Cases of Bovine Ephemeral Fever, also known as three-day sickness, are being seen in cattle on the NSW North Coast.The disease has been confirmed via laboratory testing in a herd within the Kyogle shire, and there have also been reports of clinical signs of the disease in the Tweed and Brunswick shires. It is expected that the disease will move south as the season progresses.Three-day sickness is an insect transmitted virus of cattle that causes a high fever and pain in the muscles and joints. On the North Coast it is usually seen in cattle between 6 months and 2 years of age, however if they are from outside the region adult cattle can also experience the disease.Affected cattle are often by themselves, off their feed, seek shade and water, shiver, drool and are lame. Signs usually last only a few days and most cattle recover uneventfully. Some cattle – especially bulls and heavier conditioned cattle - may go down and take several days to get back on their feet. Heavier cattle are at an increased risk of secondary complications as a result of being down. Pregnant cows may abort and bulls may become infertile for up to three months.The virus appears on the North Coast in summer as the population of the biting insects that transmit it increase. The occurrence of the disease is likely to increase following the recent rainfall in the region, providing favourable conditions for the insect populations to increase rapidly.Producers are encouraged to seek veterinary advice and medication is highly effective in bringing down the fever and reducing the muscle and joint pain. Recovery tends to be quicker with less weight loss. There are several other diseases that may resemble three-day sickness requiring alternative treatment, so veterinary diagnosis is essential.A paddock with plenty of shade, water and feed and free of steep gullies is ideal for cattle to recover in. Any affected cattle should be provided with shade, water and feed and turned or lifted twice daily to help prevent secondary complications.Recently recovered cattle should not be sent to the abattoirs for several weeks, to give the body a chance to heal and avoid the possibility of downgrades from any residual muscle damage. Where treatments have been given any withholding periods must be observed.A vaccine is available and its use is strongly recommended for bulls and any cattle introduced from areas which do not normally experience the virus. In those areas where the virus is already active the vaccine is unlikely to provide protection, though in more southern areas there may still be time for the vaccine to provide protection before the virus arrives.For further advice contact your North Coast Local Land Services District Veterinarian or private veterinary practitioner.--

As today heralds the first day of not having to wear masks in public places, two new Covid cases have been reported in the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA).The two new Lismore cases are among 45 new cases reported across the Northern NSW Local Health District NNSWLHD) in the past 24 hours.Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) chief executive Wayne Jones said 33 of the cases were in the Byron Local Government Area, eight in the Ballina LGA, two in the Lismore LGA, one in the Tweed LGA and one in the Clarence Valley LGA. Twenty-eight of the 45 cases are linked to an existing case or cluster, while 17 remain under investigation.  To date, no cases in NNSWLHD have been identified as the Omicron variant of concern. There are currently no COVID-positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW.  No further cases have been linked with the Woody’s Night Club in Byron Bay, while a total of 62 cases have now been linked with the Coorabell Hall event on 4 December. Thirteen cases have now been linked with No Bones in Byron Bay. The new cases have seen local health authorities urging the community to get vaccinated, or to get boosters once eligible."We urge anyone in Northern NSW who develops symptoms such as a runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat, or is generally feeling unwell, to get tested and isolate immediately, even if you are fully vaccinated," Mr Jones said."There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find your nearest clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP."Masks no longer mandated"As restrictions ease further today across NSW, the onus is on each of us to keep each other safe.  "While masks are no longer mandated in certain indoor settings, if you are planning to attend a venue where you know it will be difficult to physical distance yourself from others, we strongly encourage you to wear a mask.  "Try to meet friends and family outdoors where you can, and if you feel unwell, don’t go out, get a test and head home to await a negative result." "The latest rules on restrictions and mask-wearing is available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe/rules/people-in-nswIf you have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, we encourage you to attend one of the walk-in or booked vaccination clinics which are operating throughout Northern NSW.  Everyone aged 18 and older may receive a booster dose five months after receiving their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. "We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose. Talk to your doctor for more advice," Mr Jones said.You can find your closest vaccination clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic Finder. 

Usually, every scone sold by the Country Women’s Association (CWA) at Primex goes toward funding education grants for local school kids. But when Covid put a stop to the annual show, Linnet Pike from CWA Nimbin branch knew something else has to be done. So, Linnet and other CWA Nimbin members held raffles and sold cakes at local markets to ‘pick up the slack’ after a tough year. They raised enough money to offer two $500 scholarship ‘resilience awards’ to children from Nimbin Central School – as well as numerous $25 book vouchers.Linnet said helping others is what the CWA is all about – so it was a big surprise to the women when Nimbin Central School gave them an award in return.Recognized in return“We are the ones supposed to give out the awards, also it was such a surprise when the school principal Cath Marshall told me we getting a certificate of recognition,” Linnet said.“It’s from the NSW department of education for community contribution to public education.“The last two years with fires and the pandemic have had a profound and challenging impact on our youth - we wanted to acknowledge the resilience that so many young people possess and give them support.“The award is not much, but a little bit can buy a few supplies and acknowledges those students."The resilience awards will be presented a school assembly in December and the gifting book vouchers will be gifted to four young readers at the school who enthusiastically participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.New branchLinnet said the CWA Nimbin branch originally formed in 1928, folded in the early 1990’s, then was reformed in 2019.“So we are a new branch and we’ve started by doing small things,” she said.Bushfires“When the 2019 bushfires first hit, the CWA ran an enormous program from Nimbin Town Hall and we gave two home cooked meals a day to the firies and defenders on community.“That got us recognized and we’ve taken on new members and are slowly building. “It’s been difficult through Covid because we can’t have people come to our room at the community centre, but we hope next year to hold morning teas for those in aged care, as well as workshops and engage with community.“Next month, we will sell raffle tickets at the farmers markets and keep raising funds for our local youth who are always an inspiration to us. “We are very grateful that our Central School is embedded within the heart of our community and is staffed by dedicated, passionate and loving teachers who truly bring out the full potential of our children."

