Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions tomorrow, August 13, on Glebe Bridge at Coraki as part of maintenance work being carried out. The bridge will be closed to all traffic from 9.30am to 2.30pm, weather permitting, while concrete is poured to strengthen the piers. There are no further closures planned during the current maintenance, which also involves painting and scour protection. The work will ensure the bridge continues to provide reliable service for many years. Alternative routes are available – see attached map. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and to follow the directions of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Primary producers impacted by the last year’s bushfires have more time to apply for a $75,000 recovery grant.Page MP Kevin Hogan said the eligibility criteria for the grants has been expanded, as well as the timeframe for applying.Small businesses now have more time to request support,” Mr Hogan said.  “The $75,000 Special Disaster Grant, which was scheduled to close at the end of the month, will now be available until December 15. “These changes and the decision to extend the application timeframes recognises that some primary producers have experienced drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, and need more time to make a claim.”The primary producers grant provides support to farmers and other primary production businesses in fire affected areas with the costs of such services as safety inspections, veterinary fees, waste disposal, and purchases or repairs to property or equipment damaged in the fires. Key eligibility changes include:• Removal of the off-farm income threshold where an applicant’s income from primary production is less than 50% of their total income.• Allowing extra time for applicants to reach the 50% income threshold in recognition of long lead times required by some sectors to reach full production.• Applicants are no longer required to be registered for GST but must still hold an ABN.• Businesses earning more than 50% of their income from a combination of primary production and goods made directly from that produce will now be eligible for assistance. Mr Hogan said these changes will come into effect shortly. “Applicants who were previously unsuccessful and may now be eligible will not need to reapply - agencies administering the grants will contact these applicants,” he said.“This grant has been incredibly successful, with more than 1,500 farmers across the State receiving close to $100 million to help cover the costs of repairing and rebuilding infrastructure on their properties. “We have also extended the timeframes for other small business bushfire recovery grants and loans.” Applications for small business assistance in the form of $10,000 and $50,000 grants and concessional loans of up to $500,000 can now also be made up to 15 December 2020. Primary producers and small business operators in fire affected areas that have not been in touch with support agencies are encouraged to not self-assess and to speak to a support officer.For more information, visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/

Last night's Lismore City Council monthly meeting was attended by only seven (7) councillors with two late 'leave' withdrawals.At the start of the meeting Deputy Mayor and Chair Darlene Cook mentioned that Councillors Nancy Casson and Eddie Lloyd applied for leave yesterday due to both being unwell while Mayor Isaac Smith was on holiday leave. Former Councillor Gianpiero Battista resigned last week effective immediately.The question remains as to whether Councillors Casson and Lloyd will continue their extended twelve month term that was forced upon all local councillors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday Councillor Casson told the Lismore App she will make a decision about her role as a LCC Councillor at the end of September. Councillor Lloyd has not responded for comment.It should be noted that this would have been the final LCC council meeting before council elections were held before COVID-19 struck in March.The Lismore Park Plan of Management was adopted by council five votes to two.(the Lismore Parklands masterplan)Those in councillors in favour spoke of the planned parklands being a real attraction to bring people into Lismore and the CBD. "Passive recreation activities are increasing and we are not investing in these areas", Cnr Ekins said, while Cnr Marks referred to the success of the Tamworth Recreational Park where a lot of families rugged up and used the park and its facilities during winter. "This may not happen tomorrow, next week or in the next 5 years", Cnr Marks said, "but we need to have a vision and this is something that is positive for families to look forward to".Cnr Guise spoke against the adopting the plan because if its huge price tag which now sits at $25 million. "It is what I consider a park with bells and whistles that goes beyond what we can afford as a community". Cnr Guise said. He also took a swipe at the $1.2 million being paid to consultants for the completed project.The point was made that although the Lismore Park Plan of management is now adopted in principal, it will not progress without Federal and State Government funding. Then there is the proposed $1 million maintenance costs that need to be offset.In other agenda items Northcott Drive in Goonellabah was re-zoned to potentially allow another seventeen blocks of land for sale in the future while the Farmers Markets Guidelines Review was also adopted. The debate regarding the guidelines was the impact of selling non-locally grown fruit such as Stanthorpe apples at the Magellan Street markets and what impact this has on local fruit & vegetable businesses. The new guidelines states that 75% of stalls must be given to locally grown produce.The final part of the meeting was accepting the resignation of Councillors Bennett and Battista with both being thanked for their contribution to the Lismore community in their time as councillors. Councillor Bennett said that he decided two years ago to not contest the next council elections then put his farm on the market. An offer was made which is now unconditional so Cnr Bennett will no longer be part of Lismore as he will be moving out of the area.The next council meeting will be on September 8. The question is how many councillors will attend that meeting?

