caravans have been delivered in the past week,” a spokesperson from the NSW Government said last week. “These caravans allow

MONUMENTAL TASK: Lismore MP Janelle Saffin with, from left, Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation Chief Executive David Witherdin, Northern Region Recovery Coordinator Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Lismore Mayor Cr Steve Krieg when the new authority was announced in April. A step forward in long-term food recovery

The long-term food recovery in the Northern Rivers takes another step forward with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) formally stood-up last week.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said while there has already been a lot of work done to help food-affected communities start the rebuilding, the NRRC’s goal was to accelerate the return to normal life.

“We have been working hard rebuilding community infrastructure and coordinating the delivery of innovative housing solutions,” Mr Toole said.

“The NRRC will continue this important work and ensure that we’re not only building back better for now but we’re building back better for generations well into the future.”

NRRC Chief Executive David Witherdin said the NRRC is working closely with Government agencies and key stakeholders to prioritise community needs and gather data and intel to map out and deliver a detailed rebuilding strategy.

“The NRRC is focused on building for longterm prosperity and will be guided by an advisory board, made up of experts, community leaders and local residents,” Mr Witherdin said.

“We’re looking at the data, principles and strategic design for a housing program that may include buyback, house raising, resilient rebuilding and the potential for land swaps, and we’re working to get this program running as soon as possible.

“We will prioritise evidence-based decisions that put the safety of communities frst but will also consider community sentiment and will continue to listen to what they need.

“We’re working to get people back to their lives as soon as possible and this next step forward will allow the new corporation to compulsorily acquire or subdivide land, fasttrack the building of new premises and accelerate the delivery of planning proposals through the Department of Planning and Environment.”

Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said since March, more than 40,000 applications have been received for food support across the State and more than 30 funding packages have been approved.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting our Northern Rivers communities every step of the way through the ongoing food recovery effort,” Ms Cooke said.

Calls to include Clarence in flood data assessment

Clarence Valley Mayor Ian Tiley has demanded the Clarence be included in any 2022 flood studies and assessments after discovering the region had been ignored in initial assessments by a NSW Government department.

Mayor Tiley put forward the Minute at the June Council meeting upon advice from the Department of Planning and Environment that post flood data behaviour assessments already undertaken focused on the Richmond, Wilson, Brunswick and Tweed rivers - local government areas to the north of the Clarence Valley.

Clarence Valley Council was excluded from this work on the basis that flood levels at the Prince Street, Grafton gauge were not considered of the same scale as rivers to the north and that there was already sufficient historical data about river behaviour based on the level at Grafton.

Mayor Tiley stressed that this decision did not consider the significantly higher flood levels at towns and villages downstream. Grafton’s peak of 7.664m had an average exceedance probability* (AEP) of 6.6 per cent, compared to 2 per cent for Maclean’s 3.36m peak.

“The flood level at Grafton was not a predictor for the flood behaviour downstream,” Mayor Tiley said.

“It is clear the Clarence flood increased in volume as it moved downstream and staff consider it likely the extreme localised rainfall events in the tributaries of the lower catchment impacted Clarence River levels downstream of Grafton, and that post flood data behaviour assessments may inform these assumptions.”

CVC previously reported in April that Yamba experienced its biggest rainfall event on record, with 1267mm in February and March. This included 274.4mm on 28 February - the highest 24-hour February total on record - and 258.2mm on 1 March for a total of 532mm.

“There has been no event or combination of events since records began that comes close to the rainfall totals recorded at Yamba in February and March,” Clarence Valley Council Director Works and Civil Jamie Fleeting said at the time.

recommended Federal Government commit to pre-disaster resilience works of $200 million (they have) and states and territories to match

it. Mitigation must be at the heart of ‘build back better’. Government’s human security obligation demands it - it is inextricably linked to affordable-accessible insurance and now the CSIRO study. The extra funding committed to the study is welcome, but it must be clear in scope and approach before it feeds into the overall mitigation measures and must consider what works in other places, Netherlands, etc. - An MOU among CWTH/ State/Local governments to provide proper funding for priority flood mitigation projects already identified across the three catchments.

