We are back to what feels like the usual weekend weather forecast, with a shower or two on the cards.The BoM says 0-5mm for Saturday and 0-4mm for Sunday. Most of the forecast rain will occur on Monday with 4-35mm on the radar and 90% chance of rain.There is no major event this weekend; however, there are a few things to do around the Lismore LGA.The next major event is LisAmore! on Sunday, July 6 at the Lismore Turf Club.The Lismore Farmers Market gets underway at 7:30 tomorrow morning at the Lismore Showground. Fresh fruit and veg, hot breakfast, tea & coffee and specialty items for sale, as well as live music from Georgia Cortes Rayner.The Nimbin Markets are on this weekend again because it is the fifth Sunday of the month. Head up to the hills to have a look for some unique artisan products unique to the Nimbin community from 9am to 3pm.Well-known photographer Jacklyn Wagner's 'Through the Heart' photographic exhibition opens tonight at 6pm at the Lismore Regional Gallery at The Quad.Through the Heart captures the human stories behind the February and March 2022 floods. It was first shown at NSW Parliament House in November 2022.Lismore Regional Gallery is open 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The exhibition runs until Sunday, August 10.The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Guided Walk this month will be through the Sensory and Useful Plant Gardens.It is an easy hour-long walk on unpaved paths. Cost is $5 for adults, with children free, cash only. Meet at the visitors centre at 9:45am for a 10am start.If live music is your scene, there is plenty over the weekend.The Northern Rivers Hotel has Al Cole's Drummer Not Included tonight from 6pm and Rokustix for the Sunday Session from 2pm.The Lismore Workers Club has Chev Wilson in the main lounge tonight.Concerts coming to the Workers Club include:Dorothy the Dinosaur Spectacular on Sunday, July 27Herman's Hermits on Friday, August 8Fleetwood Max on Thursday, August 14Oh What a Night - a tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons on Saturday, September 20, andThe Flying Forties on Saturday, October 4.For more details or to book, click here.The Iran/Israel bombings have caused fuel prices to increase between 7 and 10 cents a litre over the last seven days. 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 Ampol Foodary on Woodlark Street in Lismore and the EG Ampol on Simeoni Drive, Goonellabah, 176.9 at the NightOwl Puma on Johnston Street in Casino, and 165.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 176.9 across Lismore, 179.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 167.5 at the Metro and the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.U95 is 184.9 at the two Independents (Brad & Sharon) on Terania Street, North Lismore and the Liberty on Ballina Road and the Independent at East Lismore, 198.9 at the Independent on Canterbury Street, and 178.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.U98 is 192.9 at the Liberty on Ballina Road in Lismore, and the Liberty on Union Street, South Lismore, 199.9 at the two Independents on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 187.5 at The Metro on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 179.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road in Lismore, 182.9 at The United and the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street in Casino, and 188.7 at the Ampol on Links Avenue, East Ballina.Have a great weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

There is a lot of heavy machinery on Conway Street, as road resurfacing continues across the LGA. That appears to be the only rebuild progress being made along the street that has TAFE Lismore on one side of the street.In November 2023, TAFE Lismore was a hive of activity as contractors prepared three buildings for demolition work. Buildings C1, D and K below look to have been removed.Buildings B, C, and E are a lot more complicated as they are heritage-listed, playing a significant part in the history of Lismore:Building C – Former Ambulance Station (1933)Building E – Former Trades School (1929)Building B – Former Drill Hall (1906)(An overhead image of the TAFE buildings. Photo: supplied)The Lismore App contacted TAFE NSW for an update on the site. In a written response, a spokesperson said, “TAFE NSW Lismore reopened in early 2025, with theory-based training returning to the campus. Some training continues to be delivered from leased premises at Southern Cross University."In the coming weeks, a Development Application will be submitted to Lismore City Council for the demolition of buildings that were extensively damaged by flooding and can’t be repaired. The DA will also propose to restore the on-site car parking for community use. "At the same time, TAFE NSW is finalising an insurance claim with iCare. Subject to the outcome, TAFE NSW is proposing to repair, upgrade, and construct new facilities in the Northern Rivers region."Currently, Community Pharmacy, Retail, Career Pathways and Digital Literacy, Auslan, and English Language programs are being delivered at TAFE NSW Lismore."TAFE NSW will continue to update the community as planning progresses.”That left more questions than answers.Are there more buildings to be demolished? Does repair, upgrade and construct new facilities in the Northern Rivers mean the Lismore campus? If yes, in what form and when?The insurance claim with iCare is interesting because it is owned by the NSW Government. You would hope for a favourable outcome.

