Farmers have issued a fresh call to fix regional roads as new mapping reveals the extent of the road damage on country roads.   NSW Farmers’ Business Economics and Trade Committee member Andrew Martel said the release of the Australian Road Assessment Program’s NSW map this week should come as a wake-up call to all governments following years of flood damage and a lack of maintenance to the road network. “The map shows that no matter where you are in the state, everyone’s got a road or bridge that has been allowed to fall into a dangerous state,” Mr Martel said. “Besides the danger, these roads are a drain on productivity for agriculture and indeed all industry and business, adding to the cost of living and slowing growth in regional areas. “All extra damage to vehicles from these roads also costs money and lowers productivity.”Urgent funding from local state and federal government was needed to get NSW’s roads and bridges back on track, Mr Martel warned, as road users continued to see conditions deteriorate.“This map doesn’t even include local council roads, which are in an even worse state and require urgent extra funding through increased funding for Financial Assistance Grants,” Mr Martel said. “The value of this funding has been allowed to slip, but needs to be restored to the original level of 1 per cent of Commonwealth revenue to enable these road repairs.“Safe roads doesn’t just mean safe families – it means stronger productivity that will enable us to keep improving and repairing our roads as we see fit.”

The wet winter weekend weather pattern is set to continue and create havoc with every sporting game or match across Lismore and the Northern Rivers.According to the Bureau of Meteorology, if we are lucky, we will only receive 7mm over the two days. However, if we are unlucky, 35mm of rain could fall. The likelihood of any rain is very high, with a 95% chance for Saturday and 90% chance on Sunday.As is typical lately, the shower activity drops to 40% next week.Markets and art exhibitions are What's On this weekend.MARKETSAs we know, the Lismore Farmers Markets are on rain, hail or sunshine, so the gates will open at 7:30am tomorrow at the Lismore Showgrounds.Fresh fruit & veg, deserts, meat, coffee & tea, hot breakfasts and live music from Monkey & the Fish on offer for four hours.The Channon Markets are on Sunday between 9am and 3pm at Coronation Park in the hills of the Lismore LGA, with over 220 stalls selling food, fresh fruit and veg as well as many craft and art stalls.They can be susceptible to the weather, but organisers offered encouraging words earlier today. "The grounds are holding strong, the grass is loving the drink, and we reckon this rain is just nature’s way of rolling out a fresh green carpet for Sunday."ARTSIt is the final weekend to view Jacklyn Wagner's Through the Heart photographic exhibition at the Lismore Regional Gallery.Over 100 of Jacklyn's photographs capture the emotion and heartache of the 2022 floods are on display. The gallery is open 10am to 4pm both days.The 2024 Archibald Prize continues its exhibition at the Lismore Regional Gallery.This is only the second time the Archibald has made its way to Lismore. You have until the end of August to view the works of the 57 finalists.The Lismore Art Club is celebrating 65 years of creativity, support and nurturing of local artists.The 65th anniversary exhibition runs until Friday, August 22. It can be viewed at Flourish Art Gallery, 15 Casino Street, South Lismore.LIVE MUSICHerman's Hermits: the popular English group from the 1960s and '70s are on a 60th Anniversary World Tour. They perform at the Lismore Workers Club tonight (August 8) from 8pm. Tickets are $59 each; you can make a last-minute booking here.Coming up in August:Fleetwood Max: next Thursday, August 14, is when you can sing-along to the many hits of Fleetwood Mac. Tickets are $49.The Everly Brothers - Morning Melodies: on Wednesday, August 20. This is a lunchtime show where you will learn about the beautiful harmonies of Phil and Don Everly and hear their hits, like Bird Dog and Cathy's Clown.The Northern Rivers Hotel has live music from Wear the Fox Hat on Saturday night from 7pm.CHEAPEST PETROL PRICESBallina is still the cheapest town to fill the tank over the weekend, especially if you are there after 8pm, when prices tend to drop another 10 cents a litre.Here is the list of the cheapest service stations, saving you the most money in each town:E10 is 174.9 at the 7-Eleven in South Lismore, the Coles Express on Dawson Street and the Ampol Foodary on Woodlark Street in Lismore, 175.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 165.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 175.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 177.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 167.5 at the Metro and the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.U95 is 184.5 at Brad's Independent on Terania Street, North Lismore, 198.9 at the Independent on Canterbury Street, and 179.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.U98 is 192.9 at the Astron and Liberty on Ballina Road in Lismore, and the Liberty on Union Street, South Lismore, 197.9 at the two Independents on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 187.5 at The Metro on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 181.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road in Lismore, 181.9 across Casino, and 189.5 at the Mobil and The Metro in Ballina.Have a great weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

The people of Lismore and the Northern Rivers recognise the need for more social housing to address the growing number of homeless in the region, following Facebook posts from political activists that claimed free housing was available in NSW-owned buyback properties. Today, the NSW Government is releasing its NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025-2035 with the goal that being homeless is a rare, brief and not repeated situation.Led by Homes NSW, the whole-of-government 10-year strategy is the first of its kind in New South Wales and will shift the state's system to focus on early intervention, local coordination and long-term housing outcomes.Developed in collaboration with homelessness and housing services, people with lived experiences of homelessness and Aboriginal organisations, the Strategy outlines a coordinated approach to homelessness reform across government, the homelessness and housing sectors, local services and communities.Key reforms in the first stage of implementation include:Replacing hotel and motel stays with more appropriate homelessness accommodation delivered with supports that are tailored to the person or family’s needs.Developing local housing and homelessness collaboration networks in partnership with local homelessness services, housing providers, councils, to identify and address service gaps, reduce duplication and target resources where they will have the most impact.Establishing a NSW Street Sleeping Registry to improve service coordination for people sleeping rough by ensuring people don’t have to keep retelling their story and better coordinating access to housing and support.Developing new targeted responses for young people and Aboriginal people who face particular challenges in the service system.Designing a system-wide Housing First approach for NSW with the homelessness and housing sector, so people can access stable housing as quickly as possible, with the supports they need.Reducing exits from government services into homelessness, through new cross-agency governance, referral pathways and better service system responses.The NSW Government will continue to work with the sector as these reforms are developed and implemented.This is the latest in the NSW Government’s action to make the housing system in New South Wales fairer, which has so far seen:A record $6.6 billion investment into social housing and homelessness through the Building Homes for NSW program.The delivery of over 1,700 homes over the past year, the largest increase in government-built public, community and affordable homes in over a decade.The upgrading of over 6000 social homes.The social housing waitlist reduced by an average of 8 months across New South Wales.Modular housing being utilised for mass public housing for the first time in New South Wales, with over 90 modular public homes to be delivered over the next year.For more information, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/homelessness-strategy Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said, "We are formalising and embedding the Housing First approach as the official government policy to end homelessness in NSW. This approach ensures that people have stable housing first, backed in by the support they need to rebuild their lives.""This strategy is a first for our state. It’s a game-changing, long-term approach to homelessness that shifts our focus from crisis management to prevention and support.""You simply cannot take on a complicated challenge like homelessness without a strategy. Without a plan, your interventions are random and uncoordinated, and you can’t make or measure progress. We are changing that.""The establishment of the NSW Street Sleeping Registry will revolutionise how we coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness. No one will have to tell their story repeatedly. We’ll connect them to housing and support faster and more effectively." Dom Rowe, CEO of Homelessness NSW, said, “The cost of living crisis our communities are facing sees more people living in their cars, couch surfing between friends' places and worst of all sleeping rough on our streets.“Our sector has been calling for a whole-of-government response to this crisis, that acknowledges a need to respond now but also sets a reform agenda for the future. “This Homelessness Strategy answers that call and sets a path to a better future for people at risk of homelessness and the services that support them.”

