For the first time in NSW history, more than 400,000 NSW Government workers in hospitals, schools, local councils and other public services can seek orders and damages from the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to stop workplace bullying and sexual harassment.Remedies can include an order to prevent the bullying and harassment from continuing, damages of up to $100,000, ordering a public apology to a harassed or bullied worker, or ordering an employer to take specified actions to stop unlawful conduct.The jurisdiction also includes a penalty of up to $18,870 if an individual contravenes a bullying or harassment order made by the Commission or $93,900 for an employer.Significantly, the new NSW Anti-Bullying and Sexual Harassment jurisdiction is the first in the country to allow for the order of damages.It follows landmark reforms to Industrial Relations and Work Health and Safety laws passed by parliament in June, which came into effect yesterday.The reforms complement the Government’s proposed change to workers compensation by making prevention of psychosocial risks in public sector workplaces central to the workplace safety system.Further changes include enshrining gender equality as an explicit object of the Industrial Relations Act, as well as improved wage theft laws and new powers for the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW, to deal with workplace disputes, including work, health & safety disputes.These reforms reinforce the NSW Government’s biggest investment in workplace mental health prevention in the state’s history, through its $344 million Workplace Mental Health package.Further information about the newly enacted provisions can be found at: https://irc.nsw.gov.au/announcements/commencement-of-workplace-protections-act-amendments.html.Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said, “This major reform focuses on gender equality as well as the elimination of workplace bullying and sexual harassment, which are new key objectives of the IR Act. “Achieving gender equity across workplaces is now a significant component of the NSW IR system. This is part of the Government’s commitment to pursuing gender equity in NSW.“Workplace bullying and harassment causes serious harm to worker health, and according to the Productivity Commission bullying costs organisations up to $36 billion annually in Australia.“The amendments establish a ‘one-stop shop’ for handling complaints through the IRC and enhance its powers to resolve disputes and support injured workers' return to work.“This legislation follows the passing of laws in 2023, which restored the independence of the industrial umpire, creating the structure needed to deliver meaningful improvements to the working lives of hundreds and thousands of workers in the state.“I would like to thank all those associated with this bill, including unions, business and the community, for their ongoing advocacy.”

The 2025 Elders Lismore Show starts in two days at the Lismore Showgrounds in North Lismore.The Thearle Electrical Community Stage at the southern end of the main arena always pulls a large crowd on Friday and Saturday night as live music pumps into the Lismore night.This year, the legendary Dave Graney 'n' The Coral Snakes will be on stage on Friday night from 8:30.Dave Graney is on a national tour to mark 30 years since the release of their iconic, 1995 Gold-selling album, The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound. This anniversary tour is a major moment for the band, who are celebrated for their stylish mix of art rock, pop, and lounge-inspired grooves. Originally recorded at Metropolis Audio in Melbourne and produced by Victor Van Vugt (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, P.J. Harvey, Sarah Blasko...), The Soft ‘n’ Sexy Sound highlights Graney’s sharp lyrical flair and genre-blending sound, which resulted in him picking up an ARIA Award for Best Male Artist back in ’96. Fast track 30 years, the upcoming Anniversary shows promise to bring the cool and collective sounds of DG & The Coral Snakes’ acclaimed album to life in full on the stage. The setlist will dive deep into The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, with standout tracks such as “Rock'n'Roll is Where I Hide", "I'm Not Afraid to Be Heavy”, and "I'm Gonna Live in My Own Big World”, along with a second set of classics and fan favourites. (Dave Graney 'n' The Coral Snakes - Rock'n'Roll is Where I Hide)Featuring Dave Graney, and original Coral Snakes members Clare Moore, Rod Hayward, and Robin Casinader, the tour will be a nostalgic celebration full of energy and authenticity. Whether you're a longtime follower or discovering their music for the first time, this Friday night offers a rare chance to experience a band whose style and storytelling have stood the test of time. Dave Graney said, "It's great to be playing with guitar master Rod Hayward and Robin Casinader on keys again. Robin insists we play the album in order, so we are going to do just that. Then a set of classics from our corner of rock from before and after 1995. Count us in, Clare Moore, and see you at a show!”You can enjoy the music of Dave Graney 'n' The Coral Snakes at the 2025 Elders Lismore Show this Friday at 8:30pm on the Thearle Electrical Community Stage, which is at the southern end of the main arena.  

Lismore City Council staff and councillors get the October meeting underway at 10 o'clock this morning.The old Fromelles Manor building on McKenzie Street in Lismore's CBD is one of the first items on the agenda.The ex-RSL retirement complex was purchased by Social Futures last year, and with $768,862 in funds provided by the State Government, will be turned into a 58-bed housing complex for homeless people if it is approved by the majority of councillors today.The DA proposes temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness who are eligible for the particular pathway and service provision that Social Futures will offer. The site will be staffed by social workers and service providers offering wrap-around support, such as psycho-social support, specialist mental health, alcohol & drug support, legal advice and employment support.The rooms are mostly single rooms, with some family rooms provided. Each room has a private bathroom, some of which are compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The facility also includes communal facilities, such as lounge rooms, play areas, a central outdoor courtyard, kitchens, laundry, etc.The new building will not house permanent residents, it will provide temporary accommodation with the intent to quickly provide permanent housing for its clients.While service providers, police and health are supportive of the DA, there has been some negative feedback from local residents and businesses. They included the potential for increased crime; anti-social behaviour; and impacts on neighbourhood amenity.In addressing these concerns, council staff said the short-term residents would be selected carefully, and would need to sign an occupancy agreement. There would be no walk-ins. The facility is also drug and alcohol free. Clients who breach the agreement due to poor behaviour or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be evicted from the facility.There is 24/7 on-site staffing proposed, and the facility will directly employ 10 employees (including staffing for The Buttery and Bunjalung Tribal Society). Lismore City Council staff have recommended that councillors approve the DA.Northern Rivers Rail TrailNow that the Rail Trail has been open for nearly 12 months, Lismore Council would like to make amendments to the LEP 2012 (Local Environment Plan) so that more local businesses, community facilities, entertainment facilities, information facilities, and the like, can line the rail trail and strengthen Lismore's visitor economy.In May, Council resolved to support the planning proposal and put it on public exhibition. If any objections were received, it was to come back to council for determination. There were fourteen submissions, some objections, so council will vote on the planning proposal today.Staff said that while the objections were noted, they did not raise significant concerns which would undermine the Proposal's merits, and alignment with legislative requirements and local strategic objectives remains. In other council matters today, the Dunoon & Districts Sport & Recreation Club is looking to buy 117m2 of council land, which its clubhouse encroaches on, Councillors (Cr) Rob, Battista and Gordon are looking to rescind last month's Crime Prevention Plan vote and Cr Knight-Smith wants council to write to the Federal Government about the number of illegal tobacco and vape shops in Lismore.The October Lismore City Council meeting gets underway at 10am.The Lismore App will have a full review on Wednesday morning.

