Unsurprisingly, flood recovery continues to dominate discussion at Lismore council meetings.
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At this week's meeting, councillors were asked to consider raising the 1-in-500 year flood height, and endorse a community flood panel.
Councillors elected not to raise the floor heights until the CSIRO report came out.
They elected to make changes to a group that will advise the council on its Lismore Vision & Blueprint project.
There was disappointment in the public galley, and from some councillors, that one change meant a citizen's panel would no longer be made up of randomly selected people from the public, across all demographics. Instead, it will be an advisory group selected by councillors from a pool of self-nominated people.
The state of the levee, who owns it, and what maintenance was being done was also up for discussion.
The council has funding from the $150 million Emergency Response Fund that has been allocated to repair its flood infrastructure.
Councillors will seek clarification from Rous on whether it will allow work to proceed on the levee, which it currently owns.
Questions were raised about whether Rous wanted to retain ownership of an asset that would increase in value once work was complete, and potentially carry extra maintenance costs.
Decisions
Grandstand names
Grandstands at the revamped Oaks Oval / Crozier Field will bear the names of homegrown sport stars, in recognition of their achievements on the world stage.
Mayor Steve Krieg said Lismore will soon have a world class facility in its heart, and it was a fitting place to recognise the town's world class sports stars.
The Adam Gilchrist AM Pavilion, the John McMahon OAM Grandstand, the Lyn Larsen AM Grandstand, were suggested by Cr Krieg as options at the council meeting this week. As was naming the revamped Lismore Regional Airport terminal after James Strong.
Councillors will also investigate a Walk of Honour, in the vicinity of Uralba Street between Dawson and Brewster Streets, to celebrate well-known Australians associated with the Lismore local government area - names suggested for inclusion were Lisa Casagrande, Craig Foster, James Strong, Col Coliano, Spencer Cottee, and rock band Grinspoon.
Rates
Cr Big Rob urged councillors to delay passing on the rate peg of 4.7 per cent for 2024/2025 to ratepayers, given the stresses of the flood and cost of living increases.
On average, the increase would add $64 to rates of residential homes, $81 to rural residential homes, $122 to farmland, and $290 to inner CBD business owners - raising their rates to about $6462 per year.
Cr Adam Guise said it was "severe economic mismanagement" not to pass on the rate increase, that would add almost $1.6 million to council coffers.
A workshop will outline the implications of not applying the rate increase.
Santin Quarry
Councillors decided in a confidential session to defend a Class 4 Appeal regarding Santin Quarry.
On October 10, 2023, Lismore City Council approved a 12-year extension on the quarry that due to an expired consent, had ceased operations on February 12, 2021.
The Monaltrie Area Community Assoc Inc commenced proceedings against the Lismore City Council in the NSW Land and Environment Court alleging the council did not have the power to approve the modification application to extend the life of the Santin Quarry, on River Bank Road at Monaltrie, 5km south of Lismore CBD.
Lot sizes
A workshop will be held to review the minimum lot size in RU1 and RU2 zones.
Terania St bridge
Lismore City Council will lobby Transport for NSW to remove the 130-year-old Terania Street Bridge as a matter of urgency due to the significant disruptions and safety risks caused by the heritage-listed bridge.
The bridge is closed after a truck hit it causing damage.
Nimbin water
The council will explore the feasibility of connecting Nimbin to the Rous network.
Reopen median
Council supported a move to reopen the median at Brunswick Street, near the junction with Dawson St.
News
Water main
From Monday, February 19, the council will commence work on a water main replacement within the grass verge of the Bruxner Highway and Caniaba Road.
The works are expected to last approximately eight weeks, weather permitting.