Flood reinsurance scheme Northern Rivers:

Prior to the Federal election, I asked NSW Treasurer Matt Kean to urgently take up the issue with his counterpart. It is a point of entry and discussion. The jury is out on the CWTH government-backed Northern Australia Cyclone Reinsurance Pool–backed by a $10-million government guarantee. The future of insurance for our region and mitigation efforts are key to reconstruction.

National Building Code:

It contains three core principles, health and safety, amenity and accessibility and sustainability, but nothing on resilience which better speaks to flood resistant or flood ready. (See QRA’s Flood Resilient Building) The NRCC must issue a good guidance note ASAP.

Rivers clean-up/river health:

Further clean-up of our rivers, contaminated by flood debris and sewage, cannot wait. An Environmental Recovery Package could fund this across the Richmond, Tweed and Clarence river catchments. (There is a joint $64 million for riparian restoration-no detail) See the NRJO’s Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative (NRWI) -- a $150-million strategy over the next decade to enhance river health systems (some currently ranked D- and F).

Roads:

Roads are subject to the no betterment clause under disaster management grants and that must change. The up to 15,000 kilometre take back of regional roads has to happen. Landslips: Landslips have severely disrupted everyday life for many residents, including local farmers who in some cases have had their access to farmland cut. Landslip repair has to be factored into recovery and reconstruction as programs roll out to repair roads, bridges and fencing. BOM/SES flood forecasting, warnings, evacuation orders, SES:

There is no faith in the BOM/SES flood forecasting and warning system. A review is not required but a fix is. We are told that agreements between the CWTH and State require the BOM to issue flood warnings. This has been harmful to community. It is currently untimely, contradictory and confusing and too late and river gauges need to be in the right places, functioning, subject to proper maintenance, and a responsible agency.

Early Flood Alert

systems: There is solid financial modelling that demonstrates the economic benefits of early flood warning. I know this because I like many others seek other sources. For example, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and other local knowledgeable people.

Review of off-farm income criteria and grants: The unfair off-farm income rule – farmers are ineligible if they make more than 50 per cent of their income off farm – does not recognise that it is common place for one partner to be working off farm so that they can farm! Secondly, at least half of the $75,000 primary producer grant should be available up front so farmers can get access to the funds they need to get going.

On its 12th anniversary trip, The Big Lift from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) are setting themselves across regional New South Wales and Queensland on a mission to share their volunteering movement across the country.

This has been a long awaited journey, as the trip was postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to months of nationwide lockdowns.

Founded on the philosophy of ‘Paying it Forward’, The Big Lift is a student run, volunteer organisation that takes eighty students on a nineday bus trip through regional Australia to complete various volunteering projects. These include painting, gardening, cleaning and simple construction/ deconstruction tasks.

With a focus on community engagement, The Big Lift works closely with towns across the country to provide support where it can.

“The Big Lift gives students a unique experience to discover how simple and rewarding volunteering is to help out the wider community. The aim of the trip is to demonstrate the idea that if we all come together for a great cause, real change can be achieved,” says President of The Big Lift, Alysson Zamora.

The Big Lift bus visited Bonalbo on Wednesday, 6th July and helped various organisations around the town including Bonalbo Central School (general cleaning and gardening, clearing graffiti, painting and planting) and general clean up around town (gazebo).

They also visited Wiangaree on Thursday, July 7 and helped at the Wiangaree Public School (painting exterior panels and Junior room, weeding/ gardening, general cleaning up of sports shed and music room).

“The Big Lift aims to help create global citizens that are socially conscious and empowered to be a part of things they want to see changed,” says Ms Zamora.

