The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

All that glitters

Showing off some of the many beautiful treasures that will be on sale at this weekend's Gem Fest is Lismore Gem and Lapidary Club president John Hoffman, his daughter Lana (centre) and friends Kathryn (left) and Beth Youngberry.

The Northern Rivers may not have oil or gold reserves, but according to president of the Lismore Gem and Lapidary Club, John Hoffman, the region is rich with treasures equally precious.

John has been prospecting for crystals, gemstones and fossils for more than 42 years, and has unearthed some of his most unique and impressive finds right here in the local area.

Only recently John discovered a number of fossils in the Clarence River near Tabulam believed to be 60 million years old - an extraordinary find for a collector.

"This area is so rich in natural beauty on the surface, but is even richer underneath because of the unusual make up of the local landscape," John said. "For a prospector it's a bit of an Aladdin's Cave... there's crystals at Kyogle and Tenterfield, thunder eggs in the Mt Warning valley, volcanic opals in Ballina and gemstones near the Hogarth Range west of Casino. It's an absolute treasure trove if you know where to look."

The best way to find yourself a precious stone is at the Lismore Gem and Lapidary Club's 14th annual Gem Fest this weekend in Lismore - the largest regional gem, crystal and jewellery showcase in Australia.

The theme for this year's Gem Fest is the rainbow, reflecting both the Rainbow Region in which it's held and the amazing spectrum of colours that can be found in crystals.

With more than 100 tailgaters (amateur stallholders) and 20 professional gemstone and jewellery merchants from across Australia, the two-day event has something for everyone, whether you're a serious collector, a metaphysical healer or someone who just loves crystals.

Throughout the festival people can haggle for a bargain with one of the dealers, have their gemstones identified and appraised or watch the numerous demonstrations on lapidary, jewellery making and other gemstone-related crafts.

While there are hundreds of different things to do and see over the weekend, the real joy of Gem Fest is in discovering the many weird and wonderful riches the earth has to offer.

"There will be gold and silver jewellery, diamonds, sapphires, pearls, exquisite opals worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, birth stones, crystals, healing and metaphysical stones, plus meteorites from outer space and hundreds of fossils including dinosaur eggs from China, insects in Amber, giant shark teeth and a whole variety of other amazing specimens," John said. "It's just a wonderful weekend for people interested in crystals and gemstones and a great opportunity to buy someone you love a unique gift. It's also a good chance for overseas visitors to get a souvenir from Australia that will last a lifetime."

Being a family event there is also activities for kids such as sand sieving and free treasure hunts, and entry is just $3 for adults and 50 cents for children.

The Gem Fest will be held this Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16, at the Lismore Showgrounds. It is open Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Parking is free.

Animal instincts

'Frox' by Goonellabah Public School students Brittney Hambley, Chloe Lowndes and Kiel Felstead is one of the artworks on show in Paw Prints.

One of the biggest and brightest exhibitions on the Lismore Regional Art Gallery calendar, the annual Northern Rivers Primary School Exhibition, is now on show at the gallery.

The exhibition, Paw Prints, features more than a hundred paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures from nine local primary schools that focus on the theme of animals.

This delightful collection of vibrant creations by talented local youngsters is on show until May 29.

Also on show at the gallery until the end of May is a exhibition of photographs by the Lismore Camera Club entitled Lismore Through the Lens: Past and Present.

Created with the help of the Richmond River Historical Society, the exhibition looks at the many changes the city has undergone in past decades. For more info see next week's Echo.

A Fair go for all

Gearing up for the Lismore Lantern Parade Arts and Craft Fair are Paco the Clown and Anna Mackney from the Merry Way Artists (right) with (l-r) local artist Danelle Filby and fair organisers Sara Tinning and Vicki Findlay

To celebrate the Lismore Lantern Parade's 10th birthday, parents from Vistara Primary School and coordinator Jyllie Jackson are presenting a special Arts and Craft Fair as a lead-up to the nighttime parade on June 19.

The all-day fair will be held in the Conservatorium's Art in the Heart site, and organisers are now looking for artists, musicians and buskers to help make the day a success.

"The Lantern Parade is such a unique event and we want to expand on that concept and bring colour and life into Lismore's CBD," said organiser Vicki Findlay. "At Vistara Primary School we believe fostering creativity is an important part of education and we are very happy to be part of bringing this event to Lismore. We would particularly like to give smaller artists the opportunity to showcase their works, including art students and anyone involved in cottage industries."

