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Lismore's CBD Liberty service station opens after flood
Lismore's CBD Liberty service station opens after flood

15 March 2022, 1:36 AM

Getting the Liberty service station on Ballina Road (near Wyrallah Road) ready to open was a mammoth task for owner operator Darren Ackerley – especially after the flood blew out the back wall and destroyed the cool room.“It looked like a bomb hit it,” Darren said.Before and after shots of the wall.Opening the CBD servo is good news for Lismore motorists who have been travelling to Goonellabah and beyond in the hopes of filling up their tanks to keep mobile.Darren said while the servo is now open, the sign board advertising prices has not been replaced yet – but he hopes that a new one will be installed tomorrow.Darren told The Lismore App that four new (hard to get) bowsers have been installed and the petrol tanks are full of fuel.“We didn’t get out bowsers off in time because the bowser blokes were trapped up north by the flood water,” he said.FuelDarren said people shouldn’t worry about the fuel, because it has been tested and is not contaminated with water.“We seal all our tanks before the flood,” Darren said. “When we seal them, they need to be full otherwise they could explode like the Caltex did in the 2017 flood.“When we tested the fuel in the tanks after this flood, they were all clean and clear.”Helpers thankedThis servo is the first cab off the rank to open thanks to a huge team of people who worked with Darren – friends, family, employees and the staff at North Coast Petroleum.Darren was also lucky enough to get builders in quickly to replace the servo wall and glass in the windows.“A big thank you to my staff member Leanne and her neighbours in South Lismore who packed everything in special crates I bought after the last flood,” Darren said.“Then they went back to South Lismore and lost their own homes.“I’d also like to thank Josh and Duncan who loaded and unpacked all the stock at their depot for us – Angus and all the others who helped out.”Good SamaratinDarren said when he started the process of rebuilding the servo, he didn’t know many of the people who were in the shop helping out to pack shelves again.“One guy come up from Sydney, who used to live here,” Darren said.“He told us he had raised money and if anyone came into the servo, and said they had lost everything, he paid for their fuel“One woman was crying and he paid $100 for her fuel - and he wants to remain anonymous.Community support“We’ll try to give back to our community now – without them, we would be nothing.“I’ll hold a party for everyone to thanks them in the near future.“Everybody has lost something.”

Kate's flooded studio becomes community Food Bank
Kate's flooded studio becomes community Food Bank

14 March 2022, 7:01 PM

When Kate Cairnduff opened her Fitness Manouvres studio on Dawson Street, she set it up with a flood plan.She had no idea that in 2022, she would making a food plan for a town devastated by the worst flood in its recorded history.Kate said when Lismore MP Janelle Saffin contacted her about starting a Food Bank at her studio, she didn’t hesitate.“It’s what you do for your fellow humans,” Kate said.“You need to do something. If I was homeless, I would want someone to help me.”Food bank is a pantry of donated goods which operates in the charity sector.After Kate had finished mucking out the flood mud from her studio (which went under in the flood), the trucks full of donated goods started arriving.Food distributionWhile food is not a scarce commodity anymore in Lismore, the CBD still has no supermarkets and no electricity.Instead, Lismore now has a number of distribution places where free food and essential items can be found.Kate said that she is scaling the Food Bank down since other distribution centres are carrying the main load of donated deliveries now.“We were needed in the early few days,” Kate said. “We reached out to people in North and South Lismore who didn’t have phones and may have fallen through the gaps.“People who knew they were there reached out to them and would take food and animal food packages to them.“It was such a small gesture for those who had lost everything – they would smile and be so grateful“Lismore is pretty cool.Trauma and recovery“This has been a fearful event and it will not be forgotten. There are so many people in trauma right now.“The media is reporting that we are in the recovery phase, but once rubbish is gone, it’s part one – we are not there yet.“There are still a lot of organisations trying to house people and once they have houses and are safe, we can start to get more supplies to them.”Distress“The most distressing thing is that I have no income - I have nothing,” she said.“But I’m better off not thinking about it, so I keep busy and helping people with food is good for all of us.Frozen“We all picked up our boots twice now with covid and had to reinvent ourselves.“I try future proof my finances, but with this flood, I feel life is frozen in time and I don’t feel like I can take action at the moment.“So, the Food Bank is an action – it’s about stepping forward and reaching out.”Flood and reopeningKate said she is keen to open her business again, but needs to wait until the landlord finishes gutting the upstairs flats - which were also destroyed in the flood.She said once she offloads the rest of the products – including lots of toiletries packs, she hopes her clients will return.“It’s all about being slow and steady and being kind to myself,” she said.“It’s one day at a time. Now, I have people helping me and lots of love around.RecoveryFor Kate, despite having a flood plan for her studio, she’s worried about her large pieces of equipment that were left in the studio beginning to rust.And the inevitable mould that is already growing on the inside walls.She also hopes that the town will recover and small businesses will be able to get on their feet again.Don’t compare traumaHer message to locals, especially those who didn’t lose their homes to the flood is ‘don’t be afraid to reach out for help’.“I’ve had people compare their trauma and say that they lost their jobs, but still have homes, so don’t want to take any handouts.“If you feel you need help, reach out and don't feel ashamed.”Toiletry packs Kate said she has a few hundred toiletry packs in the Food bank right now, and wants people to come and take them.“Maybe you know someone you can gift one to – if you want some you can message me at Fitness Manouvres on Facebook”.Visit: https://www.facebook.com/fitnessmanouvers.

