The Northern Rivers Echo Main News

$90m hospital upgrade push

Simon Thomsen

A proposed design for the redevelopment of Lismore base hospital featuring a new cancer care unit (on the site of the current mental health building), new mental health unit and expanded emergency department.

A bold plan for a $90 million redevelopment of Lismore Base Hospital featuring increased mental health, emergency, cancer care, kidney and cardiac services to cope with the region's rapidly growing population has been revealed by the Northern Rivers Area Health Service (NRAHS) following two years of consultation.

Lismore Base is the state's busiest rural referral hospital and planners project that while the Richmond Valley's population will grow by 32,000 people to 174,000 by 2016, admissions to Lismore Base are expected to grow by a massive 41 per cent, to almost 29,000 admissions within eight years. Factors driving the change include an aging population in which almost one-in-five residents will be aged 65 and over in 2016.

NRAHS development manager Vahid Saberi said the health service was trying to plan at least a decade down the track to meet population growth and changing community needs.

"One of the major reasons for this redevelopment is that the area health service wants to deliver more services to the community closer to home," he said.

With improved and new services, we are trying to repatriate 85 per cent of the patients currently forced to go to Brisbane for low level care, and 50 per cent of those currently going to Brisbane for high-level care.

Also driving the redevelopment is the recognition that key areas like mental health and emergency services are currently inadequate and need a major boost. A new purpose-built $25 million, 40-bed mental health unit is a high priority.

The plan features 59 overnight beds on top of the existing 205, although Richmond Valley surgical services committee chair, Dr Austin Custin said that changing technology will see patients staying in hospital for shorter periods, with more than 75 per cent of operations being done as day surgery. The extra beds include 39 medical/surgical beds, plus 12 acute rehabilitation beds and 15 more mental health beds.

In a pointed reference to the parochialism that often dominates community debate over health services, Dr Curtin called on local communities to think of the base hospital as "one part of the whole" rather than "hanging on to what's been there for 30 years".

Under changes to health care practices, elective surgery waiting lists could be moved from one hospital to another depending on their capacity to cope. The Base will also offer more diagnostic and interventional cardiac services. The intensive care unit will be expanded to keep more patients in Lismore rather than have to transfer them to Brisbane. The hospital will also develop an acute rehabilitation unit.

By 2011, an extra 48 'day therapy' beds will also be in place. The biggest change is in emergency services. A new emergency department will be built on the site of the existing cancer care unit (which moves to the current mental health unit), with an additional 20 beds, more than doubling the current capacity to 32. Medical/surgical ambulatory places will grow from five to 25 beds, while renal services will be doubled to 12 beds.

The chemotherapy unit will receive an additional two beds and the cancer care unit will move to the Richmond Clinic site, where radiotherapy will be offered.

The only catch is getting the $90 million from the NSW Government. NRAHS CEO Chris Crawford said private funding for the capital works was one option being considered. It would bring forward the work by three to four years. Otherwise, the project would be "staged over eight to 10 years," Mr Crawford said.

Parking is also a challenge and the health service is considering the introduction of a paid carpark as one option. Mr Saberi said it would need to be at an affordable level for hospital staff, as well as the community.

The NRAHS is seeking community comment over the next fortnight.

"We want the community to provide us with feedback as well as their support to ensure this redevelopment happens as soon as possible," Mr Saberi said.

The plan will go to the Area Health Service Board for final approval in late November before being submitted to the Health Department for consideration for funding.

If you have questions or comments on the Lismore base hospital plan, contact Vahid Saberi on 6620 2462, or fax 6620 7544, or email VAHID@nrhs.health.nsw.gov.au

Half of Lismore gets Council satisfaction

Simon Thomsen

Just over half of Lismore's residents are happy with their council according to a university survey released this week.

Some 55 per cent said they were either 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with Council's overall performance, although around 19 per cent said they were 'dissatisfied'. Roads remain a key sore point for many, with around one is six people happy with the standard of rural roads (69% were "dissatisfied") and less than a third satisfied with urban roads (50% dissatisfied).

Describing the survey as a "pretty brave" attempt to tap into the community mood and aspirations, general manager Paul O'Sullivan said the results were a 'starting point'. He plans to make the survey an annual measure of how the community views Council.

