With every adult resident in NSW to each receive four x $25 vouchers to spend at food and entertainment venues, it could sound like the announcement of prizes in a competition - but it's actually part of the NSW Government's budget for the coming year.Not such great news for our regional communities immediately though, because the NSW Government will run a trial of the program in the Sydney CBD over December, before a full rollout in early 2021.Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said the budget, handed down this afternoon, focuses on COVID-19 recovery, increasing employment and supporting families and businesses to come out the other side."Despite the unique challenges that COVID-19 has presented to the State, this budget proves that NSW is on track towards getting people back into jobs, assisting small businesses and supporting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the community," Mr Franklin said.“No one could have predicted this one-in-one-hundred-year pandemic and the devastating impact it would have on so many people’s lives,” Mr Franklin said. “This budget is all about supporting our community to recover, rebuild and help people get their lives back to normal. “There are lots of winners in this budget and there is significant support to help people re-enter jobs in hospitality, entertainment and construction. There is support to help small businesses recover and grow. There is also support for medical research and access to palliative care and mental health care.”In the Northern Rivers region, hospitals, energy, housing and schools were also winners in the budget's money allocations. Across NSW, the budget will deliver:Four x $25 vouchers to every adult resident in NSW to spend at food and entertainment venues$1,500 worth of digital vouchers for small and medium businesses to help pay for Government fees and charges$17 million to support pregnant women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum $56 million for more palliative care services$49.6 million for lifesaving gene therapy for blood cancer patients$57.4 million to help mature workers and women take up a trade$39.3 million boost for the Business Connect program$10 million grants program to assist women back into the workforce with up to $5,000 available to individualsWhat does the budget hold for the Northern Rivers?Mr Franklin said that he had again pushed hard to make sure the Northern Rivers got their fair share of investment and support. “The Electorates of Ballina and Lismore are home to over 140,000 people who play a crucial role in our economy and I fought hard to make sure this was not forgotten,” Mr Franklin said. “The Northern Rivers, like much of regional NSW, has helped carry the State this year, especially through tourism, and it is only fair that our communities receive the support they deserve and will continue to see investment from the NSW Government across the region." Some key highlights of the 2020/2021 budget for the region include:$21.42 million for the Lismore Hospital Redevelopment$1.5 million on Essential Energy connection for Casino to Urbenville subtransmission line$335,000 for Fire and Rescue NSW$36.25 million for the new Murwillumbah Education Campus$1.35 million for social housing upgrades and improvements$1.03 million to construct and upgrade walking and cycling paths$8.31 million to complete the Mount Lindesay Road Upgrade$621,000 for upgrades to Bexhill Public School Further details on the 2020-2021 budget can be found at www.budget.nsw.gov.au

In our series 'Let's Recycle Right', this is tip number 4.Keep it safe, nothing hazardous that could harm workers or damage machinery.With the Lismore City Council Material & Recovery Facility now operational once again, the Lismore App wanted to answer the ongoing question of what is and isn't acceptable in your yellow recycle bin in a week long video series from the NSW Environment Protection Authority.If you missed it, here is Tip 1 (Our Material & Recovery Facility is operational again following last years fire), Tip 2 (Let's Recycle Right: Tip Number 2) and Tip 3 (Let's Recycle Right: Tip Number 3).

In our series 'Let's Recycle Right', this is tip number 2.Keep it clean so rinse food containers and food scraps, no nappies, general waste and fabric.With the Lismore City Council Material & Recovery Facility now operational once again, the Lismore App wanted to answer the ongoing question of what is and isn't acceptable in your yellow recycle bin in a week long video series from the NSW Environment Protection Authority.If you missed it, here is Tip 1 (Our Material & Recovery Facility is operational again following last years fire) and Tip 2 (Let's Recycle Right: Tip Number 2).

