With only half of the taxi fleet now operating and more plans to reduce fleet numbers, Lismore Taxis’ drivers are doing it tough right now.Taxi owner Graham Casey said despite a massive downturn in customers due to coronavirus movement restrictions, the local Lismore taxi service wants to try to maintain a 24 hour service.“We get people who need a taxi to take them to hospital or to medical appointments,” Graham said.“A lot of elderly people use the service to get to the supermarkets too – often they will go out three times a week as their only outing, but now they might only go out once a week.“We also advertise on Facebook that we will do deliveries of take away food.”Graham said he’s been “in the game” for 30 years and the coronavirus is impacting on the taxi industry much more than the recession did in the early 2000s.“We took six cars off the road then, but it was nothing like this,” he said.“We’ve already halved the fleet. We had five cars out there last Thursday night that did four jobs. The drivers were working for about $2 per hour. “We also don’t have as many school runs, with most people staying home. But we want to keep vehicles on road, as long as our drivers want to take a risk.” Covid-19 infections on the rise in local health districtGraham said safety measures put in place by the taxi service include thorough car cleaning procedures while the taxis are stopped in the taxi rank, and some drivers are choosing to wear masks.“But we’ve been told masks are not such a great thing,” he said.“We also make sure the passengers sit in the back seat and we keep the window open so the air flows backwards through the car.“Lismore’s hospital is a central location, so it doesn’t take long to get there and we don’t say no to people who want to get a taxi.”While taxis are deemed an essential service, Graham said the taxi drivers will meet later this week to discuss the roster and taking more cars off the road. “It may be we just keep one quarter of the fleet on the road,” Graham said.“If we have about seven cars in service each day and night and we all take turns every two weeks, then over time we all get a chance to make some money and pay expenses.”Graham said the structure of Lismore Taxis was a collaborative of individually owned taxis, with 21 separate owners and their drivers, who were all struggling to pay the running costs of operating a taxi. “It costs about $1200 a month to keep a taxi on the road,” he said. “The overheads are huge – there’s the insurance, green slip and car registration – and then the base fees on top of it so we can keep Lismore Taxis and staff operating. “We’ve also got new people who’ve just bought into the business, trying to making payments on cars - and need to meet installments."It makes it hard and we’ve just got to push on."“The people who advertise rideshares are not around in these hard times, but Lismore taxi drivers are going to keep going.”Government announces new wage subsidy package

As the coronavirus pandemic picks up speed so is the case of scammers trying to get our hard earned cash.In the last week my family has been targeted by these low life's. This is a warning for all of us to be alert and aware when we are at our most vulnerable.On Saturday, I received this text message.Being naturally sceptical about scammers I didn't push on the link but instead checked the website address in my browser. Low and behold it does not exist.Scam!Earlier last week, my wife got a call from a company informing us that our insurance company will not cover us during this pandemic and kindly offered to insure us to make sure we were covered. All we had to do was give them some information. I don't think so.Scam!This just serves as a warning to Lismore App readers to be extra careful. Don't let anyone induce fear into your world that leads you to give out personal information either on your mobile phone or landline or through a website link.Simply ignore it and let's get on with ridding ourselves COVID-19.

We start our week under new restrictions introduced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison last night;Only two people can now gather in public spaces.People aged 70 and over are urged to stay at homePublic playgrounds, outside gyms and skateparks are closed.Group bootcamps are banned but one on one personal trainer sessions are allowed.We also start our week in the knowledge that the NSW Health confirmed coronavirus cases jumped from 25 on Friday to 33 over the weekend. What we can tell you now, thanks to NSW Health is that the Lismore area has 1-4 confirmed cases. The reason we know this is the NSW Health is now giving more detailed information on where confirmed cases are located.Northern NSW Local Health District will provide more information about how the virus was acquired in the afternoon.There has been no deaths in the Northern Rivers and no more deaths in NSW since last week, however there are 20 people in intensive care units.