With the Northern Rivers region now one of the most popular areas in Australia for people to relocate to, how will our local leaders will tackle the growing ‘housing crisis’?We know that in Lismore LGA, rent costs are rapidly rising and there is a shortage of available rentals. With property values at an all time high, we also know that local home owners are selling to make a good profit. But what does this mean for locals and new residents who want to live here?With a Lismore City Council election approaching on December 4, the Lismore App asked each of the mayoral candidates what they will do to help alleviate the shortage of rental homes, create more affordable housing options and places where new homes can be built.Vanessa Ekins - current Lismore mayor and Greens candidate Vanessa Ekins“There’s no crisis when it comes to housing development stock, that’s a furphy.“The State Government has set quotas for housing, telling Council much rezoned land we need for development in order to address the growing population.“The issue is that land holders are sitting on land waiting for house prices to increase before they develop.“We have 2000 house blocks about to be put on the market and another 1000 North Lismore, Hidden Valley, and Chilcott’s Grass.“These lots will be expensive, probably $250,000 just for a block of land. Council also has lots of house Development Approval requests at the moment, so the planning department is busy.“But this doesn’t address the need for affordable housing.”In recent council meetings, Cr Ekins voted against the proposed housing development on the North Lismore Plateau and against the Platypus Park development in Goonellabah.Affordable Housing Strategy“Affordable housing is a priority for council and it’s something I put up a motion to pursue in Council.“It’s a slow process, but it’s underway. We are currently creating an Affordable Housing Strategy, and this will see future developments have a certain proportion of them as affordable housing. We have been consulting with the industry to find out what the barriers are.“Projects will be in partnership with organisations like North Coast Community Housing, which has already started constructing affordable housing on MacKenzie Street.“Council has already identified two blocks of land we own which are earmarked for affordable housing projects. We are going to tender for design and construction and will see what market will do and hope construction will start next year.“We want to make sure developers consider it – not just build for their own profits.“We need to change to build smaller houses with different building design too.”Rental situation“There’s nothing Council can do to alleviate the rental situation. We can only lobby state and federal governments to invest in social housing.“It’s a real worry and the community needs to talk to State and Federal representatives about what matters to them.“The problem is that houses have become commodities – not a basic right. We need to change tax laws and get rid of negative gearing. We need to provide accommodation for everyone, close to services before people can make a profit from housing.”Steve Krieg – Independent candidate Steve Krieg“We need more homes for families in our region. Local Government is the most important level when talking about the housing crisis.“Local Government approves development applications for all housing. Currently this process takes a very long time.“Council needs to make it easy for land to be released. This will allow Lismore and its villages to grow in line with the rest of the Northern Rivers region. This will go a long way in reducing current exorbitant house prices and rental values.“Council approves DAs for all housing, including social and affordable housing. The quicker Council can release land, the more homes will be available for families.North Lismore Plateau“The North Lismore Plateau is a good example of this. It has been on the books for nearly 20 years, with the potential to provide over 1,000 new homes for families. It is disappointing that current Councillors havedelayed these processes time and time again.“We need to allow for residential growth to provide homes for families Lismore has fallen behind under the direction of our current Council.“There have been many bad decisions that can impact the future of our region - knocking back the Lismore Square expansion, denying more homes for families by rejecting housing development.”Patrick Healy - Independent Lismore candidate Patrick Healey“House prices are going up and are less affordable. Lismore needs to approve DAs and allow more housing stock to be built.“One problem is that council doesn’t acknowledge how hard they made it to do a DA. There are too many rules around what people have to do.One stop DA shop“We need a ‘one stop shop’ DA process, so people get a holistic process and it’s easier to say yes to developments. We will align council rules with the state rules - to get DAs through quicker.“We will actively promote land development for mid sized housing and social housing – so we can increase supply.Negative growth“Lismore has had a negative population growth for 10 years and then Covid came and hit our housing market hard. It’s a lack of planning and foresight by council and we need to be more open to development.“We have young families leaving the area – there’s no housing or employment opportunities here.“We have to be pro growth.Social housing“Lismore has a large disadvantaged population and we need to take that into account.“We need more social housing and I would work with State Government to get more grants on social housing .”Darlene Cook - current councillor and Labor candidate Darlene Cook“We have an affordable housing crisis. Even nurses, police officers and teachers can’t afford the $600K building land building packages here now.“Ten years ago, council was given building better regional cities funds. We tried an affordable housing project and had lots of interest, but none were brought to market.“The government allowed us to retain the money if we could get an affordable housing strategy in the pipeline.“We now have some projects planned on council owned land for 1 and 2 bed apartments in partnership with community housing providers to build and manage next year.Subdivisions“There are currently 1300 housing lots in Council’s draft management strategy, but we can’t force land developers to make the subdivisions and bring it to market.“In Nimbin, we also haven affordability crisis – locals are priced out of their own village.North Lismore Plateau“I voted for the North Lismore Plateau Development of 85 lots on the hillside, directly off Dunoon Road. Historically, the original DA by Winten was taken out of the hands of council by the Joint Regional Planning Panel who approved it – then Micky Ryan took them to court and it was overturned.“Even though the mayor used her casting vote to stop this development, I voted for the Platypus Park development in Goonellabah.“I spoke to the developers. It has the same density per acre as the adjacent Regatta Estate – but instead of having square boxes, the developer tried to work with slopes of hills.“I know there was some criticism about fill, but council staff ordered it. The developer also lots of work on storm water basins to go with contours of the hill.”Shop top apartments“Creating more shop top apartments could also help with housing and Council can waive section 64 and section 94 levies to encourage this. By changing zoning and waiving developers fees, we can get owners to improve fire hazard issues in these old buildings and invest in CBD housing options. “The COVID-19 pandemic is already accelerating the movement of people out of the cities and into the regions. This is Lismore’s time to shine – but we need to be prepared, and we need to have places for these people to live. “That means taking a more constructive and imaginative approach to residential development, and providing a greater mix of housing options – including affordable housing, shop-top apartments and medium density.”Big Rob – Independent candidate“Fake news, no comment.”Elly Bird – current councilor and Our Sustainable Future candidate Elly BirdIn recent council meetings, Cr Bird voted for the proposed housing development on the North Lismore Plateau and for the Platypus Park development in Goonellabah.“The unfortunate challenge is that council has limited powers to influence significant change in housing.“Current prices are a direct result of state and federal government not investing in enough social housing for many years.Zoning and partnerships“But council can play a role in zoning and looking at partnerships with housing providers.“We can look at supporting development applications that provide greater medium density housing in Lismore - which is what we need – more one and two bedroom places, not more houses.“There is pressure to buy and build, but to address rising rates of homelessness and security we need to increase social and community housing and variability of housing stock.How to make it happen?“We can increase incentives for developers to build medium density housing in the hospital precinct – council can be proactive in that space. We can identify land available and work with owners to see if they will bring it to market to build.“At the moment we have six apartments there, but we know there is a crisis and it won’t go far.Environment“It’s important to protect koala habitat, but Council are now undertaking a review of its growth management strategy and identifying land for release.“So, decision making should be based on what we identify.Platypus Park development“The Platypus Park development is earmarked and identified in Council’s growth management strategy and council should be supportive of it.Balanced debate“Housing is a core critical issue for our community. Our community wants development close to services and we need to bring a balance to council debate on these issues.“Our core platform is a progressive approach to all matters. We want to listen to the recommendations of staff and the community and not make rash decisions based on ideology – this can prevent sensible developments going ahead.North Lismore Plateau development“The North Lismore Plateau has been in council’s strategic plan document for years.“It has always been a critical balancer for our community and we need to develop in that direction - not just toward Ballina - or the health of the CBD will decline.“We need those who will live and shop in our community to keep it here, not spend it in other LGAs.”