The $150 million Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program (NRRRP) was first announced by Senator Murray Watt in February 2023. It is funded through NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) and delivered through the NSWRA (NSW Reconstruction Authority)Thirty-six (36) projects across seven Northern Rivers LGA's, some 'shovel ready' were to transform Lismore and the Northern Rivers into one of the most disaster-resilient regions in NSW.Nothing happened for the next fourteen months, with Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin saying, "We’re going in circles. Can someone please step in and take charge of this recovery so we don’t go round in circles. These projects were shovel-ready and don't need an implementation plan" in May 2023.Two years later, some projects have been completed, and some still have a long way to go before being completed. Those are the more complex projects that require a detailed assessment, such as the Ballina bridge duplication on River Street.Alex Wilson, Program Director with the NSWRA, told the Lismore App that there is increasing public awareness around flood risk, which is different, obviously, from physical flood risk management measures like infrastructure."And then we've got projects that are nature-based solutions, which also differ, then, from increasing community resilience. One of the examples of those was that we partnered with the Australian Red Cross, where they have been establishing community-led resilience teams under this program, which were put to the test and received really well during the effects of extra-tropical cyclone Alfred, including Minion and Federal, so down to the local, smaller communities," Alex said."It performed really well, and some of the feedback was really, really positive there."The Red Cross approached small communities that tend to become isolated or cut off, either through power, phone reception, trees down blocking roads or water blocking roads. They work with the local community-led resilience team to develop a plan and a local contact network.So, if there's an event like Alfred, they can meet at certain times of day at a designated building to pick up supplies, dried food for example, and use Wi-Fi, which is turned on twice a day using a Starlink (if they have one) that is run on batteries to send messages to family and friends.Tropical Cyclone Alfred was the first time that these community-led resilience team programs were put to the test."I don't want to say it was a good test, but it was an opportune time for them, having gone through their training and planning, to actually put the processes into practice. It came out successfully," Alex said.The Australian Red Cross Community-led Resilience Project (CRT) had a target of building community resilience in 70 communities across the 7 Northern NSW LGAs (note that building community resilience includes measures other than establishing a CRT). That target has been exceeded, with 88 communities reached to date.The CRT program commenced in Tweed LGA after flooding from TC Debbie in 2017. There are 5 CRTs established (or being established) within the Lismore LGA.If you would like to get in touch with your local CRT, email the Australian Red Cross at: NSWRESILIENCE@redcross.org.au. The largest NRRRP project in dollar terms is the duplication of Fishery Creek Bridge on River Street and Canal Bridge on Tamarind Drive in Ballina. The cost is around $40 million, or roughly 27% of the $150 million budget. The project work has been split into a couple of different portions.(An artists impression of the River Street bridge at Ballina)"We've got an early works portion, which is known as pre-loading the ground. This is due to commence late July, early August, on site," Alex explained."The main bridge contract is currently out to market. That closes at the end of June, and so that will then be assessed and awarded as quickly as possible after that."When we've got an actual contractor, we'll have a better idea of timing for physically constructing the bridges. I can tell you that we've, aside from the preload that's due to start next month, Ballina Council has already been moving water mains, Telstra cables, clearing the sites, essentially for the bridges to be constructed, because we've got overhead power lines, services in the ground under the river at both locations and street lights and things. So, so they've been doing all the preparation work."There is a loose delivery time frame for the bridge projects, but Alex didn't want to divulge the ETA until they have a builder on board and they have confidence in their deliverables."Their construction methodology is obviously part of the assessment, and will be reviewing the program taken. One builder might come in six months quicker than another builder, but it might be out of the budget, for example. So, there's a lot of different factors to get them to work on and assess those tenders. Once we've got firm dates, I'll happily let you know what they are."The next most expensive projects are the Lismore pump station upgrades and the raising of two bridges at Tatham (between Casino and Coraki), which are currently underway.Alex revealed that the nature-based solution projects will be the last to be completed as part of the $150 million NRRRP. They are slated for completion in late 2027."We're reforesting riparian zones along river banks. There are two projects there. One of them is caring for catchments, and our delivery partner there is the North Coast Regional Landcare Network. And then the other one is Heal the Rivers, which is through Jagun Alliance, through First Nations organisation, Jagun Alliance.Alex said there are a number of projects within each program, so North Coast Regional Landcare Network has 35 project sites, with Jagun slightly fewer. All are spread out over the Richmond River Catchment. Their purpose is to slow the flow of water through the catchment and into the Wilsons River or Leycester Creek system.Some of the more expensive projects on the list of the 15 completed NRRRP projects include:Filling in data gaps for floor-level surveys for homes and buildings. These were done by driving around in a ute with a LiDAR scanner after it was noticed that multiple councils had gaps in different locations, which they needed to complete their Flood Risk Management Plans.Revitalise South and East Lismore Town DrainsPublic Proposal - Lismore Flood Mitigation, Northern Rivers Resilience InitiativeDairy Flat road improvementsThearles Canal culvert upgradeNew pump systems behind Dorothy Street, MurwillumbahThe Lismore LGA is benefiting from just over $29.4 million, or around 20% of the overall $150 million in funding.Two of the projects within the Lismore LGA have been completed with Rouse County Council, having completed the revitalisation of the South and East Lismore town drains, which allows a clearer path for the stormwater to reach the Wilsons River.This was tested with good effect during Tropical Cyclone Alfred."There were some anecdotal references there from local residents and people who haven't seen those drains working as well as they did for a very long time. Thistles Soccer Club showed up to mop their clubhouse out, and they didn't have to. Normally, in the past, that sort of size flood would have caused the club rooms to flood.The second project to be completed was community drain clearing through Lismore City Council.Garon Clough, Projects Director - Flood Resilience Program for Lismore City Council said, "There were locations identified from the community that had stormwater constraints, and they wanted them to be addressed. We went and targeted high-profile areas throughout the urban area to get stormwater functioning again. So it was a maintenance activity, allocation of funds to reset the function of residential drains."There is a lot of detail to cover when looking at the rest of Lismore's five more projects, including a major rebuild of the Browns Creek Pump Station. This will be covered in a special edition on Monday morning.

