The big national news yesterday was the announcement by Wesfarmers Chief Executive Rob Scott, that about half the Target stores throughout the country were either closing or being rebranded into the more profitable Kmart stores.Mr Scott said “With the exception of Target, Wesfarmers’ retail businesses are well-positioned to respond to the changes in consumer behaviour and competition associated with this disruption.”Of the 102 small format Target Country stores 50 will change to Kmart while the other 52 will close.Why? Mr Scott explained his reasoning, “To convert stores costs money and there are some stores that are not commercially viable in the current structure,” Scott told Chanticleer on Friday morning. “In some cases, it's better to close stores than to keep pursuing unviable stores.”This leads to the Goonellabah Target Country store located in the Village Goonellabah complex on Simeoni Drive. The questions being asked were "will it change to a Kmart or close its doors".That answer came in the list of stores to close across Australia today.Not listed under NSW but Qld, Goonellabah Target Country will be closing from early 2021 along with Casino (early to mid 2021) and Murwillumbah (early 2021).While this will mean local job losses early next year, there will be more job opportunities in 2021 with a new business opening to replace Target Country in the Village Goonellabah space.Village Goonellabah is owned and managed by McGees Property backed by Exceed Capital. It was purchased by the group 18 months ago.Managing Director of Exceed Vaughan Hayne and co-founder Justin Clarke from McGees Property said "disappointed, yes we are but we did think it would go. The trade was not that great".(inside Target Country Goonellabah)"We have started looking at opportunities for the space which is 2000 square metres. We have identified a gap in the marketplace for a hardware store so that is one avenue we will pursue but we are open to other ideas too such as creating smaller spaces for a number of new businesses".Village Goonellabah will have two new businesses opening up in the future with a laundromat and pizza place taking up leases recently.So, while Target Country closing appears a negative there is an upside with an exciting opportunity around the corner.

The Lismore App has introduced a Games & Puzzle button so you can have something fun to do on your mobile phone.You will locate the button at the very bottom of the Lismore App, the very last button.There you will find Crosswords, Sudoku, Solitaire and Tic-Tac-Toe (or Naughts and Crosses as some would know it by), all for free. Why should you have to pay for something that is easily accessible, like your news and sport.The puzzles all work very simply once you get to know how they function. The advice is to read the 'how to play' instructions before beginning especially the crossword puzzle. Once you get the idea, it is very simple to open the Lismore App push Games & Puzzles and then push the game you want to play. If you would like to see other games or puzzles on the Lismore App please email me at simon@lismoreapp.com.au with your suggestions.

This week, we celebrated World Bee Day, so The Lismore App is bringing a little sweetness to your lives with a look at the world of bees through the eyes of local beekeeper Brian Windows, today and in tomorrow’s Sunday Profile.The past year has been the worst year for Lismore beekeeper Brian Windows’ honey bees.After 30 years of keeping bee hives, Brian said the drought, the fires and the rain impacted last year impacted his bees so much that his normal honey yield was more than halved.From his 50 hives, he normally get five tonnes of honey, but he was lucky to get under half that.“The drought affected the flowering of macadamias in spring and there was little yield.“Then I took the hives to Bungawalbin and then the fires came and I had to rush out there and move them ahead of the fire. "I took them to the macadamias, but the custard apple growers there didn’t like the bees stealing pollen. The bees don’t do well in bush either.“In autumn I move them to the broad leaf tea tree, but it was raining and so wet, I couldn’t get up hill to move them and I missed first flowering.”The shortage of honey means that the price of honey has gone up. Brian said Capilano normally pay $3 a kilo for honey, but now the price is $6.40 per kilo.Brian said despite rumours, Capilano honey is not watered down, but it is heated up to make it easier to flow -and this denatures the honey a bit.These days, China is the biggest honey producer in the world.Queen bee and the worker bees.Bigging up the bee club Brian is the secretary of the Northern Rivers Amateur Beekeeping Club and he said the club has grown from 40 members to 150 over the past ten years. The main reason is the invention of the flow hive by locals who live at the Channon.The flow hive makes bee keeping cheaper and easier and people are joining the club to learn about how to do it with their flow hives.Brian said it’s good news for bees and honey production, as more people are getting into producing local honey.With a global decline in bee populations and in the volume of honey being produced, the increase in beekeeping means rather than the death of a sweet industry, it’s a locally growing one.“When they are starting out with their flow hives, they come to me to get their stock of European honey bees,” Brian said.“Then they have to have to learn how to look after them and we teach people to look out for common diseases.“Fifty years ago, some of the diseases we now have were unheard of, and the hive beetle is a big problem – if people have them, they have to destroy the hive and the bees and get the equipment sterilised.”Brian and his hive.Flow hiveIn a conventional bee hive, bees put honey into wax cells and the bee keeper then spins the frame with the wax cells to extract the honey. It can be expensive to get the machinery to spin the honey.The flow hive design however, has plastic hexagonal cells that split up the middle – so, spinning the frame is unnecessary and makes the extraction process cheaper.“You turn a lever and it separates the cell into two halves and the honey runs out of a pipe in the back and into a jar,” Brian said. “You wind the lever again and they come back together again.”CostsIf you are interested in starting your own hive, Brian said it costs about $100-$300 for a conventional hive. You will also need to buy a bit more equipment, plus your bees – starting with a minimum of 10,000 bees.“You’ll get 1000 kilos of honey a year from a full scale hive,” Brian said. “That’s a profitable hobby.”To find out what it’s like to tour a bee hive and go indepth into the world of bees, read tomorrow’s Sunday Profile and take a sunny day stroll with Brian as he tends his bees and find out some interesting and funny insights into the sweet world of honey bees.

