With the current wet weather event continuing, Lismore City Council has been out checking the levee infrastructure and reports it is all in good condition - and said everyone should have a flood plan.See the list of Lismore's flooded road closures todayWilsons River may peak at 8.2m early Wednesday morning"Council staff have been actively monitoring the current weather system and activating our levee operation processes since last Friday," a Council spokesperson said."All of our flood gates, pumps, and other infrastructure associated with the levee was recently checked as part of our normal maintenance programs and found to be in good working order. "We do not have a prediction for a flood that could overtop the levee as yet, but with the ground throughout the catchment now fully saturated, any further rainfall will run-off straight into our creeks and rivers, and they could rise far more quickly than what has happened during this event so far. We urge businesses to be ready to act quickly should they need to."Any businesses with employees parked in carparks located inside the CBD levee should remove their vehicles this afternoon. There is no urgency until the end of the day, but we ask people not to leave cars overnight as we may need to close these carparks from this evening."See the video of the car stuck in river moderate flood waters in February 2020The main floodgates on Browns Creek and Gasworks Creek are currently closed with the pumps operational and pumping stormwater from those creeks over the levee and into the Wilsons River. Staff will continue to monitor the situation and respond. Business owners in the CBD are encouraged to make sure they have their flood plans ready to implement.We urge you to be ready to pack up at short notice should the need arise. Make sure you have your flood plan ready to go. Listen to the ABC Radio, monitor the SES and Bureau of Meteorology websites, and check in on your friends and neighbours to make sure they are okay.You can access up to date information from a range of sources via Lismore City Council’s Disaster Dashboard via the following link: https://disaster.lismore.nsw.gov.au/

While we have had 96.2mm of rain in the last 24 hours (to 8:30am), spare a thought for our neighbours in the north who have been hit hard.Murwillumbah received 227mm and Mullumbimby 231mm in the last day.That does not mean we are out of the firing line with a severe weather warning still issued for the north coast.Sunday is expected to be relatively wet with the heavy rainfall expected later tonight or more likely in the early hours of Monday morning. Already you can feel the increase in wind from the south, this is predicted to increase to 60-70kmh by tonight and gusting to 90kmh.The Bureau of Meteorology is saying Lismore can expect between 50 to 120mm on Monday which is why there is still a minor to moderate flood warning for the Wilson River and minor warning for the Richmond River.The Lismore App will keep you up to date if there is any breaking news.You can stay in touch with the BOM via the App (Weather) and the Weather Radar (Weather Radar).

NSW SES has said the last 6 hours has produced no more than 22mm in Nashua across our catchment area.Average rainfall remains below 5mm per hour at all gauges. Streams in the upper catchment at Nimbin, Repentance and Upper Wilsons Creek are showing small increases of between 30cm to 50cm. This water will take at least 24 hours to reach Lismore City.NSW SES attended a total of 7 jobs today and yesterday with an almost even split between leaking roofs and trees down. SES saying that the small number is good to see as it tells them the community has been preparing well for the coming rain."We’ve had some really good rainfall over the past 24 hours to 9am. There may be water laying in low lying areas so take it slower on the roads," was the warning from NSW SES. The Flood Watch is still in place so just be aware of that. Intense periods of rain can lead to flash flooding so take extra care around drains, causeways, rivers and creeks.Lismore (Dawson St) had 62mm to 9am this morning in the last 24 hours a far cry from Bellingens 161mm in the Mid North Coast which was hit by the offshore trough first as it heads slowly north.The Bureau of Meteorology is now saying the heaviest rainfall should occur late Sunday or more than likely early Monday morning with an increase in winds especially along coastal areas.The flood warning is still listed as minor to moderate for the Wilson and Richmond Rivers.