Saffin on the case as mental health support comes to flood affected
Saffin on the case as mental health support comes to flood affected

14 March 2022, 4:30 AM

Yesterday, the NSW government announced it would invest $25 million in mental health support for flood affected people.Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said since the flood she has been in regular talks with the Premier and Ministers in the NSW Government about mental health support."Supporting our community through the trauma of these floods must be a priority in our recovery," Ms Saffin said"I welcome this announcement and will stay on the case to make sure our community gets what we need."Details of the support package are:$7 million over three years to fund Primary Health Networks to engage both clinical and non-clinical workforce, including staff for the Safe Havens, to boost local access to psychological and clinical support;$5 million over three years to establish grants program for NGOs to fund trauma-based programs. Key focus on supporting young people, older residents and Aboriginal communities;$5 million for state-wide needs based resourcing and support;$3.5 million over three years to appoint Headspace and Lifeline work with affected communities to identify what each community needs;$3.5 million over three years to recruit 10 Local Recovery Coordinators to:Coordinate mental health service delivery within their designated LGA, ensuring service providers are working with each other to plug gaps but also avoid duplication;Identify and respond to emerging issues, such as increases in mental health hospital activity, self-harm or suicidal ideation;Work closely with primary health initiatives, community and welfare agencies and mental health services to provide direct care and respond to local community needs and issues on the ground.$1 million to set up four pop-up Safe Havens in the areas hardest hit.Safe Havens are a place for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or in distress to seek refuge and support from people with lived experience.The space is welcoming and has a range of activities to help people divert their suicidal thinking. No referral is required to access a Safe Haven.

Remember the 'good old days' of Covid?
Remember the 'good old days' of Covid?

12 March 2022, 11:37 PM

When the Lismore App put a call out for a cartoonist to draw a topical cartoon idea, well-known national cartoonist Ron Lyons put up his hand.Rod, who lives in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, has been following the Lismore App’s reporting of the recent devastating floods.When we spoke to him and he drew this cartoon for us, we were blown away by his amazing skills and this cartoon.Ron, who originally worked as a computer programmer, said he got into cartooning in 1985 when he saw some cartoons drawn for the Computer World magazine “by someone who had no idea”.“My wife said ‘you can draw better than this guy’, so I started drawing drew for Computer World in Australia and New Zealand for 12 years,” Ron said.“Then I drew a comic strip for a while for The Australian computer section - before I needed to have a break."Remember the 'good old days' of Covid? - a poemOnce upon a time, in the city of Lismore, residents had to wear masks to protect themselves from getting a virus called Covid-19.Then, as times changed, masks became optional.But in Lismore, many of the people still wear masks today.Now it's to stop the bacteria, mud and dirt flying into their mouths when they pressure-hose flood debris from the walls, floors and roofs of their homes.When Covid restrictions were happening, we had homes to be in and isolate ourselves in.We had local supermarkets, shopping centres, cafes, take away stores and medical clinics.Now, we have evacuation centres and free food distribution warehouses.We have damp homes, stripped of furniture, bathroom and kitchen fittings.We have borrowed dehumidifiers to stop the mould growing on the inside of the still damp walls.We have $1000 flood disaster payments - maybe to buy a new mattress and portable gas cooker.We have streets without electricity, filled with flood rubbish.But, we have each other.We sleep in borrowed beds at friends' or strangers houses.We have small wins of finding precious items from home, tossed in the rubble on the footpath.We have hugs and hot tea and cold beer and lots of love from our community.We are no longer terrified of an invisible disease.Now, we turn to each other for comfort, support and hugs.Because we survived the great flood of 2022.

Lismore town meeting on Sunday makes wet weather plans
Lismore town meeting on Sunday makes wet weather plans

11 March 2022, 11:00 PM

A Lismore town community meeting scheduled for Sunday morning will go ahead – despite the forecasted chance of rain that day.Meeting coordinator Cassie said the covered area behind Lismore Regional Gallery can be used as the meeting place if it rains – and chairs will be available for those who need it.Otherwise, the grassy area at the front of the gallery can be a central meeting point. But it could be an idea to bring something to sit on – as the grass is not yet dry.Cassie said this first meeting since the flood happened (less than two weeks ago) was “just the beginning”“Lots of people think it’s a great idea to start a community discussion,” she said. “We can take the issues raised to the broader community later.“It’s a forum where people can voice all ideas and we can collaborate.”HousingWith immediate housing already flagged as a priority need with our leaders, Cassie said Lismore MP Janelle Saffin will lead the discussion on how Lismore can move forward in practical and creative ways.“Housing is something Janelle is already working on,” she saidCamping, markets, toilets, showersCassie has ideas she thinks are also important for the community to rebuild after the flood.“I think creating areas in town where the community can be brought together and energized is important.“We need parks turned into community camping with demountables, toilets, showers and other facilities.“We need to bring the markets and shops back together in way of outdoor market at The Quad.“People have lost their homes. They can't lose their community too.“We need to create these spaces for people and their community before we can make these bigger decisions.“The first step of recovery is dealing with the smaller things. We need the government’s support and power to make this happen.“We need to first save the people from Lismore, before we save the buildings.”Resilient LismoreResilient Lismore volunteers will also be there if anyone wants to register their help or list themselves as in need of help in cleaning up after the flood.SurveysCassie said after the meeting, she will set up surveys for locals to contribute to “so we have some statistics and information to drive town planning at Council.She is also calling for helpers who want to help canvas the community to get the surveys out and gather information.“I’ll be stationed at the Quad from 10 to 11am each day next week if people want to come and talk to me so we can gather more information.”You can visit the Rebuild Lismore Community Facebook page for more information, or to contribute ideas https://www.facebook.com/RebuildLismoreCommunity

Heartbreak as CBD business owners unsure of the future
Heartbreak as CBD business owners unsure of the future

