Lifesavers on High Alert as Heatwave and Tropical Cyclone Create a Perfect Storm

Key Messages:

• The aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred has resulted in extensive coastal erosion and damage to beach access points across northern NSW.
• Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) warns the public to exercise extreme caution when entering the water, as the ability to launch rescue craft may be significantly impacted in many areas.
• Due to poor water quality caused by flooding, residents and visitors are strongly advised not to enter the ocean or flooded waterways, particularly in northern NSW.
• A heatwave is forecast, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-30s across the state over the weekend.

As flood recovery efforts continue in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, volunteer surf lifesavers and lifeguards are urging the public to prioritise safety. The use of rescue watercraft is expected to be severely hindered, making emergency response times longer than usual.

Coastal Erosion and Access Issues Hazardous surf conditions have caused extensive coastal erosion, particularly in northern NSW, making beach access difficult for lifesavers and patrol teams. Clubs and volunteers are currently assessing the feasibility of patrols ahead of the weekend, with concerns that some areas may not be safe for public access.

Water Quality and Debris Concerns Floodwaters have contaminated coastal waters with debris, increasing the risk to swimmers and complicating rescue operations. The most affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) include Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Richmond, and Clarence, though impacts could extend as far south as Port Macquarie.

Heatwave and Extreme Weather Risks Adding to these challenges, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast high temperatures across multiple regions. On Sunday, the Hunter, Central Coast, and Sydney are expected to experience temperatures in the mid-30s, creating a perfect storm of dangerous conditions along the coastline.

Public Safety Advisory SLSNSW CEO Steve Pearce is strongly urging the public to reconsider beach visits, including sightseeing at exposed locations and rock platforms along the coast.

“We are expecting an incredibly busy weekend for our volunteers, and these extreme temperatures coincide with ongoing cyclone recovery efforts, making this a particularly dangerous time to visit the coast,” he said.

_“In many areas, the severe coastal erosion has made it nearly impossible to launch rescue watercraft quickly in an emergency.

“Please, follow the advice of our lifesavers and lifeguards this weekend. Check BeachSafe before heading to the coast, and do not enter the water unless you are at a patrolled beach, swimming between the red and yellow flags.”_

Ongoing Emergency Response SLSNSW is collaborating with the NSW Government and coastal councils to ensure volunteers are well-equipped to respond to emergencies in cyclone-affected areas.

Meanwhile, a second wave of SLSNSW volunteer Strike Teams deployed north yesterday to relieve volunteers who have been actively working in the field. SLSNSW teams continue to support SES and local communities, providing flood response assistance into the weekend.

Stay informed, stay safe, and prioritise safety as extreme weather conditions continue to impact NSW’s coastline.

Vivid Sydney 2025: A Festival Reimagined, Inviting You to Dream

Vivid Sydney 2025 Program Unveiled

For full program details and ticket purchases, visit www.vividsydney.com.

A Transformative Festival Experience

• Five interconnected zones spanning Light, Music, Ideas, and Food
• Over 75% of events and 100% of Vivid Light Walk free to enjoy
• Nigella Lawson curates three exclusive Vivid Sydney Dinner events at Muru Giligu, Martin Place
• TIME Magazine’s Creative Director and Stranger Things: The Experience confirmed for Vivid Ideas
• Martin Place rejoins the festival for the first time since 2018
• Vivid Music expands with new venues, including City Recital Hall and Metro Theatre
• Eight buildings and landmarks illuminated for the first time

Australia’s largest cultural festival will once again transform Sydney from Friday, 23 May to Saturday, 14 June 2025. Under the theme ‘Dream’, Vivid Sydney will explore the question: What’s in a dream?

A Redesigned Festival Footprint

Celebrating its 15th year, Vivid Sydney introduces a reimagined layout with five key zones:

• Circular Quay & The Rocks
• Barangaroo
• Martin Place & CBD (returning for the first time since 2018)
• Darling Harbour
• The Goods Line & Inner City

Each zone will feature a dynamic blend of Light, Music, Ideas, and Food, ensuring an immersive festival experience across the city.

A Winter Celebration of Creativity and Innovation

Highlighting Sydney’s vibrant cultural scene, Vivid Sydney will collaborate with Sydney Writers’ Festival, Sydney Film Festival, and esteemed institutions such as the Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum, Bangarra Dance Theatre, City Recital Hall, State Library of NSW, and Sydney Theatre Company.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham, stated:

“Vivid Sydney continues to innovate, bringing color, creativity, and excitement to the city. This year, we’re expanding the number of free events, ensuring that everyone can experience the magic of the festival, regardless of budget.”