A secret donor who has been sending bunches of native flowers to businesses in Lismore has started an avalanche of giving.Over the past couple of months, numerous businesses have received flowers – and they have no idea who sent them.Linda Heilbron, owner of Hanging Rock Flowers in the Star Court Arcade said the donor (who is known to her and wants to remain anonymous) approached her a couple of months ago with the idea.“The person came into the shop and said I want to donate money each week and you can make a bunch of flowers and deliver them to local businesses,” Linda said.“Sometimes, this person suggests who to send them to and sometimes I offer suggestions – like if someone really needs a thank you or something special has happened.“It’s amazing - they donated an extra bunch this week to go to the Casino school staff because they lost a staff member last week in tragic circumstances. They are a very generous soul.”Already local Lismore businesses Little Polly and the Blackbird, Maven Boutique, Daley’s Homewares, PJs fruit and vegetables, Lismore Chamber of Commerce and Lismore Acupuncture Centre received bunches of flowers.Read more news: Acupuncture practice closes its doors after 28 yearsLismore Chamber of Commerce executive officer Emma Wallace said two weeks ago, when the Chamber had just finished moving into its new Molesworth Street location, the mystery flowers arrived.“It was quite emotional and touching to know that we really make a difference and someone noticed that," Emma said. "People do feel we are supporting them and that was so good.”Read more about the Lismore Chamber of Commerce: Chamber of Commerce makes a fresh start in a new homeLinda said the random acts of kindness gave people a boost during the Covid-period, when spirits were down and they needed a lift. Now, it has started an avalanche of giving.“Another person who wants to remain anonymous has also donated extra money to go to the Casino school,” she said.“It’s a feel good story in these times when people need some good news. I feel so honoured to be a part of it all."Linda said she and her horticulturist partner Paul have a native flower farm at Wadeville - and the Star Court Arcade shop has been the shopfront where they sell their flowers from.Linda has a passion for native flowers and said on their farm, the couple grow natives endemic to our area and are experimenting all the time with what grows best.“Our shop has been open for six months, she said. “We were fortunate during the Covid lockdown because people wanted to connect with others and send them flowers.“There’s a lot of businesses who have had to downsize or discontinue.“Now, we are growing and business is blooming. Through Covid, we’ve learned, changed our delivery methods and expanded – and we get to meet amazing local people."Read more business news: Rainbow Wholefoods' future still uncertain - but there is a light of hopeRead more business news: New business hopes to make a splash during COVID

Police have discovered that a woman who was fined last week for not self-isolating at her Nimbin address stopped a number of times on the way back - including at Lismore Base Hospital.The woman had been returning to NSW from Victoria and was directed to travel from Albury to her Nimbin address and self-isolate.Police checks revealed the woman had visited a friend in Maitland, stopped at Nabiac and Gosford for mechanical repairs and picked up a patient who had been discharged from Lismore Base Hospital. Last Friday, officers from Tweed/Byron Police District attended a home on Cecil Street, Nimbin and spoke to the 31-year-old woman who had arrived in NSW from Victoria on Saturday, August 1. Police have reported that following further inquiries, the woman was served a Court Attendance Notice last Sunday, August 9, for not comply with noticed direction section 7/8/9 – COVID-19. She is due to appear in Lismore Local Court on Monday September 21.Last week, she was also issued with a $1000 Personal Infringement Notice.Read previous story: Fine issued to woman supposed to be self-isolating in Nimbin