11 March 2022, 8:30 PM

As the clean up continues, the way forward for many business owners in Lismore is still unclear. Tropicana, Masala Fusion Indian and Traditional Medicinals are only some of many businesses still unsure about whether or not they can open again.The Lismore App spoke to some of the business owners on Keen Street to find out what their plans for the future were.Mandarin PalaceAs she cleaned the mud from the front window of her shop, Mandarin Palace owner Samantha Wu fought to hold back tears.Outside on the footpath was a pile of “rubble” made up of remnants from inside of the Chinese restaurant – chairs, tables, Chinese lanterns, fortune cookies and broken fixtures and walls.“We have to bring this shop back to life,” she said. “My family has been here for twenty years and our whole lives are in this business.”Samantha cried and said she and her husband Simon Wu have been here since they were married.“We started our family and educated our children here in Lismore,” she said.With the help of their children, the couple are trying their best to clear out the shop and get it to a state that they can open up a small portion near the front and start a small takeaway business.She said she was lucky because her roof design meant she just had to replace the tiles and reopen fairly quickly compared to some other businesses.Samantha said the $50,000 government grant on offer to businesses who have been flood-affected would not be enough to even cover the cost of replacing our cool room and freezer.They also can’t find anyone to take out the large freezer from the shop because everyone is so busy. If you can help out, please let them know.You can volunteer with Resilient Lismore and help them.“Once it’s gone, we can measure the space and order new fittings and get a new freezer," she said."It’s important because we need to order bulk Chinese food ingredients and keep them frozen."Alex at TropicanaFor Alex, owner of Tropicana fruit and veg shop on Keen Street, it could be the end of an era for his family business of 33 years.Like many business owners in the CBD, he is waiting to see what happens with the building before he decides if he can open again.“It depends on whether or not the shop gets refitted by the landlord,” he saidHe’s been there for 33 years.“My father was there in the late 30s and early 40s, but this time it looks like it could be the end.”Russell at Traditional MedicinalRussell too is unsure about whether he will be able to open his Traditional Medicinal business again.He lost all his stock but managed to save the computer, tills and eftpos machine.The inside of the shop, like so many other shops, has been torn apart. The floodwater went up to the ceiling and the gyprock had all fallen away.“It depends on the roof and how well we can clean the place,” he said. “And if we can get the equipment going.”With no electricity in town yet, he’s borrowed a generator to get some hot water happening to try to clean the shop, but the task is mammoth. He also hopes the hot water service will recover from being inundated in the flood.Masala Indian Fusion Satnam Singh Sony, owner of Masala Indian Fusion restaurant is not sure if he will reopen yet.He is waiting to see how much money he can loan so he can rebuild.

Resilient Lismore calls for volunteers, tradies and requests for help
Resilient Lismore calls for volunteers, tradies and requests for help

10 March 2022, 7:32 PM

Local volunteer-run organisation Resilient Lismore has come up with a new database where people can register their desire to help - and tradespeople can offer their services.The new database is also a place where people can request help – and volunteers and tradies can match themselves to the tasks that they want to tackle. Visit: https://www.floodhelpnr.com.auTradies neededSue Ryan and Chris Paulie from Resilient Lismore said the desperate need for tradies and volunteers to help rebuild homes and businesses has reached a new pinnacle in Lismore.As locals get tired of stripping homes and call for help with cleaning, business owners are saying they desperately need help for tasks such as moving flooded coolrooms, to getting electrical work and structural safety checks done, so they can renovate and reopen,“In the CBD, all the switch boards need to be replaced in buildings,” Sue said. “This means that some buildings won’t be able to get the electricity switched on yet, until the electrical work is done. “The new database went live last Friday and volunteers can look through the jobs and put their names next to what they want to do.Sparkies needed“We have a few electricians and plumbers who are offering to volunteer their time – but we need lots more tradespeople - either volunteer or paid.“Some of the tradies are charging – but because locals don’t know where to turn to for help, this database is a centralized point where they can find out who is available to help.”Chris said because there were only a few registered tradies (so far), people would have to book in to secure their services.Structural engineers neededBecause so many buildings in Lismore were damaged, Chris said Council required structural safety checks to be done. “At the moment, we only have one structural engineer register and volunteering his time, but we are about to register a second.“Some tradespeople have registered that they are available, but they are charging for their time.”Need for accommodationWith a dire need for accommodation in the city, Chris said it was good news that Tattersall’s Hotel would soon be ready to provide emergency accommodation again.“The owner, Robert McLellan, said he had an army of young people who came in and cleaned the upstairs because he needs it for emergency accommodation,” she said.“Soon, there will be an army of tradies in town – we need to get accommodation here up and running – as well as where we house all the emergency personnel who are here.”To volunteer or request help, visit https://www.floodhelpnr.com.auFacebook: Resilient Lismore - Lismore Helping Hands https://www.facebook.com/resilientlismore To volunteer or request help, visit https://www.floodhelpnr.com.auResilient Lismore - Lismore Helping Hands https://www.facebook.com/resilientlismore https://www.facebook.com/resilientlismoreResilient Lismore - Lismore Helping Handshttps://www.floodhelpnr.com.au

A town meeting calls community to bring ideas to rebuild Lismore
A town meeting calls community to bring ideas to rebuild Lismore