You may have seen the sign as you walk down Magellan Street about Peppertree Kitchen moving around the corner.That move is now complete and the new store opens at 9am this morning in Carrington Street, right before to Cafe Cappello's.Helen Nott has been in business for twenty eight years with the last fourteen of those in the Magellan Street store.Just like empty nesters that downsize their homes when the children leave home, Helen has decided to downsize her shop. Amazingly all the stock that was in her Magellan Street store is in the new Carrington Street store.With Carrington Street being a lesser main thoroughfare was there a concern about less foot traffic with the new store?"I am right next door to the busiest cafes in town" Helen said referencing Cafe Cappello's.So, what is happening to the building that Helen is vacating and owns?"A couple from Sydney have leased the building and will open a restaurant", Helen said. The good news here is that the couple who already own a local carwash business will become locals as they are moving to Lismore.Staying with the current 'support local business' theme Helen went on to say the restaurant owners are using all local trades and suppliers for their fit-out and signage.If you are in the CBD and looking at upmarket kitchenware then pop in and say hi in the coming weeks.Read more news: The sweet hobby of bee keeping gains popularity

It is not officially winter but this week has certainly introduced some wintery weather and it looks set to continue into the weekend.Jumping out of the car this morning in the CBD the temperature said 15 degrees! While the average winter temperature in Lismore is 20 for June, 19 for July and 21 in August we have certainly hit a cold snap.It doesn't get too much warmer tomorrow with 18 degrees the top and Sunday sees us hit 20. While Monday will be 19 the rest of the week looks like early twenties so back to normal after these antarctic conditions.While boaties had some good news this week when the Premier announced that a family can resume recreational boating activities, conditions over the weekend don't look the best if you intend taking the boat in the ocean with large surf and swell predicted. Fishermen should also take note.If you look for a mental challenge over the weekend check out the new Games & Puzzles button on the Lismore App. There is Sudoku, Crosswords, Solitaire and Tic-Tac-Toe. Why pay for games and puzzles when you can access them for free. Please read the instructions first to avoid frustration, especially on crossword as it may take a little time to adjust to the way it works. Here is a direct link Games & Puzzles.If you would like us to include other games or puzzles please contact me at simon@lismoreapp.com.au with your suggestion.The Lismore Farmers Markets open their gates at 8 tomorrow morning or a little earlier as usual. With the cold weather hit AJ up for a good deal on a fire pit!This weeks Sunday Profile is Brian Windows, a local beekeeper. You can read Brian's story from 6am on Sunday just go to News/Sport and push the Sunday Profile tab (Sunday Profile).School is back on Monday for full time face to face teaching so there will be increased traffic and potential car queues because parents are not allowed to walk their children into their respective schools. Be patient if you get stuck for a while.The coronavirus jokes have dried up just like the new cases in Lismore so I have sourced some Dad jokes in tile form to make you cringe, smile or laugh.Get out and support local business and have a great weekend.