The annual Our Kids Calendar was launched on the weekend in time to fill Santa’s Stocking and grace walls throughout the Northern Rivers to raise vital funds for local charity Our Kids. Since 2003, the Our Kids calendar has featured children who have spent time in our Children’s Ward or Special Care Nursery, with local photographer Jacklyn Wagner capturing the calendar children beautifully for the past 19 years. (The 2020 Our Kids calendar photos in the Lismore Base Hospital. Photo: Simon Mumford)“The calendar is one of Our Kids signature fundraises and is a beautiful project that tells the story of the children who benefit from the equipment Our Kids buy,” Rebekka Battista, Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator, said. (Our Kids Calendar Covergirl Phoenix McClure who was in the Children's Ward for some weeks earlier this year. Phoenix is now fully on the road to recovery. Photo: Supplied)“This project celebrates the kids who’ve had a tough journey and is a perfect stocking filler as all money raised helps purchase lifesaving equipment for the Children’s Ward and Special Care Nursery in our local hospitals.” (Tane Stavenow with his parents Stacey and Lilo. Tane has been in out of Kids Ward for antibiotics for his pneumonia. He is getting better as he gets older. Photo: Supplied)Due to the generosity of Our Kids sponsors, the full cost of the calendar’s production is covered, allowing all monies raised to go directly to Our Kids. Local graphic designer Soren Hjorth from Lismore’s Graphiti Design, Shaun McGuiness from Lismore City Printery, and Rhonda from Armistead helped create the spectacular calendar, which will hang in the foyer of Lismore Base Hospital for 12 months. (Lawson Bennett has had many operations on his bladder in his short life so requires a lot of visits to the Kids ward. Lawson is coming through with flying colours. Photo: Supplied)The calendar is on sale for $20 throughout the Northern Rivers at Westpac Bank Lismore, Lismore Base Hospital, McDonalds, Greater Bank (Lismore, Casino and Ballina), Be Seen Eyewear (Lismore and Ballina), East Ballina Foodstore, Kyogle Dentists, Lennox head Pharmacy, MacDonalds Pharmacy, Angus and Coote, the Book Warehouse and online at www.ourkids.org.au.(Madeline Chandler has had diabetes since she was 5. Life is improving for Madeline as she learns to manage all aspects of her diabetic management. Photo: Supplied)For bulk orders phone Our Kids on 6620 2705. Thank you to calendar sponsors Southern Cross University, Westpac Bank, Richmond Waste, North Coast Radiology, Goonellabah Medical Centre, McDonalds, Richmond Sand and Gravel, Be Seen Eyewear, Sommerville, Laundry Lomax solicitors, WCA Chartered Accountants, North Coast Petroleum, Graphiti-Design, Hurford Hardwood and Lismore Printery. (Aleah O'Keefe was born with a heart condition and this has led to muscle problems now. She requires Botox injections regularly at Kids Ward. Photo: Supplied)

In our series 'Let's Recycle Right', this is tip number 2.Keep it loose, don't bag, flatten your boxes.With the Lismore City Council Material & Recovery Facility now operational once again, the Lismore App wanted to answer the ongoing question of what is and isn't acceptable in your yellow recycle bin in a week long video series from the NSW Environment Protection Authority.If you missed it, here is Tip 1 in our story yesterday about the MRF re-opening Our Material & Recovery Facility is operational again following last years fire.

With no fanfare or ribbon cutting the Material & Recovery Facility (MRF) at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre re-opened in late October following last years fire and began sorting our own recyclable waste once again.No longer do we have to send our recycled waste to Queensland, we can once again process in the East Lismore facility.The MRF was damaged by fire in August 2019. The fire burnt for 10 days due to very dry and windy conditions causing extensive damage.Council's insurance claim was successful so the rebuild of the $3.65 million dollar MRF could begin.The MRF processes around 15,000 tonnes of recyclables per year. It separates, prepares recyclable materials to be sent off and made into new products.Now that the MRF is operational, the Lismore App would like to help you understand exactly what you can and can't recycle. This question is asked by many household residents who are still very confused.The NSW Environment Protection Authority has released a set of short videos explaining what is allowed and not allowed in your yellow recycle bin.The Lismore App will publish one per day for 7 days called Let's Recycle Right.Here is video 1 about recycling hard plastics and containers, steel & aluminium cans, glass bottles and jars, paper and cardboard.To learn more visit the EPA website.

Funds from the sale of units on Laurel Avenue owned by the Northern NSW Health District (NNSWLHD) will be used to upgrade the hospital's clinical services.NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones has responded to yesterday's story in The Lismore App saying that the units are "no longer fit for purpose".  Read more: NSW Health's Laurel House sell off prompts social housing debate"Northern NSW Local Health District has declared the block of 12 units in Laurel Avenue, known as Laurel Lodge, as surplus to requirements and available for sale," Mr Jones said. "While previously used for accommodation for junior doctors on rotation, it is no longer fit for purpose.  "Funds from the sale of the property are earmarked for equipment upgrades to clinical services at Lismore Base Hospital; in particular, the cardiac catheter laboratory.  Laurel House on Laurel Avenue.Social housingLismore MP Janelle Saffin, who brought the sale of units to the attention of the community, has suggested the units could be repurposed to become social housing.Ms Saffin said today she has not yet had a response from the NSW Government in regard to her proposal which she raised in Parliament.Mr Jones said "a part of the sale process and as per standard practice, the property has been offered to other NSW agencies by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE)"."interest was registered with DPIE, so the property has been declared surplus to Whole of Government and the sale endorsed," he said."NNSWLHD is progressing with the sale on the market in accordance with Government guidelines."

