After the threat of rain with thunder and storm activity last night, we did finally see some shower activity. We can expect more of the same to start the working week, just a bit lighter.We are talking 6 to 15mm for all of Monday which is good for paddocks and gardens that were starting to look a bit brown.The rain will mostly be in the morning easing to showers by the afternoon as the winds turn south east at a blustery 15-20 km/h turning southerly 15-25 in the late afternoon.That southerly will also keep the temperatures down for the early part of the week with maximums of 26 today and 24 Tuesday then warming to late twenties by Friday.

It has been two months since Richmond District Police new Superintendent (Supt) Scott Tanner took over the role. The Lismore App thought it a good time to spend a morning riding along with the man who is in charge of all policing in the Northern Rivers.In his Sunday Profile on August 9 (SUNDAY PROFILE: New Police Superintendent Scott Tanner) Supt Tanner said "I want police to be approachable and for the community to have faith and trust in them". A tall order for a police department that we haven't seen walking the beat in the CBD much especially in the late afternoon when that sense of feeling safe disappears for some members of our community.A short ride out to Nimbin and a walk up and down Cullen Street chatting to the locals soon gives you some perspective as to how Supt Tanner's old school philosophy can achieve his goals.Of course, you had some begrudging hello's and some complaining about the price of tobacco but for the most part the people of Nimbin were warm and welcoming to the big boss.On our drive in we saw the paddy wagon on its way into Lismore, when asked what was going on, the reply was "probably drugs."Nimbin, the home of protests for the legalisation of marijuana in NSW and where you have more variety when buying a smoking implement than you do toilet paper. But it's not about destroying the towns persona and character by stopping a few people drinking out of brown paper bags at 11am on a Monday morning or looking out for casual smokers, it's about finding and arresting the big guys, the large suppliers to the region."Commonsense policing" is the term used by Supt Tanner. This is a term that has gone missing from our society including the police. I heard a story this week where a male was in a coffee shop complaining the police pulled him over for going too fast through a round-a-bout. Did they give him a ticket? No, he got a warning. Commonsense policing in action.The morning started, as you may have read in an earlier story (Meet the new local police recruits ) meeting and talking to the six new Probationary Constables that have joined the Richmond District Police for General Duties (GD) for the next three years. When discussion moved to what policing jobs they would like to have in 5 years, quite a few answered that they want to get the GD done then decide but at this time they want to help people and the community.Hopefully, you will see their new smiling faces walking around the CBD block talking to people and businesses. Say g'day when you do.A trip to the PCYC, next door to Trinity College gives credence to the 'support the people and the community' statement.Acting Sergeant Clare Beek is part of the Youth and Crime Prevention Command, an arm of the police that works closely with the PCYC team, which is a separate non-police organisation. Clare works with young offenders and youth at risk as well as young people in general. In some cases these are the kids that you and I look at and wonder why they are on the street bothering people.The Police Commissioner wanted to create creating pathways for young people to get an education, employment and good health. To achieve these pathways NSW Police have established a number of 'Fit For' programs, there is Fit For Work, Fit For Change, Fit For Stride, Fit Together, Fit For Home (domestic violence) and Fit For Service. A group of boys from Lismore High has just finished the Fit For Service program, where they were introduced to the Emergency Services. Each program is tailor made for different issues.When asked what success looks like for these programs, I received an honest and straight forward answer."It depends what you class as success", Supt Tanner said, "is success getting a youth to school one day a week? To me, it is. Is it cutting his offending rate from 20 cases per month down to ten? Again, to me, it is.""People like the Hollywood story where the bad kid comes good and becomes President of the United States but that's not reality.""We start with keeping kids alive and out of jail, whatever flows from that is all positive."Clare added "we want to see these young people contributing to society and being a good human being."There are so many elements to policing that we, as the public, just don't see.Police officers picking up a child and taking them to school or to work, paying for a new pair of shoes or paying for a program because they can't afford to do it through their family.It sounds like all police in the Northern Rivers are angels, no that's not the case, but this story is about highlighting the good that police do to help people and the community not to highlight the few bad eggs that exist in all walks of life.What is the largest impact on a police officer in today's world?PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.You can imagine being the first officer to respond to a tragic car accident, we have had two 17 year olds killed in the last four weeks. Imagine attending a domestic violence situation that has gone wrong? Imagine someone pulling a weapon on you and threatening your life?The NSW Police Department has professional counsellors as part of the team to work with an increasing demand of PTSD sufferers. The worst part is not knowing how long it will take for someone to be fit again for active duty. In one example, a female officer was assaulted. It was six months before that particular officer went back into active duty.You might be interested to learn that are over 300 different jobs within the police force now. What we see on a daily basis only scratches the surface in what is a very complex and deep structure.When you ride with the top dog for only a few hours, you get a glimpse of the size and scale of the role that Supt Scott Tanner plays in running the Richmond Police District.Is he successful in executing his desired outcomes yet? No, it is too early to tell, but he is not only 'talking the talk' he is 'walking the walk'. So, it appears Supt Scott Tanner has started his new role strongly and is already making a difference in our community.Read more: SUNDAY PROFILE: New Police Superintendent Scott Tanner

