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. 

The new coronavirus app, COVIDSafe has been released by the Federal Government.The app has been promoted as a way to help slow the spread of coronavirus and its download and use is voluntary.Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said the app was released on Sunday at 6pm and by 10.30pm, 1 million Australians had downloaded it.Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said he has already downloaded the app, and said “it is going to “help us lift restrictions and get businesses open sooner”.The Federal Government has previously said 40% of Australians — or 10 million people — need to take up the contact-tracing app for it to be a success.How it works“To be effective, users should have the app running in the background when they are coming into contact with others,” Mr Hogan said.Your phone does not need to be unlocked for the app to work. It then securely makes a “digital handshake”, which notes the date and time, distance and duration of the contact. All information collected by the app is securely encrypted and stored in the app on the user’s phone. No-one, not even the user, can access it.Unless and until a person is diagnosed with COVID-19, no contact information collected in the app is disclosed or able to be accessed. Then once the person agrees and uploads the data, only the relevant public health officials will have access to information.“The only information they are allowed to access is that of close contacts – when a person has come within approximately 1.5 metres of another app user for 15 minutes or more.”Health Minister Greg Hunt said the app cannot be used to enforce quarantine restrictions or any other laws, and the app can be deleted at any time.He also said you can use a fake name when registering and any contact data stored on your phone will be deleted after 22 days; and any data sent to the government will be stored on an Australian server and only State and Territory authorities can access the encrypted data.ConcernsLismore MP Janelle Saffin has also downloaded the app, after listening to President of the Australian Law Council, Pauline Wright talking about privacy issues and worries for people using the app. “I listened to her concerns, but often when making these decisions, you are balancing one thing against another for the sake of our health,” Ms Saffin said.“She said privacy concerns had been addressed - and I would prefer all regulatory frameworks were in place before we download the app.”Mr Hogan said “by downloading this app, you will save lives and you will save livelihoods”."Once the coronavirus pandemic is over and Australia no longer needs the app, the app and the information on it will be deleted permanently,” he said.“It’s important Australians know we are winning this battle, but it’s not over yet,” Mr Hogan.“Downloading the app will get us one step closer to normality resuming.“The more people who download this app, the safer our community will be and the sooner restrictions can be safely lifted.“This uses technology to automate and improve what health officials already do manually.”The App can be downloaded from the App stores.Find out moreTo find out more about the COVIDSafe app,The Lismore App has created a link to it under the Coronavirus button: COVIDSafe App

In a surprise move for Anzac Day, a large speaker system played The Last Post at dawn over the Lismore valley from Claude Riley Memorial Lookout on Saturday.Joel Spoor and Cameron McPherson surprised Lismore with sound on Anzac Day.For those who heard it, the haunting sounds seemed like they were coming from somewhere close - but the lookout location was carefully selected by Northern Rivers Sound owner Joel Spoor as the launching pad for the amplified sounds.Joel said he’d been told the sound was heard as far as 20 kilometres away, to Caniaba and Bexhill. “I know how sound works and know the area,” Joel said. “I went to the lookout and knew from there it would fill the valley with a consistent sound, not just a hotspot in one area.”Joel said the idea was sparked when a friend, Cameron McPherson, approached him with an idea to hire some speakers to help commemorate Anzac Day in his local park.“I wanted to make it bigger, so we joined forces and I covered some of the costs,” Joel said. “I supplied the speakers and Cameron hired a generator and a truck and some roadies to lift them.“I run a production company and I’ve been booked to do plenty of Anzac day events in the past, but this coronavirus business has made my bookings turn to zero with every event cancelled.“I had all this gear sitting round, so I thought I’d put it to good use.“Lots pf people care about Anzac Day and it’s very dear to some and it bothers them they can’t commemorate it - I wanted to make it special for them.“I played The Last Post first – event though it is traditionally played to mark the end of the day - then had a minute’s silence, then played The Rouse, then The Reveille.”CaniabaChristine Butcher and her daughter and husband commemorated Anzac Day from the heights of their Caniaba home – overlooking the foggy landscape below. (See the picture at the top of the story.)“Normally we go to town to march, but this year put up a flag, a candle and made a wreath and watched from up high, rather than go to the end of our driveway,” she said.“We had a view of Lismore airport to the east and Nimbin Valley to the west.“My grandfather was a military man and we always like to make it special.“A lot of people made a big effort this year – more than normal because they couldn’t go to the march.“Even as we remember those who went off to war, coronavirus is bringing everyone together – and we celebrate our health professionals who are fighting for us too.”Read more stories: ANZAC Day