"The overall result is a good start, but I will be looking to put in place measures to improve Council's performance across all areas over the coming years," he said.

More than 600 people responded to the Southern Cross University study, done in June 2003 and commissioned by Lismore Council to gauge resident satisfaction across a range of Council services.

Residents were happiest with the Wyrallah Road waste facility (82% satisfied), library services (81%), the Lismore cemetery and crematorium (81%), airport services (78%), sports fields and buildings (77%) and the visitor information centre (77%).

Aside from the roads, the things irking ratepayers the most were parking availability (30% satisfied/46% dissatisfied), swimming pools (37/39%), footpath safety (47/35%) and the CBD upgrade (45/33%).

Mr O'Sullivan suggested the CBD response could mean that either people didn't like the work done so far or wanted more work done.

"I prefer to think it was the latter," he said.

On roads, Mayor Merv King said Council was "doing as much as we can and not doing too bad".

"I think the roads have improved markedly in the last four to five years - I don't think there's any doubt about that," he said.

Cr King said high satisfaction ratings for a number of key council decisions, including the library and airport, vindicated their decisions.

Across a range of core, infrastructure, environmental and community services, roughly half the community said they were either satisfied, or very satisfied, with Council's activities.

Around two-thirds of the respondents were happy with the organics bin, although a quarter were not. Post drought, 63 per cent were satisfied with Council's water conservation education.

Surprisingly, given that a high number of the respondents were elderly, many were concerned about youth services, with just 29 per cent satisfied, 26 per cent dissatisfied and 45 per cent unsure.

Mr O'Sullivan said it was "a clear reflection that more needs to be done for youth - and that comes through strongly in other issues too".

Of biggest concern to the general manager was a finding that one-in-eight felt staff were uninterested in their issue, 10 per cent felt staff were incompetent and five per cent described staff as rude.

While Mr O'Sullivan said issues of incompetence and disinterest were subject to perception and interpretation, there was no reason what rudeness should occur at all.

"Our customer service enjoyed a high level of satisfaction with residents and that's certainly an area we intend to maintain," he said.

• Council seeks more opinions

Sun sends a blast

You're looking at an NASA image, taken from NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft on Tuesday, when the sun erupted with the third most powerful solar flare ever recorded.

Scientists say Earth could feel the effects yesterday and today from a geomagnetic storm.

Solar storms of this magnitude have the potential to knock out communications and power grids, although there's no direct danger to people.

If you're near the poles though, expect to see some great aurora effects in the night sky.

Rae's efforts rewarded

Casino women Rae Maclean received a Certificate of Appreciation for her outstanding contribution to tourism at the Northern Rivers Tourism Awards on Monday.

Rae works as a volunteer at the Casino Visitor Information Centre. She was instrumental in obtaining funding to develop an art and craft gallery for the centre and is also a Casino Beef Week committee member who personally coordinated three Beef Week events this year.

"I'm stunned, elated and honoured," Rae said. "."

Richmond Valley Council's tourism officer, Rod Caldicott, said the award recognises Rae's contribution to tourism and the community.

"It's a tribute to the tireless effort Rae puts in through her broad involvement right across the community," he said.

When she's not working at the Visitor Centre Rae is busy thinking up ideas for tourism development and organising events for next year's Casino Beef Week.

Many people eagerly await her choice of theme and colour for the Casino Beef Week dress up competition. And in keeping with her love of the region's cuisine and Casino beef, Rae has worked with Rod to develop Beef on Barker into a showcase gourmet food event during Beef Week.

Top tourism

The Lismore Lantern Parade was declared the region's best event at the Northern Rivers Tourism Awards on Monday night.

Delighted parade organiser Jyllie Jackson received yet another well-deserved award for her highly acclaimed annual event, which brings around 10,000 to the city for the winter solstice.

Lismore organisations featured prominently in the awards, including the Lismore Visitor Information Centre, which won the best tourism category, while cultural tourism, academic and arts identity Ros Derrett was honoured with the Judith McGilvray award for individual contribution to tourism. The recently re-opened Carlula Tea Gardens, near Nimbin, won the best tourism restaurant category. Proprietor Bob Maxwell said the combination of great food, scenic views and good service had already proved popular with customers.