The coronavirus has caused more job losses in Lismore with the Lismore City Council cutting 73 jobs yesterday.The exact details are yet to be released but the majority of those jobs lost are from GSAC (Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre) where the building was forced to shutdown under Federal restrictions on March 25 for Leisure and Recreation which included indoor gyms and pools.The job losses extends to the Lismore Memorial Baths on Molesworth Street which have closed early due to the coronavirus.General Manager Shelley Oldham told the Lismore App that "these are very challenging times and we had to move quickly".Mayor Isaac Smith this morning said "we feel sorry for everyone who is losing their jobs right now, this is a brutal decision that we, as a council have to make".Most of the job losses are part-time and casual positions but it does involve some full-time positions.Matt George from Summit Fitness in Goonellabah said that he has had to let go 40 staff since the 25th and is now looking to empty his pool save money on running costs. Summit have been uploading video classes so members can do on-line classes. So far Summit has seen 72 on-line subscriptions at this stage, there is some free content for people to workout to as well (https://www.facebook.com/Summit-Sport-and-Fitness-Centre-272924377451/).The Lismore City Council will be meeting regularly in the next two weeks to plan a coronavirus response. Like any business council need to review reducing revenue and then determine what measures need to be implemented to keep council functioning.Mayor Smith added that "to my knowledge, local councils have had no financial support from Federal or State Government to this point". This raises the question of rate relief because without some additional Federal or State funding local council will not have room in their current budgets to make the decision alone.

Another Lismore small business has made the decision to close its doors, the good news is that it is only temporary.Mecca Cafe on Magellan Street is the second small business to farewell customers in two days with the Garden Plate (also on Magellan Street) shutting down yesterday. This follows other businesses that have already closed including Uncle Lims and Mandarin Palace as well as forced closures for companies like Rollerworld and our pubs and clubs.(the bustling Mecca Cafe in happier times)Owner Kelly Casey-Mclean said the decision was not purely financial."We are asked to practice social distancing and stay at home as much as possible so we have made the decision to look after our family and our staff by doing this, starting today", she said."We have not had a holiday since 2017 so now we will spend time with the children at home and help with their on-line schooling""As a business owner and a mother this is a tough call but it is time to re-calibrate", Kelly explained.The temporary closure is for an initial two weeks which will be re-assessed as the coronavirus story unfolds.Premier Gladys Berejiklian said earlier today that NSW has added 212 new cases in the last 24 hours bring the total of confirmed coronavirus cases to 1617. The death toll stands at 8 after a 91 year old woman died yesterday.In the Northern NSW Local Health District the number of confirmed cases sits at 25 with no deaths recorded.For those businesses that decide to remain open, times are tough with trade down 50%. A reminder that you can support them via the Lismore App's yellow Takeaway/Home Delivery button. You can order food, coffees, bedding , soil for the garden and more.All businesses have measure in place to protect you from coronavirus and practice the suggested good hygiene practises.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.

The Lismore City Council had an extraordinary meeting yesterday afternoon to address what can be done to help residents in these unusual coronavirus times.At the conclusion of the meeting it was decided that Lismore City Council will reduce fees and defer the commencement of interest on overdue payments by 60 days as part of a range of measures to help residents and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.Council will also hold a workshop next week on the financial impact of deferring interest charged on overdue rates for a period of up to 15 months.Council voted unanimously at an extraordinary on 27 March to implement the following measures:Extend the commencement of interest accruals on overdue notices by 60 days.Halt all legal action on overdue rates except those already before the courts.Reduce the minimum per week repayment for overdue rates to $25.Council will also reduce the following fees:Community facility hire fees – full refunds for cancelled bookings.Commercial use of footpaths – no fees for a period of 15 months from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2021 to allow businesses to re-establish.Community group tenancy rentals – fees waived for community groups that rent Council-owned buildings.Market fees – no fees from 1 April to 30 September 2020.Building owner fire certificate – no processing fees for one year.Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said Council had chosen not to borrow funds at this stage to provide rate relief with Council acknowledging that it is not in a position to increase borrowings.The Mayor said Council would lobby state and federal governments to provide much-needed funding.“Council will seek support from the state and federal governments to provide relief to residents and businesses. Council does not have sufficient cash reserves to waive or defer rates and we must continue delivering essential services,” he said.“Council understands that the current COVID-19 crisis is having devastating impacts on businesses and families, and we have implemented measures to ensure we do not further disadvantage those who are already struggling.“We are eager to hear the announcements by the Federal Government around further support for businesses including measures to protect commercial tenants.”

