Domestic violence specialist support services in the Lismore region have received a much needed funding boost from the Federal Government.Legislative Council Member Ben Franklin announced today that $750,000 would be made available to allow domestic violence victim-survivors to access more help during the Covid-10 pandemic."This pandemic has increased the potential for domestic abuse in homes across our community, so we want to ensure help is available and accessible at this crucial time," Mr Franklin said.“Our dedicated frontline services as well as police and local court staff do an incredible job each day responding to the terrible scourge of domestic and family violence.“It is amazing that we have so many dedicated organisations to helping victims of domestic abuse and I can’t thank them enough for the work they do in protecting and supporting vulnerable people in our community.“If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please contact the Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 when it’s safe to do so,” Mr Franklin said.Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman said more victim-survivors have sought assistance during the pandemic and are presenting to services with more complex needs.“This comprehensive package responds to a range of issues raised with the Government during this pandemic, and aims to protect women and children and ultimately save lives,” Mr Speakman said.Services to receive money include:Lismore Homelessness Accommodation Support Service for Women and Children Experiencing Domestic and Family ViolenceNorthern NSW Homelessness Support Service for Aboriginal Women Experiencing Domestic and Family ViolenceNorthern NSW Homelessness Support Service for Women Experiencing Domestic and Family ViolenceWDVCAS – Northern Rivers Community Legal CentreMullumbimby Women's ServiceMDNC Staying Home Leaving ViolenceHope Haven Women's RefugeThe $21 million additional investment across the State for domestic violence frontline specialist services comprises $12.8 million from the NSW Government and $8.8 million from the Commonwealth Government.The package includes state-wide funding for women’s refuges, Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV), Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS), legal services, and for the NSW Domestic Violence Line which provides 24/7 crisis counselling and support referrals

A tree on Alternative Way in Nimbin is under threat of being removed for housing development - and Lismore councillor Vanessa Ekins said the community has one last chance at saving it.Cr Ekins said the large tree, along with another near it, was originally to have been protected. But the developers now want to modify the existing development application to remove it.Read more news: Nimbin Environment Centre gets money for weed removalOver the last year, Cr Ekins said councillors had already received numerous complaints from concerned residents about the large trees and the 60 lot housing development being too close to them.While the Development Application (DA) has already been on public display and numerous public submissions were received in response to it, Cr Ekins said the developers now wanted to divide up the housing lot on which the trees stands - and potentially build a road to access a pump station.“We can still stop changes to the development,” she said.“I urge concerned community residents to ring or email their councillors before July 15 when we are likely to discuss and potentially approve the DA modification.“We need the public to urge councillors to change their vote in chamber and say they don’t want the tree removed.“It’s a powerful thing to ring a councillor – they respond to phone calls.“We lose 200 mature trees from our urban area every year and even though we plant some, it takes a long time to replace a 150 year old tree – that’s six human generations.”HistoryThe Nimbin housing 60-lot subdivision has already seen stages 1-3 completed, but stages 4-7 are still underway.The large tree under threat was originally thought to be a 150 year old River Red Gum – a koala food tree - and developers were told they had to retain them and create protection zones around them, after public objections were made.Cr Ekins said Council sent an arborist to inspect the two trees and discovered they were actually Sydney Blue Gums, which are not koala food trees.The arborist also found that one of the trees had structural defects and a history of large limb failure, which could cause potential risk to life if a branch fell. “My argument is leave the tree, move the road around it and make the area a park for people instead of being greedy and making an extra housing lot,” Cr Ekins said.“Even if they are not koala trees, they still provide habitat because they contain hollows – which are rare. “Some of the submissions Council received also say how the trees are important and highly visible in the landscape.”Cr Ekins said if councillors voted to keep the DA as it was, Council staff would then be able to ask the developers to prepare a tree remediation plan.“This would make sure enough space was cleared around the tree so there was no asset damage and shows we value the trees.”If you want to contact your Lismore City Councillors, visit Council’s website for their contact details: https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-ZZF-64-48-20