Lismore's entertainment options have been slim for three and a half years now. Rollerworld has been the standalone option for family entertainment, and the Lismore Cinema will hopefully reopen by the end of the year.Brad Crouch has seen the lack of entertainment and opened The Cro's Nest in Carrington Street, where Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin's office was post-flood.The Cro's Nest will appeal to families as a lot of parents and grandparents would have grown up racing Scalextric slot cars and Warhammer tabletop games.Brad and his adopted father played the two games for 25 years before his passing. Since then, everything has been sitting in storage, gathering dust."There's not much happening around the area. My little fella turned 11 earlier at the end of last year, and there's not really much for me to do with him. So we thought, why not get it out and do something that people can enjoy?"So, we've sort of put some hobby stuff back in and got the tracks up and running, and hopefully it's something that gets a bit of up and go."Some people may recognise Brad's name as he owned Armageddon Games in Magellan Street, but had to close that in 2010 due to health issues.At the moment, there is one slot car track available. However, Brad is working hard to make it three by early October.(Brad demonstrating the slot car track at the front of the store)"This one is an analog, which is two cars, two lanes, individual lanes. The back track is a four-car digital setup, so you can run four cars on the track at a time."Each car gets programmed into an individual controller. They can run nose to tail in one lane, or they can go out to the two lanes. They can change lanes."And then we're slowly building a scale replica of Mount Panorama as a six-car digital set, which we'll use for our race leagues. That will be in the back room. That's under construction, we're just waiting on a few bits."The gaming room next door is set up for Warhammer, Necromunda and Blood Bowl tabletop games, which involve tabletop miniatures."Necromunda is another small skirmish gaming system. And then we've got Blood Bowl, which is basically like American football, but it's based on the Warhammer universe, but done with war gaming miniatures.For the uninitiated, the tabletop games are played with individual rule books, dice, templates and tape measures."The idea is that it's basically a campaign-style game with objectives. So, the idea is to capture objectives throughout the games and hold objectives. Everything's done on a set game length and set points limits. Every individual unit has a points cost. You agree on a points limit before the game. You build your army out to the points limit, and then they come in and play."Everything's done in inches. And then we have dice for all our rolls, for everything, for hitting, wounding, saving. It's recreational battles."You do need to allow some time to play the games as the short 750 or 1000 point games take about an hour to an hour and half, while the standard tournament size game is 2000 points, which takes around three and half hours to play.The good news is the table and setting are free. Each individual pays for the miniatures they purchase, and that depends on the size of the game you want to play.For beginners who want to learn, Brad is available to explain the rules of battle."I started in the gaming system 34 years ago. I started out with a small paint set and a couple of models, and worked my way up from there."The Cro's Nest can be booked for birthday parties for something different for a couple of hours.Brad is open:Wednesday: 4pm to 10pmThursday and Friday: 11am to 11:30pmSaturday: 10am to 11:30pmSunday: 10am to 9pm.The reason for the late nights?"It focuses on people who are in the older age bracket. They obviously work and can't get in for games during the day that need that three, three and a half hour mark. If people are going home, feed the kids, that sort of stuff, they come down at 7:30pm or 8 o'clock, and they've got time to get a full game through without feeling like they're rushed."That's been good for us, and it certainly works for our Fridays and Saturday nights."While the tables are free for tabletop games, the slot cars have a small fee:15 minutes with own car $615 minutes with their car $930 minutes with own car $1030 minutes with their car $13The Cro's Nest is at 14 Carrington Street, Lismore CBD. It's worth a look for some different entertainment.

The Lismore Library had some VIP guests taking a tour of the renovated building on Magellan Street yesterday afternoon. VIP in terms of their importance to the Lismore Library rebuild and to libraries in general in NSW.Representatives from the State Library and the Library Council of NSW visit 361 libraries around the state. Lismore has not been visited for approximately ten years.The Library Council of NSW is the governing body of the State Library, and issues guidelines for NSW public libraries under the Library Act 1939 (NSW).The State Library funded the Lismore Library flood recovery to the tune of about $800,000. So, on a Northern Rivers library tour, which finishes tomorrow at the Tweed Heads Library, the large group spent time listening to Lismore Area Librarian Michael Lewis as he explained the damage caused by the February 28, 2022 big flood and the rebuild to its current state.Michael set up photographic displays to show the before-and-after comparison as he walked through the three levels of the historic building."We're very excited to be here in Lismore," Caroline Butler-Bowden NSW State Librarian told the Lismore App."About twice a year, we go on a regional tour where we come and visit libraries. And part of it is to see for ourselves what's happening in the library space, but it's also to talk to librarians, talk to library managers, to understand, get insights about what the future needs for libraries are.(Lismore Area Librarian Michael Lewis on the ground level explaining why the brick walls are not painted and how the information desk was constructed as part of the library rebuild)"The state funds $42 million of the State Library of New South Wales budget for libraries across New South Wales, and part of our act is this incredible connection and sort of system of libraries across the state. But we're particularly thrilled to be in Lismore today because we wanted to see first-hand the recovery, but far more than that, we've heard that the library is a symbol of hope, and hard work and community spirit and support."We can look at photographs and things, but nothing beats actually coming here, and having a tour and listening to Michael and to just understand, I think, the value of the connection between state and local government too when it comes to libraries. But much more than that, to really see for ourselves this library as the cornerstone of the community."One thing I've really learned by walking around here is this incredible ingenuity, too. That cleverness of thinking about how to use these spaces perhaps differently. And listening to how it's been designed, and how the community has been at the centre of that."Caroline spoke about the role that libraries play in our lives, even in an age when we have so much information at our fingertips."We often see that with libraries, they are much more than buildings. They are places where everyone's welcome, and everyone feels a part of the community. Here, they're free. There's no pay barrier to participation."These libraries always run different groups and different sessions, whether it's for children or community activities and things like that. So it's nice to see it at different times of the day as well. And imagine what's possible here?"The architecture, the actual bricks and mortar, are important, but it's actually the life of the library, and that is about the work of librarians and the people who work in the library to get people connected to reading, and excited about what they're seeing. Nothing beats a child coming in and being helped by a librarian to find a topic of interest."All the great libraries have great collections at the heart, it is still books and DVDs and audiobooks, but they also have spaces where people can sit, meet other people, dwell, where they can study."As we've been wandering through this small library. We can see people study, we can see people in the local history area, we've seen people reading newspapers, we've seen parents and carers reading to children. There's even a yoga class happening in one of the meeting rooms."They're places, yes, for reading and learning and literacy and education, no question. But they're also places for recreation and community, connection and culture and all those other great things that make up a place."The other things we see is that, yeah, libraries have become really central to strong community life, and I think this is an amazing example of it here, where you can see the heart and the grit and the determination to bring something back, because libraries matter, they've never mattered more."The Lismore Library, 110 Magellan Street, is open:Monday to Wednesday: 9:30am am to 5pmThursday: 9:30am to 7pmFriday 9:30am to 5pmSaturday: 9am to 1pmSunday: 1pm to 4pm

The NSW Government is looking for apprentices, trainees and training providers to contribute to a survey as they search for the best way forward to construct 377,000 new homes by mid-2029 as part of the National Housing Accord, a collaborative effort between the federal and state governments.The Federal Government target is 1.2 million new homes by mid-2029. According to an ABC story, a leading property reasearcher, Cortality, has indicated the construction industry cannot keep pace to achieve those targets. So, the NSW Government is starting a comprehensive review of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.The Review begins with a statewide Have Your Say survey, inviting apprentices, trainees, employers, and training providers to share their experiences and shape improvements to the system.The aim is to strengthen the apprenticeship and traineeship framework by making it easier to navigate, more flexible, and better matched to the real-world needs of priority industries like construction, care and support, technology, and clean energy.It’s also about improving outcomes, especially for young people in regional NSW, and making sure the system supports more apprentices and trainees to complete their training and step into long-term, rewarding careers.The Review is a key commitment of the NSW Skills Plan, and will be backed by roundtables with local employers, unions, training providers and apprentices and trainees across the state in the coming months.For more information, and links to the Have Your Say survey please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/resources/apprenticeship-and-traineeship-act-review.Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said, “We’re rebuilding the skills system so that it delivers for NSW. Not just for now, but for the long term.“This review is about making apprenticeships and traineeships work better for the people who use them - students, employers, and training providers.“We want a system that reflects today’s economy and helps more people get the skills they need for good jobs, especially in the regions and in industries crying out for workers.“The feedback we get from the community will play a huge role in shaping the changes. We’re committed to making this review practical, inclusive, and focused on results.”

