As they finished packing 100 Christmas hampers and 200 toy bags for struggling local families, this year’s Salvation Army (Salvos) volunteers in Goonellabah were exhausted, but happy to be of service to the community.Salvos Captain Phillip Sutcliffe said the hampers were ready in time to be collected by parents before school finished - just in time for them to wrap toys at home and keep the pressies a secret from their kids.“The hampers are a wonderful thing for us to distribute – and filled with donated goods that people put under the wishing tree at Kmart,” Cpt Sutcliffe said.As well giving out 200 bags full of donated toys for the kids, the 100 food hampers were filled with donated treats to make Christmas day a happy for struggling families. From pudding, custard and shortbread – to staples like rice and pasta.“We’ve had some generous donations of gifts for teenagers this year,” Cpt Sutcliffe said “There’s movie vouchers and gift cards to EB games.In the toy bags for younger kids up to the ages of 13, there’s stocking fillers and one main present.Massive demand“This year we had more requests for assistance than ever before.“About 35% of the people who have asked for help are brand new and have never had to ask for assistance before.“That’s a massive increase around here. Usually, we only get about 8-10% new enquiries.“We keep working with families all year long to provide ongoing assistance and education.Rent crisis and Covid“The rental crisis, the cost of living and getting around are a massive part of what’s causing this.“People who are on government benefits that are not increasing, are finding the money doesn’t go so far.“Covid hit people hard during the last year. When the government was providing extra assistance, it was a huge help and they got used to living on a larger amount of money. But now, it’s much harder for them.”More presents always neededCpt Sutcliffe said any more toys that are donated between now and Christmas will go into storage and be used for next year’s hampers.“It’s a nice cycle that keeps going,” he said. “If anyone wants to donate toys, please keep putting them under the wishing tree.”To find out more about the Salvos, to volunteer or to donate, visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/northernrivers/

Parents of children attending Richmond River High School have received emails directing them to get a Covid test - after a member of the school community tested positive for Covid-19. The letters, signed by the school’s Principal, were sent to parents of children in Year 7, 10 and 11, informing them that they may be casual contacts of the confirmed Covid case if they were at school on December 13 or 14. Read more Covid news: New Covid cases in Lismore and one venue of concern in ByronA double-vaccinated parent (who wished not to be named) with a vaccinated child in one of the affected Year 7 classes spoke to the Lismore App said she received the letters on Saturday.She said she was informed that as a potential casual contact, she and her children were required to “immediately get a nose and throat (PCR) test and to self-isolate until they receive a negative result”.“So, I just followed the orders and we went to the drive through testing clinic and got a test,” she said. “We are still waiting for the results.“The line up at the Dawson Street drive through testing clinic was so long it’s affecting traffic trying to turn onto the Uralba Street roundabout.“The staff at the clinic are very efficient – and they are working in full PPE gear in this hot weather.“They are doing such a great job.“This is the first time I’ve been a casual contact – we’ve been really lucky so far.Christmas“But it’s important that we get tested before Christmas. “I bought rapid antigen tests for the family members too – as we are about to go away for Christmas and it’s important that we don’t spread the virus to vulnerable people and see our hospital system overrun.“We are living with Covid and this is life now and this is what we will all need to do.”The letterThe letter to parents also stated that “COVID-19 transmission in school communities has been high due to the close interactions that children and young people have with each other”.  “This is particularly so with the new Omicron variant of concern, which on early information is demonstrating a 10-fold increase in transmission.  “Most people who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 will test positive within the first 7 days of exposure, with some still likely to transmit for up to 14 days.  “There are around 9% of children who will transmit to other children, with about a third of these during the second week following exposure.“It is therefore recommended that, as a contact of a person with COVID-19 you should consider your personal and family circumstances and those you may come into contact with in managing the risks associated with potential transmission. “You should avoid high risk settings (health care, aged care, correctional facilities) where possible, and take extra precautions around vulnerable people including family members, for 14 days after your last exposure.  “You should also have another nose and throat (PCR) test six days after exposure."You should also consider undertaking a rapid antigen test before family functions or visiting vulnerable family or friends to minimise the risk of transmission."Buying rapid antigen testsIf you want to make sure you are not potentially spreading Covid to family members, you can now buy rapid antigen self-tests at pharmacies, supermarkets, and other retail outlets. A pack of five tests can cost about $50 from pharmacies. The NSW Government advice regarding rapid antigen tests is that are a faster way to test for COVID-19 than traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. But, "they do not replace a PCR test. A PCR test is still the most accurate and reliable test to detect and diagnose COVID-19”.Further advice about rapid antigen tests states “a positive self-test result means that the test detected the virus, and you are very likely to have an infection and should stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you could have contact with others, and avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading disease to someone else.“A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have an infection, but it does not rule out infection. Repeating the test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, will increase the confidence that you are not infected.”