09 March 2022, 3:38 AM

The process of brainstorming what our community needs to rebuild after the devastating flood is set to begin.A town meeting will be held at 10am this Sunday, March 13, at the Lismore Quad and Regional Gallery. All members of the Lismore community are invited to attend and voice their ideas and concerns.Creating a centralised meeting place for community, housing and more resources to rebuild are flagged for discussion.The meeting organiser is Lismore resident and former business owner of the Pickled Herd, Cassie Richards.With the support of Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Cassie invites everyone to bring their ideas of what we can do immediately to address the priority needs of housing and reestablishing our livelihoods in this flood prone city.“We want to have open discussions and put all our ideas on the table, not come to conclusions,” Cassie said.Disaster responseCassie said she was disappointed at the lack of response from government on all levels when it came to helping the people of Lismore through this disaster.So, she contacted Lismore’s State MP Janelle Saffin to see how we could get the upper levels of government to listen to the ideas and needs from the grass roots of community.“Janelle was on board – and is already championing the issue of immediate housing for displaced people,” Cassie said. Read more: Janelle Saffin asks for housing options both short and long-termToday, Ms Saffin is with the NSW Premier in Murwillumbah (also devastated by floods) – while the Australian Prime Minister is in Lismore, surveying the damage here.A way forward“I was going into people’s houses helping clean up and I heard so many people say they can’t see a way forward and they were afraid things will happen without them getting a say,” Cassie said.“We we need to get our voice across to the politicians.“This meeting is not a trauma counselling meeting – we have other forums for that.“It’s about getting our ideas and visions for the future of our town before others make decisions on our behalf. “This is my community and town – and we are resilient, and have been through many foods, but this time we are really put to the test.“This one is going to show the true leaders here.”Self organisingCassie is one of many who feel that one of the greatest strengths of the community is the ability to self-organise in local networks and harness people power - from the grass roots up.The Nimbin community self organized and saved many lives and homes during the bushfires in late 2019 and early 2020.Similarly, in our flood disaster of February 2022, it was the self organising capacity of the local community that saw local boaters and kayakers rescue hundreds of people from rooftops and attics.When State resources were minimal and scarce, the community stepped up – and are still helping clean houses and move debris and wash mud from stinking, flooded homes.Read more about it: Flood survivors say Lismore was 'like Dunkirk' Centralised town meeting placeWith no town resources and a dispersed community, Cassie envisions an immediate creation of a centralized meeting place for the community of Lismore.She believes the Quad is an ideal location in the centre of town.“Maybe we can project movies there, or get the arts involved and create an outdoor market with food. The community can gather there," she said.(Read how Farmer Charlies, near the Quad, is planning to start an outdoor market: Farmer Charlies and more businesses determined to live again“We need infrastructure for the longer term - and places like the Dirty Wilson want to get up and running, but need a venue."We need to put all political issues aside and work together."Meeting outcome “At the meeting on Sunday, the idea is to break it into small groups and brainstorm ideas and see how we collaborate.“At the end of meeting, we want to have a constructive list of ideas and information to inform our planning of what to do.“Then we can feed our community ideas and plans to all levels of government.“Our community has heart and guts of but we need government support – and we all need to come back the heart.”The futureCassie said she intends to be stationed at The Quad all next week and invites people to come and talk and meet to discuss ideas in an informal setting from 10am.Cassie has set up a Facebook group called Rebuild Lismore Community. She hopes it can be used as a centralized place where ideas and resources can be shared as this community rebuilds their shattered lives. To join the discussion, visit: https://www.facebook.com/Rebuild-Lismore-Community-100415622611537

Farmer Charlies and more businesses determined to live again
Farmer Charlies and more businesses determined to live again

08 March 2022, 3:35 AM

From Farmer Charlies to Zambreros and Ramones Pizza, the list of Lismore businesses getting ready to reopen is growing longer. The Lismore App spoke to some of the business owners about their plans and the journey ahead to recover after the biggest flood In Lismore's recorded history.One of the clean up team throwing out flooded goods from the Zambrero shop window.Not giving up - Farmer CharliesOnce the flood rubbish is cleared from the streets, Farmer Charlies owner Selena Edmonds is planning to start an outdoor market.She plans to sell bread, milk, eggs and fresh produce (big cheers all round, especially if you have been missing green vegetables).“I’m hoping Steve Krieg might bring his coffee cart to the complex too,” she said.The Lismore App spoke to Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg today, and Steve said he was interested in the idea and would be talking with Selena about it.Outside Byrant Mattresses on Dawson Street.Right now though, Selena is standing in a huge empty shell of a warehouse and is getting the shop ready to be fitted-out again.She said getting it to that stage was only possible thanks to local sporting teams who came to the rescue.“We’ve sponsored local sporting clubs for years and they all came to help,” Selena said.“All the rugby boys showed up and worked with us to clean it up within the week. It was a massive job to strip the flooded shop of ruined fittings and sodden stock.”She said she plans to refit a section of the complex and sell cooked pies, sausage rolls and bacon and eggs rolls.“There’s going to be so many tradies in town and they will all need somewhere to eat and we’ll try to cater for that too.“We just need to keep moving forwards.”Brad the ButcherBrad the butcher – located inside the Farmer Charlies complex is also planning to open again.Like most Lismore business owners, Brad was also hard at work stripping the shop and trying to get ready to open it again.TobacconistThe tobacconist opposite Farmer Charlies is also planning on opening again – but he won’t be renting DVDs anymore.Bryant MattressesBryant mattresses owner Dallas Bryant said he never thought he’d be gurneying the inside of the shop roof. But like many other businesses, this has been a week of firsts.After doing business here for 20 years and experiencing numerous floods, this time the flood water went over the top of his shop, located on the corner of Dawson Street and Ballina Road.“A guy sent me a video of it under water – his boat went over the top,” he laughed.He’s getting the shop ready to reopen and said once it’s lockable and all the electrics are checked, he’ll be getting stock in.He has stock in trucks, ready to go and hopes to be open within the week.Ramones PizzaDallas said the owner of Ramones Pizza shop next door will also be reopening – but that the Laundromat next to that on Ballina Road won’t be.In fact, the owner had (luckily) closed down the shop the week before the flood and moved all the washing machines out.Takeaway CornerThe sheer force of the torrent of flood water that coursed down Ballina Road last week ripped out shop walls, shattered glass windows, flipped cars and flattened street signs.At the (previously) popular takeaway corner – on the corner of Ballina Road and Dawson Street - a cluster of food shops were all severely battered by the torrent.The Lismore App visited the businesses there as they cleaned up, to find out who was planning to reopen.ZambrerosAt takeaway corner, owner of Zambreros, Matthew Nash, is planning to reopen the Mexican food franchise shop.He said the damage was “more than he thought” when he arrived after the flood to inspect the shop building.The glass windows of the shop had blown out and glass and mud were everywhere. The roof fittings were broken and hanging in a tangled mess of metal and wires.Matthew, his dad Tony and a team of helpers were stripping muddy equipment and ruined bags of corn chips out of the broken shop.“The cooking equipment is all gone and we are hoping we can soon get some more from our Brisbane supplier,” Matthew said.“We might be able to bring some from a store we have already closed – but it’s hard because everywhere we have a shop, there has been a flood – including Chinderah.“We didn’t have insurance and so we will reopen when we can.”Asian TakeawayNear Zambroros on takeaway corner, is the Asian takeaway food shop.John, the owner lives in a house opposite the shop on Ballina Road.For him, the flood was a double whammy – his house and his business both went under in the flood.John said while his house was insured, his business was not.He’s still not sure if he will be able to reopen the takeaway shop as it will cost more than $150,000 to refit the shop with the cooking equipment that was destroyed in the flood – as well as the massive repair job needed on the walls, roof and electrical.He said he had already talked to the owner of the building, but if he is to reopen, John will need to fund the repairs himself.“A lot of people tell me it would be good to open a business here. But now it’s terrible and lots of people here also have no home,” he said.“I think the government needs to be more supportive and we still haven’t heard anything from them.“We need to be open so we can keep the staff here.”John said he also had shops in Ballina, Goonellabah and Casino as well, but Lismore was by far the worst affected by flood.John said before the flood, he was considering moving into a bigger shop in Lismore to have more seating – and was lucky he hadn’t done it.The Subway signs at takeaway corner were ripped off by flood water.Lismore’s futureConversations in our community are already beginning, about what the future will be for Lismore.Whatever happens, the reality is that an entire population of people live here and hundreds of businesses have been closed as a result of this devastating flood event.On social media, already there is a public call out for community consultation with our leaders at all levels of government.Yesterday, the Lismore App reported that Tracey Randall from Randall Legal in Lismore is calling for local businesses to give her feedback on what they need to be able to reopen. Read more: Rubbish clean up moves tonnes as businesses tell PM what's neededTracey has been in conversation with the NSW Premier this week and she wants to help create a strong united voice for the Lismore business community.With the Australian Prime Minister due to visit Lismore later this week, she wants to take our needs to the top.Financing the rebuild of local businesses and retaining staff are just some of the immediate needs.Where do we house the people displaced from the flood and who will fund this?The Lismore App will continue to report on these issues and more - and we ask for the Lismore community to send us their ideas, comments and questions.The Grill Shack at takeaway corner.