While we can’t all gather to sing Christmas Carols in town this year, tomorrow (Sunday, December 13) we can still join together online for the Virtual Carols in the Heart from 7pm to 8.30pm.With a host of performers lined up to sing our favourite carols through the event, the final virtual community choir song is set to be a beautiful collaboration.Event organiser Virginia Waters said she had received a number of video submissions from members of the community singing ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ for inclusion in the community choir video.Virginia said some of the cutest submissions were from groups of children in preschool and a dance group. There were also submissions from council employees and family groups (and even the Lismore App sent in a submission).The video has been put together to include all the submissions, showing a community of people all singing the same song on screen.So, make sure you tune in via Lismore City Council’s Facebook page from 7pm tomorrow to hear this year’s virtual carols – and see Santa and Mrs Claus visiting at Santa’s Wonderland.While Santa is a bit exhausted from having his photos taken with his visitors this week in Santa’s Wonderland, he will still be in fine singing form.Join the virtual carols here: https://www.facebook.com/LismoreCityCouncil

If you have been dying to legally move your feet and groove your body on a dance floor, your chance has finally come. This week, the NSW Government changed the Covid restrictions and now 50 people are allowed on indoor dance floors. This is great news for local DJ Sista Ray (Deb Ray), owner of Lismore music shop – Music Bizarre. Tonight, from 6 to 10pm, Deb is putting on Lismore’s first official dance event since Covid stopped the dancing fun.The free gig at the Civic Hotel on Molesworth Street is called Chapter 2 - The Dancefloor Re-Infection.Deb said there’s a line up of four local DJs playing bass-heavy music. There’s DJ Numbskull, Iki-jima, Rangi, then Sista Ray – playing everything from hop hop, to dance, dubstep wobble, and glitch hop.Deb said although we are one step closer to full dancing freedom, we still have to observe the social distancing where applicable, QR code and rules. The past nine months have affected the entertainment industry pretty hard, and Deb welcomes the easing of Covid restrictions on gatherings. “There’s been a heavy toll on mental health of DJs, live musicians and people who work in music and arts because so many jobs have been lost or put on hold for nine months,” Deb said. “That’s huge. “I’m lucky - I also work in a music shop so I still talk to people and have that connection with people around music. “But for some people, partying is how they socialise and it’s not the same just playing dance music by yourself at home. “It’s important to have an audience who connects with what you are doing – the energy and the chemistry it creates is crucial and streaming music is not the same as being on a dance floor with a bunch of people and feeling the bass through your body – it’s a whole body experience and nothing can replace that.“I’m super excited that we are able to start again at the Civic Hotel tonight in the back garden space.”To find out more about the free event, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/670254220306864New Covid gathering rulesAs of Monday, 7 December 2020, the NSW Government has eased the following restrictions allowing:1 person per 2 square metres (with 25 people permitted before the rule applies), except for:gyms and nightclubs (1 person per 4 square metres, with a maximum of 50 people allowed in gym classes or on the dancefloor at nightclubs)Stadiums and theatres:outdoors: 100% seated capacity, and 1 person per 2 square metres rule for unstructured seating areasindoors: 75% seated capacity.Gatherings in outdoor public spaces:up to 100 people for outdoor gatherings (up from 50)up to 5,000 people for outdoor events that are fenced, ticketed and seated (subject to the 2 square metres rule)up to 3,000 people for other organised outdoor events i.e. community sport and outdoor protests (subject to the 2 square metres rule).Dance floors:up to 50 people indoors. Singingup to 50 performers indoors, no maximum cap outdoorsadvice is for congregation/audience to continue wearing masks if singing. Under the changes, maximum capacity caps will be removed subject to the 2 square metres rule for:bookings at hospitality venuesweddingsfuneralsregional agricultural showscorporate eventsreligious services.Read more news: Bitchez on Bikez take to the streets with compliments

