Nimbin considers future of sites following fire

Darren Coyne

The future of the iconic buildings burnt to the ground in Nimbin in August is still up in the air.

Owners of the Rainbow Café have said they are committed to rebuilding the café but in the interim are considering applying to the Lismore City Council for a coffee cart on the site.

According to a report from council staff, the Rainbow Café site clean-up has been completed.

The report said gravel had been laid to provide an all-weather surface, and the council was waiting on final confirmation that the allotment is contamination-free.

‘It is likely the current fence will be removed once the final contamination certification is received and any trip hazards on the edges of the footpath and finished ground are eliminated,’ the report said.

‘A preliminary meeting with representatives of the owners and Council staff has taken place to explore the rebuilding options identified by the Co-Op members with some feedback given to their committee. ‘

Meanwhile, the future of the museum site, which is owned by Sydney-based businessman Richard Andary is still being determined.

The Echonetdaily understands negotiations have been underway to sell the site, with an announcement expected soon.

The owner has told the council that he is awaiting advice from the insurer regarding a contamination assessment of the site.

‘The owner has also indicated to council they are seeking to rebuild at some stage and also do not want the fence to be removed from the perimeter of the site,’ the report said.

‘That will be their own matter of control, once the contamination final clearance certification has been given. I advised council may require a DA for the fence, at that stage, and a more permanent design and construction would be appropriate.’

Nimbin Museum founder Michael Balderstone has previously said the community would like to see the former museum site transformed into an open-air meeting place, a ‘living museum of people’.