Bikes are perfect for it and it’s about to get even better for scooters and skateboards. The Nesbitt Park BMX bike track aka ‘pump’ track’ is about to be upgraded from a dirt track – to as soft, asphalt pump track.If you are not sure what the ‘pump’ in pump track means – it indicates a different style of riding to the normal pedal riding. Your movement instead relies on your motion of rolling up and down banks and using your body to generate momentum.The pump track is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders ‘pumping’.It’s benefit over a dirt track is that it is easier to ride on for scooters, skateboard or rollerblades.The new track will be constructed soon with $99,769 grant money that Lismore City Council received from the NSW Government to help upgrade the track.The conversion will mean people can use the facility safely, all year round.Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin today visited Lismore to announce the funding and said the upgrade would mean more people could use the track and not have to worry about weather damage.“This will now be an even better space for people to get outdoors and ride safely, especially for young people,” Mr Franklin said.“Parks are playing a big role for recreation and exercise in people’s lives at the moment and so any upgrades to local parks are great for the community.“Asphalting the dirt track will open up the facility to include BMX riders, scooters, skate boards, trikes, balance bikes, mountain bikes and gravel bikes.Lismore City Council General Manager Shelley Oldham, Lismore City Councillor Neil Marks and NSW MLC Ben Franklin.“The existing track is easily damaged by the weather and is often impacted by soil cracking, compaction issues, dust and water retention and often remains unsuitable and unsafe for community use."Converting the track will mean this would no-longer be a problem.”Lismore City Councillor Neil Marks said the upgrades will make a positive impact in the community.“This is a great outcome for the community,” he said.“Nesbitt is a very popular and well-used park. Over many years Council has invested in Nesbitt Park to improve its facilities."This latest upgrade of an asphalt pump track means the park can be used by even more people, more often, regardless of the weather.” 

A man and woman will face court after allegedly assaulting a child in a domestic-related incident in Nimbin.Earlier this month, officers from Richmond Police District commenced an investigation following reports a three-year-old boy had been physically assaulted by a woman who was known to him.During the investigation, police received further reports the child had been physically assaulted by a man who was known to him.As part of their inquiries, police attended a home in Nimbin and the child was taken to Lismore Base Hospital with bruising.Following further inquiries, a 57-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were arrested at Lismore Police Station about 3.40pm yesterday (Thursday 21 May 2020).The man was charged with assault occasioning actually bodily harm (DV) and breach ADVO.He was refused bail to appear at Lismore Local Court today (Friday 22 May 2020).The woman was charged with assault occasioning actually bodily harm (DV) and breach ADVO.She was granted conditional bail to appear at Lismore Local Court on Monday 27 July 2020.The child has been released from hospital and alternative care arrangements have been made.

Forget winter swimming in the outdoor pool, because the Lismore Memorial baths on Molesworth Street are going to stay closed for the winter season.The decision to keep the baths closed was made by Lismore City Council after it conducted a recent public poll to see how the community felt about it.Council released a statement this week thanking the 1100 who took part and voted in the poll.Out of the people who voted, 65% said they did not support opening the facility early.“Taking this into consideration, and the cost of opening the pool for a small number of people, the Memorial Baths will remain closed and will reopen in September as usual,” Council’s statement said.

Small businesses struggling and recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic can apply for $10,000 of much needed funding until June 1.The Small Business Relief Fund opens for applications on Monday May, 25. The funding is offered through the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA).There are 67 grants of $10,000 each designed to assist businesses that are recovering from the effects of the pandemic. This fund has been made possible by a philanthropic donation from Salesforce.The Small Business Relief Fund is aimed at supporting initiatives by small businesses to adapt and innovate in order to emerge from this challenging period in a strong position.COSBOA would like to welcome a wide variety of proposals from applicants. Proposed initiatives could address re-designing and re-modelling of workspaces, upgrading or adapting a business’s digital presence or a new approach to marketing.Applications will open online at 9am on Monday, 25 May 2020 and close at 5pm on Monday, 1 June 2020. To apply, visit https://www.cosboa.org.au/smallbusinessrelieffundEligible applications will be reviewed by a selection panel of three people and successful grant recipients will be announced on 29 June 2020.

