The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

Have your say on the Heart

An artists impression of what the Art in the Heart site would look like. Lismore is also seeking an 'iconic' building for the Art in the Heart project - like the Sydney Opera House or Spain's Guggenheim museum in Bilbao (bottom).

Plans to turn the former Lismore High School site into a landmark cultural precinct to bring people back to the CBD takes another major step forward next week when Lismore Council seeks community views to shape the future of project.

The site, which already features the Lismore library, also includes plans for a new regional art gallery and museum, as well as an outdoor performance stage, artist's studios and exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, residential accommodation, cafes, shops and a multi-level carpark.

Council hopes that revenue from business on the site will fund the development of the artistic side of Art in the Heart.

Project coordinator Wendy Adriaans said Lismore Council wanted to transform the site to reflect the creative spirit of the city and the people who live here.

"Council wants to bring together not only the people of Lismore, but also the other projects currently underway in the CBD, including the riverbank redevelopment and flood levee, the proposed Laneways redevelopment and the street upgrades," she said.

The Art in the Heart committee has been developing an outline for the site in recent years and Council has now commissioned experts from Thomson Adsett architects for a series of community consultations.

Ms Adriaans said people would have the chance to give their views on the future direction for Art in the Heart next Friday and Saturday.

"We need community input into this most exciting project. We know we have a creative community, so we want to hear what they have to say. The questions we are putting are how can the new cultural precinct best serve the needs of the local community, and how can we incorporate business and culture together?" she said.

As part of the plan, Council is considering a landmark building that has the potential to be a tourist attraction in its own right. Drawing on icons like the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House and the Guggenheim art gallery in Bilbao, Spain, for inspiration, one proposal is for an international architecture competition to find an attention-grabbing design for Lismore.

"The Art in the Heart precinct is intended to express an iconic image for the region. Creativity is the key to economic growth and Council wants this project to make Lismore a great place to live and work," Ms Adriaans said.

After the plan is completed, Art in the Heart will be seeking state and federal government funding for the multi-million dollar development, which is expected to occur in stages over the next six years.

The community consultation meetings are as follows:

Next Friday, February 27, at Council's CBD Centre in Magellan Street from 1-4pm, that night at the library from 7-9pm and on Saturday, February 28, at Council's CBD Centre from 9.30am-1.30pm.

For further information about Art in the Heart, phone Wendy Adriaans on 6625 0599 or email wendy.adriaans@lismore.nsw.gov.au.

Thanks for giving

A special Service of Thanksgiving will be held this Sunday, February 22, to thank emergency services personnel and pastoral care teams in the Northern Rivers for their work.

Gearing up for the service are (l-r) St Vincent's pastoral care associate and coordinator Graeme Davis, Lismore District Rural Fire Service chaplain Robert Rutherford, Wyrallah Fire Brigade deputy captain Sheldon Harrington and Lismore District Rural Fire Service group officer and family support John Mace.

The service acknowledges the selfless work of the pastoral care teams at St Vincent's and Lismore Base hospitals, workers at the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul and the emergency teams from the NSW Police, NSW Fire Brigade and Rural Fire Service, Ambulance, SES and the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter service.

"It is only appropriate and proper the community take time and say 'thank you' to all the men and women who respond to the call for help, often at great personal cost," the Thanksgiving service coordinator, Graeme Davis, said. "This is loyalty. This is love for mankind. This is putting others above all else.

"Attendance at Sunday's service is public acknowledgement of the work of these 'heroes'. These people don't expect medals or badges or accolades, but it's always nice to get a pat on the back and know you're appreciated."

The Service is at the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Base, 60 Brunswick Street, Lismore, from 2.30pm.

Kebab fire causes CBD kerfuffle

Lismore's CBD ground to a halt on Monday when a fire at Kol's Kebab Shop in Molesworth Street forced traffic diversions for nearly three hours and caused an estimated $100,000 in damage.

A fire in a deep fryer at a Molesworth Street takeway on Monday has caused an estimated $100,000 worth of damage to the shop and four neighbouring businesses.