With self isolation still in full swing it is difficult to know when school stops and starts. There were quite a few comments about the ANZAC Day public holiday being today plus others along the lines of "I don't even know what day it is, they are starting to blend".This morning between 8am to 9:30am and kicking off at 2pm this afternoon until 4pm, school zone 40 km per hour restrictions are back in place Monday to Friday.Yes, school is back on for Term 2 with mostly on-line learning.Schools will be using the first week to work out what the face to face teaching plan will look like from week 3 which is Monday May 11. At this stage it is believed to be on a rotational basis so students will start one day a week face to face with teachers.This will be clarified by most schools this week.

The NSW State Government announced a $395 million stimulus package for Local Councils yesterday.This comprises a $250 million increase in low cost loans to kick start infrastructure projects, $32.8 million to help with the increase in the Emergency Services Levy in 2020/21 and what looks to be the most important aspect of the stimulus package, $112.5 million to support a Council Job Retention allowance of $1500 per fortnight to limit job losses in the NSW Local Government sector. A Local Council JobKeeper payment if you like.Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said this comprehensive package safeguards valuable council jobs and ensures staff with a wide range of skills and experience can continue to serve their communities. “This funding injection enables councils to redirect funds to critical core services and deliver much-needed financial support for local communities,” Mrs Hancock said.“Importantly, this package builds on the NSW Government’s $82 million to support 260 council-run childcare centres and $25 million for local councils to rebuild and refurbish local showgrounds, bringing our total support for the local government sector to over half a billion dollars.” More on the Showground funding on Wednesday.On April 22, the Lismore App wrote a story about the Lismore City Council running out of money by July/August this year putting quite a few jobs at risk (Lismore City Council to run out of money, tough decisions ahead). Yesterday's announcement will safeguard these jobs for at least three months, which is the terms of the package outlined in the release.General Manager of Lismore City Council, Shelley Oldham said "the LCC did a good job of lobbying the State Government as did Local Government NSW to get this stimulus package through. We don't know what it exactly means yet because there are no details released, it is just a heading at this stage, but we hope it means we can keep our staff employed."Lismore MP Janelle Saffin also claimed this was good for Local Councils in NSW. "I started lobbying the State Government in early April when I saw that Local Councils would need financial support after being left out by the Federal Governments stimulus packages", Ms Saffin said, "I don't see how the low cost loan component will help the smaller councils in NSW", she added."The smaller councils are pretty cash strapped anyway so adding to that debt, even low cost will not help them but I am pleased with the announcement, anything will help".Now, we wait for the detail to be released and the Lismore City Council budget process for 2020/21 which begins this week.

Another check on petrol prices over the weekend revealed that one Lismore station has dropped its price to 105.9. Certainly a far cry from the 139.9 we were paying at the bowser only a few weeks ago.Only one petrol station has this price and this is United on Ballina Road. The nearest to those prices are are 114.9, nine cents a litre more expensive for unleaded E10. The question is will we see petrol prices fall to below $1 a litre for the first time in about 20 years?The answer should be yes but lets wait and see when.Currently Casino has one station at 91.9, Broadwater 97.9 and Newrybar at 99.9.As soon as this milestone happens, we will let you know and where you can find it.

