Issue 724
Issue 724 |
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Short History - Ten Years of the Echo - 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 1991
The first of the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter's twin-engined Dauphin choppers came into service. Nimbin tip closed. The newly formed UNE-NR (later Southern Cross University) decided to break away from UNE in Armidale. The Friends of the Koala and Salvation Army were both looking for new homes. Lismore Council prepared for a September election which saw Crs Roberts, Irwin and Swientek make their debut and Harold Fredericks returned as mayor. Two months later, Council left its downtown headquarters for Goonellabah and The Echo moved into the old chambers with the seats still warm. A new memorial for Vietnam Vets was unveiled. Lismore regional art gallery expanded as the Historical Society moved into the old council chambers. Council rejected plans for an adult bookshop in the city. The old butter factory at the Channon reopened as a pub. An early Christmas present for television arrived when NBN joined NRTV as the second commercial broadcaster on air. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
1992
Council rejected a second attempt to establish an adult book shop in town. Lismore's 1898 post office went under the hammer, the new $3.4 million Goonellabah RSL Sports Club opened, along with Nimbin's Rainbow Power Co. Prime began broadcasting, and after four years the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal decided against an independent FM commercial station before handing the licence to 2LM. Lismore council argued over the sale of the Simeoni land (now Goonellabah shopping centre), with solicitor Elton Stone and Peter Burge behind one bid to buy the land for $1.52 million. Respected Aboriginal elder Pastor Frank Roberts and former league international Darrel Chapman passed away. A price war saw petrol prices fall to 59.9 cents. After five years as mayor, Harold Fredericks steps down as mayor and John Crowther put on the robes for the second time. Shadow treasurer Peter Reith visited flogging a GST. The Oakes Oval grandstand opened. For Christmas, Hazelton began flying to Sydney. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 1993
The Grafton siege brought national media attention. Pro-marijuana activists planned a street rally in Nimbin for May 1, starting an annual event. NORPA launched its first season in Lismore. Nimbin celebrated 20 years since the Aquarius Festival. Police internal affairs investigated 93 marijuana plants 'missing' from Lismore Police station. Norco posted a record $3.7 million profit. Residents battled Pacific Power over the route of a 132Kv power line. Council sold the Simeoni land in Goonellabah to Brisbane developers Consolidated Properties for $2.65 million. It then took seven years for a supermarket to open there. Lismore Courthouse received a $5 million upgrade. Community TV station LINC TV opened. A new name for the UNE-NR university was announced - Southern Cross, and the new VC - composer Barry Conyngham. Late in the year, The Echo was for sale and council built demonstration flood walls in Spinks Park. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
1994The Echo returned under staff ownership. A plan for a three-storey 800-car riverside car park came and went. Council proposed a ring road round the city, extended Lismore airport's runway by 450 metres and released the 2020 Strategic Plan after months of community consultation. Refusing a 10-dwelling Multiple Occupancy near The Channon landed council in court. They lost, spending around $50,000 to defend the decision. PM Paul Keating came to town with $400,000 towards a flood levee. After 80 years, Rock Valley's tiny Post Office was hooked up to power. Water authority Rous County Council planned a dam covering 300 hectares in Dunoon. Engineer Bob Gates released the EIS for a $25 million flood levee for the city. Lismore council pledged to pay one-fifth of the cost. A few months later it was withdrawn due to 'procedural deficiencies'. Council voted 7-5 not to renew general manager Paul Muldoon's contract, offering the job to Ken Gainger. An amended plan for the Goonellabah Town Centre was approved, with suggestions work would begin at the end of the year. The Palliative Care Unit at St Vincents opened. North Woodburn residents pressed to 'swap' councils, leaving Lismore for Richmond River. The RTA made council responsible for maintaining 60km of minor main roads. The coroner made 17 recommendations about 'systematic problems at Lismore Base Hospital after Luke Timbs, 16, died. The first Lismore Folk Festival was held. Lismore began drop off recycling centres. Environmentalists battled loggers in Whian Whian State Forest. Mayor John Crowther declared Lismore baths had 'had it'. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 1995Former Lismore council GM takes up the same job with the adjacent Richmond River council, Lismore rejects an amusement parlour in the CBD. ABC youth network Triple J begins broadcasting on the North Coast. The National Party's Bill Rixon, Don Page and Ian Causley were returned as state MPs in the NSW election which brought Bob Carr to power. Three months later, Mr Causley became the federal candidate for Page. Council lost another court case against an MO, this time at Jiggi, then appealed the decision. A new 4-screen cinema complex opened and Dr Florian Volpato bought the old cinema for use by arts groups. Phone users voted on whether to use Telecom or Optus for long distance calls. The community rallied to save the Lismore-based helicopter rescue service from plans to relocate it to Coffs Harbour. The university floated plans for a joint-venture public pool on the East Lismore campus. Norco turned 100. MP John Sharp, then shadow transport minister, said "blind Freddy can see the obvious need for a by-pass" in Alstonville, suggesting a Federal Coalition government could fund the $15 project through asset sales. Council released plans for a $5.2 million aquatic centre in Goonellabah. 90 jobs went when the Education Dept. closed its Lismore office. Councillors John Crowther and Frank Swientek turned the first sod at the '$35 million' Goonellabah shopping centre site a week before council elections. Nothing happened there for the next four years. Reg Baxter retired from Lismore council as Jeff Champion's Ratepayer's ticket triumphed with all three candidates elected.He later became mayor, defeating John Crowther, when a tied vote saw Mr Champion's name was drawn from a hat. Former deputy engineer Bob Gates was elected as with a strong personal vote. Senthil Vasan was returned in Casino. Heritage Park and the mini rail were opened. For Christmas, the region got SBS TV. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
1996In the Federal election, Nationals Ian Causley and Larry Anthony defeated Labor's Harry Woods and Neville Newell when the Coalition won government. The vanquished Labor MPs went on to become state politicians. The Coles-backed developers of the Goonellabah town Centre battle against the Woolworths-backed expansion of Lismore Square. The NSW Government moved the health service HQ from Lismore to Grafton in a political stunt. It later returned to Lismore. The local tax office closed. The Spinks Park toilets were bulldozed to make way for the transit centre. A $1.4 million tea tree research facility, ATTORI, opened at the university, collapsing in 2000 with major tax problems. Residents and council battled over the development of Crozier Oval. This Lismore Club closed after 92 years and was sold. Coraki lost its last bank. NSW government plans to open rescue helicopter services to tender were defeated. The Anglican church sacked Lismore's assistant priest, Rev Craig Munnings. Pay TV began. The community debated how hight the flood levee would be, security cameras for the CBD and heritage protection for Girard's Hill. Vale opthalmic surgeon Dr Nick Kerekenezov and Echo founder Nicholas Shand. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
1997The Northern Rivers Health CEO, Paul Kelly, was sacked after just four months. NSW Police Commissioner Peter Ryan restructured the police service, creating a new north coast superbeat which shifted the HQ from Lismore to Port Macquarie. Lismore's Chief Inspector Charlie Sanderson was posted to Monaro - later to become the police face behind the Thredbo disaster. Lismore's Triple-O police call centre was closed and moved to Newcastle. The legal battle over Crozier Oval continued with Council given 12 months to prepare a proper plan for the project. Chairman Warren Noble left the Norco board after 25 years. Norco announced a $30 million upgrade of milk processing plants in Lismore and Raleigh, $5 million to upgrade ice cream facilities in Lismore and the Casino dried milk plant was to be closed. Two years later, Lismore milk plant closed and the dried milk plant was sold to a UK company. Lismore council added a special 5% levy to rates for road funding, pushing rates up 13%. A 3 month trial of security guards in the CBD began - and continued. The Lions Club, founded in Lismore, celebrated 50 years. The Wakely Bros bakery in North Lismore closed after 40 years. NorthPower began selling 'green' power. Art gallery director Irena Hatfield was charged with the 1985 murder of her husband. She was acquitted in 2000. Council approved the rezoning of Caniaba for what became Perradenya estate. Lismore was one of the first cities to trial a 50km/h urban speed limit. Ros Irwin became mayor after a tied vote with Jeff Champion saw her name drawn from a hat. The Newcastle builders of the Magellan Street revamp collapsed, leaving council to finish the job. The nation's first private rail operator, Northern Rivers Railroad, was launched. Hurfords planned a $10 million restructure. The Salvation Army opened its new Goonellabah Citadel. Vale letter writer Peter Van den Berg and stock agent Gil Crawford. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
1998Lismore council spent $10,000 considering a move back downtown. It didn't. A $6 million hotel was proposed for Lismore near the courthouse. It's yet to happen. Nimbin Hospital closed because of fire safety problems. Woodlawn College announced boarding would end after 66 years. Casino mourned the loss of its mayor, Dr Senthil Vasan, killed in a plane crash. Hurfords opened its $5 million timber value-adding facility at the old Tuncester brewery. Norco staff went on strike over plans to axe 42 jobs. Health funding reached crisis point, with money eventually flowing for long waiting lists as the NSW government got closer to an election. Lismore council refunded $720,000 in rates collected over two years for road repairs because the state government would not match the funds. Former school teacher Charlie Cox became