The much talked about 'Black Spot' on the Bruxner Highway is in Lismore MPJanelle Saffin's sights as she lobbies the NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole to find a solution that will save lives.The two notorious intersections include the Alphadale Road intersection and the Cowlong Road intersection further north. The stretch of road has a terrible history with 36 accidents and five fatalities since 2000. Ms Saffin said "it instills fear in the traveling public including myself".Ms Saffin is lobbying the NSW Government to invest the underspent Restart NSW funding into a major realignment of the Bruxner Highway between Goonellabah and Wollongbar hill to bypass these intersections. This week Ms Saffin wrote to NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole, calling for Transport for NSW to expedite the new alignment, which has languished on the drawing board despite partial resumption of a land corridor to enable it.“The Bruxner caters for about 15,000 vehicles a day, reflecting strong population growth over recent decades, but this stretch of highway is no longer fit for purpose and it is endangering lives. “I see this as a legacy issue which demands bold action rather than tinkering around the edges with band-aid treatments such as more safety signs, an acceleration lane for eastbound traffic, or a roundabout, for which Lismore City Council has made three unsuccessful funding nominations in the past three years. “Retired Lismore Base Hospital Chief Radiographer Denys Wynn, recently approached me and told me he was sick of the loss of human life on this stretch of highway, including the Richmond Hill turnoff to where he lives. “Denys says he spent too much of his 36-career taking x-rays of badly injured crash victims, and like me, he favours the more strategic approach of a major highway realignment which would bypass this black spot altogether. “This approach also has the backing of the chairman of Lismore City Council’s Traffic Advisory Committee, Cr Bill Moorhouse, a civil engineer with 45 years’ experience.” Ms Saffin said that while a realignment would require political will and major funding, it was a perfect fit for the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Fund, established in 2011 to fund high-priority infrastructure projects. “Thirty per cent of Restart NSW funding was meant to be targeted in regional and rural areas, and that target has never been met in any year since its inception. There is an underspend of $1.75 billion,” Ms Saffin said. The new alignment would run from Oliver Avenue-Ballina Road roundabout (Pineapple Road area), swing south of the Richmond Hill turnoff and north of Macadamia Processing Company Limited’s plant and the Alphadale crossroads (Lindendale geographically) towards the approaches to Wollongbar hill. It probably would require a local overpass to be built on Cowlong Road, just north of the processing plant. The bypassed section of the former highway would become a local road. In the meantime, Ms Saffin has suggested that Transport for NSW should be investigating options to reduce traffic speed in this section from 80kmh to 60kmh as an interim safety measure. Ms Saffin said she stood ready to work with Minister Toole, his Parliamentary Secretary and State Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis, Transport for NSW and Lismore City Council to make the Bruxner Highway safer for generations to come. She has also asked that Transport for NSW include two other sections of the highway as part of a current major review of the Bruxner’s safety between Lismore and Ballina: ·         Straightening of the highway within an existing road reserve to eliminate a dangerous bend near Sunrise Crescent, west of the Goonellabah Media Centre – the scene of several truck rollovers which have nearly ended up in local residents’ yards. Linked to this is the equally pressing need to build a pedestrian walkway-cycleway on the western side of the highway from Sunrise Crescent to the Kadina roundabout, which serves as the entrance to The Rivers Secondary College’s Kadina High campus. ·         Finding an engineering solution to reducing worsening traffic congestion on the roundabouts either side of the Ballina Street Bridge, at the gateway to Lismore’s CBD, which is particularly heavy approaching the South Lismore roundabout during peak times. 

If you intend to drive on Bangalow Road next week, be prepared for some delays.Traffic NSW advises motorists of changed traffic conditions from Monday on Lismore Bangalow Road at Nashua for maintenance work to be carried out at Wilsons Creek Bridge. Work will be carried out at the bridge, about seven kilometres southwest of Bangalow, between 6.30am and 6pm from Monday, May 11, for up to five weeks, weather permitting. Some lane closures will be in place with minor delays of up to five minutes expected. Traffic control and a reduced speed limit will be in place for the safety of workers and motorists. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience during this time. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Happy Mother's Day to all mums in Lismore and surrounds.Make the most of this perfect autumn weather today because another change is about to come through this afternoon or evening.Gabrielle Woodhouse from the Bureau of Meteorology says that winds will turn west to southwest pretty quickly notifying the change is here.The result will be a significant drop in temperatures from our recent balmy 25 degrees down to 20. We will feel the minimums drop too with some 9 or 10 degree mornings on the way.The down side is that the change will not bring any significant rainfall with it. The coast will get the best of it again while the best we can hope for is a coupe of millimetres.It will be a cooler week ahead with temperatures rising to 22-23 degrees and some very patchy showers at best.