Lismore to Bangalow Road has been getting a facelift over the past few months. You may have noticed the wider road shoulders, new safety barriers and drainage that have appeared in places on the much-frequented local road.Now, the road work at Bexhill is complete and the road rebuild and safety improvements have moved on to Clunes - which Member of the Legislative Council, Ben Franklin said follows on from “extensive community consultation”.“This involves resurfacing the road, widening road shoulders and building a new 800-metre overtaking lane between Eureka Road and Kirklands Lane,” Mr Franklin said.“The community was consulted about the design of an access road to be built between Stewarts Road and Kirklands Lane.“This design has now been finalised and the community will be kept informed about the project as development continues.”Mr Franklin said the $11 million safety improvements by the NSW Government were progressing well.“The improvements will deliver safer and smoother journeys for thousands of motorists who use Lismore to Bangalow Road each day,” Mr Franklin said.“They will ensure road users complete their journeys safely every day, and they will also help sustain jobs in local communities,” Mr Franklin said.“The Lismore to Bangalow Road project is sourcing materials from local suppliers and employing local contractors, delivering on the NSW Government’s commitment to maintaining jobs in regional communities.“Crews have also completed work on Wilsons Creek Bridge at Nashua to clear vegetation and improve the stability of bridge abutments.“Work on the bridge abutments also used recycled rock excavated from another section of the project, saving resources.”

Australians are being encouraged to learn more about the stories of our Second World War veterans as the 75th anniversary of the end of the war on August 15 approaches. A number of online research services are being made available for free, to help Australians conduct their research, including http://www.ancestry.com.auFederal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said our community has a rich Second World War history, from residents who served to veterans, widows and family members who now call the region home. “Each story is unique, and is just as important as the next,” Mr Hogan said.“As a community we have a job to do –to ensure these stories live on and that we never forgot the role of all Australians who served overseas or on the home front in the Second World War.”The National Archives of Australia has been digitising all of its Second World War service records and the Australian War Memorial also has a wide range of useful information just a click away.”“I encourage each of us to start by looking into our own family’s military service history, and from there, extend our research to the Second World War more broadly and learn more about the six years that forever changed Australia’s history,” Mr Hogan said.  “All that Australians need to do is ‘Just Ask’ the question – whether that is about a family member who served, or just wanting to learn more about the war. “The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has brought together all of its nominal rolls, including the Second World War nominal roll, into one website to make it easier to search and find information on those Australians who served in this war.”“DVA’s Anzac Portal also has a range of historical educational resources free for download – showcasing the war from an Australian point of view.”The Researching Australians at War page on the Anzac Portal is also a great resource to learn more about the Second World War and to access educational resources: http://www.anzacportal.dva.gov.auAncestry.com.au is helping Australians pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed in the Second World War by providing free online access to all Australian and New Zealand military records on the site from August 13–16.

Holiday travellers heading south for the October or Christmas holidays should save 25 minutes on their journey between Woolgoolga and Ballina when the Woodburn, Broadwater & Wardell Pacific Highway bypass is completed next month. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan and State Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis today announced locals have been given advanced notice of traffic changes that will take effect when the 34-kilometre upgraded section opens between Woodburn and Pimlico in September this year, weather permitting.(part of the roadworks between Woodburn and Pimlico) “The Pacific Highway upgrade continues to deliver for our regional communities, creating more than 3,000 jobs during the peak of the Woolgoolga to Ballina project alone and injecting millions into local economies,” Mr Hogan said. “This new section forms a large part of the final stretch of the upgrade, which is on track to open to traffic by the end of this year.” Mr Gulaptis said motorists would be able to use the new interchanges at Woodburn, Broadwater and Coolgardie for safe access to the Pacific Motorway as part of the upcoming opening, which would improve connectivity between neighbouring towns. “Travellers will be encouraged to visit the newly bypassed towns with large signs to be installed at the approaches to Woodburn, Broadwater and Wardell,” Mr Gulaptis said. “These signs have already been installed along the Pacific Highway upgrade, most recently at Nambucca and Kempsey, helping support regional communities.”(the new bridge over the Richmond River looking south at Broadwater) The Pacific Highway upgrade is now about 91 per cent complete, and continues to deliver improved travel times for locals, tourists and the freight industry. To help explain the upcoming change, a community update will be distributed to local residents from this week and made available online at pacifichighway.nsw.gov.au. Local businesses interested in receiving updates about the upcoming bypass are encouraged to register at w2b@pacificcomplete.com.au.  Electronic message signs will provide wayfinding information and motorists should be aware of traffic management and reduced speed limits though the area while work continues to build the upgrade. Road users are encouraged to visit livetraffic.com and plan ahead to avoid any potential delays. For more information about the Woolgoolga to Ballina upgrade, contact the project team on 1800 778 900 (dial 1) or email w2b@pacificcomplete.com.au. The Australian and New South Wales governments are jointly funding the $4.945 billion Woolgoolga to Ballina Pacific Highway upgrade. With the Australian Government providing $3.76 billion towards the construction, planning and pre-construction. The NSW Government is providing the remaining funding towards the project.