This afternoon at 3pm, the Lismore App team along with 61 other teams making up 478 participants would have begun our eighteen hour walk for Lismore & Villages Relay For Life to raise money and support the Cancer Council.This event will take place later in the year due to the coronavirus but there will be an event that I hope all team members will participate in tonight. It is called 'Hope At Home'.During the week, teams would have received a Hope At Home kit which contained a bag and candle. We are encouraged to light this candle tonight and place it on our balconies in honour of cancer patients and Lismore and Village Relay.Caitlyn Feldmann, Community Lead - Northern Communities has asked us to "Please write a message on the bag, place the bag on your front veranda, or in a window, and turn the candle on. Please take a photo of your Hope bag and upload it to the Lismore and Villages Relay for Life Facebook page with the hashtag #Hopeathome".So, if you see lights on balconies, verandahs or in windows tonight in your neighbourhood, you know this is in support of Relay For Life.

The most recent information from the Northern NSW Local Health District has confirmed three more cases of coronavirus in our area. This brings the total now to 25.The new cases are:Case 23 - in home isolation after returning from overseasCase 24 - in home isolation, after returning from overseasCase 25 - in home isolation, after returning from overseasThe Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case.They will be contacted daily to check that they are well and anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the virus.If you are considered a close contact of a confirmed case, a Health officer will contact you directly.The cases for NNSWLHD include:16 overseas acquired cases2 contacts of a confirmed case/ or in a known cluster2 contact not identified5 under investigation – source unknownOf these previous 22 cases, 19 are currently in self-isolation at home and two are in hospital. One person is considered to have recovered.The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison announced this afternoon that from midnight tomorrow anyone coming back into Australia on over seas flights will be self isolating in hotels with other passengers for 14 days before they are allowed home.The Australian Army has also been brought in to help Police monitor those people already in self isolation.The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in NSW stands at 1,405 of which 877 were acquired over seas. A COVID-19/flu clinic is established the Lismore Base Hospital, it is open from 10am to 6pm daily. 

I was tempted to put up the POSTPONED sign for the Weekend Wrap but there are a number of new closures due to the coronavirus that need to be reinforced.National Parks are closed so all bush walks are out. There is the short Birdwing Butterfly Walk in Goonellabah, the Back Alley Gallery walk in the CBD, the Historic Interest Walk, the Wilson River Experience Walk or the Lismore Lake walk (Walks).The Lismore City Council is advising us to stay away from playgrounds and park equipment.To some good news!The Lismore Farmers Markets are on tomorrow morning from 8am. They are considered an essential service.This statement was taken from their facebook page."We have fresh produce sold in the open fresh air with a short or direct supply chain. So come support your local Farmers & your health. We will be operating in the new 'shop 'n' go' style, we really appreciate your assistance with these changes.This week we encourage respectful social distancing of at least 1.5m in line ups. Market start time is 8am. Looking forward to seeing you there & feeling grateful for such wonderful community".The Blue Knob Community Markets are on this weekend too."We will be open again this Saturday to bring you all some fresh food, delicious apples, eggs, coffee beans, honey, mushrooms, bread, focaccia’s and something sweet or savoury to take home to have with your takeaway coffee, tea or chai from the cafe". Taken from facebook.Please remember the 1.5m social distancing rules when you attend the markets and practice good hygiene.While on shopping, I am pleased to share some good news to you, our Lismore App readers about our new Takeaway/Home Delivery button.Upon launching the button we saw just under 1,100 views over the next 18 hours! This will make small business owners in our community smile and feel more optimistic about the next few weeks ahead.Please don't just look but actually buy from the business, this is how we can keep their doors open and keep people employed.You can call and pre-order your food or drink with many businesses bringing it out to your car or home delivering your meal.This is not just food and beverage businesses but other retail outlets such as entertainment, gardening, bedding, toys, books and more.As you would understand we have a lot of businesses to include in our list. This will be done over the course of today and the weekend so please keep checking regularly.To illustrate how grave the situation is, we had another temporary closure today due to lack of customers.The Garden Plate on Magellan Street put up this sign.When Vanessa and her team do finalise home delivery, they will be back on the Takeway/Home Delivery button looking for your support.We have been experience high usage of the Lismore App and have been receiving messages from people, thank you for letting us know. If the app freezes on a page for a while, be patient. A lot of users means a slow down in our systems occasionally but rest assured we are working in the background to improve your experience.The recommendation is to continue to stay home as much as we can. Go out buy what you need and go home.There will be more news over the weekend about the third tranche of government financial help that will support those businesses that need to close their doors or have been forced to close their doors because of government restrictions. We will let you know the details as soon as they become available.As I write, the Northern NSW count of confirmed coronavirus cases is 25. This is an increase of three cases in the last 24 hours. There will be more details this afternoon.That is the Weekend Wrap. Stay safe and stay healthy.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.