Organisers are also looking for community organisations to run antiquated fair games such a quoits and bob-the-apple to add to the atmosphere of the day.

To get involved email Vicki on vfindlay@bigpond.net.au or phone Sara on 6622 3471. Lanterns will also be for sale at the fair for anyone who wants to join in the parade that evening.

Hospital crisis looms

Nurses at Lismore Base Hospital yesterday voted to impose bans on elective surgery for the remainder of this week due to overcrowding in the Emergency Department. Ironically, the decision was made on International Nurses Day.

Whilst not affecting patients who require urgent surgery the bans will help to reduce the pressure on an already overstretched system, according to NSW Nurses' Association Lismore Branch secretary, Helen O'Donnell.

"Nurses are working excessive amounts of overtime and are frustrated and exhausted," Ms O'Donnell said. "This hospital has been at beyond capacity for the last week, with record numbers of patients requiring emergency care. The hospital is like a pressure cooker. Ambulances have been queuing up at the Emergency Department, waiting up to 90 minutes before they can get their patients from a trolley to a bed. We simply can't cope with any more patients in the system. The situation is dire."

Ms O'Donnell said patients waiting for emergency theatre this week did not even get to a bed in the Emergency Department, but were taken straight to theatre from the waiting room.

"This is not the way a hospital should run, and certainly not the way care should be delivered to the people of the Northern Rivers," she said. "We need some breathing space to clear the patients that are in the system and give the nurses some respite from the pressure they've been under. While nurses understand this will inconvenience some members of the community we are doing this to ensure the safety of the patients who come for our care."

Nurses are now planning to begin a petition calling on the Carr Government to fast track the $90 million redevelopment of Lismore Base Hospital. Nurses will meet with hospital management today to try and resolve the crisis. At present the ban is in place until Sunday, with a review planned for Monday.

The Echo will publish information on the community petition once details are finalised.

Not the end of the line yet

Neale Battersby from Northern Rivers Trains for the Future (left) and concerned local resident John Fisher, who are both encouraging people to attend the public vigil this Sunday.

Northern Rivers Trains for the Future (NRTF) will stage a public vigil at the Lismore railway station this Sunday, May 16, to coincide with the last XPT rail service from Murwillumbah to Sydney.

With no indication of a change of heart from Premier Bob Carr as yet, the NRTF is encouraging people to attend the vigil in force and again wear red as a symbol of protest.

"We are mad as hell and we won't take it anymore - we want our train back," NRTF spokesperson, Neale Battersby, said. "All these displays of community support for the train service, and outrage about the planned closure, seem to have fallen on deaf ears. However, our fight is not over. Minister Costa and Premier Carr should be warned that we are going to be more vocal than ever."

Mr Battersby encourages people to bring lanterns, candles, black armbands, placards, musical instruments, BBQ food and chairs to the vigil, which starts at 4pm. At 7.30pm the train will pass through Lismore going north, with the last train returning south at around 11.30pm.

Whilst encouraging people to make a spectacle, Mr Battersby warned against any behaviour that would jeopardise the safety of the train and its passengers.

"We want to fight to save the train but we do not want people to interfere with the safe passage of the last train in any way," he said. "If we do that it will put lives at risk and be detrimental to any further campaign. We don't want vigilantes, we want people who are passionate about the issue and willing to stand up and be heard."

The mayors of Lismore, Tweed, Richmond Valley and Kyogle Shire Councils have taken their protest to Sydney today, where they hope to meet with Mr Carr to discuss the issue in person.

"We are still hopeful that the Premier will personally intervene - he must recognise this is the number one issue in the Northern Rivers and that it is causing widespread community anger," Lismore mayor, Merv King, said. "Our message to Mr Carr is simple: meet with the local community and justify the decision."

The issue has now attracted national media attention, with Channel Nine's A Current Affair screening a story on the line closure and fight to save the service next Monday, May 17, at 7pm.

The worm turns

Lismore's weekly organic waste service is under a cloud following three closed door meetings of Lismore Council regarding Tryton Waste Services operation of the Lismore worm farm.

Lismore Council's general manager Paul O'Sullivan said that Council had rejected a proposal from Tryton to change the current agreement, however, talks are continuing.

