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".     

With the Covid-19 global pandemic disrupting almost every part of our regular lives, mental health experts are encouraging Australians to process the emotional toll.Southern Cross University mental health expert Professor John Hurley said building resilience was particularly important during prolonged stressful events.“When we talk about resilience it’s about being able handle multiple adverse events, which is what is happening for people now balancing layers of economy, housing, relational and virus stress,” Prof Hurley said.“Someone’s resilience is their ability to bounce back from that adversity, even though we all have to go through difficult experiences.“Emotional responses to the current pandemic and prolonged social isolation may include people feeling highly anxious, depressed, fearful, worried, and that is a fairly normal human response, but then the trick is to be able to move on from there into the resilient space where you feel strong and can lend that emotional strength to others.”Professor Hurley is a specialised mental health nurse, specialising in youth and emotional intelligence, and clinically works at a local headspace centre to support young people through difficult times. He said the best tip for moving into a resilient mindset is about drawing on available resources.“That resource may be internal such as personal courage, commitment, determination, being able to regulate emotion so we don’t allow ourselves to get carried away with fear,” Prof Hurley said.“There are also external resources such as reaching out to services, health professionals, connecting virtually with family and friends, helpful books and websites and anything else that brings positivity into our worlds.“In times like these when there is a tsunami of stressors for some people, it can be very easy to put all our focus on those. While it’s important not to deny what’s happening, there are strategies people can use so their current situation doesn’t become all-consuming.”He said people should look back at times when they’ve overcome adversity and make note of previous victories, wins and successes to remember the strengths they have.“Australians in particularly tend to be self-deprecating and aren’t particularly boastful, but in times like these we need to look at ourselves honestly and see the strengths and capabilities we bring into these challenging times,” he said.“That might be a sense of humour, integrity, intelligence, compassion to others and ourselves, friendship and connection, lateral thinking, determination, courage and any specialist knowledge or skills.”Read more tips on coping in isolation: Get your daily dose of Vitamin Green during Covid-19 isolation

The Return and Earn bulk collection centre at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre in Wyrallah Road has reopened today, April 29, with new COVID-19 safety measures in place.The facility is open for anyone who wishes to recycle more than 100 eligible containers. Operating hours are now Wednesday to Saturday from 8am to 3pm.Bookings are not required to use the facility but the following COVID-19 safety procedures are now place:People will be given a number on arrival and must stay in their car until their number is called.People will be required to place their items in specially marked bins before using the sorting table.Staff will no longer be able to help lift heavy bins, bags etc onto the sorting table. People must be able to lift and move items themselves.Reimbursement will be in the form of cash provided in clear plastic bags. “This is good news for local residents and we want to thank people for their patience as we progressively work to reopen services at the Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre,” Lismore City Council’s Infrastructure Services Director Peter Jeuken said.“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some big safety challenges but we are working through these as fast as possible so we can return as many services as possible to normal. We will continue to advise the community as more services become available.”Containers that are eligible for a refund at the Return and Earn bulk collection centre include:GlassPlasticAluminiumSteelLiquid paperboard (cartons)Containers should be empty, uncrushed, unbroken and have the original label attached. Wine, spirits, cordial and plain milk containers are not eligible.For more information on the Return and Earn scheme or what containers can be recycled, visit returnandearn.org.au.The Return and Earn Reverse Vending Machines operated by TOMRA at Brewster Street in Lismore and Oliver Avenue in Goonellabah remain operational

The good news for the Northern Rivers is that again, we have no new cases of coronavirus in our local health district and elective surgeries will be resumed gradually.Copvid-19 case numbers remain at 56 today, with one patient being cared for in hospital, and none in ICU. Of these 56 cases, 45 are recovered.By source of infection, 53 cases were acquired overseas or interstate acquired, 2 were from contact of a confirmed case or in a known cluster and 1 was not identified Testing numbers on the riseIn the last week, the number of tests conducted in Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) has jumped from 4247 to 5268, an increase of 1021, or more than 20%NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones thanked everyone who came forward recently to get tested.“I’m glad to see people taking responsibility for their health and for the health of those around them, by not leaving anything to chance,” he said.Mr Jones said that while the number of cases is moving in the right direction, it’s not yet time to pull back in being vigilant about reducing community transmission.“We continue to see reports of people being issued with infringement notices for disregarding social distancing rules, which undermines the combined hard work of the rest of our community.“I encourage people to apply their common sense and to continue being cautious as we start to see some of the restrictions being eased.”Gradual resumption of some Elective Surgery Mr Jones said NNSWLHD there will be a gradual resumption of some elective surgery, following national and state guidance.“We’ll be first attending to those more pressing category 2 (semi-urgent) cases, with the view to provide some selected category 3 (non-urgent) surgery and procedures over the coming month,” he said.“We’ll be closely monitoring any risk to patients and staff, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies over this period. Continuing review of elective surgery will occur to ensure there is capacity across hospitals to manage any changes in COVID-19 demand.”