If you see people lifting your red, yellow and green garbage bin lids, don't be alarmed, it is just Lismore City Council and North East Waste running an audit campaign to help our community reduce contamination and improve recycling across the Lismore area.The 'lifting the lid' exercise won't be a widespread task over the next two weeks, volunteers will be checking bins in selected streets to see how we’re sorting our waste. If you do receive an audit, you will receive quick, tailored feedback with red or green bin tags:Red tags if there’s contamination, with info on how to get it right next time.Green tags if you’ve nailed your waste sorting – and you’ll go in the draw to win a $150 Loving Local Gift Card!The goal is to make sure valuable resources are recycled, not sent to landfill.Even though Council's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) closed in 2024, Lismore continues to separate and send recycling, FOGO and cardboard to specialist facilities to ensure nothing goes to waste.As the audits begin, you are reminded of a few common mistakes to watch out for:The green FOGO bin is now only for food scraps and garden waste; items like pizza boxes, tea bags, newspaper and fibre-based containers are no longer accepted.Batteries and aerosols should never go in kerbside bins; take them to a Community Recycling Centre such as the Lismore Recycling and Recovery Centre for safe disposal.And remember, keep recyclables loose in the yellow bin. Having them inside a box, paper bag, or soft plastic bag makes the recovery of these resources difficult during the sorting process.For more information, click here.

With students returning to the classroom tomorrow for Term 4, a new QUT-led study has revealed that one in five New South Wales public school students has been suspended or expelled at least once before finishing school, raising concerns about the long-term impacts of exclusionary discipline and the need for alternative behavioural support.The longitudinal study is the first to track individual students’ disciplinary exclusions over time using population data from more than 71,000 NSW public school students.It found that by Year 12, almost 20 per cent of students had experienced at least one suspension or expulsion, and two-thirds of those were excluded on multiple occasions.Around one in 20 children were first suspended in primary school, with the rate accelerating sharply during the early years of high school.First author Lauren Piltz from the QUT School of Psychology and Counselling said the study shows that exclusionary discipline is both common and cumulative.“Most children who are suspended once are likely to be suspended again,” Ms Piltz said.“For some students, exclusion becomes a pattern rather than a one-off consequence, and it often begins very early.”The most frequent reasons for suspension, she said, were “aggressive behaviour” and “continued disobedience”, while serious offences such as weapons or drug-related incidents were rare.The researchers also found strong inequities in who is most affected.Boys, students from disadvantaged families and those living in regional and remote areas were significantly more likely to be excluded, and to be excluded repeatedly.Children of unemployed parents were around 10 times more likely to experience 16 or more suspensions than their peers.Corresponding-author Professor Kristin Laurens from the QUT School of Psychology and Counselling and QUT Centre for Inclusive Education said the findings show that suspensions do not solve problem behaviour and risk entrenching disadvantage.“This research makes clear that exclusion is not an effective response,” Professor Laurens said.“It doesn’t improve behaviour, and it disproportionately affects the students who already face the greatest barriers.“Instead of removing children from school, we need to focus on inclusive, evidence-based strategies that teach social, emotional and behavioural skills from the early years.”Professor Linda Graham, co-author from the QUT School of Education and Director of the QUT Centre for Inclusive Education, said the study highlighted the need for early intervention and whole-school approaches to behaviour management.“Every suspension represents lost learning and lost connection with school,” Professor Graham said.“If we want to improve student engagement and wellbeing, keeping children connected to education has to be the goal.”The study was conducted as part of the NSW Child Development Study with support from the Australian Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, and Department of Health and Aged Care Medical Research Future Fund.Read the full paper, Students’ accumulation of disciplinary school exclusion experiences over time: Prevalence, patterns, and correlates in an Australian population cohort, published in the Children and Youth Services Review, online.

Grandparents, neighbours and anyone with spare time may be called on for babysitting duties on Wednesday, as over 40 non-profit preschools from the Northern Rivers Preschool Alliance around Lismore and the Northern Rivers close for a half or full day this Wednesday (October 15).There will also be some disruption to traffic as part of the 'Day of Action' when protesting teachers, educators, and families march from Spinks Park, down Magellan Street, to The Quad at 9am.The Day of Action is being taken to highlight an ongoing battle over funding with the NSW Government that has been running for twelve months. The Alliance says more funding is needed to attract and retain teachers and educators in the preschool system.There are more than 700 community preschools across NSW that provide a vital service to educate and care for children aged three to five years, and over 40 of these are in the Northern Rivers region.Bridget Isichei, director of Byron Bay Preschool and president of the Northern Rivers Preschool Alliance, said: “We’re experiencing a staffing crisis that is growing by the day, as experienced teachers and educators leave the sector and community preschools struggle to attract new staff. We cannot fund wages without government support, as the current funding is too low”.The Alliance stated that while local preschools have an excellent record of child safety and provision of high-quality education in the years before school, they are struggling to keep their highly qualified staff. Teachers in community preschools earn up to 35% less than their colleagues with the same qualifications and responsibilities in schools and up to 20% less than teachers in Commonwealth-funded long day care centres.Non-profit community preschools are the safest model of education and care for children, with many preschools rated by the Department of Education as exceeding the National Quality Standard, and very low rates of safety breaches.“Preschool is a flagship model and one that has children’s wellbeing and safety at its heart, so we must fight to retain it. We have been bargaining with the NSW government in the Fair Work Commission for over a year now, and they have refused to negotiate with us, rejecting our request for increased funding for wages for teachers and educators," Ms Isichei said.“Without an increase to NSW government funding to lift pay and conditions, many community preschools will be forced to turn away families.”“We’ve met with Lismore MP Janelle Saffin seeking support but are still awaiting a response, and the Education Minister has so far refused to talk to us.”The Lismore connected Ms Saffin, who said, "I value very much our community preschools and am working hard to support them to be able to better provide the services our children need and deserve. I am very aware of what their campaign asks of them and their union."On September 16, the state government announced a $100 million plan for community preschools to extend operating hours, longer than the current 9am to 3pm hours, open more days, and cater for children from birth through to school age.The NRs Preschool Alliance says the government declined to provide any funding for wages or staff costs within the $100 million announcement.They stated that local preschool teachers and directors are shocked that the NSW Government would ask already overstretched teachers and educators to work longer hours, for more days, and with more children, with no additional funds for wages, especially in the midst of a staffing and safety crisis.You can read more about the Day of Action at  https://www.ieu.asn.au/start-strong-pay-fair/.

