More crisis supporters are needed to help meet the growing number of calls to Lifeline. Tomorrow (Thursday, May 2) Lifeline Northern NSW will host an information session and welcome those who would like to learn more about the opportunity to volunteer as a crisis supporter at their Lismore centre.After the initial training phase, crisis supporters are ready to take supervised live calls as part of their 12-month internship to become accredited crisis supporters.Kathryn Russell, a youth program worker has volunteered with Lifeline for a year. Kathryn is a student mentor for new recruits and remembers what it was like when she first started volunteering as a crisis supporter at Lifeline in Lismore, NSW.“The training was one of the most unexpected journeys of my life so far. I was not expecting to learn so much about myself and about other people. About how best to communicate, to truly listen, with empathy and non-judgement. The trainers and mentors were phenomenal, and I felt so supported throughout the entire process” Ms Russell said.Ms Russell started as a crisis supporter after experiencing a period of grief in her life and realising how lonely it was. She wanted to help people going through hard times and also felt it was a great opportunity to gain more experience working with people going through crisis or with mental health struggles, whilst she undertook studies in counselling.“There are people out there who are going through really hard times, and being able to connect with them, even for a short time, is such a privilege. My fellow crisis supporters and team at Lifeline are wonderfully supportive and self-care is a top priority in the Lifeline workplace, which I love,” Russell said.“The training prepared me to stay calm in some of the most intense situations. Situations I never thought I would be able to handle. Being supported means none of the heavy stuff leaves with me when I finish my shift.”Kathryn recalls a time when she knew her role as a volunteer had an impact.“This particular caller was ready to end their life and was calling as a last attempt to feel some connection. During our conversation, they were able to tell their story, explain their crisis, feel heard and validated. Together, we were able to come up with a safety plan and at the end of the call they felt they could go on and live another day even though things were so very hard for them.”“We don’t always know how our help seekers will be when the call ends and their lives continue, but to know that for even one more day they can go on, is so valuable. And knowing that if they needed to, they could call Lifeline back and there would be another Crisis Supporter ready to help them through another day. That feeling when you end your shift is hard to put into words, the charge you feel from genuine, meaningful connection.”Lifeline crisis support team leader, Lisa Barnes said crisis supporters help Lifeline to answer more calls to 13 11 14 from the growing number of people needing someone to talk to in their time of need. Ms Barnes said there has been a 35 per cent growth in demand for Lifeline services since before the COVID 19 pandemic. There has been a recent increase in calls from people battling cost of living pressures.“It is important that our 13 11 14 crisis supporters come from all walks of life, aged groups and cultural backgrounds – including students and young people. Crisis supporters don’t need to have experience in counselling, we provide extensive training and support to help empathic people to be there for others – to listen and offer hope,” said Barnes.Crisis supporters typically work one four-hour shift per fortnight. The initial training is done online alongside other students, several hours a week over eight to ten weeks, before the internship stage commences. There is flexibility in both training times and volunteering rosters.Lifeline is holding online information sessions for any community member interested in volunteering from 5 to 6:30pm on May 2 at their centre in Lismore. Register at https://pages.lifelinedirect.org.au/lismoreinfosession. More information on being a crisis supporter, local Lifeline services and other ways to support Lifeline is available at northernNSW.lifeline.org.au.Lifeline Northern NSW is one of 43 Lifeline centres nationally from where more than 4,000 crisis supporters respond to around one million calls annually - one call every 30 seconds.Nine Australians die by suicide every day and more than 65,000 Australians make a suicide attempt each year. One-in-six Australians aged 16-85 have experienced suicidal thoughts. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44.If this story causes issues for you please contact Lifeline 24 hours - phone 13 11 14, text 0477 131 114 or chat via lifeline.org.auLifeline support·      24 hour crisis support: Ph 13 11 14. Text: 0477 13 11 14. Chat online: www.lifeline.org.au·      northernNSW.lifeline.org.au

Nimbin is two days away from lighting up the Northern Rivers when the 2024 Mardigrass Rally and Gathering gets underway at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon."I remember too well the helicopter raids that drove Bob Hopkins to lead the first MardiGrass protest on May the first back in 1993," says Michael Balderstone, president of Nimbins Hemp Embassy, organising the one pub villages annual cannabis law reform protest and gathering."The raids were like a war, military attacks with helicopters hovering over hippy houses terrifying children and animals and Vietnam vets trying to hide in the hills. They basically just picked on the communes with total nonsense about saving society from the evil weed that has no medical value. The weed that hasn't killed anyone in ten thousand years of recorded use.""How the tables have turned. Now doctors can hardly keep up with writing scripts for legal medical cannabis while recreational weed is still completely illegal. It's the same plant of course," he says."We had such a good time at that first empowering protest we vowed to do it every year until we are no longer criminals. The next year we sewed sheets together and made the first big joint. Nimbin only had one cop back in those days and I fondly remember hippies putting their freshly picked buds out on blankets for sale. This was pre-hydro days, and weed was seasonal, hence the famous Pickers Ball.""The word spread quickly, and within a few years, we had to create the Hemp Olympix to clear the crowds off the street. There were few dramas and I don't remember any car accidents.....the atmosphere, the music, the freedom, the smoke...we had a ball and a peaceful ball."The world has changed a lot in thirty years, as has Nimbin. But we still have annual helicopter raids, and we are still not allowed to grow our own plants. Add that to the disgusting and completely unfair saliva testing of drivers, and there is a lot to protest about. "We do our best at MardiGrass to make it an enjoyable and fun protest. There is comedy galore, we need it in the face of so much nonsense."On the more serious side, Dr Jeffrey Hergenrather is flying out from California for the weekend to share with us the latest from America, where they have had legal mediweed for nearly thirty years now. He was a cannabis doctor long before that.A busload of Green and Legalise Cannabis members of parliament are speaking at the Hemposium in the Hall, all working for us and this plant, arguably the most useful in the Creation. And this year we have a tent dedicated to other entheogens like mushrooms due to the ongoing recognition of their importance.The Kombi Konvoy wending its way from Byron to arrive for the 4.20 protest on the Saturday is a highlight as is the Big Rally and Parade Sunday arvo. "Do dress up in green, paint a placard or whatever, but join us to protest this war which is overcrowding our jails and creating disrespect across the board."It's a war against ourselves and an unending, unwinnable war. We all know drug use is really a health issue, but instead, we now have big businesses fighting over who gets the huge profits to be made from relieving our pain. We all could be growing our own plants or getting a co-operative to grow for you like Germany has just introduced."Remember cannabis is a plant that has never killed anyone and is nothing like the other illegal drugs which are all chemical or processed. It is the safest, most useful and best medicine in the plant world. The cannabis laws are a serious crime against us and the Earth. Come join our protest next weekend."You can check out the full weekend program on nimbinmardigrass.com.For $150 you get 3 nights camping and entry into everything. A single-day entry is $30.