With the weekend nearly upon us, Lismore City Council is advising residents not to use playgrounds or park equipment for public health reasons.While exercising and visiting parks is permitted under the current COVID-19 restrictions, people are strongly encouraged not use playgrounds or park equipment due to the risk of virus transmission.People are also reminded that National Parks are now closed until further notice and it is not permissible to visit sites such as the Minyon Falls visitor and camping areas.Meanwhile, Council is continuing to monitor parking throughout Lismore city to ensure public safety and access to private property. Maintaining access around the hospital for medical and emergency vehicles is also a high priority for Council Rangers.

Who will feed the homeless in Lismore If the government bring in stricter rules to combat the spread of coronavirus?That’s the question Winsome Soup Kitchen manager Sharon Dwyer asks as she prepares today’s take away meals for local homeless people.“If we all have to stay indoors, who will feed them?” she asks.“Will the government step up and shelter and feed people if we move to a new level of restrictions?“We haven’t heard the government talk about homeless, just businesses and renters not being evicted.”Sharon said even though the Winsome has closed as place to gather, the venue’s commercial kitchen is still making main meals daily and packing them into take away containers to be distributed at 11.30am.“We have a hatch in the wall at the Winsome where people can come and get the food in a bag. They are being called the Winsome show bags,” she laughed.“We cater for vegetarians too – people can have fruit, dessert and a sandwich and if they don’t have cutlery, we give them that too.“We pass the bag through the hatch and encourage people to stay 1.5 metres apart in the line.“We want to keep doing it as long as we can and we will keep discussing what to do when the next level of restrictions comes in.”Winsome president Meike Bell said as well as food relief, the Winsome was also still providing support by giving clothes, toiletries, blankets and tents to people who needed them.“We closed last Wednesday, but because we are still able to provide food, there is less anxiety in our people,” Meike said. “Food security for everybody is important – especially for those sleeping rough.“The outreach services who used the visit can’t come here anymore – like Legal Aid, Centrelink and the doctor. I rang them all last week when we decided to close and they had all done their own risk assessments and decided to stop coming anyway.“Our priority is to protect our volunteers and residents – if we don’t have volunteers, we don’t have a service.”“We’ve had to drop hot teas and coffees off the menu, but we give people a tea bag so they can make a boil water when they get to where they are going.“Winter will be colder and we hope we can still be here to support most vulnerable people who are living on the edge.”Read about how to cope psychologically through the coronavirus pandemic: Dr Desirée Kozlowski: Tiny pleasures can help us through this stressful timeAnglican Church provides emergency foodThe Lismore Food Pantry closed earlier this week, but the Anglican Church stepped up and is providing food relief from the Anglican Church on Zadoc Street, opposite Harvey Norman from 10-11am, Mondays to Fridays.Reverend Alan Shaw said the church will continue to provide the emergency relief of ready made food packages “while we can still sustain it”.“We have limited resources and we don’t get assistance from anywhere,” Rev Shaw said. “It will be until we either run out of food or the government brings in more changes and we are told we can’t do it anymore.“We are also observe social distancing and hygiene measures in handling packaging and distributing food.” 

