The Northern Rivers Times Edition 108

Lismore CBD opening gains momentum

on volunteers, and they were so good in all their forms - supplying food, doing washing, helping clean, even bringing coffee, everything helped!” Sarah spoke of the challenge of facing day after day of the same thing, months of reorganising life and getting the book shop up to running again. “It is so good to be open again seeing the regulars come in, some on a daily basis. They seem relieved to be able to visit their favourite place again.”

the streets, there are still covers over shops and empty windows, but the overall feel is changing. Shellie from the NAB said, “It’s been upsetting to see how much has been closed and for so long, but it’s amazing to see the difference now. I avoided the area as it was hard to comprehend, but you need to visit to see it happening now.” NAB is about to reopen. Sally, who has been working from the NAB pop up, talks about the conversations she has had with

“These are people we know. The amount of people we have shed tears with, it’s been an incredible time of overcoming adversity. We will be the first bank fully operational back in the CBD,” Sally said with pride. Dave and Jo from Wild River Tours are still yet to open but are hoping for September. “We run bass fishing and white-water rafting tours, mainly for tourists, so it has been a long road. On the other hand, fish stocks have never been better.”

will lure some of their clientele back. Adrian Katschke from the Dark Horse Cafe and Advice Plus Insurance spoke about, “More and more businesses are reopening, and pockets are returning to normal, but if you look closely, the paint is still drying on the walls!” Adrian spoke at a function for Business Lismore (formerly known as the Lismore Chamber of Commerce) where many business owners were in attendance to celebrate what has been achieved

recently. It hasn’t been an easy road, but some operators are even expanding. Sheila Turner, the picture framer in The Strand, is looking to open an art gallery directly across from her current premises. Julia Taranto is expanding her boutique offering to add elite Australian designed couture at Paris in the Strand. “It takes a lot,” Julia says of coming back. The new range will add glamour to the shopping experience in the city, “If you could shop in Paris, you would.” Nick from Nickel Energy is glad to be re-established in his base. “The quality time and what we can offer is so much better now we are back in the office. And our productivity is ten times what it was.” New and existing businesses have taken the opportunity to update their premises, such as Fundies, which have a bright new airy facility near the Lismore Regional Art Gallery.

General Manager appointed for Clarence Valley Council

Laura Black has been named as Clarence Valley Council’s new General Manager. Ms Black, who is the current Acting General Manager and Director Corporate Governance of Clarence Valley Council, will take up a five-year performance-based contract commencing

7 October 2022 on the formal resignation date of the current General Manager. Clarence Valley Council Mayor, Councillor Ian Tiley said he was pleased on behalf of Councillors to announce the appointment after an extensive recruitment process conducted over

the past few months. “Laura was interviewed by the Councillors on two occasions and impressed Councillors with her knowledge and enthusiasm to take on the general manager role,” Cr Tiley said. “Laura has sound local government experience and significant

qualifications. She has tertiary qualifications in social sciences and in planning and business administration.” Ms Black said she welcomed the opportunity to take on the role and believed the position of general manager was a real opportunity to build broad community

engagement and lead the operational delivery of outcomes for the community. “The organisation is transforming and embracing exciting change that will result in improved community benefit,” she said. “I’m proud of the management team we now have.”

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