Among the 16 category winners and other awards, the Alstonville-based National Parks and Wildlife Service's "Discovery" school holiday program won the eco-tourism category, TAFE North Coast won the tourism education and training award. Ballina Manor won the unique accommodation category, Ballina RSL was highly commended in the registered club category and the Alstonville Garden Centre receive an encouragement award in the tourist development category.

And ice cream lovers no doubt rejoiced when Byron's In The Pink won the tourism retailing award.

Council considers pool

Lismore Council will meet a week earlier than usual - next Tuesday, November 4 - to consider approving plans to redevelop the Lismore Memorial baths.

The proposal features a new 3-pool complex, including an 8-lane, 51-metre Olympic pool; a 4-lane, shaded 25-metre pool; a 90 sq. metre shaded toddlers/children's pool with security fencing; new changerooms and amenities; new spectator seating; new plant rooms and filtration equipment, shade cloth covering over the 25 metre pool and the children's pool and eight 15m night lighting towers and delivery bay area to the plant room off Market Street.

Additional land is being acquired from Lismore City Bowling Club and Spinks Park to accommodate a separately enclosed children's pool, in the north-west corner of the site.

Disabled access has been catered for in all amenity areas, and with a 22 metre long pool access ramp to the Olympic pool itself.

Removal of fig trees, bus bay construction and boundary retaining wall works in adjacent Market Street are being processed under a separate development application.

The meeting begins at the Lismore Council Chambers in Goonellabah at 6pm with public access for anyone who wants to comment on the proposal.

Yorklea man dies

A 62-year-old Yorklea man was killed, while a 17-year-old was hospitalised following a head on collision between two Toyota sedans at Ellangowan last Friday.

Police say the accident occurred around 10.20am on Ellangowan road. The 17-year-old driver of the other car, also from Yorklea, received serious facial injuries and was taken to Casino Hospital. Investigations into the cause of the accident are continuing.

Sugar dispute ends

A long-running union dispute over conditions at NSW Sugar Milling cooperative mills ended last Wednesday when around 280 employees returned a majority vote to accept a management deal that includes a 10.5 per cent wage increase over the next three years.

Negotiations had been ongoing for five months, and a 'turf war' between unions led to industrial action.

Co-operative CEO Greg Messiter said he was "relieved" the workers had accepted the latest Enterprise Bargaining offer.

"Given the difficult economic climate faced by the sugar industry, we believe it to be a fair and sensible outcome," he said.

Doctor who?

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia has unanimously elected it first female president - Lennox Head doctor Sue Page.

Dr Page is a VMO at Ballina Hospital who also assists in general surgery in Lismore. She is committed to Aboriginal community primary health care and delivers outreach medical services to the Cabbage Tree Island Aboriginal community.

We will remember them

Gearing up for Poppy Day next Thursday and Friday is (l-r) City of Lismore RSL Sub-Branch secretary Wilson McClelland, Veterans Affairs community advisor Robyn Arnett and RSL Sub-Branch member Barry Antill.

Remembrance Day is a time to remember the thousands of young Australians who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War and in the lead up to November 11, Poppy Day will be held next Thursday and Friday, November 6-7. All funds go towards the welfare of ex-service personnel and their families.

City of Lismore RSL Sub-Branch secretary, Wilson McClelland, is encouraging people to buy a poppy to help local diggers in need.

"Each poppy is only $2 and while that's not a lot to give it's surprising how fast it adds up when everyone puts their hand in their pocket," he said.

RSL Sub-Branch members will be selling poppies in the Lismore Industrial Estate on Thursday, while Trinity Catholic College students and Ladies Auxiliary members will be selling poppies in the CBD on Friday.

A poppy costs $2 and there are also pens for $2 and badges for $1, $2, $3 or $5.

Meanwhile, the City of Lismore RSL Sub-Branch is developing a local 'Veterans in Schools' program in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affair in Lismore.

The program is available to both primary and secondary schools that would like a veteran to visit students and talk about their experiences. Interested principals should phone Robyn Arnett at the Department of Veterans Affairs on 6622 0605 for more information.