Two men will face court today, charged following an investigation into alleged aggravated break and enter incidents at a shopping centre in Lismore.About 5.30am yesterday (Wednesday, 25 June 2025), two people allegedly forced their way into a shopping centre through a smashed window.Several businesses were targeted with cash, jewellery and watches stolen.No injuries have been reported to police.Police attached to Richmond Police District attended and established several crime scenes.Following extensive inquiries, police arrested two men – aged 22 and 28 – at a caravan park in Byron Bay yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 25 June 2025).A search warrant was executed at a cabin a short time later, where police allegedly located and seized items believed to have been stolen during property offences alleged to have occurred at Lismore, Ballina, and Byron Bay in recent weeks.Both men were taken to Byron Bay Police Station.The younger man was charged with three counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal.The older man was charged with nine offences:Three counts of aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company stealTwo counts of break and enter house etc stealTwo counts of break and enter dwelling-house etc with intentAttempted break and enter dwelling-house etc with intent, andLarceny.An outstanding warrant was also executed for alleged traffic and bail offences.Both men were refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court today (Thursday, 26 June 2025).

The NSW Government welcomes the National Health and Medical Research Council’s publication today of the updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, which confirm new, lower values for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Australian drinking water supplies.The NSW Government can confirm that all NSW public drinking water supplies – across metropolitan and regional areas - currently meet the updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.All Sydney Water and Hunter Water drinking water supplies meet the updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and agencies have a regular testing regimen in place to ensure water is safe to drink.All 83 local water utilities in regional NSW that supply areas not serviced by Sydney and Hunter Water tested their water supplies in 2024. This testing initially showed that 80 of 83 water utilities had water supplies that met the draft guidelines released in October 2024.The NSW Government has been working with the remaining three local water utilities that had water supplies that exceeded the draft guidelines to manage PFAS levels and conduct ongoing monitoring. These three water supplies also now meet the updated guidelines.NSW Health has recommended that all 83 local water utilities test each of their drinking water supplies again in 2025, to assess the risk and also undertake source water testing in order to determine the ongoing frequency of PFAS testing in drinking water.While these local water utilities meet the new drinking water guidelines currently, ongoing work and longer term investment is required to maintain current levels. The NSW Government will work with councils to ensure appropriate long-term measures are put in place.Importantly, any PFAS detections above the guideline values, like the detection of many other water quality characteristics, should not be viewed as a pass/fail measure, but should trigger investigation and guide monitoring and response actions.The NSW Government is working to ensure all NSW water supplies – in metropolitan and regional areas – are equipped with long-term solutions to ensure effective management of PFAS risks. including treatment if needed.This includes in the Blue Mountains, where the NSW Government understands residents have concerns about their supply after 2024 testing showed the presence of PFAS in drinking water at the Cascade Water Filtration Plant. A number of measures have been put in place and according to the most recent monitoring results, NSW Health and Sydney Water have advised drinking water in the Blue Mountains meets the updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and is safe to drink.More information about the NSW Government’s action in relation to PFAS and drinking water is available at www.nsw.gov.au/pfas.Minister for Water Rose Jackson said, “We welcome the updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines published today. Since the draft proposal in October last year, our agencies have been working hard to bring our state’s water utilities into line with the new, lower PFAS values.“As a result of this work, testing in 2024 or 2025 from all drinking water supplies across NSW meets the updated Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and I want to assure people that NSW drinking water remains safe to drink.“This isn’t about meeting the updated guidelines as a one-off testing result – Sydney Water, Hunter Water and WaterNSW have a rigorous system of regular monitoring to detect and manage PFAS and help address levels before they become an exceedance.“I recognise there is community concern about PFAS levels in water, and we are committed to continuously improving our approach in line with national guidelines and the latest evidence.”Minister for Health Ryan Park said, “The NSW Government understands the community’s concerns about PFAS; our management of PFAS is informed by the best science and evidence.“That is why we have supported the NSW Chief Health Officer convening the NSW Health Expert Advisory Panel on PFAS to review the latest evidence and provide independent advice.”Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said, “Our work dealing with this legacy contaminant is ongoing in NSW with more than 1,100 legacy sites assessed by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, and the NSW PFAS Expert Panel and the PFAS Technical Advisory Group established to provide cross-government assessment and advice.”

Health insurers are delivering hundreds of millions of dollars in additional payments to private hospitals to help them through a challenging period of rising costs and a shift towards more technology-driven out-of-hospital care.Following a request from Health Minister Mark Butler for health insurers to lift payments to private hospitals, the most recent Australian Prudential Regulation Authority data shows health insurance payments to private hospitals jumped 7.7% in the year to March 2025. During the same period, health insurers paid private hospitals 4.2% more per episode of treatment. This jump in hospital payments comes after health insurers paid more than $5 billion back to health fund members due to lower claims during the pandemic. CEO of Private Healthcare Australia, Dr Rachel David, said health insurers were acting on Minister Butler’s concerns about the private hospital sector by cutting their own costs and lifting payments to hospitals for the care they deliver. “Health insurers need private hospitals to survive. We want our 12 million members investing in hospital cover to receive rapid access to high-quality hospital treatment where and when they need it. With this in mind, we are paying hospitals more to help them meet rising costs for care, including higher staff wages,” Dr David said. “The health insurance sector is listening and acting. We will continue to work with hospitals, doctors and the government on ways to improve our private health system and help modernise it so it can meet the needs of our population demanding more affordable, convenient and connected care.” Dr David said health insurers were examining their own costs to maximise their own efficiency and striking more innovative contracts with hospital groups to deliver members more options for care. “We have seen some great collaboration between private hospitals and health insurers recently to contract for more out-of-hospital services such as chemotherapy, rehabilitation, wound care and mental health treatment. This reduces costs for hospitals, insurers and patients while delivering better health outcomes. This is the way of the future.”   She said health insurers were also continuing to offer potential solutions to overcome specific challenges facing private maternity care. This includes a proposal for insurers to pay more towards private obstetrics if women were given more choice about who provided their care in the private system before a private hospital birth. “We have a good supply of private hospital services across most parts of the country, so we are confident people with hospital cover will retain access to high-quality services near their homes. We are continuing to work on ways to improve maternity care and mental health care so we can create a stronger sector. “We also know that the high cost to see some specialist doctors in the community is causing many Australians to forego care and not use private hospitals. This will continue to dampen demand for private hospitals and must be addressed as part of the bigger picture. We will continue to work with the government and doctors on this.” Health insurers continue to be among the most highly scrutinised businesses in the Australian economy, Dr David said. “Health insurers’ financial data is published quarterly by the prudential regulator. Both the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the Department of Health review this thoroughly during the annual premium setting process, and the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report on the sector’s performance under consumer law yearly.  “There is no need for additional regulation in a sector where pricing and performance is controlled this tightly by the government. Instead, we are advocating for private sector reform to bring data collection and transparency for hospitals and other providers up to the same standard.”