TAFE diploma of ceramics student Luke Atkinson was lucky he was able to keep potting his ceramics at home this year – when Covid stopped students from being able to go to class. With his own potters wheel at hand, he ‘threw’ clay and made sculptural forms in his garage workspace.Now, with a body of his work on display at ‘Emerge’ the annual TAFE end of year exhibition, he will graduate with the class of 2021. Some of Luke's ceramic works. Students ready to Emerge after a Covid yearThe student exhibition is usually the highlight of the TAFE year – but with Covid restrictions still in place, the opening night this year on November 26 will be by invite only. The public are invited to check out the works of all fine arts TAFE students after that night – on display at TAFE until December 2, from 9am to 4pm.“Centred is the name of our ceramics show,” Luke said. “It’s part of the broader fine arts show."It will be set up in the TAFE ceramic workshop area – and the other classes will be cleared to display all of the other graduating students works too.”PassionFor Luke, making things with clay is his latest passion and he says he loves it. In fact, he’s successfully been selling his functional ceramic works throughout the year – sometimes as soon as he has made them.Luke has an artistic background, having been a graphic designer in Sydney for 30 years. Then he studied a bachelor of fine arts in Sydney and started working in clay.“Then I came to Lismore and found Lismore TAFE has a great reputation in ceramics and I applied this year and got in,” Luke said.Challenge of Covid“It was a challenge studying through Covid - when the TAFE college was closed and we couldn’t go in there. That’s where we need to finish our works with glazes and firing.“However, we are a tight knit class of 16 people. We had a lot of support from teachers who would do live Zoom sessions.“But, the Covid isolation was not conductive to a creative environment – and the stress levels were high. “My work changed because of it.Functional wear“Because I have a graphic design background, my work has a strong sense of design. "I make one off display pieces with a sculptural feel – like vessels for flowers or unusual shaped bowls.“My ideas often start with sketches in my notebook, but sometimes the clay dictates to me when I’m on the wheel – so things may not go as planned.“I’ve been lucky enough to have a following for my work and sell through Instagram and PAC gallery studios in Bangalow.“I’ve loved studying at Lismore TAFE, the teachers all come from professional ceramics background and are highly skilled.”The TAFE fine arts end of year exhibition runs from November 26 until December 2 at Lismore TAFE on Keen Street, Lismore.

