Mayor Steve Krieg and Cr Jasmine Knight-Smith outlined to their social media followers their highlights on the Lismore Council meeting, held on 14 October.
Homeless accommodation passes
Cr Krieg said councillors adopted a proposal for 45-49 McKenzie Street, Lismore, that will see Social Futures repurpose of an aged care facility into temporary homeless accommodation. He said that in public access, residents voiced concerns around loss of amenity.
‘Councillors are acutely aware of developments like this, [in terms of] neighbourhood implications’. We will work closely with Social Futures for the best outcome’, he said.
According to the DA, it will ‘Change of use from an existing residential care facility to supported temporary accommodation for homeless persons’. The cost is estimated to be $3,086,905.
Cr Knight-Smith added, ‘It aims to provide short-term stays (2–7 nights) with wrap-around support services to help clients transition into permanent housing’.
‘There were some concerns from neighbours, including that residents would be able to view backyards of surrounding homes. The proponent stated they had heard these concerns and were now installing a higher fence and screening to protect privacy. Such a great outcome for our community and part of the mix of housing and homelessness solutions that we need.
This 58-bed temporary accommodation will include wrap-around support services and 24/7 staffing’.
Dunoon Sports Club
Council decided against acquiring a 117m2 parcel of land at Dunoon Sports Club, according to Cr Krieg.
‘It’s tough being in business and running a sports clubs’ he said.
‘We decided to keep licence agreement in place, and will go back to them later with an offer to buy the land’.
Cr Knight-Smith added, ‘Council considered the sale of a small parcel of land to resolve a long-standing encroachment issue at the Dunoon Sports Club. The club is a not-for-profit community club that provides entertainment, connection, and sporting fields for the community. People stayed there in the aftermath of the 2022 floods. It is a vital part of the community. The club did not wish to purchase the small parcel and instead it was decided that they continue to lease for the time being’.
Illegal vape shops
Cr Krieg also praised Cr Knight-Smith for her motion to inform federal ministers around the increasing number of vape and ‘illegal’ tobacco shops in the city.
He said, ‘As a Council, we don’t regulate, we can only see if DAs are complied with’.
‘We are reaching out to the federal ministers to let them know of the issues.’
Thanks Cr Knight Smith’.
Cr Knight Smith said, ‘We have an issue with vape and ‘illegal’ tobacco shops at the moment. Not just here in Lismore but nationally. I understand the Federal government has them in their sights, but they can’t be everywhere. Lismore has a disproportionate number, you could turn a blind eye to one, but eight (when I counted a few weeks ago) in our city’s CBD is alarming. As the closest level of government to the community, it is incumbent on us to let the Federal government know what is happening here in Lismore. My motion was to do just that’.
Lismore bureaucrats take over Municipal Building
Other issues highlighted by Cr Knight Smith include her disappointment that there was no Councillor appetite for her motion to return Lismore’s museum to its decade-long home in the Municipal Building.
She wrote, ‘A bloody tragedy! Not only did Council vote to not return the museum to its decade-long home in the Municipal Building, they voted to put staff in that building. Council moved out of the CBD for a reason, now we’re moving back in. Regressive! This occurred after Council was given a petition with some 4,000 signatures. No respect for our history. I will make a bigger post at a later date about this. A tragedy as far as I’m concerned’.
Crime Collaboration Plan
Cr Knight Smith also said, ‘It was voted that Council work collaboratively with Richmond Police District for a variety of things. It’s quite a lengthy but worthy motion. I spoke to it. It is practical and proposes working closely with police, health, and government for the benefit of the community. The NSW Government is working hard to increase police numbers with a variety of initiatives’.
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