The Flood Readiness - Are We Better Prepared? series covers key organisations that play a vital role in pre-flood warnings and in the rescue & recovery after a major flood. We are asking those organisations to let us know how the 2022 floods and Flood Inquiry have changed their procedures and processes so people will experience better outcomes.So we know what to expect when the unexpected happens next. Today, we look at local government, Lismore City Council.***Lismore City Council, as the local government body responding directly to the people’s needs, plays a vital role in difficult times. In addition to communication, they have told us they employ flood risk and mitigation strategies to protect their electorate prior to flood events and provide vital water gauges to monitor conditions during a weather event.Council uses a number of methods to keep people informed, but its main window of information is via a platform that has been adopted by a few councils in the Northern Rivers region, the Disaster Dashboard.The Disaster Dashboard user interface keeps users up to date with the latest information on any major emergency or event. The Dashboard is fed information from the peak bodies in the range of areas it covers to ensure the information is as up-to-date as possible. For example, fire information is linked directly to the Rural Fire Service; weather, to the BoM; pandemic issues, to the Department of Health; the list also includes traffic, floods, air quality, shark sightings, earthquakes and many other potential issues that may arise. We speak to Lismore City Council about its main roles and responsibilities in a flood situation.What can people expect to see/experience from council in the next flood event? Lismore City Council talks about what to expect from the Disaster Dashboard, “In the next flood event, you can expect timely and accurate information reflecting the services we provide. We are committed to proactive communication and effective coordination to ensure better community preparedness and resilience.  “As with all flood events, Council will follow established procedures to assist with the dissemination of information prepared by the SES and Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), including sharing time-sensitive warnings and updates around the clock on our Facebook page, as well as sending SMS Flood/River level update texts to those who subscribe to this service.” The SMS Flood/River level update service can be accessed on the Lismore City Council website by registering at the Flood Alert SMS page.The Council explains how the Disaster Dashboard news feed works:” The Council does not actively manage the dashboard. The dashboard integrates third-party data and is managed by Disaster Dashboards, which supplies multiple councils across Australia with the same product.  ”Updates occur automatically, and there might be a slight delay of up to 10 minutes due to server optimisations. The information displayed on the dashboard is fed directly from official agencies such as SES and BoM. Council does not have input on updating this third-party information.”We asked Council if there was anything that residents could do to get familiar with the Disaster Dashboard. On a tab on the top left-hand side, there is a tab called “Get ready”. This section provides crucial information related to hazard risks.   ”Understanding these risks well ahead of a weather warning is important for effective disaster preparedness and response. This tab provides key information for people to help them prepare in advance of an emergency. Have a family plan. Have a grab bag of essential items ready, have insurance and important document copies handy.   ”If you live in a rural or remote area that may be cut off, have extra water and non-perishable food stored, have a radio, a gas cooker (a camping cooker can go a long way) if power was down and roads were impassable.   ”And remember, never cross, play or drive in floodwaters, 15cms can sweep you off your feet and 40 cms of water can move a vehicle. Flooded waters are also a health hazard as they contains harmful bacteria and contaminants.   ”As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are currently evaluating the effectiveness of the Disaster Dashboard and exploring potential enhancements to ensure it better serves our community's needs, particularly in providing flood hazard information. Changing the icons so they align with the Australian Warning System will be part of these considerations.” Council also provides a tool that shows Property Flood Mapping, where you can find your property on a map that shows predicted or experienced flood levels.Does Lismore City Council have a written disaster plan to consult? “Council's responsibilities do not entail directly creating a written disaster plan. As outlined in the legislative requirements of the State Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN) and the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 (SERM Act), Council's primary responsibility is to support the lead Combat Agency (in this case, the SES) with resources, personnel, and equipment for emergency and recovery efforts. “This responsibility sits with the SES, as the lead agency in any flood event. The role of Council is to assist the SES, as well as managing critical infrastructure throughout the event.  “Before a flood, council disseminates crucial information about flood hazards, preparedness, and recovery procedures. During a flood, we work closely with combat agencies and the lead agency (the SES) providing facilities, equipment, and trained staff support. “In the event of a disaster, Council may expedite applications for emergency works and facilitate funding for recovery operations.” How does Lismore City Council manage flood risk?“Managing flood risk is a collective responsibility, and communities must be adequately prepared, understand how to respond to flood threats, and recover from their impacts. Councils’ role in flood risk management includes conducting studies to assess flood risk, exploring and operating mitigation options such as flood protection schemes, and sharing information with the community about flooding while supporting emergency management planning. “Councils in NSW adhere to guidelines for developing local flood risk management plans, which typically involve: Conducting flood studies to estimate the hazard posed by flooding, including factors such as depth, velocity, and frequency of floods, both presently and in the future. Undertaking risk assessments to understand the potential impact of flooding on personal safety, property, and infrastructure.”What weather monitoring instruments does Lismore City Council use?“Climate data within the Northern Rivers region is sourced from various measurement stations operated by different entities. ”Ongoing efforts at both local and state levels, spurred by recommendations from the 2022 Flood Inquiry, aim to clarify responsibilities and enhance coordination. Currently the BoM own a number of gauges, with Lismore City Council owning and maintaining 15 water level stations and 14 rainfall stations across the catchment. These are inspected and maintained every three months, with the Bureau of Meteorology calibrating both its, and Councils’, rain gauges every 12 months.”All of the information collected by these instruments are fed to the BoM to be modelled into weather predictions, that are in turn used to warn people of weather event conditions. ”During the 2022 natural disaster two rain gauges and four river gauges were damaged and stopped working when they went under the flood waters. These gauges have now been relocated to above the 2022-flood level and are fully operational. “The Bureau of Meteorology oversees two key networks: the climate network and the flood network. The climate network comprises automatic weather stations primarily situated in major urban centres and vital infrastructures. These stations monitor variables like rainfall, temperature, and atmospheric pressure at high frequencies. While they serve environmental monitoring purposes, they may not meet the specific requirements for emergency situations. “BoM also manages rainfall stations within the flood network, specifically tailored to support flood warning services. Despite providing real-time data, these stations often have shorter historical records. Additionally, there are other networks, including climate stations operated by Water NSW, Manly Hydraulics Laboratories, and those managed by local government authorities (LGAs) for water infrastructure management. “However, it's important to note that these stations primarily serve other functions and are repurposed for flood warning where there is an absence of dedicated infrastructure. ”  Contacting Council during a weather event “During a flood, the primary contact for support is the SES supported by other emergency service providers. In New South Wales, Emergency Service Providers encompass various agencies such as the Ambulance Service of NSW, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police Force, NSW Rural Fire Service, and the State Emergency Service.”Stop PressLismore City Council informed us that a new position is to be filled, very shortly - an Emergency Management Coordinator. Their role will include a range of duties that include liaising with people affected by emergency situations and organising feedback on emergency related events. More details to be released, shortly. Other stories in this series includes:Part 1: Essential Energy Part 2: Communications - Telstra and OptusPart 2: Communications - TPG Telecom and nbnPart 3: Police and Fire + RescuePart 4: Critical Flood InformationPart 5: AnimalsPart 6: Federal GovernmentPart 7: Charities

The biggest Lismore event in May is Gemfest. Last year over 12,000 people spent a few hours at the Lismore Showground under blue skies looking at gems, jewellery, watching demonstrations and, in a lot of cases, purchasing items from the 150 stall holders.With crowds increasing every year since COVID-19 caused the cancellation of most events in 2021, the Lismore Gem & Lapidary Club (the people who put on Gemfest) have found a solution to a few parking problems. Namely a Free Shuttle Bus.Vice President of the Lismore Lapidary Club Jenny Vyrenhoek said, "Basically, since COVID, we've had a bit of a problem with traffic management. We were offered a bus with a couple of volunteer drivers from Northern Rivers Busline, and we thought what a great idea. It will help with traffic management a bit."Car parking is off Dunoon Road, but the Free Shuttle Bus will be dropping passengers off at the North Lismore War Memorial, so there will be a short walk over the disused railway line to the main gates on Alexandra Parade.Jenny explained the route will be a continuous loop starting from the Transit Centre on Molesworth Street in the CBD, pick up again opposite Browns Car Park near the Koori Mail before dropping passengers at the North Lismore War Memorial.The bus will operate:Saturday, May 18: 10am to 1pm then 2pm to 4pm.Sunday, May 19: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm."People can park at Browns, have a short walk to the bus and dropped back to their cars later in the day. That can save a lot of walking for some people," Jenny added, "Free is the word." The Lismore Gem & Lapidary Club team are already working overtime to make this year's event another huge crowd-pleasing event.For now, mark the date on your calendar so you keep it free, Saturday and Sunday, May 18 & 19 at the Lismore Showgrounds.You can discover more information via the Gemfest button on the main page of the Lismore App Gemfest 2024.