"The Council went into committee on Tuesday night and the topic for discussion was the Tryton agreement for operating the vermiculture (worm) facility at Wyrallah Road," Mr O'Sullivan said. "The original agreement was signed in the year 2000 and since that time the process has changed so there have been discussions for a while about reviewing the terms of the agreement. The result of the meeting on Tuesday was that Council has rejected the offer submitted by Tryton on May 11. Discussions are continuing."

Tryton Waste Services CEO David Hunt was not willing to comment on the issue until after The Echo had gone to press.

Safe passage thanks to underpass

Lismore Heights Public School principal Trevor Pryor and school captains Kayla McCabe and Matthew Worthington with Lismore MP Thomas George (behind, right) and Parliamentary Secretary for Roads Tony Stewart at the opening of the Ballina Road underpass on Monday.

After 10 years in the pipeline, the underpass on Ballina Road at the intersection of Kellas Street, Lismore Heights, was officially opened on Monday.

Jointly funded by Lismore City Council and the RTA, the $750,000 underpass will ensure pedestrians who need to cross Ballina Road will no longer have to contend with the 28,000 cars that use the highway each day.

"Previously students living on the other side of Ballina Road had to be bussed to school because it was far too dangerous for them to cross the highway," Lismore Heights Public School principal, Trevor Pryor, said. "Some of those children wouldn't even be entitled to a bus pass if it wasn't for that danger factor. The underpass will ensure kids have safe passage across Ballina Road and that will definitely give parents peace of mind."

The underpass was first identified as a priority in 1994 when Lismore City Council carried out a survey of pedestrian access on the Bruxner Highway. Lismore mayor Merv King thanked motorists for their patience during construction of the underpass.

Tax hits Workers

Story & photo: Julian Ryan

Lismore Workers Club employee Denise Gale and general manager Stephen Bortolin at the club's bistro. The club may be forced to increase prices to offset the poker machine tax imposed by the NSW Government.

The Carr Government's new poker machine tax spells big changes for the Lismore Workers Club, who will have to find an additional $300,000 per annum in order to stay afloat.

On Monday night the board met and drafted a letter to club members outlining some of the changes the club may have to implement to make up the short falls created by the tax.

The letter states that the club has no option but to consider increasing membership fees and the prices of food and beverages, along with reducing sponsorships to sporting and community groups, and charging for the use of the club's facilities.

"The Carr Government is out of touch with the many services that our club provides to our members and the wider community," general manager, Stephen Bortolin, said. "The whole district will suffer because the tax is paid directly to the government instead of staying in the local area."

Mr Bortolin said that the club will try to function as normal before implementing any changes but warned that the tax could result in job losses.

"The club will endeavour to absorb the extra cost created by the tax wherever possible," Mr Bortolin said. "However changes may be required and loss of job prospects and opportunities may be inevitable."

Striking a cord with mothers

Alstonville Inner Wheel Club Cord Blood Bank deputy coordinator Ruth Robinson, centre president Maree Pollack and CBB coordinator Coral Campbell gear up for National Cord Blood Day.

The Alstonville Inner Wheel Club will have a stall at the Alstonville Plaza this Friday, May 14, to raise money for National Cord Blood Day.

Money raised from the event will go towards researching how cord blood can be used in stem cell research to heal ailments such as spinal injuries and damaged hearts.

The comforting thing about cord blood research is that the stem cells are sourced from old umbilical cords rather than embryos, which is safe and non-invasive for both mother and baby.

"As a mother whose had children I'm more than happy to give my umbilical cord to research if I know it could save lives," Lismore Inner Wheel Club member, Joanne Cooper, said. "It's almost like being an organ donor - it's not like the umbilical cord would be used for anything else anyway. Cord blood research has already been used successfully to treat people with cancer, and if we can raise more money for research then we can save more lives."

The stall in Alstonville will be open all day with $5 and $2 badges available.

Being the national fundraising day the Lismore Inner Wheel Club is also holding a morning tea this Friday at the South Lismore Bowling Club from 10am. For more information phone Joanne on 6625 1611.

Big earners the big winners in Budget 2004

Go forth and multiply appears to be the message coming from Federal Treasurer Peter Costello following the release of the 2004 Budget on Tuesday night.

Speaking to media after delivering the budget Mr Costello encouraged anyone who is able to have children for the good of the nation.