Vivid Light: A Visionary Spectacle

Vivid Light 2025 will showcase pioneering animation and projection technologies, including:

• Sydney Opera House: Kiss of Light (2025), a bold tribute to the late Australian visionary David McDiarmid
• Museum of Contemporary Art: King Dingo by Vincent Namatjira
• Customs House: House of Romance by Romance Was Born
• Interactive installations: Voice-activated animations, 3D projections, whimsical swings, and audience-generated art featured on The Rocks’ ASN Co. Building’s Clock Tower
• Expanded Vivid Light Walk: Featuring new illuminations at Museum of Sydney, The Bond (Barangaroo), and Challis House (Martin Place)

Vivid Ideas: Engaging and Inspiring Dialogues

This year’s Vivid Ideas program includes:

• D.W. Pine, Creative Director of TIME Magazine, presenting ‘Where Do Ideas Come From?’
• Professor Matthew Walker, renowned scientist, exploring ‘Why We Sleep’
• Free Firetalk series at Barangaroo Reserve, highlighting First Nations storytelling
• Endling, a major physical theatre production by Legs On The Wall
• Stranger Things: The Experience, an immersive adventure at Luna Park Sydney

Vivid Food: A Culinary Dreamscape

Vivid Food offers a diverse and unforgettable dining experience:

• Nigella Lawson’s Vivid Sydney Dinners at Muru Giligu, Martin Place, featuring NSW produce and immersive light and sound installations
• Vivid Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line, celebrating fire and spice
• Spice Lounge at Maryanne Street, a fireside retreat
• Hollywood Quarter activations, featuring exclusive food and music experiences in Surry Hills

Vivid Music: A Global Celebration of Sound

This year’s lineup includes:

• Tumbalong Nights: A free concert series featuring Winston Surfshirt, Ayesha Madon, Grammy-winner Dobet Gnahoré, and V-Pop stars Mỹ Anh and Chi Xê
• Exclusive performances at Metro Theatre, City Recital Hall, and Oxford Art Factory
• Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House, featuring Anohni and The Johnsons, Beth Gibbons, Sigur Rós with Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Japanese Breakfast
• Carriageworks performances, including Mall Grab, Ngaiire, and Skegss
• Carriageworks’ Night Market, showcasing Sydney’s top culinary talents

Vivid Sydney Partners

• Samsung returns as a Major Partner, presenting a light and water show at Cockle Bay Wharf
• Estée Lauder and Ausgrid continue their partnership, powering Tumbalong Nights
• Airbnb remains the festival’s Community Partner, supporting the volunteer program
• Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation is the official Charity Partner for 2025

Tickets on sale now! For the full event schedule, visit www.vividsydney.com.

Chris Minns Must Get His Facts Straight Before Calling for Demolition of Lismore Homes

NSW Premier Chris Minns’ comments on 2GB radio today were an attempt to shift blame away from failed recovery efforts following the 2022 floods. Instead of addressing the real issues, he targeted the peaceful occupants of Pine Street buyback homes, misrepresenting their situation and ignoring the complex realities of Lismore’s housing crisis.

Key Facts About Pine Street Residents

✅ Evacuation Was Handled Responsibly – Pine St residents evacuated early before the official SES evacuation order, proving that communities can live safely and responsibly in buyback houses.

✅ No Extra Burden on SES – The SES would have visited Pine Street regardless since an owner-occupier still lives there. Occupants left in an orderly manner, requiring no additional resources.

✅ Residents Are Not Exploiting Social Housing – No one on Pine Street is trying to jump the queue. Instead, they found their own housing, reducing the demand for social housing.

✅ There is No Power Connection – Occupants offered to pay for water but have received no response from the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA).

✅ Former Owners Were Promised Relocation, Not Demolition – Residents sold their homes believing they would be relocated for future use. Demolishing them would be a traumatic and unnecessary loss.

✅ Residents Are Willing to Cooperate – Pine St residents have openly communicated with the RA, stating they will vacate when relocation happens. They are caretaking the homes in the meantime.

✅ Lismore Residents Need Recovery, Not Distraction – This community is exhausted. People just want to rebuild their lives and businesses, yet Minns focuses on eviction threats instead of real leadership.

✅ SES Volunteers Live on Pine Street – This further proves that responsible, community-minded people occupy these homes.

Community Voices: What Lismore Residents Are Saying

Tina, 52-year-old single mother and Pine St resident

“We invite Chris Minns to meet with us and discuss the complex intersections of the housing and climate crises. If he came, he’d see that we evacuated neatly and safely. We are doing no harm—we are providing a positive service to the community. Dialogue, not demolition, is what we need.”

Miriam Torzillo, resident of Wotherspoon St, North Lismore

“If the Premier truly cared about safety, he would push the Reconstruction Authority to help homeowners relocate instead of forcing them to wait for the failed Resilient Lands program. Many who barely survived the 2022 floods received no buyback, house raise, or retrofit. Where is the fairness in that?”

