More than a hundred community members gathered on Wednesday night for Reclaim the Night Northern Rivers 2025, a powerful annual event calling for an end to gender-based violence and the right for all women and gender-diverse people to feel safe in public spaces.Held in the heart of Lismore, the evening began with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Jenny Smith, followed by a symbolic performance by the Nini-Nahri-Gali dancers and moving contributions from Lesley Hudson Moon, Ayla Wollumbin and Lavender. The International Songs of Justice Group then led a vibrant march through the CBD, celebrating resilience and amplifying the voices of survivors.This year’s event carried particular urgency for the Northern Rivers, where domestic and family violence rates remain alarmingly high. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, the Richmond-Tweed region, including Lismore, recorded a domestic violence assault rate of 651.8 per 100,000 people, well above the state average of 457.5. The impacts of recent floods have only intensified the crisis, with local services reporting increased demand and more complex cases.Organised by a coalition of local advocacy groups, service providers, and volunteers, the event focused on safety, solidarity, and systemic change. Attendees marched together to reclaim public spaces as places of freedom and safety. Special thanks go to CWA Bangalow, Zonta Northern Rivers, Women Up North Housing and Women’s Health Northern Rivers for funding the event.“Reclaim the Night is more than a march, it’s a movement,” said Mandy Nolan, event coordinator and MC. “It’s about challenging the culture of silence and demanding real action to end violence in our homes, workplaces, and streets.”The event also honoured lives lost to gendered violence and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to a safer, more inclusive future.Reclaim the Night Northern Rivers is part of a global movement that began in the 1970s. It reminds us that safety is a right, not a privilege, and that change begins with collective action.

Nation-leading reforms to prioritise the safety and well-being of our youngest learners and crack down on dodgy providers to restore parents’ trust in early childhood education services have passed the NSW Parliament.The new laws mean service providers will have stronger child-first obligations, families will have more transparency and better access to information, and a mobile phone ban with significant penalties will be introduced in early childhood centres.Provisions in the Children (Education and Care Services National Law Application) Act 2010 (National Law) that make the rights and best interests of children paramount will take effect immediately upon the legislation receiving assent by the NSW Governor. The Minns Labor Government introduced the legislation last month after an independent review by the Deputy Premier into early childhood education and care regulation, which found the Regulator was significantly constrained by the existing National Law. These changes fast-track and significantly expand on nationally agreed reforms. While some improvements to the National Law are being developed, these reforms go further and implement nationally agreed reform for children in NSW now. More than 30 reforms are included in the legislation. NSW's nation-leading reforms will provide: An obligation for services to prioritise child safety, including compulsory child protection training and child safe recruitment practices. Parents will be notified when the regulatory authority commences an investigation into a serious incident to ensure they are aware of what is happening in their child’s service.  A 900 per cent increase to maximum penalties for large providers operating 25 or more services, across all offences. New powers enabling the Regulator to publish more information about high-risk services, including details of current investigations. Authority for the Regulator to suspend or revoke quality ratings during or following investigations. Strengthened whistleblower protections. Additionally, the legislation brings forward timelines for nationally agreed positions announced earlier this year, and extends the national position in several instances, including: A legal obligation for the early childhood sector and the Regulator to put the rights and best interests of children above all else, ensuring their safety and wellbeing are at the centre of every decision. Greater transparency for families, with services expected to display a short-form compliance history at their premises and on their website, providing families with more transparency about their child’s service. Tripled penalties in line with nationally agreed changes. Authority for the Regulator to suspend or impose supervision orders on individual educators. Making it an offence for people providing, or working in, early childhood education and care to subject a child or children to inappropriate conduct. Extending the limitation period for offences to be prosecuted. Consistent with the national approach, NSW will now apply the limitation for offences from when the regulator is notified, not the date of the offence. Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said, “This Government said we’d strengthen the laws, increase fines for poor quality operators, and improve transparency to rebuild trust in the early childhood sector. “This is the most significant reform to the National Law in 15 years, strengthening protections for every child in early education and care services across NSW. “These changes – initiated by the Deputy Premier Prue Car – set clear expectations and will allow us to implement all the Wheeler recommendations in short order. “Families deserve to know their children are safe, respected, and nurtured when they attend childcare, preschool, or outside school care. This legislation will ensure the safety and wellbeing of children comes first.” 

Flood-affected homeowners across Lismore and the Northern Rivers are being encouraged to make their homes more resilient to future disasters, with practical support available through the Resilient Homes Program.The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is helping residents impacted by the 2022 floods take steps to protect their homes from future damage — whether that’s by raising, retrofitting, rebuilding or relocating their properties to safer ground.Through the Resilient Measures stream, homeowners can access grants of up to $100,000 for house raising and up to $50,000 for retrofitting works to strengthen and adapt their homes, reducing the impact of future floods.Homeowners eligible for Resilient Measures may also seek a grant for costs associated with other assessment activities, such as planning documentation, feasibility, design, and development approvals, where appropriate, up to a maximum of $20,000.Through the Resilient Homes Program, homeowners can access matched funding, with the RA contributing dollar-for-dollar alongside eligible homeowner co-contributions up to $100,000 for house raising and up to $50,000 for retrofitting works to strengthen the flood resilience of homes.To help residents understand what's possible, the RA is hosting Resilient Homes Expos in Murwillumbah and Lismore, along with a series of Resilient Measures Information Sessions across the region.These events will bring together experts in resilient design and construction, including architects, builders, relocation specialists, local councils and RA staff, who can help homeowners along their journey.So far, more than 580 home assessments have been completed, with hundreds of homeowners already receiving individual reports and beginning upgrades to make their homes safer and better prepared.The RA is encouraging eligible homeowners to apply for the program before 31 March 2026 to ensure they can access tailored support through the program before it ends in June 2027.The $880 million Resilient Homes Program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments as part of the broader recovery package for the Northern Rivers, delivered through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.Homeowners can register for upcoming Expos and information sessions at nsw.gov.au/nsw-reconstruction-authority/resilient-homes-expos-northern-rivers.Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “The Minns Labor Government continues to support Northern Rivers communities recover and rebuild stronger.“Where we can, we’re helping people future-proof their homes with practical, long-term measures that reduce the risk and impact of future floods.“Through initiatives like the Resilient Homes Expo, we’re bringing together government, industry and community to ensure people have the information and support they need to make informed decisions about rebuilding safer and smarter.”NSW Reconstruction Authority Executive Director, Northern Rivers Adaptation Division, Kristie Clarke said, “We know every homeowner’s situation is different, and recovery doesn’t happen overnight.“These Expos are a one-stop shop where residents can speak directly with our team and industry experts about grants, approvals, and practical steps to make their homes more resilient.“Our message is simple — it’s not too late to take action to protect your home and your family.”Resilient Homes Expo:Murwillumbah – Wednesday, 22 October, 4-7pm, Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural CentreLismore – Monday, 10 November, 4-7pm, South Lismore Bowling ClubResilient Measures Information Sessions:Murwillumbah – Tuesday, 28 October, 4–7 pm, Murwillumbah Community CentreCoraki – Wednesday, 19 November, 4–7 pm, Coraki Youth Hall