Now that Pine Street has been cleared of squatters, Paul Paitson is the last man standing on Pine Street.It will certainly be a lot quieter than usual for the sole homeowner who said no to the Resilient Homes Program buyback offer.While there is a lot of time ahead before the Pine Street houses are assessed and then relocated, dismantled and recycled or demolished, the term 'compulsory acquisition' will surely enter Paul's head."Well, I haven't heard anyone tell me it's compulsory; that they're going to force me out," Paul told the Lismore App earlier this year. In fact, compulsory acquisition has only been used once by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA), and that was when purchasing a parcel of land for the Resilient Lands Program on the North Lismore Plateau for 85 blocks, which is still being negotiated. The NSWRA has the power to use the "Land Acquisition Act".With more houses being removed each week, vacant blocks are starting to link up. Lismore City Council and the NSWRA must be considering how flood-prone land in North Lismore can be used in the future. Compulsory acquisition must form part of those discussions.Paul was offered over $500,000 for his Pine Street property through the Resilient Homes Program. He explained why he turned it down."The reason I didn't take it is because I've got an acre of land all the way to the end of the street. For 36 years, I've been planting fruit and nut trees, natives and everything. I've got this massive little garden. Every tree you see, I planted, just about. You know, I'm just attached to it."When you have lived in a flood zone for 36 years, you come up with creative ideas to survive a flood."I've got systems like that," Paul said, pointing to a boat-like object."That's my floating garage. It's got all my stuff in it, and it just floats around. It's on a big piece of foam tied to a palm tree. I put it back where it belongs when it's done. And I've been through that many floods, it just doesn't bother me."I don't want to leave. If I could stay, I'll stay, man. They haven't really talked to me about being forced out."When you live in a house for 36 years and have experienced many floods, you know its history."The house is solid. Not one stick has moved. Look at that. These steel pylons go in concrete two metres deep in the ground, and the house is bolted to I-Beams this big because this was part of that grant where they raised all these houses. It was federal and state and local money that went together to raise 36 houses way back when, I can't remember the year, but it was a long time ago, at least 15 years or something, and they did such a good job. I mean, that is absolutely rock solid. It's not going anywhere. There's no way it's ever going anywhere."Even with the cyclone, I wasn't worried, because I strapped the roof down with steel strapping. These old houses, you can't buy these anymore. Every stud in the entire house is a mortise and tenon cut joint at the top and the bottom of every single stud. I can just picture an army of little apprentices chiselling away. That's why it's still here 136 years later. That's how old the house is, as far as my deeds show. It was built in 1889."I'm so well prepared. I've got an attic room up in the top, and I've got some of that cold room panel under my bed so that if it ever comes in the house, I'll just throw everything on my bed and lock the door and let it go up and float."If Paul's pride and joy were to be compulsorily acquired, there would be a high chance that he would relocate it, hopefully to a new block on the North Lismore Plateau.

The NSW Government has made an offer in response to the NSW Nurses and Midwives request for a historic increase to night shift penalties, as well as improvements to the working conditions of nurses and midwives.The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association will take the proposal to their 80th Annual Conference this week, followed by a vote on the offer from their members.The offer would see night shift penalties increased to 20 per cent, on par with what some of the highest-paid nurses in Australia receive. Nurses and midwives have been campaigning for decades, across multiple governments, to increase this loading in NSW.Nurses and midwives will also see improvements to their working conditions and work-life balance, including:Two consecutive days offNo night shifts before annual leave unless requestedNo changes on published roster without consultation Nurses and midwives would receive a 3.5 per cent interim pay increase (including the recent 0.5% increase to super) back paid to July 1 2025, while the Industrial Relations Commission considers the remainder of their special case for gender equity and other improvements to salaries.The improvement to night shift loadings and interim pay rise follows an 8 per cent increase to pay (including a 1% increase to super) for nurses over the first two years of the Minns Labor Government. The interim offer forms part of the NSW Government’s comprehensive plan to deliver the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW.Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said, “The offer on night shift penalties and improvements to working conditions is an important step towards the long-term repair of healthcare across NSW.“We now look forward to the independent umpire delivering a wages agreement for nurses and midwives, after 12 years of the Coalition’s unfair wages cap.”Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “After 12 years of neglect and a lack of investment in our health system, the NSW Government is rebuilding essentials service by investing in the workers that deliver them.“As a show of good faith, we are offering another interim pay increase of 3 per cent and boosting the night shift penalty rate for our hard-working nurses and midwives across NSW.“We look forward to having the remaining wage claims being resolved through the Industrial Relations Commission process.”Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said, “This offer is long overdue recognition for nurses and midwives who have been campaigning for a long time. We are proud to support those who care for our communities day and night.“The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state's essential services and reforming the industrial relations system. “That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition’s wages cap which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, setting up an Industrial court and amending the Industrial Relations Act to include a new Object to achieve gender equality in the workplace“Our offer to a historic increase in night shift penalties and improved working conditions for nurses and midwives reflects our commitment to valuing frontline workers.”

The long-awaited removal of illegal squatters in NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) owned buyback houses by the NSW Sheriff's Office occurred today.A large team of Sheriff's Officers arrived in convoy to enforce the Supreme Court writs to regain possession of 10 buyback properties in Lismore and Mullumbimby.The NSWRA won its case against the squatters in May this year, and served the notice to vacate in mid-June, giving squatters 30 days to leave the premises. However, they were given two weeks' reprieve when the date was changed to July 25, and the final execution date was today, August 6.The Lismore App attended the Pine Street enforcement, which happened peacefully. Occupiers cooperated with the Sheriff's Office directions and began moving personal items to a shed or on the property verge. Squatters were given a phone number to call so they could organise a time for the items to be collected at a later date.Richmond Police District had officers on standby in case there was resistance or protests to stop the Sheriff's Officers from executing their job, but Commander Dave Roptell said the operation went smoothly for all properties."There were no issues or arrests made from our side," Commander Roptell said.Homes NSW were in attendance to offer squatters emergency accommodation options. As reported on July 7, the emergency accommodation will be across Lismore motels until suitable social housing options can be found. It was not known if any of the squatters accepted the services of Homes NSW.Once the squatters had removed what items they wanted to keep, the property was then signed over to the NSWRA as a vacated property.What is left inside each property will be the responsibility of the NSWRA to remove and dispose of, adding further cost to the reported $400,000 for the Supreme Court proceedings. Lismore City Council will also need to empty bins and clean up the rubbish on the street verge.Below are photos from inside houses on Pine Street.Security guards were being placed at properties, and new fencing was being erected for properties where they had been removed.Each of the ten properties will now be rapidly assessed by the NSWRA to determine their condition, and whether they are to be relocated, carefully dismantled and recycled or demolished.