The number of electives surgeries carried out in local hospitals is set to increase to 75% by the end of June. Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Wayne Jones announced that health staff would contact patients to reschedule surgery as appropriate.Mr Jones said the increase in surgeries after consultation with surgical and anaesthetic directors, as well as hospital management, nursing and other staff involved in operating theatre and recovery units. “The gradual resumption of elective surgery will be coupled with ongoing review and assessment of supplies and usage of PPE that keep both staff and patients safe, as well as continuing to significantly expand the state’s ICU capacity,” he said.“As always, patients will be assessed and prioritised by their clinicians, as well as being risk assessed for admission during this period. “I want to thank our clinicians and non-clinical staff for their resilience over these past few months as we’ve made swift and important changes to our hospital operations to help us respond well to the pandemic. “Thank you also to our community for their understanding during this period, and as we continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic.”The NSW Government has already committed $800 million extra funding for NSW Health to help boost ICU capacity and purchase additional services and medical equipment, to help respond to COVID-19. In addition to this, the NSW Government is also injecting $25 million to fast-track statewide research and clinical trials to tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic and reduce its impact on the community. Read more news: Lismore's Covid-19 clinic is not as scary as you think

If you haven’t already been to the Covid-19 testing clinic at Lismore Base Hospital, it’s not as scary as you might think. The sign at the door says ‘Fever Clinic’ and it can feel a little ominous approaching a nurse wearing a blue surgical mask, gloves and protective coverings.Today, I don’t have a dry throat, headache, or other cold or flu like symptom, and my initial trepidation at approaching a masked hospital employee quickly dissolved.Lismore Base Hospital's practice manager of the special outpatient clinic, Kathy Hillier, greeted me and told me that up to 60 people a day are now coming to the clinic to be tested for coronavirus - and numbers are slowly growing.This morning alone between 10am and 12pm, 40 people had already arrived to be tested. Kathy said the busiest times for people arriving to be tested are between 10am and 3pm.“But staff are quickly getting people into and through the clinic – especially in this rainy weather," she said.“Sometimes, the line-up can stretch up the front steps of the hospital.”While I’m there, it’s very quiet and only one person arrives to be tested before I leave.Kathy said anyone arriving at the clinic door will have their temperature checked by a nurse holding a device to their forehead. Blood oxygen levels will also be measured by a simple clip-on device on the finger – and you will be asked a few questions to work out ascertain where you’ve been and what level of risk category you might be in for contracting coronavirus.If you’re wondering about whether to get tested or not, Kathy said if you are suffering from any respiratory symptoms at all, you should come in at any time and get tested. There’s no shortage of swabs and tests.“If you have scratchy throat or a headache, shortness of breath – any mild symptoms at all, you can come in – don’t wait,” she said.“Even if you’ve been tested before, don’t be afraid to come in again.”Once you arrive inside the clinic, you’ll be greeted by the reception staff, then head into the waiting room, before you see a nurse.Sheridan and Kelly-Anne waiting to greet people at reception.Eldreth is one of the nurses in the Fever Clinic.Eldreth said she works with other nurses in a team to take notes on patient information and triage people as they come in for swab testing – working out who needs more urgent, immediate care.The coronavirus test itself is a fairly simple swab test – it involves two different swabs – one inside your nose, and the other one inside your mouth. It’s probable you’ll get watery eyes.“Sometimes we might send someone with problematic symptoms to the Emergency Department for further triaging,” Eldreth said.  “A young boy came in recently and we sent him to emergency and it turned out that he had appendicitis.“People sometimes don’t understand what’s happening to them, or what their symptoms mean.“Some people come in and they are pretty anxious, but we explain what’s going on and they say afterwards that it wasn’t as bad as they thought it was going to be.”CleaningFever Clinic cleaner Julie spends all day constantly cleaning surfaces inside the clinic.“I’m always going between the waiting room to the triage area – anywhere people have been,” Julie said. “I clean every surface – chairs, tables, toilets – any surfaces touched by nurses or patients.”It’s a big job.Nurse Eldreth ready to take down details outside the clinic.Cold and flu seasonWith the cold and flu season just starting and July and August tipped to be the biggest months for people catching viruses and colds, the clinic staff are preparing for an increase in numbers of people coming in to be tested. It coincides with an opening up of travel and social restrictions across the country, and while Lismore has been in a lull for a while, with no new cases for weeks, Kathy warns people against becoming complacent.“Don’t wait too long to come in and get tested if you are unsure,” Kathy said. “While we are more relaxed about Covid-19 than we were a couple of months ago, we are not letting our guard down.“We haven’t had any new cases, but we are still running the hospital at home for people who tested positive for Covid-19 and doctors are checking up on them regularly.”Coronavirus numbersCoronavirus case numbers in the Northern NSW Local Health District now stand at 56. Of these 56 cases, 51 are now recovered. There are no cases being treated in hospital. NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones said there have now been more than 10,600 tests conducted in Northern NSW Local Health District.“Which is an outstanding effort by both our community and health staff,” he said.“If we continue to see high numbers of testing in our community, it will help us to stay on top of any possible new cases that may emerge as activity increases across NSW.“Please stay home if you are unwell, or while awaiting test results, and continue to wash your hands thoroughly or use hand santiser regularly. “While out and about, don’t forget that physical distancing is still in place, so be mindful of keeping clear of other people and avoiding large groups.”Read more news: Good news if you’ve been waiting for elective surgery

