Innovative events to keep veterans socially connected could attract some of the $200,000 in funding now available for Veteran's Health Week activities.Veterans and their families are being encouraged to keep socially connected as part of Veterans’ Health Week, with a share in funding available to community groups and ex-service organisations to assist with activities.Veterans Health Week will be held from Saturday, 24 October to Sunday, 1 November 2020 and communities are being encouraged to get creative to ensure events can still take place, with organisations able to apply for $720 in funding to support their activities.Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the global coronavirus pandemic had made it difficult for many people to physically see each other and finding ways to socially connect with one another was now more important than ever, particularly for the ex-service community.“Social connection is one of the most important aspects for your mental health and wellbeing, and as part of Veterans’ Health Week this year we are encouraging those in the ex-service community to remain socially connected, with family, friends and local community,” Mr Chester said.“This year we’re asking organisations to come up with more innovative ideas for hosting events, to get creative and create new opportunities to connect, either in person where possible or virtually over the phone or internet.“This could include a fitness challenge or session, community meditation or yoga, community catch-ups or arts and crafts workshops to name a few — all either in person, or virtually. Ex-service organisations can also look to partner with other local community organisations to deliver their chosen activity.“Veterans’ Health Week is a chance to remind veterans and their families to stay in touch with their local communities and participate in community events and remain socially connected.”Each year the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides $200,000 in funding to assist community groups and ex-service organisations to host events for Veterans Health Week. Applications are now open and organisations can apply to receive $720 to support their Veterans’ Health Week activity. To apply for funding visit http://www.dva.gov.au/vhw“Supporting the mental health of veterans and their families is a key priority for this Government and Veterans’ Health Week is one way we can spread more awareness about the importance of social connection within local communities across Australia,” Mr Chester said.“I encourage veterans and their families to look out for a Veteran Health Week event hosted in their community, and to stay safe, but connected.”For more information on Veterans’ Health Week and the funding available, visit the Veterans’ Health Week page on the DVA website. You can also call 1800 555 254 or email [email protected] for funding close 2 October 2020. Applicants must be aware of local state or territory Coronavirus restrictions that are in place and ensure their event is following all Coronavirus guidelines.  

In a recent Lismore City Council survey on the impact of the closure of the Queensland border it was noted that residents were suffering for medical and personal reasons and through the loss of jobs.One of the recommendations from the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation of Councils was to establish a $45 million grant program to assist small businesses to cope with losses caused by the border closure. This matches what has already been given to councils on the southern border with Victoria.Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has stepped into the battle calling for the Berejiklian Government to match its southern NSW $45 million COVID-19 grant program with a similar package for struggling communities here in the north. Ms Saffin urged Deputy Premier John Barilaro more than a week ago to extend the program, which he announced on a flying visit to Albury, to northern businesses doing it tough. Now she says the delay in implementing a package shows an “unresponsive” Berejiklian Government has little regard for northern border communities. “These are NSW residents and the NSW Government is responsible for them and to them,” Ms Saffin said. “Regardless of which government made the decision to close the Queensland-NSW border, the negative impacts on struggling local businesses on the Northern Rivers and Northern Tablelands are no different to those experienced by businesses near the NSW-Victorian border.” Ms Saffin called for the program to cover all businesses located in the Local Government Areas within the bubble zone, including Tweed Shire, Kyogle and Tenterfield Shire. She said it should also be extended to other businesses in the Lismore City, Richmond Valley, Byron Shire, Ballina Shire and Clarence Valley Local Government Areas. “The NSW Business Chamber, representing businesses across the Northern Rivers and New England North West, the Master Builders Association of NSW Northern Rivers and the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation all support what I am calling for,” Ms Saffin said. Ms Saffin stressed that she was asking for extra targeted support for businesses over and above pre-existing support measures. “This program would help with local businesses’ day-to-day costs, keep their doors open and keep people in their jobs,” she said. 

