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Lismore News

Saffin announces more community election commitments

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Saffin announces more community election commitments

 LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin has announced more election commitments aimed at making local communities safer, keeping public schools open, protecting our natural environment, and removing a costly regulation from one local government area.

Ms Saffin says that while the range of commitments she has secured from NSW Labor is diverse, they tackle issues she has been lobbying on with local community groups, local councils and regional organisations since 2019.

“The Nationals and Liberals in Government have not yet taken up what are essentially community needs despite numerous opportunities to do so,” Ms Saffin says.

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“Yes, these projects are needed, and importantly, they have been properly costed and budgeted for.

“I have an even longer list of priority projects to work through across our electorate and the Northern Rivers, and I have the drive to see them through during a second term.”

On the natural and the built environment, Ms Saffin says: “It is past time now for us to attempt to seek agreement about actions we can take together about big issues that have no simple or easily attainable solution if the parties do not talk to each other.  Farmers can help us lead the way and we need to ensure that we include them in all decision making processes. That has been my goal and will be how I will continue to act if re-elected and I will keep working to ensure our region can address environmental, energy and climate challenges, restoring the health of our rivers, our soils and saving our koalas.”

A Minns Labor Government will:

  • Keep open Murwillumbah’s four public schools, consulting all school communities on infrastructure upgrades, including the continuation of Murwillumbah High’s capital works.
  • Additional policing resources for Murwillumbah Police Station, starting with $3.7 million for recruitment of additional officers, provision of other services and upgrades, and an implementation plan to make Murwillumbah Police Station 24/7. This commitment delivers on a promise made by The Nationals in 2007 but never kept.
  • Deliver $5 million to Resilient Lismore, in partnership with Reece Foundation, for their Two Rooms and a Bathroom rollout to 250 flood-impacted homes as well as restoring essential plumbing to at least 100 homes.
  • Allocate $250,000 to develop an Economic and Environmental Recovery Plan for the Northern Rivers region and Tenterfield Shire LGA to help eight local government areas ‘build back better’ from the 2022 floods and better prepare for future natural disasters.
  • Deliver $2 million to Tweed Shire Council to fund urban flood mitigation projects prioritised from the outcomes of the Murwillumbah Central Business District Drainage Study.
  • Significantly boost funding for Lismore Women’s Health & Resource Centre as part of NSW Labor’s $100-million investment in 20 women’s health centres across the state over five years.
  • Remove the EPA waste levy from Kyogle Local Government Area, saving Kyogle Council and local ratepayers an estimated $400,000 a year.
  • Allocate $5 million for four high-priority, shovel-ready projects to start the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative, a 10 to 15-year strategy aimed at improving water security and catchment health of the Tweed, Brunswick, Richmond and Evans river catchments.
  • Deliver $1.4 million to Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital towards construction and commissioning of the purpose-built hospital facility at Wollongbar, located on the border of Ballina and Lismore electorates.
  • Provide $110,000 to Lismore’s Friends of the Koala Incorporated for a chlamydia vaccination program ($75,000) and a koala data base ($35,000).

All of these commitments are contingent on NSW Labor forming Government at the State Election on 25 March, 2023.

THIN BLUE LINE: State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin late last year briefing NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns on Murwillumbah’s need for 24/7 policing.

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Lismore News

Saffin secures one-off grant for Thistles’ shower cubicles project

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Thistles Soccer Club shower cubicles

Saffin secures one-off grant for Thistles’ shower cubicles project

 

LISMORE MP Janelle Saffin has helped secure a one-off grant towards Lismore Thistles Soccer Club Incorporated’s project to construct and install six lockable shower cubicles at its East Lismore clubhouse.

Ms Saffin, who championed the club’s priority project, thanked NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper MP for approving the $15,710 (ex GST) grant under the NSW Government’s 2023-24 Project Support Program recently.

Ms Saffin said Thistles would engage a local contractor to build the six cubicles – three for home teams and three for away or visiting teams – promoting safe and diverse participation for girls and women.

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“The fact that the club owns this site rather than leases it from Lismore City Council has meant they do not qualify for infrastructure repairs or rebuilds under normal disaster funding arrangements,” Ms Saffin said.

“Thistles is a very proactive club but having its clubhouse and fields located in a low-lying area, has meant that it has had to wear the costs of fixing damage caused by the devastating floods of February and March 2022.

“This is one of those small sporting infrastructure projects which will make a big difference to players.

“I thank club officials for their innovative and inclusive approach, particularly Grants Officer Dr Pascal Scherrer.”

Lismore Thistles Soccer Club President Tina Cotroneo said: “This grant is going to make such a difference for players having their own space to shower and relax after a game in a more private environment!

“Our goal at Thistles is to provide a fun, safe and enjoyable sporting environment that encourages all members to reach their full potential.

“This grant supports our efforts to encourage inclusion, provide a safe sporting environment and foster the growing participation of women and girls in football.

