Artists and musicians sitting at home out of work, are called to creatively respond to adversity and develop a creative work for Lismore Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery.The paid creative work will be part of the new Together//Alone project. It comes at a time when the coronavirus outbreak has put an end to all community celebrations, and galleries, festivals and public spaces have closed. During this, many Northern Rivers artists are facing serious income loss.The Together//Alone project offers paid opportunities for Northern Rivers artists across all artforms to develop a creative concept over a two week at-home ‘residency’ that includes a component that can be communicated via a digital platform. Artists do not need to present fully formed complete works - the emphasis is on the creative process and connection. Works will be shared via The Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery’s websites and social media channels.Together//Alone asks Northern Rivers artists to creatively respond to the question: ‘How do we remain connected to community places from our homes?’The Quad Placemaking Officer Jane Fuller said “we ask that a component of artists’ projects can be shared digitally so that our community can connect and engage with the work; view it, sing along to it, dance to it, admire it, read it, be inspired by it, and feel a sense of connection with community”. “Together//Alone with The Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery is an opportunity for Northern Rivers artists to extend their creative practice from an isolated location and counteract the lack of access to our shared creative community gathering places of The Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery,” Jane said.“We are redirecting the funds from Create NSW for The Gallery and The Quad’s cancelled public programs to Together//Alone so we can help support Northern Rivers artists directly during this time of hardship. “The importance of the arts in responding to and helping us through these times cannot be underestimated. We’ve seen it already with Italians singing on balconies, the Australian Opera’s chorus singers performing in Sydney’s Waterloo, and an amazing suite of live streams of dance, music and writing coming from our artists. The Quad and Lismore Regional Gallery are committed to our wonderful Northern Rivers creatives and maintaining the vital connection with our community.’Northern Rivers based artists working in all mediums are invited to apply to be part of Together//Alone, including, but not limited to: writers, musicians or other performance artists, sound and or multimedia artists, video, installation or performance artists, ceramicists, craft or textile artists, comedy, dance workshops, animations, experimental music, conversation and panels, ezine’s, photography, podcasts and more.”A minimum of five artists will be selected to participate in the first Together//Alone project (April – May 2020) with future programs to be considered. Expressions of interest will be considered by The Quad’s Placemaking Officer, Lismore Regional Gallery Director and Lismore Regional Gallery Learning Officer. Applications for the first project are open until Friday, May 22.Visit http://www.lismorequad.org.au for more information or to discuss concepts.Artists are welcome to contact Jane Fuller at jane.fuller@lismore.nsw.gov.au. 

A man who stole a vehicle from Evans Head was arrested by police and faced Lismore Court yesterday.The 35 year old man was charged with Take and Drive motor vehicle, Be carried in Motor Vehicle, Steal from dwelling and Disqualified driving.Richmond District Police will allege that on the April 6, the accused man entered a private residence in Evans Head, where he stole car keys and a motor vehicle parked in the garage.He was sighted by Police driving the stolen vehicle a short time later and decamped on foot after dumping the car in nearby bushland.Police located the accused man's personal property in the stolen vehicle.The man was arrested by officers attached to Richmond Police Target Action Group in Dunoon.He was conveyed to Lismore Police Station where he was charged with multiple offences, execution of his warrant and bail refused.