On the 17th April, the Lismore App ran a story about local businesses being asked to feed hungry essential workers at Lismore Base Hospital due to the closure of the hospital café (Hungry workers at hospital call out for food deliveries).That call was answered yesterday when nine Lismore businesses put together over 400 food packs to feed and refresh our essential services from Lismore Base Hospital and St Vincents Hospital.From 6am Sunday morning Sally Sullivan, Ernie Angelosanto, Tony Palati, Tamaya Rose and Malcolm & Susan Bruce packed and manned the Amici Italian Food Van handing out fresh coffee and food to nurses, doctors, policemen, paramedics and even a run out to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew.Workers walked away with treat bags containing a mix of fruit, chocolate brownies, grapes, bottle of water and cheese & biscuits.Sally Sullivan said "we just wanted to say thank you to the frontliners".What was the response?"They were all overwhelmed and really, really happy", Sally said, "they could not thank us enough".From the Lismore community a big thank you to these nine businesses.Cafe Capello, Amici Italian Food Van, Southern Cross University Catering & Events, Henry's Bakery café, McDonalds, Half Gallon Milk, Norco, Farmer Charlies and Bottero coffee.It is in times like these that our care and respect for all frontline workers is demonstrated not just in words but in deeds.

It was certainly a very different ANZAC morning to most that we commemorate as a community.No crowds, no social breakfasts after the dawn service but it was pleasing to hear the sound of the Ode and the Last Post ring around our neighbourhoods between 5:30 and 6am this morning.In Goonellabah, people were at the end of their driveways remembering those that have fought wars for our country. There were social media comments of people hearing the Last Post played in East Lismore and saying 'thank you'.If you have photos to share please go to the 'contact' button at the bottom of the front page and share them with us.At the main war memorial in town in front of the Memorial Baths, it was quiet but it was pleasing to see people walking their dogs or exercising and pausing in front of the memorial for a moments silence before continuing on their day.Ken Jolley (Vietnam), Graham Bruton (Namibia Peace Keeping Force), Bob Mosley (Middle east Peace Keeping Force) and Cecil Harris (Vietnam) had a private ceremony for their fallen mates as well as remembering those that had fought in all Australian wars at the North Lismore war memorial just after 7am this morning. All done with appropriate social distancing.(Ken Jolley laying his wreath at the North Lismore war memorial this morning).When asked it feels to have a private ceremony instead of one commemorating with the community, Ken said "It feels alright to me. It feels different and it feels respectful, very respectful".The shame of today is that Ken, Graham, Bob and Cecil as well as many other veterans in Lismore and surrounding communities cannot go and have breakfast or lunch to talk about their respective wars and talk about their fallen mates. COVID19 has changed a great deal this year.Lest We Forget.

Normally, I sit in my home office thinking that there is nothing happening on a weekend but this weekend is slightly different.ANZAC Day is tomorrow, as we all know. It will be the first time in my lifetime that I cannot attend a dawn service, a regular occurrence in the Mumford household.This is why we created the ANZAC Day button on the front page. We encourage you to rise early and be at the top of your driveway, verandah or balcony to push the play button on the Ode and Last Post link at 6am. Have your candle ready or turn the torch on in your mobile phone. You need nothing else, just your mobile phone and your physical presence. It may only be for 5 minutes (ANZAC Day)If you do feel like rising earlier the National Dawn Service will be broadcast on the ABC live at 5:30am plus there will be the regular 10am service from the Sydney War Memorial, also broadcast on the ABC.The weather will continue to be magnificent, no change there (Weather)Mostly sunny days with tops of 27 degrees and the lovely early chill of 12. There may be some rain coming our way on Tuesday but the word from the BOM is 0-2mm at best.Petrol prices continue to slide in Lismore. The cheapest is still the United station on Ballina Road at 110.9, down another 4c a litre since Monday. There is some 114.9 at the Caltex on Woodlark Street and on Dawson Street near the Square. Nimbin, you're paying 118.9.Is there more of a decrease to come? Yes, should be the answer with Casino prices being 101.9, Coraki 105.9 and Newrybar 99.9 cents per litre. A hint if you want to exercise at the beach, don't fill up in Ballina, prices there are still 127.9.The Lismore Farmers Markets is on tomorrow from 8am to 11:30am. They too will be having a minutes silence for ANZAC Day at 9am.As you may have red in my earlier story about the Lismore Lantern Parade (Lismore Lantern Parade is going Virtual in June) Jyllie Jackson and her team will be selling some Lantern Parade 'Do It Yourself' kits for $15 so we can help put together a virtual Lismore Lantern Parade in 2020. Get along and buy some kits as the money raised will help keep the Lantern Parade running so we will have this iconic event in November and for the years to come.As well as that, some fantastic autumn fruit and vegetables will be on sale.The Blue Knob Community Markets will also be on from 8:30 to 11am tomorrow with some ANZAC biscuits to purchase as well as the fruit and veg.Now, for some jokes, we need to keep smiling in these self isolating times.The first person to buy fish and chips after lockdown is eased.