The fire began around 3pm at Kol's Kebab Shop when an employee noticed a deep fryer smoking. Despite the efforts of employees and the public, the fryer caught on fire, travelled up an exhaust vent and into the vacant premises above.

Lismore Fire Brigade and Police arrived on the scene and quickly extinguished the blaze, however, four nearby businesses - Boutique 2000, Diamonds Plus, No Rules and Graham Gooley Optometrist - all suffered smoke and water damage.

The fire also caused a gridlock in the CBD with traffic diversions in place for nearly three hours.

An employee who warned neighbouring businesses about the fire suffered an asthma attack after inhaling thick black smoke and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital.

No one else was injured in the blaze. The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Cannabis growers smoked out

Police from the NSW Drug Squad and Richmond Local Area Command have netted approximately 3000 cannabis plants during the week-long Cannabis Eradication Program (CEP) held last week.

The plants, which have a street value of up to $5 million, were found and removed from rural properties around the Nimbin/Lismore area.

Seven people were charged with 12 offences including cultivation and possession of a prohibited drug and possession of illegal firearms.

After 10 years Superintendent Paul Jones, commander of the Drug Squad, said the CEP continues to be a success.

"This was a big job for two reasons - the amount of land that was searched with the assistance of a police helicopter and the size of the plants. Some were up to 5m tall, which are very well established plants," Supt Jones said. "The police involved, both from the Drug Squad and Richmond LAC, have had to face difficult conditions during the five-day operation - it's hot and humid, particularly in the lantana, and there's the risk of snakes and booby traps in the crops."

Supt Jones said despite police returning to similar areas each year people continued to illegally grow cannabis.

"We do go to a lot of the same areas based on intelligence and previous years' experience but the message to people illegally cultivate cannabis is that these operations are like random breath testing on the roads - you never know where we will be."

Drug Squad commander, Superintendent Paul Jones and Richmond Local Area Command members, Constables David Fitzgerald and Grant Savage, loading some of the 3,000 cannabis plants netted during the week long Cannabis Eradication Program.

Familiar ring to Tinkerbell

Plans to turn the Tinkerbell caravan park site into a shopping centre are back on the agenda following a push from Cr Avis Kennedy for Council to reconsider the matter before the March 27 elections.

At last Thursday's Ballina Council planning committee meeting Cr Kennedy lodged a rescission motion on last September's rejection to rezone the site to allow a Big W and other shops. She was supported by Crs David Wright and John Felsch.

Cr Kennedy wanted the matter dealt with "as quickly as possible".

Cr Kennedy then sought to have the matter debated at next Thursday's ordinary council meeting rather than waiting for the next month's planning meeting, but Cr Sue Dakin objected, saying it was an abuse of process.

A four-all tied vote saw Mayor Phil Silver use his casting vote to reject the proposal to consider it next Thursday. Instead the trio behind the rescission motion have called an extraordinary meeting for this Monday night at 6pm.

The move comes as developer Chris Condon has a DA before council for residential development on the site, lodged just before Christmas.

Cr David Wright said he had been "lambasted " over Council's rejection of the shopping centre proposal.

"If we don't settle this soon, something will go there that's not in the best interests of the community," he said.

Thanks to Broadwater Brigade

Thanks for your help: Gary Owers from the Nature Conservation Council (right) presented Dick Tyler, secretary of the Broadwater Volunteer Rural Fire Service Brigade, with a cheque for $50, watched by Martin O'Connell from National Parks.

For nearly three decades the Broadwater Rural Fire Service has helped keep the Broadwater National Park safe, battling fires and assisting with hazard reduction burning. Last week, their work has recognised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Nature Conservation Council (NCC)

NPWS fire management officer, Martin O'Connell, said that the heaths of Broadwater National Park were an uncommon and valuable resource that the Brigade had helped to protect for many years.

"The Broadwater Brigade has obviously tackled the larger bushfires that have occurred on the Park, but by rapidly and effectively suppressing many illegal ignitions in the area, the Brigade has made a significant contribution to the conservation of these heathlands and the species they contain," Mr O'Connell said.