You would have forgotten it was nearly summer with temperatures in the early 20's and rain falling two hours ago but it has cleared to what will be a fine and hot weekend weather wise. Before we move on there is a 30% chance of more showers or a storm this evening.35 degrees is the maximum forecast tomorrow, which after todays temps will feel like an inferno, followed by 30 degrees and partly cloudy on Sunday. Monday and Tuesday will both in the 30's as well with the small chance of showers.The fine weather is good news for Speedway lovers who look likely to get a full race meet in led by the Wingless Sprintcar Grand Prix. Racing will have an early start of 5pm so gates will open at 4pm with entry via the top gate. COVID restrictions still apply to crowd numbers so first in best dressed to reach 500. Also in action will be the Production Sedans, Junior Sedans, AMCA Nationals, Modlites, Street Stocks and National 4's.With 35 predicted the earlier the better for the markets tomorrow. The Lismore Farmers Markets open their gates at 8am while the Blue Knob Community Markets start at 8:30am.Julie from the amazing charity Who Gives A Cluck will be at the Lismore Farmers Markets rehoming hens to approved mother cluckers. All these chickens have been rescued from a caged egg (Battery) Farm and will be going home with people who will love them. If you would like to adopt a rescue chook that still lays eggs, see Julie.Lismore Car Boot Market lovers will be pleased to know that Sunday at the Showgrounds is the place to be between 7:30am and 3pm.There are only three more market days before Xmas so get to Showground and check out what's on offer as well as some live music with The Clarence Jazzmen.Art lovers can now see the Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize exhibition at the Art Gallery in Rural Street. The 68 finalists work looks at the diverse ways in which the human form can be captured. The exhibition will run until the end of January, 2021 with a suggested $5 donation.Live music has slowly been finding its feet in the Northern Rivers again. Tim Freedman played last night as part of the Great Southern Nights tour for November. Check out what other gigs are coming up tomorrow night and for the rest of the month Gig Guide.Neil Mark's takes a look at our National Anthem tomorrow following Naidoc Week and comments by Premier Gladys Berejiklian to change one word. Check out Neil's Blog tomorrow Blogs/Letters. If you want to write a Letter To The Editor about any news story or blog, email simon@lismoreapp.com.au or liina@lismoreapp.com.au.The Sunday Profile is Lismore City Councils new Executive Director of Corporate Services Kate Webber. Although Kate is a lawyer, however she is not at Council to provide legal advice but look at council operations through fresh eyes.School Formals will be in full swing over the weekend following the end of HSC exams. It is so good to see our Year 12 students being allowed to celebrate their end of high school life even if it is in a restrictive way, two months ago the concern was there would be no celebration at all or virtual at best (Year 12 school formals begin tonight under coronavirus rules).A heads up for Monday when the Dawson and Uralba Street Roundabout gets some attention between 6pm Monday night and 4am Tuesday morning. Expect delays of 10 minutes or take alternative routes.A few funnies to kickstart your weekend:

With the HSC finishing this week, Year 12 students across the region are ready to let their hair down and celebrate. From Richmond River High, to St John’s College Woodlawn, Trinity Catholic College and Wilson’s Park Public School, students are ready to celebrate the end of school with the annual rite of passage – the school formal.  The Lismore App looks at what restrictions are and how the schools will hold their formals.Coronavirus restriction guidelinesUntil recently, coronavirus restrictions created uncertainty about whether the school formals could take place, but the NSW Government has come to the party and will allow them to go ahead. Guidelines the schools need to follow include reduce mingling, holding dancefloors outside or in well-ventilated areas; and only allowing dancing with partners from the same local community.Trinity Catholic CollegeTonight, Trinity Catholic College students will dress up and step out of their fancy cars as they arrive at the school for the Year 12 formal – this year to be held in the school’s sports hall. Due to Covid restrictions, it’s not the same as the usual graduation ball held to mark the annual rite of passage.School Principal Brother John said it was fantastic to be able to have a ceremony and present the students with their portfolios and some awards.  “We have a Covid plan in place and there is no singing or dancing as this is a seated event,” Br John said.“The girls are especially excited to be able to dress up and to have parents here.”Richmond River High SchoolRichmond River High's formal will be held tonight, Friday, November 13, at the Lismore Workers Club.The school formal will only see students and no parents.Richmond River High student Ursula Bennett is going along to the formal tonight. She spoke to the Lismore App about the HSC, the future and the formal.Read more: Richmond River High's Class of 2020 prepares for rite of passage“Normally, we would get to invite parents and guests, and have arrivals out the front on a fancy car," Ursula said.“But, this year, the Worker’s Club policies are for no gatherings outside the club and we can only have our class mates at the formal. “We are allowed to sit at tables of four people and we have to stay at that table through the night."The photographer will take pictures of our table – and we will probably have some dances with a socially distanced dance.”Richmond River High student Ursula Bennett.St John’s College WoodlawnTomorrow night, Saturday, November 14, Year 12 students from St John’s College at Woodlawn will head to the Lismore Turf Club with their parents to also celebrate the end of year.School spokesperson Debbie Melino said the formal would take place in the Turf Club’s outside marquees.“Holding it outside at the Turf Club was the way we chose so we could also have parents invited along – which the students wanted,” Ms Melino said.Being on the grass could mean a few wardrobe considerations for the girls – who will need to consider wearing block heels so they don’t sink into the grass.Awards and flowers handed out at the Wilson’s Park Public School graduation dinner dance.Wilson’s Park Public SchoolWith seven proud graduates this year, Wilson’s Park Public School Principal Helen Rea said the school’s formal is a graduation dinner dance to be held next Thursday, November 19.“It’s an exciting celebration and a rite of passage,” Ms Rea said. “It’s a symbol of the end of an important part of the students’ lives – and also the teachers too.”The school caters for students with a disability from pre-school to Year 12. Ms Rae said parents will be there too and would be seated in small family groups.“We’re having it at Lismore Workers Sports Club in Goonellabah which works well for us with special access entrances into a big room and dance floor. “The students can dance, but there is no singing. It’s a change compared to normal, but we are excited that we can achieve something to celebrate the end of the year.”With dinner, presentations and a cake cutting, the event also sees each student present their family with flowers to day thank you.“We are just a small school and this year, we have two girls and five boys girls graduating,” she said. “They all excited about getting ready and both the girls ended up choosing the same dress maker and the boys have got their suits ready.“One student is even organising a fancy car to arrive in.”Other coronavirus guidelines for school formals ask schools to:• ensure the capacity of the event does not exceed four square metres for each guest• restrict tables to 10 people• ask students to bring their own pens for yearbook signing• follow and promote good hand hygiene practices.• avoid mingling before and after events• consider private transport options • follow existing restrictions on catering • restrict the number of guests at graduation events• live-stream ceremonies for anyone not able to attend.

