26 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Roundabouts, toilets, footpaths priorities for Lismore

Latest News

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Other News

Way of the dog

One of the more disappointing aspects of the decline of Byron Bay, and I have a long list, is...

Bay FM community radio celebrates digital upgrade

Volunteers from Byron and across the Northern Rivers celebrated nearly $100,000 worth of new studio equipment at Bay FM Community Radio station on the weekend.

Editorial – Let’s do the development dance!

Some good questions were raised by residents at last week’s Council meeting – and were ‘taken on notice’ by Mayor, Michael Lyon.

Community grants on offer

Ingrained Foundation is running its fifth annual grants program, with a funding pool of $150,000.

How the coral crisis affects other marine wildlife

Marine heatwaves are killing coral and denuding reefs of their colourful beauty – but in a world where everything is food for something else, these heatwaves also pose a major threat to biodiversity.

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Why Being Seen is Beautiful

There is something profound about being seen. Being accepted and loved for exactly who you are. It’s life changing. It’s simple. It’s transformative. But some people don’t get to experience this. Nearly half of transgender Australians have attempted suicide.That data tells the very real impact of discrimination, stigma and lack of access to gender-affirming surgery. I write this as a woman who was born a woman, who identifies as a woman. I’ll admit, that even in that gender role, that fits within the societal binary, I’ve had my own challenges.

Replacing roundabouts was not a priority for Lismore's first 'citizens jury'. Photo gonorth2011.blogspot.com.au
Replacing roundabouts was not a priority for Lismore’s first ‘citizens’ jury’. Photo gonorth2011.blogspot.com.au

The ‘jury’s verdict is in on how to spend more than $3 million on refurbishing the Lismore CBD and riverside.

The so-called ‘citizens’ jury’ is an innovative concept of Lismore City Council looking at ways to ensure that money allocated for the town is spent according to the priorities of local residents and businesses.

Unlike regular juries, its ‘verdict’ isn’t binding but it will provide Council with recommendations.

The jury is made up of 22 people including randomly selected residents, business people and members of the Lismore Chamber of Commerce.

At its first meeting, last weekend, the jury considered priorities for almost $1 million set aside in a CBD/River Improvement Fund for the 2013–2017 period and $2.45 million earmarked in the budget for footpath improvements.

While the jury agreed inner CBD pavements needed refurbishing, it could think of better things to do with the money allocated to the outer block.

The jury then ranked 12 CBD initiatives in priority order with upgrades of existing toilets and increased CBD cleaning equal first at the top of this list.

This was followed by new public toilets, making Magellan Street two-way again and converting two roundabouts to ‘controlled intersections’.

This again raised the arguments for and against replacing roundabouts with traffic lights across the city but the jury didn’t support that option.

Likewise shade structures over the Clyde Campbell carpark were not rated as high priorities.

‘The jury’s recommendation is to go ahead with revegetation of the riverbank between the Rowing Club and the old Lismore Club and construct a riverbank path from the Rowing Club to join the existing path,’ Council’s executive director of sustainable development Brent McAlister said.

He added that ‘as part of the process the jury also had the opportunity to put forward any other suggestions, not being considered as part of the process, and these were also recorded for Council’s consideration’.

The recommendations of the jury will be placed on public exhibition, along with recommendations from this year’s CBD Parking Workshop, for community feedback in July/August.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.