When Lismore was invaded by the pesky Yellow Crazy Ants (YCA) last year, experimental water crystal baits and a retrained koala odour detection dog were two of the innovative techniques used to eradicate them.The successful experimental techniques have brought recognition to the North Coast Local Land Services in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries at this year’s Australian Biosecurity Awards.The Yellow Crazy Ant response was the recipient in the Government Category which recognises individuals, groups or organisations within the government that have demonstrated a significant contribution to maintaining Australia’s biosecurity integrity.North Coast Local Land Service general manager Louise Orr said the award was a credit to everyone involved, including many dedicated and determined community members. “This award recognises the enormous effort made by our community, including staff. Together, we all play a vital role in helping to protect against pests, and support biosecurity in our community,” she said. “YCA are highly destructive environmental pests that can impact on human amenity, agricultural production and the horticultural industry."When YCA were detected on the NSW north coast, a well-executed and coordinated response plan helped control and eradicate this significant invasive pest.Following a report from a member of the public, established infestations were identified at Lismore and Terania Creek. The detection was especially significant, given Terania Creek is the location of a rainforest protection campaign that helped shape the modern Australian environmental movement. Various innovative approaches were used, including experimental water crystal baits the use of a retrained koala odour detection dog to detect YCA. “The response plan was a success, with proof of freedom confirmed at both sites and statistical modelling indicating that it is highly unlikely that other infestations remain undetected nearby,” Louise said.“The response plan was widely promoted, with significant local engagement undertaken by Local Land Services. “As a result, the aim to eradicate Yellow Crazy Ants gained excellent and broad support from the people of Lismore and Terania Creek.”North Coast Local Land Services and NSW DPI were nominated by Invasive Species Council chief executive, Andrew Cox.

Our roads have been eerily quiet in the mornings lately. Depending on your garbage collection day, the sound of council garbage trucks have been missing.Facebook groups have been asking the question "why"?The Lismore City Council offered this explanation."Lismore City Council has experienced some issues with kerbside waste collection last week. A combination of a number of factors has resulted in collection trucks being unable to complete daily bin collections.With some staff on overdue leave, an unexpected truck break down, combined with unplanned leave and issues with extended overtime periods being accrued resulted in a several hundred bins not being collected last week. Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services Peter Jeuken said: “We have experienced issues that normally we would be able to roster around, but when we have multiple issues impact our collection service there is not a lot of spare capacity in our resourcing to cover a large gap in this service.”“The garbage truck is currently being repaired and will be back on the road in several days, collection truck drivers are doing additional hours and shifts and we are looking at external resources to help us catch up on our missed bin collections.”Residents with missed bins have been asked to leave their bins out for collection and it is expected Council staff will be able to get all the missed bins from last Thursday and Friday collected by the end of this week.It is also important to make sure people put their bins out the night before collection, because Council will need to do some bin collections in the early hours of the morning because we are down one collection truck".This response may not satisfy some residents but at least we all know what's going on.

We certainly cannot complain about this amazing autumn weather, even with Friday's southerly change the cooler temps did not last for long.This weeks weather will remain warm with some rain expected tomorrow from offshore but Helen Kirkup from the Bureau of Meteorology says we can only expect a couple of mills to hit our rain gauge because the trough is not deep enough to get into Lismore and Nimbin. The most rain will be on the coastal fringes.The same conditions will remain into Wednesday with slightly less rain expected before a return to the warm temperatures that we have been experiencing throughout April. Temps in the mid twenties.This time next week we can expect the next southerly front to come through an kick us back down to the 20's.Until then, enjoy the outdoors.