It’s not just Lismore App reader Ellen Kronen who’s been making soup as the autumn weather grows cooler - it seems soup making ingredients are the newest growth sales items at our supermarkets. Read Ellen’s recipe: Winter warmer soupAs The Lismore App’s search for recipes from the local community continues, Woolworths reported today that dried soup mix packets sales have “exploded” and are up by up 200% as people make more warming soup at home.Adventurous cookingThe supermarket chain also reported that people are becoming healthier and more adventurous in their cooking, with ingredients such as cardamom, saffron and dried sesame seeds doubling in sales. “Roasted peppers are up 65%, Asian and hot chilli sauces are both up 40% and capers are up 35%,” Woolworths reported.“Vitamin sales, plus ground ginger and turmeric sales are up 120% and sauerkraut sales are up 76%. However, it reported that "sales of cough and cold products are much lower this year compared to last year”.Buying limits liftedIn happy news, the supermarket chain also reported that with the panic buying now easing, product buying limits have been lifted on cleaners, eggs, dried noodles, pasta sauce, rice and sugar.No surprises that toilet paper still has a purchase limit (and if you haven’t yet taken a strange selfie at the toilet paper isle when it’s full of product – there’s still time!)Only six items still have product limits attached to them: hand sanitiser and toilet paper still have a limit of four; while antibacterial wipes, disinfectants, flour and handwash have a limit of two.Winter warmer soup recipeThe Lismore App reader Ellen Kronen sent in her winter warmer soup recipe and invites you to try making it at home."With the weather getting cooler (and having time to cook) I've been making lots of pumpkin soup - the ultimate comfort food," Ellen said."This recipe I think came from a Women's Weekly cookbook about 20 years ago but it's morphed quite a bit since then!"It's pretty free-form and really easy to cook."Read the recipe in the Coronavirus > Recipes section of The Lismore App: Winter warmer soupSend in your recipes to The Lismore AppIf you have a recipe you'd like to share with your community, email it to liina@lismoreapp.com.auPlease include ingredients, method and why you like to make it, or where it came from and a picture of it if you have one.

A very Happy Mothers Day to all Lismore App readers for this Sunday. It will be one of the strangest with the one family limitations on visiting another home so instead of one large family gathering some mums will be getting two or three visits on Sunday making it a busy day.To be purely selfish for a moment, a Happy Mothers Day to my amazing wife who is a brilliant mother to our daughter and her three step-daughters. She has made our isolation home a harmonious place to live filled with love. Now to deliver the presents on Sunday!If you have purchased Mothers Day gifts, I hope you shopped locally. If you are still to do the shopping (yes, you will see me out tomorrow morning with my daughter) then, again, SHOP LOCAL. Our businesses need our help as life gets slowly back to normal.You will find some last minute gifts at the Lismore Farmers Markets and Blue Knob Community Markets tomorrow from 8am and 8:30am respectively. As well as the fresh fruit and vegetable produce on offer there is also seedlings for winter veggies, fire pits for the cold nights ahead or a lantern for the Virtual Lantern Parade coming up on Saturday June 20.Weather wise, pretty perfect autumn days are ahead until Sunday late afternoon or evening so soak it up. Temperatures of 25 glorious degrees after minimums around 12.A reminder that school is back to some sort of face to face teaching on Monday so be vigilant of the 40k school zones. This does vary from school to school as we wrote yesterday What does face to face teaching look like from Monday?.As is usual for the Weekend Wrap, let's end with some coronavirus jokes.If you see any more jokes during the week, send them through simon@lismoreapp.com.au.