“I’ve seen so many students become inspired from the trip

Students volunteer with communities On Demand public transport service continues on the Coffs Coast

The Woopi Connect On Demand pilot service will be made permanent from 1 July 2022 providing local communities with more transport options. Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said he welcomes the to connect and engage news the Woopi Connect in volunteer activities On Demand service is within their local and here to stay. wider communities! “The Pilot has been immensely popular. The Big Lift provides a Since the trial began wonderful opportunity in 2019, 46,600 trips for students to have been taken by reconnect, in a society customers,” Mr Singh which often feels said. isolating, more so “Forest Coach Lines after many months of does a wonderful job lockdowns. in running the service, “We are so excited connecting Woolgoolga, to visit Bonalbo and Safety Beach, Mullaway, are so thankful for Arrawarra Headland, the community for Arrawarra, Corindi welcoming us with Beach and Red Rock. open arms!”. says “It’s great the town organiser, Ruvi NSW Government is continually exploring Ratnayake . new and innovative The Big Lift organises ways to provide public and partakes in various transport options that volunteering projects meet the community’s throughout the year. needs in our region.” The operator will be upgrading its fleet later this year and the services will run for extended hours on Saturdays between 7am – 5pm. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the announcement was a major win for Coffs Coast commuters who will have improved connections to transport hubs and shopping centres. “We have been trialling the On Demand pilots over the past three years with more than 1.1 million trips taken by customers to date,” Mr Farraway said. “On Demand means people can access public transport close to home to get them to appointments in a more flexible and convenient way, which is important living in regional areas. “The NSW Government is securing a brighter future for NSW families by strengthening public transport services.”

Strong signs of recovery for NSW visitor economy in latest visitor survey results

NSW remains Australia’s top destination for domestic visitors and welcomed the highest number of overseas visitors since the closure of international borders according to the latest figures from Tourism Research Australia (TRA).

TRA has released the National and International Visitor Survey results for the year ending March 2022, which show NSW welcomed 66.4 million domestic overnight and daytrip visitors, with expenditure increasing by $2 billion on the previous year. While international visitors rose to 251,200, representing a 601 per cent increase on the year ending March 2021.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the results reflected the NSW Government’s recovery roadmap and were particularly positive for regional NSW.

“The last two years have been challenging for businesses in the visitor economy but they have also inspired more Australians to see their own backyard, with NSW the preferred destination of choice due to its unique and diverse tourism offering,” Mr Ayres said.

“The NSW North Coast was the nation’s most visited destination for domestic overnight visitors after Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, with regional NSW accounting for 31 per cent of domestic overnight visitors in regional Australia.

“Strategic investments by the NSW Government with local councils and the private sector in visitor infrastructure, transport and destination marketing mean regional NSW is now poised to attract new international visitor segments and a greater share of traditional markets.

“On the back of these encouraging results, the NSW Government’s $422 million commitment to the state’s visitor economy outlined in the 2022-23 NSW Budget, will ensure we reach our target of $65 billion in total visitor expenditure by 2030 and achieve our goal of making NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.”

The highest number of international visitors came from New Zealand (44,800), followed by the United Kingdom (36,600) and the United States (28,400). China remained the top country for visitor expenditure in NSW ($201.7 million).

“Leemo has views on just about anything”

MUM, explain GOSSIP for me...