Emergency services were called to a serious car accident at Howards Grass this morning which saw two people taken to Lismore Base Hospital for treatment.A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said ambulance services received the call at 7.10am this morning and treated two people at the scene for “spinal precautions” before they were taken to Lismore Base in stable condition.The Lismore App will keep you updated as more information comes.

2020 Vision, the TAFE advanced diploma of visual arts student graduate exhibition opens this Friday, November 13 – and it’s is ready to showcase the huge talent of Lismore’s artists.The annual exhibition of work of TAFE art graduates always sets the bar high – and this year is no exception. The opening will be streaming live on the TAFE arts northern rivers Facebook page from 6pm. The exhibition will be on display from 10am to 3pm daily from November 16 to 21 November at TAFE NSW Lismore’s Drill Hall and Space Gallery.It’s just the first of four exhibitions on offer from this year’s graduating students.Adaption 2020Next is Adaption 2020, an exhibition which celebrates the Diploma of Visual Arts, Cert 4 Design and Aboriginal Cultural Arts exhibition. It opens on November 27 through invite only and Facebook live and runs for the following week.UnearthedThen is Unearthed, which celebrates the graduate students in the diploma of ceramics. It also opens on November 27 through invite only and Facebook live.GritFinally, there’s Grit, celebrating the graduating Diploma of Ceramics class. It also opens on November 27 through invite only and Facebook live.Grit features the work of 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize winner Antoinette O'Brien. TAFE Student and ceramic artist Antoinette O'Brien was last week named the winner of this year's national $10,000 Hurford Harwood portrait prize for a piece called Lacuna, - which was a ceramic bust of care giver Helen Deravencheko. Her winning entry will now become a part of the collection of Lismore Regional Gallery.The community is invited to join the event online, or register to attend here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grit-2020-tafe-diploma-of-ceramics-graduating-exhibition-tickets-126176123181All visitors to the campus are to register at student central (off Conway street) before entering the exhibition space.Student Lynne Sealotus Edmondson with her Fire Ovum painting.CommitmentTAFE NSW Head Teacher of Creative and Design Ideation Rohan Langford said the 2020 exhibition is testament to the dedication, commitment and hard work of the Diploma of Visual Arts graduates.“The exhibition is a great opportunity for the graduates to showcase their impressive creative skills across a range of disciplines including drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture,” Mr Langford said.“The Diploma of Visual Arts is a hands-on course which provides students with the opportunity to hone their artistic talent, develop their professional practice and build their individual profile as an artist so they can work successfully across the artistic and creative industries.”One of TAFE student Daniela Bradley's works. TAFE NSW graduate and Nimbin local Julie De Lorenzo said she is very much looking forward to the exhibition, as it is a great opportunity to showcase her work.“I found the course very useful and stimulating. It’s centered on improving our art practice, becoming more professional and extending our involvement in the art industry, and the exhibition is a very important part of that,” Ms De Lorenzo said.“I look forward to continuing to develop my work and to gain exposure in the industry so that I can share my ideas and creativity with the world, and ultimately inspire others to do the same.”Daniela Bradley.Opposing GravityOne of the graduating TAFEstudents Daniela Bradley works across painting and sculpture. She is described as an artist who contemplates the meanings behind her work deeply and new body of work 'Opposing Gravity' is about levity, ascension and weightlessness. "My ambitions became strong in my artmaking in 2020 to find levity and hope in the face of so many anxieties it presented around drought, fires, ongoing impacts of climate change and of course covid19,” she said."Each of my artworks is a psychological-tragedy or drama related to the issues of our world today but the wings hope to alleviate their weight and allude to the boundlessness of alternative outcomes."One of Daniela Bradley's works. Graduate student Beau Ravn's body of artwork is rooted in sacred Norse mythology. Beau said it explores how it can be relevant to our age of technological modernity both in terms of materiality, but also philosophical thought.Beau's art is primarily informed by the ancestral and cultural heritage of his Anglo-Nordic origins, however, it disturbs him greatly that the symbols and rich heritage of his culture and spirit have largely been misunderstood and misrepresented by extremists and white supremacists. Graduate student Beau Ravn.