If you have cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and asthma then the federal Government will save you some cash with new and amended medicines listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from last Friday.Te PBS listing of Repatha® (evolocumab) will be extended to include:Patients with abnormally high cholesterol who have atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and meet certain conditions.Pateints with genetic high cholesterol.Hypercholesterolaemia results in abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood can lead to blockages in the arteries, hardening of the arterial walls, and a higher risk of heart attack and stroke without proper treatment.Repatha is a breakthrough new medicine that can dramatically lower cholesterol levels which can reduces a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.Patients might otherwise pay over $5,400 per year for Repatha. With the PBS subsidy, they will only need to pay $41 per prescription, or $6.60 with a concession card.Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in Australia, with 43,477 deaths attributed to it in Australia in 2017. It is estimated cardiovascular disease kills one Australian every 12 minutes.Also from today, Australians with rheumatoid arthritis will benefit from the listing of Rinvoq® (upadacitinib) on the PBS.Patients might otherwise pay more than $16,000 per year for Rinvoq but with the PBS subsidy will only pay $41 or $6.60 with a concession card.Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting about 458,000 Australians. It attacks the body’s healthy tissues, targeting the lining of the joints, causing inflammation and joint damage.It can cause significant physical disability, pain, fatigue and mental health issues.Currently, there is no cure, but rheumatoid arthritis medicines can reduce pain and stiffness and prevent long-term joint damage.Rinvoq® will be a new treatment option for people with severe rheumatoid arthritis providing them with more choice in how they manage this painful condition.Around 5,000 patients per year already access a comparable treatment, and may benefit from this new treatment option.Australians with uncontrolled severe asthma will now have access to Fasenra Pen®.Fasenra® (benralizumab) is currently listed on the PBS as a syringe for injection for the treatment of uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthma.This new pre filled pen will allow patients who choose to self administer Fasenra to be treated at home, rather than attend a clinic to access the medicine through a syringe injection administered by a health professional.Over 1,000 patients per year access Fasenra through the PBS and may benefit from the listing of Fasenra Pen®. Without the PBS subsidy, patients might otherwise pay up to $23,000 per year.Each of these listings has been recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

Officers from Richmond Police District were patrolling Union Street, South Lismore, about 11.25pm last night, when they noticed a man knocking on doors of houses and speaking with the resident briefly, before moving on to the next house. When police stopped and spoke to the 46-year-old man, he stated he was looking for a friend. During a subsequent search, police located cannabis and more than $800 cash in his backpack. The man was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime and custody of knife in public place to appear before Lismore Local Court on Monday 29 June 2020. As checks revealed he had previously been issued a warning for breaching Ministerial Directions, he was also issued a $1000 PIN for not comply with noticed direction (COVID-19). 

Australia Post has released its new ANZAC Day 2020 stamp collectables - and they feature two Lismore war heroes.The stamps, released on April 14, celebrate two official Australian war artists, William Dargie and Stella Bowen.One stamp in particular has a strong local presence. The stamp that features the 460sq RAAF Lancaster Bomber crew which included two Lismore men, Hector Harrison and Gordon Jackson.(the Bomber crew stamp with Hector Harrison, second from right top, and Gordon Jackson bottom right)Stella Bowen sketched the Bomber crew before they left England on a bombing mission into Germany. She began painting from the sketch, which was to be her most famous. Unfortunately, the Bomber was shot down on April 28, 1944 with only one surviver, Thomas Lynch. The paintings were completed based on her initial sketches.Hector Harrison is the cousin to the Trevan and Bostock families, Bob Trevan tipped the Lismore App off about this story. They are proud of his war service with Robert Trevan in the process of writing a historical account for the War Department about the crews journey from Australia to the fateful night over Germany in April, 1944.Gordon Jackson was the son of Francis and Leila Jackson and worked in a Lismore accounting firm before joining the RAAF.They are buried in the Dürnbach War Cemetery in (just south of Munich) in Germany.The stamps are available from Australia Post and called ANZAC DAY 2020.

