The iconic Lismore Lantern Parade is fighting for its existence as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affects public events."It is serious", said Jyllie Jackson CEO and Artistic Director of LightnUp Inc (the not for profit organisation that plans and runs the Lismore Lantern Parade), "we need money or we're gone".The survival of the Lantern Parade is firmly in our hands as a community. We can help out by donating money or the organisation looks likely to close its doors and Lismore will lose a huge family event that attracts an average 30,000 people each year plus brings in an estimated $34 million into the local economy. Only last year we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Lismore Lantern Parade.(The 2017 finale. Photograph by Peter Derrett)The reason is LightnUp Inc has very little revenue coming into their business due to all mass gatherings being cancelled because of coronavirus. Under normal circumstances, Jyllie Jackson and her team would not only put on the Lismore Lantern Parade but also many other programs and workshops throughout regional, rural and metropolitan Australia from small communities in North East Arnhem Land to Perth, Alice Springs and a great deal in between.They purchased their current building in Keen Street in 2014 to add some certainty to their long term future. This means the overheads include a mortgage, electricity, rates, water, insurance as well as some part-time wages to pay each month.Jyllie, like many families around Australia, has managed to delay their mortgage payments until September but the time to start paying again is fast approaching."If we can get 2000 people or families donating $20 each that will see us through until March next year", Jyllie said, "and if we get more, it secures our future well in 2021."(carried by Cancer Council and Jodie's Inspiration. Photograph by Peter Derrett)There is a live GiveNow page so you can help save our beloved Lismore Lantern Parade, https://www.givenow.com.au/lightnup-lanterns-sos or if you prefer direct debit the details are Summerland Credit Union , Name - LightnUp, BSB 728728 and Account Number 2229 1137."Everything we do is about bringing communities together and increasing social connection. Your support will help sustain us until we can take the light of the lanterns to the community again.""We’re looking to our loyal friends and supporters, old and new, to help us. By providing a donation large or small you will ensure that we are able to save our organisation""Please rest assured all money raised goes directly to LightnUp Inc and the joy we bring to so many communities."As for this years Lismore Lantern Parade, Jyllie and her team are madly working on plans to have some sort of event on November 14."We will put on something beautiful for our community. We are talking to council about using Crozier Field as an option but it is too early to say at this stage".There is a lot of whingeing about losing events in Lismore because of Council but this is one that falls squarely on the shoulders of all residents.The fate of the Lismore Lantern Parade is in our hands.(Lismore Lantern Parade 2017. Photograph by Peter Derrett)

The Spring weather outlook is out with the Northern Rivers looking likely to be wetter than normal with higher temperatures.Today's picture perfect weather is an example of the warmer days and although we are predicted to get some rain in the next 7 days it is not the pattern expected for the rest of spring.The Bureau of Meteorology has increased the chance of rainfall exceeding the average to 80% for most of NSW except for the mid to north coast which is slightly lower, so still a very good chance of some good rainfall as the weeks progress.The average rainfall for Lismore for spring is 239 mm with November the wettest month.The reason is due to ever increasing likelihood of a La Niña forming this year, the first since 2011/12. La Niña sees an increase in sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and Indian oceans. The result of which is an earlier arrival of the northern wet season.This predicted weather pattern is set to test the new $8.2 million Flood Mitigation Plan that is being undertaken in South Lismore and is due for completion in October, 2020.In minor flooding the system does not change because the Leycester Creek banks have not been broken and the Hollingsworth Creek flood gates remain open. In the case of a major flood, more floodwater will flow behind South Lismore, ultimately re-joining the Wilson River at the airport. This should reduce the amount of water that would otherwise travel towards the CBD.The modelling for the Flood Mitigation Plan anticipates a reduction in water of 100mm (10cm) in South Lismore, North Lismore and the CBD.With La Niña is on our doorstep once again all the theory that has gone into reducing the chance of a major flood in Lismore reaching 2017 levels should be put to the test.Hopefully, the mark is an A+.

