This morning, the Wilsons River peaked at 6.78 metres and is falling, with minor flooding in parts of North Lismore and flooding on some low lying rural roads.The NSW SES expects that people upstream of the Rowing Club River Gauge should allow for a level at least half a metre higher than the gauge reading - due to the flood slope. Read an updated list of local road closures: UPDATED list of Lismore's flooded road closuresThe Bureau of meteorology has also cancelled the Severe Weather Warning for the Northern Rivers forecast district.The SES advises that if you are in an area and your property or business is likely to be impacted by flooding, consider raising moveable items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or tables and place electrical items on top.You should also secure outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with you.Monitor emergency warnings and severe weather updates.Never drive, ride or walk through flood water.Monitor equipment and livestock and move machinery, livestock, pumps and fodder including waste and chemical containers to well above predicted flood levels.For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.Please stay safe as water recedes and remember to never drive through floodwater.For more information:• Radio: Listen to ABC North Coast radio 94.5FM and your local radio stations• Lismore Council Disaster Dashboard: Go to https://disaster.lismore.nsw.gov.au/• Social Media: Follow NSW SES Northern Rivers and NSW SES Lismore City Unit on Facebook or monitor NSW SES website - www.ses.nsw.gov.au• Latest Weather, Warnings, Rainfall and River heights: Go to both www.bom.gov.au/nsw/ and www.bom.gov.au/qld/• Road Closures: Go to www.livetraffic.com.au or www.myroadinfo.com.au• Rural animal and livestock assistance: Contact Local Land Services www.lls.nsw.gov.au

One of our first businesses to suffer from the recent rains is Rollerworld in Bridge Street, North Lismore.Owner Craig Newby is in desperate need for some storage space as they remove all their skates, cups, plates and anything else that can be removed before the water rises tomorrow morning.Rollerworld needs to take precautions because their car park goes under at 7.5 metres and with a predicted level of 8.2m early tomorrow morning, that means 20cm of water inside his premises.Craig is after 30-40 square metres of storage for the short term. If you have a storage shed or some spare footage in your business or at home, please call Craig on (02) 6621 6565.It's time to lend a helping hand Lismore.

With the Wilson River set to peak at 8.2m at 2am Wednesday morning and the water already near the car parks on Molesworth Street, Lismore City Council has asked everyone to remove their cars from CBD car parks tonight.Council is shutting all CBD carparks on the river side of the CBD from 6pm today. "Do not leave cars overnight as we may not open these carparks tomorrow," a council spokesperson said.Rollerworld on Bridge Street, North Lismore has evacuated their business and houses on the riverside of North Lismore may get some minor flooding as the river reaches its peak.The rain is forecast to make a return in the early hours of Wednesday morning with 20-30mm predicted from the Bureau of Meteorology for the day and 4-10mm on Thursday.Keep up-to-date at www.ses.nsw.gov.au.

Minor and moderate flooding is nothing new to Lismore residents, so when Lismore Council workers closed the levee gates on the river this afternoon, it was just another flood event for those seasoned to it.Levee operations update: move cars from riverside carparksThe rain has eased, the sun is out and the humidity is high - but with water still arriving in the catchment from areas north of Lismore, the river is tipped to peak later today.Wilsons River may peak at 8.2m early Wednesday morningThe Lismore App will keep you updated on any changes to weather and flood warnings as issued by the authorities as they come in - and please send us any updates and photos of flooding on roads, in parks, in your area. We love your contributions.The Rowing Club carpark is under water - not an unusual sight if you've been in Lismore for a while.Riverside Park is looking very wet this afternoon.

With some blue sky present and rainfall ending for the time being, the picture for Lismore is becoming clearer as most tributaries have peaked.See the list of Lismore's flooded road closures todayFlood peaks have been observed in the upper tributaries. Nashua peaked at 4.9m around 6am today, The Channon peaked at 7.2m around 5am today and Corndale is currently near its peak at 7.2m.The main flood peak is expected to reach Lismore overnight tonight.Minor flooding is occurring at Lismore. Rises to the moderate flood level are expected at Lismore later today.While the rain has eased today, showers and thunderstorms are predicted for the rest of the week and will continue to bring the risk of flash flooding.What we are expecting:Lismore is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (7.2m) around 6pm Tuesday.The Wilsons River level may peak near 8.2m around 2am Wednesday, with moderate flooding.Based on the prediction provided by the Bureau of Meteorology it is expected the following locations may be affected:• Properties in Lower North Lismore may be affected.• A number of low lying rural roads may be flooded.• People upstream of the Rowing Club River Gauge should allow for a level at least ½ metre higher than the gauge reading due to the flood slope.• Residents and businesses in the Lismore Basin may experience localised flash flooding prior to river rises.What you need to do:People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding need to consider the following:• Residents and businesses in areas likely to be impacted by flooding in North and South Lismore and the Lismore CBD should relocate immediately to family or friends outside the impact area.• If you are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so.• If your property/business is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or tables, placing electrical items on top.• Secure outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with you.• Monitor emergency warnings and severe weather updates.• Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.• Farmers are advised to monitor equipment and livestock and should move machinery, livestock, pumps and fodder including waste and chemical containers to well above predicted flood levels.For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately.For more information:• Radio: Listen to ABC North Coast radio 94.5FM and your local radio station• Lismore Council Disaster Dashboard: Go to https://disaster.lismore.nsw.gov.au/• Social Media: Follow NSW SES Northern Rivers and NSW SES Lismore City Unit on Facebook or monitor NSW SES website - www.ses.nsw.gov.au• Latest Weather, Warnings, Rainfall and River heights: Go to both www.bom.gov.au/nsw/ and www.bom.gov.au/qld/• Road Closures: Go to www.livetraffic.com.au or www.myroadinfo.com.au• Rural animal and livestock assistance: Contact Local Land ServicesThe Lismore App will continue to provide updated information as it comes to hand.

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.