‘Mum Jane’, what’s ‘GOSSIP?’ Oh, by the way, it’s ‘Leemo Cat’ here. I just asked Mum a question, and am awaiting her response. She was totally ignoring me. I asked again (louder) and she replied this time. ‘Leems, can you not detect that I am reading a book. You have interrupted me at a really hair-raising bit. However, (big sigh of annoyance) why do you want to know?’ I ‘spose I’d best be honest. ‘Well, Mum, I was up a tree in our yard when I spied 2 ‘unknown to me’ felines down below, and could hear them chatting. One of them said ‘you know that cat ‘Leemo’, well; I ‘heard’ that his tail is so huge & fuffacious it’s a fake, just pinned on.’ ‘Oooh, said the other, he won’t look so grand if it falls off will he. That would be so so funny’. They were talking about ME, Leemo Cat. (I SWEAR she had a laugh into her hankie.) ‘Mum, I asked my friend ‘Treasure’ about this and she told me they were having a ‘gossip’. I couldn’t let ‘Treasure’ know that I didn’t know what it meant so could you tell me?’ She told me to go eat the treat in my bowl, come back, and she would explain. Goodie! I had my treat, returned, and settled on a cushion in my beguiling SPHINXLIKE pose. ‘OK Leems my ‘Lil Buddie, let’s talk GOSSIP. Firstly Leems, ‘gossip’ means kinda loose talk or stuff about other people or situations. This means at times repeating something you’ve heard to someone else before it has been confrmed as factual.’ I was riveted. ‘So, Leems, ignore the ‘gossip’ about your tail..it won’t come off unless a most unlikely event occurs. Like a lion eating it.’ Hmmm. I had more questions. ‘Mum, does everyone gossip?’ She told me that, on average, people spend about 52 mins. each day gossiping, out of the standard 16 hours they are awake. Gossip is universal and is part of our make up.’ ‘But MUM, what actually causes it?’ ‘Leems, people gossip for heaps of reasons. One might be to experience superiority. If you reckon you know something others don’t know, you feel mighty smart. It may ALSO even be as innocent as passing the time of day. ‘So Leems, the ‘tail’ talk is nothing but ‘gossip’ but I know it upset you. There may have even been ‘envy’ in the words ‘cos you DO have a magnifcent tail. Those cats you heard ‘probly only have feeble skinny ones. Oooh, I feel so much betterer. ‘Mum, is gossip BAD? ‘Nup, not really Leems. Basically, gossip is just talk about someone who isn’t there with you, and can be either negative or positive. It can also be humorous, and plays a BIG part in keeping society connected’. CRIKEY, I have so much to take in. ‘Mum, has anyone gossiped about you, or you about someone else?’ She went all red across her wrinky face. Like a sun dried tomato. ‘Eerrrr, truth or die Leems, ‘YES’ to both. (Ooooahh!) BUT, I do truly do try to avoid saying or listening to meanie chat, and focusing on positives. At times I fail, so I’m still learning.’ Oooh…I wonder what the gossip about Mum was? Believe you me, I’ll fnd out. How excitingly gossipy this all is! Purrsies, Leemo.

Council embraces organisational restructure

Lismore City Council will undergo a restructure to better align the organisation with the needs of the city and community, General Manager John Walker announced.

Under the changes, the three Directors roles and the current directorates will be abolished and placed with a structure under the direction of the General Manager plus two new positions titled Chief Financial Offcer (CFO) and Chief Operating Offcer (COO).

“During my time in the role of General Manager it has become clear that Lismore City Council does not have the capacity or capability as an organisation to overcome the many challenges facing us to become a sustainable organisation,” Mr Walker said.

“This was true under normal circumstances, but it has been compounded by the signifcance of the recent natural disaster and the enormity of the tasks we face.

“Restructures are always diffcult for staff, however, we simply have no choice but to do things differently if we are to overcome our fnancial issues and put Council on a strong footing for the future while rebuilding our city better.

“As General Manager I will have a team comprising of an Executive Manager Economy and Growth (which refects the importance we will place on this area and include strategic planning), a Chief of Staff (to ensure the agenda is delivered and performance is achieved) and a Project Manager for the recovery and restoration (a condition of the funding agreement).

“There will be no redundancies of awardbased staff under the restructure. We need additional human resources and funding to do our jobs. At this point in time, we have neither the capability nor capacity to deliver what is required.

“We need much better strategy and planning. We need new skills and expertise to compliment what we already have.

“The NSW Government have agreed to support Council in transforming and rebuilding our business with a generous funding agreement over three years to ensure we have the capacity to become great.

“A needs analysis prepared for the Offce of Local Government (OLG), after consultation with us, by consultants Morrison Low will form the basis of a roadmap which we will follow to that end. Without this funding it would not be possible to achieve our goals.”

Cemetery friends to honour loved ones

Lismore City Council has launched the “Friends of the Lismore Memorial Gardens, Crematorium and Cemeteries” Program.

The program is a result of family and friends who have requested to do volunteer work at Council’s cemetery sites.

The Friends of the Lismore Memorial Gardens, Crematorium and Cemeteries are a group of volunteers interested in the maintenance and conservation of cemeteries within the Lismore Local Government Area (LGA).

The volunteers will assist with activities such as weeding, rose pruning, mulching, cleaning up leaves and sticks, cleaning headstones and plaques and removing degraded fowers and trinkets.

This will be done in partnership with staff and in sections or areas of the cemeteries of interest to the volunteer.

The Cemetery Friends may also assist with promotional and research activities such as preparing tours and guided walks for community members, genealogical research and preparation of information materials.