If gardening is one of the productive ways you like to spend time at home, why not consider creating a bird-friendly garden and planting things birds love.Birds are just like people. In order to survive, they need a comfortable living environment with all the same things we need – food, water and shelter.By providing them with those things, you will be making your garden not just beautiful, but bird friendly as well.What do I need?The key to designing a bird-friendly garden is lots of plants at different heights to create a multi-layered habitat. Start off with ground covers, small and medium-sized shrubs (for density) and, where possible, add trees that will provide year-round food and shelter for many different species. Use these simple principles to help you plan your garden.Don’t forget to take into account the plants you already have, and take note of which birds are using them. Instead of removing vegetation straight away, add new vegetation to provide some resources that you might otherwise be missing and to attract new birds to your patch. Remember to make sure there is readily available water (put in a bird bath or two!) and plants that flower at different times throughout the year. That way, your local birdlife will never go hungry or thirsty.Plants that grow naturally in your area are suited to local conditions and are referred to as indigenous. These plants will provide the right food and shelter for a range of local native birds, unlike some hybrids or plants from other parts of Australia, and are less likely to become weeds or favour larger, more aggressive birds. If you can’t get indigenous plants, general natives are the next best thing. Specifically, here are the types of plants you should get based on the type of birds you are trying to attract (don’t forget to look for the indigenous versions).A pair of King Parrots. Seed-eatersSeed-eaters (like finches) generally like dense vegetation to nest, forage and shelter in. Plant grasses next to thick shrubs for an optimal environment. Here are some examples of both shrubs and grasses:• Tea-tree• Acacia (Wattle)• Lomandra• Themeda (Kangaroo grass)• Poa (Tussock grass)Brown Honeyeater.HoneyeatersHoneyeaters (like spinebills) rely on dense vegetation to nest in, as well as to hide from larger, aggressive or carnivorous birds.However, they feed on the nectar of shrubs and trees, so both types of vegetation need to be accounted for. Here are some examples of plants a honeyeater would be attracted to:• Banksia• Grevillea• Hakea• Melaleuca• CorreaInsect-eatersInsect-eaters need to be in or close to dense vegetation, and enjoy many of the same shrubs as honeyeaters. This gives them protection from predators.To make the perfect home for insect-eaters, plant a variety of small shrubs and provide ample mulch on the ground to encourage insect life.Here are some examples of small shrubs:• Acacia (Wattle)• Leptospermum• Kunzea• Tea-treeBenefits of a bird-friendly gardenBirds are truly incredible creatures and Australia is blessed with such diversity, with over 800 bird species occurring on our shores. Birds are a crucial part of the Australian ecosystem, and having native birds in your garden, in turn, helps the environment as a whole.Here are some of the reasons you should make an effort to care about birds and make your garden bird-friendly.Birds disperse seeds and pollinate flowers, keeping your garden fertile and healthy.Birds keep insects under control by eating them.A garden full of wildlife provides a natural beauty to your backyard.They make up the environment that we call home, but what few of us realise is – our home is their home as well. Many of our native birds rely on our gardens and parks for their survival.Interacting with nature has proven benefits to you physically, psychologically and socially.For more information on bird-friendly gardening and Australia’s native birdlife, visit the Birds in Backyards or BirdLife Australia website.

The coronavirus updates are important so everyone knows how many confirmed cases Lismore has each day. They are becoming a little predictable with the count remaining at 5 once again.Of course, this is very good news for our community. The quicker we can get COVID-19 under control the quicker we can start getting back to our normal life styles, whatever they maybe for you.On a bragging note, Lismore now has the second lowest number in the Northern NSW Local Health District area. Previously Ballina was sitting in the 1-4 range but this has jumped to 9 with Tweed at 15, Byron 16 and Clarence Valley 8. The lowest number of cases goes to Richmond Valley with 1-4. If we use the total number of cases, that is 56, we can assume Richmond Valley has 3 cases.If you missed the Premier of NSW speaking this morning, she said that the government may encourage parents to send their children to school in week 3 of Term 2. This is a tentative date at this stage but that light at the end of the tunnel does appear to be growing stronger.Keep doing the right thing Lismore and communities.