Getting 59 new bus services in Lismore has taken lots of consultation with the State Government, but now we’ve got them, Social Futures chief executive Tony Davies says we need to use them.Mr Davies joined MLC Ben Franklin and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole in Lismore last week to officially announce the new bus services, which extend Buslines' bus hours of operations, including new bus trips on Sundays.Read more news: What should we do with Lismore's laneways? Public and business feedback wanted on Lismore Laneways concept designMLC Ben Franklin and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole at Lismore Transit Centre.Mr Davies said Social Futures had been working with State Government for the past 20 years to get more transport options available in our regional area.“Our region sees a lot of economic and educational disadvantage, and not everyone has access to a car,” he said.“We run homelessness and youth services and we know and transport is a key issue for many people in the region - so we are delighted to see the extended times of Buslines services now. This will help people get to the hospital later in the day or on the weekend.”MLC Ben Franklin and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole in Lismore last week.Hail the bus driver and get on the busWhile Mr Franklin announced the new services will “be here forever”, Mr Davies said it was just a first step toward making transport better, and that if people wanted to see more local services over time, “you need to get out there and use them”.“Keeping these bus services is something we will be holding government to,” Mr Davies said. “If people use the transport, there will be more coming - so get out there, find out about them and use the services.”Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said in big cities, a lot of people had public transport routes that went past their front door.“In regional areas it’s a different story,” he said. “So, it’s great news that now there’s services connecting town and Lismore residents to the university and TAFE.“The new services also provide safe transport for young people at night to get in and out of town.”Buslines chief executive Peter Ferris talks with Mr Toole.More work for bus staffBuslines chief executive Peter Ferris said one of the other great benefits of the additional bus services was that it had given more working hours and work for his staff “so they all benefit”.“People rely on us and the government to provide the services,” he said. “So it’s great services are now extended on Saturday – people used to have to be home by 1pm on a Saturday afternoon, but now you can go out until 6pm.”Mr Toole said the 59 additional weekly bus services would deliver better connections to community centres such as Lismore Base Hospital, TAFE, Southern Cross University and industrial areas of North and South Lismore. New changes include additional Saturday trips in the early evening on the 688 “Late Nighter” service travelling from Goonellabah to Lismore.  There are also new Sunday trips to and from the Lismore CBD, Southern Cross University, Goonellabah shops, Lismore Hospital, Lismore Heights and East Lismore.Read more about the new servicesThe new services are: Route 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 5pm Route 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 4pm Route 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 5pm Route 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 4pm Route 688 (Late-Nighter) ∙ New trips on Saturdays early in the evening, travelling from Goonellabah to Lismore.Updated information is available to plan your trip at https://transportnsw.info/.Information about the new bus timetable across Lismore, school services and fares is available on the operator’s webpage. For more information about the 16 Regional Cities Services Improvement Program visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/programs/16-regional-cities program.