“Thank you again to all involved in the process.”

 

For more sports news, click here.

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Entertainment

Rising Tide Northern Rivers Gains Momentum with Film Nights and Action Initiatives

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Rising Tide Northern Rivers

Rising Tide Northern Rivers Gains Momentum with Film Nights and Action Initiatives

 

Rising Tide Northern Rivers, a dynamic climate defence movement, has officially launched in Hastings Point and Lismore, galvanising local communities to address Australia’s significant contributions to the global climate crisis. As one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas, Australia faces crucial challenges, which Rising Tide aims to confront by targeting coal exports, especially through Newcastle, the world’s largest coal port.

The formation of Rising Tide Northern Rivers was inspired by a significant turnout at the World’s Largest Blockade of the Port of Newcastle in November 2023. Over 2,000 activists, including more than 100 locals from Northern Rivers, participated in the 32-hour blockade using hundreds of kayaks. This monumental event led to Australia’s largest mass arrest for climate action, with seven locals among the 109 detained.

At the movement’s Hastings Point launch, attendees took to Cudgera Creek in kayaks, discussing motivations behind their climate activism and exploring strategies to expand the network. The Lismore launch featured heartfelt welcomes from Uncle Roy Gordon and musical contributions from Terri Nicholson and Paul Paitson, who performed songs echoing themes of resistance and environmental stewardship.

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Emma Briggs, who attended the Lismore event, expressed her commitment to challenging the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels within Australia. “Despite international promises to move away from coal and gas, domestic practices remain largely unchanged. It’s crucial that we implement the environmental safeguards we needed decades ago,” she stated.

Upcoming Events: Rising Tide Northern Rivers continues its outreach with upcoming film screenings of ‘The First Wave: The People’s Blockade’. These events aim not only to educate and inspire but also to support crucial environmental campaigns:

  • Brunswick Heads Picture House: Join us on Sunday, 5 May at 5:00 PM for a screening that will benefit the Save Wallum campaign. Tickets are available in advance through the Brunswick Heads Picture House website.
  • timbre in Lismore: Another opportunity to engage will be on Friday, 24 May at 5:00 PM. To attend this event, please RSVP at The First Wave Lismore Screening.

These film nights are excellent opportunities for community members to come together, learn about the impacts of coal and gas, and take actionable steps towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Rising Tide Northern Rivers is at the forefront of local climate action, urging residents to join in their ongoing efforts to protect our planet.

 

For more entertainment news, click here.

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Lismore News

Lifeline Northern NSW Seeks Volunteers to Join Crisis Support Team Amid Rising Demand

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Kathryn Russell Crisis Support Lifeline Northern NSW Lismore

Lifeline Northern NSW Seeks Volunteers to Join Crisis Support Team Amid Rising Demand

 

Lifeline Northern NSW is inviting community members to become volunteer crisis supporters, responding to the growing need for emotional and crisis support across the region. The call for volunteers comes as Lifeline has observed a 35% increase in demand for its services since the COVID-19 pandemic began, further exacerbated recently by economic pressures.

On Thursday, May 2, Lifeline Northern NSW will host an information session from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at their Lismore centre, for those interested in learning about the volunteer opportunities.

Potential volunteers can register for the session at Lifeline Lismore Information Session.

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Volunteering as a crisis supporter involves undergoing extensive training to prepare individuals for handling sensitive calls, offering hope and empathetic listening to those in distress. The training, which initially takes place online over eight to ten weeks, equips volunteers to manage a range of challenging situations with calm and effective responses.

Kathryn Russell, a youth program worker and volunteer crisis supporter, shared her transformative experience with Lifeline. “The training was unexpectedly life-changing. It taught me deep listening, empathy, and how to maintain composure during intense situations,” Russell said. She recalled a poignant moment when she helped a caller develop a safety plan, providing them with a renewed sense of hope.

Crisis supporters typically commit to one four-hour shift every fortnight, with flexible training schedules and volunteer hours to accommodate varying lifestyles. Lisa Barnes, a team leader at Lifeline, emphasized the inclusivity of the program. “We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, ages, and experiences. You don’t need to have prior counselling experience; we’re looking for empathic individuals eager to make a difference,” Barnes stated.

Lifeline Northern NSW is one of the 43 Lifeline centres nationwide, where over 4,000 volunteers answer close to one million calls each year. The organization provides 24-hour support, including phone calls, text messages, and online chats, addressing the critical need for suicide prevention and crisis intervention.

This opportunity not only offers a chance to contribute meaningfully to the community but also provides volunteers with invaluable skills and experiences in the mental health field.

For more information on becoming a crisis supporter and other ways to help, visit northernNSW.lifeline.org.au.

If this story or any personal issues raise concerns for you, please reach out to Lifeline at any time by calling 13 11 14, texting 0477 131 114, or engaging in an online chat at lifeline.org.au.

 

For more local Lismore news, click here.

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