Council Decides: October 2025 Ordinary Meeting

Welcome to our October issue of "Council Decides", where we update you on the decisions and discussions of the Lismore City Council's monthly Council meeting.

The business papers and attachments for the meeting can be found here

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Councillors resolved to:

• Receive the minutes and adopt the recommendations in the 3 September 2025 Lismore Flood Risk Management Committee

MATTERS ARISING

Councillors resolved to:

• Note the responses to Questions on Notice

REPORTS TO THE GENERAL MANAGER

Councillors resolved to:

• Grant Development Consent for temporary accommodation (58 beds) in McKenzie Street Lismore City Council
• Support the Planning Proposal to apply Additional Permitted Uses to the Lismore Local Environmental Plan for the mapped area of E4 General Industrial zone as detailed in this Business Papers, and the Planning Proposal be finalised in accordance with the delegation issued to Council by the Gateway Determination
• Adopt the Child Safe Policy as attached to the Business Papers
• Increase the license agreement between Council and Dunoon and Districts Sports and Recreation Club, to a level to be negotiated by the General Manager to cover costs by Council; and the General Manager be delegated authority to negotiate a sale at a future date when the Club is in a financial position to purchase the land
• Rescind changes to FOGO waste collection zones adopted as part of the FY25/26 Revenue Policy until the 2030 EPA mandate or until all exemptions are known.
• Adopt the Local Transport Forum Terms of Reference.
• Adopt the Terms of Reference for the Lismore City Council Emergency Management Committee
• Receive and note the September 2025 Investments Report
• Receive the Pecuniary Interest Returns reports, and that the tabled Disclosure of Interests in written returns be acknowledged.
• Appoint to the Lismore Villages Advisory Group Craig Parrish for the Richmond Hill/Lindendale district

NOTICE OF MOTION

Councillors resolved to:

• Rescind its decision of item 11.4 from the 9 September 2025 meeting regarding a Crime Prevention Plan
• Receive the Mayoral Attendance Report for September 2025.
• Write to the Federal Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP, the Minister for Home Affairs the Hon Tony Burke MP and The Hon Janelle Saffin MP and: 1.inform them of the high number of illegal tobacco and vape shops in Lismore. Approximately eight in the CBD at last count, 2. express Lismore City Council's concern at the organised crime implications that this presents 3. request Council be informed what is proposed at a Federal level concerning compliance and enforcement given Lismore is not the only area with a concerning number of tobacco and vape shops
• Advocate to 1. work in collaboration with Richmond Police District to: (a) reinstate the Drug Squad that was disbanded over a year ago now, (b) boost the specialist TAG unit back to full capacity, (c) support increasing police resources by actively seeking grant funding opportunities with support from the NSW Police Commissioner and Member for Lismore (d) support ongoing high visibility policing and operations throughout the LGA with supplementary support by way of regular Ranger patrols, 2. actively pursue grant opportunities to increase lighting and boost CCTV capabilities across the LGA as a deterrent against antisocial and criminal activity, 3. request the Minister for Health and the Minister for Mental Health to provide the Northern NSW Local Health District more resources to deal with the increased number of patients who require acute support, 4. Request the Minister/s for Housing and Homelessness provide additional resources to address housing insecurity and homelessness across the LGA, 5. notes the actions staff are undertaking with regards to: (a) increased patrols in Lismore CBD and Nimbin, (b) meeting and collaborating with local Police to identify and address emerging crime issues, (c) seeking grant funding to improve street lighting across Lismore CBD and villages, and (d) supporting youth programs, education and awareness campaigns
• 1. Relocate Council employees back into the Lismore CBD by relocating into existing buildings that it owns, manages and leases, 2. acknowledges this may be a stage approach given the various status of its buildings, 3. request the General Manager to bring a report to Council should additional budget funding be required.
• Request Transport for New South Wales: 1. to expedite the implementation of timed right-turn restrictions from Dibbs Street onto Ballina Road, to make it "No Right Turn" between the hours of 8am - 9am, and 3pm - 4pm on weekdays, to improve safety and reduce congestion during school drop off and pick up times, 2. fund this through one of the road safety initiative programs.