The expectations from the release of the next phase of the $11.2 million Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative (NRRI), the first of its kind in the Northern Rivers, appear to be extremely high within the community.Phase 1 was to map every square metre across the 7,000 square kilometre Richmond River catchment using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and river bathymetry technology to create a hydrodynamic model.This model was delivered on time, as promised, by CSIRO lead scientist, Jai Vaze and his team on June 30 2024.Phase 2 was to accurately replicate what happened in previous floods, including the 14.4-metre flood on February 28 2022, along with other major floods, like the second March 2022 flood, and the 2017 flood.Phase 3 is what residents and the seven local council areas are really waiting for, the release of three to four mitigation scenarios, which include the combination of a number of interventions within each scenario. That will be released on June 30 2026.History has proven that it is difficult to trust the state or federal government to deliver timely flood recovery and rebuild help following a disaster. There are always delays. However, Jai Vaze has delivered on every promise he has made, and he told the Lismore App that he will deliver the implementation model next Monday, June 30 2025.How is the model implemented?Jai has divided the 7,000 square metres Richmond River catchment area into 10.2 million triangular grids with no gaps, called a mesh. To get a visual representation, he said it is best to think of it as a spider web.When Jai inputs the rainfall data from previous flood events, each event has to be replicated exactly as it happened at the time. His soon-to-be-released implementation model has been peer-reviewed by three independent experts: one from Japan, France and Australia.The model can measure the velocity of water flow and depth from Nimbin to the Ballina outlet. The mesh is denser in areas that receive a lot of rainfall and coarser where it has never flooded.What are the next steps?Jai and his team will be in Lismore and the Northern Rivers in early July to hold meetings with the four councils inside the catchment, their technical staff and the community to get an understanding of what mitigation ideas should be included in the scenario model options.The CSIRO team will return in early August for a second round of engagement.More than likely, Jai will run three to four different modelling options, each with a number of different mitigation interventions, to determine the most effective flood mitigation results for the entire Richmond River Catchment.It will take three months to get the mesh ready to run a scenario, and another two months to make adjustments to a mesh. And this is with a supercomputer that has 1 terabyte of RAM (random-access memory). To give this some perspective, the average computer will run 4 to 8 gigabytes, while some might run 16 for gaming. 1 terabyte is equal to 1,000 gigabytes.June 30 2025, is an important date as it signifies that the CSIRO Richmond River Catchment Flood Model works like it should, giving certainty to the outcomes of the mitigation results to be delivered on June 30 2026. This is the critical date for residents and business owners who were affected by the 2022 big flood.This is also the date that will cause anxiety for the Federal and NSW Governments. The release of the CSIRO's third report will need to be assessed, costed, and then a decision made as to how much will be invested in the Northern Rivers to help reduce the impact of future floods and potentially identify its long-term water supply.Early hypothetical estimates from a range of people, including local politicians, is that $2 billion will be the minimum cost.

UPDATE: 2.20pmAn investigation is underway following aggravated break and enter incidents at a shopping centre in Lismore earlier today.About 5.30am (Wednesday, 25 June 2025), two people forced their way into a shopping centre through a smashed window.Several businesses were targeted with cash, jewellery and watches stolen.No injuries have been reported to police.Police attached to Richmond Police District attended and established several crime scenes.As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Anyone with information about this incident 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.ORIGINAL STORYOfficers from the Richmond Police District are investigating a break and enter this morning at Lismore Square.Commander Dave Roptell told the Lismore App that two individuals broke into Prouds The Jewellers, near Big W and the food court.The area around Prouds has been taped off as police continue their investigations.More to come.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) is encouraging graduate nurses and midwives to consider starting their careers in the Northern Rivers, with applications now open as part of NSW Health’s 2026 GradStart program.GradStart is an annual, state-wide recruitment process for graduate nurses and midwives, which provides a vast range of employment opportunities across more than 150 health facilities in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote NSW.Applications for NSW Health’s 2026 GradStart intake opened last week (17 June) and close on 30 June 2025.Students are eligible to apply if they: are completing a nursing or midwifery degree between 1 June 2025 and 31 May 2026.will meet all the requirements to be registered as a Registered Nurse or Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.are an Australian Citizen or hold a visa that allows ongoing full-time employment in Australia.NNSWLHD Director of Nursing and Midwifery Katharine Duffy encouraged potential candidates to consider joining the team in Northern NSW.“Northern NSW Local Health District offers an exciting opportunity for new graduates to start their careers, with four Multi-Purpose Services and eight hospitals, including two major sites – Lismore Base Hospital and Tweed Valley Hospital – offering excellent support and learning opportunities,” Ms Duffy said.“Our new graduates will gain invaluable experience across a broad range of clinical settings, as well as in community healthcare.“Coupled with unrivalled quality of life opportunities at some of Australia’s premier coastal and hinterland destinations, we think there is no better place to live and work than Northern NSW.”The new recruits will follow in the footsteps of the 225 graduate registered nurses who joined NNSWLHD in 2025, in addition to seven new graduate midwives and 27 newly qualified enrolled nurses.Ms Duffy said new graduates will be well supported at what is hoped to be the start of a long and rewarding career with NNSWLHD.“It is an exciting time for us following the opening of the new Tweed Valley Hospital last year and with plans to redevelop Grafton Base Hospital well underway,” Ms Duffy said.“New graduates are integral to our vision to continue to grow and train a sustainable local health workforce. Our nursing and midwifery service has some incredible mentors and educators who will nurture these new graduates to develop in their chosen specialties.“Depending on their interests, they’ll have the opportunity to take part in leading research projects and develop their leadership skills to take their careers to the next level.”For more information and to apply now, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/gradstart.