Kate Hepburn was announced as the 2025 North Coast National Young Woman winner and Elsie Wilkinson as the Teen Showgirl winner at the annual presentation event at the Lismore Showground in North Lismore last night.Day 1 of the 2025 Elders Lismore Show starts this Thursday, with both young ladies playing a part. Kate will embark on a twelve-month journey of self-improvement as she aims to win and represent the Northern Coast National Zone 1 at the Sydney Royal Easter Sunday Show in early April 2026.To help with Kate's journey over the next year, her prizes included $1,000 cash from the Far North Coast Law Society, a Deportment Course in Dubbo valued at $600 from Mortgage Choice Lismore, a piece of jewellery from the Jewellery Design Centre and chocolates, perfumes and gifts from Warren Innes Contracting.As the winner of Teen Showgirl, Elsie walked away with $250 cash, chocolates, perfumes and gifts from Warren Innes Contracting.(North Coast National Young Woman winner Kate Hepburn (left) and Teen Showgirl winner Elsie Wilkinson)Vice President of the North Coast National, Lyndal Gordon, 2019 Showgirl Serena Perren and sponsor Warren Innes were the judges in the hot seat last night.The Young Woman and Teen Showgirl is the start of a journey to fund and support Lismore's future female leaders. Just by entering, the five young ladies displayed courage and leadership skills, experiencing the daunting world of public speaking to express their passions and how they can help and represent the community.Kate Hepburn ticked all the boxes for the judges, working as a livestock handler for the Casino Saleyards, a sales assistant for the Casino Steakbarn and as an assistant nurse for St Vincent's Hospital in Lismore, while in her second year at Southern Cross University to become a registered nurse, with an ambition to specialise in paediatric nursing.Kate also has a passion for the agricultural industry. She wants to expand her Speckled Park cattle stud and will compete against her brother in this year's Elders Lismore Show in the show ring, along with entrants from all over NSW and South East Queensland. North Coast National President John Gibson said there was a record number of entries in the cattle categories in 2025.Having a passion for rural NSW and the ag industry, Kate told a story about how she helped a terminally ill Lismore High School student who was terrified of animals."I do remember one girl in particular, I took her under my wing at school. Her grandmother came to the show and watched her lead an animal around the ring, and she burst into tears because she never thought she would see that. For a little 12-year-old girl who was very sick, it was an enjoyable experience, and I was pleased to be part of that."Teen Showgirl winner Elsie Wilkinson had a completely different story. The 15-year-old Kyogle student is transferring to St John's College Woodlawn to further her passion for rugby league. Starting in Murwillumbah Colts three year's ago, Elsie has progressed to being part of this year's Under 17 Marist Brothers tackle team that won the premiership undefeated, and was selected to be part of a NSW Regional Rugby League squad where she was mentored by Kylie Hilder, the NSW Rugby League Development Officer and former Australian player."This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and was so much fun," Elsie told the crowd.Elsie's ultimate goal is to play in the NSWRLW. On the way, she wants to be part of the development of women's rugby league, and has taken on refereeing duties this year, which has boosted her confidence and improved her own game.As you can read, the future leaders of Lismore and the Northern Rivers are in good hands. Congratulations to all five entrants, Kate Hepburn, Zahlie Walker, Elsie Wilkinson, Madeleine Donnelly and Ebony Micallef for putting their hands up for North Coast National Young Woman and Teen Showgirl in 2025.(From left: Ebony Micallef, Madeleine Donnelly, Kate Hepburn, Elsie Wilkinson and Zahlie Walker)With the 2025 Elders Lismore Show four days away, North Coast National President John Gibson was optimistic about another hugely successful three days with the return of the rodeo, four new rides from Melbourne is side-show alley, record entries in the cattle categories, full pavilions and the regular family attractions, such the Monster Trucks, FMX bikes, Water Jet Pack and fireworks to wrap up each night.Of particular interest to John was the weather. The BoM is forecasting mostly sunny skies, with temperatures in the mid-20s. There is a 50% chance of rain on Saturday, but only a maximum of 3mm is expected.Tickets are on sale now. You can pre-book your tickets here.See you at the Show!

The NSW Government is delivering a new plan to try to help reduce energy bills and add protections to ensure customers who are part of an embedded network have a fairer go. Embedded networks supply electricity to multiple premises from a single connection point to the main energy grid. They are often found in apartment buildings, retirement villages and shopping centres and can provide customers with electricity, gas, hot water, chilled water or air conditioning.  Customers in embedded networks can find it hard to shop around for the best deal, so the state government is stepping in to help consumers by introducing a price cap that will be broadly equivalent to competitive market offers. The price cap will be set at the median of the lowest offers in the market.  In addition to fairer pricing, there will be new consumer protections, including: access to free and independent dispute resolution through the NSW Energy and Water Ombudsman, access to national and NSW energy rebates and payment support programs for customers struggling to pay their energy bills, providing customers with information about embedded network arrangements before purchasing or leasing a property in an embedded network, preventing customers from being locked into lengthy energy supply contracts. It is estimated that there are more than 95,000 households in NSW with electricity embedded networks. Embedded networks can lower costs for residents through sharing infrastructure and facilitating the installation of consumer energy resources like solar panels and efficient shared heat pump hot water systems. The action plan, which delivers on action 26 of the NSW Consumer Energy Strategy, has been informed by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) review into the future of embedded networks in NSW. The NSW Government has supported and is actioning 36 out of 38 recommendations of the IPART review.  Implementation of the plan has commenced. The NSW Government will introduce legislation this year to enact key reforms, including the price cap. To view the plan, visit www.energy.nsw.gov.au/nsw-plans-and-progress/regulation-and-policy/nsw-embedded-network-action-plan. Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe, said, “The Minns Labor Government is delivering a reliable, affordable energy system that benefits communities, strengthens the economy and cuts climate pollution.  “This action plan is a decisive step to making sure every energy consumer in our state, regardless of where they live and work, can access a fair energy deal.” Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading, Anoulack Chanthivong, said, “For too long, people living in apartments, residential land lease communities and other properties with embedded networks have faced challenges that others don't, including a lack of competitive choice and at times, unclear pricing.  “These new measures will create a more sustainable and customer-focused embedded network market for the future.” 

