The sharpest debate from Lismore City Council’s 9 June ordinary meeting saw a majority vote to increase councillor and mayoral fees, following a 3.7 per cent rise determined by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal (LGRT) – a figure tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12 months to February 2026.
Councillors voted to increase the mayor’s annual fee to $71,350 and councillors’ fees to $28,890, and to grant councillors free access to the Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre (GSAC) and the Memorial Baths. The mayoral fee has risen from $61,280 in 2023-24, while councillors have been paid the maximum fee since 2024-25.
Cr Jasmine Knight-Smith (Labor) said she supported the increase, arguing fair pay broadens participation and supports diversity in representation. ‘It also improves decision-making by allowing councillors the time and capacity to properly do the role,’ she said.
Cr Harper Dalton-Earls (also Labor) moved an amendment to hold fees at the current 2025–26 rate for the remainder of the council term, citing Cessnock Council as a precedent, but that motion was defeated. Dalton-Earls voted against the increase, noting council is set to consider a rates increase at its next meeting. ‘I do not think we should be asking residents to pay more while voting to increase our pay and perks,’ he said. He also noted he has brought his own food to meetings since a motion he moved last year to reduce the councillor catering budget was voted down.
Staff say that in submissions to the LGRT, councils across NSW argued fees were ‘grossly inadequate’ and acted as a barrier to diversity, with some urging fees to be doubled or aligned with Queensland and Victorian equivalents. The tribunal acknowledged the concerns but confined itself to the CPI rise, flagging a comprehensive fee adequacy review in 2027.
Outdoor dining fees waived again
Councillors voted to continue waiving outdoor dining fees for the 2026–27 financial year to support CBD activation and economic recovery. It is the third consecutive year the waiver has been extended, at a cost to council of approximately $20,000 annually. Twenty-nine businesses currently benefit. Staff will review the arrangements during 2026–27 to consider whether a phased reintroduction of fees is warranted from 2027–28. The Pie Cart at 11 Magellan Street is excluded from the waiver under its existing licence agreement.
Cr Knight-Smith described the waiver as ‘a practical way Council can support’ businesses continuing to face challenging conditions. Deputy mayor Jeri Hall said the waiver helps economic recovery and encourages people to ‘head downtown and enjoy’ local businesses.
Skate park upgrades
Councillors resolved to seek grant funding for Stage Two of the Lismore Skatepark, following what Mayor Steve Krieg described as the ‘overwhelming success’ of the Rumble on the River skating event. Proposed additions include a beginner’s section, a potential pump track, bins, shade structures and spectator seating.
Council staff noted that a beginner’s section had not previously been identified as a priority community need, as the skatepark was designed to accommodate all skill levels. A pump track has not featured in previous masterplans, though staff said a suitable indicative location will be identified in the upcoming Lismore Boulevard concept plan. A grant application for broader upgrades to Peace Park – which includes the skatepark – has already been submitted.
Councillors also resolved to pursue upgrades to the Nimbin Skatepark, including improved lighting and security cameras. Mayor Krieg said he was approached by members of the Nimbin skate community at the Rumble on the River event, who flagged the need for essential upgrades. Staff noted the Nimbin Place Plan identifies the skatepark as needing expansion to better support beginner users, but warned that effective CCTV typically requires all-night lighting, which could increase late-night activity and raise concerns for nearby residents. Community consultation and a Review of Environmental Factors will be required. Cr Hall said the additions would improve safety and spectator amenity.
Nimbin water supply
Councillors voted to include a reticulated water connection from Rous County Council’s supply to Nimbin as a zero-cost line item in the budget, and to continue discussions with Rous and pursue grant funding if a viable solution is identified.
A separate proposal to reduce fixed water charges for Nimbin residents during boil water alerts did not pass. Cr Knight-Smith said she supported the reduction but it failed to carry. The motion, moved by Cr Virginia Waters, sought a 50 per cent reduction in fixed water access charges while alerts were in place, noting Nimbin customers have faced repeated boil water notices since infrastructure was damaged in the 2022 floods. Council staff opposed the proposal, noting the fixed charge funds infrastructure maintenance and emergency services regardless of water quality, and that ‘boiled water is safe to consume’ per the boil water notice. Staff also noted the council’s financial position could not absorb the reduction.