Lismore Base Hospital is one of four NSW hospitals that have started rostering Safe Staffing Levels in its emergency departments (ED). The others are Bankstown-Lidcombe, Hornsby and Orange.The state government said that 27 full-time equivalent nurses have been recruited to fulfil the Safe Staffing Level requirements at Lismore Base Hospital (LBH). That is 95 FTE nursing positions across the four hospitals.The staffing boost enables the rostering of a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied ED resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce was established to oversee the rollout of the NSW Government’s commitment of 2,480 FTE over four years. It includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts.Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels commenced in the level five and six emergency departments, which treat some of the most critically ill patients, and is being implemented progressively across other key areas in a phased approach.Implementing Safe Staffing Levels is just one of a range of measures that the NSW Government is embracing to build a more supported health workforce, including:funding the equivalent of 1,112 FTE nurse and midwife positions on an ongoing basisabolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities.Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said, “We are continuing to make good on our commitment to nurses with the introduction of safe staffing ratios in our hospitals - one of the largest structural reforms to our health workforce in a generation.“Completing the rollout of safe staffing ratios in four more hospital emergency departments is a significant accomplishment and reflects the Minns Labor Government's commitment to continuing to improve service delivery.“More staff, more hospitals, more beds, lower wait times and better patient outcomes – it’s as simple as that.”Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said, “Our dedicated nurses work hard every day, in the best possible way, to care for our communities when they need it the most.“High quality healthcare depends on safe staffing, and the new ratios shows the Government’s commitment to a safer workplace for nurses and patients alike.“I welcome these nurses to our region and wish them well in their careers.”

Child sexual abuse is not an easy topic to write about, let alone for victims and survivors to admit and discuss. However, the numbers are a stark reminder of how widespread child sexual abuse is,The 2021/22 Personal Safety Survey revealed that 1.1 million women (11%) and 343,500 men (3.6%) had experienced sexual abuse perpetrated by an adult before the age of 15. Of people who had experienced childhood sexual abuse, many women (69%) and men (52%) had experienced more than one incident (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2023).This week commemorated the 7th anniversary of the apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison on behalf of the Australian government and the nation. In the Apology, he acknowledged the ‘pain, suffering and trauma inflicted upon victims and survivors as children, and for its profound and ongoing impact’.This year, the Blue Knot Foundation is holding walks and gatherings in support of survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. There will be one Lismore this Saturday, October 25, at the Lismore Workers Club at 10am.Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, "It is events such as these that are small yet crucial ways to be able to stand up and show support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse."Casino resident, Robbie Gambly, has been a volunteer for Blue Knot Foundation since 1997, the year he first went to the Lismore Police Station to report his child sexual abuse (it was known as Adults Surviving Child Abuse back then).(Robbie Gambly in the Politicians Members Bar in The Original Parliament House - Canberra in 2023. Photo: supplied)Robbie was sexually abused by his science teacher at Bonalbo High School in the 1970s at the age of 15. The traumatic experience led to a life of drinking and drugs that "Almost destroyed me and cost me my life".It wasn't until the mid-1990s that Robbie met a wonderful social worker called Stephanie, who changed his life."All I knew was that I had done a dirty, bad thing," Robbie told the Lismore App. "I lived like this for 24 dreadful, damaging years.""My life was a mess, I didn't care if I lived or died until I told a most wonderful Social Worker, Stephanie."In 2007, Robbie's perpetrator pleaded guilty and was sent to prison."I now volunteer for The Blue Knot Foundation & I am a MEMBER of The National Centre for Action Against Child Sexual Abuse's Survivor-led Adult College. A recommendation of The Royal Commission. I don't drink now!" Robbie wants to help other survivors of child sexual abuse. He wants them to know it was NOT their fault."I want PRECIOUS CHILDREN to live their lives safely & happily, this is their innate right, this is why I speak out. There is support and help available to them."Robbie will be at the Lismore Workers Club on Level 2 as part of the Blue Knot Foundation this Saturday at 10am, to meet other survivors, which will hopefully be the first conversation that leads to increased support."Just look for the Blue Ribbon," Robbie concluded.