Tonight, NORPA brings back the performing arts! For the next three nights (July 2-5), you can listen to livestreamed new short works by some of Australia’s best playwrights for Dear Australia.Dear Australia explores the recent pandemic which “exposed and prised open many cracks in our society”, according to Playwriting Australia chair David Berthold.Playwrights such as Nakkiah Lui, Jada Alberts and actors like Jack Thompson and Miranda Tapsell will be livestreamed into your home as part of NORPA’s new collaboration with Playwriting Australia (PWA).The Dear Australia project involves 50 postcards, described as comforting, confronting, and a unique celebration of Australian voices.At a time when a pandemic has forced reflection and change, these playwrights have responded to questions that get to the heart of where our nation is and where it might go.“These 50 micro works address major questions, allowing us to see into some of those cracks, but also inviting us to see light ahead,” Mr Berthold said.Commissioned by Playwriting Australia, the 50 monologues have been recorded by 50 actors, many in their own homes.Playwriting Australia is the national body for the development of Australian plays and playwrights. For the project, it invited 25 theatre organisations from across Australia to each nominate two playwrights and then commissioned them to write a short monologue, which were then filmed by 50 extraordinary actors.These moving and sometimes provocative stories will be grouped over three nights and live streamed by the partner theatres, along with major performing arts centres such as Arts Centre Melbourne, Sydney Opera House, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Canberra Theatre Centre and Darwin Entertainment Centre.A Dear Australia panel discussion will be broadcast from the Joan Sutherland Theatre by the Sydney Opera House on Saturday, July 4 at 7pm.Dear Australia livestreams over three nights (Thursday 2 July, Friday 3 July and Sunday 5 July) on the NORPA Facebook page and on Playwriting Australia’s YouTube channel). 

Weed removal and rainforest restoration has been part of work of Nimbin Environment Centre for some time – and a new grant from the Federal Government will help the good work continue.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the volunteers at the centre had been working to protect native plants in the Mulgum Creek Rainforest by removing infestations of high priority weeds. The Centre’s Mulgum Creek Rainforest Restoration tackles the upper reaches of Mulgum Creek, which has “significant” infestations of seeded banana, giant devil fig, privet and maderia vine. Part of the process of weed removal involves volunteers drilling and poisoning mature woody weed species and hand weeding seedlings.”“They centre wants to continue this work and remove more weeds, so it was great to announce $10,000 to support the project,” Mr Hogan said.““Environmental weeds are a serious threat to the health of our waterways and the management of exotic weed species will help native plants and animals.”

It’s been 10 months since a compost fire destroyed equipment at the Lismore Recycling and Resource Recovery Centre. While the centre is processing some recycled materials, it’s not yet up to full capacity – but the centre’s manager Andy Irvine said September is looking good for getting the equipment up and running at full capacity.Lismore Recycling and Resource Recovery Centre manager Andy Irvine.“It’s been hard since the fire for the people that work here, but we are on track now for the rebuilding of the new facility,” Andy said.“We are currently processing about 40% of the recycled materials brought in and hopefully we’ll be ready by September for handling everything.“Plastics and aluminium are already back to full processing, but our capacity to process some cardboard and papers were affected because that was the end of the machine we lost in the fire.”IngenuityAndy said it was the ingenuity of the centre’s 20 staff that got the equipment running again after the fire.“It’s a dirty job working here and these workers never get any credit for it, but they do it every day – invent ways to get things done and build something.“Along the way we’ve added bits and prices to machine sections to get them working for processing again.“When one end of the equipment here burnt, we couldn’t fit material into it and these guys worked out a way to build stuff and feed things into it.“It greatly reduced our reliance on other facilities to get the processing done.“Recycling and resource recovery is a big business.”Kieran Byrne has been leading hand at the centre for three years. He enjoyed a celebration with his workmates recently in a show of recognition for the work done by Council’s quiet achievers.Revolve shopAndy said staff were trying to get the Revolve Shop at the centre open soon.“The covid period has been difficult,” he said.“We have had to control people’s movements who come in and walk around, so opening the shop has been a staff resourcing issue.“The public have been awesome and understanding. It’s been a real imposition on them because they can’t get in and do the things they normally do.“We are just following public health rules.”The quiet achieversAndy said when the covid restrictions first kicked in, it was tough on the staff who worked there because they had to wear masks all day long in very hot conditions.“They work processing equipment and the landfill and compost areas and help people sort things in cars,” he said. “We also have people who fix dams and do building work and engineering plant repairs.“Then there’s the people who get up early to drive the trucks and pick up the garbage – and they are never heard of.“It’s a varied job and the town couldn’t run without this service – it would drown very quickly."