On the 11th of September 2023, Lismore City Council signed a licensing agreement with community organisation Lismore Lake Incorporated. The goal for members is to revitalise Lismore Lake, bringing it back to its former glory days of the 1970s and '80s.The Lismore Lake is a passion for Councillor Big Rob and President of Lismore Lake Inc., Brad Lancaster. 2023 was about completing the administration of the organisation, items like a constitution upgrade, ABN registration, bank account, and the tax-deductible gift recipient application.The two have said that the Lismore Lake project will not cost ratepayers any money. Money will be raised through grant applications and generous donations from businesses and individuals.Two years later, the Lismore Lake precinct is not showing signs of much progress, although work has been done."In recent times, Lismore Lake Incorporated has seen some work done along the riverbank and lakeside riparian zones through Rous County Council," President Brad Lancaster told the Lismore App."Some grant funding was secured last year, and work was done along the peninsula where several plants were planted. The southern island has also been prepared for future plantings, with minor preparation work also done on the north island, and further grant funding is expected shortly to see further plantings. "Things are moving slowly at the moment due to volunteer work and personal life commitments. However, things are expected to pick up in the very near future."The vision for the Lismore Lake is to enhance the two bird sanctuaries on the north and south islands. When the lake is full, it will be surrounded by water, making it inaccessible to people on foot. There will be passive recreation vehicles like canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards.Included in the vision is a 1.5km cycle path, which forms a loop with exercise stations around it.An Aboriginal healing or yarning circle is another idea to add to the vision, as well as a dog park.As the Lismore Lake Inc organisation makes progress and has ideas or is given community ideas that involve something not in the Master Plan, such as constructing new BBQ areas, a complete design and costing plan will need to be submitted to Lismore City Council."As long as it is not against the Master Plan, we can get a yes," Brad said in 2023. "Who knows, maybe we can hold events out here like a Dash for Cash run or a Food Van event."The Lismore Lake Pool is another potential rebuild to bring it back to the glory days of the '70s and '80s.Just like rebuilding from the 2022 big flood, this is a project that needs patience. The end result will be worth it, but it may well be 2030.

The 2025/2026 NSW Budget was handed down by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey yesterday. While the rest of the country was focused on the big ticket items for NSW, we will have a look at what the Northern Rivers will receive in the next 12 months.It would be fair to say that Lismore has not been the recipient of any new large-scale funding in this budget. Rather, they are a continuation of funding commitments from previous years.Below is the breakdown:HEALTHAn additional $3.5 million First Nations community-led culturally responsive suicide prevention initiatives.Continuing to deliver the:• $265.0 million Port Macquarie Hospital Upgrade• $263.8 million Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment• $13.0 million betterment of Lismore Ambulance Station• $3.4 million betterment of Mullumbimby Ambulance StationEDUCATION• Upgrades at Casino High School as part of the High Potential and Gifted Education School Partner Program.• Ongoing delivery of the Government’s 100 public preschools commitment, including at Bowraville Central School, and Lennox Head, Tacking Point and Wollongbar Public Schools.• Continuing the Lennox Head Public School relocation.• As at the start of the 2025 school year, teacher vacancies had reduced by an average of 72.9 per cent across the North Coast Local Government Areas, compared to the peak of the teacher shortage crisis in 2022.TRANSPORT AND ROADS• $548.5 million over four years to continue construction of the Coffs Harbour Bypass (NSW and Australian Government funded).• $36.5 million over four years to continue work on the Pacific Highway Harrington Road Intersection Upgrade (NSW and Australian Government funded).• $23.3 million over four years to continue improving safety, reliability and travel times on Waterfall Way.• $3.9 million additional funding to upgrade the Bruxner Highway and Alphadale Road intersection, bringing the total commitment to $11.4 million.COMMUNITIES AND JUSTICE• $7.0 million for the new Goonellabah Fire Station, and to continue works to deliver an $8.2 million new Byron Bay Fire Station on an alternative site.• $1.8 million in 2025-26 for the Lismore Courthouse Resilience Improvement Project.DISASTER RECOVERY• $359.2 million over four years to complete the Resilient Homes Program – Northern Rivers to enable flood tolerance for existing houses.• $63.2 million over four years to complete the Resilient Lands Program to help relocate Northern Rivers residents impacted by the 2022 floods.(Mt Pleasant sign when the site was announced by the NSWRA on March 25 as part of the Resilient Lands Program)CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER• $12.5 million in additional funding from the Australian Government for a water treatment plant, and storage, pumping and distribution infrastructure at Steuart McIntyre Dam for Kempsey.• $2.5 million to investigate options to improve water security for towns in the Far North Coast region.PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTMeasures to prevent the spread of fire ants from South East QueenslandPLANNING, HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTUREContinuing to deliver the $30.0 million investment into 50 build-to-rent apartments in East Lismore delivered by Landcom.From a natural disaster perspective, the NSW Government has allocated $4.2 billion for disaster response and recovery. This figure is expected to increase in response to previous and potential new natural disasters, like the flooding on the Mid-North Coast in May this year.In the six years since the unprecedented 2019-20 bushfires, the NSW and Australian Governments have spent $9.5 billion on disaster relief and recovery across the State. That averages $1.6 billion per year – more than a 1,000 per cent increase compared to $154.0 million per year on average in the prior six years.INVESTING IN DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY This Budget outlines a further $4.2 billion of disaster relief over the forward estimates, a figure that is likely to increase in response to both previous and potentially new natural disasters. Including Australian Government co-contributions, this includes:• $2.3 billion for restoration works to repair local and state roads damaged in major flood events, including in the Hunter and Northern Rivers• $1.6 billion for other disaster relief and recovery programs funded through the Disaster Relief Account administered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority• $63.2 million for the Resilient Lands Program to unlock new home and land options in safe locations in the Northern Rivers and to support relocations• $27.0 million over three years for repair and restoration of water and sewer infrastructure in the Central West, damaged by severe weather and flooding in 2022.The $4.2 billion investment includes the following assistance measures in response to recent major disasters:• $358.3 million over four years, including Australian Government co-contributions, for disaster recovery and relief measures in response to the May 2025 East Coast floods. This includes $56.6 million in immediate assistance in 2024-25• $154.5 million over three years, including Australian Government co-contributions, for disaster recovery and relief measures in response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred. This includes $125.5 million in immediate assistance in 2024-25.As mentioned, there are no new big-ticket items for Lismore; however, there are a number of items, such as the Resilient Homes Program, Resilient Lands Program and the 50 build-to-rent apartments in East Lismore that residents would like to see real progress made in the next 12 months.