About 1.40am Saturday, 27th April 2024 Police from Richmond PD at Lismore attempted to stop a blue Holden Commodore for random breath testing of the driver. However the vehicle has failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated in South Lismore.The pursuit continued west of Lismore to Spring Grove Road where a tyre deflation device (road spikes) were successfully deployed resulting in the offending vehicle losing two tyres.The suspect vehicle eventually came to a stop on Springrove Road, where the occupants abandoned the vehicle, and they fled into the roadside rural properties.A subsequent police search located two males, one aged 20 and the other aged 18, attempting to hide in a cabin. They were arrested.The males were conveyed to Lismore Police Station and subsequently issued Notices to appear at Lismore Local Court on June 24, 2024, for the alleged offence of trespass.At this time Police investigations are ongoing to identify the driver of the motor vehicle at the time of this alleged offence.

In another key milestone for rebuilding Lismore, work to remove eight buildings flagged for demolition post the 2022 flood disaster, has begun paving the way for future reactivation and use. Council’s program manager Brett Lee said the demolition of the buildings were necessary to ensure public safety and would be occurring across multiple sites.“These buildings have served our community well over many years, but they suffered significant damage in the February 2022 natural disaster and the time has come to make way for a different future,” he said.“We will be demolishing eight buildings over the next three months in preparation for constructing new modular amenities at most of the sites.”Following last week’s demolition of the old Essential Energy building on the corner of Ballina Road and Conway Street, other buildings to be demolished are the old Scout Hall on Wilson Street and Humbley Oval Hockey Club Kiosk.At Lismore Lake, the toilet block and pumphouse, will be removed ahead of constructing a new modular toilet for use by patrons at the lake park precinct.The weatherboard building at Sam Trimble Oval will be replaced with a new structure, including an accessible toilet with timed locks for easy public access, a large shade shelter, a lockable storage area, and access to water and electricity. The existing brick amenities block will also be upgraded.At Neilson Park in East Lismore, the canteen or old cricket shed will be demolished and replaced with a new modular toilet/changeroom constructed.The amenities block at Wade Park, also in East Lismore, as well as McKenzie Park in North Lismore will be demolished in readiness of the construction of new modular toilets.

Earlier this morning, the Lismore App wrote about Lismore City Council fast-tracking DAs (development applications) and cutting the processing time from 40 days to between five and ten days.In another boost for DAs, councils will soon have the opportunity to trial AI in their local planning systems following a $5.6 million investment from the NSW Government.In the midst of a housing crisis and a shortage of planners, the NSW Government has been looking for new and innovative ways to support councils and speed up development assessment times. The AI in NSW Planning project was tasked with identifying areas of the development application assessment that were causing unnecessary delays and would benefit from the implementation of AI.Three technologies have now been identified and will be available to councils for trial through the AI Solutions Panel and Early Adopter Grant Program. They are:·       Adaptovate Pty Ltd ‘Development Assessment Intelligence System (DAISY)’·       Archistar Platform·       Propcode CDCIn a significant opportunity, councils collaborating on joint grant applications could receive up to $500,000, while single council applications could be eligible for up to $200,000 to trial the identified technologies.Council staff determine development applications for approximately 85 percent of all new homes in NSW. This funding will allow councils to trial recommended AI technologies and encourage innovative ways to accelerate DA assessments. The recommended AI products will help councils reduce average DA assessment times by quickly identifying administration and data input errors.All councils can apply for grants through the Early Adopter Grant Program.Grant applications are open for three weeks and close on 22 May 2024.Successful grant recipients will be notified by June.For more information, visit the NSW Planning website. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said, “This grant program will encourage councils to trial AI and identify products which can help meet their needs.“This is about modernising the NSW planning system by making it more efficient.“We can achieve this by giving our talented planners the best tools possible.“The delivery of new homes will only happen if the planning system is working at full capacity.“I am confident AI can help accelerate DA assessments and reduce the administrative burden on planners.”

Motorists who drive on Coraki Road at Coraki this week will have delays as workers carry out essential maintenance work on Glebe Bridge. Work being carried out from Wednesday 1 May under Glebe Bridge involves installation of erosion protection and placement of new scour rocks. To carry out this work a site will be established next to Glebe Bridge. Single lane, alternating traffic flow arrangements and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place during site establishment and at the end of the project, during site pack up. Once the site is established the speed limit will remain 60km/h on Coraki Road during work hours of 7am to 5pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. No work will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Work is expected to be complete by Friday 31 May, weather permitting. Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, allow extra travel time, and follow the directions of signs and traffic control. For the latest traffic updates download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Local councils do not have a good reputation when it comes to development applications (DAs). The time it takes to get a DA through is the most common complaint you hear from anyone who has submitted a DA.This situation is not unique to Lismore but other councils in the Northern Rivers and throughout NSW.In a statement released yesterday, Lismore City Council said it has drastically slashed processing times for residential Development Applications from around 40 days to between five and ten days.Council’s Head of Planning and Environment, Graham Snow, said the Council was dedicated to making Lismore easy to do business with and attracting more investment in the city.“We have adopted a Fast Track System this year that so far has supported the approval of $7.5 million worth of residential developments in the first three months of the year.“It really is what is old is new again. This Council, and many Councils in NSW, years ago had a fast-track system, which looked at low and medium-risk Development Applications and found pathways to get them progressed quicker,” he said.“After the Minns Government challenged all councils to speed up the approval process, we reviewed the old fast track system and re-introduced it with a more contemporary model.“We are now seeing low-risk applications processed within five and ten working days, which is an incredible turnaround from about 40 days during the COVID-development boom.”Mr Snow said under the previous system, DAs would be assessed as they were submitted. This meant if one DA required a more thorough assessment and additional reports, it would slow all other DAs in the queue behind it.“Under the fast-track system, we are using a risk weighting to triage applications when they first come in so that we can identify the low-risk ones and excise them from the queue and assess them quicker.“For example, if you are not getting rid of an environmental offset or there is no contamination on a property and there is no need for further information and other reports, then the application will be given to a dedicated resource to quickly approve the application.”The fast-track system is used for DAs that involve putting up a carport, putting in a pool and adding an extra room to a house etc.Lismore City Council General Manager Jon Gibbons said the successful implementation of the fast-track system was not just benefiting residents but benefiting the city.“Our planning team should be congratulated for their commitment to improving the planning process and enhancing the customer experience, while ensuring a merit-based assessment that doesn’t compromise urban design excellence,” he said.“The new system has significantly changed the way DAs are managed and that is not just important for locals but also places us in a good position of attracting new investment to the city.”Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg congratulated the planning team for the turnaround in assessment times.“The previous long delays in assessing development applications were holding back investment in our city and villages,” he said.“When this Council was elected, we were determined to speed up the process and drive investment through putting new management in place. The results speak for themselves.”