After three heartbreaking weeks of waiting, Lismore-based dad Brad Jones was finally given an exemption to cross the Queensland border to see his critically-ill four year daughter Charlotte in a Brisbane children’s hospital.Brad said it was for two hours only, and when the time was up, security guards escorted him back to his car to make sure he immediately began the drive back to Lismore – with no stops on the way.“I could barely even see the road as I was driving – I was crying that hard,” Brad said. “When I looked at her, I thought we would be burying her. It took my breath away to see my little girl like that.”Read more news: Border closure heartbreak for family separated by cancer treatmentLeukemiaOver the last few weeks, Charlotte, who is critically ill and being treated for leukemia, has taken a turn for the worse. “Last Friday afternoon, Charlotte had a seizure and was placed in ICU and sedated,” he said. “She’s in a bad way – she had a liver infection and was yellow and jaundiced. “She’ll be in ICU for a few weeks yet, but they have finally got her off the respirator, but it’s still a long road ahead. She was 15kg when she was admitted, then she got to 23kg because of the fluid build up in her body. “The oncologist said the next 48 hours will see her either take a turn for the worse, or go the right way.”QuarantineBrad is devastated that he can no longer travel over the border to visit Charlotte without the burden of an expensive stay in quarantine for two weeks each visit. He also has the job of looking after he and his partner’s other children in Lismore and is trying to get Queensland authorities to let the family cross the border and stay in the cancer care accommodation unit together.“I’ve applied for another exemption to visit again, but haven’t heard anything yet,” he said.“It’s not fair. There’s no heart coming from the Queensland Government in this situation – it’s a joke. It’s all politics and it’s not about Australians and our lives.Hotspot“I’ve asked MP Kevin Hogan to ask them what is a true hotspot? There are no new Covid cases here, but Brisbane has cases. Are they classified as a hotspot now?“Why can’t Lismore be a part of this border bubble so we can travel? I know they didn’t want to do it because of Byron Bay and the tourists that come there. Read more news: Where's the $45 million grant to help our communities with border closure losses?Inhumane“I saw the case on the news of the father who couldn’t get across to see his dying child and the case of the mother with twins who was turned away and one of babies died - that’s inhumane- we are not in a third world country.“They will let 400 football players go there though – it’s all about the money.”Brad said Charlotte is fighting for her life and he is hoping to see realistic changes to allow him and his family to stay together in Queensland.ChemotherapyBrad said he’s never going to give up trying to see his little girl, but he is worried about how she has been reacting to the chemotherapy treatment. “When Charlotte got too sick, she had to stop receiving chemotherapy and that has pushed us back a lot further,” he said. “We are only half way through her second cycle and at this rate she will be there with her mum until after Christmas.“She’s trying to sit up now. I haven’t heard her voice for nearly a week – she was so sick and sedated.”Brad said Charlotte’s leukemia was diagnosed in January, but not until after she had been admitted to Lismore Base Hospital twice with swollen adenoids, which were at first thought to be tonsillitis and treated with steroids. Finally, after not getting better, Charlotte was diagnosed with leukemia.Brad remembers the day pediatrician Dr Chris Ingalls told him had an advanced aggressive cancer and he had to break the horrible news to his partner. Prayers“We are just taking it week by week, but lately it’s been hour by hour. I haven’t been getting much sleep and I’ve never prayed before, but I pray now.”“I’ve had to watch her lose her hair,” he said. She was a wild child who would fall on the driveway and get up and laugh. We call her our warrior princess. I think that prepared her for all this.Oncology ward“I know about cancer now because I have to visit the oncology ward in the hospital and see the young kids in there who have no idea what they are going through.“I’m a stern person but it got to me. My daughter is fighting for her life and every day in her ward, there is a nurse in the room with Charlotte and Melissa. She is in God’s hands now. “I hope we can be together in the unit near the hospital soon.”MP Hogan respondsFederal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said he was continually working with the all levels of government on a solution to Brad’s situation.“This shows the complete absurdity of the border bubble lockdown, with no Covid cases in our region” he said. “We are taking three different avenues to get changes made – applying to the Prime Minister’s office, working with Queensland Premier Palaszczuk, Brad Hazzard the NSW Health Minister and the cross-border commission. Shame them“We are trying to shame them into giving him exemption.“Last week, the Prime Minister tried to get the States to agree to a national position and agree over what a hotspot is. Queensland’s stance is political in motivation ahead of a State election.“We all understand the Melbourne and Victorian restrictions with hundreds of new cases there every day, but in Queensland there’s no medical reason.” 

Lismore City Council has made a "damning" submission ahead of an Upper House inquiry examining the Government’s misuse of grants.The inquiry begins on Monday, September 21, and NSW Labor is demanding the Liberals and Nationals be held accountable for the “blatant attempt to buy marginal seats like Lismore through the distribution of grants before the 2019 State election”.Lismore City Council’s submission stated: “These pre-election funding opportunities are often opaque and do not respond to the documented needs of a community or are not costed in accordance with the actual work that needs to be done.“This results in a ‘gift’ of funds that results in implementation shortfalls.”The Government’s misuse of taxpayer funds was highlighted in the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF).Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren said the SCCF saw $400 million handed out over three rounds – with $200 million distributed in round two, months prior to the 2019 NSW election.“Over the course of three rounds, the Lismore electorate received 74 grants, with 41 announced in round two,” he said.“More than 87% of grants went to Coalition-held seats in round 2, despite holding just over 60% of electorates eligible for the SCCF grants.Mr Warren said the Government was elected to represent every community, not its own self-interest.“The concerns of Lismore City Council are not only justified, they are echoed throughout the state,” he said.“This government goes missing from communities for four years then reappears months before an election to announce grants and buy votes.“It’s disgusting, disgraceful and deceitful.”Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the results from the 2019 state election “clearly show the people of Lismore did not fall for this government’s lies and false promises”.“Lismore, like every community throughout NSW, needs a member who represents their best interests for all four years – not just months before an election,” she said.“They didn’t get that with the Nationals but they certainly get that with NSW Labor.”