Emergency services were called to the scene of a car rollover at McKees Hill this morning, on the Bruxner Highway between Lismore and Casino.Richmond Police District Inspector David Vandergriend said police and ambulance services responded to the scene of the incident with initial suspicions that people were trapped in the car - but he confirmed no one was injured.Live Traffic NSW reported the crash happened before 8am and traffic was affected in both directions, but has now been cleared. Read more news: Cross border police chase ends in Lismore arrest

From this coming Monday, May 11, schools around NSW are encouraged to return to some sort of face to face teaching. This is moving from Phase 0 to Phase 1 in the State Governments back to school model.The NSW Government has outlined a 5 Phase approach to get back to normal pre-coronavirus school days. Those five phases are;Phase 0. Where we currently are, schools are open for families who need itPhase 1. Students at school at least one day per week.Phase 2. Students at school at least two days per week.Phase 3. Students at school five days per week, with social distancing measuresPhase 4. Students at school five days per week, with full school activitiesGiven the suggested model by the State Government the Lismore App wanted to see what that looks like for a range of different schools in our community.Lismore Public has said that students will return one day a week for Weeks 3 , 4 and 5. Their days will coincide with their sports house colours;Monday Bing-ingTuesday JullumWednesday GurramanThursday NgumahlFriday: children of essential workersLismore Heights Public School will stage their return over four days with classes split into small 8-9 person groups. As an example some Kindergarten students will return on Tuesday and some Year 3 students on Wednesday.Nimbin Central School is inviting their Stage 6 students (Year 11 & 12) to attend 5 days a week from Monday. Principal Kath Marshall said the rest of the stages for face to face learning is being staggered for 1 day a week;Monday Kindergarten 1Tuesday Class 1 & 2 and Year 10Wednesday Class 3 & 4 and Year 9Thursday Class 4, 5 & 6 and Year 8Friday Year 7Caniaba Public School is a different approach to staggered learning with all students returning to School this Monday May 11 for one day. Week 4 will see all students return two days per week (Monday May 18 and Tuesday May 19), Week 5 will be three days for that week, Week 6 four days and by Tuesday June 9 all students returning to face to face learning five days a week.Lismore High, Richmond River and Kadina High Schools are linked so have the same plan from Monday. Executive Principal Ian Davies said that Year 12 students will be returning for face to face teaching Monday through 3 one and half hour sessions over four days, this will be combined with the existing on-line learning. Year 11 will also be returning Monday but will have 2 one and half hour sessions. While Years 7-10 will return for one day a week from Monday with the days varying week to week. Classroom sizes will be restricted to 10 students.Weeks 5 onward are yet to be decided.While the plan suggested by the State Government is for public schools operated by the NSW Department of Education the Catholic and Independent Schools in NSW are required to formulate their own plans.Trinity Catholic College sees Years 7 and 12 return to face to face teaching from Monday with Year 11 one day a week in weeks 3 & 4 and Years 8, 9 and 10 continuing with their blended on-line learning in Weeks 3 & 4 then one day a week face to face teaching from Week 5. The goal for students at Trinity is to return to full time face to face classes by Tuesday June 9.St John's College Woodlawn has taken a different approach with all year 12 students returning this Monday, Year 7 and 11 the following Monday (Week 4) with the rest of the school starting face to face classes on Monday May 25 (Week 4).As you can see the face to face learning timetable varies from school to school.Whatever the plan, we can all hope for Phase 4 to be reached as soon as possible because that will mean life is back to normal and the coronavirus pandemic is all but over.