A man has been charged after allegedly robbing the Liberty service station on Ballina Road, Lismore early this morning.About 2.50am today (Saturday 17 October 2020), police were called to a service station on Ballina Road, Lismore, following reports of an armed robbery.A man allegedly entered the store, produced a firearm and threatened staff, before ordering a 19-year-old employee to hand over money.The man fled the scene on foot with an amount of cash.Officers from Richmond Police District attended and commenced inquiries.A short time later, police were patrolling Brewster Street, Lismore, when they recognised a man fitting the description entering a taxi. Officers searched the man finding cash and a replica GEL pistol nearby before arresting the 27-year-old.He was taken to Lismore Police Station, where he was charged with robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon and robbery whilst armed with an offensive weapon. The man has also been charged breach of bail from an offence that occurred in Goonellabah on October 4.The man was refused bail and is due to appear in Lismore Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 18 October 2020).

The Lismore Regional Gallery recently announced the finalists of the 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize. Drawn from over 220 entries, the 68 finalists illustrate the diverse ways in which the human form can be captured. The award is open to all media, meaning that painting, drawing, video, photography and ceramic works will all be on display when the show opens to the public on November 7th. The winner of the $10,000 award will be announced, online, on Friday 6th November by judge Abdul Abdullah. Abdullah is currently a finalist in the 2020 Archibald Prize. Artists included in the finalist list come from all states of Australia, and the Northern Rivers, with its healthy creative spirit representing 40% of the artists on display.( Denise Alison, A delicate moment in transformation. Photograph on paper)Subjects include a range of known people such as Uncle Jack Charles; artist Guy Maestri, political scientist and biographer Professor Jenny Hocking; classical pianist Simon Tedeschi; film maker Kriv Stenders and musician Warren Ellis. Locally, there are a large number of sitters known among the wider community featured including Bundjalung cultural worker Rhoda Roberts; drag performer Maude Boate (Michael Gates); NORPA Artistic Director Julian Louis; visual artist Karla Dickens and the late Aunty Dorrie Gordon. There are, of course, a lot of self-portraits this year. Lismore Regional Gallery Director, Brett Adlington, said: ‘It is unsurprising, that in this most challenging of years, many works offer intimate glimpses into the domestic space. Some of these are self-portraits, while others are of partners. The unifying factor is a sense of the artist looking inward into a safe space.’ The 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize is supported by Northern Rivers-based company Hurford Hardwood and continues until Sunday 31 January.Audiences will have their chance to have their say in the Peoples Choice Award, with the winning artist receiving $1,000 from the Friends of Lismore Regional Gallery.

Heritage Park has been sitting idle since the COVID pandemic saw Lismore City Council close all park equipment, playgrounds and skateparks on April 1 this year.Due to the forced closure for social distancing reasons at the time, Council determined it was perfect timing to begin the $500,000 upgrade of Heritage Park which includes a new water play area, with a range of squirters, misters and water cannons.(Artist's impression of the new water play area in Heritage Park)There will also be a new nature play area with boulders and timber features for children to climb on and new equipment in the tiny tots playground including a carousel, tree-tops tower, whirly dizzy, relocated tortoise seesaw and inground trampolines.The much anticipated opening of Heritage Park has hid some COVID-19 snags.Like many businesses in Lismore, Council simply couldn't get some necessary elements that were coming from overseas and interstate. Hence, why the fences are up and you sometimes see a lack of workmen on site.A spokesperson for LCC said all the parts and equipment has now arrived and there should be no more lengthy delays.What is the timing for the opening of the refurbished Heritage Park?In two weeks time, the end of October."All good things come to those who wait" is the expression, it appears the wait is nearly over.

