CROZIER FIELD CAME ALIVE FOR
TITANS NORTHERN RIVERS FAN
DAY
Crozier Field delivered an NRL experience to remember, as the Gold Coast Titans brought a training session to Lismore. The visit was part of the Titans Northern Rivers Fan Day, ahead of the upcoming 2026 season. The squad worked through a hit out with their Hostplus Cup affiliate, the Tweed Seagulls, in conditions pushing 30 degrees by mid-morning.
This was more than a photo opportunity; it was also a serious test of endurance. The Titans trained hard from start to finish, closing with a gruelling sprint block that left players on the turf, exhausted.
Families and juniors stayed right through the heat, with the day also supporting Marist Rams sign-ons and a player signing session that gave locals up-close access to the squad and coaching staff.
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said the Northern Rivers is a vital community region for the club, while Mayor Steve Krieg welcomed the visit as more than a quick stop, with the team training and making time for fans.
PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
IMPROVED IN LISMORE CBD
Pedestrian safety and amenity have been vastly improved in Lismore’s CBD, following the recent installation of new bollards and tactile ground surface indicators.
Almost 300 stainless steel bollards were installed along Molesworth and Woodlark Streets to replace original bollards damaged or destroyed during the 2022 floods and subsequent cleanup efforts. These bollards not only restore protection for pedestrians and road users but give the CBD a more cohesive, modern look.
In addition, replacement of defective tactile ground surface indicators – raised textured patterns on footpaths that alert people with visual impairments of crossings or stairs – at the zebra crossings addressed a long-standing need in our community.
“Every day our CBD looks a little brighter,” said Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg.
“These bollards and tactile indicators are small changes that make a big difference – safer streets, easier crossings and more confidence for everyone.”
This project was a collaborative effort from Council crews and contractor Forge Solutions, made possible through funding from the Australian and NSW Governments, under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The work follows broader Council-funded improvements across Lismore CBD throughout 2025, which included fixing trip hazards, upgrading lighting, refreshing gardens, installing new bins and footpath seating, and replacing fencing around roundabouts.
For more on Lismore’s flood restoration projects, click here
LISMORE WON’T BE DEFINED BY FLOODS AS COUNCIL CALLS FOR SMARTER USE OF BUYBACK LAND
Lismore City Council will advocate to the State and Federal governments for a review of proposed restrictions on “buyback” land in Lismore that mean all buildings must be removed and not replaced.
Current Federal Government policy of enforcing the removal of all structures and not allowing new buildings, prevents change of use and the ability for Lismore to retain valuable assets and opportunities.
This policy in its current form will see several hundred vacant blocks where many residents still live, and businesses still operate.
An example of using state-of-the-art techniques to ensure a commercial building is flood resistant.
A change in this policy will allow Council to utilise this land for best future use possible, focusing on commercial and industrial possibilities where suitable.
Following a resolution at this month’s Ordinary Council meeting, Council will also write to the NSW Reconstruction Authority requesting “buyback” properties on Elliott Road, South Lismore be gifted to Council so the land can be used for industrial/commercial purposes, providing a model as to how effective building design can be integrated to ensure highest and best use of the land.
Leaving land vacant because it once flooded ignores the reality that smarter design and use can unlock economic value while managing risk.
If Council can activate inexpensive industrial and commercial land in great locations to attract business investment, we can help to create jobs and ensure a vibrant and world-leading Lismore into the future.
Council will also request that a total of 14 buyback properties on Alexandra Parade, Bridge Street, Slater Street and Flick Street be gifted to the North Coast Agricultural & Industrial Society, which manages the Lismore Showground, for additional carparking during major events.
The Showgrounds is currently undergoing a $4.77 million upgrade to its facilities and is attracting more frequent and larger events, including the very popular Primex Field Days, which are attracting tens of thousands of people to Lismore. It simply needs more off-street parking.
To date, there have been 655 approved buybacks within Lismore, representing around 40 fragmented hectares of what could become grass under this policy. The scale of buybacks in Lismore is distinct, and that requires distinct consideration and individualised policy response from the government. Policies that have served other areas in the past regarding the future of buyback land aren’t directly suitable for Lismore.
While residential uses in these areas are no longer supported, there are some suitable areas in which commercial, industrial and/or community uses could be safely provided.
Lismore City Council, together with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and our local community, under a structure Precinct Planning process, are capable and best placed to determine the future use of all buyback land within our own LGA.
Together, we have started this process and will be engaging skilled consultants to assist in determining the best future use for all buyback properties, balancing risk with community and economic need and aspiration.
WELCOME NEIGHBOUR EVENT - SUPPORT FOR
NEW RURAL OWNERS
New to owning land in the Lismore region? Council and Local Land Services and are here to help. Join us for a free community event designed for new and small rural landholders. Learn how to care for your land and support your neighbours with good biosecurity and land management practices.