If you have livestock, now (Autumn) is the most important time of year to treat animals for liver fluke.North Coast Local Land Services District Veterinarian Jocelyn Todd said liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) is a widespread parasite of the North Coast Region, particularly in high rainfall, swampy or poorly drained areas.“The disease can lead to poor growth rates, reduced milk production and even death in susceptible animals such as sheep, goats, camelids and cattle,” she said.“It also has an economic cost to the meat industry due to condemned livers.”Damage may be caused by the immature stages of the fluke migrating through the animal's liver.These immatures develop into adults that suck blood from the lining of the bile ducts, causing significant blood loss and liver damage in heavy infestations. Death usually occurs due to blood loss from haemorrhage within the liver.Clinical signs indicating animals have Liver Fluke include: bottle jaw (swelling of the tissues below the jaw); weight loss or failure to gain weight; jaundice (yellowing of mucous membranes such as gums, eyelid conjunctiva and vagina; anaemia (loss of red blood cells characterised by the paleness of mucous membranes as above).“The good news is that there are several effective flukicides that target different stages of liver fluke infestation” Jocelyn Todd. “Now is the time to eliminate infestations picked up during summer and spring.“All classes of stock should be drenched for liver fluke with an effective product, containing Triclabendazole or Nitroxynil, to target both immature and adult fluke.“Products vary in their suitability for different species and classes, and have variable withhold periods, so be sure to read the label before treating.“There is some resistance forming to Triclabendazole, if you use a product with this ingredient and don't see symptoms improve, consider further testing to assess its effectiveness.”Many tests for liver fluke infestation are available.Other control options for liver fluke includes:•    fencing to exclude some or all livestock from swampy areas•    quarantine and drench all animals that come from a liver fluke area•    grazing management of swampy areas only by less-susceptible stock (adult cattle)For more information on identifying and controlling liver fluke on your property, please contact your North Coast Local Land Services District Veterinarian on 1300 795 299 or your local vet.

In a turn for the unusual, the numbers of coronavirus cases dropped in our local health district.The news comes on the same day as the NSW Premier announced visiting restrictions in NSW will not be eased in time for Mother’s Day. Read more: No easing of restrictions in time for Mother's DayThe Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) reported that there are now 55 (not 56) confirmed cases of Covid-19 in local residents. The reason given in the reduction of one case was that the case was excluded after further testing. It has now been three weeks since the last recorded case. Of these 55 cases, 46 are now recovered. One Covid-19 patient is being cared for in hospital, none in ICU.By source of infection, 52 acquired it from overseas or interstate, 2 from a confirmed case or in a known cluster and 1 was not identified. More information and statistics for Local Government Areas can be found at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/covid-19-lga.aspxThere are also expanded hours for Byron Central Hospital fever clinic, due to high demand for testing. Opening hours are 9am to 5pm daily. There is no need to make an appointment. Anyone with flu-like symptoms, however mild, is encouraged to get tested for Covid- 19. Other hospital-based testing clinics are located at Lismore Base Hospital, The Tweed Hospital, and Grafton Base Hospital. 

Despite Lismore City Council’s new budget postponing projects like the creation of an athletic performance centre and developing Lismore Lake area for recreational use, the new Lismore Sport and Recreation Draft Plan is ready for community feedback. It's time to have your say on it.Council’s Sport and Recreation project officer James Voght said the draft plan was developed after extensive community consultation and looks to “cement Lismore’s position as a regional sports hub to drive economic growth and increase sport and recreational opportunities for local families to improve well-being and quality of life”.The draft plan has six priorities:• Deliver Lismore Parklands,• Increase physical activity/participation by developing a walking and cycling strategy,• Continue to develop Lismore as a Sports Hub,• Support the Rail Trail development,• Develop an Open Space strategy, and• Ensure existing and new facilities are sustainable. “This is an opportunity for residents to have their say about the future of our city and villages," James said. "We encourage everyone who is interested to make as submission before May 29.”The Plan is on public exhibition for community comment until May 29 and submissions must be received by close of business that day.Submissions can be made online or emailed to council@lismore.nsw.gov.au, or sent to the General Manager, Lismore City Council, PO Box 23A, Lismore, NSW 2480. It can be viewed online via Lismore City Council’s community engagement hub Your Say Lismore at https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/Hard copies cannot be viewed as Council’s office is currently closed due to Covid-19.