Today is R U OK? day and if you are not sure what to say to someone after asking this question, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) has some suggestions.If they are not ok, telling the person what you have noticed, is one of the ways you can keep the conversation going as you reach out to someone who might be struggling.RAMHP Coordinator, Steve Carrigg, said adverse events - such as drought, floods, bushfires and a global pandemic - have taken a toll on many people, financially, physically and mentally. “Now, more than ever, our rural communities need to check in with each other and stay connected,” he said.“Stressful events can cause feelings of worry and unease, especially when there are high levels of uncertainty involved.“We need our communities to look out for each other. If you see someone you know who is showing signs they might be struggling, it is important to talk to them and to encourage them to take action.“If someone says they’re not okay, it’s important to know what to say and learn how to start a conversation.New guide to help the conversationTo help you know what to say after “R U OK?”, RAMHP has developed a new Guide – Having a Conversation, which includes tips on how to start a conversation. 1. Pick a time and a place – Pick a good time and find the right place to have the conversation.2. Be specific – Tell the person what you have noticed.3. Ask questions – Ask open-ended questions.  4. Really listen – Listen without judgement, don’t interrupt and acknowledge their feelings.5. Let them know it’s okay – Reassure them it’s okay to feel the way they do, and that help is available 6. Support and encourage – Support them in taking positive steps to improve their mental health.7. Follow-up – Stay in touch and check in again soon 8. Look after yourself – Make sure you’re going okay and ask for support if you need itYou can also access resources and information on the RAMHP website http://www.ramhp.com.au RAMHP has also developed a new dedicated website for rural men - You Got This Mate - which provides action-focussed tips and information to help men reach their best possible mental health. If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s mental health, call the NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 for advice, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.  

After being absent for decades, an antique cream can, newly restored and painted has again appeared atop the premises of 83 Keen Street.The cream can spent decades atop the building when it was the home of Sidney & Hacking Plumbing - and was a symbol to the local community that they could get their cream cans repaired there.Now, the building is now the new home of Daleys Homewares and Monogramming, which is moving from its Woodlark Street location.In a tale that spans generations, John Daley and Matthew Healy, owner of Daleys Homewares & Monogramming, are keeping the old stories alive – along with a piece of history from the Sidney & Hacking family business, which was founded in 1903.Read more news: R U OK Day? is today. So, what do you say after 'R U OK?'The cream can can be seen on top of the Sidney & Hacking shop c.1930 - and today.“Repairing cream cans was one of Sidney & Hacking’s major operations,” John Daley said.“The cans were always silver - they have a lead/tin coating over them and every couple of years they had to be recovered, inside and out.“I think the first cream can was up on top of the shop in the 1930s. Then their business moved to south Lismore in about 1995 and they rented the Keen Street building to the Northern Star as offices - that’s when they took the cream can down.“Sidney and Hacking were a large plumbing shop with 50 men working here - and it was here for a long time. The business is still going but this cream can is a link with the past. They were a fine family.”Read more news: Lismore's crazy characters feature on TV breakfast show this morningMatthew Healy, owner of Daleys, getting the new shop ready.Sidney & Hacking historySidney & Hacking Plumbing was founded by Norman Sidney and Charles Hacking. Handed down the Sidney family from father to son, the business is currently owned by Andrew Sidney, great grandson of Norman. Today, Andrew's son Taylor, a trade certified plumber, makes the fifth generation of people to work in the family business.John said Max Sidney – one of the previous owners of the business - is about 85 now and he is a twin.“When Matthew bought this new shop building, I spoke to Max about it and Max asked if we would put the cream can back up,” John said.“Max had saved it all this time, so we cleaned it up and painted it in Sidney and Hacking colours- silver, red and green. As far as we know it’s the original can.”Matthew Healy said it was important to keep the historical connection to place, community and business alive.“It’s been a part of Keen Street history for almost 100 years,” Matthew said. “Old families and stories will be forgotten if we don’t maintain them.“We thought it was good to reinstate it, we are only 30 years old, but we are also a part of the landscape of Lismore. It’s a way we can keep the old stories alive in town.”MonogrammingMatthew said the move to the new shop was a complex logistical exercise, as the large embroidery machines were heavy and needed to be winched out of the roof of the old shop on Woodlark Street.“They are now in place in the new shop and working again,” he said.Matthew said the old shop location will cease trading on Friday this week and will open the doors of the new shop location next Monday.Read more: SUNDAY PROFILE: John Daley & Matthew Healy on 30 years in business