Police closed down Ballina Road bridge for almost 15 minutes this morning just before 9am when climate change protestors staged an action there.Extinction Rebellion climate change activists Rebel Dylan and Locky said they successfully hung a ‘climate crisis, act now’ banner on top of the bridge, before local police arrived.“The idea was to create a powerful act of civil disobedience in our hometown of Lismore because of climate change,” Dylan said.“I wanted to find a way to create protest in Lismore for what’s going on in the world. We have been suffocated by Covid because we haven’t been able to protest.“So, we got up on the bridge and strung a big banner over the cars so everyone driving in could see what we wanted to say – that we need climate action.“To give attention to that banner. we though we would stand up there with it and dressed up as well.“We put on masks and bandanas and eye make up and brought attention to the cause using powerful theatrics.“We were keen to stay up there for as long as possible, but we knew eventually the police would come.”When the police arrived, they closed the bridge to traffic by staging a road block at either side of the normally busy bridge. The bridge was closed for almost 15 minutes before the protesters climbed down, and traffic resumed.“When we got down, the police got my name and address and said we were putting ourselves in danger and we can’t have that,” Dylan said.“Because got down quickly, we didn’t get arrested or fined . It felt like we made enough of a statement in that time to negotiate with police and move off.”Dylan said other spontaneous protests would be a definite possibility in the future.Following the climate change protest, another local group Bitchez on Bikez staged a ride through town to compliment the bridge action.Read more about the ride here: Bitchez on Bikez take to the streets with compliments

When the Bitchez on Bikez gang took to the streets of Lismore today, they showered the people of Lismore with compliments.Calling out ‘happy Thursday’ and ‘you are looking fabulous’ to people walking along the street, the unusual bike gang brought smiles to passers by. See the video here: https://www.facebook.com/176115512955295/posts/818132325420274/Bitchez on Bikes was formed by local resident Sahar, who said she formed the bike gang because she loves riding her bike.“I also wanted to redefine the word bitch – it’s often used to describe a woman who is assertive and gets what she wants,” Sahar said.“Now, we are flipping that on its head and taking the term back and claiming it as one of empowerment and compassion.“The idea is that we ride through towns on the North Coast and we spread positive vibes.“We yell out compliments to people – compliments that are non offensive, non sexual and G rated.“We also encourage social engagement that isn’t centred around alcohol.”Sahar said today’s ride through Lismore has been planned to complement the Extinction Rebellion action.“We wanted to ride in solidarity with the climate action day of civil disobedience and hopefully we will generate more interest in the cause and our community of bike riders.”Read about the protest here: Ballina Road bridge closed down by protestorsYou can find and join the group Bitchez on Bikez on Facebook and find out about future rides.