Lismore City Council last night formally resolved to remain as the Executive (Administering) Council of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library (RTRL) post June 2027, under a refined Deed of Agreement to strengthen governance, risk management and financial performance, and invited other member councils to express their interest in the role. Lismore Council’s resolution also included endorsing the transfer of branch staff to their relevant local councils by June 2027, embedding local accountability for staff, safety, and operations and removing the requirement to oversee staff outside the Lismore area. The move has been described as a demonstration of responsible governance and forward planning. The decision, a requirement under the current Deed of Agreement, follows the release of a comprehensive independent review commissioned by the four councils earlier this year, which identified that while the cooperative model has delivered strong community outcomes, it faced real governance and financial challenges requiring reform in order to maintain stability.  The report outlined several future-state options, each aimed at strengthening transparency, governance and sustainability. Importantly, none of the options recommended maintaining the existing arrangements unchanged. The main findings identified the need for greater equity, clearer accountability and stronger cost-recovery mechanisms to ensure long-term success of the service, which currently serves more than 227,000 residents across 12 branch libraries and a mobile library in the Northern Rivers region. RTRL Committee Chair Ballina Councillor (Cr) Simon Chate said it was sensible, responsible and transparent move by Lismore to resolve their position early.  “Lismore is leading by example, considering all the data and information from the independent review, modelling all available options, and giving other member councils time to make informed decisions,” he said. The RTRL continues to outperform industry benchmarks, with more than 1.7 million loans, over 1 million visits each year and community satisfaction levels above 75 per cent. While Lismore has now resolved its position, the remaining councils are expected to present their reports and recommendations to their elected members in the coming months, with all councils required to confirm their intentions by December 2025. “This is the first step in a process required under the current Deed of Agreement,” Cr Chate said. “Once all councils have made their determinations, the new Deed will be developed, negotiated and finalised before June 2027.” 

Victim-survivors of domestic violence will have greater power to leave unsafe homes and protect their privacy under sweeping tenancy reforms passed by the NSW Parliament yesterday evening.Under the new laws, victim-survivors will no longer need to notify people they share a lease with that they are leaving. To remove this dangerous and stressful obligation from victim-survivors, a landlord or agent will instead be responsible for notifying other co-tenants that a victim-survivor is ending their lease after they have safely left the property.Victim-survivors will also now have broader rights to change locks without landlord consent to better ensure their safety. Landlords and agents will also need to meet new requirements when publishing photos or videos that reveal personal belongings to reduce the risk of further harm to victim-survivors.Financial independence is also front and centre of the reforms, with new laws offering an easier pathway for victim-survivors to recover their share of the rental bond from any co-tenants and improved protections against being held liable for property damage caused by domestic violence, which can keep people trapped in harm’s way.The changes also crack down on unfair tenancy database listings by strengthening the existing ban on listing victim-survivors and introducing a simpler process to remove incorrect entries.NSW Fair Trading undertook extensive consultation with more than 400 individuals and 40 organisations as part of a review, which considered how domestic violence provisions for renters are used and if improvements were needed.For more information, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live/domestic-violence-a-rental-propertyMinister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said, “For too long, rental laws didn’t reflect the realities facing domestic violence victim-survivors across New South Wales. Today, that changes.“With these reforms, the Minns Labor Government has sent a clear message to victim-survivors that we have heard you, and we support you.“This is about removing barriers that have kept people trapped in unsafe living situations and replacing them with practical, compassionate protections which put safety first.”Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said, “Often victim-survivors have to make the impossible choice between safety and a home.“These reforms make sure they won’t have to anymore. They prioritise the safety of women and children escaping abuse, making sure they can remain in their rentals if they want to, or leave without their safety being compromised and facing a financial penalty.“We thank the victim-survivors and advocates for their tireless advocacy and will continue to work with them as we build a safer New South Wales for everyone.”NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones said, “These reforms give victim-survivors the confidence and clarity they need to leave unsafe homes without fear or financial penalty.”“We’ve worked closely with frontline services and the community to make sure these changes are practical and life-changing.”“These laws mean victim-survivors can act quickly to protect themselves and their families without worrying about unfair costs or privacy risks.”

A new survey has revealed that one in seven Australian travellers (14 per cent) went on their most recent overseas trip without any travel insurance coverage – a trend particularly pronounced among younger travellers, with 23 per cent of under-30s going uninsured.The survey of 1001 travellers, conducted by Quantum Market Research on behalf of the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller, found that two thirds (65 per cent) of those who travelled without insurance gave it some thought before deciding to go without, with a third of those travellers (31 per cent) deciding to forgo insurance due to travelling to a destination they perceived as safe.Other findings of the survey include:Willingness to take risks: A large portion of travellers (45 per cent) were willing to take risks in pursuit of unique or memorable experiences, such as trying unfamiliar foods (49 per cent) and visiting challenging environments (33 per cent). Alarmingly, a third (36 per cent) of travellers agreed they had seen risky destinations promoted in a positive way in media / social media.Medical tourism: Almost half (46 per cent) of travellers had, or would personally consider, travelling overseas for a medical procedure – most commonly dental care (30 per cent). The most common motivation among considerers was the lower cost of treatment, mentioned by 69 per cent, far above any other motivation. Alcohol-related risks: While 70 per cent of Australian travellers consumed alcohol while overseas, well under half (43 per cent) understood that travel insurance policies vary significantly in their alcohol coverage. Among all travellers, two in five (39 per cent) drank alcohol while either not covered (either completely uninsured or drank outside the limits of their insurance) or were unsure about their coverage.The current global political environment: Over half (56 per cent) of travellers agreed that the current global political environment has meant that there are countries they had planned to visit but they will now avoid. A similar proportion agreed they feel less comfortable travelling overseas (53 per cent), while two in five (41 per cent) said it had made them less likely to go overseas altogether.Full survey results can be found on the Smartraveller website.ICA CEO Andrew Hall said, "Travelling anywhere, whether it’s overseas or domestically, is the highlight of many people’s years, but even when travelling to destinations perceived to be safe the unexpected can still happen."Understanding your policy and assessing what kinds of activities you plan on undertaking while you’re travelling is the best way to make sure you’re protected."We encourage any travellers to understand their exclusions and assess whether they need additional cover for any risky behaviours they're considering. Check Product Disclosure Statements and speak directly to insurers with any questions."