The challenges of physical distancing have forced universities to reinvent the delivery of subjects. Now Southern Cross University’s Bachelor of Contemporary Music is one of first music degrees in Australia to go online. The degree, offered through the University's Lismore campus, was also one of the first music courses in the country not geared to classical music or jazz.Senior lecturer Dr Matt Hill, said the quick transition to online study provided many challenges, but the team managed to complete the online conversion process in one, very full, week.“Taking an entire degree that was completely face-to-face and delivering it all online has involved a massive effort from all of the staff,” Dr Hill said.“It’s a big job and it’s certainly still a work in progress, but it’s working.” “Obviously good quality audio and vision is important, if you want to play music or demonstrate a technique on drums for example, so getting the technology aspect right is paramount.”The degree includes 13 units, with a mix of lectures and tutorials, some one-on-one lessons on specific instruments, or in song writing, and there are also small and large ensembles and small group lessons on an instrument.“Classes are running 9-5 Monday to Thursday so today, for example, we have 5 classes running at the same time: a lecture in Studies In Western Art and Contemporary Music, a Sound Production tutorial, a workshop in Sound Styles and Culture, a small ensemble and a group guitar lesson,” he said.Most of these classes are happening in real-time through Collaborate Ultra in Blackboard, however the team are also using Zoom and exploring things like Skype and Facetime.“The biggest challenge has been ensuring we’re delivering the same kind of learning outcomes. How do we do pedagogy correctly in an online world? This is where Lisa’s background has been very useful,” he said.“I’m always asking myself questions like, is this engaging for students? Is this still ticking the learning outcomes box?”Dr Hill said he has found the process really engaging.“It’s been an exciting time to reinvent what you do.”There are currently 147 students enrolled in the degree.“We’ve had graduates go on to successful careers in lots of different aspects of the industry," Dr Hill said."We’ve had one win a Grammy, one an Academy Award nominee, another, Scott Aplin, is the musical director for The Voice and quite a lot of graduates go on to do a Master of Teaching and become music teachers.“A lot of our graduates are teaching for the Northern Rivers Conservatorium of Music in Lismore and in schools in the area as well.”The course, offered at both Southern Cross’ Lismore campus, been running since the university began in 1986 Direct applications for mid-year entry are now open for Session 2 begin July 6. For more information see scu.edu.au/study-at-scu/music-and-creative-arts/ . 

Camping and picnic areas in NSW State forests are closed from midday today, Friday, March 27, as part of the public health precaution for Covid-19.Forestry Corporation’s Tourism and Partnerships Manager, Louise Faulkner said this move followed the Government direction.“State forests are popular tourism destinations but unfortunately, right now with the COVID-19 situation, groups of people congregating and using shared facilities is not possible," she said.“Visitor areas including camping areas, picnic areas and public toilets in State forests are closed until further notice.“People currently in these areas are asked to move on and we ask anyone planning on heading to a State forest for camping and picnicking to change their plans."This applies to all State forests in NSW including native forests and pine plantations.Walking tracks in State forests can still be accessed for exercise although it is important that people practice social distancing of 1.5m between individuals as per the public health advice.“We understand this decision will be disappointing for those who love to use our State forests, especially over the Easter break," Louise said."However this year it is simply not possible."The Government’s advice is to avoid all unnecessary travel and so camping and picnicking in State forests is off the cards for the time being.Further information is on the website at www.forestrycorporation.com.au 

