In late 2024, 1,678 Lismore residents participated in a community scorecard that delivered a frank assessment of their council’s performance.
Lismore Council says the results were clear: people want better roads, a clear vision and plan for responsible growth and housing, visible progress on storm water management and waste and more responsive youth services.
Ratings were low across several governance areas, including leadership, communication of a clear vision, and financial sustainability.
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said the feedback was clear and direct – residents are not satisfied with the quality or focus of Council’s delivery. Their expectations are clear, and so is their disappointment.
‘We accept that. There’s no point glossing over the results, we just need to get on with the job of doing better,’ he said.
‘The community told us that above all else, they want safer, better-maintained roads — roads that last, not quick fixes. They want proper flood mitigation, not patchwork solutions. They want to see Lismore built responsibly, with more housing options, better services for young people, and more timely and transparent communication.’
Since the results were delivered to Council in February, Lismore City Council says it has undertaken one of the most comprehensive strategic planning processes in the organisation’s history.
‘We received the results in February and planned to head back out to community but were delayed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. In April, we hosted community workshops across Lismore to share both the results and our draft response,’ said Mayor Krieg.
‘We wanted to check with residents if we were on the right path. Overwhelmingly, they supported the direction but asked us to go even further in some areas. We’ve done that.’
New plan
Cr Krieg says Lismore Council’s new, integrated plan combines the Community Strategic Plan, Delivery Program, and Operational Plan into a single roadmap — a clear, measurable guide for what Council will do, when, and why.
Key elements:
- Deliver priority road upgrades through the 4-year Capital Delivery Program and keep the community informed of progress.
- Reform the Roads Operational Management Plan and implement a new quality management system for better road maintenance.
- Advocate to Transport for NSW for vital upgrades, including the Hollingsworth Creek Bridge duplication and improved safety at intersections along the Bruxner Highway.
- Implement CSIRO-recommended flood-mitigation strategies and complete outstanding projects such as Brown Creek Channel and Inlet, multiple stormwater pump stations and the Upper Hollingsworth Creek Flood Gate.
- Advocate for the Bureau of Meteorology to upgrade telemetry systems and digital flood monitoring.
- Introduce automated Property Flood Certificates to support rural residents with insurance and development planning.
- Establish or support Service Teams to implement a works program to improve the overall appearance and sense of pride in Lismore CBD and village centres.
- Deliver footpath and cycleway links connecting schools, parks, and key precincts, including Ballina Rd to Albert Park School, Pindari Crescent, and the Rowing Club car park.
- Develop new land-use strategies that support residential, rural, economic and environmental growth.
- Create a Property Strategy to unlock diverse housing options, support intergenerational farming and increase key worker accommodation.
- Partner with NSW Reconstruction Authority to create precinct plans for the CBD, East and North Lismore, South Lismore, and the Health Precinct.
- Renew youth programs, including activation of the new Lismore and Nimbin skateparks, upgrades to Spinaze Park and Nesbitt Park, and safe study spaces with Wi-Fi.
- Restore wastewater facilities in East and South Lismore and the Nimbin water treatment plant to meet future demand.
- Advocate for expansion of rural water tank programs to enhance village resilience.
- Investigate innovative waste recovery and recycling options, including biogas energy and circular economy partnerships.
- Identify priority urban streetscapes for rejuvenation and biodiversity protection.
- Strengthen catchment management and environmental planning to protect Lismore’s ecosystems and mitigate future risks.
The plan includes a commitment to transparent reporting and ongoing community dialogue, with regular reviews to ensure responsiveness in a changing environment, including a full review of the plan each year.
‘This plan is not just a document — it’s a shared commitment,’ said Cr Krieg. ‘We are proud of what we’ve built together and focused on delivering what we’ve promised.’
He says that as Lismore looks to build a region of opportunity where everyone can succeed, the community can be confident that its voice has not only been heard but embedded in the decisions that will shape its future.
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