WATER Northern Rivers is calling on Rous County Council to immediately release the full results of the community consultation regarding Future Water 2060, following the discovery that Rous has lobbied behind the scenes to get the Dunoon Dam on the NSW Government agenda. WATER Northern Rivers spokesperson and former Lismore and Rous County Councillor, Simon Clough said "this occurred before the consultation process had finished and the results made public".   “Buried in the draft Far North Coast Future Water Strategy, we see that Rous County Council and Lismore City Council had written to the Minister for Water to get the Dunoon Dam on the state government agenda," Mr Clough said. “The release of the draft regional strategy now reveals that Rous was directly lobbying the minister for a dam at the same time as asking the community for feedback. "We are also aware that Rous staff have been actively promoting the Dunoon dam to member councils Lismore, Ballina, Richmond Valley, and Byron Bay. "The community does not like to be involved with consultation processes that don’t appear to be genuine."Another spokesperson for WATER Northern Rivers.Annie Kia, said "the Draft Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy makes it very clear that sections of Rous have continued to push the out-dated, destructive and highly contentious Dunoon dam proposal to the Minister for Water”. “It’s disappointing that Rous has had a very narrow focus on the dam, while other experts call for an all options on the table approach," she said."There is widespread opposition to the Dunoon dam because it would obliterate rare rainforest and Aboriginal heritage, and we now know that there are better ways to achieve a resilient water system.” “In July, Rous County Council called for public submissions on its Future Water 2060. Submissions closed on 9th September. Two months is more than enough time for a consultant to report on the results.”In the interests of transparency, the group says the community consultation report must be made public well in advance of Rous Council’s meeting of 18th November. "It is essential that councillors, the community, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment , and the Minister, are fully informed," Ms Kia said.

Local community individuals and groups should seize the opportunity to have their say on the Draft Regional Water Strategy for the Far North Coast region, according to NSW Nationals MPs Chris Gulaptis, Geoff Provest and Ben Franklin. The regional politicians invite people to take part in a webinar today, or one of the face to face sessions later this month. Member of the NSW Legislative Council representing our region, Ben Franklin said the regional water strategy is an important chance for residents, farmers, businesses and councils to have their say on how water infrastructure is designed and managed in the future. "The Far North Coast is one of the most biodiverse areas in Australia and new climate modelling suggests droughts may be more severe in the future,” Mr Franklin said. “Over a third of water extraction in the Far North Coast region is used for town water supplies so we need to make decisions now about how, where and when to direct new investment to give the region adequate water security into the future. "The NSW Government has committed over $4 million in the past three years to co-fund eligible water and sewerage projects across the Far North Coast region to deliver improvements to public health and water security. “The draft strategy for the Far North Coast region is the culmination of extensive consultation and close partnerships with councils and local water utilities." He also noted that we had just experienced one of the worst droughts on record and we must prepare our regions and make them more drought resilient. The draft Far North Coast Strategy will be on display until December 13 and stakeholders and the wider community will have the opportunity to attend a webinar or face to face consultation sessions and provide their feedback.Webinar dates: The webinar will take place at 2pm – 4pm on Monday 9 November. The face to face consultation sessions will take place at 9:30am – 12pm on Thursday 12 November 2020 in Lismore. Local aboriginal engagement sessions will take place at 1:30pm – 4pm Thursday 12 November in Lismore.

Driving a car is one of those skills we take for granted. Once you get your L's, drive your 120 hours for at least twelve months, sit a test, pass and get your P's you or your children can legally drive a car on any road in Australia and in most cases over seas.Why do we teach our children to drive a car but not teach them the best ways to be safe in a car and survive in what will be their most dangerous activity in their life?David Russell is born and bred local Lismore man who, for more than 20 years, has been at the forefront of professional motor racing, driver training and events in Australia and overseas. David has driven V8 Supercars, in fact competed at this years 2020 Bathurst 1000 as well as the Porsche Carrera Cup series.David's company The Drive Team has started a new business that he is passionate about, Defensive Driving Courses at LADS Driver Education Facility in Monaltrie."Driving has been my life since I was very young," David said, "I started driving karts at the Lismore Kart Club from the age of 10 to 15 then began getting my racing licenses and racing cars""To be involved in a driving business which is multi layered with driver education and driver training is definitely something that I am passionate about. There is a huge void for this area nationally but for me this is where I live, I know a lot of people in this area.""It's heartbreaking when you see stories come up about car accidents because you know their parents or you know someone that has known those individuals and I'm not just talking about young individuals."When the LADS Education Driving Centre opened in Lismore it meant people in the Northern Rivers didn't have to travel to Brisbane, which was the closest driver education centre."We are lucky to have something like this on our doorstep," David said.David's company The Drive Team run various one day Defensive Driving Courses at LADS. David and his team put Learner Driving Instructors, Year 11 and 12 students and older people who want to become better, safer drivers through their paces teaching them how to be safe in the car at all times and what to do if you get in some sort of trouble while in traffic.David's philosophy is to leave the Learn To Drive Courses to the professionals in that area. "It is a tough and rewarding job starting kids driving.""It is the next phase that I want to impact, where young drivers get their P's and have no one in the car with them.""Research has shown that one in three will have some sort of accident from a ding in the car park to something more serious in the first 12 months of driving."Part of the our course is theory based, which focuses on what people are doing while in the car. According to David, this is the most dangerous activity they will do in their life time."I will present statistics and the reasons for road accidents and the deaths on our roads. People will get enough information and develop some life skills to be able to set themselves up to be safe on the roads for life."One of the theory elements of the course is 'Proactive Driving Techniques'."Everyone needs to understand what you need to do to be proactive in your driving. This involves a level of attention and vision skills, no distractions. It also marries up with your brain processing and scanning what those hidden dangers can be.""You ware looking for hazards so asking yourself what is that car doing moving out of the driveway, have they seen me? So you are asking the what if's about driving rather than driving with a level of complacency.""When you are stressed in life when you are older or not stressed when you are young, you can have that level of inattention. You don't ask the 'what if' questions."We talk about drugs and alcohol as well as distractions, like mobile phones and how to manage fatigue and deciding when you are fit to drive."People need to drive like everyone is out to get you."On the practical side of the course, David and his team will teach emergency techniques like how to stop the car in the quickest amount of time in all conditions."At the training centre we have the ability to wet everything down, make it slippery while working on their vision and avoidance skills where they're maneuvering the car into another lane, giving them a choice.""People learn what could go wrong , what could they do better and how they could not put themselves in poor position to start with.David's philosophy is simple."We want to set our kids up for life using different skills. We correct them on their manners, we show them how to be an adult, we encourage them listen to their teacher and do their homework and we are giving that advice all the time.""Driving is one of the most dangerous activities they will do in their life so why don't we give them more advanced skills?""Why do we just teach them to drive and leave them to it on the roads at a young age?""I wonder why this isn't a compulsory exercise for every young driver when you think about it.""Every parent I speak to says "I don't know why the schools don't make it compulsory" but then the onus is on the parents to make sure their kids do the course and gain the necessary skills."My goal is that schools in our local area will make the Defensive Driving Courses compulsory in the near future."The Lismore App is giving away a one day Defensive Driving Course with David at the LADS Driver Education Facility in Monaltrie.To enter simply go to the WIN! button on the front page, fill in your details and push submit.The competition is open now and closes next Sunday November 15 at 5pm.