The Flood Readiness - Are We Better Prepared series covers key organisations that play a vital role in pre-flood warnings and in the rescue & recovery after a major flood. We are asking those organisations to let us know how the 2022 floods and Flood Inquiry have changed their procedures and processes so people will experience better outcomes.So we know what to expect when the unexpected happens next. We began Part 7 by looking at our local charities that played a vital role in the first days of the big flood rescue, feeding and clothing thousands of people. The Salvos and Lifeline answered our question 'What have they learnt and what have they improved?'. Today it is the Lismore Lions Club and Australian Red Cross.***The response of so many people and charities that came to the assistance of Northern Rivers in 2022 were unsurpassed. In the continuation of this story, we hear from the local Lions Club and Australian Red Cross.Lions Club, LismoreThe Lismore Lions Club was the first Lions Club established in Australia, and in 2022, celebrated its 75th year of service to the Lismore Community. Not necessarily the celebration they anticipated, their capacity to assist the community was tested and proven considerable. We asked Margaret Condon to elaborate on their experience and response to the 2022 floods.“This flood event and the subsequent needs of the community was much greater than the Lismore Lions Club had dealt with previously. For example, after the 2017 flood we received donations and grants from other Lions Clubs and the Australian Lions Foundation to the value of $20,000 and this was dispensed to flood victims within a few months. This time, we received donations and grants to the value of $600,000 and two years later we are still responding to requests for assistance.“This time the flood response was in different phases:Immediate response of supplying food, water, snacks, fruit and water to flood affected, shopkeepers, volunteers helping in the flood clean up. We were in the CBD for 34 days.We provided fridges, washing machines, beds and mattresses as soon as people started returning to their homes.As homes were repaired we also added furniture, storage units, installed fans and provided vouchers for household goods, small appliances, clothing etc.We also received donations of blankets, quilts, beanies and scarves, toys etc that were delivered to families.We worked with other community groups who referred people to us and we supplied barbecues for many re-opening celebrations as time went on.A major project was organising for the delivery of all the furniture and appliances from 15 serviced units in Sydney that were being renovated and we were able to arrange for these items to be delivered to the Northern Rivers Flood Recovery Hub at Woodburn. All these items were given to flood affected families throughout the area.After the flood we have had opportunities to support groups such as Lions Need for Feed who delivered hay to farmers, Rural Aid who camped at the Showground while they helped farmers with repairs and Blaze Aid who are still in our community providing assistance with fence repairs and other jobs on farms. The flood response activities have also resulted in many requests from community groups for us to cater for a range of different activities and this is continuing.“We have also supported farmers by catering at Field Days related to flood recovery.“Lions Clubs International has always focussed on the support of people affected by disasters throughout the world. The wonderful response of people all around Australia to the Lismore disaster only helps us to be more aware of the need for us to continue helping others affected by disasters in our country and overseas.“We have not developed a weather plan for future disasters as our role is more concerned with the practical issues subsequent to events.“We feel that we will be guided by the needs of the community in future events and that our response will be to fill the needs as they arrive. We are ready to serve our community whenever the need arises and we try to be flexible in our response as the recovery process happens.”Lions Club websiteAustralian Red CrossThe Australian Red Cross describes the work that they have performed as, “work in local communities who have been impacted by disasters such as bushfires and floods providing psychosocial and wellbeing support.” Another organisation with a long history, a Red Cross spokesperson sent us the following statement:“For more than 100 years, the Australian Red Cross has been helping people in Australia respond to, recover from, and prepare for disasters and other emergencies. Our dedicated staff members and volunteers are located across Australia and work within and alongside communities throughout the disaster journey. “Australian Red Cross is a member of the Local Emergency Management Committees that operate in Northern New South Wales, in 2022 when the region was hit by torrential storms, Australian Red Cross teams supported over 35 evacuation centres and 24 recovery hubs across impacted areas. “In the immediate aftermath of the floods, Australian Red Cross teams deployed to impacted areas and remained on continuous rotation delivering 24/7 psychosocial support to communities through evacuation centres, relief centres and outreach services. “During extreme weather events, we work alongside other emergency services to monitor conditions and make contact with community members across the region who have worked with the Australia Red Cross to establish Community-led Resilience Teams (CRTs) in their villages.“Australian Red Cross core objective in building community resilience through CRTs is to support people to activate their local and household emergency plans and to remind them where to find reliable information during an emergency event. “In the event, we are asked by state government to assist in evacuation centres and later in recovery centres. We ensure local Australia and Red Cross volunteers are ready to activate and prepare local psychosocial support and recovery resources. “We understand that recovery is a journey that can take days, months and even years. Our recovery program works to reduce the psychosocial impacts of disaster on people and communities by recognising the varied, complex and long-term impacts that disasters and other crises have on people's lives, including their health and well-being, quality of life and social connections. “Australia Red Cross has a range of resources available online to support people to prepare, respond and recover from disasters.”Red Cross WebsiteOther stories in this series includes:Part 1: Essential Energy Part 2: Communications - Telstra and OptusPart 2: Communications - TPG Telecom and nbnPart 3: Police and Fire + RescuePart 4: Critical Flood InformationPart 5: AnimalsPart 6: The Federal Government

A truck driver has died following a crash at New Italy earlier this afternoon.About 4:15pm today (Monday 29 April 2024) emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway, New Italy, approximately 46km south of Lismore, following reports of a crash.Officers attached to Richmond Police District attended and found a Pantech truck had collided with a car, before rolling over.NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the female driver of the car, aged 40, before she was taken to Lismore Base Hospital with minor injuries and shock.The truck driver - a 39-year-old man - died at the scene.An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway.One northbound lane of the Pacific Highway is closed with Live Traffic saying ongoing police investigations are expected to take some time.A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.As inquiries continue, anyone with information or dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

An investigation is underway following this morning's building fire at Casino overnight.About 2.40am (Monday 29 April 2024), emergency services were called to Walker Street, Casino, following reports of a fire.At the scene, police located a laundromat well alight, with the fire rapidly spreading to a restaurant nearby.FRNSW firefighters extinguished the blaze; however, both buildings were destroyed.No injuries have been reported to police as a result of the fire.Officers attached to Richmond Police District established a crime scene and have commenced inquiries into the incident.As inquiries continue, police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.Read the original story Early morning blaze destroys laundromat and spreads to Chinese Restaurant in Casino.

(Video taken at 9am on Monday, April 29)Tom Law was woken by a text message from his mother at 2.55am today, Monday, April 29.The laundromat on Walker Street, Casino was on fire.Tom rushed to the CBD. His family owns Karams, a shop three doors down from the fire. Tom’s concern was for the six tenants living above the shop.”By the time I got there, the fire was going from the laundromat into the Chinese Restaurant,” he said.(The laundromat in Walker Street, Casino fully alight this morning. Photo taken at the back of the shop. Photo: Tom Law)”The laundromat was fully lit. It was illuminated by the flames.”Tom said he could see the flames coming through from behind the fridges at the front of the restaurant.”A fireman came up and smashed the window to put the hose in.”(Firefighters hosing the front of the buildings damaged by fire.)Tom alerted the tenants and then messaged Christine from the Chinese Restaurant to tell her the restaurant was on fire.Jaidyn Headford who lives above Karams was sitting in the car park behind the shops at 9am next to his cat Sunny who was safely in a cage.Jaidyn said he was awake at 2am. He heard an alarm go off.(Jaidyn Headford with cat Sunny and Tom Law in the car park behind Walker Street.)”I heard noises on the roof and I thought it was a burglar,” he said.Then he saw the smoke and alerted the other people living in the building. Then he dialled Triple Zero, he said.Retained firefighter Shephard from Casino Fire and Rescue said there were about 15 crew on the ground fighting the blaze.(Firefighters at the back of the laundromat.)Walker Street would remain closed for most of the day, he said.The biggest concern was damage at the front of the building collapsing.”There were lots of gas bottles in both buildings,” he said.Crews from Casino, Lismore, Ballina and Grafton assisted in fighting the blaze.The Grafton crew brought a drone for “aerial advantage” firefighter Shephard said.(The shop front of the laundromat on Walker Street. Photos: Susanna Freymark)This story was thanks to Susanna Freymark at IndyNR in Casino. Check out IndyNR here.