It's going to snow in Lismore tonight – but unlike traditional snow, it won't be freezing. If you follow the thousands of lights from the Magellan Street produce market, down Carrington Street, you'll find a constant spray of snow at the corner of Eggins Lane.Local technicians Dan and Luke from Jackson’s Technical Services (JTS), along with the sponsorship of many local businesses and the Lismore Chamber of Commerce have been hard at work creating the snow event.See the video here: https://fb.watch/2iw5hkEDQn/Lights and snowThere are thousands of LED lights strung through trees and across the street – and a special Christmas light show will be projected onto the front of the Star Court Arcade as well as colours on the walkways.There will be music, lanterns, Santa’s Wonderland will be open at the Regional Gallery and the Thursday produce market will be on.Luke Kane from JTS said the snow is not quite the same as the snow you see on Hollywood shows like ‘Game of Thrones’.“But it looks like real snow,” he said. “It is actually made from bubbles, so, it will disappear from the ground quickly and people should so get in there and enjoy it.”Event sponsors Shop Baby and Workforce Road Services are ready for snow tonight.Roads closedThe snow event will be on for the next two weeks on Thursday and Friday nights from 5.30pm to 8pm. Carrington Street will be closed from Magellan Street to behind Eggins Lane between 4pm and 8pm on those nights.That’s where the sponsorship of Workforce Road Services (WRS) comes in.Mitch from WRS said he and his staff will be handling the road closures during the snow event and he is looking forward to seeing the streets come alive again – especially after Covid has affected so many businesses over the past nine months.On Saturday nights the roads will be open, the magic street lights still shining, but no snow.Activation and magicLismore Chamber of Commerce executive officer Emma Wallace said the event is set to be an ‘activation’ of the town and she hopes to see families come out for the snow events, wander round the town, look at the shop fronts decorated with lights, have a bite to eat, smile and say hi to the community.“With so many events being cancelled because of Covid, these was a real loss of the festive atmosphere it brings to town,” she said. “So, we wanted to bring snow and light up town to make it safe and happy.“There will even be lantern kits will be on sale to support the lantern festival– and if you already have one, bring it down and carry it around if you want to – just for fun and to bring the magic back into the CBD.Technicians from Jackson’s Technical Services (JTS).SponsorshipJamie and Josh from Shop Baby normally sponsor Carols in the Heart each year, but because of Covid, it won’t be happening live (only virtually). So they decided to sponsor the snow event.“We wanted to get into the community spirit again so we sponsored this to bring some cheer to Lismore after a rough year,” Jamie said.“We sponsor carols each year because it’s an opportunity for families to come together for a free local event – and we were disappointed it wasn’t running this year because that’s how we give back to our community.Emma said putting the event on was completely reliant on the sponsors coming on board.“It was a close call, but the sponsors came on board and the snowball started rolling - even Rotary jumped in and the event happened.“Next year we hope to invite more dancing, choirs and performances and make the event even bigger,” Emma said.Tonight, there will even be music and dancing at the nearby Civic Hotel – check the Lismore App for details of the DJ event later today.Read more news: Santa's Wonderland brings magic to Lismore CBDRead more about the snow event: Chamber of Commerce set to light up Carrington Street from Thursday, it will even SNOW!

After being cancelled this year due to Covid-19, Lismore and Nimbin Shows are about to get a slice of $34 million Federal Government funding to ensure they can bounce back in 2021.The North Coast National Agricultural & Industrial Society Inc (Lismore Show) will receive $70,000 and Nimbin Agricultural & Industrial Society Inc (Nimbin Show) will receive $10,000.North Coast National president John Gibson said the money was a big boost to the local show, which, like all shows, had incurred expenses even though the event was cancelled.“We are always maintaining the showground still need to mow lawns, fix water pipes and buildings,” he said. “We also have office costs and bills leading up to the event that was cancelled and this helps partly reimburse us for the money we spent. Mr Gibson said that the support of Page MP Kevin Hogan was what allowed the Government to take notice of how important the regional show was. “Shows are a vital part of regional and rural country life. It’s great, but sad that it’s taken Covid for the Government to realise the importance of regional shows.” Assuming next year’s show will go ahead (depending on what happens with Covid) Mr Gibson said it will be a bit different to previous years. “We’ll need to get set up with the QR code technology and ticket system and train staff and volunteers on the gates,” he said. “At the moment we are allowed to have 5000 people on the ground at any one time and we could see further relaxations as time goes on.“The show costs $600,000 to put on so it’s important we get enough people through the gates so we don’t go broke.” Mr Gibson said having the show run again was also important to keep the showmen of sideshow alley in business, who had already been hard hit after 10 months out of business.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the first payments under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program will roll out before Christmas. “Two months ago, we launched this significant package to reimburse eligible costs for shows and field days who had to cancel because of Covid-19,” Mr Hogan said. “I am pleased to announce that a number of shows and field days have been approved for funding to help ease cash-flow pressures.”“For some shows, this comes on top of support already received through the Federal Government’s $20 million Agricultural Show Development Grants program to upgrade, maintain or build new infrastructure.” “These events bring our families and farmers together, build community spirit and help bridge the divide between country and city. They also help farmers stay competitive by providing an opportunity to share innovation and new ways of doing business. “They are uniquely Australian and provide huge economic spin-offs for the local communities hosting them as well as opportunities for the businesses and services who exhibit.”