The four relocated buyback homes in the Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah will see some action again by the end of the month.They have been sitting dormant for three months, following the stair additions after being moved in November and December 2024.The Lismore App can reveal that Quadracon, a Byron Bay building company, has been appointed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) to complete the renovation works so the houses can be sold to Resilient Homes Program participants first and then to the general public if they don't all sell.Neighbouring houses in and around Mt Pleasant Estate received a flyer in the mailbox yesterday outlining the works to be completed in the next four to six months, weather dependent, of course.The work to be undertaken at the two and three-bedroom homes includes interior fitouts, painting, fencing and landscaping. The work will occur from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday (if needed), with no work occurring on Sundays or public holidays.In the flyer, the RA says that it hopes to have the finished homes ready for sale in early 2026. If the timeline of four months is met, they will be ready by the end of February, and if it is six months, it will be the end of April 2026.As we have mentioned before, it is expected that the new Multitask house, built from scratch, will be ready for its first clients to move in by March 2026.The price range is expected to be between $570,000 and $720,000, as revealed in September:R1: 3 bedrooms $690,000 to $720,000R2: 3 bedrooms $570,00 to $600,000R3: 3 bedrooms $570,000 to $600,00R4: 2 bedrooms plus study $650,000 to $680,000As for the Mt Pleasant Estate Masterplan? No real update. Feedback from participants, along with other building and development planning considerations is helping the RA to prepare the final Masterplan."We will provide community members with an update once we have completed the Masterplan and confirmed the sales process and timing," says the flyer.Rome wasn't built in a day.

The Lismore App has been receiving emails about two iconic local landmarks, Lismore Cinema and the old Trinity Catholic College, asking What is happening?Luke Mackey announced the purchase of the Lismore Cinemas on April 16 this year, with the expectation of opening before Christmas.A spokesperson for Lismore Cinemas responded to our enquiries, saying that the Lismore Cinemas team has commenced the fit-out phase and is holding the ambitious goal of opening before Christmas.“We’ll need everything to go right in order to open,” the spokesperson said. “But we’re working as hard as possible, with a lot of local trades and specialist cinema contractors collaborating to create a world-class entertainment destination for Lismore and the Northern Rivers.”The new Candy Bar will bring all the cinema favourites — Frozen Coke, Choc Tops, classic confectionery, and salted popcorn — along with a new addition: freshly made Caramel Corn. Guests can look forward to a premium experience that celebrates the joy of cinema, community, and local craftsmanship.Lismore Cinemas’ transformation has had all of Lismore talking after going three and a half years without a local mainstream cinema showing current box-office movies. The Star Court Theatre shows arthouse and classic movies. It marks a significant milestone for the community, bringing new life, jobs, and pride to the heart of the city.There will be more announcements about what the community can expect as the fit-out progresses.If you are keen to stay up to date with progress, follow them on social media:Facebook: facebook.com/lismorecinemasInstagram: instagram.com/lismorecinemasTikTok: tiktok.com/@lismorecinemasAbout two hundred metres away, you may have noticed workmen in the old Trinity Catholic College building on Leycester Street.There was scaffolding on the outside of the building and drop saws, used for construction, not demolition.The Lismore App asked the Diocese of Lismore to provide a community update, but no response was received at the time of writing, over one week ago.It would appear as if the old Trinity will be used in some form in 2026, whether that is by Trinity staff, students, or being leased by another entity remains a mystery for now.

The Federal and NSW Governments are teaming up to release a new powerful online tool to help farmers better prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters including fire, flood, and drought. The agriculture industry is the engine room of the New South Wales economy, contributing around $20 billion each year. This tool will help farmers safeguard their livelihoods during the climatic variations impacting their farming operations.The platform, called myStockPlanner, enables farmers to provide details of their farm, risks and resources so they then in return can access tailored actionable response options to consider and implement with their feed and livestock.The Governments are committed to building better and more resilient farming operations to ensure they are protected and can overcome the challenges of drought and flood impacts on their operations.myStockPlanner enhances and brings together the functions that previously existed in a suite of existing tools so they are upgraded into a smarter and single platform.The old tools such as the Drought and Supplementary Calculator, DroughtPack, Feed Cost Calculator and Drought Feed Calculator have been collated into a one stop shop myStockPlanner.This platform is designed to empower farmers with real-time insights, scenario planning, and recovery tracking so they can make better and quicker decisions.Importantly, myStockPlanner allows users to save their business information to a farm profile, which they can access and update anywhere, anytime even if their business records are destroyed in floods or fires.Farmers use the free platform to calculate livestock requirements, develop feed plans and evaluate projected annual costs of livestock sale and retention options to improve the farm’s performance.The platform is accessed through a web browser using an existing Service NSW login. This ensures improved accessibility and reliability across laptops and mobiles such as iOS and Android devices. The Service NSW gateway also protects user data and allows quick recall and editing as conditions and operating needs change.Future updates of the platform will aim to include the NSW Combined Drought Indicator and innovative technologies to assist in recovery planning by scenario planning length of feeding periods and livestock performance modelling. The development of the myStockPlanner platform was jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments.To learn more or sign up – myStockPlanner - https://mystockplanner.dpi.nsw.gov.auFederal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said, “This new tool puts practical, real-time information in the hands of farmers when they need it most, helping them plan, make informed decisions and stay one step ahead of whatever nature throws their way.“We know disasters can strike without warning, so giving producers the tools to plan, adapt and recover quickly is vital for the long term strength of our agricultural communities.“This is about making sure our primary producers aren’t left starting from scratch when the worst happens, with a secure place to store crucial farm information and recovery plans they can access anytime, anywhere.“The Australian Government is proud to back practical initiatives like myStockPlanner that build real resilience on the ground and help keep our farmers and regional communities thriving into the future.”Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said, “myStockPlanner is more than just a planning tool for livestock producers — it’s a strategic partner for navigating the impacts from droughts, floods and fires.  “This online platform is a significant step forward in enabling producers to plan their own feeding and recovery strategies and give farmers more confidence in their business decisions when they need it most.“This tool will be essential for not only planning business as usual operations but also in farm business recovery following significant events.“Importantly this makes it easier and more convenient for farmers because it brings together the capabilities of multiple existing tools available over the last decade into a single, streamlined web-based application.