A new workshop series allowing rural women to build skills in sustainable farm management and recovering from natural disasters just received a Federal Government funding boost.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said $21,700 would be allocated for these programs to run across the North Coast community.“These workshops will empower rural women and show the benefits of making sustainable decisions for their families, their farms and the farm businesses,” Mr Hogan said.The workshops are run by North Coast Local Land Services in partnership with Women on the Land. The organisations have already been running a workshop series to assist local rural women with holistic decision making and resilience.  “North Coast Local Land Service in partnership with Women on the Land will be delivering this project over two years,” Mr Hogan said.North Coast Local Land Services General Manager Louise Orr welcomed the funding and is looking forward to the workshops. “This project aims to empower women to take ownership of not just their personal welfare but their farm and farm business welfare in the event of a natural disaster,” Mrs Orr said. “This will help build more resilient farms and more resilient communities in the face of an increasingly variable climate.”If you are interested in attending the workshop, please visit the website: https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/north-coast

The Lismore Quadrangle’s 2019 project, Dungarimba Wandarahn received a Highly Commended Award in the Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture category at the Local Government NSW Awards.Commissioned by The Lismore Quad, Dungarimba Wandarahn (Lismore place of learning) was a major new Australian work by internationally acclaimed digital artist Craig Walsh.One and a half years in the making, the project was created in collaboration with Southern Cross University’s Indigenous School Gnibi Wandarahn and Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar, high school and university students, researchers and arts practitioners, and was funded by the Australian Government’s Heritage Near Me program.Dungarimba Wandarahn was a powerful multi-sensory experience of Bundjalung Elder, Aunty Irene Harrington’s memories as a young Aboriginal girl straddling two worlds in the 1950s.During the four-night event, the original Lismore High School was animated with large-scale projections and a soundscape depicting her experience of a white education system. A large dome was also constructed on the grass over a sand circle evoking traditional Bundjalung story, language and song with music composed by Brett Canning from Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar and didgeridoo from local musician Tom Avery.Audiences were invited to experience the work however they chose - lying down under the stars and listening, walking around each of the spaces, or sitting on a picnic rug while the kids played in the sand circle covered with animated projections of Bundjalung art.Lismore City Council’s Deputy Mayor Darlene Cook congratulated the gallery team lead by Brett Adlington, and in particular, project producer, Marisa Snow“This recognition by Local Government NSW is well deserved,” she said.“The Regional Gallery and The Quad continues to punch above its weight and attract a wide audience by commissioning artists who tell our local stories.“I congratulate Craig Walsh and the team at the Gallery and The Quad for having the vision and passion to deliver this multi-sensory experience of Bundjalung language, history and story.”