UPDATE 5:42We have ended Thursday with five more cases in Northern NSW bringing the total number of cases to 22.A statement released from the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) also gave more detailed information about these cases.The new cases are: Case 18 - currently not residing in Northern NSW LHD, in home isolation Case 19 - in home isolation after returning from overseas Case 20 – in home isolation after returning from overseas Case 21 – in home isolation, source currently being investigated Case 22 – in home isolation, source currently being investigated The Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case. They will be contacted daily to check that they are well and anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the virus. If you are considered a close contact of a confirmed case, a Health officer will contact you directly. The cases for NNSWLHD include: 15 overseas acquired cases 2 contacts of a confirmed case/ or in a known cluster 2 contact not identified 3 under investigation – source unknown Of these previous 17 cases, 14 are currently in self-isolation at home and two are in hospital. One person is considered to have recovered. COVID-19/flu clinics are established at The Tweed Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital and Grafton Base Hospital, open from 10am to 6pm daily. These clinics are for those most at risk with respiratory symptoms or fever, those returning from overseas or in contact with a COVID-19 case, or people like our health workers. It is vital that these respiratory clinics are not overwhelmed with people who are not in the high risk groups, which could result in delays identifying those most vulnerable. People without symptoms do not need to be tested. The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, headache, runny nose, or shortness of breath. Anyone with symptoms should isolate themselves from others. For advice and information about COVID-19 visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx Residents of NSW can also call new the 24-hour COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88 for advice and support on non-health related enquiries. For health related advice, please continue to liaise with your GP, or phone HealthDirect on 1800 022 222. UPDATE 4:42PMAccording to the NSW Health website the total of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Northern NSW is now 22 bringing the number of new cases for today to five.ORIGINAL STORYFour more cases of coronavirus in our local health district have been confirmed by NSW Health.The new Northern NSW Covid-19 cases have been reported since yesterday, bringing the total number to 21.The NSW Health website lists data according to health district area. The website reported today that the 21 Covid-19 positive cases in Northern NSW were identified out of the 1419 cases tested for the virus in the local areaThe Northern NSW Local Health District is expected to make a statement about the new cases later today.

Rebecca Andre thought home schooling her daughter Poppy would be a nightmare when she considered it a few years ago. But now, she’s enjoying the experience, after deciding to keep Poppy (9) at home this week, rather than send her back to school at St Carthages, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.Rebecca is one of many Lismore parents in a similar situation at the moment, who are entering the brave new world of home schooling their children. “We were waiting for ages for the Prime Minister to talk about schools, but he didn’t, so we took our own action and I decided to keep Poppy at home,” Rebecca said. “If she went to school, she might get coronavirus and bring it back to me. Kids have less boundaries – they lick things and share band-aids and hats and the virus lives outside the body for days. It’s more difficult to protect them from contracting the virus, and the teachers are also at risk of contracting this from our children.“If they were washing hands and testing temperatures every day like in Singapore, I’d send her, but I don’t see any strict guidelines being followed.“There are five kids in Poppy’s Year 4 class still at school. It’s harder for parents who are health workers or retail worker to home school – I knew I could, so I felt a responsibility to do it.”Rebecca said the support and resources from Poppy’s teacher was instrumental in keeping Poppy engaged and studying.“He is a wonderful teacher - I texted him on Sunday and he sent me an interim lesson plan for the week with details of activities to do each day,” Rebecca said. “Without that, I couldn’t think of how to keep her not bored and doing things.“I’ve heard parents say they don’t want to teach the curriculum, that it’s too stressful, but I found it good.“Each morning, we have a family activity. Today, Poppy had to draw a bird, show me and write about it in her journal. I have to participate and make comments.“Tomorrow, she has to make a fun menu and creatively present it and boss me around to cook it. “I feel like I’m playing at teachers, like when I used to boss my brother abound – and I’m going to have to relearn maths again on Friday – I’ll feel like back at school. They do things differently now and don’t learn times tables in Year 3 like I did.”Rebecca said the transition to home schooling for her was an easy one because she already works from home as a virtual office assistant and Poppy’s father is a computer technician. “So, we are set up for online learning and have the computer technology and know-how,” she said. “If someone is not technologically set up, or the internet fails, it could be hard. “Poppy’s teacher is teaching online too and he broadcasts a video of him reading a novel he reads the kids in class, then the kids answer questions.“We also go onto Google classroom activities and print things out, so it’s like Poppy is in class.“We are going great guns at the moment, Poppy struggles a bit and we niggle at each other sometimes, but she’s quite relaxed at home now and she is conscientious about her studies.“It would be so much harder for people living in the cities like London, isolated in tiny apartments, where they can’t even go outside for a walk. Here, we have a yard and veranda and trampoline. “Director of Catholic Schools, Sally Towns, said in a statement to parents that “schools remain open for parents who need to send their children to school”. “For those who choose to keep their children at home, take your time to understand and consider what learning at home will look like for your family. We understand you have a lot on your plate and we all need time to adjust,” Sally said.She also acknowledged that some children might struggle with the transition and encouraged parents to work slowly to encourage their children to learn and make them feel “safe, comforted and loved”.“Children are just as worried as we are right now. Not only can they hear everything that is going on around them, but they can feel our constant tension and anxiety. They have never experienced anything like this before," she said."Normally the idea of being off school for weeks sounds fantastic, but most children know that this situation is not normal and the abrupt changes to all their usual routines and activities will be unsettling.”She also acknowledged that behavioural issues may increase with children.“Whether it’s anxiety, or anger, or protest that they can’t do things normally - it’s a natural response to your child’s changing environment,” she said.For Rebecca and Poppy, it could be the beginning of many months of home schooling while the pandemic plays out across the globe.For information on websites offering free subscriptions due to school restrictions: https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/?fbclid=IwAR0cm-Yrc9-L9N7ryWvsYK81aey2ayTYNIncZEOqKyFlSzwuY6rr1t0siXA

