Murwillumbah community invited to have their say over demerger Mayor welcomes disbanding Lismore Local Planning Panel

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to disband the Lismore Local Planning Panel and return planning powers to councillors.

“I would like to thank the Minister for taking on board Council’s resolution at the March Ordinary meeting that councillors did not need assistance in undertaking our role as the consent authority,” he said.

“I would also like to thank our State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin who actively lobbied the Minister on Council’s behalf.”

Minister for Planning Paul Scully wrote to the Mayor on Friday to advise his decision after recent visits to the Northern Rivers.

Earlier in the year, the NSW Government had announced it would establish the Lismore Local Planning Panel to “speed up development” in

Lismore after the February 2022 natural disaster.

However, at the March Ordinary Meeting, councillors passed a motion that they had never asked for assistance, are not in need of assistance and that “councillors have little to no impact in relation to planning delays, since we have no direct involvement in operational matters, and rarely call any matters up for consideration by councillors”

The community will see no change as Council’s Planning team have continued to undertake the approval of development applications. This will mean Councillors can again “call up” specific development applications for Council’s decision.

The Local Planning Panel had yet to met, with the first meeting scheduled for 28 June 2023.

COMMUNITY consultation ahead of the demerger of the Murwillumbah Education Campus will begin next month, with the Department of Education running a series of face-to-face sessions.

Starting on Monday 24 July 2023, students, staff, parents and carers at the four schools will have their own consultation sessions where they can ask questions and provide their input.

The sessions will help identify what is important to the school community before, during and after the transition.

Face-to-face sessions will be held across three days: Monday 24 July, Tuesday 25 July and Friday 28 July.

A link to the stakeholder feedback form will be emailed to

Pacemaker Service Exciting News For Coffs Harbour Patients

I’m delighted Coffs Harbour Health Campus is now providing life-saving pacemaker implantation services locally, which removes the requirement for most patients to travel.

I’ve worked closely with Coffs Harbour cardiologist Dr Austin May to help ensure this procedure is being made available at our local hospital. I congratulate Dr May on his tireless advocacy which has helped make it reality.

I’m also grateful for the important role played by the Mid North Coast Local Health District Board in the introduction of these pacemaker implantation services at Coffs Harbour Hospital.

I know the Minister for Regional Health in the former Coalition Government, Bronnie Taylor, worked extremely hard securing this service for our community, and I thank the current Minister for

Health, Ryan Park, for his ongoing support of this initiative.

It’s exciting news indeed that communities across the Mid North Coast will now be able to access this procedure right here on their doorstep, instead of having to travel to places such as Newcastle or Sydney.

This specialist treatment being offered at Coffs Harbour Health Campus will beneft patients most particularly, as well as their wider support networks because they can be close to their families while they recover.

This is the frst pacemaker service offered in Mid North Coast public hospitals and is a wonderful coup for the entire hardworking health team at Coffs Harbour.

Dr May will perform the pacemaker implant those who are unable to attend while the broader community can provide feedback via murwillumbahschools@ det.nsw.edu.au

The Department will also be engaging with stakeholders from a cross-section of the community, including the Teachers’ Federation and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. Other interested parties will also be invited to get in contact via email.

In addition, the Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car, will visit Murwillumbah early in Term 3 to meet with parents, teachers and the Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffn.

Janelle Saffn said:

“At the election, the Minns Government committed to stop the merger and maintain four separate schools in Murwillumbah.”

“Now it is time to work with staff, students and families in the school communities to deliver the right solution.”

Minister Car said:

“This consultation process shows the Minns Government is delivering on our commitment.”

“The Department’s consultation will be thorough and prompt so we do not keep the community waiting any longer than necessary about the future of their schools.” procedures at Coffs Harbour Health Campus, with the support of a specialist team including pacemaker technician Leanne Emery and pacemaker nurse Sarah Drum.

New Sheriffs to support Lismore courts and keep law and order Lismore Court is to get two new Probationary Sheriff’s Offcers following a ceremony at Old Government House in Parramatta today marking the end of their training.

This new service demonstrates the vital role Coffs Harbour Hospital continues to play in the delivery of excellent healthcare to our local community.

The work of Sheriff’s Offcers is central to the effcient functioning of the courts and justice system. They provide security at court complexes; serve warrants, summonses and other orders issued by the courts; enforce writs, warrants and property seizure orders; administer the jury system; and they prepare courtrooms and call and swear in witnesses.

Training consists of a 10-week intensive course which emphasises communication skills and building relationships with people in the community. It includes tactical training and perimeter security, and how to anticipate and respond to risks and de-escalate tense situations. https://dcj.nsw.gov. au/about-us/careersat-communities-andjustice-nsw/pathways/ sheriffs-offcer.html

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffn said Sheriff’s Offcers are key to the safe running of our courts and perform many duties of which the public may not be aware.

“I welcome the new Probationary Sheriff’s Offcers to Lismore, I thank them for their service to the community, and I wish them and well in their new careers.