Finker Bubble owner Wen Chua was relieved to finally open her bubble tea shop on Keen Street a week ago. Wen arrived in Lismore about a year ago – and this It was her second attempt at trying to open the shop.In February, she was only three days away from opening - when Lismore’s biggest flood arrived and destroyed the new business.But, Wen knew she was not going to give up. Now, after months of renovations, she is now finally serving bubble tea to the Lismore community.“I always knew I would try and open again, I put a lot of money into the shop – and I had friends who helped me,” Wen said.“I love bubble tea – I know many people here haven’t had it before, and I want everyone to try it.”So, what is bubble tea?Bubble tea is a sweet drink, based on mixing milk with tea and adding toppings like coconut jelly, and popping balls – as well as fruit flavours such as strawberry, lychee and mango.Bubble tea is often referred to as a ‘chunky’ drink – because of the chewy pearls of tapioca that sit in the bottom of the cup – and you suck them into your mouth through a thick straw.It’s a drink that’s been popular with kids and adults all over Asia – and it’s a drink that Wen has grown up with.“As a child in Malaysia, nearly every day after school I would gather with my friends to drink bubble tea,” Wen said.“We would stand around in school uniform at the bubble tea stall on the street and drink bubble tea.”Wen said her favourite bubble tea is the one made with matcha tea, but the most popular one that’s sold in the shop is the brown sugar with fresh milk, cheese foam and boba (bubbles, or pearls of tapioca).“When you drink the cheese foam, you taste it first, then sip the tea, then combine it and the balance should be perfect,” Wen said.Finker Bubble will be open six days a week, Monday to Saturday from 11am to 8.30pm.This photo of the shop was taken by Wen just days before the flood arrived to destroy the shop.

For aromatherapist and holistic bodywork practitioner Anne Walker, finding a new space to open in since the floods has been tricky. But now, Anne’s business, Le Petit Aromatique Apothecary, has found a new home in Lismore’s Club Lane.In her new second floor premises, Anne has set up her massage clinic. But unlike her pre-flood shop location in the Star Court Arcade, she doesn’t yet have a shop front to sell her essential oils from. It’s something she hopes will change over time. For now, she’s just glad to be open again. ‘The little aromatic pharmacy’Anne first opened ‘the little aromatic pharmacy’ in 2019 after she visited the South of France and loved it.“Aromatherapy is very affiliated with French culture and I’d always dreamed of having an apothecary,” Anne said.“Usually an apothecary (pharmacy) is associated with herbal medicine but I wanted to open one dedicated to aromatherapy.“So, when I came back, I moved my massage clinic from Nimbin to Lismore and opened a shop front dedicated to selling over-the-counter aromatic medicine.“People would drop in and I would mix oils, creams or lotions on the spot. I would also do massages using essential oils.”The shop lasted three years, until the February flood destroyed her business.Like many other business owners, she had moved her stock up high, but it wasn’t enough.“I saved a few things that I’d put in the Star Court Theatre, but not much,” Anne said.“It was the second time I’d lost a business to flood – it happened to my previous business in 2017 as well.“Reopening this time took a while because I wasn’t emotionally ready for a long time. I needed to be in a good space to look after other people.“Then I found the Club Lane place when I was visiting the naturopath next door.“It’s a nice room with lots of light and a good affordable starting point for me.“I’m taking massage bookings and will have some apothecary items for sale and some flood stock is also available.“People can book in for consultations – I’ve been practicing remedial massage and reflexology for 20 years and bio-dynamic craniosacral therapy for ten years .“I also do aromatherapy massage and facials or feet treats.”Anne said she loves the essential oil single vetiver for grounding - but also likes to use rose, for grief and loss.The new Le Petit Aromatique Apothecary is located at Level 1, Suite 4 Club Lane, 71 Molesworth Street. If you would like to book in for an appointment, you can phone 0408 490 385, or visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lepetitaromatiqueapothecary   

