Homeless camp ends after MP refuses meeting
Chels Hood Withey. A week-long homeless camp outside Minister for Recovery, Small Business and the North Coast, Janelle Saffin’s Lismore office ended after the MP refused meeting with housing advocates, and called police on constituents seeking help with the homelessness crisis. The camp was established by community members made homeless by recent NSW Reconstruction Authority evictions, skyhigh rents, and unaffordable homes.
Banking for people and community
In a time when big banks often feel distant from the communities they serve, Summerland Bank's proposed merger with Regional Australia Bank offers a refreshing alternative – one focused on mutual ownership, ethical banking, and a deep commitment to regional sustainability.
New mural transforms amenities block
Bob Dooley. Nimbin is truly blessed to have always had beautiful art around the village. Thanks to Julie De Lorenzo for her latest piece on the newly-built amenities block which adjoins Peace Park, the swimming pool, the skateboard park and the Aquarius Walking Track.
Lessons learnt from the genesis of multiple occupancy
Rob Doolan. In the beginning of the 1980s, I had escaped the Queensland Bjelke-Petersen regime and moved to the Northern Rivers desiring some rural land to build my home and live differently. In 1983 we were building the first roads on the property at Whian Whian where we planned to have a small Multiple Occupancy (MO).
Legal weed soon, surely
Michael Balderstone. Jeremy Buckingham, the Legalise Cannabis NSW MP who won a seat in the last election, tried to get the government to make a move on the cannabis laws but Premier Minns dug his heels in. Next best option, Jeremy chaired an Upper House committee inquiry he initiated which has released its final report into "The impacts of the regulatory framework for cannabis in New South Wales".
Flood modelling now complete
The CSIRO has released its catchment-scale virtual model of the Richmond, Tweed and parts of the Brunswick Rivers, which offers an unprecedented understanding of how floodwaters move through our catchment, and will be used to test future flood mitigation scenarios.
New muralist in town
Ian Wickham. An emerging mural on the side of the Hemp embassy alerted me that a new muralist has arrived in town, Marta Kimberley. I was working next door in the Embassy watching it go up – thinking this deserves a story. So I talked to her about the highs and lows of the task.