"If you can have children it's a good thing to do - you should have one for the father, one for the mother and one for the country, if you want to fix the aging demographic," he said.

Families earning over $55, 000 a year with three children are the big winners in this year's spending spree, receiving $104 each week more in their pockets. In contrast single people and couples earning the same amount of money will only receive a $7 a week tax cut.

Federal Page MP Ian Causley said that this year's budget was the best that he had seen in 20 years of politics.

"This ninth Federal Coalition Budget is a result of a combination of factors, including strong growth, low inflation and low unemployment, which puts Australia at the forefront of the economies of the developed world," he said.

Not surprisingly Mr Causley's counterpart, Labor candidate for Page Kevin Bell, slammed the budget as a fiasco for Page and the rest of rural Australia.

"Most people in rural Australia earn under $57,000 so there is nothing for ordinary Australia," Mr Bell said. "It's a good budget for Mr Causley and the wealthier minority, but the majority of ordinary hard working people he represents will not reap the same financial rewards."

The Budget also allocated $93.2 million to upgrade the Pacific Highway, with Ian Causley confident funding for the Ballina bypass is included in that figure. Specific details of how the road funding is to be used will be announced on June 7.

Staff strike over pay

National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) members and student groups at Southern Cross University in Lismore will strike next Friday over a long running pay dispute and an anticipated rise to student fees.

Despite SCU announcing a three per cent pay rise for staff earlier this week, NTEU president Paul Gannon said the planned industrial action was being held because university management had declined to negotiate pay claims for the last 19 months.

"We are going to take this action because we believe that the University Council has failed to take responsibility for industrial relations policies that are affecting our members and the students," he said. "Staff and students are faced with serious problems relating to pay and fees because the government has reduced funding to universities by $6 billion since 1996."

Mr Gannon said the pay rise, which comes into effect on July 1, was decided upon without negotiation with staff or Union members, leading to the planned protest.

Residents say go jump in the...

Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park residents Noreen Colley (right) and Margaret Walsh with the petition against the proposed $3.2 million upgrade of the caravan park.

A proposed $3.2 million upgrade of the Lake Ainsworth Caravan Park has angered park residents, who believe the changes will drive families away.

Noreen Colley - a van park resident on and off for 37 years - and a number of other residents have begun a petition against the proposal, already gathering 300 signatures from residents and people who frequent the lake.

"My daughter was just 10 days old when we took her down to the lake - my kids have grown up there and I want their kids to be able to do the same," Mrs Colley said. "It [the upgrade] will drive families away and they'll head to another beach and another town, taking their dollars with them. No one is against the upgrade of the park, it's the closure of access to the lake that we are angry about."

The proposed changes include moving a number of cabins closer to the lake and closing the road to Camp Drewe, which Mrs Colley believes will hamper access to the lake.

"Closing the road is ludicrous - if anything we should be creating more room along the southern shore for families, not reducing it," she said. "The idea to create a new road will divert the entire flow of traffic into a residential area, which is utter madness. With all the kids in the park it will be mayhem - an accident waiting to happen."

Ballina Council's group manager of corporate services, Paul Hickey, said Council welcomed public input into the redevelopment and encouraged caravan park residents to make their feelings known.

"We are trying to come up with an overall design that makes the park functional and if there are people adversely affected we encourage them to contact Council and we'll address their concerns," Mr Hickey said. "We want people to talk to us and make submissions so we can work out the best outcome for caravan park residents and the public."

Plans for the redevelopment will be on display at Ballina Shire Council until next Monday, May 17.

NLIS explained

NSW Agriculture will hold a series of field days in the Northern Rivers to explain the basic on-farm requirements of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) to north coast beef producers.

Interested people can find out more by attending the next field day on Wednesday, May 19, at the Casino Saleyards from 9-11am.

For more information phone NSW Agriculture on 6662 2888.

More than a main street

Story and photo: Julian Ryan

Coordinator of the Ballina Visitor Centre Andrea Munsie, Ballina Councillor Sharon Cadwaller and Alstonville Main Street Café owners Jenny Cairns and John Hart (all front) with local business owners at the opening of the Visitor Information Centre.

Alstonville's Main Street Café can now provide as lot more than a drink and a warm meal to the hungry local and the weary traveller. The business was recently accredited as a Visitor Information Centre, something café owners John Hart and Jenny Cairns feel was long overdue in Alstonville.

