Lismore News

Janelle Saffin MP September Column

Published

2 weeks ago

3 September 2024

Liam

RFS District Manager Daniel Ainsworth and members of the Tuncester RFS showed Janelle Saffin MP their new Cat 7 fire truck which has arrived just in time for the September 1 start of the Bushfire Season in our region.

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Janelle Saffin MP September Column

Northern Rivers Times September Column
Janelle Saffin MP, Member for Lismore

CSIRO flood mapping

The Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative, led by the CSIRO, has for the first time provided extensive and detailed data for flood mapping our region.

The $11.4 million project used LiDAR and Bathymetry to build a 3d digital surface map covering more than 30,000 square kilometres of the Northern Rivers.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data was collected using an aeroplane with LiDAR sensors attached flying over the region. These sensors were used to collect accurate digital elevation models for the region for hydrodynamic modelling. There were also ground crews conducting surveys to test information collected by the LiDAR equipment.

River bathymetry – Boats in the rivers with sonar equipment collected accurate information on the cross sections of the river network (river bathymetry) to inform the hydrodynamic model.

This detailed mapping provides a comprehensive overview of the river systems and can now be used by local councils and consultants for flood modelling and planning to reduce the impact of floods.

The data forms the critical scientific evidence base that can be used by the NSW Government, local councils, and non-government organisations for a range of other purposes including:

land use
transport and housing planning
environmental and ecological studies
hydrological assessments, and
flood mitigation strategies and plans for the Northern Rivers region.

NSW Drug Summit

The Minns Government has announced that the NSW Drug Summit will be held in Sydney on 4^th and 5^th of December this year, with two days of regional summits in October.

In 1999 I attended the Drug Summit conducted by the Carr Labor Government, which is widely acknowledged as a significant turning point in drug and alcohol policy. It lead to initiatives such as the safe injecting room in Kings Cross which has been saving lives for 23 years.

But that was a long time ago.

Since then we have had the Special Commission of Inquiry into Ice which came up with some fantastic recommendations and I anticipate these will all be on the table at the Drug Summit.

I have a mountain of reports from round tables and inquiries over recent years, all saying the same thing: recognise drug use as a health and social justice issue.

It was a Minn’s Government key election commitment to hold a drug summit because of the great need in the community for drug policy reform.

We need a drug policy that is fit for the 21^st century.

Cutting red tape for teachers

Great news for our teachers, with changes to teacher accreditation and professional development that will free them from a lot of tedious red tape and administrative work.

Teachers are required to do 100 hours of professional development every five years to maintain their accreditation.

The changes mean they won’t be forced to do 50 of these hours in previously mandated areas, but instead they will be able to identify the professional development that is relevant to their teaching and the education of their students.

And they will no longer need to write time consuming evaluations of the professional development they complete.

These changes will ensure that every hour of professional learning that our teachers do is valuable to their classroom.

For more local Lismore news, click here.

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Lismore News

Lismore Basketball Stadium Reopens Thanks to State and Federal Grants

Published

6 days ago

12 September 2024

Liam

Janelle with Lismore Basketball Association Life Member Cheryl Amor at the Lismore Basketball Stadium

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Lismore Basketball Stadium Reopens Thanks to State and Federal Grants

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has celebrated the return of the Lismore Basketball Stadium, with players back on the court after extensive post-flood refurbishments. Following the devastating floods in 2022, the stadium has been rebuilt with over $580,000 from the Sport Infrastructure Recovery Fund, part of the Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package (CLIRP) funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

Saffin praised the efforts of the Lismore Basketball Association, which kept games going on a damaged floor until moving to the Goonellabah Sport and Recreation Centre for repairs. She acknowledged the work of Association President Aaron Simpson, Treasurer Kay Simpson, and Publicity Officer Cheryl Amor, who, alongside the Council and local tradespeople, helped bring the facility back to life.

The project was supported through:

$1 million for the floor replacement from the NSW Government and Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program.
Over $580,000 from the NSW Office of Sport for sub-floor works and a further $50,000 from Local Government Recovery Grants.

Cheryl Amor expressed gratitude to Council, Bennetts, and Janelle Saffin for their steadfast support. She said the use of local tradespeople had been a priority, and the rebuilt stadium is a significant milestone for the association as it looks to attract new players and rebuild its community.

The NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, highlighted the importance of repairing local sporting infrastructure to keep communities healthy and connected, especially after natural disasters. Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister echoed these sentiments, congratulating all parties involved in the successful project.

The rebuild involved:

Demolition, asbestos removal, and subgrade earthworks.
Installation of screw piles, the Waffle pod system, steel cages, and slab reinforcement.
Laying, sanding, and sealing of a hardwood timber floor from Kyogle.
Installation of a new grandstand and score bench, as well as repairs to the external driveway and footpath.

For those interested in taking up basketball, contact the Lismore Basketball Association at 0410 777 572 or via their Facebook page or Instagram.

The repair work was funded by Federal and State governments’ Natural Disaster Relief Assistance Program ($1 million), Local Government Recovery Grants ($50,000), and the State Government’s Office of Sport Grants ($236,853 and $344,510).

For more local Lismore news, click here.

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Lismore News

Lismore Gears Up for the Inaugural Lismore Cycling Festival

Published

6 days ago

11 September 2024

Liam

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Lismore Gears Up for the Inaugural Lismore Cycling Festival

Lismore City Council is thrilled to announce that hundreds of cycling enthusiasts will gather in Lismore for the first-ever Lismore Cycling Festival on the weekend of 5 and 6 October. Organized in partnership with the Byron Bay Cycle Club, the festival will feature competitive racing, participation rides, and fun ‘come-and-try’ sessions for children and adults, making it ideal for both seasoned cyclists and newcomers.

Tony Duffy, Lismore City Council’s Manager of Active and Liveable Communities, highlighted the event as a showcase of Lismore’s capacity to host both short and long-distance cycling events.

On Saturday, the action kicks off with criterium racing around the Oakes Oval complex, offering fast-paced, bunch-style racing on a closed-street circuit. Sunday will shift to Fondo events, which allow participants to ride at their own pace through the picturesque Nimbin, Woodlawn, and Numulgi valleys, with routes designed for different fitness levels and abilities.

Key Events:

Saturday (10am start): Cyclocross and Junior’s Crit-Cross events at the Lismore Regional Sports Hub, followed by criterium racing at 2pm around Oakes Oval.
Sunday: Fondo participation rides with three distance options:
- Gran Fondo (110km)
- Medio Fondo (70km)
- Piccolo Fondo (28km)

Cyclists can expect well-marked routes and officials patrolling the course to ensure safety. Some CBD roads will be closed for short-distance races, while most roads for long-distance races will remain open to traffic.

Safety is a priority, with marshals monitoring the course and ensuring that all bikes are road-legal. Helmets are mandatory for all riders.

The festival is expected to inject $45,000 into the local economy, benefiting local businesses, with proceeds supporting the Lismore Rescue Helicopter Service.

For more details and registration, visit the official festival page.

This event continues Lismore’s successful streak as a regional sporting hub, following major events such as the Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase and Masters Hockey.

For more sports news, click here.

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Lismore News

Visa options for employing overseas workers in regional Australia

Published

6 days ago

11 September 2024

Liam

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Visa options for employing overseas workers in regional Australia

This information session hosted by the Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with Lismore City Council and RDA Northern Rivers, provides a great opportunity for businesses in regional Australia to explore visa options for employing overseas workers. The session is particularly valuable for businesses experiencing challenges in filling positions with local Australian workers, a common issue in many regional areas facing skills and labour shortages.

Key Details:

Focus: Visa options and migration strategies for hiring international talent in regional Australia.
Target Audience: Local businesses, HR professionals, and stakeholders in regional Australia.
Date and Time: Wednesday, 16 October 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM AEST.
Location: Gordon Pavilion, Oakes Oval, 144 Magellan St, Lismore NSW 2480.
Tickets: Available via TryBooking.

What to Expect:

Comprehensive Overview: Gain insights into various visa categories and migration programs tailored for regional employers.
Eligibility & Application: Learn about the eligibility criteria, application processes, and the benefits of employing overseas workers under these visa arrangements.
Expert Guidance: Receive practical advice on navigating the migration system, ensuring that your business can effectively address workforce needs.
Networking: Engage directly with experts and connect with other businesses facing similar challenges.

This free event is an excellent opportunity to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to address labour shortages and support the ongoing growth and resilience of your business in regional Australia.

For more local Lismore news, click here.

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