Volunteers are the lifeblood of so many local events – and the Lismore Friendship festival is no exception.So, when festival coordinator Ros Derrett heard that she’d been successful in gaining volunteer grant funding to help buy essential equipment and train volunteers, she was over the moon.With this year’s July festival already cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, Ros is gearing up to recruit and train new volunteers and make next year’s event bigger and better than ever.The festival’s funding grant of $3210 was announced by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan this week as part of National Volunteers Week. It was one of many local applicants to receive funding of between $1000 and $5000.Ros said training new volunteers and upskilling existing volunteers in how to run an event means the festival’s future is looking rosy.“We are always looking for people keen to help out run our Italian themed festival,” Ros said. “There are many roles people can take on – from distributing food, to preparing performers and setting up.“Last year we focussed on people with mixed ability –and had lots of people with their carers attend and the support for them was incredible.Carer Johnno assisting Tamarrah who volunteered to keep pathways clear and safe at the 2019 Piazza in the Park.“This funding will also help us with more practical logistics and we’ll be able to purchase things we normally hire for the event – like chairs, tables, furniture for the kids space – we run a performance and visual arts program for the kids too.“We also can update our first aid equipment and so many other things.”The one day festival is held every year and includes an Italian film festival and the Piazza in the Park, (held in Spinx Park by the river).“The festival began as a celebration of Lismore’s two Italian sister cities,” Ros said.“Lots of Italians immigrated here and we have volunteers from the Italian community participating – including the Italo Club involved.“We had arranged for the Ferrari club to come from Queensland this year – hopefully they will come next year. Volunteers from the Italo Club delivering a stall full of authentic Italian food led by Shirley Pirlo (R).“We are working on other things that will happen this year and in the lead up to it. We are looking at creating digital music and engaging professional musicians here and in Italy – people can log on and we’ll see what comes out of it.“Anything that gets created can be performed at Piazza in the Park next year.”If you are interested in getting involved with the Friendship Festival for next year, you can contacts organisers through the festival’s Facebook page or website https://lismorefriendshipfestival.com.au/MP Kevin Hogan said organisations can use the volunteer grant funding to purchase new equipment, pay fuel and transport costs or cover training costs.Other local recipients to receive funding include:$3,240 for Australian Breastfeeding Association Lismore Group to support volunteer Mums run education classes.$1,350 for Rainbow Region Community Farms Incorporated to undertake first aid training and purchase new garden tools.$4,860 for Veterans Motorcycle Club Rock Valley Chapter Incorporated to establish food preparation, storage and laundry facilities.$1,800 for Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre Inc to upgrade and purchase new furniture.

The Lismore PCYC will soon have temperature control in their primary exercise areas thanks to a new air conditioning system and purpose fitted doors.The PCYC will receive $50,261 in funding from the NSW Government to undertake the upgrades.With hundreds of people from the local community accessing the facility each week, they will now be able to exercise in greater comfort.At Lismore PCYC are: Senior Constable Lachlan Bransgrove with Ben Franklin MLC and PCYC Lismore Club Manager Greg Ironfield.Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said the upgrades were needed to make sure the PCYC could continue offering great facilities to the community.“The Lismore PCYC is a really important place for schools, local clubs and groups, but most importantly, it is a safe place for young people to go, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” Mr Franklin said.“Upgrading the facilities will mean they can be accessed more frequently and youth programs can be expanded to continue looking after vulnerable and at-risk youth in the local community.“Ensuring that the facilities are modern also makes sure the wider community can enjoy the PCYC year round and support their wellbeing.”The increased usability of the PCYC will mean the Club can focus on increasing the capacity of young people to come together, increase their divisionary and Aboriginal youth programs and expand NSW Police youth case management with disadvantaged young people.Read more news: Brewster Street recycling gates to remain closedMr Greg Ironfield, Club Manager at the Lismore PCYC said this was great news for the Club.“We’re very excited to receive funding through the Stronger Country Communities Fund,” Mr Ironfield said.“We will be utilising the funds to upgrade our Club facilities, including adding air conditioning to our gym, martial arts and boxing rooms."“We will also be enhancing and expanding our Police Rise Up Programs to reach more young people in our community.” Air conditioning and purpose-fitted doors will be installed to the gym, the martial arts room and the boxing room. Replacing the current barred doors with more appropriate sealable doors will mean temperature regulation is possible and will provide for sustainable use of electricity through heating and cooling. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 services at the PCYC have currently been suspended in line with the Public Health Order but anyone who needs support during this time can contact the Lismore Police on 02 6626 0599. Read more news: Rare infection from possum scratch prompts warning