If you are heading outdoors over the next two days make sure you take the umbrella with you as we are expecting some decent rainfall.Alinka Duma from the Bureau of Meteorology said the rain will be developing in the early hours of tomorrow morning then increasing in the afternoon and evening. This us due to a southerly cold front moving north plus some cooler air coming across the ocean. We should see around 10-20mm in the rain gauge Thursday and a further 10-15mm on Friday which will help green up our hills and pasture land.If you do happen to live near the coast you are expecting stronger falls in the vicinity of 15-35mm tomorrow.Saturday morning will see some lingering showers in the morning but under 2mm to start the weekend then Sunday is looking the pick with a few clouds hanging around.

Following recent violent incidents against Lismore Base Hospital staff, the Health Services Union (HSU) has lashed the hospital saying the security crisis will worsen because management has taken "shortcuts" by hiring contract security officers who are "incapable of intervening in a violent situation".Read more news: Lismore Health Workers are Safe say expertsHSU Lismore organiser Peter Kelly said “our members at Lismore Hospital have been treated as punching bags for far too long”. “In the last few years they have been stabbed, punched and bitten," he said. “The hired labour hire security guards are not authorised to restrain a patient who becomes violent. Nor can they respond to a code black duress alarm in any meaningful way.“HSU members are ropable at management’s constant corner cutting. Lismore Hospital is legally required to provide employees with a safe work environment. It’s time they took that seriously.”Mr Kelly said the union has notified the local health district and is now formally in a dispute with intentions to escalate the issue to the Industrial Relations Commission if necessary.'Window dressing'“If Lismore Hospital management thinks window dressing will solve its security crisis they should think again,” he said.“These labour hire security officers are simply not trained nor authorised to intervene in a violent and dangerous incident. Yet they have been employed to provide security 24 hours a day for at least the next week.“This is what happens when you fail to plan and refuse to invest in your workforce. You wind up spending more on inadequate solutions that don’t maintain public security.Read more news: Border closure heartbreak for family separated by cancer treatmentWayne Jones.Read more news: NSW Telestroke service goes live at Lismore Base Hospital todayLocal health district chief respondsNorthern NSW Local Health District chief executive Wayne Jones said the use of external security providers to supplement the health security workforce was not a “short cut measure”.“It is used based on staff availability, workload and assessment of the duties required at the time.  “Where additional security presence is required, additional staff are called in.  “In the majority of cases, these opportunities are offered first to our existing workforce, but where a role cannot be filled by a health staff member, an external contractor supplies staff. “External security staff are fully licenced security officers and can and do respond to Code Blacks on the department they are assigned to, as part of the response team. Lismore Base Hospital is increasing its security workforce and recruitment is already underway for up to 10 new casual Health and Security Assistants and security staff. Mr Jones said at Lismore Base Hospital there are two Health and Security Assistants (HSAs) allocated to the Emergency Department on every shift, 24 hours a day. These staff hold a NSW security licence.  “There are always staff members on campus who are trained in violence prevention management, while external security contractors provide an additional support role,” he said.“Following the incident on August 23, Lismore Base Hospital increased the security in the emergency department using existing avenues, for the safety of our staff and patients. “Northern NSW Local Health District is in discussion with the Health Services Union on this matter.”Future discussionMr Kelly said union representatives would be meeting with the local health district in a few weeks.“We will discuss security and safety,” he said. “We’ve just started working through it and we will be continuing to meet to with them.”