Yesterday, I published a story on our petrol prices and the continuing downward trend towards the $1 a litre mark.What a milestone that would be, considering Lismore has a tradition of higher petrol prices than our surrounding neighbours. While that still is the case in some town centres we are very close to that milestone.The cheapest petrol in town goes to the United petrol station on Ballina Road yet again. Today, they have lowered the price of unleaded E10 to 101.9.The screen shot from Petrol Spy shows that other stations fall well short of this mark.Let's hope I can give you some more good news this week when prices go below $1 a litre.By the way, Casino has an 89.9, Broadwater 97.9 and Newrybar 99.9. Ballina's cheapest is 103.9 at Metro Petroleum while most others are 125.9.

With everyone cooking at home more through these days of coronavirus isolation, The Lismore App's new recipe section could hold a few recipes that could entice you to move beyond cooking with pre-made cake mixes (especially if the supermarket has run out).The Lismore App invites readers to send in their recipes and we'll publish them in our Coronavirus > Recipes section.Simply send us your recipe, including ingredients, cooking method and (if you want to) a short spiel about why you like to cook it to: editor@lismoreapp.com.auIf you have a photo of your food, send us that too - and others can enjoy making your recipe.Sweet and soy chilli sauceLismore resident Tessalie Parker kicks off The Lismore App's recipe section with her recipe for sweet and soy chilli sauce."I originally got this recipe from friends of mine, but I changed it to have more of a Thai flavour," Tess said."It’s like a Thai hot sweet chilli sauce with fish sauce – if you wanted a vegetarian option, add coconut amino fish sauce, or use double the amount of soy sauce or tamari instead.“It’s great to eat with anything - I like to eat it with dumplings or Thai fish cakes or chicken stew. I like a dollop on steamed vegetables.“I like to cook and use what’s in my garden when I have an over-abundance. Then I find recipes to go with the excess from the garden.“In my garden now, I just finished an overabundance of cucumbers, so I made dill pickles.“I’ve also got kale, silverbeet, mizuna and sorrel growing. I’m waiting to find some broccoli seedlings to plant – but everyone keeps buying them. It’s probably best to wait a while to plant them because the cabbage moths are eating broccoli seedlings at the moment.”Read the recipe here: Recipes

Despite the cooler autumn season having arrived, mosquitoes carrying Barmah Forest virus and Ross River virus have been recently detected in the local area.And with that comes a gentle reminder from the North Coast Public Health Unit to protect yourself against mosquitoes.The virus-carrying mosquitoes were detected by the NSW Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito Monitoring Program.Senior Environmental Health Officer, Paul Williamson said mosquitoes have persisted in large numbers due to the late season warm weather."Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses are common on the north coast and are transmitted by infected mosquitoes,” Mr Williamson said.So far this year, 32 north coast residents have been diagnosed with Barmah Forest virus infection and 153 with Ross River virus infections, which is two and three times the number of infections, respectively, for the same period last year.One hundred and nineteen of these infections have been reported in the last four weeks, which is six times the number reported in the same period last year.“These infections can cause symptoms including tiredness, rash, fever, and sore and swollen joints. The symptoms usually resolve after several days, but some people may experience these symptoms for weeks or even months,” Mr Williamson said.Avoiding mosquito bites will be especially important until cooler weather brings an end to the mosquito-breeding season.  Whilst most people are at home due to current movement restrictions, many people are heading outdoors early or late in the day to get some exercise. “Mosquitoes are very active at these times so protect yourself from being bitten by mosquitoes when out-and-about.” Simple steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes include:•    Cover up as much as possible when outside with light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and covered footwear.•    Use an effective insect repellent on exposed skin. Re-apply repellent within a few hours, as protection wears off with perspiration. The best mosquito repellents contain Diethyl Toluamide (DEET) or Picaridin. Botanical based products (e.g. eucalyptus, citronella etc.) provide only limited periods of protection. •    Use physical barriers such as netting on prams, cots and play areas for babies. Repellents should not be used on the skin of children under the age of three months.•    Check the product label of repellents for recommended age of use. Most skin repellents are safe to use for children over the age of 3 months or older. Some formulations are only suitable for children over 12 months. •    Use insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units (indoors) and mosquito coils (outdoors) to clear rooms or repel mosquitoes from an area.•    Cover all windows, doors, vents and other entrances with insect screens.•    Remove and prevent mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as emptying containers that hold water.“Preventing infection with these viruses depends on avoiding mosquito bites, especially as the mosquitoes have become active after recent rain, warm days and high tides,” Mr Williamson said. Fact sheets are available from the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/mosquito.aspx Weekly reports are available during the arbovirus season from the New South Wales Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito Monitoring Program: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/pests/vector/Pages/nswasp-weekly-report-2019-20.aspx