The Hazardous Materials Unit has arrived on the scene of a Gundurimba Road property, where a plume of toxic smoke is still burning.Multiple Fire and Rescue vehicles are also on the scene, along with Rural Fire Service appliances and police.Photo: Mark Bailey.The Lismore App spoke with Rural Fire Service staff who said the fire looked "contained" to a pile of recycled tyres, although there was also some scrap metal in the area.He received the call to attend the fire at 3.30pm.It is believed the un-signposted Lismore property is a part of a business previously named Arkans Scrap Metal, which deals in recycled scrap metal and old tyres.ORIGINAL STORY: Fire at scrap metal and tyre recyclersA fire has broken out at a local Lismore business on Keen Street, Lismore.The facility, previously named Arkans Scrap Metal, deals in recycled scrap metal and old tyres and currently has fire brigade appliances on the scene trying to bring the blaze under control.It is expected that multiple Hazmat Units from other towns will soon arrive Lismore to contain the toxic fumes from the smoke.The Lismore App will keep you informed.

A fire has broken out at a local Lismore business on Keen Street, Lismore.The facility, previously named Arkans Scrap Metal, deals in recycled scrap metal and old tyres and currently has fire brigade appliances on the scene trying to bring the blaze under control.UPDATE: Hazmat teams respond to toxic smoke plumeIt is expected that multiple Hazmat Units from other towns will soon arrive Lismore to contain the toxic fumes from the smoke.The Lismore App will keep you informed.

Even our local university is changing to meet the needs of students in these uncertain times.Another option has arrived for Year 12 students worried about achieving an ATAR score to get them into university.Southern Cross University (SCU) vice chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said students could accelerate their results and guarantee their place at university in 2021 by doing the Transition to Uni course this year.“Year 12 students are among those most impacted by unpredictability in the face of Covid-19,” Prof Shoemaker said.“Transition to Uni is a free intensive preparatory course designed for current ATAR-eligible Year 12 students.“These are unprecedented times, and we understand many Year 12 students are anxious about their ability to achieve their desired ATAR or OP, their eligibility to enol in the undergraduate degree of preference, and the uncertainty of their personal and professional futures.“We have created this opportunity to alleviate anxiety and enable these students begin their University studies on time, whether it be in nursing, allied health, engineering, IT, law, psychology or any of our degrees.Transition to Uni is delivered online and has start dates in late April, July and September in 2020, where students can study full-time for six weeks (four to five sessions per week) or part-time for 12 weeks (two to three sessions per week) to suit their needs.Two-hour classes are live-streamed daily from 3:30pm – 5:30pm Monday to Thursday, with assessment preparation classes on Fridays, to ensure study modules are complementary to the Year 12 schedule.“This Transition to Uni program develops the key academic literacies and the foundational scientific and quantitative concepts students will need at university, so they can proceed into their chosen degree with the confidence to succeed,” Prof Shoemaker said.Previously, Transition to Uni had only been available only to school leavers, but has been extended to include both current Year 12 students and those who have previously completed Year 12.Successful completion of the Transition to Uni program guarantees entry into all SCU undergraduate degrees in 2020 and 2021, except midwifery which involves an additional an interview and selection process.For more information on how to apply, visit http://www.scu.edu.au/transition-to-uni

You know it’s unusual times when toilet paper keeps popping up in unexpected places.If you are a coffee drinker, the marrying of toilet paper with coffee will seem almost natural, with coffee often leading toward a need of the other.So, the appearance yesterday of toilet paper for sale at local Lismore café, Dragonfly, was a welcome sight for customers picking up their take away coffees.Katie O’Neill said her parents had recently taken over running the café, right at the beginning of the Covid-19 restrictions, but that they were still selling take-away coffee, food – and now – toilet paper.“Customers told us that they were struggling to get toilet paper at the supermarket, especially our elderly customers who don’t want to keep going into crowds to see if they can get some,” Katie said.“So, yesterday we started selling packs of toilet paper for $3 for customers. It’s a necessity.”Note: This picture was taken at Dragonfly before the toilet paper price rise.Katie said despite Covid-19 restrictions, take away sales were doing okay, as were dinner sales.“Home delivery is doing well too,” she said. “We deliver free if the location is in the Lismore CBD and the amount spent is over $30. If it’s outside the CBD, there’s a $5 delivery fee.”The Lismore App wants to remind you to support local businesses at this time. Your patronage keeps the doors open and protects the livelihoods of people in our community. This is the time we need to really get behind local business.