Channel Seven’s morning TV show Sunrise visited Lismore in the early hours of this morning, with presenter Sam Mac broadcasting the weather report from the banks of the Wilsons River. As the mist rolled off the river near Lismore’s boat ramp, Sam invited a host of local Lismore characters to be on the TV show, including drag queen Maude Boate, Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith, the Lismore Swans, musician Michaela Jay and local farm producers. As the city of Lismore gained a bit of recognition across Australia, Mayor Smith showed off his mayoral robes designed by craftsperson Denise Rall while he had his portrait painted - and the Swans attempted (unsuccessfully) to kick a ball over the Wilsons River.Metre and a half maidsLismore’s social distancing comediennes, metre and a half maids Merlina and her daughter Melanie, had an early start in order to be on the show this morning.“I’ve been up since 4am and I had to be dressed in costume at the river by 5.30am,” she said. “They kept saving us for the end so we had to wait until 7.30am until we were on the show.“I’m tired now, but it was fun and beautiful to see the local talent on the show,” she laughed.“There was even a flamenco dancer and local mob saying ‘jingi walla’."Merlina has been in the comedy scene for 25 years and has played a host of funny characters in the area, while keeping her real identity anonymous. She said she was told about the the Sunrise breakfast show by Lismore Car Boot market organisers - after her first successful gig as a metre and a half maid at the recent market.“We are available for gigs anywhere and I have people in each State ready to hop into the role as metre and a half maids,” she said.“We want to make events safe and fun and bring a bit of light humour in all the craziness of the world at the moment.“We walk around and ensure social distancing behaviour in people without making them uncomfortable. I carry a stop and go stick that is exactly 1.5 metres and we make noise and tell people we are keeping this market open and thank you for being aware.“It’s like they let a gasp out because we are not being hard about it – it’s a new way to think about it.”So where did the idea for the maids come from?“I have a weird brain - I was a yoyo champ as a kid,” she laughed. “Some of my clever friends helped me with costumes, wigs and hats and it goes down a treat.“We are available for bookings for gigs – weddings, parties, anything - and we will be at the Channon market this weekend - and will be a regular feature at the car boot market.”If you want to contact the metre and a half maids, find them on Facebook or Instagram #metreandahalfmaids. You can watch this morning’s Sunrise episode online at https://7plus.com.au/sunriseRead more news: Hospital security crisis brings Union criticism over 'shortcuts'

Police are reappealing for public assistance as they continue to search missing man Rohan Lloyd.Mr Lloyd lives in Lismore, however he is also known to frequent the Kyogle, Barkers Vale and Coffs Harbour areas.Rohan, aged 37, was last seen in Kyogle about 11am on Thursday August, 13, 2020.His family contacted police when he could not be contacted. Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare.His vehicle – a light blue 2009 Hyundai Getz – was located by police on Wednesday 2 September near Whiteman Creek Road on the mid north coast.Officers from Coffs/Clarence and Richmond Police Districts are conducting extensive inquiries into his whereabouts.Mr Lloyd lives in Lismore, however he is also known to frequent the Kyogle, Barkers Vale and Coffs Harbour areas.Police have released an image of a vehicle similar to Rohan’s, in the hope that someone may have noticed it around the mid north coast in late August to early September.Rohan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 167cm tall, with a medium build, balding brown hair and a short, fine beard.Anyone who sees him, or believes they know his whereabouts, or who may have seen his light blue 2009 Hyundai Getz with NSW registration CI 19 FC in late August or early September, is urged to contact police.Anyone with information about Rohan’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or 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

The two big stories to come out of the monthly Lismore City Council meeting last night was the approval of the Nimbin Cullen Street Development and Neil Marks' appointment as Deputy Mayor for the next twelve months.The Cullen Street development means Nimbin's CBD will be revitalised once the project is complete with retail shops, take away food premises, a 12 seat café, a Medical Centre and communal open space garden areas.The majority of councillors referred to positive feedback from the community with Councillor Bird saying "That beyond a doubt that the community supports this DA. It can only bring positives to our community." There was some conjecture as to the amount the developer would pay in contributions for the Western Carpark and beautification of the garden area. The initial amount was $74,840, this was reduced to $20,000 as it was deemed enough for the proposed work to be completed without the developer walking away from the project.There were two candidates for Deputy Mayor, they were Neil Marks and Nancy Casson. Neil Marks was voted in as Deputy Mayor 5 votes to 3.In his speech Cnr Marks said 'This has been a difficult time for councillors and we have not always worked well together. As Deputy Mayor I hope to bring us together.""I feel I have worked closely with every member and hope I have earned their respect."Five councillors thought so while three supported Cnr Casson with Cnr Ekins abstaining from the vote.Cnr Casson suffered more disappointment earlier in the night when her motion to offer Financial Hardship Assistance to some struggling ratepayers through the creation of a reserve fund through the saving of former councillors Gianpiero Battista and Greg Bennett's wages, was lost 3 votes to 6. The money council saves from those two wages will be put into the general fund.