The NSW Government has today announced that it will ban people living in Victoria’s coronavirus hotspots from entering New South Wales. Anyone living in an affected hotspot postcode in Victoria who is found in NSW could be fined $11,000 or jailed for up to six months.The decision comes after our local health authorities advised Lismore and North Coast residents not to visit Victoria during the upcoming school holidays. Read more news: Health authorities warn holiday makers not to go to Victoria Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said the announcement by the NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard was very welcome. “I know how concerned everyone on the North Coast has been about the rising number of cases in Victoria and people coming to visit,” Mr Franklin said. “I have heard, I have listened and I have been advocating within Government for measures to be introduced to protect our community - I’m very pleased this announcement has been made today. “This virus is a still a serious concern. NSW has done incredibly well to contain the spread and we don’t need a second surge in cases here too.” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced the new ban at a press conference on Wednesday morning and also said people in NSW must not visit Victorian hotspots."If you choose to go there when you really shouldn't be going there, and you come back to NSW, you'll be required to go into isolation here for 14 days," Mr Hazzard said."And if you breach that order, you'll be liable to a penalty ... it could be an $11,000 fine or a six-month jail sentence." Minister Hazzard is expected to sign the new Public Health Order this afternoon.Read more news: Lismore's Italo Club could be saved from closure"Regional Victoria should not pay price for careless behaviour of a few Melbournians"Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said regional Victorians should not be penalised because of COVID-19 spikes in isolated parts of Melbourne.Senator McKenzie encouraged Victorians not living in Stage 3 Stay at Home restricted postcode areas and the rest of Australia to support regional businesses and tourist operators by visiting and holidaying in regional Victoria."Regional Victorians have done the right thing and are not seeing a second wave or a spike in COVID cases," she said."Many regional Victorian tourism hotspots such as the great Alpine National Park, our beautiful winery regions, the Great Ocean Road, Gippsland and our iconic coastline et cetera have seen little to no coronavirus cases throughout this pandemic."Those regional small businesses and tourism operators have been suffering extreme economic impacts, not just of COVID-19 but bushfires and drought.T"ravel restrictions and some state Border closures mean Victorians can spend holidays, time and dollars in our regions supporting our local tourism operators and enjoying all that regional Victoria has to offer."We welcome Queenslanders, South Australians and obviously New South Welshman to come and support our regional communities and enjoy a regional break in the great state of Victoria."State premiers who say ‘we're not letting Victorians in’ must realise Victoria is so much more than Melbourne, as we Victorians who choose to live outside Melbourne can attest."Premiers who are seeking to make political points, political mileage in their home states from the spike that's occurring in Melbourne, need to accept that living with coronavirus is something we must do, and we all need to change how we behave."This spike in certain areas of Melbourne is disappointing but all of Victoria should not pay the price."Localised lockdowns of these Melbourne hotspots is an appropriate response."These heightened measures mean Victorians from those affected areas are actually unable to travel interstate under these restrictions, making South Australian and Queensland premiers’ media statements on banning Victorians unnecessary, parochial and playing to their own state base."An appropriate and informed response from those state jurisdictions would be to not blame all Victorians for the careless behaviour of a few Melbournians."Those of us out in the regions also don't want people from these hotspots risking the health and life of rural and regional Victorians who have done the right thing and embraced medical directions."It again shows the importance of following that medical advice, not assuming the worst is over and doing the right thing for all our sakes."

An installation by artist and musician Ross Manning has brought light and sound back to Lismore Regional Gallery after months of closure.Ross’s touring exhibition Dissonant Rhythms is described as a mesmerising installation of light and sound - and it truly is.Ross will be giving an online talk tomorrow, Thursday, July 2 at 5.30pm and you can join in via zoom. Click here to join Ross, a Brisbane-based artist, will discuss his sculptural works, which use everyday materials, like repurposed ceiling fans, fluorescent tubes, and overhead projectors - and he combines them with carefully crafted soundscapes.Dissonant Rhythms is Ross’s first ever survey exhibition, which premiered at the IMA in 2017.Ross recently unveiled a major new commission at Carriageworks in Sydney (2016), presented new work at the Shanghai Biennale (2016), and was featured in MCA’s Primavera (2009) and The National. Museum of Contemporary Art, New South Wales (2019). Over the past decade, Ross has developed what could be described as his own world, animated by light and sound.Combining choregraphed mechanical movements with gravity, friction, and chance, his works use light, sound and motion to “colonise nearly every surface and wavelength in its vicinity”.Dissonant Rhythms will be on exhibition in Lismore until August 16.For more information about exhibitions at the gallery, visit https://lismoregallery.org/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-UQK-36-11-82#.XvvajChLhPZ