While alcohol sales at Lismore bottle shops are still rising, with an expected spike next month, the sales of tobacco and DVD rentals have levelled out.The Lismore App spoke to some local businesses to find out if the initial coronavirus panic buying had settled down – and what’s changed in people’s shopping habits over the past five weeks since coronavirus changed life as we know it. In case you’ve forgotten how life used to be - the last big community event held in Lismore was Eat the Street on March 14. It’s been quiet since then. AlcoholLocal East Lismore bottle shop manager Tony Johnston said alcohol sales are still going up – in fact they are up 15-20% since April last year – and he expects sales to spike again next month. “I expect to see sales spike after May 1, when people get their Government stimulus package money that’s backdated,” Tony said.“We should see a fair bit of extra carton buying then – that’s what they do when they get money.“Then in June it might peter out because of tax time - people back off a bit until they get their tax cheque.“It’s still beer and pre-mixes that are the popular selling items - nothing different.“People aren’t buying in bulk - they are just going through it all because they are bored at home with nothing to do but gardening and drinking.”Binge watchingThe only DVD shop in the Lismore village, Network Video, saw a spike in tobacco sales at the beginning of the coronavirus panic, but it’s gone back to “normal” levels now. Network Video manager Kris Larnach said the shop’s party supplies business has “fallen off a cliff” along with the end to large gatherings. “But people are still coming in to buy balloons and special treats for kids’ birthdays,” she said.“In the first couple of weeks, we sold more tobacco than normal, but people need to use that stock up so sales are at normal levels again. “The good news is that this means it could all come to an end soon - people have a different perspective now, rather than the panic at the beginning. “This has become the new normal now."While DVD rentals have remained steady, Kris said there was an increase in new memberships and people reactivating memberships because they had exhausted their options on their streaming movie services and wanted to keep binge-watching TV series’.“Out of town people are coming in and getting more weeklies because they are not coming into town very often any more, and need enough movies to watch for the week,” she said. “Streaming services can be expensive when you have to join more than one in order to access something you haven’t watched yet."Kris said people often join Network Video when they move to Lismore from the city. “They walk in and say it’s like a time warp,” she said. “Going into the video shop becomes an outing – it’s an experience to come it and shop and see everything that’s available.”