When Serpentine Community Gallery volunteers were cleaning up after the February flood, they lamented the lost artworks of Lismore. Not just for the art that was lost from the gallery’s walls – but for all the artworks lost in local houses and businesses.That’s when the idea to put on a free art exhibition was borne - to gift ‘free’ art to Lismore’s empty walls and damaged homes.Now, in a show of good will from Lismore’s art community, an exhibition of free art will be held at Two Mates Brewery on October 8, and the community is invited to get some free artworks – or swap over ones they already have.Exhibition coordinator Cassie Can is now calling local artists to donate some artworks to go into the exhibition. Art is not a luxury“As we rebuild in Lismore, art can be seen as a bit of a luxury, but it’s important to bring beauty back to our homes and businesses too,” Cassie said.“So, we want to make art free to everybody in Lismore – because as a town, we all lost something.“So if you have any artworks you don’t want anymore, you can donate them to this free art exhibition - and give them new life on someone’s walls.“Kids can donate art too – and people can also swap any works they already have for new ones.“You can just show up on the day with art, or donate artworks prior to the event. Then, people can take home the art they like on the day.Uplift spirits“It will be a beautiful gesture of generosity and a part of the vision to uplift the spirits of the people in Lismore.”Cassie said some of the Lismore Art Club members were keen to donate artworks.“They are passionate about holding this event in a region where we have so many artists and art appreciators,” she said.Cassie said the local brewery was donating the exhibition space out of goodwill to help rebuild the local community.Local face painter Rachel Creamer will be at the free day, painting faces.Family friendly day“We can all mingle and it will be a family friendly event with activities too,” Cassie said ““There’s a lovely grassy space out the back with a kids playground and gazebo.“Rachel, a local face painter will be there and we’ll have a needle felting workshop run by Nimbin Textiles – but there are limited spaces in this workshop and you need to prebook for it.“Kyogle gelato cart and Sam’s burgers will be there providing food – and we are also looking for donations of cake for morning tea.”There will also be live music performances from 11am to 4pm, followed by more music until 8pm.On the day, people can also donate money toward helping Serpentine Gallery rebuild the local community gallery space.Serpentine Gallery president, Susan, said the rebuild of the gallery is slowly happening - and it is expected to be open for 'Ink and Mud' - an exhibition by local printmakers in December.Cassie said it’s hoped this networking event can be the beginning of local artists connecting again after the flood.“We can put this community back together and start working and inspiring each other again,” Cassie said.If you would like to get involved, donate art or cakes, contact Susan on 0409 056 976.The exhibition will be held from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, October 8 at Two Mates Brewery at 8 Engine Street, South Lismore.  

The Gilchrist Foundation is a new charity supporting educational and sporting scholarships for students of all backgrounds and disadvantage.The Foundation has been established by the Gilchrist Family, with the mission of identifying eligible students and young sportsmen and women and assist them to further their education or skills through financial assistance together with active engagement and mentoring.The inaugural Gilchrist Foundation Dinner is set to be an entertaining and educational experience and will be held at the Ballina RSL on Friday 7 October.The dinner will give guests an opportunity to learn about the Foundation, meet current students being supported and hear from former Australian Soldier Anthony “Harry” Moffitt and his story of Eleven Bats….combat, cricket and the SAS. More information can be found about Harry Moffitt at https://www.elevenbats.com.au/ The night will include a unique raffle where attendees can purchase a personally signed Adam Gilchrist cricket ball as a raffle ticket and be in the draw for some fantastic accommodation and experience prizes.There are also a large number of unique prizes on offer in the online Gala Auction. Bidders do not need to be present on the night for the auction as all prizes are online and can be bid on at anytime in the countdown to the night.Prizes include a range of interesting items including a vintage-style bespoke cricket bat replica as used by Adam Gilchrist during his stellar career, the opportunity to brew your own beer and holiday packages. Bidding is open at https://app.galabid.com/gilchrist/itemsGo to the Gilchrist Foundation web site https://gilchrist.foundation/ for all dinner and ticket details or phone Julie on 0431 764 776.

U-buds and Doobers (not Ubers) were on duty last weekend, driving hundreds of people to and from Nimbin’s annual MardiGrass drug reform rally and festival.Nimbin HEMP Embassy president Michael Balderstone said having the drug free drivers was great – allowing people to enjoy the pro-cannabis drug reform celebration without having to worry about the usual police roadside drug testing.“Thousands of people were in Nimbin over the weekend and they came from all over Australia,” Michael said.“There was lots of passion for the roadside drug testing laws to change. Cannabis users are frustrated about not being heard and the lack of reason that goes with police saliva testing.“It has nothing to do with being impaired, it’s just about the presence of weed.”“The police told me they got more people this year with saliva testing than last year,” he said. “But we will have to wait for the official figures to come out.“Were any of those drivers actually impaired? It’s a huge impact on country drivers if they lose their licences – they need to be able to drive around.”“The frustration is also about not being allowed to grow our own cannabis – and then have to pay high prices for the legally prescribed stuff – and then still not be allowed to drive while using it.”Despite the police drug testing van being present on the side of the road on the way into Nimbin, Michael said there were not many arrests this year.“But I’m still waiting for the official numbers from police – we’ll know by next week,” he said.The annual MardiGrass is normally held in May, but was postponed due to flooding earlier this year. Michael said crowd numbers were still good, despite the change of dates. “People seemed to have a good time,” he said. “They enjoyed the weather and it wasn’t too crowded.”“Next year, I’d like to hold it in May again. That coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Aquarius Festival – a week after MardiGrass, so we might do something together.”One of the highlights of the festival were live DJs in Mingle park from 5pm each day – and the spectacle that is the law reform rally parade (complete with the big joint) on Sunday afternoon.“This year, Ponyland made a fantastic float for the parade – it was best rally we’ve had in years,” Michael said.“At the HEMP symposium, speakers included West Australian HEMP party politician Dr Brian Walker who spoke about drug law reform.“The Kombie convoy on Saturday was great, so was the 420 and the HEMP Olympix.“This year was the first time we had the MardiGrass marijuana music awards – and the winner was a Gold Coast reggae group.“Gary the bullet proof monk won the pot art competition with his banner ‘The law is the crime’ that hangs outside the embassy.”