In good news for Lismore, Regional Express (Rex) has announced it will resume flights to Lismore airport.The resumption of flight services comes as a result of the Federal Government’s Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) funding program, which will see Rex also resume flights to other regional airports in Ballina and Grafton.  Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the program provides assistance to maintain a minimal weekly schedule to regional areas. “Rex was eligible to receive funding to operate two to three return services a week to all destinations on the Rex network.” Mr Hogan said. “This includes three return services to Grafton and Lismore and two return services to Ballina.” “These flights will ensure essential air links to the capital cities for medical, professional and other essential travel needs. “Without Federal Government funding, many regional communities would risk not having any air services at all for at least six months.”

We go into this weekend with our first real cold snap following the arrival of the southerly front last night. The doonas are on the bed and it's jumpers to start your day each morning with minimum temperatures hitting 7 or 8 degrees. The good news, we have blue sky and plenty of sun over the two days and into next week.It is also day two of being able to visit another household with your family, so take the opportunity to say g'day to friends you haven't spent a lot of time with over the weekend. As always, be responsible and practice social distancing in those circumstances as wellThe annual Nimbin MardiGrass event has gone online and is now the Virtual MardiGrass, this kicked off today. The annual cannabis law reform protest has had to adjust to the coronavirus restrictions and still get their message across plus have some fun. The Pot Poetry, Pot Art, HEMP Fashion Parade, Weed Laughs and Music Awards can be viewed online here https://virtualmardigrass.com/.There are social distancing and cleanliness rules in place at the Lismore Farmers Markets and the Blue Knob Community Markets tomorrow morning and as always, there is loads of fresh farm produce to buy as well as seedlings if you are into growing your own fruit and vegetables. Coffee is being sold too to ward off the cold start. Lismore is on from 8am and Blue Knob from 8:30am.I was hoping to give you some good news about petrol prices being under $1 a litre somewhere in town but as I write 101.9 is still the cheapest at United on Ballina Road with Nimbin sitting at 118.9. Maybe next week?To finish the Weekend Wrap, here are some more Corona Jokes. Sometimes we just need a laugh. Have a great weekend.

As part of a methamphetamine supply crackdown in the local area, Richmond Police District detectives arrested a Lismore woman and man today, both charged with supplying the prohibited drug. Local police reported that about 9am today, officers from the Richmond Police District executed a search warrant at a home on Ross Street, Lismore.At the location, police arrested a 30-year-old woman and took her to Lismore Police Station.She is in the process of being charged with supply prohibited drug.About an hour later, a 53-year-old man was arrested at another home in Lismore.He is currently assisting police with their inquiries at Lismore Police Station; he’s expected to be charged later today.The two Lismore arrests were part of the Drug Investigations Unit’s Strike Force Braunbeck, which has been investigating the supply of methylamphetamine in the Ballina, Lismore and Goonellabah areas over the past three months.As part of Strike Force Braunbeck, detectives also arrested a 30-year Lismore man on April 22. He was charged with seven counts of supply prohibited drug and is due to face Lismore Local Court on Tuesday June 23.A 21-year-old Alstonville woman was also arrested on March 4 and charged with supply prohibited drug and faced court last month.A 44-year-old Ballina man was arrested on March 25 and was charged with 53 counts of supply prohibited drug. he is due to face Lismore Local Court on May 27.Richmond Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Lindsay, said “this is another fantastic result for the Northern Rivers community”.“This extensive investigation by Richmond detectives has dismantled another drug syndicate within our community,” he said.“Methylamphetamine is an insidious drug which can tear families apart.“We will continue to work day and night to target the supply and distribution of illicit drugs in our community.“Everyone can play their part in targeting these crooks – if you see or hear something suspicious in your neighbourhood, please report it to Crime Stoppers.”