If you have walked down Keen Street recently you would have noticed a couple of changes.Firstly that Lismore Embroidery isn't where it used to be at 83 Keen Street, it is now at 101 Keen Street.The other noticeable change is in the building where Lismore Embroidery used to be. There are tradies working overtime getting the building ready for Matthew Healy and his team from Daleys Homewares & Monogramming to move into in about two weeks.Daleys has been an institution in Lismore since John Daley opened his store in the Strand Arcade in 1989 ( SUNDAY PROFILE: John Daley & Matthew Healy on 30 years in business). Then in 1996 John decided to move Daleys to its current location at 21 Woodlark Street.Now in COVID hit 2020, Daleys is on the move again to 83 Keen Street.Owner Matthew Healy purchased the building earlier this year so he can have more space as well as make the showroom as flood proof as it can be."The new building is three stories so plenty of room for flood storage", Matthew said, "All the fit-out is with flood in mind so no gyprock, it is villaboard, which is waterproof, we just hose it off. The fittings are either mobile or waterproof.""We are being as flood aware as we possibly can be".The building is not just three stories but wider which will make a huge difference in what can be displayed on the floor as well as the work environment for the monogramming which is done on the second level."The new shop is double the size and the building is triple the size. The monogramming space is about five times bigger than our existing space so lot's more space for the team to work so we can work more efficiently and there is lots of room for expansion which includes buying new machines as well.""Plus there is room for future expansion. We are planning for the future."Over the course of the next two weeks you will see some action in the old and new shops as the monogramming equipment is transferred including the big machine which needs to craned out, forklifted around the back alley and craned into the new building.The concern for Matthew here is the weather because the roof of the new building has to come off to get the large machine in place."It is all subject to weather. Taking the roof off is the thing that makes me really nervous because that is absolutely outside our control. It will either happen or it won't and there is nothing I can do to make it happen one way or the other".If all runs according to his plan the new location for Daley's Homewares & Monogramming will be on Monday September 14, two weeks from today.That does mean Daleys will be closed the Friday and Saturday (September 11 & 12) before the opening on the Monday.83 Keen Street has significant history in Lismore. For a long time it was occupied by Sidney and Hacking Plumbing. For quite a few years, tin coating cream cans was part of the business. Matthew has one of the old cream cans and wants to display this above the awning.Everything old is new again.

Young volunteers selling Legacy badges and other fundraising merchandise will not be on our streets this year, but that doesn’t mean the need for the charity’s support has gone away.  “The change to this year’s Legacy Week is another impact of the COVID-19 restrictions,” said Far North Coast Legacy Club President Narelle Scott, explaining that the 2020 appeal will be mostly an online event. “Despite this change, the Legacy tradition of giving continues,” Mrs Scott added. “Tax deductible donations can be made easily online at www.legacyweek.com.au with collectible Legacy items such as badges and the popular uniformed bears available for purchase at www.legacyshop.com.au “The items can also be purchased at our new office in the UPA building, 101-103 Main Street, Alstonville.”Mrs Scott said, “Legacy was founded in the wake of World War 1 when it became clear that the welfare of many families was suffering because of the serious injury or death of spouses or parents who had served in Australian military forces. “For nearly a century this unique Australian not-for-profit has been helping the dependents of those who died or were seriously disabled, whether physically or emotionally, whilst serving our country. Our focus is on working with the partners and children of former defence force personnel to assist with financial security, opportunities to access education, and the other things the rest of us enjoy.”Some ‘Legacy kids’ are well known, such as Rugby commentator Gordon Bray AM whose mother raised four children in difficult circumstances after their dad suffered from war service in PNG. One of many local Legacy beneficiaries is architect Don Granatelli, whose father suffered psychological impacts from WW2, and died when Don was eight years old.  “Times were very tough for mum in South Lismore, and if not for Legacy and repatriation support we wouldn’t have survived. Legacy helped us financially and emotionally, and there’s no way I would have gone on to uni otherwise.”The North Coast community is being asked to support Legacy Week, Sunday 30 August to Saturday 5 September 2020. This year’s theme is Little Badge: Big Impact, meaning that even the smallest of donations will have a real impact on veterans’ families.“Far North Coast Legacy, ranging from Kingscliff to Evans Head and west to the range, currently looks after 770 widows, many in their challenging senior years, others are younger women with children. We also help 19 people with disability and seven veterans’ families,” Narelle Scott said.“We provide services such as advocacy support, social day trips and short holiday breaks, as well as education support and holiday camps for Legacy Youth.”“All donations and purchases will go towards our work with local people facing hardship because of the sacrifices of their loved ones, whether in combat zones and peacekeeping missions, or from the aftermath of traumatic events. Small gifts mount up to make a big impact, and we’re hoping this online Legacy Week can be our biggest ever.”Online donations can be made to https://portal.legacyonline.com.au/pages/donation.aspx or bank transfer to Legacy Club Services BSB 032-000 Account no 883364