The stay at home restrictions that have been in place in NSW since March 31 are slowly being eased.Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today that from this Friday May 1, 2 adults may visit another household for a social visit. If you have children, this includes the children too.You are still encouraged to practice social distancing upon the visit, the Premier saying "we do want people to feel less restricted, we want better mental health". She did go on to say that people need to still act responsibly and respect those people that are over 70 years of age.The other bit of good news surrounds motorbike riders.Motorbike riding is now seen as a form of exercise so going for a ride, which has been deemed an infringement until now, is allowed.A reminder that school's will be starting face to face teaching from Monday May 11 with full details to be revealed to parents by the respective principals. It is believed to be on a rotational basis at first with those restrictions slowly easing throughout Term 2.

A motorcyclist has died following a crash near Lismore yesterday.About 3.50pm yesterday, Monday April 27, emergency services were called to the Bruxner Highway, Alphadale, following reports a Triumph motorcycle and a Nissan Pulsar collided.Police and paramedics treated the 61-year-old male motorcyclist at the scene, before he was taken to Lismore Base Hospital where he died this morning.Richmond Police District Inspector David Vandergriend said "at this stage, local police are continuing investigations in relation to the cause of the accident"."But it is believed the rider was at fault,” he said.Inspector Vandergriend said there was some light rainfall and some wet roads at the time of the accident.“It is a timely reminder for drivers to take care on roads that haven’t been wet for a while and to drive to conditions,” he said.The driver of the Nissan, a 17-year-old teenage girl, was uninjured and taken to Lismore Base Hospital for mandatory testing.A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Retired Nationals Party politician Ian Causley has died. The former Page MP died on Monday evening, April 27, aged 79.Mr Causley represented the Federal Division of Page from 1996 to 2007 and held a long career in both state and federal politics for over 20 years – also serving as the Member of Clarence from 1984 to 1996.He was a fourth-generation canegrower who was born in Maclean and was a company director before entering politics. Mr Causley served as a minister in the Greiner and Fahey state governments and federally as Deputy Speaker for the House of Representatives from 2002 to 2007, the final five years of the Howard government.On his 66th birthday, Mr Causley announced he would quit politics after 23 years, and his words of advice for those wishing to fill his shoes were that they “had to put in the hard yards”.“People will have to get to know the new candidate so they will have to get out there and work hard because it’s a fairly big electorate with a large coastal population,” he said.Mr Causley said he would like to be remembered as “someone who stood up for what he believed and who stood up strongly for the local area”.“I’ve had some arguments along the way,” he said. “Everyone’s different but people look for someone prepared to stand up strongly and expect you to represent their area... sometimes you make decisions you know are unpopular but in the best interests of the country.”Current Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan expressed his sadness over the death of Mr Causley.“My sincere thoughts are with his children Craig, Marcelle, Derek, Shane and their families,” Mr Hogan said.“Ian would always say to me in my role as an MP, ‘Don’t worry if people don’t always agree with you, as long as they respect you’.“He was a passionate advocate for our region. May in Rest in Peace.”

There's only a week to go before applications open for the NSW Government’s 2020 Community Building Partnership Program, worth $300,000. Local sporting clubs, charities, schools and museums are just some of the groups that can benefit from this program.Lismore MP Janelle Saffin urges local councils and not-for-profit groups to mark Monday, May 4, 2020 on their calendars, read the program guidelines to check eligibility and then submit an application before June 12.“This is how you can deliver projects with worthwhile social, environmental and recreational outcomes," she said. “If your organisation or club needs extra funding for infrastructure, such as playgrounds, accessible features, equipment or refurbishment, then I’d strongly encourage you to apply. “This program means that you can support your community group to improve the places where you meet, train or play.” Ms Saffin said the 2020 Community Building Partnership Program this year will unlock a total of $27.9 million for community infrastructure projects across New South Wales.Ms Saffin said she consistently reminds the Government that her electorate's share should be more generous - at between $600,000 and $1million."But the $300,000 allocation still gets a lot of good work done in local communities," she said. Since its inception in 2009, the CBPP has awarded more than $330 million in funding to 15,000 community projects. Applications will be assessed from June until November this year with successful projects announced by Ms Saffin in late November this year. For more information about the NSW Government’s 2020 Community Building Partnership Program, visit www.nsw.gov.au/cbp 

A crash involving a motorbike and a car on the Bruxner Highway this afternoon brought emergency services to the scene.Live Traffic NSW reported the crash happened at 4.20pm on the highway at Alphadale Rd, east of Lismore. The highway is closed in both directions and light vehicles are using Cowlong Rd and Mcleans Ridges Rd instead. Heavy vehicles are being parked.Drivers are being urged to avoid the area and allow for extra travel time while emergency crews respond on the scene.It is believed the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter transported a motorbike rider to hospital after the incident.