The Nimbin Pool will open to the community in November thanks to the generosity of local community members, who have volunteered to help keep pool visitors COVID-safe.The COVID-19 Public Health Orders put in place by the NSW Government meant Lismore City Council needed to have people on site to monitor COVID-19 safety measures - and ensure valid contact tracing records are kept.Because the pool is a free community facility, these requirements made it cost prohibitive for Council to open – but the Nimbin community has stepped in and committed to providing volunteer support.Council is now working with the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre and the Friends of the Nimbin Pool to establish a roster of volunteers so the pool can open as soon as possible.Council’s Assets Manager Scott Turner said "we are really thankful that the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre, Friends of the Nimbin Pool and local community members have come on board"."Now we can ensure this facility can open over the summer months. "Without their generous support, the pool could not open – it’s an extraordinary community effort. “We are aiming to open the pool in late November. When we have a volunteer roster in place, we will announce opening days and times to the broader community.”More volunteers are needed to help with the pool opening over summer. Anyone interested in signing up should email the Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre at admin@nnic.org.au.All volunteers will need a valid Working with Children Check. This can be completed at http://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au

The illegal dumping of items is so bad, it is costing the Anglican Op Shop in Goonellabah $500 a week in tip fees.Stephen Hall the Anglican Parish of Lismore is making a desperate plea for residents to not dump their items out the front or to the side of their building on Rous Road."$500 a month is $6000 a year in council fees to remove the unwanted items," Stephen said, "That is $6000 that we cannot contribute to local charities such as the Winsome Soup Kitchen and emergency food aide."While costing the Op Shop money, the actions of some are potentially harming the volunteers."Our shop is staffed by volunteers who have to sort through what is sometimes dirty and dangerous material."While most people try and do the right thing there are some in the community that are treating the Op Shop like a dumping ground. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggest that "most people know that illegal dumping is wrong and they know it is socially unacceptable, however most people don't think they will get caught.""It is so disappointing that people can do this under the guise of a donation", Stephen added.What are the guidelines around donating items to a charity?They can differ slightly from organisation to organisation, however the Salvation Army website states "Things that you would be happy to keep yourself but don't need anymore." Items like;Clothing and accessoriesToys, books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl recordsHomewaresFurnitureElectrical goodsWhat charities don't want is anything that is broken, damaged, ripped, stained or in any way faulty. As a simple rule, if there's something wrong with it then charities can't sell it.They also cannot accept:Computer monitors, printers, scanners and other hardwareBuilding materialsCar partsWeapons – including replicas and martial arts weaponsTaxidermy animalsThen there are large donations like furniture, mattresses and white goods. There are certain government rules and regulations around accepting some of these items plus it depends on the size of the charities store so the best approach is to ring and ask or visit during trading hours.This is the main message from all charities. If you do have something to donate to any charity, you are asked to do so during operating hours when staff can assess what you have to donate.For the Anglican Op Shop in Goonellabah this is Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3pm and Saturday's 8:30am to 1pm.