Applications are closing soon for Lismore City Council’s Business Flood Grants.The grants of up to $25,000 are to assist businesses and premises owners within flood-prone urban areas to become ‘flood ready’. Applications close 4pm, Tuesday, September 15. The program Guideline and Application forms are available at http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.auThe grants are in partnership with the NSW Government. For more information contact Tina Irish on 1300 87 83 87.To find out more about the grants, read The Lismore App story: Lismore businesses called to get flood ready with a $25K grant 

Calling for smarter water management, protestors wearing masks gathered outside the Rous County Council building in Lismore this morning to declare their opposition to the proposed new dam at Dunoon.The protestors were members of the newly formed alliance, WATER Northern Rivers – and they presented the water authority with 280 paper submissions objecting to the new dam.Read more news: Channon Dunoon Dam causing more than wavesWATER Northern Rivers spokesperson Annie Kia, said tomorrow was the last day for the public to hand in submissions expressing their views on the planned dam to the water authority.New report“We want Rous County Council to pause in the process of planning this new dam, especially since a new report from Professor Stuart White from UTS in Sydney has shown that the dam is unnecessary and would increase the cost of water significantly,” she said.“Professor White’s report says that the Rous assessment process failed to adequately analyse and cost better water efficiency, and that it incorrectly applied the concept of marginal cost in comparing options.“In view of this report, we call on Rous County Council to stop promoting the dam, and to adopt a management approach that values water at every part of its journey.”Annie said the way forward instead, was to invest in system-wide water efficiency, as undertaken by the City of Sydney – which then successfully increased its population by one million people without any extra water usage.“This involves auditing all the water pipes in the system, including schools, hospitals, aged care residences, government buildings and universities – every faucet, appliance and policy,” she said.“Then fixing it means more jobs are also created to address the issues where water is lost."Will the cost of water go up?Annie said Rous’ general manager already confirmed to Councillors that the cost of water will increase four fold.“Rous sells to local government and the dam costs at present are $245 million – it’s on their website,” she said.“It’s a huge infrastructure cost and we know these builds blow out, Professor White looks at this and analyses the costs.“He offers a different way of thinking about this and has worked with Egypt, Oman and the Phillipines on these modern approaches to water systems.“Sydney City put a big investment in it and got a big return on it, making incredible gains in the system."We lose water all the way on its journey.“It’s a mad notion that we need to raise water to the highest drinking standard and use it to flush toilets and mix cement.‘We collect energy on roofs here, but we are not good at harvesting water.Picture by David Lowe of the area to be flooded for the dam.Lismore Square“Lismore Square has a big roof and when they put rain tanks on, they collected the water and flush toilets with it – it’s their big water use. We can all do so much better.”Annie also said some councils dealt with water efficiency better than others. She cited Ballina Council’s purple pipe water reuse scheme and how it was used to feed water to new housing developments.“If the Lismore North Plateau development goes ahead, Lismore City Council still have no plans to take clean water to the development for reuse through the purple pipe system.“If we go ahead with the dam, we lose the opportunity to get a water system we can be proud of. Local resident, David Lowe has created video footage and pictures of the rare and endangered rainforest in The Channon Gorge, which would be destroyed by the new dam wall.Environment“This dam is destructive all round. It would obliterate Aboriginal Heritage. It would drown exceptionally rare rainforests. And with its eye-watering price-tag of $240 million dollars, it would increase the cost of water to consumers and industry."Annie said the plan to flood the Dunoon/Channon valley would destroy “quite an amazing place”."There is only 1% of the Big Scrub Rainforest left and the dam would destroy an important part of what remains, and with it, endangered ecological communities, and threatened species,” she said.MP HoganPage MP Kevin Hogan said "our area is good at catching water on the roof", but that government needed to look closer at policies that could restrict the ways we gather water from roof tops.“The issue here is we have is we have a growing population with a demand for more water and more energy,” he said.“Rous do a lot of work on this and there’s currently a public consultation and we’ll see what comes back.”LinksProfessor Stuart White’s documents reports can be viewed here:Brief summary: http://www.bit.ly/Prof-Stuart-White-Rous-Water-augmentation-proposalSlides in PDF form: http://www.bit.ly/Prof-Stuart-White-Rous-slidesAnyone interested in submitting their views to Rous County Council can do so by emailing [email protected] or get ideas from the Facebook page Dunoon/ the Channon Dam Proposal Forum

Water squirters, misters and water cannons - to keep the kids (and big kids) cool in the warmer months - will soon be a prominent feature in Lismore's Heritage Park.Lismore City Mayor Isaac Smith said work on the $500,000 upgrade of the popular Heritage Park is progressing well with the installation of the new water play area and upgrade of the Tiny Tots area expected to start in a couple of weeks.“Heritage Park is much loved and used by our community. This upgrade will ensure families will use it for many more years to come,” he said. “It is planned that the installation of the water play equipment will commence in the second week of September, with the new playground and nature play area installation commencing the following week.“While the installation of the playground areas has been delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Council has used this time to employ local contractors to do various other aspects of the upgrade, including painting, plumbing, cleaning, fencing, landscaping and earth moving, all using local supplies. “With everything going to plan, and the weather being favourable like it is now, we are aiming to have the park open to the community for a well-earned play in early October.”The new water play area includes squirters, misters and water cannons to keep the kids cool in the warmer months.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 in-ground trampolines.The Heritage Park upgrade has been funded through a $250,000 grant from the NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund and $250,000 from Council raised via pocket park sales and flood insurance money. 