The NSW Government has postponed the September local government elections in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.A decision that will please some but also anger others in our community who have been vocally critical of the Lismore City Council in the last three and a half years.The decision to postpone the elections was deemed necessary to ensure the health and safety of voters, NSW Electoral Commission staff and election candidates.It follows Parliament passing amendments to the Local Government Act on Tuesday night to provide the Minister with the power to postpone the elections for 12 months with a possible further extension to 31 December 2021 should the need arise.The ruling means that current Councillors and the Mayor will continue to hold their civic offices until the rescheduled local government elections are held in 2021.If you were going to seek another term in office, this decision will be welcome with open arms but if you were were not going to seek re-election in September, this news is not so good.Mayor Isaac Smith told the Lismore App "I will continue to serve the community to the best of my abilities. I have enjoyed the work and it's challenges". Mayor Smith took up the CEO role of Hart Services late last year, he said the extra twelve months will not be a problem for his new role. "I am finding a better balance as CEO because the time constraints are not as constant as the managers role", he said.Mayor Smith confirmed that if some councillor were to resign within 18 months of an election they will not be replaced. "If they choose to resign in September this will be ok" he said, "This is a personal decision for each individual councillor".The always up front councillor, Nancy Casson confirmed that she wasn't going to run again September but added that September was a little early for her anyway, "there are things I would like to do before I leave" she said.Councillor Eddie Lloyd was of the same opinion as councillor Bill Moorhouse and that is to reassess the situation once the pandemic has settled down and life returns to normal. "I wasn't going to run but I am happy to continue my civic duty" councillor Lloyd said. "Our community is going through a l great deal right now and I swore to serve so thick and thin", she added."As we get closer to September 2020 I'll reassess my position and make a final decision about the following year".Councillor Bill Moorhouse echoed those thoughts, "I'll make a decision after the pandemic, I'm playing everything one week at a time", he said.The postponement of the elections will not change the future schedule of council elections, and the subsequent elections will still proceed in September 2024.This was something that angered Councillor Casson. "The problem with this announcement is that it disadvantages independent candidates", she said, "It costs a lot of money to run as an Independent. It's fine if you belong to a major political party as they'll support your costs but it's not fair to independents that have to find more money three years later".NSW Parliament has also enacted legislation to allow councils to hold meetings and briefings electronically instead of physically. Virtual meetings will be held for the next six months with an extension to 12 months if necessary.Council will provide further information once revised meeting procedures have been developed and technology tested for these interim virtual meetings. All Council meetings will continue to be live-streamed on Lismore City Council’s website at www.lismore.nsw.gov.auMeanwhile, Council’s public safety and compliance staff will continue to support local business owners on how to comply with the new COVID-19 restrictions announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday night.It is critical that businesses adapt their operations under the new restrictions to comply with social distancing and public health standards.Any businesses that are unsure of how to operate takeaway and delivery services in light of the new restrictions can phone Council for assistance on 1300 87 83 87.The NSW Government has launched a 24-hour hotline for workers and businesses to access a range of advice and support on non health-related COVID-19 enquiries. Phone Service NSW on 13 77 88.COVID-19 Information and UpdatesCouncil has launched a COVID-19 information page with the latest information and advice about changes to Council facilities and services. The page contains important links to useful websites and fact sheets on assistance for residents and businesses. Residents can ask staff questions online via the Q&A function, view ongoing news updates and join the community forum to share stories and experiences. To view the page, visit: yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au. 