For the local Year 9 and 10 students who attended a problem solving workshop this week – it wasn’t just about finding solutions to real world problems.According to workshop organiser Karen Ramsay, from the Rivers Academy of STEM Excellence (RASE) – it’s all about creating a resilient generation of problem solvers, who are changing things little by little.Read more news: Air quality monitoring program opens to local schoolsThe RASE schools program has recently been recognised for its amazing results – and has won the NSW Government Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative.Karen said the program has been running in 12 local schools since 2020 and works with students and teachers in Kindergarten to Year 12. Participating schools include Kadina, Richmond River, Albert Park, Bexhill, Dunoon, Goonellabah, Lismore Heights, Lismore South and Wilson Park.Dunoon Public School students at a STEM Design Thinking Process workshop.“The Rivers Academy of STEM excellence focusses on using STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) design thinking practices across the curriculum – in literacy and creative arts too,” Karen said.“It’s not a new way of thinking - businesses use it too.“We get our kids to think creatively and critically, rather than work out of textbooks.“We are getting them ready to face the world.“Today at a workshop, we have Lismore High School and three campuses of kids at a STEM process workshop.“We have Year 10 girls working on a problem about how to engage more year 10 girls in choosing STEM subjects.“This is their third day working on the problem and they brainstorm and identify why it’s a problem and what’s caused it. Then they work on their solution.“The idea is we keep things as authentic as possible, with real world problems - and they come up with amazing ideas.“The Year 9 boys chose any problem they wanted - and they chose to look at how there’s not much mental health help available here for young people Their solution is a mental health app.”Karen said the STEM thinking process they learn now are processes that will stay with the students as they move on from school.“The kids are also becoming more resilient - instead of thinking why the solution didn’t work, they ask why and what can I do about it,” she said.Karen and Zane - another RASE program staff member - attended an awards ceremony in Sydney last week, after successfully submitting the RASE program application into the Public Education Foundation, which manages the awards.They accepted a certificate on behalf of all the principlals in the academy. It was presented to them by Georgina Harrison, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education.

If you thought the taco love had left Lismore after the February flood, think again.Taco Love Bros owner Dylan Morris said it’s been a slow journey to get back to Lismore – but that he will reopen the Conway Street restaurant later this year.But first, he’s bringing all of his popular menu items from Taco Love Bros back to Lismore, at The Met, every Sunday.“Our home was innundated in the flood and we were forced to move to Casino - and we opened a business there on Barker Street,” Dylan said.“We are still displaced and living in Casino and not yet ready to open two businesses.“Before we open Taco Love Bros again, we want to be back living in Lismore again, but it’s going to take a while.“We will offer a better service to community when we are back home.”When the February flood hit Dylan’s Lismore business in February, he said it was fortunate he managed to save most of the shop gear.The building also fared well compared to other Lismore buildings that were completely submerged in the flood. Read about the shop beginnings: New taco business jumps another hurdle Still keen to be a part of the Lismore community, Dylan said he recently went to the Met for a beer one day and talked to Simon who is running the restaurant there.“Simon mentioned it would be nice to do a food collaboration,” Dylan said.“It would be a good way to be visible again and we could let the people of Lismore know we are coming back to our original location, while still having access to our food locally.“I loved the idea – it was a bigger venue and gave us a chance to offer our taste back to Lismore.”Taco Love Bros will be offering a taste of what they used to sell on their menu every Sunday at the Met on Keen Street from 1pm to 7.30pm. The menu includes tacos, nachos and quesidillas. Read more about Dylan: SUNDAY PROFILE: Taco Love Bros' Dylan Morris

Bread rolls, pies and Vietnamese food will be back this week when Millers Bakery opens its doors again.Six months after the flood, Millers Bakery owner Trent is happy to see work on the Woodlark Street bakery almost complete and hopes to be open this Wednesday or Thursday.“We are nearly ready to open – it just depends on the electrical work being finished,” he said.“It’s been a big job to get open again, but we have a good landlord who has fixed the floor and electricity to get the shop ready.“It’s lucky I have a big family here to help clean and repair things - without them, maybe we never would have come back."Trent said he and his family had taken on running the bakery only nine months before the February flood came - where he lost his bakery equipment to the water. “We have a big family business and have shops in East Lismore and Central too,” he said.The new Millers bakery will sell salad rolls, bacon and egg rolls and coffee – as well as pies, bread and a selection of Vietnamese favourites.“We’ll have pork belly roll and vermicelli rice dishes and beef soup,” Trent said.Millers Bakery will be open Monday to Friday, 5.30am to 4pm; Saturday 7am to 4pm and Sunday 7am to 2pm.