Antoinette O’Brien, Reclaim Our Recovery

“Previous owners were assured their houses would become housing for people in need. Demolishing them is devastating and senseless. Instead of evicting people in a housing crisis, Minns should focus on relocating all buyback homes out of the floodplain and increasing public housing.”

“Pine St was carefully and responsibly evacuated. Demolishing these valuable community assets won’t solve the housing crisis. The fact that people are living there highlights how dire the situation is.”

Andrew George, Reclaim Our Recovery

“Minns talks about ‘fairness.’ But where is the fairness in South Lismore residents receiving no buybacks, house raises, or retrofits?”

“What about the $57 million spent on Reconstruction Authority salaries—including executive director salaries averaging $344,000? Or the $2,500 per year spent per boarded-up buyback house on security and maintenance (source: Questions on Notice, March 2024)? If homes are occupied, that money is saved. Yet, Minns is scapegoating people seeking shelter.”

“The government should issue occupation licenses until the houses are ready to be moved.”

Stop the Evictions – Focus on Real Recovery

Chris Minns should redirect his focus toward real recovery solutions, rather than blaming displaced residents. Threatening demolitions won’t fix Lismore’s housing crisis. Supporting relocation, increasing public housing, and ensuring transparency in recovery spending will.

The Lismore community deserves better.

Spreading Happiness Through Dance: Kyogle’s World Record Attempt

Kyogle is preparing for a world record attempt—the largest Happy Dance gathering. The Guinness Book of World Records will verify the event, and Northern Rivers residents and beyond are encouraged to join. Not only will this be a fun event, but it will also support a meaningful cause.

How It All Began

The idea started with Jeanette Foy, who toured the Northern Rivers on her mobility scooter to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence victims. Mayor Danielle Mulholland helped organise the event. During the tour, she made a promise—if she passed her course, she would post a Happy Dance video online.

“I passed my course, so I danced! Then I thought, why not take it further? A mass Happy Dance? A world record? And all for a good cause.”

She shared the idea with Jeanette and community support facilitator Jade, who immediately supported it. As a result, they registered the event with Guinness World Records, turning it into a major community project.

Dancing for a Cause

This event will raise funds for domestic violence victims, continuing Jeanette’s mission from last year. More importantly, it will bring the community together for a day of joy and connection.

• Dress Code: Wear deep purple, the official colour for domestic violence awareness. Creative outfits are welcome!
• Dance Routine: Participants will perform a choreographed routine to Guy Sebastian’s song “I Like It Like That.” A freestyle dance group will lead in the centre.
• Interactive Display: A surprise installation will offer a new perspective on domestic violence awareness. Furthermore, it will encourage conversations about support and prevention.
• Event Coverage: Drones and professional videographers will capture the event, ensuring it is well-documented.

Get Involved

A committee is working on logistics. Meanwhile, organisers are welcoming sponsors, volunteers, and participants to support and grow the event.

“We are creating something unique—celebrating joy, uniting the community, and standing up for a cause. Let’s make history together!” said Mayor Mulholland.

To stay updated on dance rehearsals, registration, and event details, follow our official event page. Join the movement, and let’s dance for joy, community, and change! 💜🎶

The Northern Rivers Times News Edition 244

Here are the top stories in the latest edition of The Northern Rivers Times (March 13, 2025):

• Cyclone Recovery & Disaster Relief
• Disaster Recovery Allowance Available for Cyclone Alfred-Affected Communities – The Albanese Government is providing 13 weeks of income support for eligible workers and sole traders affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred​
• Public Transport Services to Partially Resume in Northern NSW – Some bus and coach services will restart, but over 1,000 school services remain suspended
• Ballina Shire Recovery Update – Council prioritizes repairs, reopens key facilities, and offers free storm waste drop-off

Community & Economy

• Community Rejects Buyback Process in Mid-Richmond – Locals argue that the current flood buyback scheme is not working, preferring retrofits and house raises​
• Panic Shopping Following Cyclone Alfred – An analysis of why people rush to buy supplies, the role of social influence, and the impact on supply chains​
• Farmers Donate Organic Produce to Cyclone-Hit Communities – With supermarket shelves depleted, local farmers stepped in to provide essential food
• Ballina Introduces Free Waste Disposal & Bin Collection Services Post-Cyclone – Extended services aim to assist residents cleaning up storm damage

 Education & Social Impact

• NSW to Trial Year 1 Number Screening Check in 150 Schools – Aimed at improving numeracy skills in early education following declining results
• Full & Fair Funding Secured for NSW Public Schools – The Albanese & Minns Governments announce a landmark agreement to fully fund public schools
• Share the Dignity Celebrates 10 Years of Fighting Period Poverty – A look at how this national movement continues to support vulnerable Australians
• Marquis Macadamias Champions Women in Agriculture – Highlighting women leaders shaping the macadamia industry and agriculture in general

These are the key stories shaping The Northern Rivers Times’ latest edition!