Say thanks and shout a hospital hero a cuppa by donating a few dollars to the new Hospital Heroes campaign.The campaign is run by local charity, Our Kids and fundraising coordinator Rebekka Battista said just $4 will shout one hospital hero a cuppa.“On May 13, Our Kids has arranged for everyone on shift that day to receive a free hot beverage to say thank you, from WHSmith Fresh+, the café operators inside Lismore and Tweed hospitals,” Rebekka said. “This has been an extraordinary time for our Hospital Heroes, they take care of all of us when we are sick, and through this season they have been ever diligent to ensure we are safe and well.“Whether you give $4 to shout one hospital hero a cuppa, or $40 to shout ten hospital heroes a cuppa, it all counts and is a way together we can say thank you."Rebekka invites the whole community to join with Our Kids and their Platinum Partners to say a huge thank you during these unusual times. To donate, head to https://give.everydayhero.com/au/thank-you-hospital-heroesFor more information on how you can help, contact the Our Kids Office on 0438 417 085. Our Kids Board and Platinum Partners are: Southern Cross University, Far North Coast Law Society, The Northern Star, Lismore Echo, Telstra, NBN TV, Events Party Hire, Hurford Hardwood, Byron Bay Coffee Company, Beach Byron Bay, Suzette Pearce, Damian Chapelle, Kevin Carter, Chris Ingall, Tanya Jones, Tania Kirkland, Luke Hoolihan, Sean Radburn and Rebekka Battista. 

While we were hoping for an easing of lockdown restrictions in time for visiting mums on Mother’s Day this Sunday, it looks like it’s going to remain the same in NSW – at least until after the weekend. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this morning that National Cabinet will meet tomorrow to consider easing social distancing restrictions to allow indoor gatherings of up to ten people by Mother’s Day on Sunday.However, she said “I doubt that NSW will be in a position to implement anything before Mother’s Day”.Ms Berejiklian said NSW had already taken a “huge step forward" compared to where it was a month ago and said over the next few months we will likely see more easing of restrictions."Please know that two adults and children can visit any mother at any one time, and a mother can accept multiple visits a day," Ms Berejiklian said.“To all mothers out there, please know that you will be able to accept those visitors."I suspect by the end of June, life will feel much more normal than it does now and even during May, life will feel much more normal.”Other States have also been making changes to restrictions, with Queensland allowing up to five members of one household to visit a second household from Sunday.Victoria has announced no restrictions changes in the near future.Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein said he will announce its restrictions "road map" after National Cabinet's meeting tomorrow.

The iconic Lismore Lantern Parade is another event that is going 'virtual' in 2020.A virtual Lantern Parade will be similar to ANZAC Day with one addition.Step 1 is to go on-line and purchase your Diamond or Pyramid lanterns from the Lismore Lantern Parade website (https://www.lismorelanternparade.com.au/copy-of-the-lantern-parade) for $15.You can either pick up your lantern from Creative Director/CEO Jyllie Jackson and her team at 289 Keen Street or they can be delivered for a small fee of $5 within the Northern Rivers. Diamond lanterns can be posted to your family and friends throughout Australia so they too can participate for only $10 giving you up to 4 diamond kits per post.Each lantern kit will contain your lantern, colourful tissue paper shapes to help you decorate your lantern, a tub of pva glue, sponge and an LED candle to go inside your finished lantern.You are encouraged to take photos of you and your family decorating your lantern and the finished product and email them to Jyllie (details later) or upload on your favourite social media site with the hashtag #lightntheheart. Jyllie does say "it doesn't need to be fancy".Step 2 is show your decorated lantern by gathering with family and friends at the end of your driveway, on your street, or your garden (socially distancing of course) or on your balcony, window or shop front at 6pm on Saturday June 20. The Virtual Lantern Parade will Live Stream at about 7pm.If everyone gets behind the 2020 Virtual Lismore Lantern Parade we can show support to the wonderful work that Jyllie Jackson and her team of volunteers do each and every year as well as brighten our neighbourhoods during the winter solstice and "Bring light to our hearts in this challenging time!", adds Jyllie.The Lismore App is a proud sponsor for the 2020 Virtual Lismore Lantern Parade.

A man has been charged with Negligent Driving and Cruelty to Animals after a hit and run incident in Nimbin.Police will allege that on the April 21, a Nimbin man deliberately ran over and failed to stop to render assistance to a beloved family dog named Huey.The incident occurred at the intersection of Tuntable Falls Road and Upper Tuntable Falls Road, Nimbin.Police thank witnesses who rendered assistance to Huey and provided information to police.Legal proceedings have commenced against the driver.Police are pleased to inform the Nimbin community, that Huey survived his injuries however costing his family thousands of dollars in vet bills.Huey is at home, safe and well with his family, enjoying doggy treats he received from local police.