If you can provide emotional and spiritual support, the North Coast NSW Ethics Committee could be for you.The committee is now seeking expressions of interest from local community members with experience in a pastoral care role. Pastoral care is emotional and spiritual support that can be found in various cultures and traditions, including both distinctly non-religious and religious forms of support.A person with experience in pastoral care may include an Aboriginal elder or minister of religion.The Committee plays an important role in health-focussed research, assessing research proposals to make sure studies are designed with the wellbeing of patients in mind. Committee member, Robbie Lloyd, said the work of the Research Ethics Committee was critical in helping ensure consumers are at the centre of research proposals.“It helps empower people and improve the outcomes of the health system,” Robbie said.The Committee is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds including research, law, health and health care consumers.The Committee meets monthly by teleconference or video-link, and members are appointed for three years.Members volunteer their time and are not offered remuneration. To submit an expression of interest, email your CV to the Executive Officer, North Coast NSW Human Research Ethics Committee (NCNSW HREC) at NNSWLHD-Ethics@health.nsw.gov.auThe closing date for submissions is 4.30pm, Friday 29 May, 2020. Submissions will be considered by a selection committee. For more information, contact Rebecca Lavery, Executive Officer, NCNSW HREC on (02) 6672 0269 or visit https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/human-research-ethics- and-governance/ 

The day before Professor Julie Jomeen’s scheduled flight to Lismore from the UK, the Australian government introduced the mandatory two-week isolation for new arrivals.With Covid-19 forcing her and her family into the confines of their new home, Professor Jomeen said it was a surreal start to her new role as Head of School of Health and Human Sciences at Southern Cross University.The day Professor Jomeen emerged from quarantine was her first day on the job - in a strange new world of social distancing and meeting new colleagues over Zoom.The unusual welcome in the midst of a global health crisis hasn’t daunted the distinguished researcher and experienced Dean who has taken on the multi-campus role at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast.“Every crisis creates and opportunity and the importance of the healthcare workforce has never been more dominant than it is right now on the frontlines,” Prof Jomeen said.“This demonstrates the value of University health research and industry-ready graduates to ensure the best possible workforce for the delivering the best possible care.”Professor Jomeen worked as a clinical nurse before becoming a midwife and completing a PhD. Her leadership roles at Hull University included Dean of Health and Social Care and Dean of Health Sciences, incorporating sports health and exercise science, psychology and biomedical science.As well as being Dean of Health at Southern Cross, she is also a Professor of Midwifery and brings knowledge from her research into the links between physiological and psychological health.Health courses at Southern Cross University include nursing, midwifery, sport and exercise science, biomedical science, clinical sciences, podiatry, pedorthics, speech pathology.“SCU has also been named as having Australia’s number one psychology degree - according to the federal government QILT data and the Good Universities Guide,” Prof Jomeen said.

UPDATE 7:25The Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled the severe thunderstorm warning for the Northern Rivers for tonight.ORIGINAL STORYThe Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Northern Rivers.The warning is for damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours.The State Emergency Service advises that people should:* Move your car under cover or away from trees.* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.* Unplug computers and appliances.* Avoid using the phone during the storm.* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.The next warning is due to be issued by 7:50 pm.

A spokesperson from the Northern NSW Local Health District has confirmed that the status quo still exists not just for Lismore but for the northern health district itself.That is 5 confirmed cases of COVID 19 but nothing new since March 31, one month ago, and no new cases in the health district since April 18.In fact, there were only two (2) new confirmed cases in the entire state of NSW in the last 24 hours. If we take a look around the country we see a similar pattern with W.A., S.A., Qld, ACT and NT all recording 0 cases, some are in their seventh day or longer. Victoria is the only state lagging with 7 new cases in the last 24 hours while Tasmania has 1 new case.Those are the statistics that give us hope. Hope that we will begin to see an easing of restrictions if we continue to behave responsibly during the first week of personal visits to another house. From tomorrow May 1, 2 adults and their children can visit another house while still practicing social distancing. A small win that feels like we have all won lotto.From Monday May 11, school students will be encouraged to go physically go back to their classrooms for face to face teaching on a rotational basis. This is believed to be one day a week but is to confirmed by each individual school.Just to give you more hope, the Northern Territory government is letting people use public swimming pools, waterparks, and go fishing with friends as well as unlimited attendees at weddings and funerals. Then from May 15, the rewards are even bigger with people being able to go back to the gym, borrow a book from a public library, get their nails done or dine at a restaurant or cafe.That is the result of three (3) weeks with zero new cases. That in itself should be motivation for all of us to continue to do the right thing and dream of a normal life again.