It is not often sport leads the Weekend Wrap but with the Marist Brothers Rams first grade in the Grand Final for the first time since 2004, they deserve to lead the charge.Not only has the first grade side made the Grand Final in 2020, the Ramettes are looking to avenge last years heartbreaking loss and the Under 18's will be looking to win a Grand Final not only for themselves, but for two team mates who were tragically killed in separate car accidents three weeks apart. The funeral for 17 year old Jaylan Stewart was only this morning. Both boys have been named on the bench as a sign of love and respect.(Rams U18's celebrate. Photo: Christine Butcher)Marist Brothers Rams President Paul O'Neil said "Ballina will be favourites but we can do it, you have to be in the big dance to have a chance and the boys have put themselves in a position to win it.""We're proud of the teams, it's been a tough year for the club, especially recently."All the grand final games will be against Ballina and in Ballina at Kingsford Smith Park tomorrow with the following kick off times:Ramettes 11:30amUnder 18's 1pmFirst Grade 4:20pmIf you can head down the Bruxner highway to give your support, I am sure the Rams and Ramettes will appreciate it. Entry is $10.Another event that begins its season tomorrow is the Lismore Speedway. As with all things COVID, there is a cap of 500 for race fans to enjoy the entertainment with the first race at 5:30pm. Here is the line-up for opening: Night V 8 Dirt Modifieds, Street Stocks, Production Sedans, Junior Sedans, Wingless sprints, National 4’s, V 8 Dirt Modifieds.David Lander will be happy about the weather forecast for the weekend with no rain forecast until a possible shower and thunderstorm Sunday afternoon or evening when the winds change to Northerly's pick up intensity. It will feel like a typical summers weekend with maximums of 30 and 31 degrees.The markets begin with the fresh farmers produce at the Lismore Showgrounds from 8am tomorrow. The Farmers Markets has plenty of flowers in full bloom.The Blue Knob Community Markets kick off at 8:30 with both running until 11am.Sunday sees another Lismore Car Boot Market hit the Lismore Showgrounds with seedlings the go for the avid 'grow your own' gardeners. If you want to beat the heat get in when the gates open at 7:30 and close at 3pm.Neil Marks' Blog tomorrow morning talks about Tuesday's Council meeting where there was interesting and often passionate debates about the Santin Quarry and the Lismore Lake Pool.The cheapest petrol can be found in the usual spots with United on Ballina Road selling unleaded E10 for 112.9 while unleaded 91 is 114.9 there and at the Caltex at the Square. The cheapest U98 is 123.9 at the independent on the corner of Terania and Tweed Streets in South Lismore while diesel car owners should spend 117.5 or 117.9 in a number of locations down town either on Ballina Road or in South Lismore.As always with the Weekend Wrap, here is a fun way to end the week;

If you are heading out on a bushwalk for a hike, a new phone app could save your life.Police encourage all bushwalkers to be prepared by downloading the Emergency + app on their mobile phones.The Emergency+ app is a free app developed by Australia's emergency services and their Government and industry partners.The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency servicesThis app, along with a portable mobile phone battery charger could save your life! Having access to your phones GPS location saves emergency service workers valuable time and resources in locating lost or injured hikers. You can download the app at: https://emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au/

After a difficult year, Lismore Preschool is set for an upgrade and a brighter future thanks to funding from a Government grant.The preschool is one of the early childhood services in NSW affected by the challenges of 2020. Now, it’s set to will benefit from early payments from the NSW Government’s Quality Learning Environments program. Not-for-profit community and mobile preschools, and not-for-profit long day care services are recipients of funding. Lismore Preschool will receive $14,895 to upgrade infrastructure, purchase outdoor furniture and organise classes with the Lismore Music Conservatorium. Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said the Quality Learning Environments program helps to support the delivery of quality early childhood education for children across NSW. “Early learning services play a critical role in supporting children and families, and this year, our community has faced huge challenges,” Mr Franklin said. “I’m thrilled that Lismore Preschool, as well as Ocean Shores Preschool are each receiving nearly $15,000 – this will make a massive difference to the services both preschools can provide. “Funding is being made available to support the wonderful work of these services and ensure they can continue. Ocean Shores Preschool will receive $14,950 to replace their external boundary fence.” “The NSW Government is committed to strengthening education for early learners, and we are showing this support by making these payments early to services who need them,” Mr Franklin said.The Quality Learning Environments program provides grants of up to $15,000 to eligible early childhood services to purchase resources and activities which improve physical or educational learning environments. Early payment is being made available to those services that have indicated an urgent need for funding. This may include quality improvement initiatives to meet the needs of services impacted by bushfire and recent severe weather events or other emergency situations such as COVID-19. Further grant applications not requiring early payment will be progressed in December 2020.  For more information on the 2020 Quality Learning Environments program, visit the Department of Education website. 