We have been promised more rain due to the La Niná effect since early spring, finally it looks as though we will get some strong consistent rainfall this week.The rainfall will come in two different forms with today's weather likely to see thunderstorms due to a trough lingering off the north east. Helen Reid from the Bureau of Meteorology said we should see between 10 and 15mm today and if you happen to be in the middle of the storm, more rain is likely."There is a warning for heavy rainfall this afternoon in the north east and this may include hail," Helen said, "people should look out for warnings later in the day."We then come under the influence of a ridge of high pressure for three days that will see some calm weather for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before we are affected by an on-shore easterly flow.This will see steady shower activity over Friday and into the weekend with some heavier falls at times. Rainfall is expected to be up to 10mm on Friday, Saturday up to 15 with a similar expectation on Sunday.Some decent rainfall is on its way into gardens and farms with outdoor sports put on warning this weekend.The Lismore App will monitor the storm activity for this afternoon.

The magic of Christmas is coming to Lismore CBD throughout December as Lismore Chamber of Commerce and Industry have gathered the generous help of a whole band of ‘Christmas Snow Angels’ to bring the CBD to life and bring people out into the street to say Merry Christmas.The Christmas magic starts this Thursday at 5:30pm.“Our main goal is to bring joy and smiles to the community plus give an added boost for our small business operators, restaurants and produce markets, after what has been a very challenging year," explained Lismore Chamber Executive Officer Emma Wallace. This gift of Light and Snow is FREE and open to passers by and will make evenings in town not only fun but safer and more inviting to come and spend time in the lead up to Christmas.  Activation Name: Merry Little LismoreEvent Date: Thursday and Friday Nights December 10 & 11, 17 &18 and 24Time: From 5:30pm Location: Carrington Street  from Magellan Street to Country Lane, LismoreMajor Snow Angels: Shop Baby, Workforce Road ManagementChristmas Elves: Combined Rotary Clubs of Lismore, Lismore Toyota, Fence Guru, Lismore App, Northern Rivers Times, Coates Hire Jackson Technical Services,The Activation hopes to also capture participation from businesses around the whole CBD as we invite them to decorate and light their windows for a Christmas CBD Window walk.Features:Lismore Produce Markets Thursday Evenings from 4pmSnow Fall Zone : Carrington Street Dec 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th and 24th.Light up: To also include Saturday nights with no road closures up until 9th JanWith the loss of our beautiful Lantern Parade and Tropical Fruits we really knew our city was missing something to bring a holiday feel and the magic air. When we discussed the project with Dan Jackson of Jackson Technical Services we knew we HAD to make this happen.However finding enough sponsorship to make this happen has been difficult says Executive Officer Emma Wallace.“It has been a very different year, even for bigger business and we know that. This year’s activation is just a seed of things to come as things continue to open back up. Anyone still interested in helping us with this gift to the community is encouraged to contact us at the Chamber because together we all can make this a beautiful experience and end the year with something wonderful to connect with 2020.Families are invited to come and look at the lights and watch the “bubble snow” falling, walk the CBD and if they choose add a little Christmas shopping or an alfresco meal.Lantern kits will be available at Shop Baby for only $15 and can be carried as a beacon of hope for Christmas and to help see the Lantern Parade return in 2021.Charity giving stations will also be stationed in Carrington street for a number of local charities so we can all embrace the true giving spirit of Christmas.