Bushfire season is just around the corner with NSW Rural Fire Service now informing residents in Lismore and surrounding shires that the bush fire danger period for the year will begin on Tuesday 1 September.Any person wishing to light a fire from 1 September 2020 must obtain a permit to light a fire until the bush fire danger period is revoked.Those wishing to light a fire at any time throughout the year are required to notify the NSW RFS and all adjoining neighbours 24 hours prior to lighting.Failure to comply can result in fines under the Rural Fires Act 1997.Smoke regulations prohibit burning in some areas and residents are advised to contact their local council or fire brigade for further information.For any enquirers or more information residents can call the Lismore Fire Station on (02) 6621 5660.

This years Dark Science 2020 Festival has been a huge success given we are still in a COVID-19 pandemic.The live sessions could only have minimum numbers due to restrictions and all are booked out within 24 hours, which is a strong indication that people in Lismore are looking for things to do in our region.Tonight at 6pm you can participate in a Zoom program called 'Into The Space Between'. This is an introduction into Indigenous Astronomy with celebrated astronomer Kirsten Banks.For those that missed out on the live sessions like 'Into The Wild Night' and 'Into The Green Trees' this is the perfect way to get involved in Dark Science 2020 from the comfort of your home.The Zoom link to use is SCUOnlinezoom which will use the SCU Zoom platform. The session runs for 45 minutes where you will get a taste of Aboriginal Astronomy as Kirsten shares with you a different perspective of the night sky that has existed in this country for more than 65,000 years.Kirsten Banks is an astrophysicist and science communicator with an undeniable passion for space and astronomy. She studies the stars in the Milky Way galaxy in an effort to understand more about the history and evolution of our island universe. Kirsten is also a very proud Wiradjuri woman who loves to share her passion for Aboriginal astronomical traditions.Jane Fuller Placemaking Officer at The Quad said "we had to transform the way we present our events this year while still engaging the community"."COVID forced us to think differently so we can put on the Dark Science program that involved a lot of bite sized events that was safe for people to physically enjoy.""While this year has been a great success we are treating it as seeding our way into what we can offer in 2021. We are hoping to expand live sessions and get Kirsten to physically come to Lismore next year."It is good to see that those involved in putting on events in our community are thinking differently and creating adapted versions during these unprecedented times.

Motorists are advised of changed conditions for the riverside car park next to Fawcett Bridge in the Lismore CBD this weekend as part of ongoing bridge maintenance and improvement work.The car park will be closed on Sunday 30 August from 7am to 5pm, weather permitting, to allow cranes to lift materials into place as part of repair work on the bridge piers.Traffic control and a reduced speed limit will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists. Traffic controllers will help people exiting the car park.Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control.Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time.For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

City Bikeworx will be closing its doors after 20 years of service to the Lismore riding community.Operating as a Triumph, Kawasaki and Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealer with quality motorcycle parts, clothing and accessories City Bikeworx also attended to other makes of motorcycle.Their dedicated team going the extra yard to help a customer with a hard to find part, to tuning their bike for rego, to being active in the many organised rides in the community.Staff at the iconic bike shop, which recently became home to Harley Davidson in Lismore, shared a heart-felt post about the decision three days ago.The City Bikeworx team said that Dave Waldron, who recently passed from a ten month battle with cancer, was the 'driving force' behind the business."He dedicated his life to City Bikeworx and without his dedication, knowledge and experience no longer behind it, the decision was made to close," their facebook post read.An end of an era, many loyal customers, friends, and acquaintances replied with heartfelt thanks and support for the family.Staff said their workshop is now closed, but they are finishing all jobs that were booked in.City Bikeworx will be holding sales throughout September to move stock and wish to thank all their customers, friends and family for all the support they've received.City Bikeworx are located at 232 Union St, South Lismore.