When Powermax computers reopens its doors on Magellan Street next Monday, the good news is that Apple computer and device owners can finally get their tech fixed. The bad news is that if you want to buy a new Apple product, you’ll have to wait until May, when the next orders of products finally arrive.As the only authorised Apple repair shop in the Lismore village, Powermax owner Alex Clarke said he’s been getting calls every day from desperate people keen to get their devices fixed. “There’s so much demand out there, we are happy to meet the demand,” Alex said.“People are working at home more on their devices now and desperate to have them running.“Since we closed the shop five weeks ago, we have been offering other service options that involve contacting Apple help on the phone or by mailing the device to Apple in Sydney. “There’s not many options for people to get Apple devices repaired without driving to Coffs Harbour to a shop there.”Alex said there was a shortage of new technology products (including all brands of phones and computers) across the world at the moment because all manufacturers in China closed during December, January and February.“So, there’s a three month supply gap and that’s why it’s hard to get new Apple products while they ramp production back up again,” he said.“We will have people wanting to buy things, but we can’t get them until the end of May."With low coronavirus transmission rates in the Northern Rivers, and the government easing restrictions, Powermax Computers joins other Lismore businesses that have decided it’s time to reopen again.“Apple reopened their stores world wide today too,” Alex said. “They shut every store on March 1, except for China. We didn’t know that would happen when we were deciding to reopen.”Alex said every safety precaution will be taken with devices in care and that physical distancing measures would be implemented to limit the number of people in the shop.“Every machine or device will be disinfected at drop off and pick up time and hand sanitiser will be used at all times,” he said.Alex said all the shop’s smiling staff will be back on board again, thanks to the government’s Jobkeeper payments.Powermax Computers will be open from Monday, May 11, with weekday opening hours 10am-4pm, Saturdays 10am-1pm and closed Sundays.

Volunteers are needed to help support vulnerable people in Lismore during the Covid-19 period.People willing to help out are encouraged to sign up to a new online volunteering platform - along with oganisations in need of support.The NSW Government has partnered with the Centre for Volunteering to develop the platform, which is also operating in Victoria and Western Australia. State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said volunteers are being empowered to provide welfare checks, deliver supplies and offer essential transport to vulnerable people through a new online platform linking community members with charities, NGOs and local councils. “The pandemic is placing a significant strain on volunteer-driven organisations who support vulnerable members across the Lismore Electorate, and many require more people to help meet demand,” Ms Saffin said. “This platform allows you to register your details online and an organisation in your local area will get in touch and offer volunteering opportunities when they arise. “NSW Shadow Minister for Seniors and Volunteers Jo Haylen has visited my electorate and knows how much volunteering we already do, and are doing through Covid-19. “For me, this is an additional platform that helps connect people who have a desire to help others.” NSW Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the platform promotes informal voluntary opportunities that prioritise safety and wellbeing of participants during Covid-19. “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities and in times of need it is inherent for Australians to rally around each other and do whatever is needed to support those struggling,” Mr Ward said. “I encourage any organisation in need of assistance, and any person willing to give up their time to help someone else, to register online today.” For more information and to register, visit https://emergency.volunteer.org.au/

If you haven't already heard, parking at Lismore Base Hospital is now free in the 10-hour zones.If you are now asking where the 10-hour zones are, then the new handy parking map is what you need to navigate your way to parking bliss.Lismore City Council has produced the parking map to help residents with the introduction of free parking and changed parking restrictions around Lismore Base Hospital.This map can be found at: https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-information-updatesLismore City Councillors voted last month to introduce free parking in the 10-hour zones on Hunter and Dalziel streets for the next six months and waive parking restrictions on Weaver Street, Laurel Avenue and Mckenzie Street to enable all-day parking for the same six month period. Mayor Isaac Smith said at the time that this was done in recognition of the critical and selfless role our local health care professionals in caring for our community during this pandemic. Lismore City Council’s Manager Development & Compliance Chris Watts said street signage around the hospital precinct has also been amended to reflect the changes. “Council staff have also been educating drivers about the changes to on-street parking around the hospital precinct over the last couple of weeks to ensure people are aware of the changes,” he said, adding that parking patrols re-commenced this week. The parking map can be found on Lismore City Council’s COVID-19 webpage http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au