STATE Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is reminding residents that they have until Sunday 13 December to make submissions to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into rural and regional health.Ms Saffin said the inquiry came about due to public pressure on the NSW Government to do better for rural and regional NSW residents with many service provision areas, and significantly, with health care.“The health outcomes for rural and regional residents is much poorer than for city residents and the NSW Public Health Information Unit’s research shows this,” Ms Saffin said.Three key findings are: 1. Avoidable deaths can be twice as likely in rural and regional communities when compared to cities2. The median age of death for those in Sydney (79) is more than a decade higher than residents in our most remote communities (66)3. The highest rates of preventable hospitalisation and preventable chronic disease are in regional and rural areas.“Too many locals have experienced missing doctors, an absence of services, and in the Tenterfield (Northern Tablelands) area inter-hospital transfers a long way from home when they could just be transferred across the border into a nearby Queensland hospital,” Ms Saffin said.Ms Saffin has urged the parliamentary inquiry committee to visit the Electorate of Lismore, particularly in Tenterfield and Murwillumbah, in light of some ongoing issues which she has been lobbying on.“This Parliamentary inquiry is an opportunity to tell such stories to the Parliament through its inquiry."We need this inquiry to shed a light on it, so that workable long term solutions can be found.”The inquiry will consider:Health outcomes for people living in rural, regional and remote NSWStaffing challenges and allocationsAccess and availability of servicesPlanning systemsCapital and recurrent health expenditure“This is about fairness for rural and regional residents and the very basic human right to health care,” Ms Saffin said. Ms Saffin said a submission can be a handwritten letter and members of the community are encouraged to make a submission.“I encourage locals to make a submission directly and contact me if you need information or assistance.”Drop into Ms Saffin's office, located at 55 Carrington Street Lismore, call (02) 6621 3624 or email lismore@parliament.nsw.gov.auThe closing date for submissions is Sunday, 13 December 2020 with public hearings to take place in the new year.

There has been a three car collision on Ballina Road off William Blair Ave in Goonellabah causing traffic delays in both directions.Police and Ambulance onsite attending to victims with minor injuries at this stage.Updates coming.At around 3.30 pm 000 received multiple calls about a three car collision on Ballina Road off William Blair Avenue.Police arrived on scene to divert traffic with additional resources required in peak-hour traffic.All people got out of their cars, no fatalities.Ambulance attended to a driver of one of the vehicles, the woman suffering a head injury along with another person, aged 18 and 17 were both taken to Lismore Base Hospital and will remain under observation overnight. The other driver was arrested at the scene and taken to Lismore Police Station for mandatory testing.Firies also attended as there was oil on the road.Ballina Road has now been cleared for traffic.Drivers are advised to proceed with caution as BOM have also released a hail warning for the Northern Rivers.

THIS CHRISTMAS NSW Health recommends celebrating outdoors because the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower than it is indoors.Think about having your get-together outside.If you use your backyard or balcony you can have up to 50 guests at your place.If you’re only indoors you can have up to 30.If you don’t have the space at home, consider going to a park.Currently you can have up to 50 people (including children) at outdoor gatherings in public spaces. From Monday 7 December, you can have up to 100 people.The following changes apply from Tuesday 1 December.Increased visitors at a residence:Up to 50 people can visit a residence, however NSW Health strongly recommends having no more than 30 visitors at a time if the residence has no outdoor area.Increased numbers for outdoor gatherings:Up to 50 people can participate in an outdoor public gathering.Small hospitality venues can apply the 2 square metre rule indoorsSmall hospitality venues (up to 200 square metres in size) can have one person per 2 square metres indoors.Weddings and funerals can include up to 300 guests:Up to 300 people can attend a wedding or a funeral, subject to distancing and venue capacity conditions.For more information visit What You Can and Can't Do Under The Rules.