Arts, Fresh Food and Sport is whats on this weekend and all under partly cloudy skies.There is the slight chance of a shower over the weekend but the BOM say it won't be much if you do feel or see some drops. Temps will be fairly typical 21 and 22 degrees and unlike last weekends gale fore winds, they will be light over this weekend.Just a quick heads up before we move on, next week Spring is upon us not only in name from Tuesday but also with the temperatures. Monday is 26, Tuesday 23, Wednesday 25 and Thursday 25 so that magnificent time of the year is definitely up on us.The Lismore Regional Gallery has the Penny Evans art exhibition called 'Language of the Wounded' until November 1 while the 'Body Language' exhibition begins tomorrow from a number of different artists for the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages. The Lismore Regional Gallery will be open between 10am and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.The Lismore Farmers Markets throw open the Showground gates at 8am tomorrow for you to buy your fresh fruit and veg direct from the farmers plus a local distiller is coming back for the first time if your alcohol cabinet has run dry.The Blue Knob Community Markets open up at 8:30am.The weather is perfect for a bush walk so check out your options in our 'Walks' button here Walks.The local rugby league derby is on at at Crozier Field on Sunday when the Marist Brothers Rams take on Northern United at 3pm. The Rams were soundly beaten by Ballina in the NRRRL Gold Competition last weekend while United smashed Mullumbimby 34-16.In Far North Coast Football, Lismore Thistles take on Richmond Rovers at Thistles Park, East Lismore tonight at 8pm while tomorrow Goonellabah travel to Maclean and Alstonville do battle with South Lismore on Sunday at Crawford Park, Alstonville with kick-off at 2:30pm.Lismore Rugby have an away game to Grafton on Saturday looking for their first win of the season while the Lismore Women's team take on Evans River. In a mouthwatering top of the table clash Wollongbar/Alstonville make the short journey to leaders Ballina.The weekend also sees Baseball, Netball and Hockey in action with the results on the Lismore App as they come to hand.Where is the cheap petrol this weekend?Unleaded E10 is cheapest at United on Ballina Road once again at 112.9, Unleaded 91 is 114.9 at United and the Woolworths near The Square while Diesel owners will find 117.9 at United and Liberty on Ballina Road with the Shell on Wilson Street in South Lismore.On the Lismore App tomorrow Neil Marks' Blog is all positive as he looks at all the new businesses opening up around town. While the Sunday Profile is about Dr Peter Helman who studies storms and the relationships between coastal damage and the Lismore Floods. Well worth a read when you are having your first coffee of the morning.Now for a laugh to put you in the mood for the weekend;

A genuine 1973 RPO (Regular Production Option) 83 Ford is going up for auction this weekend and is expected to break records.With the release of the Phase IV XA GT and almost immediate government banning of its production, Ford released a “modified” XA GT. The XA GT RPO 83 is a rarely spoken of variation to the popular Ford GT Ford. The RPO has fast become a “cult car” and has skyrocketed in value over the last few years. Ford GTHO Phase III’s dominated the racetrack in the early 70s prior to the release of the Phase IV and left little opportunity for competitiveness amongst rival race teams. The Phase IV only ever built 4 before the ‘Super Car Scare’ which forced Ford to abandon its plans to continue the legend of GTHO Phase cars that dominated Australian motor racing.Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctioneers Lee Hames said considering the amount of records broken recently there is a trend in demand for a secure yet enjoyable investment. “Cars in original condition, with chrome bumpers, celebrity affiliation or prominent history or rarity seem to be the assets that are rising in value the most consistently,” Mr Hames said.“Because this car is connected to the iconic GT Phase IV Falcon where only 4 were ever built, the RPO83 is becoming more sought after by collectors,” With the car featuring certain specifications from the Phase IV Falcon that was banned from racing, the RPO83’s desirability in the market has significantly increased with its important attachment to a major change in Australian Motorsport history and its rare collectability.With many local car enthusiasts in Lismore showcasing their pride and joys to the delight of thousands, the idea of owning and preserving some vintage racing Australiana is too good to miss. This car along with many other collectible classics are going up for auction this weekend including a genuine matching-number Blue Meanie, ClubSport Wagon with 800 kilometres, Camaros, K-Code Mustangs, GT coupes and an extremely rare Mark 5 Jaguar.If you’re interested in owning a piece of history, over 100 classic vehicles including cars and motorcycles will go under the hammer in an online auction this Saturday from midday with bidding open online now at www.lloydsauctions.com.au