COVID-19 Scams are on the increase as scammers are using the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) to take advantage of people across Australia.Scamwatch has received over 3600 scam reports mentioning the coronavirus with over $2 382 000 in reported losses since the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The most common scams include phishing for personal information, online shopping, and superannuation scams.If you have been scammed or have seen a scam, you can make a report on the Scamwatch website, and find more information about where to get help.https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/

Hold a morning tea, or donate some money to the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service for its annual Rescue Day appeal this Friday, August 14.The Lismore based service saves lives each year and has performed over 10,000 missions since it started in Ballina in 1982.The Service's chief executive Richard Jones said “supporting Rescue Day helps to keep the Service on standby 24/7 for our community”.“Each year our Lismore team is tasked to perform over 400 missions ranging from rescues and emergencies through to patient transfers from our smaller regional hospitals to larger metropolitan hospitals,” Mr Jones said. “Rescue Day highlights the partnership between our Service and that of the medicals teams who fly with us from NSW Ambulance and NSW Health. It is this partnership that is helping to deliver life changing outcomes for so many patients and their families each year."On Rescue Day, local businesses and venues are invited to take part and help fundraise to support the appeal. Rescue Day is also an opportunity for local workplaces to sign up and hold a fundraiser like a ‘Red n Yellow’ themed mufti day, morning tea or lunch. To make a donation to the Rescue Day appeal visit helirescue.com.au/donate - or if your workplace would like to register, call 1800 155 155.

MISSING PERSON - Gregory PristelVictoria Police are seeking community assistance in locating 51 year old Gregory Pristel who has been seen in the Lismore area.Gregory travelled from Glen Iris VIC to Lismore around the 20th of July, and was last seen in Ballina on the 27th of July. It is believed that Gregory is in the Northern NSW area and may be travelling around in his silver coloured Suzuki Jimny wagon.Gregory is described as caucasian, 170cm tall, solid build, bushy beard. Last seen wearing a khaki army jacket. Anyone with information regarding Gregory's whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Local gyms were doing it tough following the initial COVID-19 restrictions that were put in place by the NSW Government in March. After a brief respite as restrictions eased in June they took a step back on August 1 when gyms had to have a COVID-19 Safety Hygiene Marshall present at all times the doors are open.While this does not affect some gyms that operate restricted hours it does adversely affect 24/7 gyms. To employ a person to be the COVID-19 Safety Hygiene Marshall or ask a staff member to take on that role during non-peak times is an added cost that a small business already under financial pressure can not sustain.The answer is shorter business hours so 24/7 gyms are having to adjust their trading hours to survive.George Stevens Manager at Anytime Fitness in Goonellabah said they looked at their most popular times and have made sure they are catered for.(George Stevens, Manager of Anytime Fitness in Goonellabah)"We are doing the best we can to staff the gym with our available staff", George said, "we're not 24 hours but we are doing our best to keep members happy".This has upset a small amount of members with most happy that they are still open.This was the sentiment at F-Fitness in East Lismore with Manager Casey Clark saying a few people were upset but the majority of people understand the situation."It has affected our business slightly", Casey said, "we have lost a few members but the majority have been very supportive".The main change to 24/7 gyms is the opening hours.Anytime Fitness are now open 6am to 12 midday and 4pm to 8pm Monday to Thursday, Fridays 8am to 4pm and weekends 8am to 12 midday.F-Fitness's opening times are 4am to 10pm Monday to Friday while Saturday's are 8am to 5pm and Sunday's 8am to 1:30pm.Switch 24/7 in the GSAC building has also changed its hours. Tony Duffy told the Lismore App: "Due to the requirement for a COVID-19 Safety Marshal, we have had to close the 24/7 GSAC gym. However we have extended operating hours at the gym. The new hours are Monday to Thursday, 5am to 8pm, Friday 5am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 3pm."Spare a thought for a new 24/7 gym opening in Lismore Central Shopping Centre on August 18. It is hard enough opening up a new business and in a competitive field. Manager Sam Waller saying "the restrictive hours affects shift workers like nurses and police officers but we'll do the best we can by opening from 4am to 10pm".Any further restrictions could well see a few operators closing their doors for good.