The Brewster Street recycling area gates are likely to remain closed....permanently.The recycling area was closed initially due to COVID-19 but Lismore City Council has confirmed that it is proposed to stay closed under the new draft Operational Plan currently being displayed on the councils 'Your Say Lismore' website ( https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/budget1).A LCC spokesperson said "the operation of the Brewster Street site has become increasingly risky due to the interaction of the public and the skip collection trucks. The site also suffers from significant levels of illegal dumping of waste".By closing this facility council will save in the range of $50,000 to $75,000 per annum but "the largest benefit will be the reduced safety risk, which is currently significant" LCC said.Free drop off for excess recycling (cardboard, bottles, cans, plastic containers and packing foam) will still be available at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre on Wyrallah Road and at the Nimbin Transfer Station on Blade Road. The infrastructure at the site will be removed and the area will likely become a carpark for the parkland.Drop off centres were opened in the 1990s and were the only way residents had access to recycling. These started as bottle banks and there were six operating across the Council area.When kerbside recycling was introduced in 2006, the number of drop off centres were reduced to three as residents had access to recycling at home. The three that remained in service were at the Recycling & Recovery facility, the Nimbin Transfer Station and the Brewster Street site. These were retained for residents who had excess volumes for recycling and for those who did not have kerbside collection.

NSW Health is urging people to avoid touching possums following the first probable case of the rare disease tularaemia in a NSW resident.The woman was bitten and scratched by a ringtail possum in a Northern Sydney suburb in early March, and since developed symptoms including swollen lymph glands, fatigue, and a sore throat. Further testing is continuing to confirm the diagnosis. NSW Health's Acting Director of Communicable Diseases, Ms Keira Glasgow, said that while the disease is highly contagious, most people fully recover with appropriate antibiotics. Tularaemia is an extremely rare bacterial disease, which can be transmitted to humans from infected animals but not from human-to-human. “The best way to prevent tularaemia is to avoid touching or handling any wildlife,” Ms Glasgow said. Only two cases of tularaemia have been reported in people in Australia previously, both of whom had been bitten or scratched by possums in Tasmania in 2011. The type of bacteria present in Australia is less virulent than the type seen in North America, and there have been no deaths associated with the disease in Australia. “If you see sick or injured wildlife, do not pick it up or try to rescue it. Instead, contact the experts at your local licensed wildlife care group or local veterinarian,” she said. Symptoms of tularaemia include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache and nausea, which appear within two weeks of exposure to the bacteria. People exposed to the bacteria through bites and scratches to their skin will also develop an ulcer at the wound. “If you have become unwell with these symptoms after recently touching a possum, especially if you were bitten or scratched, it is important to seek medical treatment early,” Ms Glasgow said. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). Worldwide, tularaemia can affect a wide range of animals including rabbits, hares, rodents and wildlife. The infection has only been found in two possums in Australia, which died in separate clusters in 2002 and 2003. Contact details for local wildlife care groups can be found at: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/wildlife-rehab​ and an app called “IFAW Wildlife Rescue” can be downloaded from the app store. The Taronga Conservation Society’s Australian Registry of Wildlife Health is assisting the NSW Health investigation in this rare occurrence of the disease. For more information on tularaemia, visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/tularaemia.aspx