For those who travel to the Gold Coast regularly, Transport for NSW want to advise you that the Tugun Bypass Tunnel on the Pacific Motorway will be temporarily closed on multiple nights during October for essential maintenance.To minimise the impacts on motorists, work will be carried out at night, from 7pm to 5am on Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15, and Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October.During the night closures, detours suitable for all vehicle types are available.Northbound traffic will exit the M1 Pacific Motorway via the Kennedy Drive exit, take Sugarwood Drive to Gold Coast Highway, then take Tugun Currumbin Road and rejoin the M1 Pacific Motorway at the Stewart Road on-ramp.Southbound traffic will exit the M1 Pacific Motorway at Tugun Currumbin Road (Exit 95) and follow to the Gold Coast Highway, then Cordyline Drive to re-join the M1 Pacific Motorway at the Kennedy Drive on-ramp.You are advised to allow up to five minutes of additional travel time, drive to the conditions and follow the direction of signs and traffic control.For more information on this work visit https://www.livetraffic.com/incident-details/233663, download the Live Traffic NSW App or call 132 701.To receive updates direct to your phone, search for ‘Tugun Bypass Tunnel’ in your Live Traffic app, select the incident and click ‘Follow’.

At Friday's delivery of Lismore City Council's new garbage truck, the conversation moved to apprenticeships and the state government's $252 million Fresh Start Program.Mayor Steve Krieg said that the council has applied for 60 traineeships and apprenticeships and to date has filled only 13 over two intakes."There's a third round that we're looking to fill, and we've got a real focus on that outdoor and trade. We do have a couple of trainees in the finance sector as well, but our real focus at a council level, is our outdoor workforce and our trades area. This is another USU initiative through the state government to fund this, so it's something, that as Lismore City Council, we hope this funding continues, because we want to grow our outdoor workforce and become that self-sufficient council that we don't have to outsource anything. We want the mechanics, we want the electricians, we want the plumbers, all in-house to look after ourselves.Mayor Krieg said the problem for Lismore Council lies within recruitment. They simply cannot find enough young people in the LGA who want to take up the traineeship/apprenticeship positions."At 13, I think we've still got two positions available. We have taken a step back and we're trying to fill positions as needed, but as this funding continues, we're hoping to grow and expand that workforce."Council is a great career path. It really is. And I'm only new to this, four years in, but you can see the progression. If you have the drive to move up, or if you love what you do, the opportunity is there to make this a vocation and a profession for the rest of your working life."Council's Acting Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Matt Potter, is a great example of forging a career starting as an apprentice."I am the apprentice that started in the 1990s, and I have worked through to be a director, as of last night," Mr Potter said. Looking to his left, he then said to two avid garbage truck followers, "We need to talk guys."The two guys Mr Potter was referring to were Luca Siefken, 17, and Ryder Hollingsworth, 14.Both young men are obsessed with garbage trucks. and would gladly take up an apprenticeship with Lismore City Council."I can't get a truck license just yet. I think in about three years, I can get a heavy rigid, which is the license needed to drive these trucks," Luca explained. "It's always been my dream job, and I would love to work as a garbo one day."Back in 2022, my dad and I bought a second-hand truck, which is, in fact, a Bucher truck. It's a 2007 model; unfortunately, it's got lots of rust on it. I guess it just sort of proves how much I really do love garbage."Ryder was born in Lismore, who is as obsessed as his friend Luca. He knows current drivers and former drivers by name, and would love an apprenticeship in the future."I'd love to, as long as I'm with the truck and working as a garbo or Bucher, I'd be really happy."Luca and Ryder then hopped into the new Volvo garbage truck and began operating the bin pickup system after a quick lesson.For those finishing Year 10 or about to graduate Year 12, Lismore City Council has the Employment Acceleration Pathways (LEAP) program, which offers a range of apprenticeships, traineeships (including school-based) and cadetships across Council, which are a great way to LEAP into a career at Council, with combined formal learning and on-the-job experience.Council says to "Keep an eye out on our current vacancies page and register to our job alerts to stay up to date with any opportunities that open." You can do that by clicking here. 

Police are urging the community to stay vigilant after counterfeit $50 and $100 notes have been detected circulating, mainly in the Lismore and Ballina areas.Officers from Richmond Police District are investigating incidents where fake notes were handed to local businesses. These counterfeit notes can be very convincing, so it’s crucial to know what to look for.How to spot a fake note:Feel the note – Genuine notes are printed on polymer and are hard to tear.Hold to the light – Look for the Australian Coat of Arms near the clear window.Raised print – Real notes have slightly raised ink on the main design.Seven-pointed star – Visible inside a circle when held up.Clear window – $50 notes show the Southern Cross, $100 notes show a lyrebird.Background printing – Should be sharp and well-defined.UV check – Serial numbers glow under ultraviolet light.They may have the fake serial number - BB203212002 or EJ182155730.If you suspect a counterfeit note or have information, reach out to your local police station or report it to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/. All reports are confidential.For more information: https://banknotes.rba.gov.au/counterfeit-detection/.

Intoxicated people on a night out are less likely to be assaulted on the streets because venues will no longer be required to immediately remove them from their premises.This is a key measure of the NSW Government’s third tranche of vibrancy reforms that will be introduced to parliament next week.In its first two years, the government passed two tranches of vibrancy legislation aimed at rebuilding the state’s night-time economy by removing unnecessary restrictions on hospitality operators.The new tranche of legislation will increase safety for patrons and workers, including a change in the Liquor Act relating to the treatment of intoxicated patrons.Currently, venues are required to immediately remove intoxicated patrons in order to maintain a safe and responsible service of alcohol. Venues have reported this can have the unintended consequence of pushing vulnerable people onto the streets, increasing the risk of violence, sexual assault and getting hit by a vehicle.Under the changes, venues can keep an intoxicated patron on the premises and actively monitor them while transport or medical assistance arrives, rather than requiring them to leave immediately.Other rules apply to the management of intoxicated patrons, including restrictions on entering gaming rooms or being served more alcohol.Individual processes to support this proposed change will vary from venue to venue, but the harm minimisation measures will remain the same for all licensees – they are now able to use their discretion to prioritise patron safety and wellbeing over the immediate removal of intoxicated patrons.Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) will work with the hospitality industry to ensure appropriate measures are in place and will support venues to provide advice and guidance to staff and management.Other measures in the third tranche of vibrancy reforms include:Making extended trading hours incentives more accessible for regional venues.Streamlining the process for venues to have outdated license conditions removed, so they can more easily program live music and entertainment.Encouraging the ‘weekend away’ and supporting tourism by allowing Special Event Extended Trading for up to 24 hours prior to an event.Diversifying night-time offerings by allowing venues that provide entertainment such as pool tables, jukeboxes and amusement machines to apply for an on-premises liquor licence.Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said, “This is a practical step because often the most dangerous place an intoxicated person can be is out on the street late at night. Inside the venue is often much safer and this common-sense change will give operators the ability to look after them until transport or medical attention arrives.“There’s no vibrancy without safety. So, as we increase vibrancy, it’s imperative we also improve safety, and this measure will protect people when they’re at their most vulnerable.“We’ve had venues pleading with us to change this law so they can keep their patrons safe. This will allow venues to establish their own measures to help intoxicated patrons get home or medical help. Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said, “Licensees have long been forced to choose between avoiding liability and keeping their patrons safe, and that is not an acceptable position to put them in.“These commonsense reforms - along with the other measures we have introduced, such as beefed-up sexual harassment and assault training for hospitality workers - make it easier for venue operators to keep people safe. “These measures will be complemented by education and resources to give venues the feel confidence to choose to keep patrons on site and provide the necessary care.Director of Liquor and Policing at AHA NSW, John Green, said, “This change makes sense – it means we can look after people at risk of harm until transport or medical care can be arranged. The current laws make venues remove patrons from the premises when they are most vulnerable. “Pubs across NSW are safe, well-run venues that take the safety of their patrons seriously. We have long advocated providing hotels and other licensed premises the option of managing patrons who are at risk of harm on their premises until transport or other assistance is provided, and the Government should be applauded for this reform”.Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) CEO Michael Gibb said, “Creating a safe and inclusive night-time economy starts with protecting both the people who work in it and those who enjoy it. These reforms reflect a practical, people-first approach that prioritises care and accountability. "Allowing staff to monitor and assist patrons in need is exactly the kind of approach the NTIA has been calling for. One that empowers venues to act responsibly and keep people safe, rather than forcing them onto the street. "We welcome the NSW Government’s continued focus on safety as the foundation for a thriving, modern nightlife.”ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said, “As community hubs, clubs have always prided themselves on providing patrons with the safest hospitality venues within which to enjoy themselves.“Clubs have also long served as havens for at-risk people during times of crisis, including natural disasters.“These reforms will ensure clubs continue to protect people when they are at their most vulnerable, without any risk to their license.