What changed from 1am AEST 1 December 2020There are no COVID-19 hotspots in New South Wales or VictoriaThis means you can enter Queensland from 1am AEST Tuesday 1 December, even if you have been in greater Sydney or Victoria in the 14 days priorAnyone in mandatory government arranged quarantine - due to entering from New South Wales or Victoria - will be able to leave quarantine if they have a negative COVID-19 test, declare in writing they have not been in a South Australian hotspot in the last 14 days, and provide their contact details and Queensland address.Specific parts of South Australia will continue to be COVID-19 hotspots.You will only be required to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass if in the last 14 days, you have been in a hotspot or overseas and didn’t fly into Queensland when you arrived in Australia.You must fly into Queensland if you are permitted to enter from a hotspot. You will need to be granted an exemption to enter by road from a hotspot unless you are a truck driver, worker related to the transport of freight and logistics or performing selected essential activities.The restrictions mean people who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days will be turned away at our border. This applies to everyone who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the past 14 days, except people allowed to enter for permitted purposes. Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home but will be required to quarantine in government arranged accommodation at their own expense.COVID-19 hotspots are updated regularly. Currently specific parts of South Australia are COVID-19 hotspots.You must complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass 3 days before you come to Queensland if you have been in a currently declared hotspot or overseas (and didn’t fly into Queensland when you arrived in Australia) in the last 14 days. You will also have to complete mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation.You don’t need to complete a Queensland Border Declaration Pass if in the last 14 days you:Were in a COVID-19 hotspot for the sole purpose of transiting through an airport and didn’t leave the airport.Transited through a COVID-19 hotspot by road using private transport stopping only for essential fuel, supplies and to manage driver fatigue, wore a mask when stopping and did not stay overnight in a hotspot.Transited through a COVID-19 hotspot by road using private transport to enter an airport in the hotspot and fly to Queensland.You are only allowed to enter Queensland if you have been in a hotspot in the last 14 days, if:Your usual residence is in Queensland or you are moving to Queensland.You need to comply with an order to attend a Court or Tribunal or to give effect to orders of the Court or Tribunal.You have to fulfil an arrangement or obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact.You have to assist with or participate in a State or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency.You need to come to Queensland to complete an essential activity.You arrive into Queensland by air and you transfer directly to another flight to leave Queensland and don’t leave the airport or remain in quarantine until your flight out of Queensland.You arrive to the Gold Coast airport from an approved airport and transit directly by road to leave Queensland without leaving your vehicle.You are a student at a higher education institution or boarding school and are entering Queensland for study, parents and legal guardians are allowed to accompany students who are minors.You are entering to receive essential health care or to provide support to a person receiving essential health care.You will have to provide evidence of the above when entering Queensland.You will be required to complete 14 days mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation at your own expense unless exceptional circumstances apply.You may not have to quarantine if you have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days if you:Need to come to Queensland to complete an essential activity.Arrive into Queensland by air and you transfer directly to another flight to leave Queensland or quarantine until your flight out of Queensland.Can provide evidence that you completed mandatory hotel quarantine in a COVID-19 hotspot and immediately transited to Queensland.If you are exempt from quarantine because you are in Queensland to complete an essential activity, you will need to keep and retain records of close contacts whilst you are in Queensland for two weeks after you arrive in Queensland.

Australians have shopped online like never before as 2.2 million households around the country clicked ‘add to cart’ and bagged a bargain in the four days to Cyber Monday. Online shopping growth was up more than 42 per cent for the same period, beating the record set in 2019.Popular purchases included Variety Stores, Fashion and Apparel goods and Home and Garden items, up 20 per cent, 41 per cent, and 50 per cent year-on-year respectively. Shoppers were also eager to buy from Major and Discount Stores and Pet Products both up over 80 per cent when compared to last year.On a state-by-state basis, New South Wales lead the way holding more than a third of total purchase volume. This was followed closely by Victoria with just over a quarter of all purchases. Australia Post Executive General Manager Business, Government & International Gary Starr said this is a week for the history books, not only for Australia Post but the Australian eCommerce industry as a whole.“What we’re seeing now is truly the culmination of what has been an extraordinary year for online shopping in Australia.“No-one could have predicted in March the seismic shift the COVID-19 pandemic would create; it’s exceeded every expectation, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this continues this month.He added this week Australia Post will be delivering around 13 million parcels - almost three million more compared to the same week last year. “As our posties and drivers are delivering more parcels than ever, we’re asking the community to help keep them safe by looking out for them on the road and keeping dogs secured,” Mr Starr said.The 2020 Black Friday/Cyber Monday online shopping sales have fuelled the biggest parcel boom in Australia Post’s history with millions hitting its national network since Monday.Every day this week Australia Post has been delivering over two million parcels, and more than 630 tonnes of airfreight was uplifted and transported across the nation for delivery between Black Friday and Tuesday – over 200 tonnes more than in 2019.For more information on Christmas this year, including posting deadlines, please visit auspost.com.au/Christmas. 