Lismore’s Centre Church pastor Rebekka Battista said she lets faith rule, not fear.While church doors across the country have been forced to close under the government’s plan to stop the spread of coronavirus, Rebekka said the Centre Church has taken delivering sermons online.The Centre Church is one of many organisations taking services online, including the Generation Go Church and the Anglican Church.Pastor Rebekka Battista giving a sermon at the Centre Church in Lismore.In these unusual times of physical distancing and social isolation, filled with change and uncertainty, Rebekka said people should switch off things that feed our fear and fill those spaces with things that don’t fill fear.“Turn the TV off, read a book, take a walk and limit your online time,” she said. “Make sure the words you put out there are kind – if you are at the supermarket, remember the retail workforce is working hard and people are doing their best to keep the community safe.“And love thy neighbour at 1.5 metres away.”Rebekka said the Centre Church did their first live stream of services on Sunday.“It was pretty amazing,” she said. “As a church we’ve never thought about it but we have creative TV and IT people who have pulled it together fast.“We had our congregation sitting at home in their pyjamas and singing worship and sending pictures if their families watching the services to our closed Facebook group.“Lots of churches across Australia are already streaming and are sharing knowledge and information to help others get online and stream.“Technology keeps us connected, even though we are forced to separate physically. As pastors, we can reach out to everyone, connect and help people through this and walk along the journey with them.”Rebekka said the Centre Church’s youth group - Hearts Youth - has also gone online and about 80 young people are already streaming their regular Friday night meeting and can be found on Youtube.“We need a way to give hugs when online,” Rebekka said. “Maybe we can create a Lismore hug where we all go online and hug Lismore.“We are a community that is filled with love and we want to make sure we love our neighbours and leave no one out.”You can find details of when church services are streamed by visiting Centre Church Lismore’s Facebook page, or visit the centre Church website https://www.centrechurch.org.au/ where updated details will be posted.

Since the government restrictions came into place on Monday life has changed a great deal for all of our small business owners.As I reported in our stories about cafe's and restaurants (Local cafés need our help , How are our restaurants doing without seating?) all are doing it tough right now. All are just trying to earn enough money to pay the rent and keep as many staff as possible until the coronavirus disease is brought under control and life returns to some form of normality.The tighter restrictions on public gatherings is making it tough now for all retailers in our community who are reporting that business is down by 40-50%.Part of the reason we started the Lismore App was to provide free news and information and to help the community, to give back especially when times are hard.To that end, we have launched a new button on the main page called Takeaway/Home Delivery. You can't miss it, it has a yellow background!This is where we have put businesses that are providing takeaway meals or coffees as well as some that are delivering meals to your home.This is not restricted to food but also includes retail stores where you can shop on-line and they will deliver.Now, I know we have not got all of the businesses that you love on the button as yet. As you can appreciate this takes time but we will continue to add new businesses each day. Please help by letting us know what we have missed and what you would like via email (simon@lismoreapp.com.au) or via Facebook.The next step is up to you, our readers of the Lismore App.You have the power to keep these businesses open now and into the future. Please, please use the button and purchase food, coffee, bedding, towels, entertainment, soil and more.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.

The recreation facilities at Rocky Creek Dam are closed to the public, from today Thursday, March 26. Rous County Council closed the facilities in response to the Australian Government’s advice that non-essential travel should be minimised and for the safety of our staff who continue to work at the Dam. As the region’s bulk water supplier, Rous County Council’s priority is to continue to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to residents and businesses while maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for our employees. Our water treatment plants and trunk water main network continue to operate normally and provide bulk drinking water to the region. Rous County Council thanks the community for their understanding.