The state's first dedicated NSW Office for Youth was launched yesterday so that young people can be directly involved in the government decision-making process.This comes as the NSW Government’s 2024 Youth Summit Report shows 76% of young people feel unheard in government decision-making. However, will an Office for Youth really engage and solve the problems of youth?The state government says that:For more than a decade, young people in New South Wales have lacked a central point of engagement within government. The former Liberal-National government abolished the youth portfolio in 2011, silencing the voice of young people in executive government.The new NSW Office for Youth will change that.Young people made their expectations clear through 12 months of consultation and at the 2024 NSW Youth Summit: consultation without follow-through is no longer acceptable. They called for genuine influence in shaping policy. The Minns Labor Government has listened and is taking action:The Office for Youth will:Engage young people on their terms - in urban and regional areas, online, and through community-based initiatives.Embed youth perspectives across government policies and programs from the outset, not as an afterthought.Cut through red tape and duplication that currently existsFrom climate and housing to justice, mental health, and equity, young people in NSW have consistently shown leadership. The NSW Office for Youth will ensure that leadership is formally recognised, respected, and integrated into decision-making processes across government.The NSW Government is committed to building a future where young people are not only heard but are active contributors to the decisions that shape their lives.Also released today key findings of the 2024 Youth Summit Report show:76% of young people say government doesn’t listen.Cost of living is the top issue, followed by mental health and vaping.1 in 10 have experienced homelessness.85% voted in 2023 but still feel shut out.The report can be found here. Chair of Youth Advisory Council said, “I’m excited to see how the Minister for Youth, along with the Advocate, will work together to ensure that all young people across the state, feel supported, valued and listened to.” Minister for Youth, Rose Jackson, said, “The decisions we make as a government today, will affect generations to come so it is absolutely imperative that they are a part of the conversation. That’s what this is about.“Young people have been ignored for way too long. Former NSW Liberal/National Government’s have cut the youth portfolio entirely- we’re putting it back, front and centre where it belongs.”“This new Office isn’t just a nameplate on a door- it’s a proper, central place where young people are heard, respected, and actually help steer the ship.“We’re not here to tick boxes or run another round of pointless consultation. This is about real change. Young people told us what they want and we’re getting on with it. Zoë Robinson Advocate for Children and Young People, said, “The Office for Youth brings together expertise from across government to continue to engage with and ensure young people’s voices are not just heard but will inform policy and decisions that will impact them today and, in the future,”Milly Bannister Founder & CEO of ALLKND said, “Young people aren’t just the future, they’re here, now, shaping communities and tackling challenges head‑on. The launch of the Office for Youth is an opportunity to put their voices where they belong – at the heart of decision‑making.“At ALLKND, we see every day how powerful it is when young people are trusted to co‑design solutions that affect their mental health and wellbeing. This initiative signals a genuine commitment to listening to and learning from the lived experiences of young people across New South Wales, and I’m proud to stand behind it.”

Each March, the NSW Government recognises and celebrates the outstanding contributions women make to our community with the NSW Women of the Year Awards, inspiring and empowering future generations to achieve great things.The Awards are also a culmination of NSW Women’s Week – when we encourage women to take part in a week of exciting activities and events across the state that aim to uplift, as well as advance gender equality. Nominations for the 2026 NSW Women of the Year Awards are now open.The awards program, now in its 14th year, aims to recognise and celebrate incredible women who improve the lives of people in New South Wales.  The Awards are seeking nominations of women and girls excelling in the following categories:NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence NSW Community Hero NSW Young Woman of the Year (aged 16-30) NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year NSW Regional Woman of the Year Young girls aged 7-15 who show acts of courage, strength, determination and kindness to help support those around them can also be nominated in the Ones-to-Watch award category by parents, carers and teachers.  The NSW Government’s Women of the Year Awards will be held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Thursday 5 March 2026. To nominate an exceptional woman in your life or community, visit nsw.gov.au/wotya26. Nominations close Tuesday, 9 September.Apply for Women’s Week Grants nowGrant applications of up to $50,000 for organisations to host NSW Women’s Week events in March 2026 are now open.NSW Women’s Week is about recognising and celebrating the outstanding contributions women make to our community. Events must be held within NSW Women’s Week, which begins Monday, 2 March and ends on International Women’s Day, Sunday, 8 March. They must also align with the objectives of the NSW Women's Strategy (2023-2026), including:Increasing opportunities and providing career pathways for women in the workplace Improving women’s health and wellbeing, and safety in the communityChallenging gendered expectations and supporting women’s participation in society.Organisations interested in hosting events that encourage women and girls to participate, uplift focus communities and challenge gendered norms are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Successful EOIs will be invited to complete a full grant application.To view the guidelines and submit an EOI, please visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2026-nsw-womens-week. EOI applications for the NSW Women Week grants close on Tuesday, 19 August.Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said, “We all know extraordinary women and girls in our lives and our communities. They’re from all walks of life, doing their best to make the world a better place. They might be ground-breaking thinkers, social reformers, innovative role models or just everyday heroes. Help us give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for a NSW Women of the Year Award.“The NSW Government is keen to work with local organisations to develop events and activities for NSW Women’s Week to help celebrate, connect and honour the women and girls in our lives. This annual showcase of the stories and remarkable achievements of women across our state is a chance to highlight the incredible creativity and diversity of the fantastic women in New South Wales.“I encourage organisations to put your heads together and share your ideas with us to help make our 2026 Women’s Week the best yet.”