Lismore resident Kylie Miller has two boys in Years 9 and 11. As one of the many working parents concerned about her children’s education, recent changes to the education system and the HSC structure because of Covid-19 have her and her boys worried. Kylie’s concerns are echoed in a recently released Gonski education report 'Growing Up Digital Australia’ which paints a worrying picture of changed learning conditions in Australian schools.Recent changes to the HSC curriculum by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) mean her older boy is now missing out on crucial parts of his education.Both boys are also having a hard time adjusting to home schooling and missing the social aspects of going to school.HSC changes this year have included the cancelling of group drama and music performances, and the cancelling of VET work placements for students studying the practical pathway through high school.While the focus has been on the impact on students in year 12, Kylie is concerned about the uncertainty of the future for her son in Year 11, who is studying the Alternative Pathways Program. Package dealKylie said his future relies on work placements going ahead in order for him to achieve the desired skills so he can work a trade after completing school. “Year 11 and 12 is a package deal for students,” Kylie said.“A lot of this year will be disrupted and we are concerned that the boys will have to spend longer at school because they won’t have completed the requirements at the end of the year. “The Vocational Education Training (VET) is a major component of the Year 11 learning for my son.“He was ready to send letters to employers to prepare to work placement – and some of his friends had already put plans in place for their placements.”Now, the family is worried about what the future holds, with no idea of when, or if, things will get back to normal. “Will some kids drop out if extra schooling involved?” Kylie said. “What’s the alternative? They would have looked for employment, but that’s not an option any more - young adolescents with minimal work experience will now be thrown into the mix with others looking for employment.”Rather be at school“The kids have told me they would rather be at school,” Kylie said. “Not every student manages online learning easily – it’s more challenging at home.“We try to find appropriate spaces at home for them to study in and have a reliable internet connection. You really need to use your own self discipline and have a routine.”Kylie said her two children have different learning styles, with one navigate online study better than the other.“When the school term finished before Easter, the school was improving home monitoring and encouragement, with more face to face explanations of things in zoom online meetings,” she said. NEWS: Guaranteed pathway to university arrives for worried studentsGonski report paints worrying futureThe Gonski Institute for Education at UNSW Sydney has released the first in a series of 'Growing Up Digital Australia' reports, with initial research painting a worrying picture of changed learning conditions in Australian schools. Well before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia, children’s significant access to digital technology and its impacts on learning and wellbeing had become a major concern for educators.The first research phase found nine out of ten teachers and principals in Australia have observed an increased number of students with emotional, social and behavioural challenges in school today compared to just five years ago. Decline in readiness to learnThree out of five Australian educators have seen a decline in students’ readiness to learn and two-thirds have observed more children arriving at school tired.Now, with more than 85% of children across Australia being taught remotely at home, with a heavy emphasis on learning using media and digital technology, this research takes on an extra dimension.Children have entered a period of even greater exposure to screen-based technologies where no-one can be sure what impact, both positive and negative, this will have.This first research phase of 'Growing Up Digital Australia' will form crucial benchmark data as we start to understand what the Covid-19 world and the post Covid-19 world will look like for children.“Biggest educational experiment in history” The study also suggests there are some serious concerns regarding access and equity when teaching and learning move to rely more on available technologies in schools and homes.Gonski’s deputy director and the report’s co-author Professor Pasi Sahlberg said “what is happening with our kids now is the biggest educational experiment in history”.“As adults, we have much to learn about their habits, and the benefits and pitfalls of screen-based technologies for them. 'Growing Up Digital Australia' sets out to do just that. “Based on our research, it is clear the problems facing young people today are complex. Simply banning devices in schools or homes will not help students navigate the digital minefield.”The Institute has partnered with Harvard Medical School, the University of Alberta and Alberta Teachers Association on the international digital technology, learning and health research project Growing Up Digital in Australia.The project has the potential to be the world’s largest study of technology, learning and health impacts on K–12 students.The study’s phase 1 findings were drawn from 1876 responses to a survey of teachers, principals and school support staff in all sectors (Government, Catholic and Independent) from preschool to Year 12 which ran from September to the end of the school year in 2019.Read the full Growing Up Digital Australia Phase 1 Technical Report. Key facts·       43% of Australian teachers and principals believe digital technologies enhance their teaching and learning activities, while 84% believe digital technologies are a growing distraction in the learning environment.·       60% of teachers believe technology has positively impacted the learning experience for students with disabilities.·       59% of respondents observed a decline in students’ overall readiness to learn in the last 3–5 years.·       78% of teachers say students’ ability to focus on educational tasks has decreased.·       83% of teachers agree that students’ socio-economic circumstances have some impact on access to technology they need for learning in school.