The Lismore App reported last week on the results of a recent court case which challenged the development of housing on the North Lismore Plateau. It was the third court case involving Aboriginal Elder Micky Ryan who has been trying to stop the development - and also have environmental remediation works undertaken on work already done. The recent court case was a “win” for Mr Ryan, as the court found the developer, Winten, should have had a Species Impact Statement included in their Development Application for it to be lawful. Mr Ryan’s challenge to the developer also involved Lismore City Council – which had granted the development consent to Winten to undertake the project. Read the story here: Court deems North Lismore Plateau development 'invalid'Lismore City Council has responded to the court’s decision with the following statement, which outlines why Council granted a development consent to Winten:On Thursday, 14 May 2020 her Honour Justice Pain of the Land and Environment Court gave judgment in Ryan v Northern Regional Planning Panel and Others.The proceedings were a challenge to the decision of the Panel to grant development consent to a DA lodged by the Winten group for the subdivision of the Plateau. The consent permitted the development of the relevant land for residential purposes (together with associated development).Lismore City Council was a party to the proceedings.The Court found that a Species Impact Statement (SIS) should have accompanied the DA. In circumstances where the SIS did not accompany the DA, the DA was not properly and lawfully made and the decision to grant consent was void and of no effect.Two other challenges brought by Mr Ryan were not successful. Mr Ryan was unable to persuade the Court that orders should be made with respect to the failure to obtain a permit under the Heritage Act 1977 prior to excavation associated with an alleged "grave site”. The Court declined to grant any relief – make any declaration that the Act had been breached – and noted that correct procedures on the excavation had been followed and that no relic (including human remains) had been located at the site.Mr Ryan was also unable to persuade the Court that construction certificates (CC) issued by Council to allow the development to proceed in accordance with the consent were unlawful. The Court concluded that the CCs were not inconsistent with the consent. No error had been made by Council when issuing the CCs.The Court's findings with respect to the threatened species followed extensive investigation into the land which constitutes the North Lismore Plateau. The land was rezoned to allow residential development to proceed, and that rezoning process included an investigation of the environmental and ecological attributes of the land. Additional ecological investigations were conducted to support the DA which a number of ameliorative measures regarding biodiversity and vegetation on the land, including compensatory planting of over 2000 forest red gums.The Council prepared a development assessment report in response to the DA and provided that report to the Joint Regional Planning Panel.The Joint Regional Planning Panel, taking into account the relevant matters, determined that consent should be granted. It was that decision that was successfully challenged in the proceedings.Mr Ryan’s case relied on new studies prepared by his environmental consultant, Mr Milledge, that became evidence in the proceedings. A key feature of that evidence was that the “study area” for the purposes of the SIS, being the area affected by the proposal, was quite a constrained area. That is, when considering the impacts on the threatened species arising as a result of the development – for example habitat loss – the area to be considered was essentially the development site.In this respect Mr Ryan’s evidence differed from the evidence relied on by the developer (Winten) which considered a more expansive study area in which the impacts were to be assessed.The Court accepted that the area of land to be considered for the purposes of assessing the impacts on the threatened species was essentially the land to which the DA applied. In those circumstances, the Court concluded that there was an overall substantial reduction of important habitat. Her Honour therefore concluded that there was a real chance of significant impacts on the two species, and a proper and lawful consideration of that impact required the preparation of a SIS.Lismore City Council’s Director of Partnerships, Planning and Engagement Dr Sharon Harwood responded to the decision as follows: “This is an important decision in the context of the development of the Plateau and for other development,” she said.“Council has always been concerned to protect the environmental attributes of the Plateau - and it was for that reason that so much of the land has been rezoned for the purposes of Environmental Management. “There is no suggestion that the land that has been set aside for environmental management is inadequate. “The decision provides clarity with respect to that part of the Plateau that needs to be the subject of specific consideration with respect to the ecological impacts arising from any residential development.”Dr Harwood particularly noted the Court's findings with respect to the issue of the Construction Certificates. “Council spent some time considering the development consents in the context of the application for the CCs. “Council staff concluded that the CCs could be lawfully issued as they properly implemented the development the subject of the consent. The Court agreed with Council’s conclusions,” he said.The Council understands that the developer is considering its position following the decision.Council remains committed to the proper assessment of any development application in the Lismore area, working with the developer, the public and interested parties to ensure that development is sustainable and the environmental impacts are acceptable.