One new case of Covid-19 has been reported in the Lismore LGA. It is one of three new cases reported by the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).Read more Covid news: Home COVID-19 vaccination now available in LismoreNNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said the new Lismore case is a household contact of an existing case.  The other two new cases are in the Tweed LGA and are currently under investigation. There have now been 187 cases in the District since 16 June.  Lismore Covid vaccination clinic moves into the CBDThe NSW health Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic currently located at the Lismore Square Shopping Centre will move to 138 Molesworth Street, next Tuesday, 23 November.  Prior to the relocation, the current clinic at Lismore Square will remain open from 7.30am – 3.30pm until Saturday 20 November, and will close on Sunday 21 and Monday 22 November. ChangesFrom next week, the opening hours of all three NSW Health vaccination clinics in Northern NSW will change slightly.  New opening hours at each of the clinics in Tweed, Lismore and Grafton are:  Vaccination appointments and walk-ins available from 7.45am to 3.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Thursdays 9.00am – 5.00pm  Pfizer vaccinations are available six days a week, with AstraZeneca available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Find your closest clinic or make a booking at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.Mr Jones said Northern NSW Local Health District continues to urge people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to seek testing immediately if symptoms develop. “Even if you are fully vaccinated you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms – such as a slightly runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or generally feeling under the weather,” he said.State statisticsNSW recorded 216 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.Three deaths were recorded – two people were not vaccinated and one had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.Across NSW, 94.3 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 91.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.Of the people aged 12-15, 80.8 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 74.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.

It’s a work in progress, but colour is slowly coming back to the ‘cheeks’ of Lismore CBD.If you head down to Carrington Street this weekend, you’ll see the road is taking on bright colours – just in time to bring some festive cheer to the heart of town.The bright oranges, pinks and blues on the road are part of the Lismore laneways revitalisation project. It’s just the start of an ongoing brightening of our town, after a pallid year of stay at home Covid restrictions. A Lismore Council spokesperson told the Lismore App that the street colours were chosen to match the coloured seating in the laneways.The painting of the laneways will continue today and we will also see a surprise ‘stencil art’ appear on the faux roundabout a bit further down Carrington Street. The Lismore App will keep you posted as work continues.Magical feelingAt night, there’s a magical feeling as you wander down the transformed streets.The new colour adds to the ‘You are here’ heart art in Carrington Street and the fairy lights which are now in many of the trees in this CBD niche.With Covid restrictions on rules for gatherings about to change, Council’s spokesperson said we can expect to see more activities happening in this part of town from mid-December.Life comes back to the streetsCouncil recently asked for expressions of interest for performance and music activities, so never fear, change will come – and local performers will bring some life back into the summer nights in town.We can also expect Santa’s Wonderland in Lismore to open soon, and Christmas carols in the heart later in December.So, get ready to emerge from your homes and make an appearance in our transformed CBD. Christmas is coming – and with it, a year full of public activities and community connection.

By the end of next year, single use plastics will not be allowed to be produced or sold in NSW. This includes bags, straws, cotton buds, plates, bowls and cutlery.The phase out of plastics comes after the NSW Parliament this week passed the Plastics and Circular Economy Act 2021 – which will see single-use plastics phased out from June 2022.The news of the plastics phase out was well received by Lismore Mayor Vanessa Ekins who said it was “good news” that the state government is “finally moving to reduce unnecessary plastic packaging”.LobbyingMs Ekins said it has taken many years of lobbying the government for this to happen.She welcomes the government’s commitment to spending $356 million over five years to deliver the NSW Plastics Action Plan and the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy 2041.Waste levy questionBut, Mayor Ekins said the government’s $350 million in funding was only half the amount that local councils in NSW pay the state government each year.“We pay this as a waste levy that is supposed to be invested in recycling technologies - but it is not,” she said.“So, the state has collected nearly $4 billion dollars from NSW councils in the last six years, but this is the first attempt we see to take any serious waste action.”Lismore’s cloth bags“In Lismore many of our cafes and restaurants have already moved toward cardboard boxes and brown paper bags - and most of us have more cloth shopping bags than we know what to do with. “We are already reducing our plastic consumption.Plastic wasteIn NSW, plastic packaging and single-use plastics make up 60% of litter across NSW. Only 10% of plastics are recycled and the rest ending up in landfill, or littering our streets, dumped in our parks and washing up in waterways.Mayor Ekins said “it is sobering to read that only 10% of plastics are recycled in NSW and this is part of the reason why Lismore City Council is moving toward a circular economy”. Read more: Lismore's waste strategy plan needs your feedback“What this means is a change to the way we treat waste so it becomes a resource that we can reuse,” she said.“Such as the revolve shop and repair cafes, sorting and pelletising plastic, turning waste paper into cardboard. “Council will be consulting with our community on this waste strategy soon.” TransitionNSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the plastics transition funding will help reduce the environmental impacts of plastics litter, while encouraging the development of new and innovative products.“This legislation is expected to stop 2.7 billion single-use items from ending up in our natural environment and waterways over the next 20 years, and is a game-changer in the fight against plastic waste across our state,” he said.Support for affected businessesMinister Kean said as NSW makes the changes, businesses will be supported to transition to alternative products before the phase outs come into effect. “Exemptions will also apply for members of the community who rely on particular single-use plastics for disability of health needs,” he said. What will be phased out and when?Included in the plastics phase out are plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and bowls, as well as cotton buds with plastic sticks and microbeads in personal care and cosmetic products.The first design standard has been set for microbeads in cosmetic and personal care items, and will ensure microbeads are phased out from 1 November 2022. The legislation will prohibit the supply of lightweight plastic bags from 1 June 2022. The supply of other items will be prohibited from 1 November 2022, including single-use plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers, cotton buds, plates and bowls, and expanded polystyrene foodservice items.For more information on the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Act 2021 visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/plastics  