"We used to watch people walking up and down the street wondering what the area had to offer," John said. "We are very keen to attract more visitors to the area and encourage them to stay for while."

Coordinator of the Ballina Visitor Centre, Andrea Munsie, said the centre will make it easier for tourists travelling through Alstonville to discover the many delights the plateau has to offer.

"Many people drive right through town and just see the main street," she said.

"This centre means that when people stop they can become informed about all the exciting things to do and see around Alstonville."

Autism resource library a first

Parents of Autistic Spectrum Support (PASS) president Susan Aprile and her kids Lukas, Josh and little Zachary with PASS fundraising officer Tanyah Payne, her kids Katie and Ben, and some of the books that will be available from the resource library.

To celebrate Autism Awareness Week, the local Parents of Autistic Spectrum Support (PASS) group are launching an Autism Resource Library this Sunday, May 16, at the Lismore Workers Club.

One in 100 people are diagnosed in the autistic spectrum each year and with no designated centre for parents or families to access information, the PASS group have developed a much-needed service for the community.

"There was previously no readily available information on autistic spectrum disorders in the Northern Rivers so this library will be a great help to people affected by the disease whether personally or through children, family or friends," PASS president, Susan Aprile, said. "We have self-help books, teaching guides, books on behaviour management strategies, information on how to link with other services and much more. We chose the books and videos after getting feedback from members, so it's directed at what people need and want."

The resource library can only be used by PASS members but people are welcome to join on the day. The library will be open from 1pm to 4pm this Sunday. People can also access the library at the monthly PASS meeting, which is held on the first Tuesday of every month (next June 1) at the Lismore Workers Club. For more information phone Susan on 6622 3953.

Sporting fees reviewed

A review of fees charged to sporting clubs for fields and facilities will be undertaken in the near future following Lismore Council's support of a motion put forward by Cr Jenny Dowell.

At Tuesday's meeting Council voted 11-1 (Cr Meineke against) to adopt the motion for a review.

The review will investigate the costs to maintain local grounds and the level of service provided by Council, fees charged by other Councils with similar resources and the financial contributions made by various sporting organisations for the upkeep of grounds.

"I hope the review will show clearly what the Council is putting in and what the clubs are putting in to see if there's any room for movement and if it's an equitable split between all the sporting clubs in Lismore," Cr Dowell said. "I heard of a one income family with five children who all play soccer and the fees that family had to pay were so great the family was buying second hand boots for the kids to enable them to play sport. I don't think that should be happening - we have a problem with childhood obesity and youth alienation and I think we should encourage families to become involved in sport as there as many positive spin offs. Hopefully this review will address those issues."

Have a ball for charity

Story and photo: Julian Ryan

International director of Lismore Central Rotary Barbara Hull and Gala Ball committee members Pauline Rutten, Frank Vanz and Allan Fry with some of the prizes people can win at the International Gala Ball.

The Rotary Club of Lismore Central is holding an International Gala Ball to celebrate multiculturalism in Australia and raise money for two very worthwhile charities.

People from all cultures are encouraged to attend the inaugural ball, which will raise money for Camp Quality and the Rotary Polio Plus Campaign, which is devoted to eradicating the disease throughout the world.

The ball will include a dinner, entertainment and music by popular Italian band Latin Combo, with a huge array of lucky door prizes up for grabs including a holiday to Brisbane, electrical goods, vintage wine, tyres and much more.

International director of the Rotary Club of Lismore Central, Barbara Hull, said the ball was part of a concerted campaign to rid the world of polio once and for all.

"The world is now 99 per cent free of polio and ball is part of the final assault to eradicate the last one per cent," Barbara said. "This is an opportunity for all cultures to come together and meet one another and enjoy each other's company, whilst raising money for charities that themselves help people from all cultures right around the world."

Tickets cost $35 per person and are available from the Lismore Workers Club, Summerland Credit Union, Lismore Tyre Co, Lismore House Spraying and Hull & Co Accountants in Lismore and Kyogle. The ball starts at 7pm for dinner at 7.30pm.

For more information phone Barbara on 6621 9349 or Frank on 6621 3040.

Boy charged over shooting

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with malicious wounding and firearm offences after a nine-year-old boy was shot in the shoulder at Tabulam on Monday afternoon.