As Christmas approaches, Covid case numbers continue to rise across the region – with 4 new cases reported in Lismore Local Government Area– and 34 new cases in total across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).In Byron LGA, 24 new cases of Covid were reported and the Byron Beach Hotel has been named as a new venue of concern.Anyone who attended the hotel on Tuesday 14 December 2021, from 12pm to 10pm listed must immediately get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result, even if fully vaccinated or feel well. Please refer to the guidelines for casual contacts on the NSW Health website: Casual contacts of COVID-19 - Fact sheets (nsw.gov.au) Across the health district, 4 new Covid cases were ported in Ballina LGA, 4 in Tweed and I in Clarence Valley.There are 5 COVID-positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW. NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.  “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,” he said.Mr Jones is also urging people to book their COVID-19 vaccination, or booster if you are eligible, at any of the many GPs, Pharmacies and NSW Health clinics in the region. You can find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.  Anyone aged 18 and over is eligible for their booster five months after their second dose. Bookings are recommended to ensure you secure your preferred timeslot. 

When Buckley sisters Sarah and Molly rock up onto the stage tomorrow for Carols the Heart, it will be a coming home for them. The sisters grew up here and the Christmas concert will be their first live performance in their home town after touring Australia and the United States for ten years.“We’re looking forward to performing and bringing life back to Lismore,” Molly said. “It will be fun and we’ll get to see old friends.”Not new to singing Christmas carols, the sisters grew up in a musical family and used to perform a Rockabilly Christmas show in the family band with their dad on drums. “We love carols and spicing up songs with a bit of 1940s glamour mixed with a rockabilly feel,” Sarah said.“We just put our first Christmas single ‘Boogie Woogie Santa Claus’ and it was recorded with a 1940s arrangement - half in Nashville with the brass section there and half here at home.“We’ll be playing it tomorrow and make sure everyone gets up dancing and singing.“We want to make sure people have a great night out and feel good,” Molly said.“We all haven’t been able to dance and sing for ages, so let’s make the most out of it and get back into it.”Despite the Covid lockdown, the girls haven’t stopped playing music – filling their time with writing songs, performing online concerts from home – and recording their first album ‘Daydream’.“It was pretty wild when Covid started in 2020,” Sarah said. “Our home concerts streamed round the world in many countries and we did a TV live stream event for the release of our debut album.“We’ve been busy - everything moving by, but not physically going anywhere.“Now, we are grateful to able to do that bring our mix of country, and indie rock music to everyone around. “It’s great to be back on live shows now and start off with a home show.”You can see them perform at the 2021 Shopbaby's Carols in the Heart at Riverside Park between 5pm and 8pm this Saturday.

Today, another nine new cases of Covid were reported in the Lismore Local Government Area. These were among the 96 new cases reported in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).None of the cases are the Omicron variant and there is now one COVID-positive patient in hospital in Northern NSW. Of the 96 new cases across LGAs, 57 are in Byron, 18 in Ballina, 8 in Tweed and 4 in Clarence Valley.NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said the most common locations for transmission of COVID-19 in our region continue to be pubs, parties and gatherings in indoor spaces.  “We encourage people to celebrate the end of year outdoors where possible, and to stay home if you are unwell, get a test, and isolate until a negative result is received,” he said.Hospital restrictionsWith increasing transmission rates across NSW, hospitals and health facilities within Northern NSW Local Health District are now restricting all visitors.  Women accessing birthing services can continue to nominate one support person (participant in care) during her labour, birth and post-birth.Local exemptions will be considered on a case by cases basis by site management, and consideration will be given to compassionate and palliative care circumstances.  You can also find information about visitor restrictions on our website at: https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/about/important-updates-for-visitors/ Updated advice for people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 Updates have been made to fact sheets following the easing of restrictions:• Close contacts of COVID-19 (nsw.gov.au) • Confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 • Casual contacts are no longer identified. Mr Jones said NSW Health is evolving contact tracing and is prioritising case interviews and detailed follow up with people diagnosed with COVID-19 who have been to a place where there are people at high risk of severe disease, such as in healthcare, aged care, disability care, Aboriginal people and communities, and correctional facilities. He said the updated fact sheets advise cases and close contacts of what steps they need to follow, including advice to prompt their social contacts to be tested. Exposure risk assessments in all other settings, like workplaces, are managed by those venues directly. Step-by-step instructions for businesses can be found via the NSW Health website.Please book your COVID-19 vaccination, or booster if you are eligible, at any of the many GPs, Pharmacies and NSW Health clinics in the region. You can find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.  