It’s been 12 years since Lismore’s ex-mayor Jenny Dowell was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now, she’s been given the all-clear from cancer and she says it’s as if she’s never even had it before. So, Jenny went back to BreastScreen recently for her yearly mammogram check on her one remaining breast – and encourages all women – particularly those over 50 – to do the same.“It was good be back in a caring environment at BreastScreen, knowing I have as little or much chance of getting it a second time as anyone who’s never had it before,” she said.“It’s really important to get checked regularly. Early detection is your best insurance.Covid effect“The worry at the moment is that the Covid lockdown closed BreastScreen for a while and a lot of women due to have their mammograms put them off. So, now BreastScreen has opened up more appointments to deal with the backlog.”With October being breast cancer awareness month, Jenny hopes that women seeing the pink notices around town will encourage them to get tested.“I’ve had mammograms since I was in my 30s,” Jenny said. “I often found lumps in my breast that turns out to be fatty cysts – not cancer.”Breast lumpsJenny said it was important to get to know your breasts and know its lumps – so you can detect if anything changes.She said when she was diagnoses with breast cancer, she wasn’t actually able to feel the lump in her breast that the mammogram showed up for her. “All I felt was just a pin prick pain when I reached over to turn off the bedside light,” she said. “Even the surgeon said nothing the pain had nothing to do with the lump. But when the surgery was done to remove the breast, the lump was found to be pressing on a nerve - so the pain was relevant but no one knew – and it was only weeks before my yearly mammogram was due.”Biggest risksJenny said the biggest risks to getting breast cancer were being a woman and being over 50. “About one in eight women get it, but it’s quite common to have it recover,” she said.“More than 80% of breast cancer can be treated successfully. I got all clear at ten years.”Jenny’s advice is to get checked and don’t put it off.“Thirty seconds of discomfort is worth it,” she said. “My last one didn’t hurt at all.”Covid-safe measuresBreastScreen NSW North Coast Director Jane Walsh said BreastScreen has implemented a range of hygiene and social distancing measures to ensure clinics and mobile screening vans are COVID-19 safe, to protect women, staff and the wider community.” The measures include: • Pre-screening questions around personal health and travel • Limiting the number of people in the clinic/van • Practising social distancing and providing hand sanitiser in waiting rooms • A minimal contact check-in process • Wearing masks • Additional cleaning of equipment and commonly used surfaces. FactsChief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW, Professor David Currow said early detection is key to giving women the best chance of survival and reduces the likelihood of needing invasive treatment, such as mastectomy or chemotherapy.  “In 2020 alone, it’s expected that more than 6,240 women in NSW will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 973 will die from the disease,” Professor Currow said. “While these numbers are sobering, the good news is that if detected early, women have a 98 per cent chance of survival. “Breast screens can detect cancer as small as a grain of rice. Our research shows that women who receive a diagnosis as a result of regular breast screening are less likely to need a mastectomy. It proves that early detection is key to unlocking less invasive treatment options for patients, making it easier for them to recover, and giving them an overall better quality of life.”  Book one nowAn appointment with BreastScreen NSW is free, takes about 20 minutes in total and no doctor’s referral is needed. If you are aged 50 to 74 book your free mammogram today with BreastScreen NSW online at book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au or by calling 13 20 50.  

A $1 million reward has been offered to anyone with information about the murder of German backpacker Simone Strobel - 15 years ago in Lismore.Simone, aged 25, was last seen at the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on Friday, February 11, 2005, after a night out in Lismore – including a visit to the Gollan Hotel - with her then-boyfriend and friends.See the video footage of Simone at the Gollan Hotel in 2005: https://youtu.be/J9aqcEuWahQAbove: Simone Strobel (right). Below: Simone's tent at Lismore caravan park. What happened to Simone?Her body was found six days later, hidden under palm fronds at the sportsground less than 100 metres from the caravan park.At a coronial inquest in 2007, then-State Coroner, Paul McMahon, ruled there was insufficient evidence to lay charges over Simone's death.Simon'es then-boyfriend was identified as a person of interest in the case, but no one has ever been charged over her death.Local investigations In 2005, local police investigations involved police standing by the side of Uralba Street near the caravan park – with a dummy dressed in clothing similar to that worn by Simone - in the hope someone would see it and come forward with information.Strike Force Howea was established in February 2005 to investigate Simone’s murder – with assistance from their counterparts at the State Crime Command, the Wuerzburg Criminal Police and the Prosecutor´s Office in Wuerzburg.Richmond Police District Commander, Superintendent Scott Tanner at Lismore police station.RewardToday, Richmond Police District Commander, Superintendent Scott Tanner said the NSW Government had offered the $1 million reward for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Simone’s homicide. The reward is open to anyone with information, anywhere in the world.Supt Tanner said the ongoing investigations from Strike Force Howea over the past 15 years have identified persons of interest as they try to solve the cold case.“I hope the reward will bring fresh information,” Supt Tanner said.“What happened to Simone defies our values in this country and we owe it to her family to bring those responsible for her death to justice.“One million is a substantial amount of money and could change someone’s life, and more importantly it could change the life of Simone’s family in Germany.”German backpacker Simone Strobel.The truth is out there“We know the truth is out there, and we know there are people who are holding it back.“This is a crime which has stuck with many families who have young relatives travelling the world, the thought of losing them so far away from home is hard to comprehend. Help us to put Simone’s family at ease,” Supt Tanner said.In 2014, officers from and the Bavarian Office of Criminal Investigation announced a reward of 10,000 Euros for residents of both Germany and Australia who provide information that leads to an arrest and conviction – that reward remains current.Contact policeAs investigations into Strike Force Howea continue, anyone who may have information about Simone’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Having a couple of glasses of wine at home every evening may sound harmless during these troubled times – but the nation’s pandemic drinking habits have potenially set us up for serious oral health issues down the track.Australian Dental Association's (ADA) Professor Michael McCullough said the trend is unmasking the possibility of a range of mouth-related health issues including oral cancers, tooth decay and gum disease from a regular supply of alcohol every day."Yet few people make the link and this is where the problem lies," Professor McCullough said."A number of potentially problematic alcohol use behaviours during COVID-19 were recorded in a recent FARE (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education) survey, including nearly one in seven (13%) Australian drinkers being concerned about the amount of alcohol they or someone in their household is drinking, 11% reported drinking to cope with anxiety and stress and 14% reported that they’ve been drinking daily."In addition, consumer spending data on alcohol indicates there were significant increases in packaged liquor sales since the COVID-19 lockdowns in Australia, particularly for online sales and home delivery.Coupled with high rates of tooth decay and increased sugar consumption, it’s yet another assault on the nation’s mouths.“Strong evidence shows that long-term high levels of alcohol consumption alone increases the risk of oral cancer by about four-fold,” Prof McCullough said.“There’s a multiplication effect for those who also smoke, to around 15-fold.”Early diagnosis of oral cancer is key to diminish the morbidity and mortality of this horrific disease. Any changes in the mouth, any ulcers, lumps, bumps or areas that have changed in colour and persisted for more than two weeks should be examined by a dentist. “Over four people each day are diagnosed with oral cancer in Australia, and the five year survival is only about 60%,” he said.“Irrespective of what level of COVID lockdowns prevail across Australia, anyone should be examined by a dentist if they’re concerned about changes in their mouth that have been persisting.“An examination of troubling areas of the mouth could make an enormous difference to longevity and quality of life. However, prevention is much prefered with drinking in moderation and smoking cessation being key.”Australian Department of Health guidelines stipulate that to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury for healthy men and women, 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day is the maximum.A standard drink is a 285ml glass of full-strength beer, a 375ml mid strength can or bottle of beer, and a 100ml glass of red or white wine. For more on what a standard drink looks like, go to:https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/alcohol/about-alcohol/standard-drinks-guide