Our Kids is hosting the Clarence Property Our Kids Day Out this Sunday (5 May) from 9.00am – 2.00pm at Missingham Bridge Amphitheatre in Ballina.The day is shaping up to be a lot of fun for the whole family with a range of live entertainment, including Newcastle Permanent presenting the main show ‘Elmo and Cookie Monster’ at 10am and 12pm.Clarence Property is presenting Awesome Adam and Rompin’ Stompin’, with Cherry Street Sports presenting the Miss Beka and Little Cherry, DJ Chad and the Wildlife Twins.The Ballina Lions Breakfast BBQ will start at 9am.(Wildlife Twins. Photo: supplied)Our Kids raises money to purchase paediatric equipment for the local Children’s Wards and Special Care Nursery for kids living in the Northern Rivers who require medical care locally.This year, Our Kids has again invited the local emergency services along, so expect to see trucks, cars and boats located on a designated area at the park. Children will have the opportunity to see and learn about the vital services that help keep the community safe and rescue people in trouble.They will also meet some of the staff who work in the Lismore Base Hospital Children’s Ward.“Bring the family, a picnic blanket and enjoy the day of free entertainment,” Our Kids Fundraising Coordinator, Rebekka Battista, said.(Miss Beka and Little Cherry. Photo: supplied)Our Kids will be presenting the Suzie Levot Memorial Our Kids Bravery Award to recognise the courage of Isaiah Bell, a young patient who has spent time in the Lismore Base Hospital Children's Ward as well as a significant amount of time at Queensland Children’s Hospital.16-month-old Isaiah was born with Tetralogy of Fallot (a heart malformation), for which he underwent surgery, and has other medical conditions that have also required multiple surgeries, medical interventions, admissions, blood tests and appointments.The staff at Lismore Base Hospital Children’s Ward unanimously agreed Isaiah should be the recipient of the Bravery Award this year.“Isaiah truly deserves to be centre stage at the Our Kids Day Out celebration,” Rebekka said.Clarence Property Our Kids Day OutMain Stage8:45am      Ballina Pipe Band9:15am      Awesome Adam Magic Show9:45am      Little Miss Cherry and NBN Big Dog10:00am    Elmo and Cookie Monster presented by Newcastle Permanent10:45am    Suzie Levot Memorial Our Kids Bravery11:00am    Rompin Stompin Show11:30am    DJ Chad Dance Show Presented by Cherry Street Sports12:00pm    Elmo and Cookie Monster presented by Newcastle Permanent12:30pm    DJ Chad and Friends1:00pm      Wildlife Twins Presented by Cherry Street Sports1:30pm      FINISH... sleep time ;) Our Kids Day Out is at Missingham Bridge Amphitheatre, Kingsford Smith Drive in Ballina.

The sentiment about violence against women is gaining traction daily, with a sharp increase in volume and quantity of both women and men speaking out. Over the weekend, thousands of people attended protests and rallies, calling for lasting cultural change.This week, on Wednesday evening, to honour women and children who have lost their lives, a peaceful vigil of Remembrance and Hope has been planned by NORWACS - Northern Rivers Women and Children's Services.“It’s been a tragic and unsettling time for women in Australia.”For one hour, between 5.30 and 6.30pm, at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium, you are invited to bring a candle and a flower to commemorate those who have died this year, in particular those from the Northern Rivers. An alarming figure of 28 Women have been murdered this year, by partners, family and strangers - the murders of women committed at Bondi Junction earlier this month has escalated the issue.  RemembranceAlice White from NORWACS says the evening will be one to reflect on those who have tragically died and consider the impact this has had on so many members of the community.“It will be an emotional yet powerful night,” Alice said. “We are going to name and take a moment for each woman and child who has been murdered this year, light a candle in their honour and place flowers down for each of them.” Music and artwork will be incorporated into the event, and Mandy Nolan will speak. “It’s really a space to mourn the tragic murders in 2024, and remember these women who were let down. “We will emphasise the loss we've felt in this community of Donna Baraket, who was killed in Tweed Heads in February, and a woman in Evans Head in March. “Each of them matters; they matter to their family, friends, colleagues and community. These women are so much more than a statistic, than a news headline, and they deserve protection and to live a life free of violence.”HopeAlice speaks of the hope needed for a different future, “Domestic and family violence includes many forms of abuse, it's not always physical and it can affect everyone and anyone. “We don't want to remain silent and we certainly won't forget these women who have had their lives taken from them. This is happening here, in our backyard and in our homes. “As much as it's a night to come together and grieve, This vigil is a call to action to speak up, it's a call to bring domestic and family violence to the forefront so it's no longer hidden behind the curtains. Hope will start when there is a community gathering of people wanting the same thing.”Some facts about domestic violenceThe largest threat to women is from people they know and love. This is not a new problem. The following disturbing figures are from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research and include incidents occurring in the home:Over 36,000 domestic violence-related assaults occurred in NSW during 2023. Over 22,000 cases of intimidation, stalking and harassment took place. 29 murders and 6 attempted murders took place.The relationship between victim and perpetrator over the last five years, (until December 2023):45% of all NSW murders were Domestic Violence (DV) related (139 of 309 total murder victims). About half of DV murders involved intimate partner violence (IPV) – 45% or 62 victims. Intimate Partner Violence occurs between a current or ex spouse / partner / boy or girl friend.79% of IPV murder victims were female - 49 victims. You are invited to be a part of the change in our city. The details:Wednesday 1st May, 20245.30 to 6.30pmNorthern Rivers Conservatorium (Farmers Market Area)152 Keen Street, LismoreCall (02) 6621 9800 for further enquiries.Please bring a flower and candle.