A 32 year old Maclean woman was today refused bail in Lismore Court with a future date yet to be fixed.District commander for Richmond Police department, Superintendent Scott Tanner said that over the last couple of days officers were attached to Richmond PD as Strikeforce Boughton worked tirelessly investigating the matter."We had a number of forensic investigations that were undertaken over the weekend and those examinations and inquiries led us to where we are today," he said.At 1pm yesterday Police arrested a 32 year old Maclean woman outside Maclean courthouse.She was then taken to Maclean Police Station where she was formally charged with murder and interfere with a corpse.Police will allege that both parties were known to each other and that the relationship is still being investigated."At this stage the post-mortem results are only interim as to cause of death so we're going to analyse those results and a full post-mortem report will be forthcoming," Superintendent Tanner said.A neighbour who had arranged to meet up with the victim, attended the house that Saturday around 10.30am and make the discovery.When Police arrived they were confronted with a macabre scene where 'violence had clearly occurred'."The time of death and nature of the actual crime are still part of the investigation."Police will be alleging that at some stage during the evening through to the early hours of the morning that the crime was committed," Superintendent Tanner said.He confirmed there was no previous history between the two parties reported to police.Superintendent Tanner said that any crime of this nature affects everyone involved, neighbours, family of the deceased, and also the attending emergency personnel."Counselling has proven effective and if there is anyone needing assistance do not hesitate to contact us,"Police are not looking for any other persons connected to this investigation.Superintendent Tanner added that this incident is 'very unusual' for Lismore."Lismore is a safe location, a safe town, crimes of this nature are quite rare."We want to reassure the public that Police allege the parties involved were known to each other and that there is no randomness to this crime."He said that with any crime of this nature they contact their specialist resources in the homicide squad."They worked side-by-side with a detective attached to Richmond and we've come up with this result today,"The investigation is ongoing.Police ask if anyone has any further information about this crime to call the Richmond Police District or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

Channon resident and botanist, Nan Nicholson is a passionate environmentalist, who together with a group of like-minded people has established an educational and awareness campaign on Rous County Councils proposed $245M Dunoon dam."There are many options of securing water for our future besides another dam," Ms Nicholson said."Around ten years ago I was part of a reference group for the regions water strategy development and research."The two main reasons the dam was stopped then was 1, Aboriginal Heritage and 2, the Rainforest at the Channon Gorge.Ms Nicholson said should the current proposal for the dam at the Channon/Dunoon site go ahead, more than six hectares of forest will be removed.For many residents the new dam has raised concerns over contamination, 'super-flooding' downstream, destruction of important Indigenous cultural heritage along with the Channon Gorge and its endangered ecological community oflowland rainforest."The Channon Gorge is a regionally rare warm temperate rainforest on sandstone whereas most of the forest is on volcanic rock soil."Population growth should not come at the cost of rare and significant heritage sites that are some of the last of the big scrub forests," she said. Rous County Council’s Chairperson Keith Williams said that demand forecasts for water over the next 40 years include the supply of five gigalitres of water each year.“The Future Water Project 2060 sets out the most viable option for boosting our bulk water supply to ensure that future demand can be met in the face of changing climate conditions and sustained population growth.“It will also make sure our community is not burdened by excessive water restrictions,” he said.Mr Williams explained that any significant piece of new infrastructure must take into account many important ecological, cultural heritage, landowner, funding and other issues that would need to be carefully considered as part of its further development.General Manager Rous County Council, Phillip Rudd said Rous County Council had come to their outcomes via long-term extensive investigations into determining the most viable permanent solution of future water supply.“Most recently, we finished exploring numerous new water source options which were identified in our Future Water Strategy that was adopted in 2014 following extensive community input," Mr Rudd said.“We particularly looked at the long-term viability of desalination, recycled water, increased groundwater use and the long-proposed Dunoon Dam."Yet many residents remain up in the air, especially over the reported population growth predicted for the four Rous-supplied councils of only 12,720 persons between 2020-2060.There is also the issue of water becoming more expensive if the dam is built.Mr Rudd said that he expected a fourfold increase in the cost of supplying water if the dam is built.Ms Nichols said that water efficiency is the key to sustainable water supply and demand balance."There really needs to be a more thorough regional audit of water use and how water is not used efficiently," she said."By focusing on system efficiency, Sydney added an additional 950,000 people without a rise in water consumption,"Public submissions on the proposed Future Water Project 2060 will be accepted until Wednesday 9 September 2020.Residents can make their submission via Rous County Council's website https://rous.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-KZG-22-16-87No Dam for the Channon or Dunoon group has produced a submission guide which can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W29wR-hfYQ6l_DTc1lJPaSn7-R_k5edl/view

In a first for the area, Lismore Regional Gallery will present a touring exhibition from the prestigious National Gallery of Australia.Body Language is a major travelling exhibition developed by the National Gallery of Australia, featuring works created by more than thirty artists which explores the cultural identity of Australia’s diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.Director of Lismore Regional Gallery, Brett Adlington is proud that Lismore is hosting such a prestigious exhibition.“The National Gallery of Australia has almost 160,000 works of art in its care and holds the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander material."It is therefore, really exciting for Lismore Regional Gallery to be sharing this collection with local audiences for the very first time."This is an incredibly rich exhibition, depicting the diversity of contemporary First Nations practice,” Mr Adlington said.Kelli Cole, Curator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, National Gallery of Australia said identity is a source of strength and resilience for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.Kelli Cole with art from Warwick Thornton: Way of the Ngangkari“There are many ways in which we identify, what we believe in, how we look, how we feel and how we see ourselves in society and language is fundamental to the expression of our cultural identity.Before the arrival of the British colonisers in 1788 there were over 250 Indigenous Australian languages, including 800 dialects, but today those numbers have dramatically declined to under 50 spoken languages.“Aboriginal people traditionally painted on rock surfaces, barks, on the body, engraved symbols in scar trees to tell the stories of ancestors and creation."We drew symbols in the sand representing maps, waterholes and food to teach about hunting and cultural knowledge."Symbols are an essential part of a long artistic tradition in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and remains the visual form to retain and record significant information.“As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, we did not have a written language, but our oral stories were shared throughout generations keeping our culture alive."Body Language explores the iconography of language as expressed through symbols and patterns and includes works that explore themes such as identity or representation, mark making, spiritual beings and Ceremony within song and dance." Ms Cole said.Featuring Artists: Brook Andrew, Lyndsay Bird Mpetyane, Mavis Bolton, Jeremiah Bonson, Robert Campbell Jnr, Robert Ambrose Cole, Rose Graham, Josephine Grant Nappangarti, Philip Gudthaykudthay, Queenie Kemarre, Mary Kemarre, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Arone Raymond Meeks, Butcher Joe Nangan, Arthur Koo'ekka Pambegan Jnr, Wally Petyarr, Prince of Wales, Angelina Pwerle, Reko Rennie, Phyllis Ricky, Elizabeth Riley, Jean Riley, Damien Shen, Joan Nancy Stokes, Jimmy Thaiday, Warwick Thornton, Aubrey Tigan, Alick Tipoti, Evonne Tompson, David Wallace, Judy Watson, Nawurapu Wunungmurra.BODY LANGUAGE: A touring exhibition from the National Gallery of Australia, is showing at the Lismore Regional Gallery from 29 August – 8 November at 11 Rural St, Lismore.Admission to Lismore Regional Gallery is a suggested $5 donation.Gallery opening hours: Wednesday 10am - 4pm, Thursday 10am – 6pm, Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am to 2pm. Monday & Tuesday closed.Lismore Regional Gallery has a CovidSafe plan in place, and for more information visit www.lismoregallery.org

A woman has been charged with murder after the arrest of a 32 year old yesterday in Maclean following investigations into the discovery of a body in an East Lismore unit last Saturday . About 10.40am on Saturday 22 August 2020, emergency services were called to a unit on Rosedale Square, East Lismore, after the body of a 60-year-old woman was found.Detectives from Richmond Police District, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Boughton to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.About 1pm yesterday, Thursday 27 August 2020, officers arrested a 32-year-old woman on McNaughton Place, Maclean.She was taken to Maclean Police Station and charged with murder and improperly interfere with a corpse.The woman was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court today (Friday 28 August 2020).Investigations continue.

