Lismore News

Local advocates say: Bring the Drug Summit to Lismore

Published

1 month ago

7 August 2024

Liam

Steve Smith, Centre Manager of The Winsome; Tahlia Poulston, Uniting NSW.ACT, Co-ordinator, Recovery Support Services; Reverend Daniel Yang, Lismore Regional Uniting Church; Adam Guise, Councillor for Lismore; Bradley Bower, ACON, Acting Director of Northern Rivers. - Drug Summit Lismore

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Local advocates say: Bring the Drug Summit to Lismore

Emma Maiden, General Manager External Relations and Advocacy at Uniting NSW.ACT said: “The NSW Drug Summit has finally been announced for December 2024, including two days of regional forums slated to take place in October.

“We are particularly pleased to see a focus on the experiences, needs and voices of regional communities when it comes to this issue.

“Lismore is a region that deserves a seat at the table.

“The people of Lismore and the surrounding regions are experiencing significant challenges since the floods of 2022, which have exacerbated existing issues such as mental health, precarious housing, and drug use.

“This is a dynamic, diverse and strong community in active recovery who deserve to be able to share their stories and ideas for meaningful solutions as part of the 2024 Drug Summit.

“There is already an established group of local leaders who represent community services, harm reduction, Council, faith, health and legal sectors. They are working together to campaign for more AOD and harm reduction services for Lismore and they feel strongly that it should be considered as a location for one of the Drug Summit regional forums.

“This drug summit is a way of shining a spotlight on the issues not only in Lismore, but across all regional and rural communities,” Emma said,

Tahlia Poulston, Coordinator, Disaster Recovery Support Service, Far North Coast Regions said: “I have worked in the Community Service sector since 2016. During this time, I have witnessed first-hand the detrimental effects that criminalisation of drug use has on an individual.

“It’s well documented that people who have been charged with drug use find it harder to find employment, establish positive connections and relationships and find stable accommodation.

“It is also well documented that a traumatic event will exacerbate use, due to the individual self-medicating to try and cope with such an event.

“The Lismore Flood event of 2022 has exacerbated both personal drug use and homelessness. A drug summit in Lismore would highlight the area’s response to the floods and the need for more services in the area.

“It is also an opportunity to be able to study the effects that a natural disaster has on drug use, mental health and homelessness. To not respond holistically and in a timely manner would be of great detriment to many individuals and the community as a whole,” Tahlia said.

Dash Boyce, Coordinator, Recovery Support Service said: “Through my work with Uniting’s Recovery Support Service, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact of the floods on our community in Lismore. The trauma and displacement have exacerbated preexisting issues, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive support.

“Many of our clients struggle with addiction and maladaptive behaviours, and while current services offer some relief, there is a dire need for more resources. Hosting one of the days for the 2024 NSW Drug Summit in Lismore would be a powerful step towards providing the essential programs to support our most vulnerable community members,” Dash said.

“As a Doctor working in primary care, I cannot think of a better place to host the NSW Drug Summit than Lismore. The passion for change, on the back of challenging times in the region, has never been higher. The Northern Rivers of NSW is home to a host of exceptional people, teams and organisations working tirelessly in the field, often with minimal resources. These people show up tirelessly, day after day – rain, hail (flood, pandemics, fire) or shine to reduce the harm that comes to people who use substances and advocate for them in systems that are often not designed for them.” Dr Bronwyn Hudson, Specialist Addiction Medicine Physician said.

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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