COVID-19 has thrown some curve balls for everyone since March especially small business.This story proves that out of a place of adversity opportunities can arise, it just takes the courage and a little luck to make it a success story.Phil Evans has worked for three pool companies in the area, Profile Pools, Poolwerx and more recently Lismore Poolscene. COVID-19 meant that the doors of the business were reduced to opening two days a week and Phil was not sure the business would return strongly or when that might be.What makes it more difficult is that Phil has a young family with partner Amy and their two children Madeliene and Georgia. Amy is on maternity leave and looking to get back to her elderly care role early next year.(Phil Evans with partner Amy, Madeliene (5) and Georgia (8 months). Photo: Supplied)"I always wanted to do my own thing", Phil said, "initially COVID stalled me and we thought wait until this over but then the shop hours changed and we thought why not give it a go now"."This gives me the flexibility to get the kids up and take them to daycare when Amy starts work at 6am plus more freedom to make decisions to help people out and do some favours where I can, it's me calling the shots".Winter is the quiet time of year for pool maintenance so Phil is getting his head around the bookwork and accounting procedure he will face once the busy summer period is in full swing.Why the name?"It was a play on dependable and the deep end of a pool", Phil explained. You could add jumping in to the deep end opening a new business as well.Deepend Pool Maintenance offers pool maintenance, sales of chemicals and equipment parts as well as repairs and installations and according to Phil "great customer service".You can contact Phil via his mobile 0n 0429 510 303 or via email at phil.dpe82@gmail.com.au. As Phil has only just started his business you can guarantee you will be talking to the owner.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner after a man died while working on a property about 20km north of Lismore.Emergency services were called to the property on Cox Road, at Koonorigan, after the man was found trapped by a fallen tree last night about 7.20pm (Friday 7 August 2020). He died at the scene.Officers from Richmond Police District have been told the 67-year-old man was clearing trees on the property when the incident occurred.SafeWork NSW will be notified of the incident.The man's wife plays for Dunoon United Football Club in Football Far North Coast's women's League 5 side, who play at Alstonville tomorrow. The players will wear black armbands and the Dunoon United side will request a minute's silence prior to the kick off at 12:30pm. Anyone with information about this incident 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.

Most locals would know about or have heard of the Lismore Community Gardens on the corner of Brewster and Magellan Streets in Lismore.However, most of us would not know of the amazing work that a group of hard working volunteers achieve each week which includes supplying fresh vegetables and herbs to food banks.Earlier this week Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan presented funding of $1,350 to Lismore Community Gardens to purchase new garden and power tools to help develop the gardens.Mr Hogan said "Volunteers are central to so many local organisations and provide important services in our community."Peter Luckett is coordinator of the Rainbow Region Community Farms which manages the Lismore Community Gardens. Peter said "This will allow us to purchase new gloves and tools to encourage more volunteers and support our great existing volunteers with the cost of fuel for delivery of produce."Peter told the Lismore App they are always looking for volunteers so if you have a green thumb, love gardening and have some time on your hands go and see Peter and the team at gardens on a Wednesday or Saturday morning between 9am and 1pm."This is very much a social thing, it's a place where friendships are formed", Peter said.The 'Mutual Obligation' system is also operational for the gardens. This is where people can volunteer 10 hours a week in return for social welfare instead of looking for a full time job.A new addition to the Lismore Community Gardens is offered by the Herb & Vegie Organisation each Saturday morning between 10am and 12noon. During the two hours you have the chance to swap produce seeds and drop off or pick up cuttings and plants. There are two tables to use that this Saturday will have strawberry runners, crucifix orchids, a bangalow palm, agarves and New Guinea bean seeds on offer.The next improvements for the gardens is the Indigenous Bush Tucker Garden which was planned by Phil Dudman and includes a smoking circle, bbq area as well as indigenous plants.Also in the pipeline is a waterless compost toilet that already has DA approval from council and will include wheel chair access.