The Lismore City Council will sell 15 properties on Saturday November 28 to recover $383,480 of overdue rates.Councillors decided during the June council meeting and decided it was fair and equitable to all rate payers that these properties are sold to recover the unpaid debt.GM Shelley Oldham said "Council is not in a financial position to be able to carry the debts".The last time this enforced was in May 2011.The overdue rate amounts have been amassed over five years and in some cases 10 years and vary in amounts from $20,944 to $42,108.Councils are given the power to sell land for the purpose of recovering overdue rates and charges under the Local Government Act 1993.(one of the 15 properties for sale at Engine Street, South Lismore)Social Media has gone into overdrive about council naming the people and their addresses but Ms Oldham said this because council must strictly comply with the legislative requirements, "One of those requirements is to name the person who owns the title to the property. This allows a third party who may have a claim on the property to come forward""If we did not do this, we would have been in breach of the Act and also opened up Council and ratepayers to possible legal action from a third party."The last time council did try to sell a property it was taken to court and lost. Could this happen with these 15 listed properties?"Based on the court decision, Council reviewed and streamlined its previous policy. The new policy was adopted in 2012", Ms Oldham added.The owners of the 15 properties can still avoid the potential sale by either making a payment in full or proposing, in writing, a payment plan that is acceptable to council.One of the homeowners who wishes to remain anonymous spoke with the Lismore App saying that personal family circumstances played a large part for one family who are full-time carers with two special needs children.In their dealings with council they said they didn't receive all correspondence pertaining to overdue notices or letters of demand."I own the house but don't live there because of a DV situation," the homeowner said."I did ring council and make payment plans, I even went to the courthouse to sign documents and even the court attendee said 'You're in no position to pay anything,' and I said that's right,""I had no idea council had done this, I heard it from family and friends who rang me and texted me saying it's all over social media,"When asked about the steps taken by council to recover the overdue amounts, Ms Oldham said "Before considering these properties for sale, Council has taken all reasonable steps, under its Debt Recovery Policy, in an attempt to recover the debt. This process includes Reminder letters, Demand letters and legal action. In some cases, we organised support conferences with ratepayers and undertook onsite assistance."Councillors will have a further opportunity to remove properties from the sale process closer to the date of the auction.Those listed can avoid the sales of their properties by either making a payment in full or by proposing, in writing, a payment plan that is acceptable to council.The properties will be auctioned by Wal Murray & Co Real Estate at Lismore City Hall, 1 Bounty Street at 10am on Saturday November 28, 2020. 

Police have made an arrest in the East Lismore body case.A NSW Police spokesperson has has told the Lismore App that a 32 year old woman was arrested about 1pm today at McNaughton Place, Maclean.She was taken to the Maclean Police Station where she is currently assisting police with their inquiries.No further information is available at this time.ORIGINAL STORYA police investigation is underway after woman's death in East Lismore this morning.About 10.40am today (Saturday 22 August 2020), emergency services were called to a unit on Rosedale Square, East Lismore, after a woman’s body was found.The woman is yet to be formally identified, however, she is believed to be the 60-year-old occupant.Officers from Richmond Police District established a crime scene, which will be examined by forensic officers.Local detectives, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, have established Strike Force Boughton to investigate the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death, which is being treated as suspicious.No further information is available at this time.

Lismore City Council is pleased to announce that the popular Revolve Shop at the Recycling & Recovery Centre will re-open next week after it was closed due to COVID-19. The shop will open on Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 2pm and on Saturdays between 9am and 1pm. Lismore City Mayor Isaac Smith said it is great news.“This is something that I know our community has been eager to see re-open,” “The safety of the community and our staff must always be our number one concern and I would like to thank the community for their patience as our staff put COVID-19 safety measures in place.” Due to COVID-19, the shop will only be accepting EFTPOS transactions – strictly no cash. Council also asks that customers practice social distancing. Located at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre, the Revolve Shop sells household furniture and crockery, lamps, nick knacks, you name it. There are children’s toys, quality tools, clocks, speakers and even skiing gear. Out the back in the Revolve yard it’s just as diverse, with lots of building and renovating materials right through to machinery such as whipper snippers and mowers, chairs and tables, bikes for the kids, and lots more. It’s all there (including the kitchen sink!) for a fraction of what you’d pay somewhere else. Come for a visit and help us re-use, recycle and reduce waste. New Hours for The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre and the Nimbin Transfer Station from Monday 31 August: The new hours at the Recycling & Recovery Centre at 313 Wyrallah Road are Monday to Friday 7.30 am to 3.30 pm and Saturday 9am to 4 pm. The new hours at the Nimbin Transfer Station are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between 8am to 3pm.

Southern Cross University ecologists are investigating how threatened macropod populations coped with last summer’s wildfires in Gondwana World Heritage areas as part of a new research grant from NSW Environmental Trust’s Saving our Species (SoS) Partnership Grant.A research team is currently on the ground reviewing images from camera traps deployed at 130 sites in four national parks in and around the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Northern NSW: Nightcap, Tooloom, Koreelah and Gibraltar Range.The 2019-2020 bushfire season has provided an opportunity to work with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, as part of its 10 year Burning Hotspots project, to build on existing knowledge to see how the threatened long-nosed potoroo, red-legged pademelon, black-striped wallaby, Parma wallaby and their predators, respond to large-scale intense wildfires.Lead researcher, ecologist and PhD candidate, Darren McHugh has been keeping tabs on the sites from before black summer.“We have data for sites from before the wildfire so we are monitoring in fire-affected areas and areas of unburnt forest to determine the response of threatened marsupials along with predators such as dingoes and foxes. The intensity of the fires fluctuated with some areas such as Nightcap National Park faring better than its neighbour the Gibraltar Range.“Small scale, patchy ecological burns provide macropods with refugia. "It certainly will be interesting to see how our species have responded to the 2019-2020 wildfires which were very different to the NPWS prescribed burns we monitored.“Not all fires are equal," Mr McHugh said. In contrast to wildfires which usually occur in the warm seasons and are much larger in scale, prescribed (or ecological) burns are generally conducted in the cooler seasons and are small in scale.The 2019-2020 wildfires burnt through approximately 5.3 million hectares in NSW (including 2.7 million hectares of National Parks) and some were the largest fires to date.Mr McHugh has been working in the region’s national parks for the past four years, examining the response of threatened small macropods to prescribed burns and introduced pests for his PhD research thesis.His recent study published in the journal Ecological Management and Restoration examined the response of the threatened species and their predators to prescribed burns in Northern NSW, Australia.“Our previous research has shown that these threatened species are highly dependent on complex understory habitat that conceals them from predators. "Recent literature from temperate Australia suggests that prescribed burns conducted in the presence of foxes and dingoes can have negative consequences for medium-sized mammals and small macropods.“Our study found that the activity of long-nosed potoroos and red-legged pademelons in the national parks on the NSW North Coast did not change following small scale ecological burns, nor did the activity of dingoes. "Although feral cats and foxes were present, they showed negligible activity therefore the threat of predators to our threatened species in the post-fire environment appeared to be low. "We attribute this to sufficient unburnt refugia within our burn sites and also very low densities of foxes.“What this means for better environmental management is that a balance of burnt and unburnt patches should be maintained within prescribed burn management zones to allow for threatened small macropod habitat refugia,” Mr McHugh said.

The Chief Health Officer has issued a class exemption under the Border restriction direction (no. 12) for farmers and agribusiness workers needing to move between Queensland and New South Wales to perform essential agribusiness services or farming activities, such as tending to livestock or crops, commencing for one month from the 22 August.Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said she has advocated strongly for local farmers."I am so pleased to see this outcome," she said. People covered by the exemption include:New South Wales residents who need to enter Queensland to perform essential agribusiness services for the agriculture supply chain or farming activitiesNew South Wales residents who need to access Queensland to access or provide timely veterinary services, or to provide care for livestock.Queensland residents who need to re-enter Queensland after travelling to New South Wales to perform essential agribusiness services for the agriculture supply chain or farming activitiesQueensland residents who need to re-enter Queensland after entering New South Wales to access or provide timely veterinary services, or to provide care for livestockIf you fall within the farmer and agribusiness worker class exemption you will need to provide the following information on arrival in Queensland:A copy of the Chief Health Officer's class exemption letterEvidence of your identity, confirming place of residenceEvidence you are an agribusiness essential worker (e.g. letter of employment, business contract, evidence of property ownership or lease, evidence of agistment arrangements).You do not need to complete an electronic Queensland border declaration pass, however upon arrival you may need to complete a written Queensland border declaration pass.