There is more of that blue sky again following news from the Premier of NSW Gladys Berejiklian this morning that from June 1 we can travel anywhere in NSW for a holiday.That's right, no travel restrictions in NSW.Roll on the June long weekend from June 6 to 8. You can pack the tent, get the boat ready or hitch the caravan to the car. There are still border restrictions in place for Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania but hopefully this will ease in the coming weeks as well, especially Queensland given our proximity to the border.The warning from the Premier was to "get used to living in a COVID environment until we find a vaccine". This is nothing that we are not used to already so social distancing, good hygiene practises and keeping away from large crowds.The other warning was to book ahead because some restrictions will be in place for caravan parks and camping grounds.For those with a boat, it is not full throttle yet but at least the engine has started. Darren Vaux, the Boating Industry Association President said “The State Government today confirmed that members of a household can go out boating in all forms of recreational craft which importantly includes the most popular type of boat … the family runabout.” “This means a typical family household can go out together as there does not need to be 4 square metres of space for each person onboard. Meanwhile people who are not from the same household can also go recreational boating but should maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from others, as is reasonably practicable".Deputy Premier John Barilaro encouraged holidaymakers to "visit local businesses, enjoy local attractions and feast on the best food regional NSW has to offer" when holidaying over the June long weekend. In other words spend up and support regional towns. More good news for cafe, restaurant and those pubs serving food with the number of customers increasing from 10 to 20 from June 1st. This will see some venues operating at near capacity which can only be a good thing for cashflow and jobs as well as remove some frustrations for patrons who turn up to eat only to be told they need to wait until someone needs to leave before they can take a seat.Today's easing of restrictions adds to the news that all NSW Public Schools will be back for face to face teaching as of this Monday.Another welcome glimpse of a slightly different normal life.

It’s time to nominate selfless locals who have stood tall during drought, bushfires and the Covid-19 pandemic.Nominations have opened for the 2020 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the contribution of volunteers has never been more important and National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to say thank you.“The last 12 months has been very challenging for our local communities and there is no better time to recognise the many local heroes who have gone above and beyond to help others,” Ms Saffin said.“I have witnessed the valuable work of volunteers and thanked them personally, and I encourage everyone to nominate someone they know so that we can give thanks publicly and make this year’s awards the biggest yet.”The awards, run by The Centre for Volunteering, are in their fourteenth year and have grown to become one of the largest celebrations of volunteering in Australia.You can nominate someone for one of the following seven categories:Adult Volunteer of the Year.Young Volunteer of the Year.Senior Volunteer of the Year.Volunteer Team of the Year.Corporate Volunteer of the Year (Individual).Corporate Volunteer of the Year (Team).Excellence in Volunteer Management.Regional finalists are invited to the State Ceremony at the end of the year, where winners are selected across each category and the NSW Volunteer of the Year is announced.Nominations close on Friday, July 3, 2020. For more information or to nominate a volunteer, visit http://www.volunteering.com.au/awards

The construction of a new, bigger water pipeline to carry water to coastal areas has begun – so we can expect to see some heavy vehicles and digging happening in the areas of Dorroughby and Clunes. Rous County Council has begun Stage 1 construction on the new St Helena pipeline in response to increased demand for bulk water in coastal regions. Rous County Council’s Chair, Councillor Keith Williams says construction on the $36M St Helena pipeline project began in March and will ensure continued security of water supply for customers. “The project is necessary to meet the growing need for bulk water from our coastal regions,” Cr Williams said.“As part of the project, the existing 300mm pipeline, which has reached the end of its service life, will be replaced with a new 660mm diameter watermain.”The 13,200 metre pipeline will be delivered in two Stages with Stage 1 running from Dorroughby to the Clunes Cross Connection and Stage 2 continuing from the Clunes Cross Connection to Friday Hut Road. Phillip Rudd, General Manager for Rous County Council notes that the NSW State Government guidance has been employed to manage health and safety. “This includes management of the risks associated with Covid-19,” Mr Rudd said. Rous County Council is pro- active in its response to the pandemic and ensures that all construction continues in accordance with NSW State Government advice and health orders.The construction contract was awarded to Ledonne Constructions Pty Ltd in February this year and they have now commenced works on site as part of Stage 1 of the project. Stage 1 is projected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021. The Expression of Interest (EOI) for Stage 2 of the works has closed and shortlisted companies will be notified in early May. Successful companies from the EOI process will tender for the Stage 2 construction and be assessed for quality, methodology and cost efficiency. The construction contract for Stage 2 is expected to be awarded in in the last quarter of 2020 with projected completion date for Stage 2 being October 2022. Environmental management requirements have been thoroughly assessed and control measures have been implemented to ensure the environment is protected throughout the pipeline’s construction. Rous County Council ensures that community impacts will be minimised as much as practical during the St Helena pipeline project.Rous County Council is working closely with landholders affected by the construction. Please be advised that residents can expect increased heavy vehicle traffic in the vicinity of the works for the duration of the project. Rous County Council (RCC) is a multipurpose county council delivering bulk water, weed biosecurity and flood mitigation services to the Northern Rivers of NSW. RCC’s constituent councils are Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley: