Lismore Community Tackles Housing Crisis in First-Ever People’s Assembly

On Saturday, 10 August, approximately ffty Lismore residents gathered at the Red Dove Cafe for the inaugural Lismore People’s Assembly, a participatory event designed to address the pressing housing crisis in the region.

The diverse group, spanning ages from their twenties to seventies, came together to answer the question: “What can this community do to get everyone a home?”

Despite the range of backgrounds, attendees shared a common willingness to listen, engage, and explore solutions collaboratively. Participants left with a stronger sense of community and a clear understanding of the actionable solutions within their reach.

Participatory

Democracy in Action:

The assembly embraced a deliberative democracy process, where participants actively listened, built upon each other’s ideas, and engaged creatively to generate solutions. The event’s legitimacy was rooted in its transparency and accessibility, welcoming everyone to participate.

After initial welcoming activities, the assembly heard from two speakers. Rose Walker from Goonellabah shared the struggles her community faces in managing housing through Many Rivers Aboriginal Regional Housing Management Service. Chels Hood Withey, founder of the Northern Rivers housing campaign House You, presented statistics on the housing crisis and shared solutions being implemented in neighbouring Byron Shire.

The heart of the assembly was the ‘breakout’ sessions, where smaller groups of around eight people discussed and deliberated for 45 minutes. A notetaker in each group captured the most popular ideas, which were then shared with the full assembly.

The group voted on the top ideas, which were organized into three main areas of concern and possible solutions: the use of empty buyback houses for housing, regulatory solutions, and community-based cooperative models. Suggestions were categorized into shortterm and long-term actions.

Outcomes

The assembly identifed three key areas for action:

1. Use of Empty Buyback Houses: Proposals for repurposing empty homes to address housing shortages.

2. Regulatory Solutions: Ideas for policy changes to support affordable housing and prevent homelessness.

3. Community-Based Cooperative Models: Initiatives to establish cooperative housing solutions that empower residents and ensure long-term housing security.

Quotes from the event

• Andrew George, Assembly Founding Member: “This assembly, although brief, demonstrated a joyous and community-building democracy process that bypasses vested interests and lobbyists and empowers us to come up with ideas together. Whoever is re-elected, we will keep bringing the community together in assemblies because our society faces too many challenges to expect the existing institutions to solve them. It’s up to us.”

• Leboya, International Student at SCU: “Honestly, it started well and fnished amazingly. I don’t know what more I could add except a helping hand if you ever need. Thank you, Lismore People’s Assembly.”

• Rose Walker, Local Bundjalung Resident: “I found the assembly today absolutely wonderful. We need to fght for homes for each and every one of us. I feel joy, part of a family here today. Which is gonna give me strength to keep going and fghting the fght.”

• Chels Hood Withey, House You: “Empty homes should be lived in. Housing should be a human right. It was really awesome to see everyone working together to collaborate on the solutions. I’m feeling good!”

What’s Next

The Lismore People’s Assembly plans to hold its next assembly in approximately six weeks, continuing to bring the community together to share, participate, and deliberate on pressing issues. The topic for the next assembly will be determined by ongoing outreach efforts. The organizing group meets weekly on Thursdays at 2 PM and is actively seeking new members to join. Those interested can contact reclaimourrecovery@ protonmail.com to get involved.

Background Reclaim our Recovery (ROR) has been advocating for democratic community involvement in food recovery since early 2022. The Lismore People’s Assembly represents a new chapter in their grassroots efforts, aiming to bring transparency and inclusivity to the forefront of local decision-making. Recent outreach has revealed widespread dissatisfaction with traditional political institutions, prompting ROR to champion a reinvention of democracy that starts from the ground up, right in Lismore.

The Northern Rivers Times August 22, 2024

Local Government. Bob worked as County Engineer Flood Mitigation and Senior Project Manager Pacifc Highway upgrades.

I have supported our community by working tirelessly to preserve the character and lifestyle in the Clarence Valley by:

• Presenting in NSW Parliament House: Parliamentary Inquiry, “the planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities.”

• Giving evidence to the Land and Environment Court in relation to inappropriate development on the foodplain.

• Providing presentations to the Northern Regional Planning Panel about unsustainable developments.

• Making deputations to Council.

• Lodging submissions and petitions in relation to Council’s policies, strategies, development applications and plans. The main issues for me are:

• Improving transparency and accountability to rebuild confdence and trust in Council and Councillors.

• Encouraging Councillors to unite in supporting the community.

• Better community consultation including advertising in the local newspaper.

• Supporting Maclean Hospital and redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital.

• Affordable housing in appropriate locations with adequate infrastructure and services to cope with the increased population.

• Filling of foodplains for residential development. I am not against development; however, I oppose inappropriate and unsustainable development that adversely impacts existing residents. Homes on foodplains are becoming uninsurable.

Clarence Valley LGA has the highest food risk in NSW in each of the social, economic and natural environment categories.

• Ensuring resilience and sustainability in times of natural disasters.

• Ensuring fnancial stability and responsible spending. The amount of debt, loan repayments, ongoing maintenance costs and reserves for depreciation are of concern. Ratepayers’ money must be spent wisely and needs to be focused on essential infrastructure.

• I am opposed to a Special Rate Variation as it will increase the cost of living and homelessness.

• I oppose all mining in the Valley impacting the natural, economic and cultural values.

• Securing funding for a water fltration system for the Clarence Valley water supply. Clean drinking water is essential.

• Supporting all people in the Clarence Valley to preserve the character and lifestyle for our future generations.

Shane Causley

Clarence cane farm; I am inspired to deliver better outcomes for farming families as my own family has done in the past.

I am 100 percent Clarence Valley, born at Maclean Hospital and lived on Warregah Island almost all of my life. My wife and I have our own farming company. We bought the family’s Warregah Island properties in 2019. We farm sugarcane and soybeans.

I was the chair of Soy Australia, and I take farmers to tour the USA to learn about soybean growing, sustainability, soil health and specialised machinery. We have been married for 29 years. We have a daughter and a son. We also have fve grandchildren. I played frst grade cricket for 20 years in Clarence Valley competitions. I am now an accredited cricket umpire.

I am a director of the North Clarence Harvesting Co-Op. I have been a cane steward at the Maclean Show for 35 years, helping to showcase the sugar industry in our local community.

I am an award-winning member of the North Coast Oilseed Growers Association.

I am Shane Causley, and I am running for council. Why?

I have a young family, and like most families in the Clarence, we worry about everything getting more expensive. I’ll do all I can on council to help relieve cost of living pressures. I am also passionate about making sure council does everything possible to help open the new Grafton Base Hospital as soon as possible.

I am passionate about the area we live in and will fght to have its natural beauty, and the relaxed lifestyle of our communities maintained. We need sustainable development; we don’t want development to overwhelm our infrastructure. My family run a

I am just fnishing my frst term as a councillor and have had the privilege of serving as Mayor for the past year. What I have enjoyed most is meeting people across the Clarence Valley, hearing their stories, and understanding what is important to them.

I have travelled to every corner of our LGA and visited almost every community. As Mayor, I am often invited to community celebrations and special events, which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

I attended most of the councillor listening tours and hope to continue these in some form in the next term of council.

In council meetings, my role is to chair the meetings fairly, ensuring all councillors have the opportunity to speak and that the meetings are conducted properly.

I enjoy public speaking and have had many opportunities since becoming a councillor, from being a guest speaker to opening exhibitions and events and delivering speeches at formal occasions such as citizenship ceremonies and remembrance days.

I am standing as an independent, as the Nationals party does not believe state or federal politics should feature in local government.

Please see my Facebook page, Mayor Peter Johnstone – Clarence Valley for more information or come and say hi if you see me around.

Amanda Brien

and housing that meets community needs.

Our community needs leadership that considers the long-term costs of its decisions. Leadership with a strategic mindset: I can provide this for us. I bring experience working in state government. I have coordinated committees and working groups, developed and simplifed government policies, and infuenced government executives and ministers to make decisions in the public interest.

I understand how government works and can refect on whether our local needs and interests are being met.

I have post-graduate degrees in educational leadership and law and a degree in natural resource management.

I am standing for election to Clarence Valley Council for a connected and supported community, a strong local economy, and a focus on mitigating natural disasters.

My values? Connect. Support. Protect.

I have committed my life to the service of youth and families through education.

I am passionate about farming and would like to one day hand the family farm over to my children.

I will advocate for all of the Clarence Valley, primary producers, small businesses, sporting groups and local communities.

If elected I will work hard for our local communities, just as my father did for so many years.

The Mayor represents the council at State and Federal events, in discussions with other Mayors and councils, and hosts visiting dignitaries such as the Governor, who visited last year.

My family is very important to me.

Julie, my wife, is a doctor at Queen Street Clinic in Grafton, and my three adult children live in Queensland.

Julie enjoys being outdoors, so we often go walking in the mountains, beaches, and National Parks. I still teach occasional Maths lessons and enjoy working with young people.

In my spare time, I am the secretary of the Grafton Supa Oldies Soccer Club and a deputy captain in the Grafton City Rural Fire Brigade.

My other voluntary roles with the RFS include Peer Support Offcer and Rural Fire Instructor.

I am currently the chair of the Clarence Nationals, although

Last year, my husband Andrew and I returned home to the Clarence Valley to reconnect our six children, grandchildren and extended family.

It has been a warming experience to re-establish friendships made through Roches Family Hotel, see the students I taught at McAuley with families of their own, see Andrew’s passion reignite in local business, meet new people, and be welcomed as the newest member of Grafton Midday Rotary.

Our experience being disconnected from community and services during Covid has given me a new appreciation of the impact local government has on people’s everyday lives. The decisions council makes, change our community and the place we live.

I believe in decisions that support stronger partnerships between us, council, community groups and state government: a focus on reducing social isolation to support a safe, well and healthy community

I will use my experience to make balanced decisions that guide council on how our local services are provided, funded and prioritised. A vote for me is a vote for decisions that beneft the future of the Clarence Valley.

Say hello when you see me out and about in the Valley. I’d love to hear your story and your needs.

Watch my video on Facebook or connect on Instagram at Amanda Brien Clarence Valley.

Debrah Novak

a third term.

I want to start by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who voted for and who have supported me since the December 2021 election.

Your trust and encouragement have been an incredible source of strength and inspiration for me over continued next page these past three years. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Representing the Clarence Valley has been a profound honour, one that has stretched me and deepened my understanding of our diverse and vibrant community in ways I never anticipated. Throughout this term, I’ve dedicated myself fully to serving you.

I’ve read more than 10,000 emails, responded to more than 5000 of you, and have participated and voted in 36 council meetings and workshops.

I’ve been present at over 150 community events, travelled the length of our beautiful valley from the hinterland to the sea, and handled hundreds of phone calls and test messages. Our community has faced signifcant challenges.

Heartbreaking natural disasters, rising living costs, and health and housing crises have

BY TIM HOWARD

A last-minute change of venue for the celebration of 150 years of cane crushing at the Harwood Sugar Mill has created only at the tiniest hiccup in preparation for the big day on Sunday, say the organisers.

Originally planned for the picturesque Harwood Cricket Ground set among the cane felds near the mill, wet weather has meant the event will now be held on the mill grounds, virtually across the road.

Sunshine Sugar communication offcer Vivien Miller said the change had no material impact on the planning, although she conceded the cricket ground would have been a picturesque setting for Sunday’s day of celebration.

Gates Open at 9am Kick off the day with an offcial opening and Welcome to Country at 9.15am.

Roving entertainers and a photo booth capture fun memories and be entertained throughout the day.

Hobby horse races allow every one to join in and cheer on the competitors in these whimsical races.

affected us all. We’ve had to adapt to rapid changes, deal with workforce shortages, and overcome hurdles that have tested our resilience.

Yet, amidst these trials, I’ve witnessed the remarkable strength and unity of our community. What truly brings us together is our shared commitment to making the Clarence Valley a place of hope and opportunity. Despite our differences, we are united by core values of kindness, honesty, respect, and integrity. These values and along with our volunteers are the heartbeat of our community, guiding us through both our struggles and our successes.

As I seek re-election, my passion for advocating on your behalf remains as strong as ever. There are a great deal more things that unite us than divide us and together, we can face the uncertainties ahead and continue to build a future that benefts everyone in our community.

Karen

Toms

Businesswoman Karen Toms is contesting her ffth council election after serving four terms on Clarence Valley Council.

My name is Karen Toms, I am self-employed and understand the importance of small business to the economy and jobs.

I successfully contested the past four local government elections. Over the years, we have been on a journey setting good strategic direction in compliance with the Integrated Planning and Reporting Legislation, focusing on debt reduction in readiness to replace worn-out community facilities. The Grafton pool, the Treelands Drive Community Centre with a larger library for Yamba, the Maclean Civic Hall to a cultural centre with a 270-tiered seat auditorium.

I am working on better beach access, improved public transport for people in wheelchairs and mobility impairment. I participated in the State Government’s Round Table discussions on this issue. A report is imminent.

Three key focus areas of our Disability Inclusion Access Plan (DIAP). Foster positive community attitudes and behaviours, increase the liveability of our communities, improve access to meaningful employment for people with disability.

On a personal note, I am a co-director of JKT & Sons Pty Ltd with my husband Jeff.

Jeff and I celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary this month. We have two sons, three grandsons.

I am a people person and have a serving style of leadership. I am curious and ask lots of questions.

I have a philosophy to take every opportunity I can, and never stop learning.

I have educated myself and extended my skill set since becoming a councillor. Local government is more complex than people think.

I am director of (CVCFS) Clarence Valley Community Financial Services Ltd t/a Bendigo Community Bank South Grafton and was recently appointed chairman of the board. Following, some history I believe is relevant to my candidate profle.

• Member of ALGWA NSW branch

• Chair Clarence Regional Library

• Chair Clarence Valley Council Access Advisory Committee

• Mentor for Women