Lismore’s Italo-Australian Club could have a reprieve from closing down after a Special General Meeting for members was held last night.Italo Club president Americo Melchior said the club could now be amalgamating with Club Marconi - another Italian club - based in Sydney.But the future of the Lismore club is not yet definite.“Club Marconi have also bailed out another club and they are keen to come up and talk and look at the Italo Club next week to see if they want to go ahead with it,” Americo said.“Everybody at the meeting was happy last night. “Club Marconi made $3 million after tax last year, so it’s not much for them to spend over $200,000 on our club.”“The Italo Club needs a lot of improvements – the air con and freezer are broken and the kitchen needs upgrading,” he said.Americo said he had been talking on the phone to the Club Marconi chief executive, Tony Zappia over the last few weeks to discuss the amalgamation. “If the amalgamation goes ahead, the Italo Club will be run from Sydney, but still have a figurehead board here,” he said.“Club Marconi will send a manager up here – but we don’t want to get too excited – it hasn’t happened yet."Americo said the Liverpool Soccer Academy had also expressed an interest in amalgamating with the Italo Club, but that had fallen through when the Academy recently lost its affiliation with Southern Cross University.The Italo-Australian Club has been an important fixture of Lismore’s social scene, hosting functions, dances and music since it was established in 1960.The club had been struggling financially for a few years and Americo said the Covid closure period earlier this year was just the “nail in the coffin” which lead to the board’s earlier decision to close the club.Mr Melchior said the club was built by volunteers, and relied on the patronage of Lismore’s Italian community for many years. The club currently has about 420 members.Americo said patronage has been declining over time and the club’s inability to hold the weekly smorgasbord due to coronavirus restrictions impacted heavily on the club’s income.

Weekend market goers and sellers can soon rejoice, because all regional markets are set to start again in August, after four months of inactivity due to the pandemic.From Lismore’s Car Boot market, to the Channon Craft Market and beyond, all North Coast markets have banded together to face the new world of living with coronavirus - and how they are going to handle it once they reopen.Read more news: Health authorities warn holiday makers not to go to VictoriaHowever, there will be a few differences – particularly for market stall holders.Manager of the Channon Craft Market, Robyn Kelly, said all of the market managers, from Brunswick Heads to Lismore met recently to discuss how they will collaboratively “get up and going again” after four months of inactivity due to pandemic restrictions.“As long as the NSW Government regulations stay the same, markets will resume,” Robyn said. “But it will be a different landscape than what we are used to.“We are working with NSW Health to manage the outdoor spaces, but it’s not clear enough about the regulations at the moment.”So, what are the changes?There will be no live music or a chai tent at the Channon Market for the time being.“Because that space would need to be managed as a gathering space, and there are not enough staff to clean and manage it,” Robyn said.“Don’t bring your blankets for sitting and resting for the day – just come, do your business and leave.“We want people to be at markets – but we will have to count people in.“There will no food court areas that need to be roped off and managed.“For the time being, there is no busking.“All the markets will have a reduced number of stalls.”What do the changes mean for stall holders?Robyn said all stall holders will need submit a Covid safety plan when they register, as dictated under the law.“We are working together as a collaboration of markets to create a best practice for retailers,” she said. “We want the process to be simple, so businesses want to come back.“All the markets have about 1000 small businesses between us and we are creating one website where stall holders can apply for a stall.“When stall holders register their interest, we will give them you a link to the government website.“They will need to show how they offer the ability to do cashless payments, manage wipe down of hard surfaces, provide hand sanitiser and how manage how many people come into your stall space. “Soft surfaces like material don’t need to be wiped – and people can use signage like don’t touch clothing, ask for assistance.“While these regulations might throw people off, as market people we will say ‘think beyond covid and all you are doing is a safety plan for now’.”Changes for food stallsRobyn said food stall holders will have to do a food training course.“The markets have decided its compulsory in order to trade at regional markets,” she said. “We are serious about protecting the community as much as we can.The futureRobyn said the future of regional markets is a changing landscape, and while people may be upset about losing the chai tent or live music for the time being, it’s always possible that by September or October, we can have it back again.“The virus is here,” she said, “If we want to create spaces for people to come, we need to plan well for the future.When are the markets on?1st Sunday of the month: Lismore car boot and Byron Bay markets2nd Sunday of the month: Channon craft market3rd Sunday of the month: Lismore car boot market4th Sunday of the month: Bangalow marketFor more information on all regional markets, visit: https://www.visitnorthcoast.com.au/regional-markets/Read more news: Tomorrow (July 1) sees a lot of positive change for the holidays