Wayne Jones, the Chief Executive of the Northern NSW Local Health District has thanked the people of Lismore and the North Coast for their vigilance over the past two weeks in observing the stricter stay at home regulations along with the continued social distancing.Mr Jones said, "I want to thank our community for their support and engagement with the public health orders restricting movement over the past few weeks. It’s pleasing to see the numbers of new cases in our region slowing, and I want to acknowledge the efforts that have been made by our local residents in helping bring this about. I encourage everyone to continue with hand washing and physical distancing which have been working so well to date. As the hospital level, we’re continuing to prepare for any increase in positive cases that may occur over the coming months, and our staff are doing a great job in adapting to new directives and in some cases, new roles, as our response evolves".The number of Lismore cases remains at 5 while the local health district had one more confirmed case taking the total to 54, 51 of these were contracted whilst overseas. Two cases are in hospital with one of these in ICU.

An unfortunate mistake ended in a truck becoming wedged under the Union Street railway overpass today.Lismore resident Jason Placing was driving down Union Street and snapped a photo of the stuck truck at about 12.30pm today.It’s not the first time he’s seen a truck stuck there.“I’ve seen it dozens of times - at least once every couple of months,” Jason said. Sergeant Underhill from Lismore Police Station said the police were on the scene to manage and redirect traffic.“To get past, we had to drive through the lower truck pass next to the road – the pass where the truck should have gone,” Jason said.“To get the truck out, they have to lower all the air out of the tyres to give them enough room to pull it out.”Jason said he believes the overpass may have sunk over the years, and it’s not the height that the signage says it is.Lismore resident Mark Bailey was also on Union Street to see the unfortunate truck today. Truck photo by Mark Bailey.Mark believes the overpass needs better signage, because he’s seen it happen regularly too.“There’s no big signs as you approach it,” Mark said. “It could do with solar activated red flashing lights and a sign adjacent to it, so drivers have more warning.“It’s railway property that needs to be managed properly. If State Rail were managing it, it would have lights. “John Holland is in charge of managing this railway reserve, and if it was properly managed, it would have better signage. “It would reduce the number of crashes.“That bridge ain’t moving for a truck.”