It's a jungle out there

Federal MP Ian Causley (left) recently met with Jungle Patrol coordinators Dianne Mancell and Tim Greene in Nimbin to announce a grant of $4574 for the organisation.

The Nimbin Jungle Patrol has received a federal Government grant of $4,574 for Youth Club activities.

The Jungle Patrol has 14 street beat members who do everything from handling public disputes and ensuring general safety to finding lost children and cleaning up rubbish.

The grant will be used to purchase a BBQ and marquee for the Jungle Patrol's Youth Club to use at events such as Rock the Park, a public performance involving young people held every six to eight weeks in the village.

"We're really pleased to receive a grant like this - there's been so much negative publicity surrounding Nimbin recently and this a great positive step for us," Jungle Patrol coordinator, Dianne Mancell, said. "We are also going to give some of the money to our talented local graffiti artists, who will paint a mural on the Community Centre's amenities block."

After the recent vandalism in Nimbin, the Jungle Patrol is hoping to secure funding for increased night-time patrols in the village.

Buy a bandana

This Friday, October 31, is National Bandana Day and people are being encouraged to buy a $2 bandana and help raise money for CanTeen, an Australian organisation that assists young people living with cancer.

Funds raise from National Bandana Day will enable CanTeen to continue to develop educational resources, workshops, camps, outreach projects and support networks for young people with cancer. Bandanas will be available tomorrow at Woolworths, Dick Smith Electronics, Tandy and Travelworld.

A joint effort to combat mental illness

Launching the new name and logo for Mental Health Accommodation Rehabilitation Services (MHARS) recently were (l-r) MHARS Lismore housing coordinator Kathie Olliffe, manager Jacqui Conner and president Ann Bowen.

The Northern Rivers Fellowship and Ballina Community Network have recently combined resources to become the Mental Health Accommodation Rehabilitation Services, or MHARS.

Speaking at the launch of the new name and logo recently MHARS manager, Jacqui Conner, said it made sense for the two organisations to merge and combine resources.

"There are difficulties associated with being a small NGO. Being part of a broader organisation offers economy of scale for administration, allows us to access more funding opportunities and gives clients the ability to move within the service without having to access a different organisation," Jacqui said. "David Smith was the sole worker at the Ballina Community Network, so it gives him the opportunity to work in a team, whilst still maintaining the same services for Ballina and Evans Head. Nothing changes for our clients in terms of the service we provide, it just means the management is streamlined. The time and effort it takes to run two organisations is now used to run one."

As well as providing mental health and accommodation services locally MHARS also has a crisis refuge in Lismore and provides supported rehabilitation services at Mandara House, also in Lismore.

For more information, phone MHARS on 6622 0399.

Healthy performers win with quality

Story & photo: Robin Osborne

Dr David Hutton, Northern Rivers Area Health Service's Director of Medical Services, NRAHS Board Chair, Elizabeth Rummery, and Lyn Clements, of the Lismore & District Diabetes Centre, were amongst those celebrating the NRAHS Quality Awards in Ballina last Thursday.

Ongoing support for local people with diabetes, ways of streamlining treatment at emergency departments and a project - 'Expect Respect' - aimed at reducing violence in younger people's intimate relationships might seem to have little in common. But they share a simplicity that helps improve the health of Northern Rivers residents and the three projects were judged the most innovative by the 'quality police' at the Area Health Service, as part of NSW Health's Quality Week.

A highlight of the event was a profile of the 'PEAK' program for helping the rehabilitation of people experiencing chronic respiratory disease, not a 'glamorous illness,' as coordinator Cecily Barrack acknowledged, but an all-too-common one.

PEAK was a finalist in the Baxter 2003 NSW Health Awards judged in Sydney last Friday night, and Ms Barrack was joined by physiotherapist Chris Berry in representing NRAHS.

According to the PEAK team, some 359 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had registered an average 60% increase in their fitness as a result of simple exercise programs.

Bin there, dung that

Organics police (l-r) Justine Schultz (left) and Jo O'Brien (right) from Full Circle Environmental Solutions with Kate O'Brien and Jason Halford (centre). Photo: Terra Sword

If you go out to the street tonight, you're in for a big surprise... Lismore's organics bin 'police' are on the prowl, checking that residents 'Do The Right Bin' and put only organic waste in the maroon-lidded bin.