With school holidays about to start in NSW, local health authorities are sending out a message for us to avoid travelling parts of Victoria that have seen recent increases in Covid-19 activity. Instead, consider travelling to national parks, ovals, or local pubs and restaurants. Read more news: Businesses urged to get Covid-19 ready for the holidaysNorthern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, said it was imperative that North Coast residents keep up the good work in avoiding the spread of coronavirus.“The local community has done an amazing job maintaining physical distancing and hand hygiene over the last few months,” Mr Jones said. “But we certainly don’t want to have what’s happening in parts of Victoria being repeated here. “With the extra freedom of travel and the likelihood of seeing more friends and family, it is more important than ever to remain vigilant. “I encourage anyone, local or visiting tourists, if you have even mild symptoms, please go get a free test at your local testing clinic and stay in until you get the result.Mr Jones said these Covid-19 increase areas in Victoria are being closely monitored, and interventions to prevent further transmissions from these areas are being implemented by the Victorian Government. Non-essential travel between Melbourne and New South Wales is strongly discouraged. In addition, restrictions on workers and visitors who have been in Melbourne in the previous 14 days to high risk settings have been implemented. Further restrictions may be implemented as the situation evolves. “If you are visiting family or friends in Victoria, I would urge you to reconsider the need to travel,” Mr Jones said. “If travel is essential, for compassionate or other reasons, please do the right thing and self-isolate for two weeks when you return and get a test if you’re feeling even a little bit unwell.”More information is available at: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/response-outbreaks-covid-19. A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx 

Tomorrow is July 1st and that means more easing of COVID-19 restrictions for entertainment businesses, great news for the school holidays which begin at 3pm on Friday.The main change to the restrictions is the 'one person per 4 square metre' rule. Basically, this means that there is no maximum number of people providing that the business can provide that rule so it depends on the size of the floor plan. Each business will have up to date operating instructions for you to follow when you enter the premises to keep you and your family and friends safe from coronavirus.A lot of these businesses have been closed since March so will need our support to get them profitable once again. Even if you go once to each venue over the two weeks it will go along way to supporting local businesses just like we did for cafes and restaurants when they needed some help.As with cafes and restaurants you will need to ring and book in advance.Craig and his family at Rollerworld have been madly cleaning, measuring and getting things ready at their North Lismore roller skating rink. They will be hosting limited birthday parties again as well as general admission skating. To check the session times push this link Lismore Rollerworld.Movie lovers are in for a treat as the big screen opens up this Thursday July 2 at BCC Cinemas (Cnr Keen and Zadoc).What's on, I can hear you ask?Unhinged (July), The Personal History of David Copperfield (July), Babyteeth (July), Broken Hearts Gallery (August), High Note (August), Slim & I (August), Antebellum (August), Bill and Ted 3: Face the Music (August) as well as Wonder Woman 1984, Black Widow, No Time to Die, Death on the Nile, Westside Story and Peter Rabbit 2. In addition, cinemas will be showing popular recently released movies like Bad Boys for Life, Joker, Knives Out, Invisible Man and Sonic the Hedgehog and retro content on Superhero Sundays and Friday Fright Nights.BCC Cinemas are offering a special for the re-opening with half priced adult tickets for Cinebuzz members.Lismore Ten Pin Bowl have been operating for a couple of weeks but is another option for the school holidays. Tell them the Lismore App sent you.Rous County Council have opened Rocky Creek Dam again from tomorrow. If you are going to take advantage of some nice weather next week the water bubblers will be switched off but you can fill your water bottles up from the tap, BBQ's and amenities will be cleaned daily but other hard surfaces will not be cleaned.For the golfers who like a hit at the Lismore Golf Club, you can now have two people to a buggy once again. This announcement has been long awaited for many of the members who have the use of a buggy.If you didn't know, you can now have up to 20 people inside your home to go with the 20 outside.While the Easter school holidays were restricted due to lockdown these winter holidays look so much brighter.