At tonight's Lismore City Council meeting our new Deputy Mayor will be elected. Under normal circumstances this is not an overly interesting vote but in a COVID year where council elections have been deferred by twelve months, September 2021, it does give the Deputy Mayor a more visual profile if that person wishes to run for Mayor next year.Mayor Isaac Smith confirmed this point, "it does give that person more prominence going into a Mayoral election year."During this four year term we have had Councillors Gianpiero Battista, Vanessa Ekins, Elly Bird and currently Darlene Cook serving as Deputy Mayors for LCC."In the past this has been a rotating position to give other councillors experience in that role," Mayor Smith said, "but the rule book has been thrown aside once COVID hit."So who is putting their hat in the ring tonight?Councillor Nancy Casson has said she will nominate, Neil Marks wasn't sure, Eddie Lloyd and Bill Moorhouse were contemplating not staying in their roles for another twelve months so they probably won't nominate. This would leave Adam Guise as a third option unless one of the other four breaks the unwritten rotation policy.The biggest item on the council meeting tonight is the Development Application for a controversial new building in Cullen Street, Nimbin.The Rainbow Café and Nimbin Museum burnt down in 2014 with the land owners working with council on design and plans for a new building that complies with the Nimbin Heritage Conservation area. The new DA seeks consent for a mixed-use development on 60A and 62 Cullen Street that includes retail shops, take away food and drink premises, a restaurant / café (12 seats), Medical Centre and outdoor communal space area at the rear of the site.The debate will surround the car parking that was initially included in earlier DA's and has now been withdrawn. This was a concern for some of the thirteen submissions made to council from the public when it was put on display.Another item that cause some debate are proposed changes to the Model Mode of Conduct and Procedures something that has been a point of conjecture with some councillors over the course of this term.The Lismore App will have rundown of the results tomorrow.

Stroke patients in the Northern Rivers will now have access to an innovative new telehealth service as part of a $21.7 million initiative being rolled out across NSW.The NSW Telestroke Service will go live at Lismore Base Hospital today, linking stroke patients with specialist stroke clinicians via telehealth. The service enables time-critical diagnosis and treatment for patients in regional and rural areas.“People in regional and rural areas have a far greater risk of hospitalisation from stroke and this vital service will provide them with immediate, life-saving diagnosis and treatment from the state’s leading clinicians,” Lynne Weir, Director Clinical Operations, Northern NSW Local Health District said.“The Telestroke Service will improve outcomes for stroke patients in our region, giving them a much greater chance of surviving and leading a normal life.”The service links expert stroke clinicians with local emergency physicians to quickly determine the best possible treatment plan for a patient.Every year, around 19,000 residents in NSW have a stroke.At Lismore Base Hospital from January to December 2019 there were 253 stroke patients admitted to hospital.“A stroke is a medical emergency, and kills up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute,” Kim Hoffman, Lismore Base Hospital Stroke Coordinator, said.“This Telestroke Service will have an enormous impact by providing time-critical, best-practice treatment that saves lives and reduces lifelong disability.”“It’s also really important that people learn to recognise stroke symptoms and call an ambulance immediately, to give stroke sufferers the best chance of a successful outcome,” Ms Hoffman said.“The F.A.S.T. test is an easy way to spot the signs of stroke, which I encourage everyone to learn.”F.A.S.T. stands for:- Face: Check the person’s face. Has their mouth drooped?- Arms: Can the person lift both arms?- Speech: Is the person’s speech slurred? Do they understand you?- Time: Is critical. If you see any of these signs call 000 straight away. Developed by eHealth NSW and the Agency for Clinical Innovation, the NSW Telestroke Service is based at Sydney’s Prince of Wales Hospital. The service will expand to up to 23 sites over the next three years, with Grafton Base Hospital and The Tweed Hospital expected to roll out in the program in 2021. 

