The Northern Rivers Community Gateway community hub in Lismore has been closed since February last year owing to the floods flood but today the doors are finally reopening.

To celebrate the occasion with the communities, Community Gateway will host a free public open day on Friday 12 May, from 2-6pm. This event is an opportunity for everyone to come along, connect, inspect the renovated premises, enjoy some great entertainment, get involved in some fun activities and win some prizes.

Food and refreshments will be available, children and families are welcome.

Significant renovations and upgrades

Located at 76 Carrington Street, the community hub has undergone significant renovations and upgrades to repair extensive flood damage, provide a better experience for community members, and to safeguard against future flooding

It is a vital resource for vulnerable people in Lismore and Northern NSW, providing essential support services, programs and activities for disadvantaged people of all ages and backgrounds.

Community Gateway CEO Jenni Beetson-Mortimer said they are delighted to be able to reopen after such a long hiatus. We are thrilled to finally be moving back into our home on this special day.

Disaster management plan

We had a disaster management plan in place, so when the hub flooded, we were a...

The long-awaited report by NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) into Byron Shire Councils planning proposal around holiday letting has been released, with commissioners recommending a 60-day cap on non-hosted holiday letting across the Byron Shire, instead of Councils 90-day proposal.

And Councils proposed precinct model, which would allow non-hosted Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) all year round, was unsupported, and could be scrapped if the new NSW Labor government adopts the findings.

Then Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts (Liberal), requested the IPC intervene with Councils plans the day before they were unanimously adopted by councillors on December 14, 2022.

Advice from Roberts was sought on Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) and related housing and rental affordability and availability issues in the Byron Shire local government area (Byron Shire).

Residential V non-hosted STRA

Extensive community consultation followed.

The report reads, As required, the report focuses on planning considerations that are relevant to the tension between using residential properties for non-hosted STRA and ensuring the availability and affordability of long-term rental housing in the Byron Shire.

The housing market and housing pressures are different in Byron Shire than in other Australian locations, and the social impact of non-hosted STRA is more significant.

The cost of purchased and rental housing has increased significantly, outpacing growth in regional NSW and Sydney and dwarfing average gains in household income.

Rental properties are not affordable for lower income households, with half the Byron Shire renters experiencing rental stress.

On the supply side, new housing stock and land releases planned under a suite of existing local and state-level housing policies have not proceeded at a rate that matches demand and community need.

According to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 8.5 per cent of Byron Shire housing stock (approximately 1,300 properties) is currently registered for use as non-hosted STRA. This exceeds that of other urban and coastal NSW locations, even acknowledging the pre-existing use of housing in the area for holiday homes.

Under Recommended alternatives, the IPC say, The Commission finds that a more equitable sharing of both impacts and benefits can be achieved for Byron Shire using the available regulato...

The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) has welcomed an announcement by the NSW government that there will be a Safe Staffing Working Group an historic step towards implementing nurse-to-patient ratios in NSW public hospitals.

The working group will see NSWNMA representatives working alongside NSW Health officials to plan the rollout of a shift by shift staffing model for nurses and midwives, starting with Emergency Departments.

Significant reforms

NSWNMA General Secretary, Shaye Candish, said this announcement from NSW Premier Chris Minns and NSW Health Minister Ryan Park will pave the way for the significant reforms urgently needed to repair the broken staffing system. We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with the NSW government to undertake this important reform.

This working group will lay the groundwork for the ratios weve campaigned for over many years. Were eager to work through the staffing requirements and how this phased approach will be implemented.

The introduction of ratios will bring a level of transparency to staffing levels for each shift so nurses and midwives can turn up to work confident there will be enough staff in the relevant wards.

Reaching a turning point

Ms Candish said nurses and midwives have been calling for urgent action for far too long. Finally weve reached a turning point now with a state government that is listening to our members and taking vital steps that will actually deliver for nurses, midwives and patients.

NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary, Michael Whaites, said the commitment made by the NSW government is a critical reform needed for the workforce. This announcement today is very encouraging as it shows the NSW government is genuinely committed to reform by implementing their safe staffing policy.

A successful roll-out

Were looking forward to working through the detail with the NSW government to ensure the roll out is a success.

Mr Whaites said its important that the process of implementing ratios is done in a way that works for both members and patients.

This brings the hope we know is needed to ensure nurses and midwives stay in the workforce and will also assist in recruiting more staff into the system.

The post Are we finally getting ratios for nurses and midwives? appeared first on The Echo.

The Currumbin Wildlife Hospital has reported they have more than 20 Shearwater birds in care after being disorientated on their annual northern migration along the East coast of Australia.

It appears that the bright lights of the Gold Coast city skyline have confused the young native birds who are now recuperating at the facility foruntil theyre well enough to be released back into the wild.

It is hoped they will continue their migration towards Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.

Senior Vet at the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Dr Michael Pyne, said its understood these birds use the stars to somewhat guide them on their migration up from the Southern states. Every year the bright night lights of the Gold Coast cause the same problems for them, and we see an influx into the hospital.

Dr Pyne said the majority of the birds just needed some time to rest and recover but are otherwise in good health.

If anyone finds a Shearwater bird in distress, please contact Currumbin Wildlife Hospital on (07) 55340813.

The post...

Marine Rescue NSW say that volunteers across the state from the Tweed to Eden and on the inland waterways of the Alpine Lakes and at Moama were involved in a record number of rescues during the the 2022/23 boating season.

Marine Rescue recorded 3,263 rescue missions from October 1, 2022 to ANZAC Day this year.

This seasons figure was an increase of 1.3 per cent on the previous record set during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/21 while emergency missions increased by 7 per cent to 897.

7,472 boaters returned to shore

Ballina Council decided yesterday to support the Lennox Head Heritage Committees request for a plaque to commemorate the 2022 Lennox Centenary.

With the township being named in 1922, Lennox history stalwart Robyn Hargrave spoke to council in support of the idea for a plaque, to be placed within the recently saved Lennox Park shelter shed, as part of the reinvigoration of that controversial bui...