The Flood Readiness - Are We Better Prepared series covers key organisations that play a vital role in pre-flood warnings and in the rescue & recovery after a major flood. We are asking those organisations to let us know how the 2022 floods and Flood Inquiry have changed their procedures and processes so people will experience better outcomes.So we know what to expect when the unexpected happens next. Local charities played a vital role in the first days of the big flood rescue, feeding and clothing, thousands of people. What have they learnt and what have they improved?***The response of so many people and charities that came to the assistance of Lismore and the Northern Rivers in 2022 was unsurpassed. We could have spoken to many charities, however, we decided to approach four large organisations that were there, assisting tirelessly, supporting people and providing the area with valuable resources to help respond to the immediate crisis, and the longer recovery process over the years.SALVATION ARMYThe Salvation Army’s red shield is synonymous with care and protection. Their response to the floods and their work since have reflected this sentiment. They have had a presence in the Northern Rivers for over 130 years, and their role appears far from over. A spokesperson for the Salvation Army provided us with their experience in the floods and their developing role in disasters.How did the Salvos perceive the scale and longevity of the issues of the 2022 floods over time?The 2022 floods were the largest and longest response by The Salvation Army across the Northern Rivers. The Salvation Army provided a twofold response with an initial response in the Evacuation Centre providing meals to evacuees, not just in Lismore but in multiple locations. We were onsite in Lismore for 4 weeks in total across the two major floods. The Salvation Army provided emergency response personnel from across the country to help supplement the local teams, which helped provide the resources for as long as required.(The Salvos feeding the people of South Lismore in August 2022)Alongside the response was the recovery program, providing financial aid and support to those who had been displaced by this disaster. Initially, the response was in the Disaster Recovery Centres, before moving into an outreach model. Extended outreach was made possible thanks to a wonderful donation of a Winnebago from the Minderoo Foundation that became a mobile office, enabling the recovery teams to travel to the various locations around the Northern Rivers and meet affected community members personally at their place of impact or nearby. This service was well received by community members as many of them were feeling alone in their recovery, so to have someone still assisting was a great boost and gave them hope. What has changed in the Salvo’s response to an event of this scale?The Salvation Army has been working alongside State and Federal Disaster preparedness and recovery teams to work on best practice models for future disasters. We have been working on a range of response plans on how we operate at Evacuation Centres for the initial response and working with recovery teams on a best practice model for making sure longer-term support gets to those who need it. Following lessons learned from the floods, the Salvation Army Emergency Services has recruited and positioned a regional coordinator in the northern part of NSW to provide more immediate and local capability for response and preparedness.The Salvation Army now operates a model where we act earlier than previously operated to make sure we have prepositioned resources on hand and available. This includes volunteers, food and equipment. We have also been working alongside our national partner Woolworths and, through their generous support, have been able to purchase several key resources, including a catering truck, catering trailer and mobile cold-room, which are now based in Lismore so that this region is better prepared for the future.Having this equipment based locally means that we can better recruit, train and equip local volunteers on how to respond if and when a disaster happens. This equipment is vital not just to our response for floods, but any disaster that may happen across the northern part of NSW.However, while The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) team has full-time, strategically positioned personnel, like most community-based organisations we rely on volunteers to help us scale up and respond to any incident. Large scale events like the 2022 floods remind us of how generous Australians can be, but also that we never have enough people who are willing to be trained before an event. We are working hard to change that so that 'next time' we have volunteers ready to respond and to alleviate immediate suffering.     Has the Salvation Army developed a response plan to weather events of this scale?We have been working across a number of areas to develop our response plans to any disaster events that happen. The Northern Rivers is a diverse area, and we respond to a wide range of events as tasked by The Salvation Army's Emergency Services leaders. We now have greater connection with emergency services and the early warnings delivered to act early. We also have a stronger relationship with food distribution networks to ensure greater access to the resources we need to be able to respond.The Salvation Army's Emergency Services leadership are included and contributing to Federal and State government Preparedness Summits and working groups. Providing a voice for some of the most vulnerable and through partnerships with first responding agencies and other sector actors, including NEMA, we are seeking to ensure we are prepositioned in the most at risk contexts and appropriately equipped to provide immediate support. Will people see anything different from you in the next major flood event?The Salvation Army now has a regionally based emergency response lead, and a larger range of equipment and resources to help us respond to emergencies and disasters in the Northern Rivers. With a refreshed structure and operating model, and renewed partnerships, the community can be assured that we have prepositioned local teams with the resources to respond quickly and appropriately, and a surge capacity that can draw trained and equipped personnel and resources from across Australia into any emergency context.  With the equipment based in the Northern Rivers, the community will also see The Salvation Army more regularly at community events and functions as we use this equipment to train, equip and recruit volunteers and support the community. The Salvation Army Northern Rivers has been in the community since 1891 and we are here to support not just in the initial week and months following a natural disaster, but for the long term as we play our part in helping the community recover.Salvation Army WebsiteLIFELINEMichael Were, the Executive Director at Lifeline in Lismore spoke to us about their experience during the floods. This was not anything the organisation anticipated - not because of the flood height, but due to taking on roles they were not specialised in. The difficulties they faced have been tantamount to highlighting issues that require better planning and forethought for future disasters. How did Lifeline perceive the scale and longevity of the issues of the 2022 floods over time?As a crisis and suicide prevention-focused organisation, we view that the 2022 flood recovery is far from over. Based on other climate-related disasters, our experience is that the effects, including the cumulative trauma of multiple events in recent history, will still be felt for years to come. Through its 24/7 crisis support, local suicide prevention action groups, and its disaster recovery and wellbeing programs, Lifeline continues to play a role in the Northern Rivers recovery.In the immediate aftermath, calls to Lifeline from residents in the Northern Rivers doubled compared to the prior month pre-flood. In the ensuing months, we observed approximately 50% more calls from residents in the Northern Rivers compared to pre-flood. The Lismore site on Conway Street was decimated; however, as Lifeline’s crisis support service is networked through over 40 locations across the country, we were still able to maintain our service with our colleagues across the nation stepping up to provide extra support. This is a usual process for Lifeline nationally, with plans in place to mobilise extra resources around the country when critical incidents occur, or a specific site is down. Our crisis lines – via phone, text, and webchat – remained open 24/7 despite the loss of the Lismore site. We acknowledge that access to our crisis services are linked to a help seeker's ability to connect to phone service or internet service, and for some residents across the Northern Rivers this was an issue with communication networks down. What has changed in Lifeline’s response to an event of this scale?One of my key learnings was that Lifeline’s local asset base was very at risk itself. We lost our office, call centre, shops and all our vehicles which exacerbated our capacity to stabilise our business operations and be able to strongly support the community. Losing most of our business operations really did hamper our ability to be as responsive as we would have liked, particularly in the days immediately after the floods.This led to some strategic decisions, including the recent move of our warehouse from Three Chain Road to Goonellabah and the consolidation of our 3 Lismore retail locations into one larger site on Magellan Street. While our regional office remains in Conway Street for the foreseeable future, we could easily convert some of the Goonellabah site if Conway Street was out of action. Hopefully, no need to work out of caravans! (The new Goonellabah Lifeline site)Nationally, Lifeline’s services are being delivered more and more via digital/remote means rather than from a bricks-and-mortar base. We have more staff and volunteers working remotely than ever before, which is good in a risk mitigation sense. Has Lifeline developed a response plan to weather events of this scale?Lifeline has a rather comprehensive Business Continuity Plan. As a national-scale organisation, there are certain standards and expectations with regards to business continuity that we need to comply with at a local level. It’s always evolving, being tested, and improved. I’d like to see us be a bit more objective (when X happens we do Y based around emergency services information), we’re still a bit too subjective in terms of leaving it to local staff decision on when we should start lifting or moving out of Conway or Magellan St. Having a location off the flood plain at Goonellabah makes it much easier to have a better plan. So, we’re working towards that.The other part of Lifeline’s 2022 flood response was the Distribution Centre at the Showground. It’s important to point out that Lifeline established the site at the request, and on behalf of Lismore City Council. While Lifeline played a similar role in 2017, staff turnover meant there were very few involved in 2017 that were still with the organisation in 2022. We got the request call from Council about 5 days after the flood; it was not a role that we were prepared or planned for at all. It is not ideal to start planning a response 5 days after the event! (The Lifeline Distribution Centre at the Lismore Showground in 2022)We’ve been really open with Council and the NSW Reconstruction Authority about our learnings; I’ve been working with NSW Reconstruction Authority and have provided input based on our experience into a state-wide donated goods guide for community organisations. Along with other community organisations experience from the 2022 floods and other disasters around NSW, I believe this guide will be useful for organisations that decide to step into the donated goods space in the future. Will people see anything different from you in the next major flood event?We’ve been really open with Council and the NSW Reconstruction Authority about our learnings from the Distribution Centre. We’ve been strongly advocating that a community organisation needs to know that this is their agreed role and allow them to start to prepare for it now. There is an inherent cost in managing donated goods and a distribution centre – for example there were waste costs for completely unsuitable donations that are inevitably sent to any disaster location, Lifeline needed to pay labour hire costs to ensure we had a forklift operator on site to unload trucks when volunteers with appropriate skills were not available – a community organisation needs to understand all the cost implications, and know how they will afford to pay them, before jumping in and in my opinion, before the disaster event occurs.As a crisis support and suicide prevention charity, we were the first to acknowledge that operating the Distribution Centre is not our core service to the community - I’m not aware of Lifeline playing a role like this elsewhere in Australia in other disasters. If there is a better-placed organisation to work with Council and other authorities in future disasters, we would strongly support them taking the lead. They should be appointed to that role now, so they can be in a good position to respond. I should also acknowledge the incredible work of Koori Mail, SCU, and Karen and the team at Wyrallah Road (now known as the Good Pantry); it would have been a hugely challenging task if the Showground was the only location. I think there is a specific role that Lifeline could provide at donation hubs – we could continue to provide locally based crisis supporters on the site – but as it currently stands, Lifeline has not been asked, nor intends to take on the role of managing a major donated goods distribution centre in Lismore in a future disaster.Lifeline exists to ensure that no person in Australia faces their darkest moment alone. Our core services in crisis support and suicide prevention will continue to play a role in disaster recovery right across Australia, including the Northern Rivers. We continuing to work with Council and the NSW Reconstruction Authority on how we can best contribute to disaster preparedness and recovery.Lifeline WebsiteTomorrow, we will hear from a global charity that started in Lismore - the Lions Club, and the Red Cross, synonymous with aid as Part 7 continues.Other stories in this series includes:Part 1: Essential Energy Part 2: Communications - Telstra and OptusPart 2: Communications - TPG Telecom and nbnPart 3: Police and Fire + RescuePart 4: Critical Flood InformationPart 5: AnimalsPart 6: The Federal Government