The brigade also received a small gesture of appreciation from the NCC, which presented them with a cheque for $50.

Casino needs volunteers

Northern Region Red Cross regional manager Vahideh Hosseini (centre) with personal support volunteers Jacqui Gorry and Sana Hosseini.

Casino would face a shortage of trained people to deal with victims of a disaster should one occur says Northern Region Red Cross regional manager, Vahideh Hosseini.

Vahideh is hoping to recruit people aged over 18 for a simple, six-hour basic skills training session to help deal with a major incident.

"Often people want to help in that sort of situation but without training they simply can't be activated," Vahideh said. "We're just not talking about floods - it could be a chemical spill, a landslide, bushfire or any other type of disaster."

Lismore resident Jacqui Gorry joined Red Cross in 2000 and as there to help during the major 2001 flood. She helped at the evacuation centre at Southern Cross University and while she has not been activated since, she's there to assist if a crisis does occur.

"It's not terribly complicated or profound - it's just about being there for people when they need you," Jacqui said. "It's great to be able to give a something back to the community and I love it. I think you gain more than you give."

As a member of a personal support team there are many roles to perform and it may just be a matter of providing a shoulder to cry on or making a cup of tea for someone affected by a disaster.

The training session will be held on Monday, March 1, at the Casino RSM Club from 9.30am-3.30pm, with lunch provided for free. To register or find out more phone Leanne on 6622 3244 or 1800 150 058.

Lifesavers also do it on dry land

Wendy Bennett and Stuart Carmody (left) presented $6000 raised by the Evans Head-Casino Surf Lifesaving Club to Margaret Gorton-Weller of Lismore Base Hospital's Cancer Care Unit and Robin Osborne from the Northern Rivers Area Health Service.

The current surf season had a shabby start for the Evans Head-Casino Surf Lifesaving Club when its main surfboat went missing in the early hours of September 20 last year.

It was recovered, only slightly damaged, but not in time for its 10-member crew to take place in the second annual surfboat marathon from Ballina to Evans Head, a fundraiser for the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit at Lismore Base Hospital.

However, the show went on with two boats and thanks to a range of sponsorships from businesses and individuals, nearly $6000 was donated to the unit.

The unit's clinical nurse consultant, Margaret Gorton-Weller, said patients ranged from the very young to grandparents, adding that donations helped fund patient comforts such as chemotherapy chairs and entertainment equipment for those who attend on a regular basis for treatment.

Some of the funds will also be used in the Ballina satellite cancer unit to be opened next month.

New group says take Action Now!

The Action Now! groups have launched their campaign for the Lismore local government elections.

A field of more than 50 people could be standing in the Lismore Council elections on March 27, with two groups under the name 'Action Now!' announcing their campaign this week.

Goonellabah resident Brian Henry, who was instrumental in planning for the Lismore riverbank redevelopment and Kadina Park children's playground, will head one group as well as joining the race to be mayor.

Former Lismore Workers Club manager Barry Crimmins will head the other group - 30 years after he was last a Lismore Council alderman in the leadup to the merger of Terania and Gundurimba councils.

Mr Henry said concern over the direction of Council during the last term had brought together a diverse group of people under the Action Now! banner.

"In our view, the Council has not taken heed of public opinion on certain key issues, while many Councillors show disrespect to each other and disregard for the expert advice of the Council staff. It is essential to focus on issues, not individuals, and to work together for better outcomes," he said.

Mr Crimmins said that the group had been meeting regularly for over six months to develop policies.

"I've been impressed by the diversity and skills of the people who are standing. Some of them I'd never met before, but I know they're all committed to the well-planned development of Lismore. They have no baggage or affiliation with a political party or fringe group. Our aim is to be inclusive, rather than pursuing narrow interests or any 'pay back' agenda," he said.

Mr Crimmins said the group had identified a series of projects that "are not-pie-in-the-sky" for the city.

"Our vision for the town and villages will set Lismore on the path to maintaining its position as the regional centre and ensure its commercial and industrial future, as well as being a good place for young people to buy homes and live," he said.