Come get it! Free food distribution moves to Wyrallah Road
Come get it! Free food distribution moves to Wyrallah Road

07 March 2022, 7:05 PM

The Used Furniture shop at 51 Wyrallah Road has today taken on a new role as Lismore’s food distribution centre.Anyone can now come and pick up food and other essential supplies from this community hub between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday.It joins the Stockpot Kitchen, The Pie Cart and the Sikh's free curry in the CBD as food places that have sprung up to meet the needs of Lismore's hungry post-flood population.With no supermarkets in town and limited supplies at shops in Goonellabah and Alstonville, the large warehouse is now filled with donated non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, water, medicine, personal hygiene products, animal food, baby supplies – and more.Owner of Summit Fitness Matt George has relocated the food distribution centre from his fitness centre in Goonellabah - to a more accessible location in the heart of Lismore.“We wanted to centralise efforts because we realised many people do not have cars and fuel and we were too far away from the action,” Matt said.“We wanted to solve some problems by getting as close to the CBD as possible and making it as accessible to the Lismore basin as possible for all flood-affected people.”The warehouse is still waiting to get electricity, but they are expecting it soon.Matt said the Sikh community is coming to coordinate the running of the centre with the help of an army of local volunteers.“We’ve had people break down in tears as they walk in through the door and say they are overwhelmed by the generosity of people so that they can come and get the basic things they need from water to nappy products and baby formula.”Matt said as soon as the flood happened, he turned his fitness centre into a temporary evacuation centre and distributed donated clothes and food. But as the donations from north and south came flooding in, it grew bigger and bigger.Then Goonellabah Workers Club donated a function room which was filled with donations in six hours - and Rotorwing helicopters filled a hanger full too.Furniture warehouse and helpUsed Furniture warehouse owner Karen said she hoped to salvage a few small pieces of her business, but was happy to open up her warehouse to help the community.She said had lost $35,000 worth of furniture in the flood, where the water rose to more than halfway up the walls of the warehouse.In order for the warehouse to open its loading docks for the food so quickly, Karen’s friend in the skip bin business organized a team of volunteers to remove all of the flooded goods away from the front of the building - well before the army started to pitch in and help.Storage for larger items neededAt the warehouse today were Zelda and Jessie from Barron in NSW. They have been coordinating donations of larger items of furniture for Lismore - such as fridges and barbeques.“We got flooded in Barron and helped people there, then realized other places were flooded too,” Zelda said.“So we came here and got support from people in major cities - who are raising money behind the scenes to get the bigger things we need up here.“Once people are clean and safe, then they need bedding, mattresses, furniture and fridges and ways to cook food.“We have been approaching Bunnings to get discounted barbeques, generators, fans, dehumidifiers. We also got lots of gas canister refills.“With no shops to buy these things from, this will help everyone to get back on their feet again.”Now Zelda is looking for empty places in Lismore to store larger things – so please get in contact with the food distribution centre if you can help.A larger distribution centre is also being established in Lismore for larger donated items including furniture – and the Lismore App will keep you posted on when it will be open.Other food places in townThe Wyrallah Road distribution centre is just one of the places that food can be found in Lismore.The Stockpot Kitchen on Molesworth Street (near the Transit Centre) has been distributing cooked food to people from 10am to 3pm each day.Owners of the Stockpot Kitchen, Graham and Jen started cooking food as soon as the place was cleared out after the flood.“We got a pile of sausages and started cooking,” Graham said.“Everyone was in town working hard clearing buildings and not eating."Then others started helping me and we had salads and bread too.”In the centre of town, the Sikh Indians have also been cooking up curries and distributing them to people in the CBD.The Pie Cart has relocated to Dalley StreetSo, don't go hungry - and don't worry about not getting what you need at the supermarkets in neighbouring towns, because supplies are finally rolling in to the people of Lismore.There's also some food being given away on the corner of Dawson and James Street in Girards Hill.Whether donations are on a large scale like Matt George has organised, or a small one like above, you cannot help but have faith in our immediate community and those that surround us up to the border and beyond. The overwhelming generosity of people is enough to bring a tear to your eye even for the hardest of hearts.