A car fire near the proposed new Telstra tower site, off Crawford Road in East Lismore last weekend gave local residents a scare as the thick smoke blew into their homes.East Lismore resident Susannah French said she believes the car would not have been able to get into the bushland if an access track had not been created there in preparation for the tower’s development.Read more news: East Lismore car fire began with police pursuitSusannah has concerns about the new telecommunications tower – which is still going through the development approval process at Lismore City Council and is being challenged by local Bundjalung Elder Micky Ryan over the development's Cultural Assessment requirements, as the site is near the cemetery.Koala food tree plantings burnt out, with only the stakes marking them remaining.Fire trucks attended the weekend fire and enlisted the help of locals to access water.Koala zoneFor Susannah, the car fire – which also set fire to the surrounding koala food tree plantings - only highlighted her concerns about the tower’s position and the dangers it presents to the local community and the local koala population.“My partner heard four large explosions when the car blew up,” she said, “Fortunately the wind was not blowing westerly or the fire would have come close to, or through our homes. My neighbour even started hosing his roof.“Now the koala tree plantings have burnt, it is tax payers’ money going up in smoke. The trees were planted by Friends of the Koala with a $100,000 grant because the area is zoned to be retained as a nature and wildlife habitat corridor and we have a koala population here.”Susannah said she contacted the Rural Fire Service and was concerned that the person who had signed the RFS component of the DA approval had not actually visited the site.Fire trucks out the front of Susannah's house.The fire on the access track to the proposed tower, off Crawford Road, behind the cemetery at East Lismore.Cleared track“I noticed there’s a cleared area near the site off Crawford Road like a parking bay now, next to the DA sign and the 4WD track that has been made into the bushland,” she said.“It’s received a lot of attention and seems to be in readiness. A car driver would not have seen that track, if it hadn’t been made more visible- and the fire truck had a lot of trouble getting in there.”Susannah said Friends of the Koala had also written a submission to Council concerned about the disruption to the nature corridor if the development goes ahead.High impact Susannah said she has been vocal in her objections to the tower development since it was first proposed. She said she believes the tower is “high impact” and will have a big effect on the environment and the health of people living nearby.“I also question the zoning of the land,” Susannah said. “For the development to actually go ahead it should be a green field site, zones for industrial and infrastructure."The tower will be 38 metres tall, have generators and a surroundings fence.“It also has to have a tarred access road, clearance perimeter and a turning circle for fire trucks – it’s a substantial infrastructure and this will not be low impact.“Telstra refer to it as low impact on the environment, but they need to ask for council approval because it is high impact structure.Radiation“The tower will be positioned 150 metres away from our homes on our street. Our concern is that it is situated on the slope of a hill, not the top of the hill. The apex of the tower with six panels is directly in front of our homes in our view.“We will be receiving 24/7 microwave radiation, and I question the safety of the Electromagnetic Frequency radiation so close to us – and the possibility they will use the tower for 5G.”Aboriginal significance and burialsRecently, Bundjalung Elder Micky Ryan enlisted the help of legal representative Al Oshlak who walked the site – near East Lismore cemetery - with an archaeologist to see if an appropriate cultural assessment of the site had been done for the Development Approval.“After that, we did a report a letter to council, because the footprint of the tower was not laid out and we didn’t know where it was,” Mr Oshlak said. “Council reported back - we reached a disagreement and we requested they do a second site inspection.“For an adequate cultural significance survey to be done, we also require excavation work on site by an archaeologist with a ground penetrating radar, because it is near a graveyard.“There are cases where Aboriginal people were buried outside graveyards and we are concerned about what might happen if the developers dig up remains.“At Stoney Chute Road, a similar tower development dug up a significant Aboriginal site and left artefacts on the ground. The development was stopped.“A lot of sites are not registered on the Aboriginal heritage website – and the law says developers needed to do more than just look at the website.”TelstraEarlier this week, The Lismore App contacted Telstra for comment and we are still waiting for the official reply.