Socceroos player and Lismore legend Craig Foster has started a something big. He’s calling on the whole sporting community to help out during the Covid-19 lockdown period – and get on board with the new initiative ‘Play for Lives’ and provide meals for vulnerable people in our community.Craig, along with Football Far North Coast and the Lord Taverners are asking sports teams, supporters and the wider community to help out with feeding the homeless at the Winsome Soup Kitchen, as well as those staying at Our House in Lismore as they undergo medical treatment. “Sport is making a significant contribution all around the country and not just with our own players for fans, but others who need us,” Craig said.“Our local sport can help ease the burden for so many vulnerable kids or people without, and we’re asking every club to carry a small part of the load. “Collect some groceries, donate some food items or hot meals. It all makes a huge difference.”Our House fundraising coordinator Rebekka Battista said it costs $200 to buy the guests at Our House dinner from a local restaurant, and $150 produces meals for the homeless and vulnerable at the Winsome. “Since the Covid-19 lockdown, both Our House and the Winsome have had to change the way they look after those in their care, including how the community can help both charities,” Rebekka said.“The Play for Lives initiative helps to spread the word and help to connect charitable needs and our community.”Warren Noble, from the Lords Taverners (which started off as a cricket organisation) said the volunteer group used to organise weekly dinners on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the guests at Our House. “These community dinners brought joy to people, and connected the community groups, businesses and service clubs who came and cooked for those staying at Our House.“Since Covid-19 these have ceased,” he said. “Now, we want to get everyone involved in donating money to help out – not just the Lords Taverners.”Football North Coast’s Steve Mackney said there were 24 clubs whose members were all sitting on the bench through this isolation period and this initiative gave them a great opportunity to get active and come and deliver a food parcel or donate some money.“I urge everyone to use the collective resources and energy that exist through our 7000 players and many more supporters to drive positive outcomes within the community,” he said.The Winsome’s Mieke Bell said there was also a need for warm clothing at the soup kitchen, but suggested if people wanted to donate clothing they should ring her first – to avoid being swamped with too many things.If you would like to join Football Far North Coast and the Lord Taverners and help or find out more, contact Rebekka Battista on 0438417085 or email info@ourkids.org.auFor warm clothing donations, call Mieke Bell to discuss what you might want to bring on 0407 789 528.

While our libraries remain closed to the public because of Covid-19, library members can now borrow physical items from the local collections.Library members can use the new Click and Collect service if they would like something from the Lismore and Goonellabah branches.Library members can request books, DVDs, magazines and jigsaw puzzles through the library's online catalogue and then arrange a time with staff to collect the items. Lismore librarian Lucy Kinsey said the new service would fill an important gap in the needs of the community.“Libraries are vital services for our communities assisting with education, relaxation and connection to community,” she said.“Although the library offers an extensive online collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines, there has been a gap for those who do not have access to the internet or a suitable device for accessing the online collections.You can keep up-to-date with all of the services and programs the Library has to offer on the Library website or Facebook pages.”Information on accessing the service and how it works can be found on the Library’s website http://www.rtrl.nsw.gov.au