Mr Henry said that while the 'traditional 3 Rs' roads, rates and rubbish remained important, the Action Now! groups were also committed to a further '3Rs' - financial and environmental responsibility, responsiveness to community needs and respect for the public, councillors and staff.

Mr Henry said he decided to stand for mayor because he believed Lismore needed "a strong leader who can work with a range of key people, from council to the public and the business community."

"I have the energy and enthusiasm for the task and I think I have the track record in bringing people together for a common cause - the betterment of Lismore.

"I have lived here for 22 years and my family and I love the place. Lismore and its future is very near and dear to my heart," he said.

Mr Henry's group includes Lismore Unlimited president Barry Robinson, Woody's Sports proprietor Richard Fisher, French Patisserie proprietor Jenny Deans, GP Dr Andrew Binns and solicitor John Page - grandson of former prime minister Earle Page.

Mr Crimmins heads a group that also includes former Echo editor Robin Osborne, Left Bank proprietor Gianpiero Battista, electronics retailer Trevor Oram, Norpa manager Liz Terracini and IT expert Dillon Brice.

Rebates to save water in Nimbin

Nimbin residents will be offered rebates and discounts to install water conservation by Lismore Council.

Lismore Water will be at the Nimbin Markets on February 29, and residents will be able to take advantage of a range of water conservation incentives, as well as receive help and advice on water conservation.

Lismore Water manager, Anu Atukorala, said the Nimbin Water Supply Committee has been investigating ways to reduce water consumption. Information packs are being sent to residents during February.

"Most people know that saving water is far easier than finding larger supplies, and Lismore Water is happy to help residents lower their water consumption," he said.

In addition to the Nimbin Markets display, Lismore Water will set up a display in Cullen Street from Monday to Wednesday, March 1-3.

Mr Atukorala said that a number of water conservation incentives were available for Lismore Water customers:

• Household tune-ups - for $22, a plumber would replace existing showerheads with a AAA-rated water efficient heads, install aerators on kitchen sink spouts and hand basins, and check taps and toilet cisterns for leaks.

• Rainwater Tank Rebates - subsidies are offered to install rainwater tanks. The full rebate of $670 applies if rainwater is used to flush toilets and run washing machines, but tanks must be a minimum volume of 9000L (2000 gallons).

• Water Efficient Garden Packs - featuring a trigger/gun hose nozzle, tap timer, crystals, wetting agents and other useful items at a cost of $20.

• Front-loading Washing Machines rebate - a $50 rebate is being offered to buy a AAA-rated front loading washing machine with at least a three-star energy rating. Customers must be connected to town water.

Two die in plane crash

A 43 year-old woman from Bungawalbyn and a 58 year-old male pilot both died when the ultralight they were travelling in crashed into a paddock south of Coraki on Sunday.

Alison McCotter made an impulsive decision about 3pm that afternoon to take a brief flight with pilot Paul Bright in his ultralight after he and his twin brother landed their aircraft next door.

However, when the pair failed to return, Mr Bright's brother became worried and rang a local firefighter at a barbecue Mrs McCotter had planned to attend. The firefighter confirmed local emergency crews had just been called to a plane crash.

It is believed the crash occurred between 3.15pm and 3.30pm on Sunday. An investigation has begun into the cause of the crash.

Security officers arrested

As the result of an investigation by Ballina Police two unlicensed security officers have been arrested.

A 28-year-old Lismore man was charged on February 3 with 63 counts of conducting security activities without authority. He will appear in Ballina Local Court on February 20. The following day a 29-year old Ballina security company operator was charged with 63 counts of employing a non-licence holder.

He has been bailed to appear at the Ballina Local Court on March 19.

New flood warden for Southies

Following in the footsteps of his legendary dad, Habib, John Habib has been appointed South Lismore's chief flood warden to help protect people and property during floods.

Local SES controller Lindsay Matterson said John would be his "ears and eyes" in South Lismore.

"Flood Wardens and Street Wardens can forewarn me about what is happening in South Lismore. But residents have to get behind and support John, otherwise the system will fall flat on its face. They cannot do it on their own. I would like every street to have a Street Warden feeding information to John," he said.