If you have been tempted to access your superannuation early to help you through the Covid-19 crisis, be aware of a new scam.Scammers have pounced on the opportunity to make a buck since the Federal Government’s recent announcement to allow early access of up to $10,000 of superannuation savings before 1 July 2020, and another $10,000 between 1 July and 24 September, Fraudsters are phoning or emailing super fund members, pretending to be agents who will help them through the application process for a fee. They may ask for member numbers and passwords for accessing member accounts online, and other personal details.Industry SuperFund for the timber, pulp and paper, and furniture and joinery industries, First Super has words of advice for anyone who think they have been targeted by scammers.First Super chief executive Bill Watson said eligible super fund members need to apply through myGov only, not their super fund or any third party.“First Super is strongly connected to the NSW North Coast and is aware that some of its members in the area may need to apply for early access to their super due to changed circumstances,” Mr Watson said.“The scammers’ aim is to take advantage of people suffering financial hardship, who are desperate for income due to a reduction or loss of their regular wages.”What to do if you’re targetedBe cautious about any communications you receive about early access to their super.“If you are worried that a phone call, email, or text message concerning your super is a scam, you should hang up or delete the message. You can easily contact your super fund afterwards to check if a call or email was genuine,” Mr Watson said.The important things to remember are:The temporary early access to super application process does not open until Monday 20 April.No super fund will ever contact members by phone, email or text message asking for online account passwords.Super fund administration teams would normally request personal or financial details only in response to an enquiry or insurance claim from a member in relation to their super account.The ‘temporary early access to super’ provision is designed as a last resort. People are encouraged to explore the other Government income-support measures available and Rent Assistance.Banks are also offering help, such as mortgage payment and loan holidays.For more information about early access to superannuation, visit the Federal Government’s Early access to superannuation fact sheet:https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-03/Fact_sheet-Early_Access_to_Super_1.pdfor MoneySmart’s dedicated COVID-19 and financial matters web page https://moneysmart.gov.au/covid-19

If you have been directed to self-isolate, and have no family or friends able to help you with shopping, Emergency Relief Packages are now available for you.The packages contain two weeks of food and personal care items, such as pasta, long life milk, canned vegetables, toilet paper.The Office of Emergency Management together with Foodbank are coordinating the supply of the packages.If you, or someone you know is in need of these packages, call Service NSW on 13 77 88.

The two main points we learned from last nights new look on-line Lismore City Council meeting were that the Special Rates Variation (SRV) is in the process of being withdrawn from iPart and there are reduced parking fees in the Lismore Hospital precinct for Health Workers.Rumours were running around town faster than the spread of coronavirus that there was to be another rescission motion about the SRV at last night's council meeting.When certain Councillors had contacted iPart they were told they knew nothing about the withdrawal of the SRV.This led to not just councillor confusion but for the community itself.When questioned about this, General Manager Shelley Oldham said that a rescission motion was received against the March 10 rescission motion last week then withdrawn, so iPart have been informed of Councils intention to withdraw the SRV.As a community we wait for official confirmation from iPart but the word from Council is that the SRV is finally dead.Free parking at hospitalThe other good news to come out of last night's council meeting was that the motion to reduce parking fees in the Lismore Hospital precinct was passed.This now means that health workers will have free parking in the Uralba Street car park and in the surrounding streets.The Health Services Union NSW thanked Mayor Isaac Smith for "clearly listening to the needs of their communities".Gerard Hayes, secretary from the Health Services Union NSW said "this crisis is placing enormous pressure on the health workforce".Parking costs can be quite significant for local hospital workers, and particularly for lower paid workers like kitchen staff and cleaners.“Access to free parking will lift some of that pressure and be a moral boost for those workers," Gerard said.For business owners in the inner CBD looking for a 50% reduction in their rates, there was no good news last night. Not that there was bad news either.The council meeting was deferred to next Tuesday, April 21 at 6pm, due to the marathon four and a half hour meeting, finishing at 10:30pm, where the rates motion and other development application votes will be decided.For now, business and land owners in the Inner CBD will have to wait for their good news.