The victim was airlifted to the Lismore Base Hospital where he underwent surgery and is reported to be in a stable condition. Tabulam police and detectives from Lismore spoke to eight juveniles before charging the boy with four offences, including theft of firearms and ammunition.

The 13 year-old was granted bail and is due to appear in the Casino Children's Court on June 9.

Heart health checks

The Health Solutions mobile health clinic will be providing affordable health checks in Lismore from Monday, May 17, until Saturday, May 22.

Designed to raise awareness about coronary disease, Health Solutions can provide information and advice about how to avoid being a heart attack statistic. The mobile health clinic will be operated by qualified nurses, who conduct cardiovascular assessments, diabetes tests and blood pressure measurement.

The service is open from 9am to 5pm each day in Magellan Street. A nominal fee is required.

Input wanted into city's future

The Lismore City Council is calling for public input into the final stages of its Community Directions Strategic Plan.

Mayor Merv King said that the new council had reviewed the results of recent community consultations and has isolated some key issues for discussion in Lismore.

"We want to encourage community debate about these issues so that council can set a course that responds to the needs of the community," he said. "The community directions issues paper raises some big questions and we are asking the public to be involved."

The issues paper identifies transport, water management, job creation and business investment, environmental protection and regional leadership as areas that need to be addressed.

The document can be viewed at the Council Chambers in Goonellabah, Council's CBD office in Magellan Street or the Lismore Library. The paper can also be downloaded from council's web site at www.lismore.nsw.gov.au.

Billycart Derby this weekend

After sorting out insurance hassles that saw the cancelled last year, organisers of the Bangalow Billycart Derby are gearing up for what looks to be their biggest and best event this Sunday, May 16.

As well as the thrills and spills of the billycart racing there will be plenty of entertainment for everyone to enjoy including the Grand Parade at 1pm and helicopter rides over Bangalow that will leave from the town's showground.

Other highlights of the day include Old McDonald's Farm, The Fabulous Samba Blisstas Carnival Drummers, a display of cars by the Summerland Sports and Classic Car Club and a monster fete at the Bangalow Primary School. Join in the fun at Bangalow this Sunday - it's a great family day out.

It's a jungle out there

Story and photo: Julian Ryan

Rodney Burley, Stacey Sheppard-Smith and Graeme Hewett from Lismore Home Modification Service.

Thanks to the Lismore Home Modification Service (LHMS), wheelchair bound Carolyn Jolliffe can now enjoy sitting in her garden with friends, something she was previously unable to do.

With limited income and mobility Carolyn's garden was becoming a bit of a jungle, until she called LHMS for help.

"They spent about four hours weeding and pruning in my garden," she said. "They then replanted some plants for me and took away all the rubbish with them when they had finished. My garden looks great since its been cleaned up... I will definitely be using the service again."

The Lismore Home Modification Service is a community organisation that provides home modifications and maintenance work for the frail and elderly, and people with disabilities.

The service has recently expanded to provide gardening and external house cleaning, which is just another way LHMS helps people stay independent and comfortable in their own home.

"We want to let people with disabilities, and the elderly know that we have expanded and now offer additional services," she said. "It is important that our clients and their carers know that we are here to help them, and we are only as far as a phone call away."

For more information or to find out if you're eligible for help phone 6624 4899.

Blood donations needed

With the state's blood supply at a critically low level, the Red Cross is making an urgent call for people to donate blood.

Spokesman for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Richard Webb, said that lives, including those of children suffering from leukaemia and cancer, may be at risk unless people come forward to donate fresh blood supplies.

"The main concern is the critical shortage of platelets, a component of blood used in the treatment of conditions such as cancer, leukaemia, anaemia and several bleeding disorders, " he said.

The Lismore Blood Service opposite Lismore Base Hospital is open on Wednesday from 12-7pm and on Thursday and Friday from 8am-2pm. To make an appointment phone 13 14 95.

Reduce waste, gain rewards

Lismore City Council's new push to reduce business waste has attracted the support of 20 local businesses and Council is now looking for others to come on board.

The Rainbow Region Business Waste Project is designed to help businesses develop and implement a waste reduction plan through a free reward and incentive program.

By helping to reduce their own waste businesses will be rewarded with free promotional advertising.

"It's free, it's easy and we'll save you money and give your business a green marketing leg-up," said Council's Lesley Trott. "You've got to be in it to win."

To register your business or get more info phone 6625 0435 or 6625 0572.

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