Businesses need to have a COVID-19 safety plan in place before the winter school holidays at the end of this week.That’s the message from the North Coast Public Health Unit (NCPHU) as it works toward making sure we don’t have a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. With NSW Health and other government agencies currently visiting local business premises, NCPHU Assistant Director Greg Bell said it was important that business operators seek assistance with developing and implementing their plans in compliance with Public Health Orders issued in response to the pandemic. “Some businesses will need to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan under the public health orders, like if a pub, club or small bar, but you can also voluntarily complete one for your business,” Mr Bell said.To find out if your business needs to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan, visit the website whttp://ww.nsw.gov.au/covid- 19/covid-safe-businesses. Mr Bell said the NSW Government recommends all businesses use their own COVID-19 Safety Plan to protect staff, customers and visitors on their premises. “We applaud those operators who have developed their plans already, and our public health staff are keen to assist other business operators to develop their plans, to ensure their premises comply with the requirements of the Public Health Order and are safe for staff and customers,” Mr Bell said. “To prevent a second wave of COVID-19 across the north coast we need everyone to play their part in preventing further transmission of the virus in our region.” While the current Public Health Order requires development and compliance with a COVID-19 Safety Plan for some types of premises, any business can voluntarily complete one. “When you’re completing your plan, consult with your staff, and share the plan with them when it’s done,” Mr Bell said. “By implementing your COVID-19 Safety Plan you can show your staff, customers and community that you are a COVID-safe business and you’re committed to keeping them safe.” Different industries have specific requirements for COVID-19 Safety Plans, but each one needs to outline how a business will manage: • hygiene and safety • physical distancing • the recording of contact details of staff, customers and visitors such as trade suppliers, and staff wellbeing. Resources, including guidance and templates for developing a COVID-19 Safety Plan are available at the COVID Safe Businesses website http://www.nsw.gov.au/covid- 19/covid-safe-businessesFor on the ground support, guidance and assistance, please contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 or your local council. 

Lismore resident Chris was on his way to work when he hit a laughing kookaburra. He was on Pinchin Road between The Channon and Goolmangar and he stopped to see if the kookaburra was okay.He couldn’t find it.When Chris arrived at work in Goonellabah, he noticed the bird was caught in the grille of his car.So, Chris called Wildlife Information and Rescue Emergency Service (WIRES) and WIRES volunteer Julie attended.Julie saw that the unfortunate bird was caught by its right wing at an odd angle. The only way to get the bird free of the grille was by opening the bonnet of the car. Julie was then able to gently push the wing down and the bird was free of the grille. It was no joy ride for this kookaburra.Julie found the kookaburra to be in surprisingly good condition. The bird was obviously in shock but there did not seem to be any broken bones or major feather damage. Julie brought the bird into care and allowed it to rest before a thorough check up.No injuries were found, a flight test proved positive.Chris was called later in the afternoon and he collected the kookaburra on his way home from work and released it back to the spot where it had unfortunately crossed the road in the morning.Julie hopes next time the bird is in need to cross the road it will take a different and higher flight path.“Thank you Chris for saving this lovely bird, for calling WIRES and taking the time to release it back into its home territory,” Julie said.If you find an injured native animal, or one in trouble, call the WIRES Emergency Hotline on 66281898. You can also visit the website http://www.wiresnr.orgWIRES is a non-profit, Non Party Political organisation, where animal welfare always comes first. All carers are voluntary, and give their time and emotions free of charge.Wires NR encompasses an 8800sq km area taking in the local government areas of Byron, Ballina, Richmond Valley, 

With roads being an important issue for the majority living in our local community, this is a good news story to end your day.The Federal and State Governments will join forces to deliver a program which will improve local roads and create jobs.The Federal Government has committed $191 million to build on the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Local Roads program, ensuring even more communities benefit.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said this is about generating jobs, encouraging spending and stimulating local economies.“This will see $14.5 million invested across 16 projects in our electorate,” Mr Hogan said. “It means smoother, safer trips along the roads our community use every day.”State Member for Clarence and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Roads and Infrastructure Chris Gulaptis said this will drive real results for the region.“This is about delivering small projects that can make a big difference for local communities – projects that will drive valuable jobs in our region over the next 12 months as councils get cracking on delivery,” Mr Gulaptis said.In Lismore the roads that will receive funding include: Wilson Street (Casino Street to Robert White Bridge)Diadem Street (Laurel Avenue to Leycester Street)Caniaba Road (Ch. 527 to Muldoon Road)Tregeagle Road, TregeagleUralba Street (Brewster Street to Diadem Street)Cowlong Road (Soward Close to McKenzie Road)New Ballina Road (Ch.250 to O'Flynn Street)Woodlawn Road (Woodlawn College to 330m south of Savins Road)