At first glance, the large logs on the grass in Lismore’s Quad look like a very convenient place to sit. But as you get closer, you see there’s a series of large logs balancing on top of other large logs.Questions come up, like, is it a social distancing experiment to keep people safely distanced while they enjoy the sun and the grass? And if so, why such a strange configuration?The Lismore App dug a little deeper and spoke to the Lismore Regional Gallery and found the artist responsible for the sculpted woody mystery.Bring on sculptor and prop maker Edward (Ed) Horne. Ed calls the piece ‘Balancing Act’ and said it was originally intended to be a see-saw, until bureaucracy and work health and safety guidelines put an end to that idea.“It would have needed two metres of three millimetre thick soft-fall around it to be a see saw,” Ed said. “So I had to reengineer it to be stronger on the ends so they don’t tip over or break or squash little fingers.”Each balanced log set weighs about 1.2 tonnes, so there’s over five tonnes of timber there.Built with a grant from Arts Northern Rivers and supported by Lismore Regional Gallery, the installation looks like it will be around until after Christmas and the school holidays.“They get so much use and are much loved,” Ed said. “Kids run around and play on them and I’ve seen some doing handstands on the balancing logs, as well as lovers sitting, kissing there.“I’m happy for them to stay as long as they are loved and used.”Ed said ‘Balancing Act’ is connected to the Gallery’s exhibition ‘Mnemonic Vegetables’ –a collaboration between himself and Charlotte Haywood.“The logs represent cardinal markers and each of the balancing logs are facing north, east, south and west,” he said.“They tie in with the concepts Mnemonic Vegetables look at, which look at how vegetation has a language and the earth talks to us. It’s about direction and finding a way to understanding it.Another installation by Ed Horne.“I originally wanted the see-saw because I wanted to bring a playful element to art and way finding – using the different heights to show us different points of views and perspectives on how to see where to go.”Ed said the logs were felled on his property at Wilson’s Creek and he built the sculpture in his workshop on the property – including chainsawing them, then welding and fabricating the joins.Ed has been working as a prop designer, film maker and sculptor, and has recently begun building sculptural playgrounds, including a Lyrebird inspired playground at Main Arm Public School.Another installation by Ed Horne.“I also have plans for monkey bars and based on giant ants and larvae that will stand two metres high that can be climbed in over and around, and for a musical bridge inspired by a tree,” he said.If you want to find out more about Ed and his art, visit his website or his new collaborative project site https://bujwakstudio.com/Another installation by Ed Horne.

Another 63 full-time equivalent staff positions at Southern Cross University (SCU) will be made redundant under proposed new reforms announced today by SCU Vice Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin.  Along with the merging of SCU’s six academic schools into four faculties, the job losses are hailed as a part of the roadmap to put the institution on a stronger financial footing and ensure its long-term success. New faculties The proposed new faculties are: Health, Science and Engineering, Education and Business, Law and Arts.  Professor Carlin said the changes to the academic structure would “bring together expertise, reduce duplication and ensure the very best teachers interact with as many students as possible”. “Unfortunately this also involves some job losses as the University adjusts to a series of external shocks,” Prof Carlin said. “There is no easy option for Southern Cross and we have done all we can to minimise job losses,” Prof Carlin said. “Wherever appropriate staff will be offered redeployment opportunities but there will be some roles that are no longer required. Prof Carlin said the reforms came as a response to the challenging and significant impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, including the loss of international students. “But it is also the continuation of a process of deep reflection on the need to create a University that is genuinely distinctive with sustainable and impactful models for education, research and support services,” he said. Research priority Prof Carlin said research was still a priority, and support activities such as finance, marketing and human resources management would evolve into centrally-provided shared services. “This will help with the delivery of consistent and exemplary standards across all areas of the University,” he said. “The proposed changes are also designed to take account of an additional set of forces that will be brought to bear on the University as a result of recently legislated changes to Commonwealth funding arrangements for education and research.” “Importantly, our commitment to our three main campuses at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast remains steadfast.” Southern Cross is teaching all classes online at present, with most staff working from home and only limited access to campuses as the COVID-19 restrictions continue to impact.  Budget shortfall Southern Cross announced earlier this year that the COVID-induced crisis had created a budget shortfall in 2020-21. Initially forecast at $38 million, that figure has been revised down to $33m. Non-salary savings of almost $10 million have been made this year. A proposal in July for salary savings that would have saved the University another $5.6 million was voted against by staff. The University employs about 1700 people.