Lismore City Council released the results of their border closure survey yesterday with very little surprises but a very worrying real concern for Northern NSW residents and businesses.The Queensland border closure has revealed that it has adversely affected 98 per cent of the more than 300 people who responded, Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said.Seventy-three per cent said the border closure had a “significant impact", with 25 per cent saying it had "some impact" and slightly under 2 per cent reporting ‘little impact’.By far the biggest impact was on families, with 69 per cent saying the border closure meant they could not see their close relatives, followed by 38 per cent nominating access to medical service and 25 per cent nominating employment.“These results are extremely concerning and reveal the real impact that the border closure is having on our community,” Mayor Smith said.“People’s lives are being put at risk, people’s jobs are being put at risk, and families can not see each other. It is totally unacceptable.This was typified in the Lismore App story about local man Brad Jones who cannot get across the border to visit his four year old daughter Charlotte who is undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. Charlotte has been in Brisbane with her mum Melissa since January 23 (Border closure heartbreak for family separated by cancer treatment)“These are real people we are talking about. The Queensland Government must immediately end this harsh boarder closure to Lismore residents.”Lismore City Council launched the survey a fortnight ago after receiving a large number of complaints from community members about the impact of the border closure.Of those who said the closure had prevented them accessing medical care, 47 people nominated specialist pathology or testing, 25 said it prevented them from receiving elective surgery, 12 related to infant welfare and 19 people said it prevented access to mental health services.More than 190 people said they had difficulty accessing information via the Queensland Government health portal or found it difficult to keep up with rule changes.“The survey shows people and families are under great distress. The Queensland Government must immediately adopt the suggestions submitted by the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation of Councils (NRJO) last week.”The NRJO, which includes Lismore City Council, recommends:A return to the managed pass system that was in place during Queensland's first border closure period, valid for residents in six council areas to travel as far north as Brisbane.Queensland to provide greater flexibility for non-urgent but essential travel for medical needs, including disability support or for compassionate grounds for families.The NSW Government to help resource Queensland Police to operate border checkpoints.The NSW Government to establish a $45 million grant program to assist small businesses in the region to cope with losses caused by the border closure.Mayor Smith said the results of Lismore City Council’s survey will now be sent to the Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and the NSW State Government so that they can press the case for an easing of border restrictions.

A key new cancer treatment has just become more accessible for Australians fighting specific forms of leukaemia and lymphoma. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the Federal Government has listed Calquence® on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Calquence® (acalabrutinib) has been listed on the PBS for the first time for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Lymphocytic leukaemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma are types of blood cancer that affect lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and the lymph nodes. Calquence® might otherwise cost more than $140,000 per course of treatment, however with the PBS subsidy, patients will now pay just $41 per script, or $6.60 with a concession card. Furthermore, access to Keytruda® (pembrolizumab) has been expanded on the PBS to include treatment of relapsed or refractory primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma. This is a rare type of lymphoma that largely affects young adults and there is currently a need for newer targeted therapies for this condition. Without the PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $130,000 per course of treatment for this condition. The Government has also expanded the PBS listing of Keytruda® for the treatment of melanoma. Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, with more than 15,000 diagnoses each year—close to one diagnosis every half hour. Keytruda® will now be available through the PBS as adjuvant treatment for patients who have had completely surgically resected Stage IIIB, IIIC or IIID malignant melanoma, which means it will be provided as a treatment in addition to surgery. In addition, this extension will also allow for the use of Keytruda® as a first line treatment of BRAF V600 positive stage III or IV unresectable or metastatic melanoma, or melanoma that has spread through the body and has a specific biomarker. These listings have been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.  Since 2013, the Australian Government has approved more than 2,400 new or amended listings on the PBS. This represents an average of around 30 listings or amendments per month—or one each day—at an overall investment by the Government of $11.6 billion.

A free pilot program to help new and expectant fathers through the physical, emotional and mental challenges of parenthood is being rolled out in the Northern NSW region.The region is one of four, Northern Sydney, Western Sydney and the Murrumbidgee, to take part in the ‘Focus on New Fathers’ pilot program.The program sends texts to dads, offering valuable health advice and links into pathways to ensure support options are available.Ellie Saberi, Women and Children Health Program Coordinator for Northern NSW Local Health District said parenthood could be a difficult time for new fathers as well new mothers.“New dads want to be able to concentrate on their partners and children at this time, and they often don’t think to look after themselves as well,” Ms Saberi said.“Research has shown men are often reluctant to engage with the health system to get support, despite around one in ten dads experiencing depression and anxiety in the postnatal period.“This program is about letting fathers know they’re not alone and there is support for them when they need it.”Men living in Northern NSW can sign up if they are over the age of 18, their partner is at least 16 weeks pregnant or their baby is younger than 24 weeks. They need to have a mobile phone capable of receiving and sending text messages.The pilot, which is being delivered by the University of Newcastle in partnership with NSW Health, will run over the next year.Associate Professor Elisabeth Murphy, Senior Clinical Advisor, Child and Family Health, said self-care for new fathers was extremely important as the mental and physical wellbeing of both parents had a direct effect on their children.“Receiving help with health issues early on ensures dads are in the best possible position to care for their new baby and partner,” Associate Professor Murphy said.For more information, and to sign up for the program, visit https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public/pages/focus-on-fathers.aspx