While Lismore is still in the clear – seven new cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).Kyogle LGA has five of the new Covid cases and Byron LGA has the other two. NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said the five cases in Kyogle LGA are all household contacts of existing cases.  “In Byron LGA, one case acquired their infection interstate, and has not been infectious in the community in Northern NSW,” Mr Jones said. “The other acquired their infection overseas and investigations are underway.” There have now been 184 cases in the District since 16 June.  “Even if you are fully vaccinated you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms – such as a slightly runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or generally feeling under the weather,” Mr Jones said.New COVID-19 testing clinic in Kyogle COVID-19 testing is now available at the Kyogle Multi-Purpose Service on Summerland Way, Kyogle. The testing clinic will be open from 12pm – 3pm Monday to Friday, and is located in the Gregory Unit. There are 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit the NSW Government website or contact your GP. State statisticsNSW recorded 262 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There were three deaths reported – two men and a woman.Two were not vaccinated, one had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.Across NSW, 94.3% of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 91.4% are fully vaccinated.Of the people aged 12-15, 80.7% have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 74.2% are fully vaccinated.

Another new case of Covid-19 has been reported in the Lismore LGA – and the case is a household contact of an existing case. Read more Covid news: Health authorities call for young people to be vaccinatedThe new case in Lismore is one of nine new cases reported by the local health authorities today.Five cases are in the Grafton area of Clarence Valley Local Government Area (LGA), including three household contacts of existing cases, and two cases under investigation.  Three cases are in the Kyogle LGA, all linked to existing cases.Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) chief executive Wayne Jones said there have now been 170 total cases in NNSWLHD since June 16 and he urges people to get vaccinated against Covid-19.Sewage detections in Wardell and Lennox Head  Fragments of the COVID-19 virus were detected in samples from the Wardell and Lennox Head sewage treatment plants on 9 November. “There are no known cases in these areas and we urge the community to be alert for COVID-19 symptoms,” Mr Jones said.“These detections could indicate there are positive cases active in these communities who have not been tested.  “Even if you are fully vaccinated you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms – such as a slightly runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or generally feeling under the weather.”State Statistics  NSW recorded 286 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, with two deaths reportedOne was a woman in her 70s, who was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions.One was man in his 70s who had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had significant underlying health conditions. There are currently 236 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 34 people in intensive care, 15 of whom require ventilation.Vaccinations “effective” in Delta outbreak Health authorities are also reporting that Covid vaccinations have been “highly effective” during the Delta outbreak in NSW.NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said fully vaccinated people have been significantly less likely to become seriously ill or die, and better protected from acquiring COVID-19.Dr Chant highlighted the findings in the latest NSW Health In Focus report which shows hospitalisations, ICU admissions and deaths were all far lower among the fully vaccinated population during the outbreak’s peak.Dr Chant said the report also makes it clear fully vaccinated people were significantly less likely to become infected with COVID-19.“The COVID-19 Delta outbreak has been the biggest challenge the state has faced during the pandemic because of its transmissibility. However, this report shows vaccination has been key in protecting ourselves, our families, and the community from the harmful effects of the virus,” Dr Chant said.Of the 61,800 locally acquired COVID-19 cases with disease onset from 16 June to 7 October 2021:The majority of cases (63.1 per cent) had received no vaccine, 9.2 per cent had received one dose, and 6.1 per cent of cases had received two doses of vaccine. About one in five people (21.7 per cent) had no vaccination recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register.Of the 8,660 cases hospitalised, only 5.7 per cent (493) had received two doses of a vaccine and just 3.0 per cent (30) of the 1,015 cases who were admitted to ICU were fully vaccinated. Twenty-six of these 30 people had significant underlying health conditions.Dr Chant said ICU admissions and deaths peaked from 8 September to 21 September during the outbreak, with unvaccinated individuals more than 16 times more likely to end up in ICU or die during this period.Of the 412 people who died in total from 16 June to 7 October 2021, only 11 per cent (47 people) had received two doses of a vaccine. Of these 47 people, their average age was 82. Twenty-nine people were residents of aged care facilities and the other 18 people had significant underlying health issues.“COVID-19 cases peaked from 25 August to 7 September, with the rate among fully vaccinated people at 49.5 per 100,000, while in unvaccinated people it was 561 per 100,000, a more than 10-fold difference,” Dr Chant said.“Notably, young people with two doses of a vaccine experienced lower rates of infection and almost no serious disease, while those unvaccinated in this age group were at greater risk of developing COVID-19 and needing hospitalisation.” Dr Chant said NSW has done an extraordinary job of embracing vaccination, but that rates need to increase even further to optimise the state’s level of protection.“It is incredibly important people come forward for vaccination as soon as possible, especially young people aged 12 to 15 years old,” Dr Chant said.“Vaccinations are safe, effective, and free from our NSW Health vaccination clinics, GPs and pharmacies.” 