Melinda Turner was about to close her shop Shoes on Magellan, in Lismore’s CBD, and move her business online - when a lifeline was extended to her.“When I told the real estate agent, Andrew Gordon, I was going to close and explained my situation, he said ‘don’t worry about it’,” Melinda said.“He had spoken to the building’s owners Reg and Denise Miller the night before and they said I could get 90 days free rent while this pandemic was going on."I pinched myself – it was great news.”After two years in her current Magellan Street shop location, Melinda had seen her business drop by two thirds in the last few weeks, as people were staying home, avoiding coronavirus.Her plan to quit the shop and take over her living room with her shop stock and follow up enquiries with front door customer visits would have been problematic, so she is glad to be stable and still in town.“I am still open Monday, Thursday and Saturday - fitting shoes in the shop,” Melinda said.“I was born into shoes and feet– my dad and granddad were shoe makers and it’s in my blood.“I love fitting shoes. I see the shape of someone’s foot and know my stock so I can find the right shape and style for you and make sure it fits properly.Shoes on Magellan is open Mondays 8.30am-3.30pm, Thursdays, 10.30am-4.30pm and Saturdays 9.30am-1.30pm.You can find Shoes on Magellan on Instagram, and if you ring Melinda on 0428 117 924, she’ll come in especially to do a shoe fitting for you.Good business senseReal estate agent Andrew Gordon said the decision by the building’s owners to offer rent relief to Melinda was not only a generous offer, but it made good business sense.“Landlords will still need tenants in their buildings after this crisis is over, so it’s great business sense to keep them there,” he said.“It shows we value the tenants and also allows someone else the opportunity to thrive.”Other landlords in Lismore have also been offering rent relief to tenants.Barry Robinson, owner of the East Lismore Shopping Centre has also offered rent assistance to some of his commercial clients affected by the business downturn.“I’m in the lucky position that I can – not like some other building owners,” he said. “We help where ever it’s obvious the tenant can’t trade.“One of my tenants has a partner who is immuno-compromised and can’t afford to catch the virus. It’s on a case by case basis – if business has a valid reason for needing rent abatement, we help them out on a month by month basis – that’s the fair way.“It will be difficult recovering from this virus – the world’s 14th most deadly thing - and hopefully there’s something to come back to at the end of it.”CBD ratesThe good news about rent relief comes after last night’s Lismore City Council meeting where an agenda item to discuss a CBD rates drop of 50% was held over until the next Council meeting scheduled for next week.Andrew Gordon believes dropping CBD business rates in the CBD by 50% is just a case of “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.“If we reduce CBD rates and impose the rate hike on others in residential community - is that forging better relationships between the community and business?" he said.“It’s a disaster waiting to happen. We need the best of both in mind.”NEWS: GM confirms SRV is being withdrawn at Council meetingNEWS: Inner CBD businesses holding their breath

While most of us stayed home over the Easter long weekend, Richmond Police District officers were busy, making sure people comply with social distancing and stay at home directives. Yesterday in Nimbin, police found a man drinking - and issued him with a $1000 Penalty Infringement Notice (PIN).Local police reported that about 4.40pm yesterday, officers observed four people drinking in a park at Cullen Street, Nimbin. One of them, a 27 year old man, told police he travelled to Nimbin from Casino because he was bored. The man also told officers that he was aware of the current ministerial direction, but that he did not believe in Coronavirus – then he was issued with the $1000 PIN. As most of us stay home in isolation, the slow spread of coronavirus moves through NSW. As of 8pm last night, NSW Health reported a small increase (7 cases) in the number of confirmed cases across the State, bringing the total to 2870. There have been 26 deaths in NSW from Covid-19.When we look at a breakdown of Covid-19 cases in our local health district, the number of cases in Lismore remains at 5, with 16 in Byron and 14 in Tweed. The general and ongoing message is: stay home, stay safe – and wash your hands.Other PINs issued locallyAbout 12.50pm yesterday, officers from Richmond Police district spoke to two men at Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Head, and warned them they were in breach of the Public Health Order. Fifteen minutes later the pair, aged 22 and 25, were spoken to again at the Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head, and they were both issued with a $1000 PIN.About 2.10pm yesterday officers from Richmond Police District spoke to a man in a hire car at a boat ramp on Riverside Drive, West Ballina. The 32-year-old failed to provide a reasonable excuse for being there and was issued a $1000 PIN. He was also served with an outstanding Firearms Prohibition Order and Weapons Prohibition Order.About 4.10pm yesterday, officers from Richmond Police district detected two vans with South Australian number plates at Sharpes Beach carpark, Skennars Head. A 56-year-old woman and 54-year-old man were issued move on directions, but around an hour later police returned and the pair had not moved. They were both issued a $1000 PIN.