On July 30, Lismore City Council unofficially opened the new Lismore Skatepark in the CBD.Construction was completed early, so council offered the first use of the facility to those who played a key role in the project's journey from concept to final design.Once the fence was removed, the new Lismore Skatepark has been a magnet for skaters from all over the Northern Rivers, as well as those who want to use the facility using scooters or pushbikes.Sam James, owner of 36 Chambers skate shop on Molesworth Street and one of the region's premier skateboarders, was one of the people advising council on the design of the skatepark. He raves about the facility.(An aerial view of the new Lismore Skatepark. Photo: Lismore City Council)"The park is phenomenal. It's one of the best parks that I've ever been to. I've been to skate parks all over the country and all over the world, and it's one of the best that I've ever stepped foot on."The Lismore Skatepark has also been good for business. Sam said business has been slow since the 2022 floods, but he has seen an uptick in customers in the last six days. Similar to how the Rail Trail has benefited Harris Cycle, Lismore Skatepark has helped 36 Chambers. It is another Fields of Dreams example: build it and they will come."That's exactly what's happened. If you walk past there early in the morning, you'll see people skating. I've got friends who go on there at 7am and I've been there till 10pm every night. So, it's been well used. And if you go there at 3:30 after school, it is absolute chaos. There's scooter kids and families and stuff everywhere, and just tons of people trying to get a role in."It's just such a good space for everyone, from the complete beginner to the absolute professional. Kids training to be Olympians, alongside someone who's just stepping on the board for the first time, and everyone's enjoying it."For those who have not seen the skatepark yet, it is surrounded by solar lights, so it can be used at all hours of any day. Sam mentioned there are no shadows, so it feels like midday when he is skateboarding.A walk around and a chat on Monday afternoon saw Zeno Murray and his mate Noah Trethowan having their first skate.(Zeno Murray trying out his skills at the new Lismore Skatepark watched by friend Noah Trethowan)Zeno and his mother, Anna, drove down from Pottsville. Zeno is part of a skateboarding academy on the Gold Coast, but now has a world-class facility on which to train in Lismore that is closer and with less traffic hassles. Anna said she and Zeno will more than likely come back every two weeks.Jesse Moore drove up from South Woodburn and was having his first skate at the Lismore Skatepark.(Jesse Moore skateboarding passed the Travis Watson rail)Jesse is back skateboarding after a twenty-year hiatus, now that his two teenage boys have taken it up. He used to drive up to the new Byron Bay Skatepark, but thinks Lismore's is better.In fact, a number of people had been travelling to Byron Bay, and said they will now head to Lismore as it is a better facility. There is not much in it, but Lismore did get the thumbs up over our rich coastal neighbours.SKATING ETIQUETTESafety and skating etiquette have already been an issue at Lismore Skatepark. That is what happens when you put three and four-year-olds on pushbikes using the same facility as an experienced skateboarder who is training or learning new and advanced tricks.Sam and other experienced skaters held a meeting with Lismore Council yesterday afternoon to discuss what rules and etiquette can be put in place to ensure everyone can share and use the space. The communication of those rules will be the key to its success."At peak hour after school. It's not being shared, it's being dominated. It's being dominated by people who didn't actually have anything to do with the planning, with the motivation, with the campaigning, with the designing. So I understand it's a space for everyone in the community to go and utilise and be a part of, but not to dominate it, not to take over, and not to get in other people's way."It's a space that needs to be shared. It's a space that needs to be understood and how to use it properly. So, we're getting to the stage where we need to educate people who don't actually know how to use a skate park if they're going to be part of it. We've got three-year-old girls who ride skateboards, and they've learned how to use the park. They've learned how not to get in other people's way or not be a menace. Whereas, there's a lot of other people who don't care about other people in the space and only care about what they're trying to do."So it's a space that needs to be shared and respected, for sure.HOW SHOULD A SKATEPARK BE USED?Sam explained that the reason Lismore City Council received $3.9 million in funding was that it was going to be a competition-level skatepark. One of the best in the country that will attract riders from all over the state, including Olympic hopefuls, and will hold state and national competitions in the years to come."That's why it is set up the way that it is," Sam said.Sam wants people, skaters and parents to understand the flow of the skatepark. This will lead to fewer accidents and a better shared experience for everyone."It's actually quite straightforward, because it just goes in a straight line from one end to the other end. When you first walk in from where the mini ramp is, you'll see the Trav rail, and then you'll see some ledges on either side, ledge, ledge, rail, rail. And if you go in a straight line, you'll be able to hit all, or as many as you can, depending on your ability."On the way down, there's a quarter pipe at the end. You'll turn around, come back, and you'll be able to do it again on the way back, straight up and down.(A view of the skatepark from end to end, and for parents, what not to do when it's busy)"When you get over to the other section, the bigger sort of more street, leaguey looking section, it's still the same thing. It's all back and forth."If you're going to hit any of those obstacles, you go in a straight line, turn around, and come back. There's no going across the park, which is what every kid on a scooter or pedestrian walking through the park is walking directly across all of these lines, or going around in circles, which is just not how it's designed to be used."I understand these kids aren't trying to do anything at competition level or even hit any of these obstacles, but the reason everyone else is there is to skate all these obstacles. So to have a kid riding around in circles through the middle of four or five different lines of skateboarders, or BMX's, or even even some of the scooter kids that that are doing some wild tricks, they're still using it in the same fashion as us, but the kids who don't understand, they're just running around in circles, crossways across the park, and it's super, super, super dangerous, because they're crossing lines of people.""Everything in this park is high speed to do anything, especially in that bigger section down the bottom, you've got to be cooking it to really get in and out of your trick. So, to be coming down a bank at full speed, and then all of a sudden there's a kid on a scooter right in your path, they're just going to get cleaned up, and they're going to definitely come off second best. Parents are out there too, just standing in the middle, having a chat, having a yarn, enjoying the space, but you're right in the middle of the park.It is hard to knock Sam's logic. He and a number of experienced skateboarders helped design the Lismore Skatepark, so they totally understand how it should be used to keep everyone safe, and for all levels to enjoy the new space.Parents do need to educate their children or grandchildren on the uses of the new Lismore Skatepark, as per Sam's words above. End-to-end is the right way to use the park, NOT across or around in circles.If parents want to move their child from a scooter to a skateboard, Sam is offering a $20 trade-in on any functional scooter when you buy a new complete skateboard.You will find 36 Chambers at 71 Molesworth Street, next to the Sherwood Hotel.Lismore City Council will have an official opening of the new Lismore Skatepark on Saturday, August 16 at 12 noon. There will be more details to come.

This week is Dental Health Week (August 4 to 10). New data from an Australian Dental Association (ADA) survey of 25,000 adults shows that 29%, or around one in four parents, believe their child is eligible for free dental treatment under the government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).Yet only 36%, or around one in three families who are eligible for the free treatment, actually use it. Meanwhile, the ADA survey says it has found the scheme is shrouded in confusion and misinformation, with many parents unaware of its existence or unsure of their eligibility, leaving millions of young mouths at risk. In real terms, this dramatic under-utilisation rate means that of the 2,595,862 children who were eligible for the CDBS in 2020-2021, just 1,003,838 children used its services. That means around 1.59 million children are going without the free dental care that’s rightfully theirs.“This leaves millions of eligible Australian families either going without dental care or paying more out of pocket than they need to, when it could so well fund a child’s first dental visit,” said ADA President Dr Chris Sanzaro.“It’s a scheme that’s shrouded in mystery and confusion - and with over 1.5m Australian kids missing out, the government urgently needs to better promote it to ensure eligible families can access this care.”For eligible families, typically those in receipt of Family Tax Benefit A, the CDBS provides up to $1,132 over a two-year period for dental services such as examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions for children aged from newborn to 17.Of those who believed they were eligible for the scheme, only 56% have used it for their children, and 38% said they hadn’t, the survey found.Many parents who took part in the survey said they didn’t use the CDBS as it doesn’t cover orthodontics , which is so frequently needed with children. They were also under the incorrect impression that neither restorative nor cosmetic dental care were covered.Other reasons for not using the scheme, according to the ADA survey:The scheme is not well publicised, nor are its details easily understood.The amount, or balance each child has, and when it is to be used by, was unclear, with plenty of parents believing their kids were only entitled to one visit every 2 years.Many were unaware the CDBS could be accessed through a private dentist, assuming, if the government was providing the service, it would only be available through the public dental system.*Around 20-25% said that although they believed their child/children was eligible, they were waiting for confirmation of eligibility from Services Australia.“These results point to a catalogue of confusion, misinformation and lack of clarity around what’s in reality a good scheme that could potentially be meeting the oral health needs of nearly 2.6m kids a year.“We’re keen to work with the government to help clarify the basic elements of the scheme and promote it to patients and parents to ensure millions of kids are getting the dental treatment and care they need to set them up with healthy mouths early in life.”