Saturday, September 14, 2024, is when Lismore heads to the polls again to choose a new Mayor and ten new Lismore City Councillors. We have just over four months before voting day.It can be argued that this is the most important local council election in Lismore's history. Following the delayed December 2021 election, the newly elected councillors were thrown a curve ball when the February 28, 2022, flood tore our community apart.The focus for councillors was to help with the rescue and shelter of thousands of residents before shifting to the recovery and rebuilding of our beloved city. Not a typical term in council.Also, not typical was the short three-year term; usually, this is four years. However, thanks to COVID-19, one term was extended while this term was shortened.The Lismore App felt four months out from an important election is the right time to contact each candidate and ask if they will be running in September. Of course, many are part of tickets, such as Steve Krieg, the Labor Party, The Greens and Sustainable Future, so they are linked.Below are the responses:MAYOR STEVE KRIEGHe didn't 100% confirm he was running, but he strongly indicated he would put his hand up for a second term as the Mayor of Lismore.Myself and my colleagues on the ticket are committed to the growth and prosperity of the city of Lismore and its villages. I feel we are only at the beginning of what is going to be a lengthy recovery and rebuilding process and we all want to be part of that journey with the people of Lismore.A formal announcement will be made when the time is right, as 5 months is a long time in the local political landscape of Lismore.JERI HALLYes, I am running for councillor.ANDREW GORDONYes, I am. We have a plan that is yet to be finalised.ANDREW BINGYes, I am. I can't leave something that we desperately need to see through.ELECTRA JENSENYes, I am running.I want to see through what we intended to do at the beginning of last term and get Lismore back up and running and attract people to the area.Unlike some of the councillors in the previous term and now this one who 'don't want Lismore to grow', I would like to see Lismore shine in our region and again become a vibrant hub. We need to manage the vast amounts of water that flow through our beautiful river systems to provide confidence and safety to our wonderful community and secure our future. We receive such a large amount of rain, but our water security and storage is poor with only 8 months water supply in drought conditions, supporting 4 LGAs. We have to do better than that and I would like to be in the role when CSIRO releases its report on how we can better manage water flows, and water security for the region.PETER COLBYNo, I will not be running.When I was asked to run last term, I made it clear that I would only do one term.I came from the corporate world, so I could offer something different to council. I don't see that I could contribute that much more to it but I feel I can contribute outside of it.It has been a very interesting experience in a totally different world, which has carried a level of frustration. Council is designed to manage and look at the long term vision of Lismore. However, our 10-year plan changes regularly as you get 2-3 new council governing bodies during that term.I intend to do a little bit of Travel and still have a couple of small businesses in Sydney. I will also look to get involved in community boards. I still have an interest in helping Lismore. I want to contribute back to the city, but council isn't the way to do that for me.BIG ROBYes, I am running.....for Mayor and a Councillor."I may not look right, act right or speak right, but if the people want me there to fight for them, I'll be there! "Big Rob said he is not taking any donations or spending any money on his campaign, as was the case in 2021. He is the only candidate registered at this stage.DARLENE COOK - LABORI am not running in 2024."I've completed two terms, and my partner and I intend to do more travelling. It is time to do things on my bucket list."ELLY BIRD - OUR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE PARTYNon-commital."I will be updating the community soon"VANESSA EKINSNon-commital."All I will say, at this stage, is we are finalising our ticket and will launch on May 17".ADAM GUISEDid not return our calls or messages.As Adam Guise and Vanessa Ekins belong to The Greens, we can assume a similar response from Adam Guise.SUMMARYCouncillors Peter Colby and Darlene Cook will definitely not run in September, leaving two new councillors to be part of the eleven, at least.Councillors Elly Bird and Vanessa Ekins are non-committal. It would not be surprising if both did not run again.QUESTIONS & RUMOURSWith Darlene Cook not running as number 1 on the Labor ticket, the rumour mill has Harper Dalton to lead Labor's charge.If Elly Bird does not run again, what will happen to the Our Sustainable Future Party? Or, who will be leading the ticket?If Vanessa Ekins does not run again, will The Greens make Adam Guise their number 1 on the ticket and who will be number 2?While it does feel that September 14 is some way off, the Lismore Local Council Election party/ticket launches will start in May and roll on from there as campaigning ramps up.