His mission to Lismore wasn’t a secret, but Major Jean-Mark Grant didn’t give the people of Lismore much notice before he arrived with two Australian Defence Force (ADF) Black Hawk choppers and their crew on Wednesday afternoon. Read more: Black Hawk Helicopters fly over and land in LismoreAs commander of the Black Hawk squadron sixth aviation regiment, Major Grant loves the distinctive and large helicopters – and so did the small crowd of people who gathered on Lismore’s Heaps Oval to see them.“We didn’t know what to expect,” Major Grant said. “We turned up by air at Lismore Airport and sent a safety team to guage numbers and make sure no one was hurt while the helicopters landed.”On a mission from Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney, he brought with him a squadron of 18 crew, including a small maintenance detachment. It was part of the ADF mission to reconnect with communities after Covid restrictions stopped the community outreach. “We’ve had bushfires, floods and Covid that have kept us busy, but the ADF and Army haven’t been out there talking to people so much,” he said. The choppers are on tour of the regions – flying over Byron Bay on Thursday, before heading to Coffs Harbor and the south of the State.“It’s good to say g’day and engage with people,” he said. “It was great to see the kids super excited to get close and personal with someone in uniform and we talked to them for about an hour.“Most of my team members had big smiles on their faces afterwards. It was great that our training program allowed us to do it on top of our core jobs of defence.”Major Grant said that the choppers’ role had been expanding as the urgent need for community assistance in fires and floods was growing. “While our core role is in military defense of the nation, there’s a direct and urgent need for us to help out in natural disasters,” he said.“The ADF has people and equipment to provide support that the government doesn’t have.“Our helicopters were working for weeks in Victoria during the bushfires supporting the RFS and in helping after floods,” he said.“The large versatile choppers have a great mobility and large fuel tanks – which mean we can travel from Sydney to Brisbane in one trip.“During bushfires, we can fly supplies into towns and cities that are cut off by road.“We can help with medical evacuations, and take key personnel like fire crews and spotters in the back to watch out from.“It’s satisfying work for the crew to go out and help people.”Why fly a helicopter?“I went for a helicopter ride in my teens and I never looked back. I studied law at uni then one day I saw a helicopter flying and thought ‘what am I doing?’“If anyone wants to fly a chopper, they first need to be recruited into the ADF, then do basic flight school training.“My training lasted three years in light planes, then in light helicopters, then in Black Hawk operational aircraft. “The Black Hawk is so special – it’s an iconic aircraft used in movies and it’s a resilient aircraft design with a high survival rate.“It can carry lots of people and is designed for the long range with giant fuel tanks.“My five year old says they look like bombs.”

The haunting sound of the bugle playing ‘The Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ reverberated through the Lismore CBD today at the Remembrance Day ceremony. At the Molesworth Street RSL memorial, wreathes were laid and 150 people gathered to take a minute’s silence and remember those who went to war.For Lismore RSL sub-branch volunteer Vicky Youngberry, the event was a particularly emotional journey.“My husband and I have family involved in the war,” she said. “It was so good to see so many people in the community come out to show respect – especially since it was on a working day through the week."Lismore sub-branch RSL secretary Wilson McLellan said it was “a nice surprise” at the ceremony to see the crew from the two black hawk choppers, which arrived in Lismore yesterday.Read more: Black Hawk Helicopters fly over and land in Lismore“It was an honour to have them attend and it was great that we didn’t get the heavy rain that was forecast.”Numbers were down on pre-Covid Remembrance Day ceremonies and Wilson said planning for a ceremony through the changing Covid restrictions had been difficult."But that everyone signed in and was double jabbed," he said.Wilson said this year’s theme of ‘Remember to Remember’ was especially appropriate for Remembrance Day.“It’s something we can’t let go of – we need to remember that so many sacrificed their lives and didn’t come home from war - or did come home and they and their families still suffered from it.”“We commemorate this day because, on 11/11/1918, a formal truce was signed ceasing hostilities during the first world war. That’s when discussion for a peace treaty started wasn’t signed until 1923 and millions of people were lost in the first world war.“It’s often called the war to end all wars, but it failed to do that.“It used to be called Armistice Day, but now we call it Remembrance Day and it’s a time of reflection where pay homage to those who suffered, remember the carnage that was WW1 and hope we don’t do it again."North Lismore ceremony Earlier in the morning, another small ceremony was held at the at the North Lismore war memorial.Organiser ex-Vietnam veteran Ken Jolley said the location of that memorial was important because it was the location where local soldiers boarded the train to take them off to war in World War 1.“It was fantastic to see about 24 people show up, Ken said.“We had some of the school captains here and Thomas George came too, to show respect for the diggers there."Read more abut the memorial: Two remembrance ceremonies invite you to stop in silence today

The stormy weather predicted for Lismore took it’s time getting here, but according to Bureau of meteorology forecaster David Wilkie, it’s not over yet.While the lack of a downpour was welcomed at this morning’s Remembrance Day ceremony, David said the chance of storms is still here until tomorrow.“There are storms moving across South East Queensland and it’s likely we will see heavier rainfalls later today, with the potential for lightning strikes around Lismore,” he said. Flood watch liftedWhile a minor flood watch was issued for the Wilsons River yesterday, David said BOM hydrologists are no longer worried about Lismore flooding, as the heavier rain has been mainly falling in the inland areas of NSW.At the moment, the BOM flood watch warnings are for areas south of the Northern Rivers – in Orara, Nambucca, Bellinger, Kalang and the Manning and Gloucester River catchment areas.  Lismore SES gets readyLismore City Unit Commander Lacy Loloa said members had spent time in the past few days preparing sandbags, tarps and undergoing regular maintenance checks on their flood boats. ''We have advised our volunteers to be ready, including our flood rescue techs, who are on standby in case of flash flooding," she said."We have undertaken readiness checks, and are well prepared for any potential storm activity over the coming days. "In the event of flash flooding, we encourage our community to always be safe, and never drive, ride or walk through any flood water."SES says 'be prepared'She urges people to prepare their homes now. “Bring in or secure any outdoor items in the yard or on the balcony, check your gutters are clear and your roof is in good condition, trim any overhanging branches and check your home emergency kit it stocked and ready to go,” she said."The next few days and into the weekend are going to be dangerous conditions on the roads. Please slow down and take care when driving.” “If you come across a flooded road, please make the safe decision. Turn around, it’s just not worth the risk.” NSW SES advise campers to avoid camping close to rivers and creeks and monitor conditions. Residents and visitors in caravan parks should prepare for forecast weather conditions. Stay alert, listen to any updates and advice and monitor the Bureau of Meteorology website on http://www.bom.gov.au