Once again, our Northern Rivers communities have been let down by a less-than-transparent “consultation” process. In August, we were asked by the CSIRO/NEMA to rank which of a predetermined, limited but vague list of hard engineering flood mitigation measures for the Richmond catchment we would like to be modelled, without clear and detailed information to make an informed decision. The measures now selected by the CSIRO include many new names and locations that no one could have specifically voted for. Bundle 1 includes Upper Nimbin, Rocky Valley, Corndale, Fawcetts and Barlings detention basins, and bundle 2, in addition, includes Collins Valley, Booyong, Bentley, and ominously,  Dunoon. Along with the “Tuckombil upgrade”, none of these particular locations were listed in the original fifteen options presented. After multiple attendees being consistently told at drop-in sessions that there would be no dams, only gated detention basins to hold back water “temporarily” during floods, flood model lead scientist Jai Vaze later admitted that there could, in fact, be dams after all. Jai mentioned that a detention basin could serve a dual purpose, so it becomes part dam...So normally it will only hold 50% of the capacity. When the flood comes, the gates close, and they will hold another 50%.”(Lismore App, 29/9/25). Given “Dunoon” snuck into the second bundle of measures, I suspect the excuse of flood mitigation (in this case, only a few per cent of total flows into Lismore) might be used by some to try and resurrect the enfeebled case for the Dunoon Dam zombie. Yet we otherwise still don't know exactly where all these dams/detention basins would go. To make any substantial impact on flood heights in a 2022 scenario, it has been estimated they will need a combined holding capacity of 400-500 gigalitres. It would require 28 to 35 basins the size of Rocky Creek Dam (14 gigalitres) to hold that much water back! If it really wanted community consultation and social licence for the mitigation measures it chose to model, NEMA/CSIRO should have clearly stated the specific dam/basin locations and sizes up front, clear to all, so people could give proper informed feedback on them. These specifics need to be decided before the model takes its many months to run, so why not tell us beforehand? Have these organisations been directed to keep potentially controversial details from the public, or at least make them very difficult to obtain?Whose homes and farms, which forests or cultural sites will be endangered during construction and floods? How long will forests and farm vegetation remain inundated – what are the kill-zones? Where will the earth come from for construction? How will all this affect landslip risk? How much will these multiple large, basins/dams with gates cost to build, operate and maintain?  The CSIRO has spent millions of taxpayers' dollars developing this flood model, and it is so complex that scenarios take many months to run on their supercomputers. It is a waste of valuable modelling time and money to include measures that would likely never be granted the social licence, let alone the many billions of dollars of government funding required, if the details of their costs and impacts were known.However, when it comes to Nature Based Solutions (NBS), we see a double standard applied. Despite NBS not being included as an option to vote for in August, they were nonetheless demonstrated to have deep community support through comments on feedback forms. Yet the CSIRO responded that “no details have been provided for these proposed interventions... Therefore, we are not in a position to implement any of these at this time”. This is disingenuous. Few details were provided for the hard engineering measures, yet we were given a tiny box on the paper forms and only 255 characters online to provide their “detail” for NBS. If the NEMA/CSIRO were serious about this consultation, they should have proactively sought to delineate and model NBS, alongside other mitigation measures, with community support, from the start. To ensure the flood model incorporated the multiple, specific parameters needed to look at NBS, and to use data from NEMA-funded small-scale NBS trials run by Richmond Landcare and associated universities to then model NBS at a catchment scale.Our rivers used to be pristine and full of life – deep, clean water that was drinkable, swimmable and fishable. But with the clearing of 99% of Big Scrub rainforest, the draining of wetlands and inappropriate agricultural practices, they now have some of the worst river health ratings in this state. Further hard engineering measures, such as massive dams and interfering with natural wetlands, are likely to only make this worse. In contrast, NBS, such as restoration of rainforest, riparian zones and wetlands, in addition to helping mitigate small-medium floods, could have multiple other benefits, including erosion prevention, decreasing sediment loads and restoring water quality in our rivers, restoring vital habitats and native fish stocks, and sequestering carbon. And yes, “beautification” of our degraded landscapes and rivers too, with all the added benefits that brings for our mental and physical health, and for recreation and tourism.Ultimately, however, for major and catastrophic floods like 2022, no mitigation measures are likely to stop them. As reported in his recent Lismore App interview (29/9/25), lead scientist “Jai reinforced that nothing could hold back the impacts of a February 28 2022, 14.4m flood.” So what would be the point of spending billions of dollars on infrastructure that won't prevent another flood like 2022? Are we expected to cross our fingers and hope it doesn't happen again? I doubt this will be good enough for the insurance companies, let alone taxpayers paying for wasted infrastructure and especially those still sitting in harm's way on the floodplains.Indeed, the only guaranteed way to keep people and property safe is to get them off the floodplains. The NSW government's attempts to do this so far have been grossly inadequate - patchy, glacially slow, and again, with poor community consultation. A relocation and house raising program – based on 2022 flood levels (at least) – done once and properly is likely to be far cheaper than building, maintaining and compensating landowners for the large-scale, widespread and invasive hard engineering measures proposed. Our community wants to be protected from the impact of flooding. We do value the role of good science in helping achieve this. But we expect to be consulted properly, and not corralled into meekly accepting a mutating list of expensive and destructive hard engineering measures that do not have the social licence claimed. It is not too late for the CSIRO/NEMA and government to finally listen and serve our community.Dr Luke RobinsonUpper Richmond catchment resident & spokesperson for Lismore Greens