On the night you’ll enjoy:
• A free BBQ featuring local produce
• An educational talk from a skilled bush regenerator
• Free native plants to take home and start your own regeneration project. It’s also a great chance to meet your neighbours, connect with rural services and be part of your local community.
Thursday, 26 February 2026 / 5.30pm – 7pm Koonorigan Hall, 395 Koonorigan Road, Koonorigan
JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON COMMUNITY SAFETY
An open Community Safety Forum will bring together community members, Federal and State MPs, Police, Ambulance and Health representatives, local businesses and key stakeholders to openly discuss local safety and crime concerns.
The forum will focus on what’s currently happening, what’s working and where improvements can be made, with time set aside for questions and community input.
Facilitated by Ben Roche, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Southern Cross University, this session follows a Council resolution to hold an open public consultation to consider and identify practical, community-led solutions to safety issues and to ensure the right agencies are working together to address them. It’s an opportunity to hear directly from those involved, share your perspective and learn how reporting and data play a role in improving outcomes for the whole community.
Tuesday, 17 February / 5pm–7.30pm
J Block, Southern Cross University
For more information and to register go to www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/.../Community-Safety-Forum
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
EOI TO BE ISSUED AFTER COUNCIL ACCEPTS GIFT OF GREYHOUND TRACK
Lismore City Councillors have voted to accept the former Lismore greyhound track site at 1 Molesworth Street as a gift from Greyhound Racing NSW.
Greyhound Racing NSW has confirmed greyhound racing will no longer be conducted at the venue, which has not operated since the major flooding events of February and March 2022.
To ensure transparency and keep options open, Council will now complete the usual property and risk checks, classify the land as Operational land under the Local Government Act, and run a 30-day Expressions of Interest process.
Council does not have an immediate use for the site, which is why an open Expressions of Interest will be used to test realistic, floodaware proposals.
The process will invite submissions from organisations and businesses, including options such as
leasing or licensing the site, partnering with Council, or other feasible arrangements.
Submissions will be assessed and a report on viable options, including any financial risks identified through the checks, will be presented to Council for a decision at a future meeting.
The Expressions of Interest will be publicly advertised and will outline what information proponents need to provide.
Further details, including timeframes and submission information, will be published once the preliminary checks are underway.
CLUNES MASTER PLAN ADOPTED FOLLOWING STRONG COMMUNITY INPUT
After more than a year of structured community consultation, Lismore City Council has resolved to formally adopt the Clunes Master Plan, a long-term framework designed to guide growth over the next 10 to 20 years while safeguarding the village character residents value.
The final plan was endorsed by Council at its February Ordinary meeting and supported by the Clunes Community Reference Group following changes made in response to community feedback.
Rather than fast-tracking development, the Master Plan establishes a clear, staged roadmap for how and when change may occur, providing certainty for residents while strengthening protections for the village’s landscape, heritage and environmental assets.
Mayor Steve Krieg said the adopted plan reflects a process where the community set the direction and Council responded.
“This plan was shaped by what people told us mattered most, protecting Clune’s character, improving safety and amenity and planning carefully for the future,” he said
“It gives Council a clear mandate to manage growth responsibly, not to rush it.
“The outcome is a future shaped together.”
The Master Plan now sets the practical blueprint for what happens next, from staged growth options and a future Development Control Plan to stronger environmental safeguards such as the Urban Green Corridor.
It also prioritises walking, safety and amenity upgrades to be progressed in partnership with key agencies such as Transport for NSW.
Council’s Director of Planning and Economy Graham Snow said the adopted Master Plan gives Council a clearer planning framework for future decisions and provides the community with clarity to how change will be managed over time.
“This is about sequencing, safeguards and certainty,” he said.
“The Master Plan sets out staged growth options and the planning tools needed to manage change properly.”
Mr Snow also said the Urban Green Corridor was a key example of how the plan balances protection with sensible planning.
“The Urban Green Corridor protects and strengthens ecological connections and waterways while guiding development to appropriate locations,” he said.
“From here, the work is about turning the framework into deliverables; detailed design, agency partnerships and prioritised program of works delivered over time.”
The Clunes Master Plan community engagement began in November 2024 with two open drop-in sessions, supported by an online survey and virtual ideas board on Council’s Your Say page. Further engagement took place from December 2024 to the end of 2025 with additional drop-in sessions at the Clunes Coronation Hall to test the draft vision statement and themes for the Master Plan.
Engagement and planning support was provided by Ethos Urban, Living Lab Northern Rivers and Barker Ryan Stewart, working with Lismore City Council’s project team.
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