The Morrison Government is continuing to strike back against offshore cybercriminals who are conducting COVID-19 related malicious activities through an operation being led by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said ASD remains on the front foot when it comes to protecting Australians from malicious cyber activity.“This operation has protected hundreds of Australians and thousands more foreigners from organised and sophisticated foreign cybercriminals,” Minister Reynolds said.“These cybercriminals have been targeting Australians through COVID-19 themed SMS phishing campaigns that are designed to trick Australians into downloading advanced criminal malware onto their mobile phones.“ASD is using its offensive cyber capabilities to attack the cybercriminals’ tools – disrupting their operations and interrupting their ability to exploit Australians.“In doing so, ASD has successfully disrupted the business model of key foreign cybercrime syndicates targeting Australians and exposing potential victims to significant financial losses.”Supported by intelligence reporting from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, ASD acted after it identified the business model adopted by the sophisticated criminal syndicates.The Australian Federal Police supported this operation by collaborating with its international law enforcement partners – demonstrating the effectiveness and importance of close working relationships among Australia’s intelligence and law enforcement agencies.Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton said the Morrison Government is committed to protecting Australians from foreign cybercrime syndicates.“The threat and impact of foreign cybercriminals has been amplified through malware developers selling or renting out their products through the dark web, making high-end hacking tools more accessible to criminals lacking in technical sophistication,” Minister Dutton said.“We can’t sit by while a marketplace exists for sophisticated cybercrime tools to be used against Australians.”For information on how to protect yourself and your business from cyber threats, and for the latest and advice – visit cyber.gov.au.

Lismore community run art space, Serpentine Gallery are holding their end of year exhibition tomorrow, Friday, 4th December.A Creative Landscape is a group exhibition featuring local artists who have submitted works of their choosing.Serpentine Gallery spokesperson said that Artists are the foundation of our local creative landscape.The event being promoted as "an uncensored representation of the width and breadth of local artists" and will feature artists such as Janelle Perry, David Shaw, Corinne Batt-Rawden, Clare Delacey among others.Serpentine Gallery spokesperson added that artworks are for sale and may be collected upon purchase on the night, starting at 6pm with Bubbles and light refreshments available."Also enjoy the gallery gift shop for present ideas. We currently have a selection of natural dyed silk scarfs prepared by local Aboriginal women from Our Happy Women, art cards, magnets, jewellery, art magazines, sculptures and of course, artworks!" the spokesperson said.Serpentine Gallery is open Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.The exhibition opens this Friday, 4th December and will run until Wednesday 6th January 2021.For more information see their event page here.

A 66 year-old Goonellabah woman was seriously injured yesterday after being attacked by a dog in her front yard.Police were called to the Oliver Avenue address shortly after 11.50am yesterday after witnesses feared for their own safety.Officers arrived to find a kelpie-cross staffordshire bull terrier biting the woman's arms.Police deployed tasers to remove the dog from the woman sending it running into the house.Officers then restrained the animal to attend to the woman's injuries.Paramedics took the woman to Lismore Base Hospital with deep lacerations to both her arms.The Goonellabah woman is currently admitted to Lismore Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition with significant wounds to both arms.Council rangers were brought in to take the dog and police allege it is set to be euthanized.An investigation into the attack is on-going.