mayor of Casino. The Howard government revealed its GST plans. Three years of legal wrangling finally gave the go-ahead for Crozier Oval. Permo-Drive launched its revolutionary truck braking system. The first Shave for a Cure raised $80,000 for cancer research. Nimbin hosted Visions of Nimbin raising money to buy the old school site for a community centre. Clunes did a similar thing, but Council bought the site for them. 150 couples kissed simultaneously raising money for Red Cross. Federal National Party MPs Ian Causley and Larry Anthony were re-elected with reduced margins. Ansett planes flying to Ballina diverted in protest again air safety trials. Green groups blockaded State Forest over regional forest agreements. SOCOG CEO Sandy Hollway visited to tell us how much fun the Olympics would be. Vale swim teacher Ding Wotherspoon. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
1999The body of Lois Roberts, who disappeared six months earlier, was found in Whian Whian State Forest. Her killer/s has never been found. The widow of a tickie who died of cancer received $223,000 when the Compensation court ruled exposure to arsenic and DDT at dip sites hastened his death. Council voted 6-3 in favour of an $8 million joint-venture pool with the uni, but a rare plant along a proposed new entrance to the uni halts plans. Council approved plans for a $7 million, five-storey motel due to open in 2000. Work has yet to begin. Liberals candidate John Howard promised $5 million for the CBD arts centre plan. Like the power sell-off bribe, it didn't impress voters. Thomas George replaced Bill Rixon as the Nationals Lismore MP. The university withdrew funding for community radio station 2NCR, and residents moved in to support the embattled station. Rain caused $5 million damage to local roads. Lismore court trialed a new drug caution system. Rous Water bought the Caniaba development planning a recycled water scheme. Work for the herb industry site Cellulose Valley in East Lismore began. Auditors for Richmond River Council found a number of problems with the management and misleading information. The new council with Cr Bob Gates as the new mayor, quickly ended plans for a joint-venture pool with the university. Lismore ambulance dispatch centre closed, shifted to Newcastle. Employment National, the old CES, disappeared in the second stage of the Federal Government's Job Network. Australia said no to a republic. Vale Robert Theobald, Isabel Atcheson, Rodney Herne, Jack Paterson. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2000Richmond Valley Council was formed from the amalgamation of Richmond River and Casino councils and Col Sullivan became the new mayor. The NSW Health Minister increased health funding at last. Contamination in Avgas grounded local aircraft. PM John Howard visited. Westpac closed in Alstonville. Casino hospital was revamped. Plans to introduce the Parental Responsibility Act in Lismore were rejected at a public meeting. Qantas began flying from Ballina to Sydney. Ballina approved a sex shop in the CBD. The Goonellabah shopping centre finally opened. An underpass for the busy Bangalow Road opened and the bus exchange at Trinity Catholic College was revamped. Lismore began an organic waste bin, but it needed wider wheels to stop the bin tipping. Revamping the Memorial Baths was set at $4 million, with plans to buy land from Lismore RSL included. 1500 people marched around Lismore as a symbol of Aboriginal reconciliation. Norco began selling assets as it struggled to reduce debt and cope with dairy deregulation. BBC announced a $12 million superstore for Lismore. Drug court trials began. Plans to revitalise the Wilsons River riverbank in Lismore gathered momentum. Ballina council argued over high-rise riverside development. Everyone watched the Olympic torch pass by. The $2 million Lismore airport terminal stalled when the Queensland builders failed. The Federal government announced more money for regional roads. For Christmas, Lismore Council decided to buy the city the old Lismore High school site in the CBD. Vale Dr Florian Volpato. 'Mustang' Dave Lane, Sue Stenbo, Jon Axtens. 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Short History - Ten Years of the Echo - Supporting Our Community - Echo Roll of Honour
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June 7: The weekly Lismore Echo launched, with 14,000 copies. A week later, another free weekly newspaper published by The Northern Star, Lismore Happenings, also hit the streets. It folded a few years later. Roundabouts began to replace traffic lights around Lismore - and a 10 metre-high 'Christmas' tree - the leaning Norfolk Pine, was planted on the Woodlark & Keen streets roundabout. 
Richie Richardson captained the West Indies in a one day game against NSW at Oakes Oval, before a crowd of 6,000. Lismore Council banned backyard burn offs and Governor General Bill Hayden visited to open the new $3.3 million Goonellabah council chambers. A filtration plant was installed for water from Rocky Creek Dam. 
The $24 million redevelopment of Lismore Base Hospital opened. A federal election saw Ros Irwin as an independent, Malcolm Marshall from the uni as a Liberal and Mike Emerson for the Nats all challenge for Page - with Larry Anthony standing in Richmond. Labor won both seats for the second time. Police and council banned begonias from the footpaths of Nimbin while heroin deals went on unabated. 