Hope for animals left behind: How you can help
Hope for animals left behind: How you can help

02 March 2022, 11:58 PM

As Lismore residents tell triumphant and sad stories of narrow escapes from their homes in fast rising floodwaters, there is also a dark side to many of them.What about the pets, fur babies and animals?Across Lismore, the list of animals left behind in flooded homes is long. There are stories of the pets left behind, with no time to get them to safety - and of pets or livestock last seen swimming in floodwaters. For some, they were not allowed to take an animal into a rescue boat because it was not in a pet carrier – or they had more than one pet and were only allowed to bring one with them. Centralised service neededWith SES and emergency services resources focused on rescuing people, not animals, Lismore local Jo Gosper knew there needed to be a centralised point where people could list animals lost or found.As one of the administrators of the Facebook page Lismore Lost & Found Pets - FLOOD GROUPS, Jo has created specific post threads for people who are affected and those who can help.Jo said there are three separate colour coordinated post threads for those who have lost or found animals and for those who simply want to help.“People who have been evacuated were worried about their cats, dogs, fish, goats and other animals,” Jo said. This is Bob, he was lost from Fernside, out towards Bentley.How to help or get help“On the page, they have listed animals as lost or found - and some people are offering assistance to find, or look after the animals, until their owners can be found.“The problem has been matching up the pictures of animals as lost with the people who have found them.”Jo asks people who list animals and their pictures to remove the posts once the animals have been found.Also for anyone who finds an animal to make direct contact with the person who posted the animals as missing. You can list your pets or any animals you have found via the following link to Lismore Lost & Found Pets - FLOOD GROUPS. If you have any cat or dog carriers you can lend to others who wish to volunteer to look for animals, you can also do it via he page.There’s also a Facebook group for lost and found livestock: Livestock & Items Lost & Found - Northern Rivers Floods 2022Puddah is a 15 year old male cat. Was taken to Goonellabar but has gone missing. Please contact if you have any information.Animal Rights and Rescue (AARG)In Lismore, the local Animal Rights and Rescue Group (AARG) is also still operating. Maddy, from AARG said they have already reunited lots of lost animals with their owners - after scanning their microchips to identify them.“I went into flood water on Hunter Street yesterday pulled out a cat and chickens – I found it from paw prints on mud and the owner was ecstatic to be reunited with it,” she said.Thankfully the AARG centre on Three Chain Road was situated high enough that all the animals already there escaped harm in the flood.But according to Maddy, resources are stretched and they are looking for help. “AARG is offering help where possible as many of our volunteers are stranded and we are also looking for people to help clean up our Union Street op shop,” she said.Maddy said ARRG volunteers are in the process of building more pens to hold animals, but they are not ready yet.At the Southern Cross University Evacuation Centre, there are two complexes where evacuees are housing their animals at the moment.Coordination needed in future “We are currently trying to work with emergency services and Council but it’s hard as everyone is stretched and we can see there’s a big need to have a more coordinated service for animal rescue in future emergencies,” she said.“At the moment, rescued animals are all over the place. Over the next days and weeks we’ll need more emergency housing for pets of people in evacuation centre now.""There is a shortage of cat litter and animal food also.Foster carers needed“We always need more foster carers and people can contact AARG on (02) 6622 1881 and register as a carer, so it’s easy for us to track where the animals have gone to. "

Kayak rescuer saves locals in Girards Hill
Kayak rescuer saves locals in Girards Hill