Southern Cross University (SCU) has joined the ranks of the Globe’s top 500 universities in this year’s Times Higher Education World University Rankings, climbing more than 80 places in just one year.Professor Ben Roche, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Education Impact) at Southern Cross University, told the Lismore App that the eighty-place increase landed SCU at 497."So, and that brings us into this rather exclusive Top 500 club globally, which we're very proud of," he said.The University’s enhanced standing in this year’s rankings is attributable to a range of factors, including continued strong growth in research income, strength in completion of doctoral candidates and an overall boost in the proportion of the University’s faculty holding a doctoral level qualification.This year, measures relating to the quality and impact of the University’s research also improved, marking the continuation of a now well-established trend over several years.Professor (Prof.) Roche explained the criteria for the Times Higher Education World University Rankings."The breakdown of data is quite detailed, so we get a very good sense of it. It was really driven by our research performance. Basically, they look across a whole range of categories, but it was our research performance that really lifted this one. And so, specifically, that looks at things like our growth in research and industry-funded research income. That's a big one."They look at a whole bunch of quality metrics. One of those is the ratio of staff with PhDs, which is kind of considered a very standard one. But the really important one is what they call citation impact, which is effectively when peers, so other researchers around the world, are citing and referring to the published output from Southern Cross researchers. That grew significantly."I have to say, it's incredibly powerful for staff to get this kind of recognition. I mean, a lot of people dwell on the institutional level benefit and strategy, but for researchers and teaching academics who are on the coal face, there's that recognition that they're at a university that is world-class, and for a place that is 31 years old, punching well above its weight."It's important, not only for their recognition, but for our ongoing growth and ability to attract our world-class talent."Prof. Roche mentioned three research projects in which SCU is leading the way."We have one called Harvest to Health, which really looks from that whole spectrum of breeding and growing all the way through to application in a medical and clinical context. And we've been doing a lot of work, leading the agri-futures hemp research work nationally."Just recently, we got another half a million dollars from the ARC (Australian Research Council) to look at improving hemp breeding, basically, and that's all with a view to establishing a hemp industry in Australia. The core issue with that is we haven't really bred seed. All seed at the moment is bought from China or France. We're really looking at how to breed a locally adapted seed variety that can then be used to grow the industry broadly. So, that's one example."There'll be a big announcement soon around a really significant project, which is actually a collaborative project globally that we're leading, looking at how to apply, effectively, archeological knowledge to cultural heritage management in the resources sector. That's a really interesting one, so we don't repeat a Rio Tinto, and we can get to a stage where they're starting to see their role as cultural managers as well."The final one I'll give you is a project called Sister Screen, which is a part of a long body of work that we've been delivering that really looks at how we support greater indigenous or Aboriginal health outcomes. Sister Screen just got funded by Cancer Australia to the tune of $2.5 million. That's really looking specifically at how to increase cervical screening rates of First Nations women during that pregnancy and postpartum period.There are no set goals for SCU in terms of increasing its Times Higher Education World University Ranking. The goal is about continuous improvement in the research sector."We see research as the foundation for pretty much all that we do, but particularly for growing our reputation and our position nationally and globally. So, leading with that really substantive agenda that is really effectively about how we apply knowledge to create impact. We're really doing a lot of work to grow the relevance and the alignment of our research with priorities of both industry and governments at all scales."These ranking systems bounce around. You can go up 20 or down 10; it all depends on the volume of universities entering that ranking system. But the most important thing for us, which we derive, whether it's the Times Higher Ed or the other one, is the QS system; they're the two most prestigious, and we've been on a very significant upward trajectory overall since about 2010, and that's what drives us."For us, it's not really about the rankings, but it is about that continuous improvement agenda that sits under that because most of the the metrics, the rankings, use metrics to do with improvement of quality and impact, and so for us, it's just all part of this better every day, kind of mindset that we've got at the university and focused on how we keep improving and using global best practices as our reference point for that."Southern Cross Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Carlin, praised the University’s researchers and staff, highlighting projects as diverse as cloud brightening, hemp seed yield research and clinical trials at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine as “outstanding examples of excellence and impact.”“This is terrific news for Southern Cross and for the regions we serve. I am proud of our staff and students whose dedication is being recognised on the global stage,” he said.Academic excellence is central to what we do, but equally, it’s our culture of care, boldness and ownership that sets us apart.”He said the University’s progress was built on strong values and a determination to make a difference.“When those values come together in our teaching, research and community engagement, they create real impact. That’s what is driving our work and the contribution we make to the communities we serve.”