Qualified lawyer, Kate Webber has been appointed as Lismore City Council’s Executive Director of Corporate Services, replacing Graeme Towers who was employed on a short-term contract.Mayor Isaac Smith announced the new appointment today, welcoming Kate onboard to an "important role"."Kate is highly qualified for the role and will use her wealth of experience to help drive improvements at Lismore City Council,” he said.“I would also like thank Graeme Towers for his work over the time he was here. He did an outstanding job and agreed to delay his retirement until we found his replacement.”Kate is a qualified lawyer who has spent the last fifteen years in the private sector focusing on everything from risk and compliance to governance, project management and business improvement.She has worked for Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, the National Australia Bank and Deloitte. Kate holds an MBA, post-graduate qualifications in Applied Finance and Corporate Governance and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.“I am looking forward to this role,” Kate said. “There are some real challenges to be solved, which I relish.”“With councils under more and more pressure to deliver better services at lower cost, I’m looking forward to bringing my commercial experience to drive continuous improvement across the Corporate Services portfolio.“With internal functions of Council running efficiently and effectively, Council is free to focus on the external services that the community finds such value in.”Community is certainly important to Kate. She has a long history of volunteering for organisations that support vulnerable young people, and in 2014 was named NSW Corporate Volunteer of the Year.“This job is also a bit like a home-coming,” Kate said. “While I have moved here from Sydney, my father was born and bred in Lismore and I’ve spent many happy holidays here with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.“My brother has also just moved back to the area, as has my sister who is now teaching in Alstonville and my parents have also bought in the area.”Kate is married with one child and two children for whom Kate and her husband provide part-time respite care.

Fast broadband at metro prices is coming to Lismore soon, as the rollout of the new nbn Business Fibre Zone begins and you’re invited to an information breakfast later this month to find out more. NBN Co recently announced that Lismore is included as one of just 85 regional centres included as part of its rollout of 240 nbn Business Fibre Zones across Australia. All businesses within these regional zones will have access to fast Enterprise Ethernet, at reduced prices- similar to pricing paid by businesses in metro areas. In total, these zones are expected to cover more than 700,000 business premises. Business breakfast Local businesses are invited to attend a breakfast hosted by Lismore City Council (LCC), Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers and NBN Co to hear how you can take advantage of the roll out. The workshop will be held at Lismore City Hall on Wednesday October 28 at 7.30am.RegisterTo register, email [email protected] to book a space.RDA Northern Rivers Director of Regional Development, Tim Williamson said the nbn’s new Business Fibre Zone initiative bringing metro-level services and prices to regional areas is something the Lismore business community has been advocating for.NBN Co Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote, Gavin Williams said working with retail internet providers, NBN Co will invest up to $700 million in a package of initiatives over the next three years designed to support business innovation, productivity and growth.“The initiatives recognise the growing importance of online collaboration and cloud-based productivity tools for businesses and increasing demand for premium-grade business nbn solutions,” he said. “NBN Co has earmarked more than $2 billion to network investments over the next three years to benefit residential and business customers living and working in regional areas of Australia.”Council’s roleLocal councils and governments have been invited by NBN Co to discuss how they can take advantage of this rollout through the company’s $300 million co-investment fund.The fund will help deliver access to higher speed wholesale broadband services over the nbn network and assist in moving more regional areas from fixed wireless or satellite to fixed line services A Lismore City Council spokesperson said LCC is looking to identify opportunities for improving connectivity and reducing costs particularly for our businesses within the Lismore Business Fibre Zone with NBN Co.Digital liftNBN Co Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote, Gavin Williams, said bringing the nbn to regional areas was helping to lift the digital capabilities of the entire nation.“Last Summer’s bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused significant disruption and dislocation in 2020, but fast, reliable broadband can be the great enabler to aid and accelerate the economic recovery of regional and remote communities,” he said.“Small and medium businesses in regional and rural Australia are the lifeblood of local economies and to help broaden and strengthen the national economy. “Our $2 billion investment will help to ensure the nbn plays an increasingly important role within the livestock and agriculture industries, tourism, hospitality and the arts.” 