In an Australian first, new guidelines for agentic AI will help the NSW Government implement the autonomous technology in a safe and ethical way to solve complex problems and improve outcomes for the community.To support the responsible use of this emerging technology within the NSW public sector, the Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government announced the launch of the new guidelines at a conference on Artificial Intelligence at the University of Technology, Sydney. Unlike automation, where a set of rules enable technology to complete tasks within set guardrails, agentic AI can make decisions and plan action. While still relatively new, the technology is getting a foothold in the private sector, with some banks using the technology to identify fraud, and e-commerce sites using AI agents to assist merchants to write product descriptions and optimise digital store layouts.The new AI agent usage and deployment guidance will help NSW agencies use the technology responsibly, including defining the need for human intervention, undertaking regular reviews of its output, and applying privacy and security controls.Developed alongside chief AI architects, the guidance outlines key considerations to assist agencies in developing policies and assurance processes. It also includes checklists to help determine if an AI agent is needed, and what steps should be taken before piloting and deploying one.NSW Government programs which use agentic AI must be evaluated against the AI Assessment Framework, which is being updated to include specific guidance on agentic AI. High-risk projects will require review by the AI Review Committee.AI agents are still in the early stages of adoption, and the Department of Customer Service will continue to expand and refine its guidance as global standards evolve.To read the AI agentic guide, visit: www.digital.nsw.gov.au/policy/artificial-intelligence/guide-to-using-ai-agents-nsw-governmentMinister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said, “Artificial intelligence will have a big impact on our lives for years to come and there are many opportunities for productivity. I believe as a government we have a responsibility to make sure it not only benefits people but that it is used responsibly and ethically.“The agentic AI guide will help NSW Government agencies use this developing technology safely and effectively by providing checklists and guidelines they can consider as part of our broader AI guardrails including the AI Assessment Framework.“It ensures that as a state, we stay ahead of the curve in this fast-paced space and keep human oversight at the forefront of any decision-making technology.”Acting Head of Digital NSW, Narelle Underwood said, “The newly formed Office for AI is hitting the ground running and is putting the safe and ethical use of AI at the centre of government decision making about its use.“The Office is already providing advice to government on the responsible use of the evolving technology.“The new AI agent guide and the updated AI Assessment Framework which is soon to be released will help ensure NSW continues to deploy this evolving technology responsibly.”

Lismore and Northern Rivers residents will take their adaptation stories to the big screen this week and over the next seven weeks as part of the Adaptation Stories short films initiative.Produced and curated by Living Lab Northern Rivers, in partnership with the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA), Adaptation Stories captures eight Northern Rivers locals as they navigate real change in response to the shifting climate.Each film captures personal journeys of resilience and creativity, showcasing how individuals are thinking about what adaptation can mean for themselves and their communities.From farmer-led strategies in Richmond Valley, to arts-based perspectives in Lismore, youth engagement in regenerative futures in Tweed, and lessons we can learn from Country in Byron, each film explores diverse approaches to adaptation across the region.Adaption Stories is part of the Community Conversations engagement initiative supporting the Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) currently being developed by the NSW RA, with the films aiming to spark conversations among the community.The screenings will be free, and the schedule is:Woodburn at the Memorial Hall this Thursday, October 23 at 5:30pm. Click here for tickets.Byron Bay at Palace Cinemas on Thursday, October 30 at 5:30pm. Click here for tickets.Grafton at the Saraton Theatre on Thursday, November 6 at 5:30pm. Click here for tickets.Lismore at Living Lab Northern Rivers on Thursday, 13 November at 5:30pm. Click here for tickets.Uki at the Uki Public Hall on Wednesday, November 19 at 5:30pm. Click here for tickets.Ballina at the Ballina Surf Club on Thursday, 4 December at 6:30pm. Click here for tickets.At each screening, a Q&A session will be held with local community leaders.You can learn more about the Northern Rivers Disaster Adaptation Plan including how the community can get involved at www.nsw.gov.au/reducingrisk/NRdap.Minister for Recovery and North Coast Janelle Saffin said, “We need to shift the dial to properly focus on adaptation and resilience to ensure communities are better prepared for and can recover better from disasters. “We are creating the first ever Disaster Adaptation Plan for the Northern Rivers and sharing stories and experiences is vital its success.  “I encourage everyone – young and old, to please attend a screening and listen and share your thoughts and ideas, because it’s too important not to.”Living Lab Northern Rivers: Engagement Director Dan Etheridge said, “We don’t adapt alone, we adapt together. These short films have been made to get people talking with each other. I want to know what other people in my community are thinking about climate change adaptation and this is especially true when our government is developing a new plan to drive adaptation and reduce our exposure to disasters.” Filmmaker and director Poppy Walker said, "These stories reveal the thoughtful and diverse ways people are engaging in climate adaptation. When audiences hear their neighbours — Traditional Custodians, farmers, artists and business owners — sharing their perspectives on what adaptation could look like, it helps shape thinking and conversations around what we can do in our communities.” 

