Council to discuss North Lismore Plateau land transfer at its next meeting

The item has been listed in the matters arising section of council's monthly meeting on Tuesday at 6pm.

The original report aimed to clarify the meaning of 'handed back' to whom the land is to be transferred, and to make the specific transfer arrangements clear.

In an historic decision, Lismore City councillors voted to return 37 hectares of land in July, 2021.

The land is at the southern end of the North Lismore Plateau, adjacent to the two proposed housing developments, and includes an area of Environmental Conservation and the old quarry site.

The North Lismore Plateau is known as 'Sleeping Lizard Hill,' by the Widjabul Wiabal people and contains six significantly cultural sites.

A number of councillor briefings have been held; meetings with the Widjabul Elders Bloodline Council and meetings with members of the Registered Native Title Body Corporate.

On the agenda this month will be a range of issues, from syringe disposal bins, koala groups, lane changes and council running an extra meeting each month to deal with increased workload following the floods.

Disposal bins for syringes

Councillor Guise will ask council to include large sharps disposal bins at three locations in Lismore in its 2024-25 budget.

It will cost $15,000 for three 240L disposal bins and installation and another $10,000 per year disposal and maintenance

Cr Guise said staff at the Lismore Needle and Syringe program have noted sharps have been found in public and community settings.

There has been a rise in discarded needles with reports of needles found on sports grounds, restrooms, parks and the Transit Centre.

Rename lane

Councillor Rob proposes the council consider renaming New England Lane to 'Florian Lane' - a one way road from Conway St to Carrington St.

He said a large section of the lane was once privately owned by the Volpato family - who still own the adjoining building to the west - and they had donated it to the council.

"A member of the Volpato family asked if the road could be renamed 'Florian Lane' in honour of his father. The Volpato family is a well-respected local family with considerable land holdings in the CBD."

New group and extra meetings

Cr Rob also proposes council establish a Koala Advisory Group to replace the Koala Implementation Group prior to June 30 and council scheduling two ordinary Council meetings each month from February to December each year.

"Additional workload as a result of disaster recovery activity, and the extended hours several staff are required to undertake to attend council meetings, increasing meeting frequency seems to be the best solution to stay ahead of a heavy workload and to ensure staff can head home earlier," he said.

The public can watch the meeting in person, or watch via a live video feed on the Lismore City Council Facebook page.