Walk of Honour Committee
Councillors established a Walk of Honour Committee comprising Crs Krieg, Bing, Dalton-Earls, Hall, Rob and Knight-Smith. The committee will oversee a plan to incorporate recognition of notable local people along an upgraded footpath through the sports precinct linking the CBD with the Square, for which funding has been secured. Council resolved to create the walk in August 2025.
According to the staff report, nominees must have a strong connection to the Lismore LGA and demonstrated achievement in areas including professional excellence, community contribution, cultural and creative achievement, sport, or leadership. Both living individuals and posthumous recognition are eligible; sitting elected officials cannot be nominated, and self-nominations are not accepted. Scores and unsuccessful applications will be kept confidential.
CBD lighting and CCTV
Councillors received an update on improvements to lighting and CCTV coverage throughout the CBD. New and upgraded external cameras have been installed at City Hall, the Municipal Building, Lismore Memorial Baths, the Lismore Skatepark and multiple CBD roundabouts. No further camera installations are planned in the next financial year.
Council staff say lighting improvements include re-energised wayfinding lighting at major roundabouts, upgraded street lighting in Keen Street and Shearman Drive, and improved lighting at the Lismore Skatepark. Further works are underway, including additional wayfinding lighting at key intersections, LED uplighting along Woodlark Street, and lighting upgrades on Robert White Bridge and Fawcett Bridge.
Mayor Krieg said Council is taking a coordinated approach to creating safer, more welcoming and better-connected public spaces. ‘We know the community wants to see practical action that improves how people experience the CBD every day,’ he said. Council is also developing a comprehensive CBD Parking Strategy to be progressed later in 2026.
Sister city relationships
Councillors discussed the city’s existing sister city arrangements and potential future engagement with regions including Timor-Leste, Ujung Pandang in Indonesia and Wudi in China, with a view to ensuring partnerships deliver cultural, tourism and economic value.
Mayor Krieg, who moved the motion, said Lismore was ‘a token partner at best’ in some relationships, with heavy emphasis on certain cities and no engagement at all with others. ‘A strong, clear and decisive policy guiding our partnerships is critical,’ he said. Lismore’s current sister cities are Yamato Takada (Japan), Lismore (Ireland) and Eau Claire (USA); its friendship city is Conegliano (Italy). Council will also explore whether to formalise a relationship with a township in Timor-Leste.
Code of Meeting Practice
Councillors voted to revert to the previous Code of Meeting Practice following a NSW Legislative Council disallowance motion in May, that struck down the 2025 model code Lismore had been operating under since February.
The rollback required councillors to rescind multiple decisions made in February, including the establishment of a Briefings Committee and the cancellation of the previous Briefings Policy. The reinstated policy has been amended to remove a provision allowing a single councillor to request a briefing or workshop – such requests will now require either the general manager’s discretion or a council resolution. A new clause allowing meetings that run beyond five hours to adjourn to the following Thursday evening – rather than deferring all remaining business to the next ordinary meeting – was also adopted, addressing a recurring problem that saw nine items deferred from the May meeting when time ran out.
Cr Knight-Smith described the outcome as ‘an administrative irritation’ and ‘a waste of staff time.’
Media policy dispute
A motion to seek independent legal advice on the council’s media policy did not pass. The motion, moved by Cr Knight-Smith, sought advice on whether the policy complies with the Local Government Act 1979, whether it unlawfully restricts councillors in their civic duties, and whether it conflicts with the implied freedom of political communication. Confidential legal advice had been provided to all councillors by email the week before the meeting.
Cr Knight-Smith said she was ‘disappointed’ by the outcome and raised concerns that the current policy may not comply with Australian law. She noted that under the existing policy, posting a councillor update without first informing the general manager or aligning with council messaging could constitute a breach of the code of conduct. ‘I cannot understand how we have found ourselves in this position,’ she said. The media policy was adopted at the May meeting on a slim 6-5 vote, replacing previous media and social media policies.
Other matters
Councillors supported a subdivision and boundary adjustment at Clunes, converting three lots to four on a roughly 92-hectare rural property predominantly used for macadamia orchards, after receiving twelve public submissions. A number of objectors raised concerns that the proposal would fragment regionally significant farmland or pre-empt the recently adopted Clunes Masterplan. A proposed expenditure and business unit briefing did not pass. A proposed crime prevention investigation also did not pass, though Cr Knight-Smith noted good work is already underway and said she voted for the motion.
An extraordinary meeting is scheduled for Friday 19 June.
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