It’s been a tough few months for Rainbow Wholefoods owner Tony Stillone. His north Lismore shop has been in danger of closing down and the stress of dealing with bureaucracy saw him admitted to hospital with high blood pressure recently.Tony said it was due to his healthy vegan diet and his naturopathic knowledge of herbs and nutrition that saw him quickly pull through what would have been called a heart attack in a weaker person.He said hospital gave him food poisoning and despite now having lost 10 kilograms in weight, he’s feeling stronger and he is “fighting to keep his shop open”.Read more news: Fine issued to woman supposed to be self-isolating in NimbinA string of events, including what he calls a “bureaucratic nightmare” of dealing with building fire and safety regulation codes, Lismore City Council and the building’s owner, fires, flood and Covid-19, lead him to announce he would close the shop in September.But, since then, he has rallied the local community for assistance and has now enlisted the help of legal representative Al Oshlak.Now, it seems Tony is intent on staying open – at least until March next year.At the heart of the issue is a dispute between the building’s owner and Tony - about who has to pay for a $150,000 fire safety wall at the back of the building.The background storyTony has been renting and operating Rainbow Wholefoods in the current Terania Street location for 16 years.A Lismore City Council spokesperson told the Lismore App that in 2006, Council compliance officers identified that there were Fire, Health and Safety problems in the building which needed fixed and notified the building’s owner, Wagner Farquar Property Pty Ltd.Then in 2013, compliance action was taken by Council - as the building was being used for commercial purposes without a relevant Development Application (DA).In 2014, the building’s owner then lodged a DA with Council, which was approved if the owner guaranteed to undertake work on the fire, health and safety issues.Council said that in 2015, no work had commenced and Council ordered the work to be done.Now, in 2020, Council said “after five years with no work, the Health Officer made a report that no work had been done and deemed the building not safe and a compliance action review was undertaken.”Council also reported that Council staff worked with Tony to help him apply for grants to get back on track after the 2017 flood.ResponsibilityTony said based on the legal advice of Mr Oshlak, he believes the responsibility for undertaking the work lies with the building’s owner.“Now we are telling the real estate rental agents we are staying until March and it’s up to them to deal with Council,” he said. “Al has also written to Council telling them this.”Tony said even though he was not directly responsible for doing the work, he had already spent $20,000 undertaking some of the health and safety work identified by Council (like providing Hazmats) - as it related to his business of selling food.Tony said he would be happy get a bank loan and undertake the work on the fire wall if he was the owner of the building.“I already made an offer of $150,000 to buy the building off the owner, but the offer has not been accepted,” he said.“And Council won’t let me submit another DA until Farquar’s DA is approved, or amended.”He said he recently stopped selling food from the shop’s café because he couldn’t submit the new, appropriate DA to Council because of the current dispute over the firewall DA.LegalsTony’s legal representative Al Oshlak said the issue surrounding the compliance DA was a technical one.“The DA for compliance construction of a fire wall is addressed to Farquar, the owner,” Mr Oshlak said. “That means he is the one who can legally deal with it. At the moment, Tony is not responsible.“If the owner would sell the building at reasonable price to Tony, he can bring it to a good compliant state – or do what Council request him to comply with. The other option is to wait until Council prosecutes.“If council tries to take Tony to court they would lose.”Mr Oshlak said after the 2017 flood, Council health inspectors visited and helped him fix things, but didn’t say anything about a compliance DA.“Tony never saw that DA until Council told him about it in March this year."Is it necessary?Mr Oshlak also said the building doesn’t actually need a fire wall, as there no neighbours.“There used to be an adjoining property shed that’s been removed,” he said. “The development compliance needs of the building need to be reviewed – and again that is Farquar’s responsibility.“Lismore City Council needs to issue a moratorium on this work and not harass Tony.“Tony stayed open six days a week through the drought, flood and he survived Covid – but he might not survive Lismore City Council.“So many others rely on his business - what about the organic farmers that sell 1.5 million a year in produce to him?”The futureTony said his family are helping him out in the shop now and his daughters are staffing the shop.He also hopes to get the current situation sorted so he can submit a new DA to get his cafe food business at Rainbow Wholefoods up and running again.“Life is good and I’m going to fight it - provided the pandemic doesn’t play out and destroy it,” he said. 

A woman who was supposed to be self-isolating in Nimbin has been issued with a $1000 Personal Infringement Notice by police for breaching a Covid-19 Public Health Order.NSW Police reported today that the 31-year-old had been stopped last Saturday, August 1 at a border checkpoint in Albury, Victoria. She presented a permit allowing her entry to NSW, and was allowed under the provision that she self-isolated for 14 days at a Nimbin address.Subsequent checks by police revealed the woman was not staying at the address, and following inquiries, police found her yesterday, Thursday, August 6, in a vehicle at Nabiac. She was issued with a $1000 PIN for not complying with a noticed direction and instructed to return to Victoria.Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.auInformation is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.