As the cost of local housing skyrockets into unaffordability, finding ways to create more housing stock and make sure key workers can still live locally was at the heart of a regional exploration tour today by Landcom boss, John Brogden.As the CEO of the NSW Government’s housing organisation, Mr Brogden has teamed up with State MP Janelle Saffin, local Councils and community housing providers to find solutions to a problem that he said “is not going to solve itself without interventions”.“We have a big issue in Northern NSW,” Mr Brogden said.“Right now we’ve seen a considerable increase in existing house prices and it’s pushing people out of the market who are key workers, like teachers, nurses, cleaners and people who work in coffee shops. We also have mums over 55 in housing distress, living in cars and caravans.“It’s gotten worse quickly and it will get worse as tourists come back. Unless we want coffee to be $15 a cup, we need to address this.“People want to be able to age here. Now even the Sydneysiders’ dream of living in a more affordable regional area is jeopardised by the enormous cost of housing.”PartnershipsThe key to making change, according to MP Saffin, is creating partnerships with all people who have housing in their portfolios – and addressing the barriers that slow down the processes of building more housing stock.Mr Brogden said Landcom’s role is developing out land and providing land supply - but also providing it affordably and sustainably while working with locals leaders. By 2024, 20% of its housing will be affordable housing.While the housing issue is a complex one and there are no quick fixes for the people in housing distress now, Mr Brogden said the will of Councils, government and community organisations to join together to make change is there. State Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the issue affects every electorate and “every little bit helps if we work together as a team”.How might the partnerships work?As the housing heavyweights prepared to embark on a tour of potential local housing sites in the region Mr Brogden said he was keen to demonstrate how it will work. “Council’s know which land is available – and Landcom might put money in with a piece of council land and work with local community housing provider who can access money from the federal government through housing finance corp,” he said.“We put in our development skills, council provides the land and community housing provides the expertise and extra funding. We also want to work with community organisations like RSLs.“We also have the opportunity to use surplus state government land.”Challenges While the task may seem difficult, Mr Brogden said “every little thing makes a difference”.“One challenge is that we need a workforce here to build houses and they are busy already – so how do we access these skills?“We need to identify community groups we can work with and Councils need to speed up the development approval process.”Land bankingMs Saffin said another challenge was land banking – where people buy land and keep it without developing it. She said she had brought the issue up with the Regional taskforce for the government to consider it.Council challengesMr Provest said when it comes to the work that Councils are able to do, the “whole planning process needs to be overhauled”.“Council can’t afford the infrastructure costs of water and sewage,” he said. “And now, electricity providers want upfront fees for before land is developed. We need to alleviate the costs involved.“In Tweed, the fees we get for processing DAs don’t match the cost of developing – they haven’t changed in over a decade. “It also got worse last week when IPART released the rate peggings.“Some of the DAs takes 3 to 6 months to get a house approved, and in Queensland, it takes 28 days.”Symbolic“Today was symbolic,” Mr Provest said. “With John’s leadership and working with Janelle, we can work together to alleviate this problem and take some of the pressure off councils.”