The 2020 Lismore & Villages Relay For Life had their biggest raffle yet, which included a Toyota Yaris Ascent as the first prize (valued at $19,965). The lucky winner Emma claimed her prize from Lismore Toyota with the Lismore & Villages Relay For Life committee there to hand over the keys. “I can’t believe it, I’ve never owned a new car,” said Emma when hearing she had won the first prize. The 2020 Lismore & Villages Relay For Life has already raised $69,958 and has almost 500 individuals registered. The funds raised help Cancer Council NSW support residents in Lismore affected by cancer through vital research, prevention, information and support services, so no one faces a cancer diagnosis alone. “Thank you to the community for your ongoing support,” said Leanne Thompson, Lismore & Villages Relay For Life Chairperson. The organising committee has announced that the 7th and 8th November 2020 is the proposed rescheduled dates for Lismore & Villages Relay For Life. The committee and Cancer Council will be monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic then making decisions that is in the best interest of the health and safety of the community. "What we will be doing is monitoring the situation then in September we will be making the decision to potentially alter the event to fit within the current guidelines at that time""We will make whatever changes to the event that need to happen so it can still run and people can participate and doing so in a safe manner. We are completely open to any ideas that we will potentially have to make to the event like having two walking tracks given social distancing regulations" Relay For Life is a wonderful opportunity for individuals, families and businesses to reach out to those in our community living with cancer. The Lismore & Villages Relay For Life was scheduled for March 2020 but was postponed due to Covid-19. Every effort contributed, every cent raised or donated helps the cause in so many different ways. Let’s get together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against cancer. 

Three local business owners have banded together to take on Evans Head by opening a new store this Wednesday July 1.The Evans Emporium is the brainchild of Tracey Ryan from Fashion Profile in Woodlark Street and Petria Powell from Trea's Shoes in the Starcourt Arcade. They approached Matthew Healy from Daley's Homewares and Monograms soon after the initial discussions and now the three have taken the idea and turned it into a reality."A number of Evans Head shops have closed in recent months, which leaves a gap in the market leaving the people of Evans not being serviced", Matthew said."It's all based on what we currently do."Trea will stock a range of beautiful shoes but will include some beachy type products like sandals and thongs that she doesn't stock in Lismore.Tracey has taken all her dresses whilst putting in swimwear to cater for the Evans market."You can't buy a pair of thongs, you can't buy swimmer in Evans at the moment."Matthew is doing a cut down version of his range of Sheridan sheets and Dunlop pillows as well as tablecloths and napkins while including Bonds under pants. Apparently, something else you can't buy in Evans Head at the moment.Matthew added "the people of Evans have to travel to buy those items at the moment".The three business will share the 93 square metre space as well as staffing costs. All staff have been trained to sell the three different lines.Evans Emporium will also sell local products like Evans honey and Alstonville cosmetics so they can support the local community as well, just like they do in Lismore."In peak times during holidays we'll be open 7 days, normal hours closed Monday and Tuesday but open on the weekend."For Petria it is going back to Evan's head. Her daughter has the original Muzza's Milk Bar which opened in Evans in 2013 and is directly across the road from the Emporium. Petria brought Muzza's to Lismore then couldn't juggle both Trea's Shoes and Muzza's so closed Muzza's last year.It is nice to hear about three local business people seeing an opportunity then making it happen. It is not in the 2480 postcode but the profits will be brought back to Lismore.