The Lismore App is publishing Part 6 of our series on 'Flood Readiness—Are We Better Prepared? Today we look at the Federal Government.This series covers key organisations that play a vital role in pre-flood warnings and in the rescue & recovery after a major flood. We are asking those organisations to let us know how the 2022 floods and Flood Inquiry have changed their procedures and processes so people will experience better outcomes.So we know what to expect when the unexpected happens next.***The Federal Government established the National Emergency Management Agency, or NEMA, in September 2022 in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. The Agency’s fundamental premise is to coordinate whole-of-nation responses to support Australians facing natural hazards that can lead to disasters. So let's have a look at the progress being made in this space.The Federal Government, NEMA, began by acknowledging the severity of what we faced in 2022, “We recognise these floods have caused exceptional hardship for the Northern Rivers region, that some members of the community are frustrated with the time it’s taking for this recovery, and respect that their recovery needs are unique. “The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) continues to work closely with the NSW Government, which has primary responsibility for this recovery, including addressing the recommendations from 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry.”Australia is not unaccustomed to disasters. The global concern for the fires we have faced, the droughts we have endured and the weather events that have impacted so many areas in Australia, needs a federally coordinated response that is agile and able to react to increasingly unpredictable situations.Given the February 2022 flood, NEMA explains the role of the agency.“NEMA has taken lessons from the widespread floods in 2022 that affected communities from Southern Queensland through to South Australia, and in particular the Northern Rivers, to better inform how we play our national role to support state, territory and local governments in their primary responsibility of reducing the hardship of disasters through preparedness, response and recovery.”Over the last two years, these are some of the actions taken by NEMA to provide better protection to our country, “To date, our focus on preparedness, prevention and mitigation to combat disaster risk has seen us: “Hold the inaugural Higher-Risk Weather Season (HRWS) National Preparedness Summit in September 2023 and deliver 16 HRWS preparedness briefings with over 2,100 attendees.   “Build the National Emergency Management Stockpile – which in January 2024, saw NEMA’s off-grid emergency shelter camp and a UV water treatment system deployed to Far North Queensland to provide temporary worker accommodation for Disaster Relief Australia volunteers, who were supporting clean-up activities after Tropical Cyclone Jasper. “Facilitate National Coordination Mechanism meetings to support preparedness and consequence management for disasters including severe weather and flooding, temporary housing, disaster recovery and relief, cyber security, supply chains, energy supply, transport and logistics, public health biosecurity and offshore incident response. “Invest $38.3 million over four years from 2022/23 for the veteran-led volunteer organisation, Disaster Relief Australia, who were deployed to recent disasters in Far North and South West Queensland, to ensure additional support for states and territories when disasters occur.“Invest $1 billion over 5 years in the Disaster Ready Fund towards disaster risk reduction initiatives; with states, territories and delivery partners expected to match the investment in Australia’s resilience, where possible. “Commonwealth funding of $31,759,982 was awarded to NSW for DRF Round 1 funding, of which $9,880,764 was allocated to projects supporting the Northern Rivers. “Applications for Round Two are now closed with successful projects expected to be announced in the second half of 2024.”In the first point above, the HRWS is nominated as being between October and April. The following points made up the report delivered in September last year.El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole are both underway and are expected to continue through to at least late spring.These climate drivers strengthen the likelihood of the warm and dry conditions forecast for large parts of Australia over spring and summer.Both El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) tend to draw rain away from Australia. Over spring, their combined impact can increase the chance of below average rainfall in widespread areas and higher temperatures across the southern two-thirds of the country.Due to higher than usual levels of rainfall over the past 18 months, increased fuel load, and drier weather anticipated for the months ahead, we must prepare for the elevated risk of grass and bushfires during the HRWS, as well as possible heatwave conditions.The HRWS also means an increased likelihood of severe storms and cyclones.Get a glimpse of the full briefing on the information for the 2023/24 HRWS provided by The Bureau.We asked the government how promised financial sums are calculated, and what causes delays in these designated funds. NEMA did not comment directly on this, but an independent review of Commonwealth Disaster Funding is due to be released in April 2024. Nema did summarise the financial commitments it has made to our region as totalling $206.1 million spent so far and a share in an over $3.4 billion assistance package for the full national flood bill. Here is their report:“Committing $11.4 million to the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative, being undertaken by the NEMA and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), to understand climate, catchment, and hydrological drivers within the region and how these drivers impact flooding. “Help enhance the capacity of the Northern Rivers region to withstand the impacts of future flooding events, through the $150 million for the Northern Rivers Recovery and Resilience Program, including pump stations and culvert upgrades, region-wide programs to increase flood risk awareness, assessment of evacuation routes, and the establishment of community-led resilience teams. “Support thousands of Northern Rivers youth and at least 75 schools through the delivery of the $10 million Resilient Kids program. “With our partners, support projects under the Anchor Business program which provided $34.7 million to Norco to rebuild its iconic ice cream factory with upgrades to face the future floods. “Commit to equally cost share over $3.4 billion in Category C/D assistance measures, much of that for the Northern Rivers region, following the NSW Floods in February/March 2022.* “Continue to streamline processes for local governments and communities to access recovery funds. “Deliver the final Australian Government recommendations from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements and continue to progress joint recommendations with state and territory governments.”*This package falls under the DRFA - the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements made when a disaster is recognised (since Nov. 2018). This link relays the full conditions outlining DFRA assistance. It includes the following points:The “Australian Government may reimburse states and territories up to 75 per cent of the financial assistance provided.” The DRFA outlines when it can be actioned and what the finance is for. Amongst these it outlines “assistance is intended as an emergency helping hand for those in need” and “is not intended to replace the need for appropriate self-help strategies.” The DFRA can be used for things like, “personal hardship and distress assistance” and “transport freight subsidies for primary producers”.Nema reports that, “Within 24 hours of New South Wales activating the DRFA, the Australian Government put in place immediate disaster payments for adults and children.”Also stated, “in New South Wales, 7,477 homes were damaged,: as opposed to 7000 in Queensland. The figure for commercial properties reached 10,000 in QLD, but a figure was not provided for NSW. A full breakdown of assistance provided to both NSW and QLD is available here.NEMA provided information from the Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Murray Watt, where he reported in June last year that “Councils across Australia will be able to fast-track local repair works following two devastating years of floods, fires and cyclones, with the Albanese Government to advance nearly $1.8 billion in disaster payments to the states.” However an update was not provided.In the future, the recovery and rebuild may be done differently with the findings of reviews into funding and insurance that are currently underway. NEMA have also initiated a National Emergency Management Stockpile or NEMS as an “enduring national capability.” It includes “self-sustaining emergency shelter camps, water desalination and purification systems and high output power generation.” We are unlikely to see the Australian Defence Force (ADF) assisting with a clean-up again after “the independent findings of the 2023 Defence Strategic Review recommended that the ADF should only be used as the last resort for domestic aid to the community during and following disasters except in extreme circumstances, as long-term reliance on the ADF for these events is unsustainable given Australia’s more complex geostrategic environment.”Senator Watt said the importance of finding long-term solutions to resourcing the response and recovery efforts in natural disasters can’t be understated. The review “has helped to bring together a range of expertise that can be called upon in a disaster and the Australian Government will continue to listen to stakeholders to inform how we ensure we’re better prepared to respond to future disaster events.”It was also reported that “Work is already well underway to ensure there are many Commonwealth support options to call on, including through the Albanese Government’s $38 million Budget commitment to Disaster Relief Australia, a veteran-led organisation that provides additional support for states and territories when disasters occur.”Other stories in this series includes:Part 1: Essential Energy Part 2:Communications - Telstra and OptusPart 2: Communications - TPG Telecom and nbnPart 3: Police and Fire + RescuePart 4: Critical Flood InformationPart 5: Animals

The Lismore App published a story on April 22 about the East Lismore Community Preschool needing to raise funds so it can rebuild its flood-damaged preschool.Preschool Director Sonya McPherson said the plans were drawn up, the development application was approved, and the NSW government fully funded the preschool.The problem started when work could not start on time due to the amount of reconstruction work Lismore was going through. As time went by, the costs of building the preschool began to escalate. The NSW Government funding no longer covered the cost of the rebuild.It was at this point that Sonya went to the media to ask the community for donations so the project can begin.The NSW Department of Education, the regulator of early childhood education and care, awarded the preschool $5,210,902 under the 2022-23 Start Strong Capital Works Grants Program’s Crisis Fund to build a new preschool to cater for 50 children per day.  This grant award, along with a grant offered to another crisis-impacted service, are the two largest amounts to be awarded under the program in its 10 years of operation. A shortfall in funding was not identified until after responses to the tender were received. The program terms and conditions and guidelines state the approved provider is responsible for funding any overruns and/or funding shortfalls that arise. A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education told the Lismore App, “We appreciate the role East Lismore Community Preschool plays in providing early childhood education and the resilience the community has shown recovering from the recent unprecedented flood events. “We are working closely with the service to identify solutions so the new preschool project can proceed.” The East Lismore Community Preschool has been operating out of temporary premises on the school grounds of Wyrallah Road Public School since the floods. Sonya said, “The children just want to go back to our old preschool. That is impossible but we can get them into a new building on our old site – they deserve and need to have a forever home."(The approved DA of the East Lismore Community Preschool with a new footbridge leading to Wade Park in East Lismore)At the moment, the preschool provides half the places it used to while in the temporary building. Between Sonya, Bennetts Construction, the NSW Department of Education and the community, it feels like the rebuilding of the East Lismore Community Preschool will happen, it is just a matter of time.If people wish to make a donation, the Preschool’s building fund bank account is BSB 082-707 Account Number 24-222-7400 Account name: East Lismore Community Preschool.  For more information about the project and how you can help, contact Sonya McPherson on 0429 107 762 or email [email protected].