Lismore-based artist Antoinette O'Brien was named on Friday 6 November as the winner of the 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize with their portrait of a Helen Deravenchecko. The winning work, titled, Lacuna, was selected by Sydney-based visual artist Abdul Abdullah, and announced in an online event. When considering his selection, Abdullah said: ‘As I walked around the show, I kept coming back to this work. The combination of the ceramic bust and the reef it sits on drew me into a story about memory, and how moments attach themselves to our experience. Beyond likeness the carefully sculpted head of Antoinette’s sitter Helen Deravenchecko expressed to me so much about her character. The two objects that make the work synergised for me into an idea that was even greater the sum of its already excellent parts.'The artist, Antoinette O'Brien says of this work: ‘This is a portrait imbued with my love and appreciation for Helen Deravencheko. I am indebted to Helen in many ways. My mother was unwell and incapacitated all my life and Helen helped by washing clothes, ironing and cleaning, but more importantly for me, she sat and drank tea with Mum and me. Drinking tea and chatting with them both was nurturing and formative. Helen was quietly present, but remains loud and vibrant in my memory. In this work Helen sits upon the Blue Hole, a support which references a connection between geological deep time and mined memory. The Blue Hole is a seascape in which my brother and I swam 40 metres below the surface, drifting around an ancient stalagmite. Love, Helen, and the infinite depths of the Blue Hole are linked in my memory and find their expression in this portrait.' Lismore Regional Gallery Director, Brett Adlington, thanked Abdul Abdullah for his selection, and for the considered approach he took in reaching his conclusion, stating:‘As this award continues to grow, it is exciting to see artists of the Northern Rivers region share the walls with artists from across the country. While this prize is very much about the experience of viewing all the finalists, it is vitally important that we also consider the way in which the prize supports the development of the permanent collection. What is so exciting this year, is that for the first time this award has gone to sculptural work, which indicates how important it has been to broaden the parameters around this award.’Abdullah also gave a Highly Commended award to Bangalow-based artist Michelle Dawson for her work, Vera. On this work, Abdul stated: The subject Vera Wasowski is a holocaust survivor who passed away in 2019. The composition felt very natural, the brushwork felt causal but very precise, and it told me so much about who this person was. Brett Adlington also thanked the sponsors of the award, Hurford Hardwood, saying: 'Their ongoing commitment to the cultural life of the Northern Rivers is to be congratulated, and I thank them for supporting this prize, and the development of our permanent collection'. Members of the public will have their chance to vote their winner through the People’s Choice Award, with the winning artist receiving $1,000 from the Friends of Lismore Regional Gallery. The next Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize will be held towards the end of 2022.

After a stormy weekend last week we look to be pretty settled this Saturday and Sunday with only the 20% chance of rain tomorrow which increases to 40% on Sunday but looks like falls of only 2mm at best Weather.As you may have read today, music lovers have some more live events coming up for the month of November through the Great Southern Nights campaign. Five artists including The Whitlams Tim Freedman will be appearing at Lismore City Hall throughout the month. Tim is the first of the artists to entertain us this Thursday November 12. More details through the Gig Guide Gig Guide.While on the arts, the 2020 Hurford Hardwood Portrait Prize opens to the public tomorrow at 10am at the Lismore Regional Gallery. There is a suggested $5 donation for entry to see the 68 finalists illustrate the diverse ways in which the human form can be captured.This weekends market scene is led by the Channon Craft Markets on Sunday between 9am and 3pm. Christmas is only 6 weeks away so some early shopping could be on the agenda among the 250+ stallholders as well as live music, kids rides and food stalls.The Farmers Markets are on at the Lismore Showgrounds from 8 tomorrow morning with local fresh farm grown fruit and veg as well as flowers, mulch, seedlings and importantly coffee and breakfast.As it is the first Saturday of the month the Blue Knob Community Markets will see the return of the ceramics studio stall (more Christmas gift ideas) as well as the fresh produce.The cheap petrol this week is 112.9 at the United on Ballina Road for unleaded E10 while U98 is lowest at the Liberty on Wyrallah Road, East Lismore and the independent on the corner of Terania and Tweed Street, North Lismore for 123.9. Diesel owners have a lot of choice but you shouldn't pay more than 117.9 wherever you go.Neil Marks' Blog tomorrow is all about funding and the improvements it is making to our city. The Sunday Profile will a great Lismore history read as it features Brian The Train Driver at Heritage Park which is open and operational with new engines.Look out for the Lismore App WIN! button on Sunday, we are giving you the chance to win a one day Defensive Driving Course with local legend David Russell. You can read about the course in our news story on Sunday as well as enter the competition, it maybe for you or your child or grandchild.If you have an event or know of an event on any weekends, don't hesitate to let me know via email simon@lismoreapp.com.au. Here is some Friday jokes to kickstart the weekend, some involving the U.S. Elections (of course):