There are some ANZAC stories that are tragic and there are some that are lucky. Joe Wilson was one of the lucky ones.Janice McLennan's (wife of Robert McLennan of McLennan Real Estate in Lismore) father, Joe Wilson was born in 1899. Through photo's and family stories, this is Joe Wilsons ANZAC story.Joe's father died when he was young and he didn't get on with his step-father so he soon found himself shipped off to Lismore as a farm boy with his uncle.In 1915, at the young age of 16, Joe enlisted in the Australian Army. Being too young, he, like many others, adjusted his age to 17 and joined the 9th Battalion which featured a lot of soldiers from Northern NSW and Queensland.(Joe Wilson's army papers)It is believed that Joe was seduced by the army recruiters with the promise to see the world as part of the exciting life of being a soldier.Initially, Joe thought he was going to Gallipoli but when that ship was full he was put on another bound for Europe.In 1916, Joe Wilson found himself in one of the most famous battles in World War 1, the Battle of the Somme in France.(photo of the Battle of the Somme - July to November, 1916)Joe was injured twice during his time in combat in France and struck down with a serious bout of the Spanish Flu in 1918.The first time Joe was hit by shrapnel from an exploding bomb on June 14, 1916.(Joe recuperating after his first injury)The second he was shot in the lower part of his body a sniper on March 19, 1917.(Joe and his nurse in England after his second injury)Joe's injuries were so serious that doctors had to fuse his hip together that left him with one leg shorter than the other.(Joe Wilson (right) just before he was sent back to France for the third time)Then in 1918, Joe suffered a serious bout of the Spanish Flu that hospitalised him again.A few days before the Armistice was signed on the the 11th of November, 1918 Winston Churchill sent a lot of troops back into battle to regain land from the Germans. Joe could see no reason to risk his life again for a bit of land when the war was won so he travelled to Scotland where he was arrested and charged for desertion.This cost Joe a couple of medals and quite a few friends who lost their lives in that final battle. It was not enough to not be awarded the Kings commendation upon his return.(picture of Joe Wilson and King George's commendation)When Joe returned home in 1920, he married Minnie and built a life in Lismore.Tomorrow we celebrate ANZAC Day. A time when we can remember brave young soldiers like Joe Wilson that volunteered to fight for our liberties and our freedom. Some, like Joe were lucky enough to survive and live a full life, others were not so lucky.There are a number of ways you can commemorate ANZAC Day tomorrow.The Lismore App has an ANZAC Day button where you can take your mobile phone to the end of your driveway and play the Ode and Last Post from that button at 6am. It is as simple as that, check the ANZAC button out on the front page at the top if you haven't already (ANZAC Day).The ABC will be broadcasting a 5:30am service from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.10am will see another service, this one from the ANZAC memorial in Sydney. Again this will be broadcast on ABC TV as well as streamed live.

A digital marketing bootcamp and a webinar on how to create your own SEO strategy are just two of the free webinars for small business now available for you to take advantage of – especially if you are at home with time on your hands. Other webinars include 'Where to focus your marketing efforts in 2020'; and 'List and Sell your Creation with ETSY Online'.NORTEC Small Business Solutions is offering the free webinars under the NSW Business Connect Program. For information about the webinars, or to register, visit https://www.nortecsmallbiz.org/online-webinars.html

Lismore City Council has joined forces with Australia’s grant search engine, Grant Guru, to deliver a free one-stop-shop website for business and community grants.You can use the search engine to find available grants and filter grants by specifying location, industry and type of project. The website also assists with advice and top tips for finding and applying for grants to maximise your chances of receiving the funds you need.Lismore City Council General Manager Shelley Oldham said Council wants to help local businesses and groups to find and apply for grants."There are a lot of great funding opportunities out there, but the process of finding and applying for grants can be daunting and time consuming, and many people don’t know where to start looking," she said."Lismore Grant Hub will take the guess work out of searching for grants and help groups and businesses navigate the process."Businesses and community groups can register with the Lismore Grant Hub to receive email alerts about available grants at http://www.lismore grantguru.com.auFor further information or assistance with registering, please contact us on 1300 87 83 87.

On March 19, arguably the biggest Lismore event of the year, the Lantern Parade, was postponed to November 14. Yet another in a long line of events that has either been postponed or cancelled completely for 2020.In my conversations with CEO and Creative Director Jyllie Jackson, it was always in the back of her mind to work on an alternative event to celebrate the Winter Solstice, something that will lift people's hope during these pandemic times albeit on a smaller scale.Today, we can reveal that takes the form of the Virtual Lismore Lantern Parade.This is where you and your family can purchase simple pre-made pyramid lanterns with specially prepared decorating kits.These kits will be available from the Lismore Lantern Parade website at the end of next week (https://www.lismorelanternparade.com.au/), but there will be some early bird kits available at the Lismore Farmers Markets tomorrow morning between 8am and 11:30am.Each kit contains....pre-cut shapes, PVA glue, sponge, an LED candle and full instructions.The Lantern kits are $15 each - please bring the correct change if you can!!Jyllie says that decorating the lanterns is a wonderful activity for everyone - especially the kids at home"We will then ask you to take a photo of you and your lantern and send it to the Lantern Parade so we can create a virtual lantern parade on line!!", she said."This is a really special night this year because of COVID19", Jyllie added, "Selling these lanterns will keep us alive as a business which means we can keep doing Lantern Parades into the future. This year we have had absolutely no income."So, come on Lismore and our surrounding communities, get to the Farmers Markets tomorrow and buy a kit for only $15 or get on-line at the of next week and order from the website. If you believe in the Lismore Lantern Parade and what it does for our community, make an effort. Jyllie and the team need us now.LET'S LIGHT UP THE WORLD!