Tonight’s online Lismore City Council meeting heralds a new way for councillors to meet remotely – and for the public to watch.In a new world of Covid-19 social distancing, everyone is adapting. Councillors have already been trialling the online meeting software (Zoom) in workshops, from the comfort of their own homes.Cr Neil Marks said they getting familiar with new electronic ways to put their hands up, or to let the Mayor know when they wish to speak.So, tonight, if you log onto the Council weblink to view the meeting, you’ll still get to see the faces of the councillors broadcast on the screen, and any slides or information they share with the group.“The community will see what we see,” Cr Marks said. “We have 11 councillors and several staff who’ll be in the meeting.“Any member of the public who has already booked in to ask questions during the meeting will be able to dial in and speak too. As councillors, we’ll only be able to hear them, not see them.”“We’ll also be discussing whether or not council meetings should start earlier in the day than 6pm,” Cr Marks said. “We need to discuss how it will affect councillors who have other jobs if we make the meeting earlier in the day.“Ultimately, we could save staff costs if we didn’t have night meetings – and avoid paying staff overtime to have them here in the evening.“We’ll be looking at setting new guidelines for council meetings past September and we need to offer flexibility for those that work other jobs.”Cr Marks said he expected there to be plenty of public input at tonight’s meeting, from concerned Monaltrie residents, over a Development Consent application to modify an existing quarry to increase its life for another 25 years. At tonight’s meeting are also two notices of motion being proposed by Crs Bird and Lloyd.Cr Edie Lloyd is proposing Council holds a workshop on the impact of cost shifting on council and on NSW regional councils.Cr Elly Bird will be proposing a motion that Council needs to put pressure on the Federal and State Governments to direct economic stimulus packages to local governments through the Covid-19 crisis.Councils rely on residents paying rates to keep the cash flowing, and if the Covid-19 restrictions and closures forced on towns means rates don’t get paid, Councils will all be in the same boat when it comes to a lack of cash flow to keep operations running.In short, while the 2019 Special Rates Variation (SRV) to increase rates to help pay for road works has been stopped already, it is possible that Lismore City Council could have to apply for another SRV in the next 12 months, along with many other councils.If you want to watch the Council meeting live and online tonight, starting at 6pm, you can find the link here: http://webcast.lismore.nsw.gov.auNEWS: Inner CBD businesses holding their breath

If you have been tested for Covid-19, you can now receive your pathology results via text message. A first in the State, the development by NSW Health Pathology means you’ll get your results faster.Instead of waiting up to a week to get the results, an automated SMS message will be sent to you within 24 hours of getting the test done at a specialist lab.Patients who test positive for the virus will still have their results reported immediately to their referring doctor and public health unit.A NSW Health spokesperson said “this major development is about putting the patient first by helping reduce the anxiety of waiting for results in isolation. It will also help ease pressure on busy hospital and laboratory staff”. To receive their results via this new service, a patient must opt in through a registration and identity verification process when they are being tested for Covid-19 at a NSW public hospital.“Data security is critical to this process and the SMS notification system will integrate with existing statewide security and other support infrastructure to ensure patient privacy and data integrity is maintained,” the spokesperson said.Following is an image of the SMS people will receive, if they test negative for COVID-19:

Police are seeking community assistance with locating 22 year old Ashleigh Deahm, who is wanted by virtue of an arrest warrant. Miss Deahm is known to frequent the Lismore and Bentley areas.If you can help locate Miss Deahm, contact Lismore Police 02 6626 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.