The 2025 Elders Lismore Show ended on Saturday with smiles all around for organisers, despite the threat of severe thunderstorms keeping some people away from the night's rodeo entertainment.As it turned out, a short bit of light rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who were at the Lismore Showground to take in another climactic night."I do think that Lismore should start paying the show society money to break droughts," quipped North Coast National Secretary Mark Sollom."We reckon that knocked us down about 4000 people. I know personally quite a few people that said, Oh, we were going to come, but when the rain was going to start, we thought, No, we don't want to be sitting outside watching the rodeo. But we were very fortunate in that it was like the previous year, a reasonably light shower. It seemed to go around Lismore, and anybody that was here had a great night. The bar went really well. The music was very well received, and they did well in sideshow alley out the back."Around 18,000 people from Lismore, the Northern Rivers and beyond enjoyed all the activity since the gates opened last Thursday morning for three days.The rodeo did go ahead for the first time since 2019, to a strong crowd, with the grandstands full. Between 700 and 800 people took in the Dave Graney 'n' The Coral Snakes on the community stage on Friday night. There were strong numbers for the beef cattle this year, and the dedication of the Rodney Gibson Beef Cattle ring on Friday night.There was an Australian Championship event with the wood chop this year. For 2026, organisers are looking to build on that, with some state championship events.The brand new 30-Tonne Truck Pull competition drew crowds of close to 1,500 near the horse stables, which saw a Fijian team take home the $3,000 first prize.It was the last year for the fine arts pavilion, and the TURSA Art Prize venue at the Lismore Gem Club, because both buildings will either be renovated or rebuilt over the next twelve months. Plus, there will be more improvements thanks to the NSW Government's Flood Remediation Program.Fine Arts will be stripped out and get brand new cabinetry, so it was a fond farewell during the 2025 Lismore Show. The displays were built by volunteers over the last hundred years.The wood chop building will be demolished and rebuilt. Sandy's Bar, the Rotary Bar and the main public grandstand are getting a total makeover. Each will be stripped down to its foundations and rebuilt.The poultry pavilion is having a massive upgrade, with the old pens being replaced with a modern composite material that will be better for the health of the chickens.Coming up at the Lismore Showgrounds in November is the Lismore Base Hospital Auxiliary Market Day, followed by the annual and extremely popular Tropical Fruits New Year's Eve festivities.

Two sections of the Hannah Cabinet have returned to Lismore for the next stage of restoration, signalling an important step in its preservation.Created by master craftsman Geoff Hannah over six and a half years and completed in 2008, the Hannah Cabinet is regarded as one of Australia’s most intricate and celebrated pieces of furniture.Standing eight feet high, it is crafted from 34 types of rare timbers and inlaid with four kinds of rare shells and 17 precious stones. The Cabinet features 18 doors, 140 drawers, and exquisitely detailed marquetry panels, including a series of secret compartments, each with its own key. Among these hidden spaces lies an extraordinary detail — a piece of fabric from the bedroom of Marie Antoinette at the Palace of Versailles.The work is being carried out by local craftsperson Colin Fardon, in collaboration with master craftsperson Geoff Hannah OAM – creator of the Cabinet – and Greg Peters, Master Conservator at Patination Conservation Services in Canberra. Together, they bring more than 100 years of combined knowledge and experience in fine woodworking and furniture conservation, and all three hold Churchill Fellowships.Mr Fardon, awarded a Fellowship in 2024, has recently returned from a study tour of European museums and restoration studios, including the Palace of Versailles near Paris, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and the Royal Collection Workshop in London. He said the experience will guide the careful work required to restore the Cabinet.“Seeing how leading institutions protect and repair historic furniture has been invaluable,” Colin Fardon said. “It’s rewarding to bring those insights home and apply them to this important project.”The Cabinet was among 1,400 artworks affected by the 2022 floods. As the waters rose, it tipped onto its back, sparing the intricate front from significant damage. It was removed from the building by over 20 people and sent to a cold storage facility in Canberra to stave off mould and commence restoration. (Hannah Cabinet after the 2022 flood. Photo: Gaela Hurford 2022.) The ongoing restoration is expected to take a further two and a half years, with completion anticipated in mid-to-late 2028. The process will involve structural repairs, marquetry restoration, and fine finishing.“It’s encouraging to see the Cabinet cared for by such capable hands,” said Geoff Hannah OAM. “Having one of my outstanding former students, Colin, leading the work, and Greg from Patinations bringing his detailed knowledge, gives me great confidence in its future.”“The Hannah Cabinet holds a special place in Lismore Regional Gallery’s history,” said Gallery Director Ashleigh Ralph. “The decision to commission a report in 2021 to deepen understanding of the Cabinet showed great foresight, informing both its current restoration and its preservation for future generations.”A campaign in 2019 raised $1 million to acquire and keep the Hannah Cabinet in Mr Hannah's hometown of Lismore and on display at the Lismore Regional Gallery. “The Hannah Cabinet is very dear to the Lismore community,” says the Lismore Mayor, Steve Krieg, “we raised money to purchase this very unique cabinet, and we look forward to its restoration as it represents another milestone in our recovery.”In October 2024, Lismore Regional Gallery re-opened its doors in a newly restored building. The singular and much-loved piece even has its own merchandise – a range of Hannah Cabinet socks, mugs, cards, and tea towels are available for purchase in the Gallery shop.While its long-term display location is still being planned, discussions are underway to ensure the Cabinet can be safely exhibited so it remains accessible to future generations.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a serious motor vehicle crash at Alstonville last week.About 5.50pm last Friday, 17 October 2025, emergency services were called to the Bruxner Highway, Alstonville, about 1km west of Ballina Road, following reports of a crash.Some of those involved were treated at the scene, having sustained serious and critical injuries, before being conveyed to Hospital.The Crash Investigation Unit attended, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.As inquiries are ongoing, anyone with information or dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 111 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Please quote police ref: E85581107.