With headlamps on, they're poking through the bins to ensure it doesn't contain anything that isn't food scraps, garden waste, or paper and cardboard - all destined to become worm food at the East Lismore worm farm.

Any contaminated bins will cop a rejection sticker, and a request to the householder to remove the problem item before the bin is collected. The 'offenders' will then receive Council's education kit on organic waste to help them out.

Council's waste minimisation officer, Lesley Trott says that on the whole, people have been very cooperative and understanding with inspectors poking around in organics bins after dark.

"We have been particularly impressed with the large number of people that wrap their food scraps in newspaper before placing them in the bin," she said.

"Our annual waste audit shows we're doing well at separating out our organics waste. Contamination levels are very low, at around 1.5 per cent for households and around 3 per cent for businesses. "

Last year, Council processed around 6300 tonnes of organics at the worm farm, an increase of more than 300 tonnes on the previous year."

This bin 'blitz' continues for the next month, but checks will continue each week with drivers in the organics collection trucks using colour cameras relayed to a monitor in the cab to check every bin before tipping.

Australia - the thinking person's US says environmentalist

Sarah Crowe

Peter Harper, Director of Research and Innovation from the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, with Dr Leigh Davison, Director of Southern Cross University's Centre for Ecotechnology.

This century will go down as 'crunch time' for the future of the world and things could go either way, according to a leading environmental thinker.

Peter Harper, from the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, Europe's leading Eco-Centre, gave a talk at SCU questioning 'Is the planet going down the plughole or are we at the dawn of a golden era?'

Mr Harper was the first to coin the term 'alternative technology' in 1972 and is the author of several books on the subject.

He said in the past 30 years there had been a polarising of the two camps: the 'Deep Green' pessimists who say we're on the brink of environmental catastrophes, to the 'Techno-optimists', who say technology and money will solve our problems.

He believed the situation in industrialised countries was looking good in terms of the overall picture. Economic growth, which had increased exponentially since WWII, was now increasing at a slower pace, population growth had peaked and was now steady or declining (except in the US), and the environmental impact per GDP had peaked and fallen to stable levels.

However the developing countries, especially in the Southern Hemmisphere, were still experiencing exponential economic and population growth, with its subsequent environmental impact, which was predicted to peak at 20 times today's levels.

"So here we've got this curious situation where in the long term things are looking pretty good," Mr Harper said. "But in the meantime we've got to go through this hurdle, this peaks around 2050 when developing countries' impact will be at its maximum: if we don't survive that, then we're stuffed," he said.

"I'm sure that in the history books of the future, this century will be looked back on as the most important one, the one where it all either went one way or the other. It's a complicated thing: on the one hand it's not all doom and gloom, while on the other hand everything's not going to be alright unless humans take effective action."

He said it made little difference on a physical level now what the industrialised Northern hemisphere did to reduce its environmental impacts, however it could make changes to show an example to developing countries, in the hope of reducing their environmental impact.

"Deep Greens predict the impact of escalating carbon emissions (the issue is no longer energy consumption per se) and related climate change, including more frequent or severe droughts, floods, fires, cyclones etc, will lead to wild oscillations in the world economy, huge shifts in population, wars over natural resources, and colossal human suffering and tragedies," Mr Harper said.

"In this context Australia has a really important role to play, because Australia really is the thinking person's America. People expect Americans to behave badly and they do - Australia is different. If Australia can actually bite the bullet and reduce carbon emissions I think it will send an important signal."

Mr Harper, who is also a biologist, horticulturist and landscape designer, is on an extended visit to Australia, conducting seminars and workshops. His father, Len, lives in Nimbin.

Don't have a cow mum

Two Lismore police officers helped a cow give birth in the Wilson's River on Wednesday, after the Murray Grey fell down an embankment and was unable to free itself.

Senior Constable Neville Graham and Sergeant John Ennever for the Lismore Rescue Squad were called to the river some 2.5km from town, around 7.30am, and found the cow stuck in the river. While Sgt Ennerver held the cow's head above water, RSPCA officer Peter Bartley and Const Graham successfully delivered the baby bull under water.