28 February 2022, 2:18 AM

As the pelting rain continues to fall on the flooding city of Lismore and people are still waiting to be rescued from rising flood waters - at least six people and a group of cats and dogs are safe and sound thanks to their rescuer Scott Noble.With two borrowed kayaks, Scott paddled through the flooding streets of low lying areas of Girards Hill this morning - helping people trapped on their verandahs by rising flood waters.Scott in his kayak.Lismore view from top of Esmonde Street.Now, the garage at Scott's son's house on Cathcart Street look like an evacuation centre, as the community again looks out for each other.'I was helping my son evacuate people because it (the flood) happened so fast here and they were trapped,' Scott, a Girards Hill local said.'I could see dogs stranded on balconies that were starting to go under, and so I got them onto the kayak and brought them back here.'I’ve gone as far as Hungry Jacks and Aldis, but I don’t want to go on the main drag (Ballina Road) because rescue boats are tearing up and down there.'These people are my neighbours. This is a once in a lifetime scenario and you just have to look after the people around you.'We are safe up higher on the hill, but those down here need help.'See the video of town from the top of Girards Hill; https://fb.watch/brMmmeq6czBernard Hartmann.The rescuedSitting in the garage is long-time Lismore local Bernard Hartmann, who has lived on Cathcart Street for 32 years. He was rescued by Scott earlier and is thankful to be alive.Around him are cages with dogs and cats - also saved by Scott.Bernard has been living in Lismore a long time and has been through floods before. But this one is different.'This is the fourth or fifth flood in 32 years and it's never come into the house before,' he said.'Looking down Parkes Street from Cathcart Street.'In the 1974 flood, it never came into the house. It was 18 inches under the floorboards.'Like everybody here, we thought it would creep up slowly overnight.I thought I can cope with that, so I got stuff out of the yard, but moved nothing in the house and went to bed about 1am.'It was still raining when I woke up this morning - and I could hear noises coming from things in the house - like the piano tinkling.'I stepped out of bed into the water and I could see everything was lost - my historical books and records.'I made it to the front verandah and thought I can swim to the yard - but then someone (Scott) came past in a boat and yelled out and came and got me.'Bernard said when he got into Scott's kayak, it wasn't his first rescue – he was rescued in the 2017 flood by the SES in a different location.'I don't scare easy,' he said.Now Bernard said he is 'catching his breath', waiting for his friends to come and bring him up the hill.'Here, we all know each other and this brings us together,' he said.Bernard is also worried about what will happen after the flood too. With many new businesses just opened, what will the future hold for Lismore as it finally recovers from the 2017 floods?Other evacueesAt the top of Girards Hill, sitting in the the back of a van are two other escapees - Em and Sean.'Our house is on the corner of Ballina and Wyrallah Road,' Em said.'Last night, we were getting alerts from the SES into the night and we went to sleep finally at 3am with a plan for the morning.'By the time we woke up, the water was way higher than the last flood - it was coming in quickly.'So, we got essential items out, got in our van with the dog and went to higher ground'It's about life now and we are happy we are safe and dry.'Cathcart Street.Help is on the wayThe Lismore App is compiling a list of addresses of people who need to be rescued and is providing them to the SES. Please let us know if you know of anyone else in trouble who needs help.Read more; Rescue List Update and GSAC new evacuation centreWith the promise of army (ADF) help on the way, we can only hope that there are no lives lost as many people are still stranded in their homes and calling for help.The SES is already overstretched as Lismore bears the brunt of the biggest flood in recorded history.There have been 145 recorded floods in Lismore since records began in 1887, of which 28 floods were classified as major level (9.7 metres or above). The biggest flood ever recorded in Lismore occurred twice and both floods reached 12.17 metres. The first flood to peak at this height was the flood of February 1954 and the second flood to peak at this height was the flood of March 1974. The flood of March/April 2017 was the second biggest flood in Lismore's history and that flood peaked at 11.59 metres. Since 1887 there have been a total of 8 floods in Lismore that have peaked at over 11 metres.Houses on Cathcart Street.

Lismore Italian Film Festival set to return this year
Lismore Italian Film Festival set to return this year

23 February 2022, 12:09 AM

From ancient Rome to soccer and delicious pasta, all things Italian are coming to the big screen when the 2022 Lismore Italian Film Festival kicks off this April.A self confessed Italophile, Lismore Friendship Festival committee member is so passionate about bringing the movie extravaganza to local screen that she dressed up as an Italian soccer fan to rev up the local excitement.She's especially looking forward to the Pavarotti movie night - with an antipasto supper, Prosecco and live music."We invite everyone to come dressed up for the occasion," she said. "Come dressed as your favourite opera character to watch Pavarotti - and win a prize!"The cinema staff Staff will be dressed up and the place decorated too and local accordion player Val Wills will be playing. "Benvenuti e tutti – Everyone is welcome."Held at the Lismore Cinemas on Keen Street over two days on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3, the bilingual film festival offers many historic and contemporary films."We have a popular program and have already had great feedback about it," Ros said. "It's an opportunity to get out of isolation and have a good weekend out"The festival gives us a chance to interact with each other while having a good time.""Other film festival highlights include a documentary about Elena Ferrante, the author. "Called 'Ferrante Fever' the movie has already attracted the interest of local book clubs who are reading her books. There's also the movie 'The Promise' which is in English, starring Aussie actors Paul Mercurio and Tina Arena ozzie actors.Then there's Pinnochio - with lots of film techniques such as live action cartoon magic.Ros said you can also use your Discover NSW $25 vouchers to buy tickets, so buy them now at https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Cinema/LismoreThe 2022 program includes:Saturday, April 2• 12pm - Ferrante Fever • 2pm - Promised• 6.30pm – Pavarotti - Ron Howard's inspiring documentary. Sunday, April 3• 12pm - 10 Days without Mamma • 2.30pm - Classic movie: 8 1/2 • 5.30pm – Pinocchio 

Potholes saga continues as infuriated locals survey the damage
Potholes saga continues as infuriated locals survey the damage

22 February 2022, 7:05 PM

When Lois Kelly was driving on Nimbin Road and she saw a big pothole coming up, she did was any driver would do – and she veered to the side to avoid it. Unfortunately, there was also another large pothole there and her car tyre went right into it.It caused so much damage that she needs to buy a new wheel and a tyre. Now, she says it will cost her $550 to replace it – and it’s the second time Lismore’s bad roads have damaged one of her tyres.Lois was so infuriated by the condition of the road that she posted a picture of her destroyed car wheel on Facebook. The resulting comments on social media showed that numerous others have experienced the same thing – not only on the same road, but on other Lismore roads.One local commented on Lois’ Facebook post: “it happened to me last week between Tregeagle and Wyrallah. Hit so hard my passenger side rear mirror fell off. I parked, walked back to get it and found 12 hubcaps along the roadside. Infuriating.”Another person lamented the passing of Roadart – a local who was renowned for painting bright colours around potholes as a warning to motorists. "Disgusting"“The road to Nimbin is disgusting,” Lois told the Lismore App.  “Some locals told me those potholes have been there for weeks – and they haven’t been fixed.  “If you are local and you know a pothole is coming up, you can avoid it, but what about visitors who don’t know the road?“At the very least, Council needs to put up a warning sign – or change the driving speed zone to slower than 80 km on the bad road bits.”“They should take on the responsibility to look after tourists or rate payers.”Construction questionsLois also posed some questions about how the Lismore roads were constructed. “Why is it that in Tweed Shire, they get they as much rain as we do and their roads are fine?” Lois said.“I want to know what Lismore City Council is using to make the road base and why is it not as effective as what other councils use?“Many people are asking me the same questions.”Lois said she intends to email her concerns all local councilors – and would also like to ask Lismore Council to pay for her tyre.“But I know they won’t,” she said. “Some people told me to make a claim for damage with the NSW government.”Public liability claimThis is not the first time the Lismore App has reported on locals’ ire over pothole damage to their vehicles, but we thought we’d clarify what you can and can’t claim for if your car is damaged on Lismore roads.If your car is damaged on a State managed road (like the Bruxner Highway), then you can lodge a public liability claim with Transport for NSW. The website states “If your car or other property has been damaged due to the condition of a NSW public road, you may be eligible to claim the repair costs.”Find out which roads are State roadsUnfortunately for Lois, Nimbi Road is a road managed by Lismore City Council, so she will not be able to lodge a claim with Transport for NSW.After living in Lismore for many years, Lois recently moved from Lismore to Queensland.“I never thought I’d say it, but I’m glad I did and can’t wait to get back there,” she said.Roads campaignOne of the problems with fixing Lismore’s large road network is the lack of funding that comes from the State government to help Lismore City Council fix them.Lismore’s new mayor Steve Krieg has made a big point of campaigning to fix the roads all through his recent election campaign.Recently, he teamed up with State MP Janelle Saffin to lobby the State Government for more funding to fix local roads. Read more: Krieg and Saffin team up to improve Lismore's roads This week, the Lismore App will continue exploring the issue of roads and bring you the latest news from Lismore City Council about where we are at with fixing our local road network. Keep watching this space.