More than 1,000 additional women and children will have access to case management for the whole family with the expansion of the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service (IDFVS) to six new locations, including Rekindling the Spirit covering Lismore, Richmond Valley and Kyogle LGAs.As part of the 2024/25 $230 million domestic violence emergency package, the NSW Government has invested $13.7 million over four years to close service gaps in regional and rural New South Wales, providing vital support for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.Core to this service is a whole-of-family case management approach, working with adult and child victim-survivors and the person using violence. The focus is on maximising family safety. Case managers work with victim-survivors to assess their risk to support them, which can include safety planning, developing a personalised safety plan or connecting them with other services, as well as addressing the children’s needs. They also provide information and referrals to Men’s Behaviour Change Programs or other support services for the person using violence.The new providers and regions are:Pathfinders in New England covering Inverell and Glen Innes LGAsWandiyali in Hunter covering Maitland and Cessnock LGAsMission Australia in Murrumbidgee covering Hilltops and Cootamundra-Gundagai LGAsRekindling the Spirit in Northern NSW covering Richmond Valley, Lismore, Kyogle LGAsMaaruma-Li in Western covering Warrumbungle LGAMirrimpilyi Muurpa-nara in Far West covering Broken Hill and Central Darling LGAsState Member for Lismore and Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, congratulated Rekindling the Spirit on becoming a provider.“I welcome Minister Harrison’s announcement that more women and children will have access to whole-of-family case management across the Lismore City, Kyogle and Richmond Valley local government areas,” Minister Saffin said.In the 2024-25 financial year, IDFVS supported more than 1,700 people, including more than 300 children, in high-risk groups and communities, who experienced violence and abuse in their homes. They include victim-survivors from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those with disabilities or affected by social exclusion or disadvantage.There are currently 11 existing IDFVS providers across 14 LGAs in New South Wales, taking the total to 17 services after the expansion.More information about IDFVS is available here https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/service-providers/supporting-family-domestic-sexual-violence-services/dfv-programs-funding/integrated-domestic-and-family-violence-services-program.html.Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said, “The NSW Government is continuing to deliver ongoing, holistic domestic and family violence services for victim-survivors across the state – no matter their postcode. “We know communities in regional and rural areas experience higher rates of family violence and barriers to accessing vital support services.“That’s why we’re expanding programs and services like the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service to regions where there is high need. This program supports victim-survivors and their children who have escaped abuse, as well as those who decide to remain in their relationship, with the goal of increasing safety and reducing risk.“We’re continuing to work with stakeholders, victim-survivors and the sector to create a safer state for all women and children that is free from violence.”Catholic Care Broken Bay, Jenny (the name of this victim-survivor of domestic and family violence have been changed to protect her and her children’s privacy and safety) said, “When I first met my caseworker, I was living in fear.“My caseworker supported me to leave my violent and abusive ex-partner and keep my children with me.“When I made the decision to relocate interstate so my children and I could be closer to my family, my caseworker made sure I’d receive support at our new location. “My children and I are now safe.“We are healing, recovering and starting to rebuild our new lives free from fear, abuse, violence and the threat of violence.”Support:If you are worried about your own behaviour and use of violence, contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN on 13 92 76.