The program sets out to protect and maintain the integrity of the Lismore Memorial Gardens, Crematorium and Cemeteries in the physical, philosophical and spiritual sense with regard to Council guidelines and policies now and into the future.

To qualify as a member, you must live in the Lismore LGA or have family/friends interred at the Lismore Memorial Gardens or other cemetery and be able bodied to undertake such activities. You must also be willing to undertake promotional and research activities associated to the cemeteries.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can phone Council on 6625 0500 and speak to the Cemetery Manager who will provide you an application form and talk to you more about the program.

Flood response truck to be based at Lismore

The NSW State Emergency Service’s first custom-built High Clearance Vehicle, known as a Unimog, has arrived at its new permanent home of Lismore.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Unimog is one of six to be acquired by the State Emergency Service (SES) as part of a $4.6 million investment.

“These specialist trucks have the ability to operate in 1.2 metres of water and can also serve as a mobile communications hub, making them a real asset during flood operations,” Ms Cooke said.

“SES volunteers in Lismore were on the front line of the February-March flood event and are the first Unit in the State to permanently host this asset, boosting their capability when communities in the Northern Rivers face flooding.

“By acquiring these six new Unimogs the NSW Government is ensuring the SES boasts the most capable and advanced fleet of flood operations vehicles in Australia.”

SES Commissioner Carlene York said of the six Unimogs being added to the SES fleet, three vehicles are being custom-built while three have been supplied by the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

“The ADF Unimogs were utilised during the Northern Rivers floods earlier this year and have already proven to be life-saving. To build further capability in this particular area, which has just suffered the most devastating floods the community has ever seen, is very important,” Commissioner York said.

Lismore City Unit Commander Lacy Loloa said volunteers are very excited to be the first Unit in NSW to permanently house a Unimog.

“We look forward to further enhancing our flood rescue capabilities with this new asset. This will be a huge help when we’re called to assist the local community once again in a time of need,” Ms Loloa said.

NSW SLSC catch $3 million wave

NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs are celebrating the awarding of more than $3.6 million for the upgrade, restoration and construction of surf life saving facilities through the NSW Government’s 2021/22 Surf Club Facility Program.

Twenty-three Surf Life Saving Clubs across NSW secured grants up to $500,000 as part of a four-year $16 million commitment from the NSW Government. $500,000 was given to Cabrarita Surf Life Saving Club for training, patrols and the recreational areas.

Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the grants would ensure surf life saving volunteers continue to deliver a world-class frontline service and keep beaches safe.

“Surf Life Saving Clubs are vital in protecting people in the water and supporting a healthy lifestyle for members,” Mr Ayres said.

“These grants will provide funding for surf life saving facilities that are inclusive, accessible and enable people from all sections of the community to participate.

Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills

The NSW Government is ofering a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy afordability by helping households unlock long terms savings on their electricity bills. While this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!

The ofer is only available to households that live in the specifed regions and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3kW solar system in place of their Low Income Household Rebate.

SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region.

To be eligible you must: - Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate - Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years - Own your own home - Not already have a solar PV system - Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veteran Afairs Gold Card - If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household

A 3kW system is designed to generate an average of 12.6kwh per day, which will deliver electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director of SAE Group Glen Ashton comments “We know electricity bills continue to place a lot of pressure on households, and we are pleased to be working with the NSW Government to help ease the pressure on low income households.”

SAE Group are an Australian owned and operated organisation with over ten years’ experience in the solar industry. SAE Group are a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer, and hold accreditations ISO 9001, ISO 45001 for safety and quality systems. Safety is paramount to us, and it our goal to ensure we provide quality solar systems to eligible households that will deliver ongoing savings for many years to come.

Want to fnd out more? Visit: https://energysaver.nsw.gov.au/solar-low-income-households to check your eligibility and apply online or visit www.saegroup.com.au or call us on 02 66 389 439. The Solar for Low Income Household Ofer is supported by the NSW Government.

Are you eligible for free solar?

Save up to $600 in electricity bills!

SAE Group is the approved provider, designing & installing solar systems for the NSW Government Solar for Low Income Households Offer.

Get in touch with SAE Group today to find out more 1300 18 20 50 www.saegroup.com.au