The Lismore City Council last night passed two important motions that have concerned the community in the last week. One motion surrounded the Free Hospital Parking at the Lismore Base Hospital while the second motion gave the green light for expressions of interest from interested parties to resurrect the Lismore Lake Pool.An urgent motion was put forward by Councillor Darlene Cook where Council would defer the proposed reintroduction of paid parking in the hospital precinct that was to recommence this Monday October 19.Cnr Cook saying that no one knew how long the COVID-19 pandemic would was going to last so a workshop needed to occur so councillors can learn what impact this will have on councils delicate budget while supporting the work of local hospital staff.The motion was passed giving a further 3 months of free parking in the Lismore Base Hospital precinct with the workshop slated in for October 27.The Lismore Lake Pool has been a controversial issue for Council since it closed its gates in 2012. After Neil Marks' motion to ask for expressions of interest to resurrect the pool was passed, is it possible that the Lake Pool will return to its glory days?Perhaps.The expression of interest now needs those people or groups who think they can refurbish, run and maintain the Lake Pool to put a proposal together and submit it to Council demonstrating their ability to achieve the required criteria.Interestingly, the discussion from councillors was about the wording of the motion which does not stipulate the land needs to operate as a Lake Pool. This opens up opportunities for other groups to have a completely different idea as to how that land can serve the community. Of course, all proposals need to be approved and voted on by Councillors.Another controversial issue voted on last night was the recent battle of words between LCC and the Northern Rivers Times newspaper following the front page headline about LCC General manager Shelley Oldham's award nomination.In the Mayoral Minutes, Mayor Isaac Smith proposed a motion that condemned the "hatchet job" on Ms Oldham asking for an immediate apology from the editor. Council will withdraw all support for the paper until an apology is received.This motion was passed by Councillors Cook, Bird, Ekins, Moorhouse and Smith.The longest debate of the night was about extending the life of the River Bank Road quarry at Monaltrie following a submission looking for a sixteen (16) year extension by Santin Quarry Products.There were seven (7) speakers against the extension during the public submission session with Councillors later trying to get an exact answer as to when the quarry removed their first load which determines when the 25 year lease would finish and the quarry repatriation time would begin, as well as ongoing compliance issues and the effect of fine dust particles on neighbouring properties.After the original motion and two foreshadowed motions it was determined to defer the matter to allow staff to seek legal advice relating to the conditions of consent.

A fire in East Lismore caused by a burning car started in a police pursuit through the streets of Lismore on Sunday.Read the earlier story: BREAKING NEWS: Fire in East LismorePhotos from the fire taken by East Lismore residents were sent to The Lismore App.Richmond Police District Acting Inspector Anthony Smith said police had received complaints about the driver’s erratic driving, before the police began pursuit down Ballina Road, to Lismore Heights, then back to Goonellabah.“It involved a two minute pursuit with police about 30 minutes before the car was set on fire,” Act Insp Smith said.“The police involved stopped the pursuit because of the danger to the public it was creating.“The car was crossing onto the wrong side of the road and travelling at fast speed, which caused extreme danger to oncoming motorists.”Act Insp Smith said the car driver had then taken the car down the back track into a bushland remnant behind Lismore cemetery. The car fire also caused the surrounding nature corridor, with its koala food trees, to burn – and nearby residents were fearful that the fire could spread to their homes.The fire was eventually extinguished by the Rural Fire Service.Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.

New bus services are coming to Lismore, with an extra 59 weekly bus services just announced by the NSW Government. Lismore’s Buslines routes 682 to 688 now have added trips and better connections. Lismore MP Janelle Saffin welcomed the announcement as a boost for local people who rely on public transport.Ms Saffin said Acting Deputy Premier NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole, Transport for NSW, bus operators and the Lismore Public & Active Transport Working Group had kept her briefed on the additional bus services coming into effect from 25 October this year.“I have been assuring local customers that these new bus services would be delivered as part of a promised Government program to improve transport options in 16 regional cities statewide, and I’m glad Lismore has not missed out,” Ms Saffin said.“These new weekday and weekend services are available across longer operating hours and are aimed at improving connectivity with work and industrial areas of North and South Lismore, Lismore Base Hospital, Lismore TAFE, Southern Cross University and local shopping centres.“I welcome my Parliamentary colleague in the Upper House Ben Franklin MLC’s announcement of more trips on the 688 ‘Late-Nighter’ service from Goonellabah to Lismore on Saturday evenings, and new trips to popular destinations on Sundays.”Information about the new bus timetable across Lismore, school services and fares is available on the Buslines webpage https://www.buslinesgroup.com.au/northern-rivers-maps-timetablesYou can plan your trip at https://transportnsw.info/For more information about the NSW Government’s 16 Regional Cities Services Improvement Program visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/16-regional-cities-program.Route changes summariesRoute 682: Lismore to Goonellabah via Southern Cross University· Better connections with the services to North and South Lismore on weekdays· Additional trip on weekday evenings· Additional trip on Saturday midday· Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 5.30pm· New trips on Sundays from 8.30am to 5pmRoute 683: Lismore to Lismore Heights via Southern Cross University· Additional trip on weekday early mornings with connection to North and South Lismore· Additional trip on Saturday mornings· Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 5pm· New trips on Sundays from 9am to 4pmRoute 684: Lismore to South Lismore via East Lismore· Extension of early morning trip to commence from Lismore Hospital· Additional trips to the industrial area in north and south Lismore on weekday afternoons· Additional trips on Saturdays until 5pmRoute 685: Lismore to Goonellabah via Lismore Base Hospital & Lismore Heights· Better connections with the services to North and South Lismore on weekdays· Additional trip on weekday evenings· Additional trip on Saturday midday· Additional trips on Saturday afternoons until 4pmRoute 688 (Late-Nighter)· New trips on Saturdays early in the evening, travelling from Goonellabah to Lismore