Mr Matterson said the SES also wants to establish a similar system in North Lismore.

Anyone interested in volunteering as street or as flood wardens should contact Lismore City SES on 6621 9400 or email lismorecity.ses.ops@bigpond.com.

The SES also meets every Monday night at the Laurie Allen Centre at 6pm. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Worse than animals

Northern Rivers Animal Shelter president Jill Hamill (front) and secretary/treasurer Robyn Mostyn with the op-shop window smashed last Thursday night.

Northern Rivers Animal Shelter president Jill Hamill and secretary Robyn Mostyn were devastated last Friday when they discovered the front window of the shelter's fundraising Op-Shop in North Lismore had been smashed by vandals.

The op-shop has been in Bridge Street for 18 months and is the main source of income for the shelter. It is estimated the damage will cost $1000 to fix.

"It's a lot of money for us and just the worst possible timing, because it's breeding season and it's going to limit our de-sexing scheme," Robyn said. "We're all volunteers and we work our butts off in the op-shop and caring for animals. When something like this happens it really affects your faith in humanity. It's just such a low act."

The Shelter needs donations now more than ever. To help out, phone 6681 1860 or visit the op-shop at 17 Bridge St. It's open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 10am to 1pm.

Koala plan dumped

Simon Thomsen

Developers of rural land in Lismore face delays and higher costs after Lismore Council rejected its Koala Management Plan last week.

The move means that developers now face more stringent approval processes under State Environmental Protection Plan (SEPP) 44, which applies to DAs on one hectare or more of land. As part of the approval process, they will be required to hire consultants to review whether koalas use the land. If the answer is yes, developers will need to prepare an individual Koala Plan of Management for state government approval, which can take up to three months. Experts say complying with SEPP 44 will add extra costs to development.

Had Council's Plan been approved, it would have been the 'umbrella' plan developers could use. It aimed to preserve koala habitat in the hope of ensuring the future of the Lismore colony. Without it, some experts fear that the city's koala population could be extinct within a decade.

Ignoring the restrictions of SEPP 44, some opponents of the Council plan still feared it would stop rural development and this led to its abandonment by Council last week. This is despite eight years of negotiation.

Council staff also provided a comprehensive rebuttal of concerns raised by Council candidate and former council planner Graeme Meineke in a recent letter to The Echo.

Committee member Cr Brian Suffolk proposed a new raft of amendments to the plan during last Tuesday's meeting.

"I find the plan restrictive - it's totally anti-development and will lock up land for area covered, even Bexhill. It's a de-facto tree preservation order over the rural area," Cr Suffolk said.

Cr Suffolk's objections included proposals for a "rather silly" curfew on dogs and penalties for dog owners whose roaming pet mauls a koala, which he said was "totally out of the tree".

Some of Cr Suffolk's other changes had already been included in the plan. Late last year, Cr Suffolk raised three areas of concern, leading to Council delaying consideration of the plan until his issues were addressed.

The new round of changes angered Cr Ros Irwin.

"Now what you've got is a whole list of new issues that weren't around then [last year] that seem to be based on a very mischievous interpretation of what the plan is trying to do," she said.

In an impassioned speech, Cr Frank Swientek, chair of the Koala Management Plan committee, said he was "staggered" by Cr Suffolk's latest changes.

"Some of these things are laughable. For four years, you've had the opportunity to bring up these issues. I'm absolutely gob-smacked. A lot of people have been working on this for longer than four years," Cr Swientek said.

Cr Suffolk's proposals even led some councillors who supported the plan to consider withdrawing their support because it had been too "watered down".

In a surprise move, Cr John Hampton and mayor Merv King voted with Crs Swientek, Irwin, Roberts, Tomlinson and Gallen to defeat the amendment. But Crs Hampton and King then joined Crs Chant, Suffolk, Baxter and Crowther to reject the Koala plan 6/5.

This week, Sandy Pimm, the council officer who spent eight years working on the plan, left Lismore for a new job on the Gold Coast.

This week's features: Your Shopping Guide - Local Businesses