WANTED: Andrew BOLTPolice are seeking community assistance in locating 29 year old Andrew Bolt, wanted on warrant. Bolt is known to frequent the Goonellabah and Lismore areas.Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre will open this Sunday to cater for weekend waste disposal as the centre will be closed on Saturday, 25 April for ANZAC Day.The facility will be open to the public on Sunday, 26 April from 9am to 4pm.All residents and business operators can currently dispose of general waste and green waste, but bookings are essential.People can book online at http://www.northernriverswaste.com.au – a vehicle registration number and email address is required. Anyone without internet access can phone 1300 87 83 87 during business hours to book.Residents are asked to be aware of the following changed operating procedures at the facility due to COVID-19:• Waste must be securely contained, wrapped or bagged so the contents cannot spill. • All waste accepted at the facility (including household recycling and household items) will be treated as COVID-19 contaminated and charged at the general waste rate. • Customers are urged to store recycling and large household items until operations return to normal. Customers that choose to bring these items to the facility will be charged at the general waste rate of $298 per tonne. Council must treat all items as COVID-19 contaminated and send them to landfill, which is why the general waste rate must be charged. • Green waste is being accepted as normal but bookings are now required. Please note if there is anything other than organic matter found in green waste, the full load will be charged at the general waste rate. • All visitors must pay using electronic payment – cash is no longer accepted. Please use tap and go wherever possible. • Existing waste vouchers will be honoured. No new vouchers will be issued until further notice. • No hazardous materials will be accepted until further notice. The Lismore Revolve Shop, the Container Deposit Scheme bulk collection centre, the Brewster Street Drop-off Centre and the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens are all closed until further notice.For bookings visit http://www.northernriverswaste.com.au or phone 1300 87 83 87.

Employment has become an even bigger issue since coronavirus has impacted on the local market. So as far as the future of employment in our region goes, what do we need to do?A new project looking at how we solve regional employment issues is calling for submissions to help inform the North Coast Employment Strategy 2020-2025.The project is a collaboration between Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers (RDANR) and Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC).The two organisations hope their new joint discussion paper, survey and call for submissions can be a catalyst for change.RDANR director Tim Williamson said the impact of bushfires and Covid-19 during 2019/20 have highlighted the need to work together at a regional level to address the challenges impacting both businesses and jobseekers.“RDA Northern Rivers has recently modelled the impact of Covid-19 on the local economy,” he said.“The results indicate that thousands of Northern Rivers workers could be unemployed due to the coronavirus shutdown, and the crisis will have an impact on businesses and the economy for years to come.“Opening discussions around how employment programmes and initiatives are approached can be a tool to better drive initiatives.”Mr Williamson said the Grattan Institute also researched the impact that the current crisis will have on young people, women and those on lower incomes.“They are likely to work in occupations and industries most affected by the shutdowns and spatial distancing measures imposed to slow the spread of the virus,” he said. “Key organisations, jobseekers, long-term unemployed, carers need to be at the centre of any proposed solutions. Currently initiatives are too often replicated and repeated over time, as funding expires for one focus group and ultimately replaced to be directed towards another.The new project will gather feedback from stakeholders to help laying the foundations for programs that align with the recommendations of the final North Coast Employment Strategy.The Regional Australia Institute has also partnered with the program and will contribute to the final document and advocacy.Submissions close on May 12 and the release of the North Coast Employment Strategy is scheduled for June 23.To contribute, you can complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/northcoastemploymentYou can download the discussion paper from http://rdamnc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/North-Coast-Employment-Strategy-DISCUSSION-PAPER.pdfYou can email feedback to either Tim Williamson director@rdanorthernrivers.org.au, or Kerry Grace ceo@rdamnc.org.au