Any business that survives 25 years is a testament to its daily operations, but for a restaurant to survive 25 years is a testament to the quality of food it delivers each and every day it is open.Indian Mumtaj on Woodlark Street turned 25 in July. A moment that brought a broad smile to the face of owner Jasjit (Jas) Gill. Although in the scheme of history for Jas' family, 25 years is just a drop in the ocean."My great, great grandfather came in 1895 from Punjab in India by boat. They came straight to the Lismore area from Tweed Heads. And then afterwards, he was going back and forth to India, and then gradually his four sons came over."Those four sons are the ones who established themselves in this area. So my great-grandfather was established in Lismore, while his three brothers were in Coffs Harbour, up near Tweed Heads, and the other one was in Lismore with him. They're the ones that kind of started doing the sugar canes and all that sort of work in the area.Jas' mother doesn't have the long Lismore roots, arriving in Lismore in her early teens, after spending some time in Kalgoorlie, 600km east of Perth."Her dad was doing work on the railroads out there, but this was always sort of home for us. She ended up back here at Main Arm. She was going to school out in Mullum, which was in the '60s. And then, as she grew older, Lismore became more home."Jas' love of cooking Indian food came from his memories at the old Rous Hotel, where La Baracca is now."One of my first memories was sitting there with mum and dad in the restaurant, seeing what they were doing. Mum always used to make the samosas and things like that. At home, I'd always be playing in the kitchen, going with dad, learning things, seeing what he was doing, and I guess it kind of grew from that.School didn't provide any passion for Jas; however, cooking did. He worked in his brother's restaurant in Ballina, and since 2007, Jas has been in the kitchen ever since, loving every moment.Indian Mumtaj started in 2000 when Jas' mother found the old Seafood Inn at the back of Eggins Lane was up for lease when he was about 12 or 13 years old."We signed a lease and started in there, and then pretty soon after, there was a flood, which was ironic, because I remember walking from Wyrallah Road all the way to town with my Dad, and when we got there, we saw the water was just lapping the top. So we were like, Oh, great, it's fine. We opened the doors, and then everything's floating inside, because it had come up through the drains. It had all come through the back of the restaurant."Then, Mum opened up on Molesworth Street, and that would have been until 2014. I think we went through a couple of floods over there as well. And then I bought this building back then, and have been here ever since. 11 years and three floods, I think."(Jas Gill inside Indian Mumtaj)It is funny how business owners in Lismore's CBD count their time by how many floods they have been through.As for tips in surviving 25 years in the restaurant business in a flood zone?"It's not easy, but it's definitely the customers. This last flood definitely took us the longest to bounce back from. Partially to do with the loss of one of my close friends. Ever since 2007, he was my handyman. We always built everything together, and he ended up getting quite sick in the first week after the floods. He ended up passing away about a year and a half later, and that was the blessing that flood gave. It gave me that time to actually spend with him. So, that was kind of why it took a little bit longer this time. But it was a silver lining."When we came back, the whole street was empty, so it was hard enough to start being the only thing here after six o'clock at night. Now it's slowly picking up. Things are slowly coming away from Keen Street and focusing back on Woodlark Street and Molesworth Street a bit more. It's gradually becoming a town centre again."While flooding has always provided a setback to the community, COVID provided an opportunity."COVID was something that we actually thrived in. When those sort of things happen, you adapt, or you don't do well. We focused on different communities. We focused on home deliveries. We focused on regional deliveries. And that was actually one of our busiest times we ever had. It took thinking outside of the actual box of what everyone else was doing. We set up our dining room as a sort of Indian spice shop as well."To be in the restaurant business for 25 years is to be celebrated. The bottom line is learning and cooking with love."It's always been mum and dad's recipes, but I guess it's whose hand comes to it that adds that sort of touch. We've taught in the area. Probably out of all the restaurants, 90 per cent of them have spent time being taught by us. So, they've all come through our kitchens, besides probably two restaurants in our whole area, from Byron all the way down to here. They've all got their own touch to it."The spices and everything we've always kept. I still make all the spices by hand. I still do everything. We kind of just show the chefs, the nighttime cooking, not the back background stuff."Jas is in the process of selling his handmade Indian spices."We're in the process of just starting to market them. So as far as like, what you'll be able to get the same sort of stuff, like Chai mixes, syrups, spices, all these sorts of things that we ground ourselves. I'm just waiting on some of the equipment to come through, then we can start packaging it nicely."You should be able to purchase Indian Mumtaj spices by the end of 2025 at local shops. Keep an eye out or ask Jas when you dine at his restaurant at 35 Woodlark Street. If you haven't dined there, click here to check out the menu.Indian Mumtaj, 25 years and going strong in the Lismore CBD. A true Lismore survivor.

Lismore City Council is inviting the community to have their say on a proposed planning change aimed at unlocking new opportunities for cultural, educational and commercial activity in parts of South Lismore’s rail corridor precinct.The Council-led Planning Proposal aims to amend planning controls to allow additional permitted land uses in an identified key growth corridor. The expanded permitted uses include community facilities, entertainment facilities, information and education facilities and retail premises.Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the Proposal is part of Council’s ongoing work to revitalise key areas of the city and build a more dynamic local economy.“Council is always looking for ways to unlock new opportunities that benefit our community and local economy,” he said.“By updating the permitted land uses around the rail corridor, we are setting the stage for new community facilities, entertainment spaces and retail options that simply are not possible under the current zoning. “This change means we can attract new investment, activate underused spaces and create more reasons for people to visit, shop and connect in South Lismore. It’s about making sure these key areas evolve to meet the needs of our city and our residents.“We’re keen to hear from locals, businesses and anyone with a stake in Lismore’s future about how this proposal could work best.”The Proposal reflects Council’s vision for the rail corridor to become a vibrant community and visitor precinct, supporting a range of appropriate commercial and cultural activities. Council’s Acting Head of Planning and Environment, Jamie van Iersel, said the change is about matching land use with the area’s potential.“This is about unlocking the potential of land that sits at the heart of our urban area,” she said. “This opens it up for community, entertainment, education and retail uses, meaning the corridor can become a real hub for locals and visitors, while supporting economic growth.”Council has been given authority by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to exercise local plan making functions for this proposal, meaning Council will be the final decision-maker.(The corridor in pink that Lismore City Council wishes to change planning controls in South Lismore)Any developments would still be subject to consent on certain mapped E4 General Industrial zoned land surrounding the rail corridor in South Lismore.Proposed changes in detailThe proposal allows for the following additional permitted uses on mapped E4 General Industrial land near the rail corridor:Community facilities- buildings or places owned by a public authority or non-profit group used for social, cultural, intellectual or welfare developmentEntertainment facilities- venues such as theatres, cinemas, concert or dance halls (excluding pubs or registered clubs)Information and education facilities- spaces for providing information or education to visitors, including art galleries, museums, libraries and visitor information centresRetail premises- buildings or places used for selling, hiring or displaying goods, including shops, food and drink premises, markets, plant nurseries and similar.Council encourages residents, business owners and stakeholders to review the Planning Proposal and provide feedback before it proceeds.To view the full proposal and have your say, visit the ‘Your Say’ page on the Council website at https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/planning-proposal-to-allow-additional-permitted-uses-in-south-lismore .How to make a submission:Online: Use the submission box on the Your Say pageEmail: council@lismore.nsw.gov.auIn writing: Lismore City Council, PO Box 23A, Lismore NSW 2480Submissions close at 4:30pm on Monday, 1 September 2025.For more information, please contact Council’s Planning team via the above channels or call 02 6625 0500.