After a quick check by local vet Nick Jones, the baby bull, named Wilson, took its first steps from his very north coast water birth.

Using scaffolding to build a ramp, the officers then used a car winch to pull the new mother from the water after her four-hour ordeal.

"It was a great team effort. It's very unusual for a cow to survive after being in the water so long and I'm just pleased that both mother and calf are doing well," Const Graham said. "We had to get out of the way because she was being very protective of her calf, which was a good thing."

He also thanked the media who attended for their help.

Coraki Kooris flag their presence

Members of the Box Ridge-Coraki Aboriginal community, including elder, Russell Kapeen, (4th from left), and staff from Northern Rivers Area Health Service, held a ceremonial raising of the Aboriginal Flag at Campbell Hospital, Coraki on Monday.

About 20 per cent of the hospital's patients come from local Aboriginal communities and as well as the flag's symbolic importance, the raising had a practical aspect.

"We hope this will help make Aboriginal people feel a sense of ownership about this place," explained the executive officer of the Casino and Coraki Hospitals, Peter Jeffree.

"The message is that we need to encourage people to come sooner rather than later for treatment, because if you are sick and delay in seeking medical attention, then your condition is likely to become much worse."

The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas as a rallying symbol for the Aboriginal people and a symbol of their race and identity. The black represents the Aboriginal people, the red the earth and their spiritual relationship to the land, and the yellow the sun.

Bronwyn's last act

At the Bronwyn Donaghy book tribute in Lismore on Saturday were Bronwyn's mother Nancy Simeon (centre) and sisters Kris Simeon (left) and Melanie O'Connor with Bronwyn's husband Frank Donaghy and Marg Orr from Kids in Community.

A tribute and book promotion for the late Bronwyn Donaghy, a former Lismore girl, was a happy yet emotional occasion for Bronwyn's husband and family, who travelled to Lismore from Sydney on Saturday for the event.

Bronwyn, who passed away of a bone marrow disorder last year, had been a journalist and writer for many years, but had an enduring dream to write fiction. Before her death she finished the manuscript for her first adult novel, Small Acts of Kindness, which is partly set in Lismore (or Siren's Rock as it's called).

"Bronwyn loved Lismore and loved all the friends she made here so much - it was a very special place in her life," Bronwyn's sister, Melanie O'Connor, said. "She had lots of happy memories in Lismore and we know she would have loved this. It's emotional for us all, but we thought it was a superb way to remember Bronwyn and her life's work."

Bronwyn went to school in Lismore, before starting her writing career with at The Northern Star. She is best known for her biography Anna's Story, about Sydney teenager Anna Wood, who died after taking ecstasy.

Organised by Kids in the Community, Saturday's tribute attracted many of Bronwyn's old teachers and friends, many of whom had not seen each other since the 1960s. Small Acts of Kindness is now available in bookstores.

Have your say on Lismore's future

Lismore Council is seeking community input for a major new strategic planning process over the next six months

Dubbed 'Community Directions', Mayor Merv King said Council's current Strategic Plan was last updated in 1996, and needed updating for when a new council is elected in March 2004.

"A strategic plan is the long-term vision that drives the day-to-day work of Council employees. It is the vision from the community that tells Council staff how to go about their jobs," he said

Cr King said that Lismore residents could become involved through a special edition of Community Link, the Council's bi-monthly newsletter, to be delivered in late November featuring a survey.

"The survey summarises the issues that have been raised so far and asks for some indication about which issues should be a priority for Lismore," the mayor said.

"The information will then be collected into a report so that the Council elected in March 2004 can sit down and come up with a Strategic Plan that truly reflects the wishes of Lismore's people."

Grow Your own Food!

Get your hands dirty at the new ACE course in Permaculture Food Gardening, which starts this Saturday at The Rainforest Information Centre in North Lismore. The course will focus on creative design for productive suburban food gardens, and on water saving techniques.

"Participants will learn practical permaculture gardening techniques, and come away with ideas and skills to apply at home," said Holly Shiach, one of the course facilitators.

The Course runs from November 1 for four consecutive Saturdays 9.30am- 2.30pm. Call Lismore ACE on 6622 1903 for bookings and details.

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