Covid update: More local cases as vax rollout marks one year anniversary
Covid update: More local cases as vax rollout marks one year anniversary

22 February 2022, 3:50 AM

As Lismore records another new 51 Covid cases, it was a year ago today (22/2/22) that the NSW government began its rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination program.Now more than 95% of people over 16 have received a single dose of vaccine and 94.3% have received two doses.Read more about today's date: It's Twosday 22/2/22. Is it too much?Hailed by the NSW government as “among the best vaccination rates” in the world, that’s 16.6 million doses delivered through hospitals, the GP network and pharmacies.It’s also cost the government $4 billion to fund the health system to manage the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020.Local casesAcross the Northern NSW Local Health District, 314 new Covid cases have been confirmed - from 30 positive PCR tests and 284 positive rapid antigen tests (RAT).Confirmed tests by LGA (PCR and RAT included):Tweed 96Clarence Valley 67Lismore 51Ballina 32Richmond Valley 32Byron 27Kyogle 9There are 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 3 of these in ICU.Sadly, today Northern NSW is reporting the death of one person aged in their 80s from COVID-19. They were from the Tweed area.RAT results may be from within the previous seven days, and there may be some cases included in these numbers where people have reported positive RATs on multiple days and/or where people have also had a positive PCR test during the same reporting period.Get testedNorthern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.Anyone who tests positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is required to register their result with Service NSW. Registering your RAT result enables NSW Health to provide advice on self-isolation and managing COVID-19 symptoms at home and connect high risk people to clinical care services.Everyone who is eligible for a booster is encouraged to book without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now available for people aged 16 and over who had their second dose at least three months ago. We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19.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.NSW Health vaccination clinics are now administering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children aged five to 11 years old. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make a booking for vaccination at any NSW Health vaccination clinic, at a general practitioner, or a community pharmacy.Case data by postcode is also available on the NSW Government website.For the most up to date COVID-19 information visit nsw.gov.au.NSW StatisticsThere were 8,752 positive test results (cases) notified in the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday – including 6,036 positive rapid antigen tests (RATs) and 2,716 positive PCR tests. The 2,716 positive PCR results were returned from 36,122 PCR tests.NSW Health reports the deaths of 14 people with COVID-19; 11 men and three women.Four people were in aged in their 60s, one person was in their 70s, five people were in their 80s and four people were in their 90s. Older age is a significant risk factor for serious illness and death for COVID-19, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.Four people had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, seven people had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and three people were not vaccinated.Two people were aged under 65 years, both had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had significant underlying health conditions.This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,855.

It's Twosday 22/2/22. Is it too much?
It's Twosday 22/2/22. Is it too much?

22 February 2022, 1:04 AM

If you haven’t already noticed, today’s date is 22/2/22. With this unique pattern of numbers, it’s hard to miss it’s all about the number two.And to top it off it’s also the second day of the week – Tuesday – or Twosday to some.While this date does not have any historical significance or a cosmic message, it does resonate with our human brain and its capacity to find meaning and connection in everything.As we put two and two together, today is a once in a lifetime aligning of numbers.NumerologyDepending on your beliefs, the number two can take on significance in many ways.In numerology, it’s a day for doubles, a day of connections and coming together. It’s about intuition, observation, and relationships. It does takes two to tango.Perhaps you can celebrate by singing a karaoke duet, or watching a movie with a dynamic superhero duo – like Batman and Robin. Maybe order two coffees, not one, and give one to someone in need.Or maybe reflect on how we communicate with our loved ones, and to seek to maintain an open-heart connection.It’s also a number of expansion and progress – of moving forward and taking an initial idea into the realm of movement, possibility and innovation.AstrologyIn astrology, two symbolizes the union of two people or two ideas. This number is all about collaboration and teamwork.According to astrology, the energy of the month of February this year is in areas of partnership. The month and especially this day will push a person to focus on their ability to perform as a team.The spiritual influence of this day is related to awakenings, insights and revelations towards a higher state of mind.The date could be an important date to reflect on the state of relationships, find resolutions or appreciate your differences.This day encourages a person to work objectively with others rather than take an authoritarianAccording to astrology, the energy of the month of February this year is in areas of partnership. The month and especially this day will push a person to focus on their ability to perform as a team.The spiritual influence of this day is related to awakenings, insights and revelations towards a higher state of mind. The date could be an important date to reflect on the state of relationships, find resolutions or appreciate your differences.Whatever you think of Twosday 22/02/2022, live life to the fullest and remember to appreciate what we have.

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