There is a cold front approaching the Northern Rivers this afternoon that is likely bring thunderstorms, potentially severe.Helen Kirkup from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said that it is too early to predict the severity of these thunderstorms but the BOM will be monitoring the situation and release the necessary warnings when the probability becomes more likely. Standby your mobile phones.At present the cold front is out west and creeping over the tablelands bringing widespread rainfall with it. This rainfall will decrease as it moves over the tablelands so the rain will become more isolated with Lismore predicted to receive between 2 and 10mm across the region.What is going to be noticeable is the drop in temperatures associated with that cold front.Noticeable, in that they are below what we are used to so 22 degrees instead of our regular 27-28 over the last month. The average for May is 23 degrees.If you haven't already, you may want to get the doona out of the cupboard as the minimum temperatures are where the change will be felt most. We will be waking up to temps of about 7 degrees over the next few days.It is not full winter just yet with Helen Kirkup saying "once this front has passed through we will experience warmer conditions by Wednesday but the cold fronts are reaching further north as the winter patterns settle in".You can keep a check on the weather through The Lismore App weather radar button which takes you to the BOM (Weather Radar) of to check out the weather over the next week (Weather).

Seniors and eligible households are invited ease their electricity costs by $200 a year by applying for the energy bill support program.  Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) Scheme provides vouchers to households struggling to pay their energy bills because of a short-term financial crisis or emergency, including reduced income due to Covid-19. “The EAPA assessment threshold has been temporarily increased so households can receive up to $400 per assessment twice per year, compared to the normal amount of $300,” Ms Saffin said.“The NSW Government must do everything it can to help ease cost-of-living pressures during the COVID-19 pandemic.“I encourage people that need support to pay their energy bills to register for an energy voucher assessment via Service NSW.”Ms Saffin also encourages Commonwealth Seniors Health card holders across the Lismore Electorate to apply for the Senior Energy Rebate. “I know that COVID-19 is keeping seniors, who are among the most at-risk in our community, at home and as a result they are likely using more electricity,” Ms Saffin said. “I was informed that the vast majority of seniors who are eligible are yet to apply. I encourage seniors to look at this offer and apply for this annual rebate, as it will help them ease electricity costs by $200 a year.” How to apply?Households can apply for the EAPA scheme online through Service NSW website (www.service.nsw.gov.au) or by contacting Service NSW on 13 77 88 or by calling an approved EAPA provider.Eligible seniors can apply for the Senior Energy Rebate online through Service NSW website or by calling Service NSW on 13 77 88.

“At Nimbin’s MardiGrass this year, you can smoke joints in the comfort of your lounge room, there are no police, no road blocks, no saliva tests, no dogs and no rain” – Michael Balderstone.According to Nimbin Hemp Embassy president Michael Balderstone, coronavirus won’t stop this year’s annual cannabis law reform protest from going ahead on May 1-3 – it’s just going online, in a new globe spanning, virtual format that’s never been seen before.There might not be a big joint paraded through the streets of Nimbin and the Kombi convoy is canned - but the bong throwing, HEMP Olympix and joint rolling will still be happening."Let's turn the Corona lockdown lemon into lemonade,” Michael said.Michael invites people to send in their entries for the events as movies, with potential for a live, three paper joint rolling competition with all participants online at the same time.The Pot Poetry, Pot Art, HEMP Fashion Parade, Weed Laughs and the MardiGrass Music Awards will all be online too.“People are already online in chatrooms (visit https://discord.gg/2xS4urV) and we are waiting for entries,” Michael said.Mardi Grass 2018 photo by Wolfgang Jalog.“People can join in throughout this weekend to lots of different events and talks.“There will be a Discord chat room and multiple Zoom rooms, as well as links to Youtube and Facebook live feeds.”To take part, you need to go to virtualmardigrass.com, and register on the online platform Discord, which allows potentially thousands of participants to be in the discussion at any time."We always have a lot of international visitors at MardiGrass, but online it will be truly global this year and we hope entries will come in from all over,” Michael said.“Some lucky people in more enlightened areas of the planet can even send in legal entries to the Cannabis Cup.“You can also send in cannabis questions of any kind, legal or illegal, medicinal or industrial, and next weekend various doctors, healers, growers and makers will be available to answer and chat.Mardi Grass 2018 photo by Wolfgang Jalog.“Dr Andrew Katelaris and Dr John Teh will each be in a zoom room to answer questions, along with Martin Ernegg and other weed experts.”Events“The HEMP Olympix torch bearer is determined to be in it as usual and jogging is allowed so that's all good,” Michael said.“The HEMP Olympix plans to start at midday Saturday as tradition has it and anyone around the entire planet is invited to send in a film of their Growers Iron Person or Joint Rolling expertise.“It’s either the Creative Roll with as many papers as you like in ten minutes, or the famous three papers and a filter old school Speed Roll. Pot Poetry with Australia's twice champion poet David Hallett is on as usual on Sunday morning.“There will be other surprises and you are welcome to sign up and join in and make suggestions.“Remember it's a protest asking for the prohibition of Cannabis to end and we're trying to have some fun while we're at it because it's taking a very long time for them to see the error of their ways.”Virtual MardiGrass will take place from May 1-3 here: https://virtualmardigrass.com/