Labelled as a healthy superfood, black rice is being trialled as a crop for the Australian subtropics - and it’s the focus of a new research project at Southern Cross University.Black rice shares the same naturally occurring ‘superfood’ compounds as blackberry and acai - and Southern Cross Plant Science Associate Professor Tobias Kretzschmar and his team are studying the nutritional quality of it closely.This new critical knowledge will enable future breeding of quality black rice cultivars that can exploit the growing environments of subtropical and northern Australian to enable domestic production of high-value, healthy black rice.“The demand for functional foods with health benefits, including black rice, is increasing both domestically and internationally,” Professor Kretzschmar said.“While high UV levels in Australia are often viewed as a negative climactic factor, this radiation may actually have an advantage in boosting the accumulation of healthy compounds in optimised black rice, making Australia – and specifically the NSW Northern Rivers – well placed to produce the highest quality black rice.”Black rice gets its dark colour from a range of naturally occurring compounds called ‘anthocyanins’ which are known to be beneficial agents in reducing inflammation, and has major antioxidant properties. Reduces GIImportantly they have the potential to reduce the GI (glycaemic index) of rice.Ass Prof Kretzschmar has worked with rice for more than 10 years, including at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, where the International Rice Genebank (IRG) houses more than 100,000 types of rice, before joining Southern Cross University two years ago.This black rice project involved identifying 300 black rice lines from that collection, which originate from 19 countries across Asia and Africa.“We had screened the vast IRRI genebank for purple and black rice accessions and these were imported into Australia in January last year. “They then had to pass strict biosecurity measures, where they were grown for one full generation, from seed to seed, and tested for possible contamination under quarantine. So far 256 lines have been released,” Ass Prof Kretzschmar said.For the first time these black rice lines will be grown in Australia, with the backing of the Australian Research Council Linkage program.“When combined with local germplasm we will have more than 300 lines to be trialled.Crop alternatives“This project will pave the way for the development of a profitable crop alternative for farmers in the subtropics and northern Australia. “In the long term this has the potential to improve farm income and increase the financial sustainability of farming businesses, while also creating supply chains in processing and packaging in regional and remote areas.”Australia’s southern Riverina region already produces high quality rice. However, the pigmented rice is a niche crop with growth potential in domestic and international markets.“The project will also provide critical genetic and nutritional information for future breeding of high value ‘healthy’ rice to help meet the national targets of improving the health of Australians,” Ass Prof Kretzschmar said.Southern Cross Plant Science is based at the University’s Lismore campus in the NSW Northern Rivers region.Professor Bronwyn Barkla, Director of Southern Cross Plant Science, said this project will benefit from the centre’s strong expertise in the area of plant chemistry and will be supported by the University’s recent investment in high-end analytical equipment.

What to do with ourselves on weekends during these restricted COVID-19 times can be a problem.By now the house, lawns and gardens are looking brilliant with the odd jobs that needed doing fixed. If you like a little light exercise on a Sunday once a month then the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Garden walks offer a solution for you and if you have some spare time and love gardening then there is another opportunity for you as well as helping the community.Tracey Whitby is the Publicity Officer for the Friends of the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens and says this is a fantastic sample of the local subtropical rainforest that is only three kilometres from the CBD."We only have plants that are from a 200km radius of Lismore and that are indigenous to the rainforest area", Tracey said. "you can experience rainforests without having to travel 30 to 60 minutes on dirt roads".With COVID restrictions the walks are limited to 10 people per walk. Tomorrow there will be two guided walks available both leave at 9:30am so you are asked to be there at 9:15am.Bookings are essential to keep the groups to ten and you can do that through by emailing publicity@friendslrbg.com.au."Tomorrow we will have a couple of walks including the Useful Garden walk which looks at how indigenous Australians use various plants for medicine, tools and shelter while the second walk takes you through the history of the regeneration of the gardens from a basic whole in the ground post land fill", Tracey explained.The Friends of the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens is also looking for volunteers to help with the gardens. There is a weekly Wednesday workday as well as the once a month (last Sunday of each month). You only need a hat, some gloves, long sleeves and pants.Work includes propagation of seeds from rare trees that you help collect, germinate and pot to sell in the nursery.If you can volunteer please call 0405 596 705. Hours are between 8am and 11am.To get to the Botanic Gardens, head to the Wyrallah Road Waste Facility and take the first right when you go through the gates. You will see a visitor centre which is the meeting point.

Motorists are advised of changed traffic conditions this weekend on Dawson Street at Lismore to carry out road maintenance and repair work between Leycester and Brunswick streets. Traffic will be restricted to one lane, alternate flow, between 8am and 4pm on Sunday 28 June while road resurfacing work is carried out to provide a stronger, longer lasting and safer road for motorists. Traffic control and a reduced speed limit will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists. Motorists are advised to allow an additional 10 minutes travel time, 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.