson from EPA said, "The NSW EPA has an operational team dedicated to supporting the infrastructure rebuild following the 2022 Northern Rivers floods."This team works closely with all seven councils in the region, including Lismore City Council."We’ve collaborated with Lismore on various flood recovery projects by conducting regular inspections, advising on repairs to roads damaged by landslips, and ensuring waste materials are transported and disposed of safely."