Facilities at both Lismore and Nimbin showgrounds will get an upgrade from Lismore City Council’s $1.3 million Federal Government Bushfire recovery grant. Each showground will be given $445,000 to upgrade their facilities.At a press conference at the Lismore showgrounds today Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the projects were great news for the Lismore and Nimbin communities.“As we saw in the recent bushfires both showgrounds played an important role in providing accommodation to those who were forced to flee their homes. I would like to thank both the Lismore and Nimbin Showground committees for opening up these facilities during the emergency,” he said.North Coast National and the Nimbin A&I Society were thanked by Deputy Mayor Darlene Cook for their work during last years bushfires. "The amount of work that both society's did at that time was unprecedented", Councillor Cook said. "Within a matter of days they had complete a complete evacuation centre running like power for tents, services and meals being provided", she added.Cnr Cook also thanked local businesses in Lismore and Nimbin that helped the many people and families and in need at that time.John Gibson, President of the Lismore Showground praised the efforts of the volunteers and staff of the Lismore Show Society.  “Our Secretary was quick off the mark to open the gatesand put the call out to the local community that we were open and ready to assist not only people but also importantly animals in escaping the devastating fires.”These comments were supported by Phil Williams, President of the Nimbin Showground.  “Showgrounds are always where the community comes together and nowhere was this more evident than the Nimbin Showground in November when hundreds and locals andtheir pets and animals sought refuge” Mr Williams added.So, where will the $445,000 be spent at each venue?Among other things, the $445,000 upgrade of the Lismore Showground includes:Repairs to ventilation and insulation in top 2 pavilions.Fit-out of Flood Free Kitchen adjacent to top pavilionsProvision of movable and demountable fencing for animals including off load ramps and gatesUpgrade of 1905 beef/dairy sheds and 1930’s horse stables (the sheds in line for an upgrade at the Lismore Showgrounds)This is the first grant received by the Nimbin A&I society in 20 years.The $445,000 upgrade of the Nimbin Showground includes:New awning and concrete slab adjoining main pavilionEnclose existing large shelter and install roller doorsNew awning and concrete slab to existing storage shedsRebuild holding yards and shelter for cattle/horsesNew kitchen in the main pavilionNew floor coverings to area in main pavilionA further $240,000 of the grant funding will be invested in constructing turning circles for emergency vehicles on strategic roads in Nimbin, $160,000 to increase water supply capacity during bushfires by placing tanks in strategic locations and $10,000 to improve technology at the Rural Fire Service’s headquarters. The details of these Nimbin-based projects will be finalised following consultation with the Rural Fire Service and the Nimbin community.          When asked if the grant funds are available now, Kevin Hogan replied "yes". Councillor Cook said that the Lismore City Council has already approved the distribution of the money, "it is just a matter of signing off on which projects are agreed to between council, public works and the A&I societies" she said.There is no timeline in place but the words were "as soon as possible".