While cannabis reformers met online to discuss all things hemp, a quiet, socially distanced MardiGrass protest took place on Nimbin’s main Street last weekend.The virtual forum was a first for Nimbin’s MardiGrass, which took all the usual components of the annual cannabis law reform protest - like the HEMP Olympix joint rolling and pot poetry - and brought them into an online environment. Nimbin Hemp Embassy president Michael Balderstone said the usual protest - which would normally have hundreds of people crowding the streets of Nimbin - was reduced to a few dedicated Nimbin locals. Social distancing“Everyone was conscious of coronavirus social distancing,” Michael said. “We didn’t promote the rally because prohibition has created disrespect for good laws too.“Aboriginal Elder Auntie Linda appeared and led the march in the traditional way and there was a dig player at front.“It was one of the nicest marches in years - peaceful and with no crowds – and 1000 or more people watched it online.”A scene from the MardiGrass protest in previous years...PoliceOther elements of the annual protest also still happened at a small scale, such as the interaction with the local police force.“We walked to the Nimbin cop shop and when we got there, they weren’t there,” Michael said. “When we left, they drove up.“The police were good this year. They came and saw the Hemp Embassy on Friday and left us to it.”Hemp Embassy raidLouise from the Hemp Embassy said the police raided the embassy last year just before MardiGrass got underway.“Last year, they barged in and it was a bit traumatic at first, but it melted away,” Louise said.“I work in the medicinal cannabis area and left our medicine alone and were only interested in green material lying around.“When they pulled up people on the street and they had our medicine, they left it alone – the police were not interested in medicinal cannabis. It was a good clarifying moment.”Luddite to Zoom roomMichael, a self-confessed luddite, said by the end of the virtual MardiGrass weekend, he knew a lot more about the Zoom platform and found it a great way to engage in in-depth talks with small audiences. “Some people logged into Discord and Zoom and we could talk as long as we liked,” he said. “It was good to watch everyone choofing at home – it was a lot of fun for people.”“John Teh was a great speaker about medical cannabis and we had good information about hemp plastics on the Sunday.Michael said numbers were not huge in the online forums, but some of the talks were recorded on Facebook and YouTube.“But what happened in the Zoom room stays in the Zoom room,” he said.Micheal said the HEMP Olympix was funny, with people sending in videos of entries and in the usual Kombi convoy, a solitary Kombi came through."Smoke at home"“We only postponed MardiGrass, but by the sound of the government, it could be a long time before big gatherings can happen again,” he said.“If we can go ahead in May next year, we will incorporate some virtual forums from now on – it could save money flying people from California to speak.“We know people just want to smoke at home and with the road blocks and saliva testing, the crowd numbers have been reducing anyway. “It’s killed the crowd – so if we have it live online, they can it watch from anywhere.”Read more: No police, no saliva tests at virtual MardiGrass this weekend

Tough times don’t excuse tougher times at home: that’s the message from the Federal Government as Covid-19 restrictions bring a heightening of violence within people’s homes.  A new Help is Here campaign is now being rolled out to make sure people know that there is free, confidential help available for anyone experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.The campaign will include advertising across television, digital, social media, radio, magazines and newspapers as well as in shopping centres, hospitals and GP surgeries.Since the coronavirus pandemic began, calls to helpline numbers have increased - and many of the calls have been coronavirus specific.More than 15% of contacts for the MensLine Australia number have been Covid-19 specific. The help number 1800RESPECT has also seen an 11% increase in people accessing support compared with the same time last year.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said “for many women and children, home is not a safe place to be”.“For many weeks, Australians have been heeding the Government’s call to stay at home to control the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Hogan said.“I want our community to know, including those at risk of using violence, there is free and confidential help available at all hours, every day. “Increased stresses at a time like this are understandable, but they are not an excuse for causing physical or psychological harm. “You can get help and talk directly and confidentially with trained counsellors via online chat or phone.” The new Help is Here awareness campaign promotes the two national helplines - 1800RESPECT and MensLine Australia, as part of the Federal Government’s $150 million Domestic Violence Support Package to help support services meet demand during these unprecedented times. Further information is available at http://www.australia.gov.au/dvsupportIf you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of domestic, family or sexual violence contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) 1800respect.org.au or MensLine Australia (1300 789 978) mensline.org.au