This is not a very exciting or sexy Lismore news story, nor is it groundbreaking; however, it does affect every household in the Lismore LGA.The first of a fleet of eight new state-of-the-art garbage trucks arrived in Lismore and will hit the streets of Lismore on Monday.The benefits to local residents are delivered through efficiencies because the brand new Volvo garbage trucks are fitted with IVMS (In-Vehicle Management System), which allows digital data to be collected and analysed so that the quickest waste bin route can be mapped and followed through GPS.Kendall Brazendale, Council's Waste Team Collection Leader and Matt Potter, Acting Chief Operating and Financial Officer, said other benefits include safety, missed bin collection and bin maintenance, meaning council will know before you do about particular bin pick-up problems."We have buttons here for missed bins. We've got cameras on board here so we can monitor our collection runs. The efficiencies we can gain by the onboard tech of these trucks is amazing. We haven't had that in the past. So we can make sure that we're picking up the service that the customer has paid for. At the moment, without that tech, we're picking up bins and assuming that the bins are all out there for a reason, but we can actually monitor everything that's being done by these trucks," Mr Potter explained."We're running off paper-based maps at the moment, so it's going to be a massive difference moving into the future of the digital world," Kendall added.The new Volvo garbage trucks are manufactured in Sweden and then imported into Australia to add the high-tech components, which include making the truck twin steer (right and left-hand drive), the IVMS, and increased safety features in case of an internal fire caused by lithium batteries.There is a hose fitted at the rear corner of the truck that is a full fire suppression system. It has the ability to plug into a garden hose or a fire hydrant and completely flushes the internal body with water. It also runs a unique Booker paddle compaction system that has no pinch points, which is the main cause of battery fires.As well as that, the new pick-up arms are longer and can pick up bins that are touching, if they are placed that way by residents, especially in unit complexes.There is also a local connection to the new garbage trucks. Southside Trucks in South Lismore is the local Volvo dealer. The added technology allows them to download any sensor issues the trucks have, which include ABS and EBS braking, and autonomous braking to make sure they are running optimally.Apart from the more efficient garbage bin pick-up routes, Lismore City Council benefits through a more fuel-efficient vehicle that has the latest emissions engines, so they will have a lower fuel bill and reduce their carbon footprint.Mick Potter also said the eight new trucks will allow council to fill their waste team structure."By the teams working together with the union to save these jobs for local people, we've been able to fill our structure. So, for the first time in, I'm not sure how many years since the argument started, whether this was going to stay in-house or go external, we've now been able to fill our structure of drivers. We've got a waste manager, team leader and a full complement of drivers, so eight trucks and 13 permanent employees.If we go back in time a couple of years, Lismore City Council was thinking of outsourcing the garbage collection because its ageing fleet of trucks was spending more time in the workshop than it was on the road, and because of its dire financial position, it could not afford to renew eight garbage trucks. That is where the state government stepped in, to the tune of $5 million.Mayor Steve Krieg, Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, Minister for Local Government and the United Services Union (USU) sat down to work out a deal that suited all parties. It wasn't an easy negotiation, "Council actually butted heads a little bit at the outset," was how Mayor Krieg described the beginning of the talks."See how we've all come together to work together to get the best outcome, not only for Lismore City Council, our employees who have to drive these trucks, I mean, to see the conditions that they've had to be putting up with over the last three and a half years post the flood. We've got a fleet of seven or eight trucks. Three or four of them are in a workshop constantly. We're hiring trucks off other contractors."It's just been such a challenge. And thanks to the two ministers who are here, Lismore City Council is well on the way to many, many good things in the waste area. And so, on behalf of Lismore City Council, from me, it's just a simple thank you. Thank you to the unions. Thank you to Bucher. Thank you to the Robinson family. Thanks to our staff, who do a great job."The mayor's sentiment was reinforced by Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin. "What we're seeing today is the power of everybody working together. There's an old saying, working together, we really can make a difference, and that's what happened here. Steve mentioned that there was a bit of butting heads early on, and there certainly was because we're very passionate about what we need here, and we're very passionate about maintaining council employees.Ms Saffin said they sorted out a deal with Mayor Krieg and the USU at a pub in Grafton."I said to my colleagues in the union and to Ron, look, we've got a problem here. We just need to sort this out. We can find a way through. Of course, it needed a bit more money, and that's what I thank Minister Hoenig for, because it's not easy to get money out of Treasury, but we needed that extra, and it means we've got this super duper fleet of trucks, and we've got in-house (collection), we've got local procurement with the Robinsons, and that's what we love."Minister Hoenig added, "Local Government works at its very best when it employs local people, injects into its local area and provides local career opportunities for its citizens."The USU praised the mayor, Minister Hoenig and Ms Saffin, but took a swipe at previous terms of Lismore City Councillors for not renewing their assets and asked the federal government to match the state government's investment in the Fresh Start Program that hires apprentices in local councils around NSW.

The weather is looking like a mixed bag this weekend, the last of the spring school holidays.The chance of rain is 20% on Saturday and 50% on Sunday; however, that is in the afternoon or evening with the chance of a thunderstorm. So, the days should be mostly sunny.A hot 33 degrees is the top temperature tomorrow, with 31 degrees forecast for Sunday.The maximum temperatures will cool down thanks to a southerly change from Monday.Hopefully, maximum temperatures in the mid-20s and blue skies will continue for the duration of the 2025 Elders Lismore Show, which begins next Thursday, October 16, at the Lismore Showgrounds.You can check out all the details by clicking 2025 Lismore Show via the app or https://lismoreapp.com.au/2025-lismore-show/ via the Lismore App website. This includes purchasing tickets.The Show runs for three days, closing on Saturday, October 18 at 9pm.Other spring events coming up include:Final Nimbin Roots Festival: Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26Eat The Street: Saturday, November 15MARKETSThere will be a change to the Lismore Farmers Markets next Saturday due to the Elders Lismore Show; it is one of the few times the markets won't be running.However, the gates will swing open tomorrow from 7:30am, closing at 11:30am at the Lismore Showgrounds for all the usual fresh fruit and veg, breakfast, spring seedlings, and live music from Mish Songsmith.The Sunday Markets are on at The Channon this week between 9am and 3pm at Coronation Park.Fresh food, friendly faces and loads of handmade goods are waiting for you to peruse in the hills of the Lismore LGA.ARTSThe Bulaan Buruugaa Ngai exhibition is on at the Lismore Regional Gallery at 11 Rural Street, Lismore, between 10 and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.Nine ancestral woven objects held in the Australian Museum Collection are on display. The historic pieces stand alongside ten newly commissioned works by contemporary Bundjalung, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr, and Kamilaroi artists.LIVE MUSICDan Grace Music is performing tonight at the Northern Rivers Hotel, Bridge Street, North Lismore from 7pm to 10pm.The popular Billy Gudgeon Band will be rocking the Northern on Saturday night from 7:30pm.The Shania Twain Show is on at the Lismore Heights Sports Club on Saturday night between 6pm and 9:15pm. It is $60 a ticket, which gets you a roast dinner and the show. Call (02) 6624 3040 to book.Coming up at the Lismore Workers Club:Women Up North Spring Gala: November 8 from 6pm. All proceeds go towards housing for women and children experiencing domestic violence or abuse.The Noughty Nineties Party featuring all your favourites like Blink 182, Shania Twain, Britney Spears, Robbie Williams and Beyonce. Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 7:30pm.CHEAPEST FUEL PRICESFuel prices were steady across Lismore, Casino and Ballina this week. If you are heading to the beach, Ballina is still the cheapest town to fill the tank over the weekend.Here is the list of the cheapest service stations:E10 is 172.9 at the EG on Diadem Street near Lismore Square and the 7-Eleven in South Lismore, 171.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 165.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.Unleaded 91 is 173.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 173.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 167.5 at the Metro and the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.U95 is 182.9 at the two Independents on Terania Street, North Lismore and the Liberty on Ballina Road, Lismore, 198.9 at the Independent at 169 Canterbury Street in Casino, and 179.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.U98 is 190.9 at the Liberty on Ballina Road, Lismore, 193.5 at the two Independents on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 187.5 at The Metro on River Street in Ballina.Diesel is 178.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road in Lismore, 181.9 is the price across most of Casino, and 185.5 at Metro and the Mobile on River Street in Ballina.Have a great long weekend!Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....