In a world-first, the NSW Government and international biotechnology leader, Tiba BioTech, have developed a breakthrough foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine that is fast to produce and will see Australia become one of the few nations with the capacity to produce its own vaccine.FMD is a highly infectious viral disease that affects cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. It remains widespread globally and is endemic in many countries, particularly in Africa, Asia and Middle East. The development of this new vaccine is part of the government’s $1 billion biosecurity plan to protect the state’s $8 billion livestock industry and Australia’s food security.Australia is one of the few fortunate countries free of FMD, but if a widespread outbreak were to occur, it would have a catastrophic impact on meat supply and exports, costing the Australian economy up to $80 billion.The aim of the vaccine is to protect our community from the potential dramatic impact of FMD on the supply of meat, milk or lamb into Australian supermarkets due to reducing domestic livestock, disrupted processing and transport, and potential shortages for consumers.As a result of the vaccine’s development, Australia is now one of only a handful of countries with the local capacity to produce an FMD vaccine.Developing this capacity to guard against emergency animal diseases is a critical priority for the Minns Government to protect our agricultural industries and build a better economy.The vaccine has taken less than 18 months to develop and has cost about $2.5 million. The work is part of a $20 million project funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the NSW Government.This FMD vaccine is an mRNA vaccine, which is unique in that it is fully synthetic, making it safer and much faster to produce.Using this technique, the vaccine can be manufactured without the use of infectious material. This is an important consideration for safely managing an outbreak and the overall response.The vaccine is now undergoing further testing to demonstrate it meets the standards set by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) before it can be approved for use in an emergency if there was an FMD incursion into Australia. The project is a consortium of local and international partners with the biotechnology leader, Tiba Biotech, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Meat & Livestock Australia, and the German Friedrich–Loeffler Institut.    Local manufacture of mRNA animal vaccines is supported by the University of NSW’s RNA Institute, who have a demonstrated capacity to manufacture mRNA vaccines. In recent overseas trials, vaccinated cattle exposed to the virus did not contract the disease and, importantly, did not shed the virus to infect others.Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, said, “The delivery of an FMD vaccine is part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to safeguarding livestock from key biosecurity threats and ensuring the state’s agriculture industry can thrive. “Developing local manufacturing capacity to produce vaccines against emergency animal diseases is a critical priority for the Minns Government so that we can protect Australia’s livestock industries, our economy and our food supply. “The Minns Government is determined to build a better agricultural sector and grow our livestock industry, and that is why we have invested a historic $1.05 billion into biosecurity.“We have a plan we are implementing to strengthen our research sector and have funded an additional $100 million into modernising the state’s research and development program so it can keep on delivering world class work like this vaccine.“If diseases like Foot and Mouth were to enter the country, it would cause major disruptions to the livestock industry and catastrophic market impacts across rural Australia, so this breakthrough is greatly received.”Meat & Livestock Australia Managing Director, Michael Crowley, said, “While we hope an FMD vaccine is never needed, the research is a proactive approach to managing biosecurity risk.“FMD is present in nearby countries to Australia and is front of mind for industry in terms of potential biosecurity risks.“Australia is one of a fortunate number of countries with FMD-free status, and an incursion would have serious implications for our industry and trade.“While vaccination may not necessarily be required in the event of an incursion, this research confirms the Australian livestock industry is proactive and prepared.”Tiba Biotech Chief Financial Officer, Peter McGrath, said, “We're proud to contribute to safeguarding Australia’s livestock industry and the future of animal health with this breakthrough next-generation solution.“Unlike current mRNA technologies, our vaccines can be stored long-term at standard refrigeration temperatures and at room temperature for at least one month - a critical advantage in livestock applications.“Our focus now shifts to working closely with regulators to ensure the vaccine meets the highest standards of safety and effectiveness for livestock and consumers.“Livestock mRNA vaccines offer a safe, efficient and effective approach to enhancing animal health, benefiting both the agricultural industry and consumers.”NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Virology Laboratory Manager, Dr Peter Kirkland, said, “This vaccine research investment plays a vital role in protecting Australia’s multi-billion-dollar livestock industries, safeguarding the communities that depend on them and maintaining access to critical export markets.“There is no mRNA vaccine currently registered for use in livestock in Australia, and delivering the first shows the way for the nation’s research and development sector.“If this mRNA vaccine now moves to being approved by the APVMA, it would offer biosecurity advantages.“It would allow Australia the ability to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals, which could support a speedier return to normal domestic production and international trade in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak.”