Three new Covid cases have been reported in the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA) today – along with another three in surrounding LGAs.According to the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), five of the six cases are household contacts of existing cases, and one is linked to a known case.  One case is located in Coraki, one is in Kyogle in the Richmond Valley LGA and one is in the Grafton area of Clarence Valley LGA.NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said one additional case has been confirmed in a Richmond Valley resident, and this case was acquired overseas and will not be listed in the tally for NNSWLHD.“This case has been isolating since returning from overseas, having followed the current international travel protocols,” he said.“We urge people to get vaccinated against Covid and to seek testing if symptoms develop.”There have now been 161 total cases in NNSWLHD since 16 June. Why are there no Lismore Covid cases listed the NSW Health website?When new cases are reported in Lismore LGA, The Lismore App regularly receives queries from concerned residents about why no venues of concern are released – or why cases are not listed on the case locations list by suburb or town website.The answer is that if a case is linked to a known case as a casual contact, as has been the situation in Lismore, the person has been tested awaiting a negative result - and is self isolating.If they are a close contact and have already been isolating, then they pose no threat to community transmission of Covid.NSW Health only reveal venues if they are not certain of the contact tracing.Mobile vaccination clinic locations The mobile vaccination van is in Casino today until 2.30pm at The Oak Centre, Oak Avenue, Casino - then will move to Ballina next Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 November, from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Porter Park, Daydream Ave, West Ballina These clinics are providing Pfizer vaccinations for anyone aged 12 and over. No appointment is needed. Please bring your Medicare Card if you have one.  Other NSW Health clinics in Lismore, Tweed Heads, Byron Bay and Grafton are also providing walk-in and booked appointments. Find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.State statisticsNSW recorded 261 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There was one death of a woman who was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions.There are currently 228 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 40 people in intensive care, 16 of whom require ventilation. NSW recorded 261 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There was one death of a woman in her who was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions.  There are currently 228 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 40 people in intensive care, 16 of whom require ventilation. 

Ex-Vietnam war veteran Ken Jolley has been mowing the grass at the North Lismore war memorial site on Alexandra Parade in preparation for the first of two Remembrance Day ceremonies today, November 11.He invites people to join him at the North Lismore location and take a minute’s silence on the 11th day of the 11th month - to commemorate the ending of the first world war.Ken said while the Lismore RSL sub-branch will also hold a ceremony at 11am at the Memorial Baths centograph on Molesworth Street - the North Lismore memorial ceremony will begin at 9.30am.“So, people can go to both and it doesn’t interfere with the main service in Lismore,” Ken said.So why does Lismore have two war memorial sites?“It’s about respect - and honoring that this site on the old railway line at North Lismore is where soldiers would get on the train before they went off to Brisbane, then were shipped off to fight on the battlefields of Europe,” Ken said.“It was originally put here in 1926 and the local council raised £210 to build it, but never had enough funds to plant an avenue of trees leading up to it.”The late Col Smith dressed in WW1 uniform at the opening of the North Lismore memorial.Ken said the memorial was relocated twice, including to the Lismore railway station, until the station was finally closed.That’s when Ken and a group of others lobbied to get the memorial returned to its original location in North Lismore, five years ago.“One person said to me ‘it’s a little price of heaven in North Lismore',” Ken said. “I keep the grass mowed here and others want to help out doing things like painting the seat.“It helps us remember that the soldiers who fought came some from all over the district to leave for war.”The North Lismore Remembrance Day service begins at 9.30am.Thomas George, Ken Jolley and David Elliott at ANZAC day this year.The 11am Remembrance Day ceremony detailsLismore RSL sub-branch president Darryl Hawke said November 11 marks Remembrance Day and he invites the community to join at the RSL Memorial on Molesworth Street (in front of the Memorial Baths) to join in a one minute silence at 11am.“We’d like people to assemble by 10.30am and at exactly 11am, we will have the silence," he said.“We commemorate this day because, on 11/11/1918, a formal truce was signed ceasing hostilities during the first world war. That’s when discussion for a peace treaty started wasn’t signed until 1923 and millions of people were lost in the first world war.“It’s often called the war to end all wars, but it failed to do that.“So many sacrificed their lives and didn’t come home - or did come home and they and their families still suffered from it.“It used to be called Armistice Day, but now we call it Remembrance Day and it’s a time of reflection where pay homage to those who suffered, remember the carnage that was WW1 and hope we don’t do it again."Read more about Ken Jolley and the war memorial: SUNDAY PROFILE: Ken Jolley, tunnel rat to war memorialNorth Lismore War Memorial showcased in National ANZAC Centre

Another new Covid case has been reported in Lismore LGA, with health authorities now investigating the the source of infection.The case was one of two reported in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) in the period to 8pm yesterday.The second case is in the Grafton area of Clarence Valley Local Government Area (LGA), and is a household contact of an existing case.There have now been 155 total cases in NNSWLHD since June 16 and NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said he urges people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to seek testing if symptoms develop.“Even if you are fully vaccinated you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms – such as a slightly runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or generally feeling under the weather,” he said.Testing locationsThere are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, with mobile vaccination clinic locations in Casino today and tomorrow.The mobile clinic will move to Ballina next Monday 15 November.  Casino: Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 November, 9.30am – 2.30pm The Oak Centre, Oak Avenue, Casino.  Ballina: Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 November, 9.30am to 2.30pm Porter Park, Daydream Ave, West Ballina These clinics are providing Pfizer vaccinations for anyone aged 12 and over. No appointment is needed. Please bring your Medicare Card if you have one.  Other NSW Health clinics in Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Lismore and Grafton are also providing walk-in and booked appointments. Find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.NSW statisticsNSW recorded 216 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There were three deaths.A man in his 30s from south-western Sydney died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions. A man in his 40s from south-western Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital. He was not vaccinated and had no significant underlying health conditions.A man in his 80s from south-western Sydney died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions

Becoming superheroes to bust the school mozzie problem has won students at Bexhill Public School the runners up prize in this year’s Green Innovation Awards.The local school kids have spent months designing solutions to a local problem – for an annual competition that inspires innovation in our next generation of creative problem solvers.Dr Bridie Cullinane, founder of the Green Innovation Awards said the ‘Mozzie Busters’ project was a close second choice made by competition judges. Another great entry was the Goolmangar Public School’s waste management app (which will be made publicly available).Read more about schools participating in the lead up to the finals: Local students are Lego Masters of building a future LismoreKoala Minecraft“But, the winning entry was Koala Minecraft - from the Empire Vale Public School,” Bridie said.“The game Minecraft is very widely used by young people and that’s why it’s a great solution for kids.“It’s a wonderful example of how children can make learning fun and change the future in an engaging way – and that’s why the judges loved it.“The children created an archipelago of islands in Minecraft and built different ways for us to look after koalas.“On one island, players need to cross a paddock and avoid being trod on by cows – each year, a number of koalas are actually killed by cows.“There’s a bushfire on one island and you need to put out fires. Another has a vet clinic where kids learn about koala diseases and they get checked to see if they are healthy.”The school has created a link to the koala islands and anyone playing Minecraft can now explore and play the game.Empire Vale School students.Mozzie BustersFinding natural ways to deal with mosquitos was the problem that the senior students at Bexhill Public School addressed in their second place Mozzie Busters project.Bridie said students took a wholistic view of the mozzie situation and looked at ecosystems of plants, animals and insect larvae when designing solutions for the school.“They created a fish pond and introduced fish into it that ate the mozzie larvae – and also looked at different plants they could use in school,” she said.“They also created an entertaining video where they dressed up as superheroes to bust the mozzie problem. “Lismore City Council has even asked them if they can use the video to share with other schools as part of a mozzie management program,” she said.“It’s a great result – especially after months of the kids waiting for the awards finals which were delayed due to Covid restrictions.”In total, 21 local schools took part in the competition – with the finals being recorded after being streamed live.You can watch the students talk about their projects in the finals video via the Green Innovation awards Facebook site Bridie said the winning schools get to keep a perpetual trophy made from recycled metal and wood - and the winner received $300.“The goal is to inspire YP to be passionate about innovation and recognise that their ideas are important. These awards recognize them and show them it is possible that they help create a positive future and make a difference, creating the works they want to see.”The dates and details for next year’s awards are now available online, so if you missed out this year, apply to join next year’s competition. For more information about the awards, visit www.greeninnovationawards.com.au  

If you are planning your weekend, you‘ll need to plan around the coming rain.According to Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Gabriel Woodhouse, the cloudy skies herald the beginning of a wet week ahead.With showers predicted for today and temperatures in the low to mid-20s, Gabriel said we can expect the rain to get heavier as the weekend progresses.“Saturday will be the drier of the days, but by Sunday and Monday we will see heavier rainfall and storms with gusty winds across the region,” she said.“Our modelling shows this wet period will bring further rainfall that will continue into the second half of next week too.”With temperatures predicted in the mid to high 20s across the weekend, Gabriel said we can expect a bit of humidity.“But as the rain sets in, it might drop the temperatures, especially during the second half of next week.”So, don’t forget your umbrella if you are heading out, and take care on the roads.Read more: Wet weekend forecast brings 'slow down' warning as regional travel opens

Another four new cases of Covid-19 have been reported for Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD), with two in Lismore LGA.Of the four cases, one case is in the Alstonville area of Ballina LGA, and one case is in the Casino area of Richmond Valley LGA. NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said all are linked to previously reported cases and are under investigation.  There have now been 134 total cases in NNSWLHD since 16 June. "Even if you are fully vaccinated you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms - a slightly runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or generally feeling under the weather," Mr Jones said. "There are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW.""Northern NSW Local Health District continues to encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are able to, and to be alert for any symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested immediately if symptoms develop."Mobile vaccination clinic schedule The mobile vaccination van, a collaboration with Social Futures, is in Goonellabah today, and will visit Kyogle, Woodenbong and Casino next week.  Goonellabah: Goonellabah Football (Soccer) Club, Reserve Street, Goonellabah (near tennis courts). Today, Friday 5 November, open 9.30am to 2.30pm. Kyogle: Visitor Information Centre, cnr Anzac Pde and Summerland Way Monday 8 November, open 9.30am to 2.30pm.  Woodenbong: Woodenbong Park, Unumgar Street, behind Public Hall Tuesday 9 November, 9.30am to 2.30pm. Casino: The Oak Centre, Oak Avenue, Casino. Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 November, 9.30am – 2.30pm These clinics are providing Pfizer vaccinations for anyone aged 12 and over. No appointment is needed. Please bring your Medicare Card if you have one.  Other NSW Health clinics in Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Lismore and Grafton are also providing walk-in and booked appointments. Find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.