Making sure your four year old can see properly is one of the important steps needed before starting school.Vision screening is a key step for children ahead of starting school, to ensure they are off to the best start possible as they transmission into the classroom. That's why the StEPS program is running catch up clinics throughout January - in Goonellabah and across Northern NSW - for four year old children heading to school in 2022. StEPS (State-wide Eyesight Preschooler Screening) is a free program designed to identify childhood vision problems which cannot be detected by observation, family history or vision surveillance.  A StEPS assessment with a trained vision screening nurse is the best way to detect eye problems at an early age, with the aim of avoiding preventable vision impairment or blindness later in life. Children are particularly at risk of suffering from undetected vision problems because they may not realise they can’t see well, and may not complain of eye problems. The earlier a problem is detected, the more likely it is that it can be corrected. Given the disruptions to early childhood learning as part of the COVID response throughout the year, not all local preschools have been able to accommodate the screening program as part of their regular schedules this year. The catch up clinics are for any four-year old children who will be starting school in 2022. To book your child’s free vision screening, call (02) 6620 2836 before 4pm on 23 December 2021.  

To their delight, a sea of faces greeted Bruce and Bev Supple when they walked outside their Goonellabah home on Wednesday night.Their annual Christmas light show at Grevillea Grove drew one of the largest crowds they’d seen since the Covid epidemic began – and they loved it.“It’s been humungous,” Bruce laughed. “The grass is trodden out the front.“Since last Saturday, it’s hyped up – people tell others and then lots do a drive by, and some walk by to see it. We are expecting it to get really busy this weekend.”If you still haven’t taken a drive down Grevillea Grove in Goonellabah to see the annual Christmas light show, put it on your bucket list now.There’s the waterfall that cascades down the roof onto the lawn – turning into a stream and lagoon that reindeer drink from. There’s kangaroos, and Santa on a bicycle – and even a Santa snow mailbox.After 43 years of putting on an annual light show, Bruce said he can’t just keep it the same – and he’s added in even more lights this year.It takes so long to put them all up, that the couple start getting ready for it in October.“Thank goodness we did because we had a heap of rain and storms,” Bruce said. “So we made the displays up out the back while the rain was happening, otherwise we wouldn’t have commenced on December 1.“The storms blew the displays over and there were and wires everywhere, so we couldn’t light up that night. But we stood it all back up and the next day got it ship shape.”For Bruce and Bev, working as a team and taking the time to set up the display is a labour of love.“It’s great to bring cheer and enjoyment to people,” Brice said. “Not only the little ones - its right through all ages.“I’ve been handing out lolly pops to kids again this year. But there’s still no Santa Claus appearances – like before Covid. We didn’t want to risk it yet.“It’s been so good to see it after the last two years where everyone been through so much disappointment. But now we can give a little back.”If you want to see the lights, the final day they will be lit up is December 26 – Boxing Day.The Lismore App has a listing of Christmas lights show in the area, so if you have lights at your place, please let us know by emailing simon@lismoreapp and send us a photo!See the Lismore App’s Christmas lights location listings in our Christmas section: ChristmasRead more about their amazing light show in previous years: Bruce and Bev make Grevillea Grove a sparkling Christmas lights wonderland

Four new cases of Covid have been reported in the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA), adding to a total of 81 new cases across the health district. Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) chief executive Wayne Jones said none of the cases have been identified as the Omicron variant of concern. There are currently no COVID-positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, but Mr Jones urges people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.  “With rising case numbers, it is important for vaccinated people to have a booster once eligible,” he said.Of the 81 new cases across local LGAs, 65 are in Byron, 9 in Ballina, 1 in Richmond Valley, 1 in Tweed, and 1 in Clarence Valley. 16 cases have now been linked with No Bones in Byron Bay, while 14 cases are linked with Casa Luna in Byron Bay. Investigations into additional cases potentially linked to the Coorabell Hall are ongoing. Get tested for your nearest and dearest “We are urging anyone with cold and flu-like symptoms to come forward for testing now, particularly younger people,” Mr Jones said.“We continue to remind everyone across the community to continue to practice COVID-Safe behaviours, including wearing a mask in settings where you cannot physically distance. “Get tested and stay home if you have the mildest of symptoms. Do not go out and visit family, friends or go to social events if you are unwell.“Practice good hand hygiene, washing and sanitising your hands regularly.” There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find your nearest clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP. Vaccination your key to staying out of hospital  “If you have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, we encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as you are able to,” Mr Jones said. “NSW Health are urging people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect yourself, your loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19. “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.”You can find your closest vaccination clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic Finder. 

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.”