The Lismore date for the Northern Rivers Resilience and Initiative (NRRI) community visit, run by NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) and the CSIRO as their science partner, saw a strong turnout at the Lismore Workers Club.From opening time at 10am, there were reports of people lined up eager to hear what the CSIRO team had to say about the process and keen to voice their thoughts as to what flood mitigation results they would like to see and what options should be included in the modelled scenarios.CSIRO Lead Scientist Jai Vaze said he has met with seven councils that are part of the Richmond River catchment, with Clarence to be completed on August 19. Each council viewed the implementation model that was released on 30 June 2025, and voiced their opinions as to what options they feel will deliver the best flood mitigation results."They are a good starting point, and we are asking the community what do they want us to do," Mr Vaze told the media today."Once the community meetings have been completed, Kyogle being the last this Friday, the data will be collected and analysed."Whatever the majority wants, we'll then put together the scenario options, which will be a couple of things for Lismore and upstream, some for Kyogle, some for Casino. So, we're looking at the whole Richmond scale flood mitigation. The whole focus is flood mitigation."And so after that, we'll put together, based on the community needs, which makes sense and which can be modelled. Then basically we'll come back again to the councils and the community, show them that this is the preferred one. Are they okay with it? If that's okay, and if it's approved by the Federal Minister, then we run those. The 30th of June, 2026, we will put out a report which will show that for scenario one, what will be the reduction? Scenario two, what will be the reduction?"Mr Vaze stressed that neither he nor his team has promised any flood mitigation results."We haven't promised one centimetre. If the scenario shows, when modelling shows there is no change, that's what we put. If it shows a larger change, we'll show that."The CSIRO job finishes there. After that, it's more policy, so the state and federal agencies and ministers take over from there. We will be providing, still, the scientific advice."As we already know, one scenario will be bundled with a number of options, and there could be two, three, four or five scenarios modelled to get the best result for the entire Richmond River catchment."Quite a lot of them have been retained water, and hold it during the floods and then release it later. Some are about levees. Some are about nature-based solutions. We are listening to everyone. After that, what makes sense for flood mitigation will be put together. As CSIRO has said right from the beginning, nothing is finalised. Every option has equal weight."It is still early days in the community consultation process; however, Mr Vaze said the common message coming through was to reduce the impact of future floods."And then some of them say that, Oh, you are the science organisation, you make the decision and just do it. We don't operate that way. We need to hear from the community what they want. And so everyone basically wants the impact of the floods, large floods to be reduced. That's the common message."Some internal posters in the community meeting room show water retention options for Leycester Creek, Terania Creek, Wilsons River and Richmond River, levee options for Casino, Lismore and Ballina, and the opening of Boundary Creek to the Pacific Ocean.Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, and Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg were present today, asking for one of the scenarios to be modelled, to reduce the impact of a major flood by 1 to 2 metres.Mr Hogan showed Mr Vaze his petition, which has reached over 2,000 signatures, both physically and digitally (online). You can still sign the petition here."I'm not here to tell them what things they should do to do that, and what things they shouldn't do. But obviously, we believe to get one to two metres off a flood, we need both engineering and nature-based solutions to do that.""Why are we asking the CSIRO to take a metre to two metres off a flood? We think it's important for a whole lot of reasons. One is to keep people safe. We don't think nature-based solutions will keep people safe in their homes, keep people safe in their businesses, and do the mitigation that we think needs to happen to happen. So that's the priority, keeping people safe."The other is things like insurance. We're uninsurable at the moment on the flood plain, and we obviously, with flood mitigation, good, proper flood mitigation work, we think will give people insurance, and even credit finance is very difficult to do this."Lismore is one of the few communities we think along the east coast that hasn't had serious flood mitigation work done yet. If you look at a town like Grafton, a community like Grafton had back in the 1960s had a one-in-100-year levy put through. Now, again, this isn't about flood proofing. We can't flood-proof, we know that, but this is about engineering and nature-based solutions that take a reasonable amount of water off our community to make them feel safer. And again, things like insurance and affordability for insurance."Mayor Steve Krieg thanked the CSIRO for their world-first Richmond River catchment model that accurately reflects five of Lismore's recent major floods, including 2022."There's no doubt that I'm not an expert in flood mitigation whatsoever, but what I am is a very passionate Lismore resident. I want to see our business community protected. I want to see our residents protected. I want to see everything that is great about our area looked after and protected, whatever that looks like."I've said it very publicly and very often that I back the science with this. Jai and his team are very trusted and world-renowned in modelling, so it's really great to see our community come out in such force to provide their opinions."Greens spokesperson, Dr Luke Robinson, was also present today."I think it was really good to talk to Jai and his team about what their model was about and how it works, and also to learn about what the limits are on the model and what it can achieve," Dr Robinson said.Dr Robinson was happy to look at the evidence-based science but did have concerns about political interference."We've got serious concerns about how the process could be co-opted by certain political elements that are only focused on doing hard engineering solutions. Our concern with a lot of the hard engineering solutions, and by that I mean things like retention basins and levees and so on, is that they don't guarantee 100% that people will be protected from any flood. The only way we can do that is to get people off the floodplain. That's 100% guaranteed if we get them off a floodplain."Second thing is, we don't know what the costs of those economically are going to be. I imagine if, as Kevin Hogan says, he wants to get one to two meters off the whole catchment, that is going to be extraordinarily expensive. It's going to require massive earthworks, and they will have a lot of big environmental impacts upstream. There'll be places that are flooded; they might be wrecked. They could be sensitive ecological areas. They could be people's farmland, people's properties. Those things have to be brought into account as well, and they're also cultural impacts we'll have to look at as well."It seems to me that the simplest and most guaranteed way of dealing with the impacts of flooding is to get people off the floodplain."Ballina will host the next community forum tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore SLSC, Lighthouse Parade, East Ballina, between 10am and 6pm.Wednesday will see the forum move to Woodburn at the Community building, 114 River Street, again between 10am and 6pm.The final community forum will be held this Friday at Kyogle, the Community Centre, 3 Bloore Street, between 10am and 6pm.If you cannot physically get to a venue and still want to have input, click here to lodge an online response.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has congratulated 13 organisations sharing $450,000 in funding under the NSW Government’s 2025 Community Building Partnership Program (CBP).Ms Saffin said the Government was investing in a variety of local infrastructure projects to help deliver much-needed improvements to facilities and build resilience within local communities across our Electorate of Lismore.“I congratulate all the organisations that were successful with their detailed applications and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes on the ground, benefitting users for many years to come,” Ms Saffin said.“For those applicants who missed out in this year’s round, take heart that the CBP 2026 round dates will be announced shortly. All good projects find their time to shine and perhaps some more ambitious ones can be done in stages.”Please check the CBP website www.nsw.gov.au/cbp for more information. You may wish to sign up for alerts about the CBP program to be notified when information about the next round is confirmed. Successful 2025 projects include:Dunoon Preschool -- $90,000 for Collaborative Corner Project: Create a multi-functional space at the preschool to foster collaboration between educators, allied health professionals, and families away from the distraction of the everyday of the preschool. The newly created Collaborative Corner will strengthen community connections and support children’s development.Friends of Tenterfield Aerodrome (FOTA) Incorporated -- $70,890 towards improving the aerodrome’s disaster readiness capability: Reconstruction and sealing of the unsealed portion of the aircraft taxiways and parking area to improve suitability for use in emergencies. Project scope includes the installation of aircraft tiedowns.Tweed Shire Council -- $62,206 towards Kunghur Hall building restoration: Restore and upgrade the hall, which hosts a preschool and other community activities, by replacing the rusting roof and gutters, damaged ceiling panels and weatherboards, rotten ramp and panels and stumps. This ensures a safe, functional, and welcoming space, future-proofing this vital community asset.The Numulgi Hall Incorporated – $46,150 for Lifting Up Numulgi, restumping our community hall for a stronger, connected future: Numulgi Memorial Hall, damaged during the 2022 Lismore floods, will be restumped to ensure structural safety and longevity. This essential upgrade will benefit the community by preserving a vital hub for social gatherings, workshops, and support services, strengthening it as a resilient and inclusive space for connection and community-building.Lismore City Bowling and Recreation Club Limited -- $31,642 for kitchen refurbishment: The club was severely damaged by the 2022 floods, and this funding will enable the supply and installation of kitchen equipment to support the operation of the club.Rock Valley Hall Incorporated -- $27,019 for kitchen upgrade to support community participation and cohesion, especially in times of an emergency: Upgrading Rock Valley Hall’s kitchen to provide an efficient space with better access, lighting and hygienic food preparation areas. A functioning kitchen is essential in times of emergency. Developing support systems with our community, the Rural Fire Service, Red Cross and State Emergency Services, we are building community resilience.Federal School of Arts Association Incorporated -- $26,100 towards painting the exterior of Federal Hall: Clean and wash down the exterior of the building to remove mould, strip back loose and flaking paint, and fill gaps and minor repair works before repainting the hall. Required to halt the decay of the building.Our Plan C Incorporated, Goonellabah -- $20,497 towards future-proofing communities using Plan C’s emergency toolkit: Plan C seeks funds for UHF radios, portable power stations and laptops for two purposes -- (i) teach our existing training participants how to use them to improve their preparedness to disasters and (ii) ensue our staff and volunteers can quickly support communities during extreme weather or other emergencies.Co-Ordination Co-operative Limited -- $20,000 towards essential roof repairs to the Tuntable Falls Community Hall: The Tuntable Falls Community Hall is a much-loved, well-used historic community facility that needs major roof repairs. Work on the top section of the roof will enable the continued safe use of an iconic and crucial place of social and community connection for thousands of local people.Urbenville & District Bowling Club Limited -- $20,000 towards a kitchen upgrade for community use: Replacement of wall sheeting and re-running electrical cables, gas lines and plumbing. Also, new floor coverings.Mallanganee Public Hall Land Manager -- $14,850 for restoring charm to our heritage hall: Removal of existing roller door at the hall entry and reinstating it with a pair of traditional timber framed vertical jointed doors.Mummulgum Public Hall Reserve -- $11,396 for hall floor restoration: Resurfacing and sealing the hall floor to repair water damage.NSW Rural Fire Service Australia on behalf of Murwillumbah Rural Fire Brigade -- $9,250 for purchasing lockers to store personal protective clothing and helmets: Acquisition of 20 lockers to enable firefighters to store PPC, boots and helmets to allow easy access and safekeeping of PPC.Lismore Electorate-wide total -- $450,000.

Parents, carers and children across NSW will benefit from a new hospital initiative aimed at better supporting parents to raise concerns about their child’s condition if they feel it is getting worse.The new tool will require healthcare workers to regularly ask families: “Are you worried they are getting worse?” to help capture important changes in their child’s condition.The question will be embedded in paediatric and neonatal observation charts in emergency departments and inpatient units across the state.The potentially life-saving tool , Worried they’re getting worse, is based on new research from Monash Health and developed by the Clinical Excellence Commission, and recognises parents, families, and carers know their children best.The question recognises that parents and carers are often able to detect early changes or deterioration in their child’s behaviour or temperament that could signal a clinical concern.If parents or caregivers indicate they believe their child is getting worse or deteriorating, it will trigger a review by a senior healthcare worker.All NSW public hospitals will implement the tool by October 2025, and the program will be extended into maternity and adult wards in early 2026.The tool was first trialled at Hunter New England Local Health District in March 2025 and began its statewide rollout at Sydney Children’s Hospital Network on 21 July 2025. Separately, the REACH program is also available for parents and carers when they have concerns that their child is becoming seriously unwell. A REACH call prompts an urgent patient review by a senior health worker. This program continues to be accessible in all NSW hospitals, with work underway to strengthen this safety net.NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said, “When you bring your child into our hospitals, we know that you know them best.“Parents and carers can recognise small changes in a child’s condition sometimes before healthcare workers can observe changes in things like heart rate or breathing.“Feedback from parents and carers is critical in capturing information about a child who is becoming seriously unwell.“When your doctor or nurse asks: 'Are you worried they’re getting worse?' we need you to tell us even if it is something small, because if you’re worried, we’re worried.”Secretary of NSW Health, Susan Pearce AM said, “We know staff right across the NSW public health system work incredibly hard to deliver the highest quality of care for patients, and we need to ensure the right systems are in place that support them to continue to do so.“Really listening to parents, carers and family members is critical when caring for children in hospital and this new initiative recognises the vital role they play in their child’s care alongside our excellent healthcare professionals.“By working together, we can strengthen patient safety for children and babies and provide an environment where parents and carers are encouraged and empowered to raise concerns.”