Australians for Mental Health is calling on governments to prioritise social connections this World Mental Health Day, with this year’s theme focusing on mental health responses in humanitarian emergencies.  “We know more regular and intense weather events are on the cards for Australians. We unfortunately come face-to-face with natural disasters too often. But connected, resilient communities look out for one another, which can help them recover more quickly after a crisis,” Australians for Mental Health Chief Executive Chris Gambian said.  “We shouldn’t just be focusing on people’s well-being after a disaster hits. Connected communities with programs or social infrastructure in place to reduce loneliness are critical. That’s why we need to invest in places and programs that bring people together before an emergency strikes,” he said.  The New South Wales Nature Conservation Council’s Hotspots Fire Project has proven that preparing together before a disaster not only reduces risk but also strengthens social ties.  In collaboration with the NSW RFS, the program runs education and training workshops that help locals better understand fire in their landscape.  “We set out to help people better prepare their properties and communities more broadly for fires. But building social connections has been a happy byproduct that we believe will strengthen any future responses to a disaster,” Hotspots program ecologist Kevin Taylor said.  “Knowing your neighbour is about more than information sharing during a crisis. It’s someone who understands, cares and is willing to be there when it’s all over. That’s powerful. “The project also found being connected to nature and helping in its recovery from disasters also helped a community’s social recovery,” Mr Taylor said.  There is a growing body of evidence that social connection is a protective factor when it comes to mental health. Australians for Mental Health is urging governments to continue building public policies that improve social connection.  “Local councils are uniquely placed to create and help maintain social connections, whether that’s by investing in public pools, libraries or intervention programs suited to their communities. They should be resourced to reduce loneliness in this way, and also measure their progress too,” Chris Gambian said.  “Connection is not some nice-to-have. It’s essential, and in the context of disasters, could be life-saving. If we back building stronger community connections, we back resilience and mental well-being,” he said.  Australians for Mental Health is also calling on the Federal Government to put wellbeing at the centre of decision-making across portfolios. By taking a whole-of-government approach to wellbeing, we can ensure policies don’t adversely affect mental health, but instead support it for all Australians. 

Every community has unsung heroes, the people, groups and teams who go above and beyond to make Lismore a better place. Now is your chance to celebrate them!The annual Australia Day Awards recognise those who inspire, care and contribute to our city in varied and extraordinary ways.The 2025 Lismore Citizen of the Year was Neville Graham. He was honoured for his extensive volunteering with the SES, the Police Rescue Squad, and the Westpac Helicopter, accumulating over 40 years of service to the community. Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said this is a chance to recognise our unsung heroes who put in many hours as volunteers to make our community a great place to live and raise a family.“One thing that has always stood out to me is that our community is full of quiet unsung heroes,” he said.“Australia Day Awards give us a chance every year to honour those passionate people in our community who dedicate a large part of their lives to building a stronger, healthier community with no thought of personal gain.“If you have a friend who works hard for a volunteer group, know a student who is kicking goals in life or admire a person for the work they do for our community, please nominate them.“It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete an online nomination, so please get online before the deadline and nominate today.”Award Categories:Citizen of the YearYoung Citizen of the YearServices in the Community (Individual)Services in the Community (Group)Junior SportspersonSportspersonSports Team/ClubEnvironmentArts/CultureAcademic Excellence – NEW!Contribution to Economic Excellence – NEW!Nominations close on Sunday, 30 November.You can submit your nomination here: https://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/.../Australia-Day-Awards.

The rise in electricity bills for the average household has added to the cost-of-living crisis in the last three years. The Australian Energy Regulator has said NSW customers will see an increase in the next twelve months of between 7.9 to 9.7 per cent.To keep electricity bills as low as possible and reduce the average household carbon emissions, the state and federal governments have incentives in place to encourage households to install solar panels and add battery storage capacity in support of the Federal Government's renewable energy target of 82% by 2030.A potential third benefit has been revealed by property research company Cotality, which involves an increase in the value of a home that has installed solar panels and/or has a high energy efficiency rating. The benefit is a 3.2% increase in the value of your home. Depending on where you live, that value can be as high as $23,567 in regional NSW.Watt’s it Worth has examined the relationship between residential energy performance and market value, with a specific focus on solar power systems and estimated thermal energy efficiency. The latter relates particularly to new builds.In a Cotality report, it says that as energy costs fluctuate and household budgets are under pressure, consumer preferences are shifting."Buyers are increasingly drawn to homes that offer more than aesthetic appeal or location advantage, such as improved comfort, lower running costs, and resilience to rising electricity and gas prices. These expectations are now improving with a more suitable supply network too, as new builds adopt more efficient standards and solar uptake continues to accelerate across existing housing stock, partly driven by the increasing standards in the National Construction Code (NCC)."Responding to these key market shifts, the property technology sector, which underpins all aspects of the property experience for the real estate sector and consumers, has recently launched the Proptech Energy Efficiency Features Standard for residential property. This Australian-first industry-led, data standard for energy efficiency features in residential property will enable clarity and visibility for these features at key decision-making moments in the property journey. It sends a strong signal that energy efficiency features and energy ratings are key to the next generation of property experiences and insights."Watt's it Worth is a defining report that answers questions and addresses the need for credible information. It demonstrates that energy performance and energy-efficient features are increasingly a measurable contributor to property value."Totality claims that this report confirms a clear trend: homes with solar power systems and higher energy ratings are attracting strong buyer interest and demonstrable price premiums. We put that question to two Lismore real estate agents.Andrew Gordon from R Gordon & Son was quick to say no, having a solar system does not lead to a higher house price."No one's ever said to me, I'm buying that house because it's got a solar array on the roof. They buy the house, and it has a solar array; they can either say, Well, that's beneficial, or it's of no benefit to me, or it's just part of the package."In my mind, solar has no influence on the purchase of a home. People go to look at the house if it has a solar array, well, that's just like, well, booyah."Brett McDonald from Raine & Horne Lismore agreed that a house price was not higher because it had a solar system, but did see a benefit."Buyers are asking about solar. It matters, although I haven't seen an obvious shift in house prices that have a solar system. It makes home buyers feel better about purchasing the house they like."If we had two identical homes and one offered a solar system, the home with the solar would sell first. However, the house without it would still sell, and for the same price."While the research strongly suggests there is a correlation between solar and house prices, on the ground, that doesn't appear to be the case in Lismore.