Last Thursday evening at the Southern Cross University, a small group of people gathered for the fourth Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) public workshop in the Northern Rivers. The three previous public workshops were held in Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby and Grafton.Entitled 'What Matters Most', the workshops were run by the Living Lab in conjunction with the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA). The purpose was to find out what people value most about where they live, what they want to protect, what concerns them and what priorities should guide our region’s future.The public workshops were one part of a number of steps the RA will take before delivering a draft DAP later in 2026 for the community to give feedback on.Emma Whale is the Executive Director Adaptation, Mitigation and Data Insights for the RA. Emma was in Lismore last week and sat down to explain the DAP process."What we're really hoping to do is get a sense from the community what they value in place in terms of natural hazard risk, and then also in terms of a disaster happening. And it's been really interesting. I went to the Mullumbimby one last week and participated in the exercise. It was really interesting to see, because in the exercise, you're ranking different kinds of things like medical services or public transport or public art or whatever it might be, into what matters least through to what matters most."It's really hard to make those distinctions, because everything feels really important, but it's a way of getting some cut through to understand what are the things that people are deeply connected to in their place, and then how can we take that information and put it into the DAP process?"One of the things that came through really strongly in the workshop that I was in last week, and I think has been reflected in other workshops as well, is that people are very connected to the aesthetic beauty of the Northern Rivers. I mean, this is why they live here, because it's a beautiful place to live, and so they're willing to accept trade-offs. Maybe there's not as much public transport. I did hear people complaining about that, but it's a trade-off that they're willing to accept because they love living here. So that's really important for us to understand."If we're looking at options for risk reduction, we want to know and find ways of embedding the fact that people really care about their environment, and they're potentially not willing, to accept interventions that are going to be really harmful. So that's the kind of thing that we can glean from the process, and then kind of put that into a decision support framework to help us understand what kinds of options are going to be on the table in the DAP process."Is mitigation part of the DAP process, or is it run in parallel or separately?"What we're doing is looking at all the options that you have on the table for mitigation and adaptation. What we always say about the DAPs is that we mitigate where we can, but you can't mitigate all risk. We live next to rivers, we live near the coastline, we live in bushfire-prone areas, and so there are always going to be natural hazard risk where we live. We want to mitigate that to the extent that we can, but where we can't mitigate, then we have to find ways of helping our communities adapt. So that's really what the DAPs will do."Where can we mitigate? Where could we build a levee? Where could we have a wetland? Where could we have a sea wall or sand nourishment, or lots of different things? Where can we have improved evacuation infrastructure? But, where we can't do those things, how do we have better flood evacuation signage? How do we have better community awareness and preparedness programs, or better social cohesion that helps people connect and be prepared to recover in the event of a disaster. All options are on the table."And then, it's a matter of working with stakeholders, including local government, other state government agencies, the community, etc, to have the conversations around what do we value? What do we want to see? What do we think will work to mitigate in the context of the Northern Rivers? And then, how do we help communities adapt when we've reached, I guess, the limit of what we can mitigate?"How does the CSIRO modelling, the two scenarios that include detention basins, fit into the DAP?"What we will do is take what comes out of that process and put it through our own process, which is separate to what we're doing. It's looking primarily at the reduction of floodwater during major flooding. You want to balance up the benefit of the risk reduction against the other things that might be associated with it, and that might include environmental impact, the complexity of implementation, impacts to Aboriginal cultural heritage. And it's this balancing act to say, well, at what point do we say these kind of complexities or costs or risks outweigh the benefit of what it might bring. And that's what the DAP process does."A good practical example of this is from the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley, and one of the values that came through with the workshops we held with the community was that they weren't prepared to accept an intervention that benefited one community but caused a disbenefit to another community. For example, if we built a levee to protect one community and it had a disbenefit to a community downstream, they weren't prepared to accept that."So, that was a really important, I guess, value that we could then put in our decision support framework, so that any intervention that did have that disbenefit to another community was just taken off the table. It's kind of like a filtering approach, where we're balancing the risk reduction benefit alongside what are those other considerations that are really important.How does the Living Lab and the RA achieve a broad range of community feedback during these sessions? It could well be hijacked by a particular group of people."I think that's important to note that the values workshops are an important input, but they're just one input, right? So, alongside that, we'll have the community reference group that we're setting, which is that representative sample that we've got from across the Northern Rivers, and we're looking to have the first meeting in November. But we're also going to complement that with quite a bit of intensive consultation around April, May next year, when we've got some risk information to share, some early options that have come out of the process."We are trying to reach as many people as possible through lots of different avenues. So, the way we're looking at it is that it's almost like a jigsaw puzzle. When we're building out the regional risk profile, there's lots of different elements that we want that give us that really comprehensive picture."I guess what we're trying to do is make sure that community is involved and at the centre of the decisions that we're making, because there are trade-offs. There's always going to be trade-offs about cost or complexity or risk, and it's like those conversations can be hard to have and difficult to have, but they're necessary to have, and we don't want to just have them without community in the conversation is really the whole point of the DAP process.To get that complete community picture, Emma's advice is for everyone to be involved."The more voices we have, the richer the process will be. There'll also be an opportunity, once we have the draft foundation DAP, which we're looking to have about Q3 next year, we will then consult on that as well. So we're trying to have all these points in the process where we're testing and validating the information that we're receiving, and also feed that back to the community, saying Does this reflect your lived experience, what you know of the Northern Rivers? And, did we get it right? We genuinely want to know that. So, there'll be lots of points in the process where people can have input."As well as the four public workshops recently, private workshops have been completed with rough sleepers/homeless people, seniors, young people at high schools and community resilience organisations.The data will be collated and formed into a Draft Disaster Adaptation Plan document that will be released to the residents of the Northern Rivers in early 2026, for you to give your thoughts on before a final Northern Rivers DAP document is released later in 2026. In combination with the CSIRO Richmond River Flood Modelling findings, a decision will be made as to the best way forward for the future safety and security of residents living in Lismore and the Northern Rivers.

Lismore's Luke Patch loves endurance cycling. You may remember his story on the Lismore App in April when we reported that Luke took part in the Indian Pacific Wheel Ride from Fremantle, Western Australia to Sydney, NSW. Five thousand five hundred kilometres in 22 days, finishing 3rd, was Luke's incredible achievement.Six months later, Luke is training hard for his next endurance endeavour, the Great South Eastern Loop.The Great South Eastern Loop is an unsupported 1263-kilometre ride along winding country roads, scenic valleys, and up into the majestic Snowy Mountain Alps in NSW, starting next Sunday, October 26, from Wollongong.Luke's ride is not on major highways; it takes in the back roads, including 17 per cent gravel. Once Luke leaves Wollongong, he rides west to Bundanoon in the Southern Highlands, through Marulan, Cromwell and Boorowa before heading south to Tumut, Tumbarumba and Thredbo. The trail then heads east to Cooma, and north to Nerriga and back into Wollongong. His highest point will be 1,582 metres above sea level.Being an unsupported race, Luke has to carry his own food and water."I have to carry my stuff. I don't plan to get much sleep. I'm just going to ride through each night."Organisers have a timed goal of 157 hours, but Luke has a lofty goal to complete the ride in 100 hours or 4 days and four hours. If he can do that, he feels he can win the Great South Eastern Loop race. The other motivation, is that heeds to back in Lismore for a mate's wedding."That's about 300km a day, roughly, but that depends on the elevation and terrain. I'm trying to finish in under 100 hours, because I need to be back in Lismore for a mate's wedding on the first of November."(Luke's trusted bike to get the job done)This means Luke will start the race next Sunday, ride the 1263 kilometres with very little sleep, finish on Thursday, have a day off before flying back to Lismore on Friday in time for the wedding."My goal is to win a race, but that depends how strong other people are. I intend to dig myself a pretty deep hole during the race. I intend to race really hard and hopefully win it. I am hoping there is someone who's just as fast as I am to push me and make me dig deeper."I am very competitive in races, I can really suffer more than a lot of people can, I think, so I'm hoping to find someone who can race me and push me to a limit and hopefully come first, second or third."Apart from the personal glory of riding and, hopefully, winning the Great South Eastern Loop, Luke is still raising money for Motor Neuron Disease, as he did in the Indian Pacific Wheel Ride, where he raised $1,500."I would like to raise a similar amount," Luke said, "Maybe $2,000 or $3,000 would be a good goal.To help raise funds for Motor Neuron Disease via Luke's fundraising page, click here.Good luck, Luke. Lismore and the Northern Rivers are rooting for you.