Lismore's unwelcome invasive pest has surfaced once more - the Yellow Crazy Ant

 

IMAGE: Qld Wet Tropics Management Authority

"The yellow crazy ant is listed as one of the top 100 worst invasive species by the IUCN and the Global Invasive Species Database. They are a category three restricted pest under the Biosecurity Act 2014. As such, all citizens have a general biosecurity obligation to minimise the risk of further infestation." [https://www.wettropics.gov.au/yellow-crazy-ants]

"...form huge super-colonies containing thousands of queens and have worker densities reaching up to 20 million ants per hectare." [CSIRO, retrieved 10 November 2021]

Invasive Species Council:

Yellow crazy ants are a highly aggressive tramp ant that made it into Australia through our ports. In a suitable climate such as that of the Queensland Wet Tropics they can form super colonies over vast areas and have huge environmental, social and economic impacts.

Yellow crazy ants do not bite, but spray formic acid to blind and kill their prey.

Once the ants reach super colony levels they can become a severe threat to people, especially children and the elderly, as well as pets. They can damage household electrical appliances and wiring.

One man in Australia has already suffered serious injury from yellow crazy ants. While sleeping at his home in Edmonton, Queensland, the ants swarmed all over Frank Teodo’s face, burning his eyes badly with their acid. And he’s not alone, people’s pets have been sprayed by the ants’ acid, injuring their eyes, mouth and paws. The ants can also kill small and young animals including chickens and native animals.

Yellow crazy ants are a huge threat to agriculture in Australia’s warmer regions. By farming sugar-secreting scale insects and encouraging sooty moulds they can dramatically reduce the productivity of crops such as fruit trees and sugar cane.....

And now this ant has returned to the Lismore local government area in the NSW Northern Rivers region.

EchoNetDaily, 10 November 2021:

Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) has been confirmed in Lismore.
 Photo supplied.

Yellow Crazy Ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes) have been threatening the Lismore area since 2018 when they were detected in the Lismore CBD. Another colony has been detected in Lismore recently.

‘A small surviving colony of yellow crazy ants was recently detected in Lismore after an astute resident spotted them in his garden,’ said a spokesperson for Lismore City Council (LCC)…..

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is monitoring and controlling the surviving ants through targeted treatments approved for use in urban and residential areas. ‘Lismore City Council and the DPI are grateful for the continued support of the Lismore community in the management of yellow crazy ants,’ said LCC spokesperson......

You can help stop their spread by checking outdoor areas for ants with:

• slender yellow to brownish bodies about 5mm long

• dark brown abdomens, sometimes striped

• very long legs and antennae

• an erratic walking style

If you spot any suspicious ants:

• collect them in a container

• freeze them for 15 minutes, then photograph them against a white background

• call the Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244 or email species@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Good quality photos and videos of the ants will help with initial identification. For more information about yellow crazy ants visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/yca …..

Lismore City local government area goes back into regional lockdown from 6pm today, Thursday 16 September 2021

 

Lismore City residents were out of regional lockdown for barely 6 days and then this.....

The Goonellabah Public School remains closed for deep cleaning after a person who attended the school on Monday, September 13, tested positive to COVID-19. 

This individual was infectious in the community from last Sunday, 12 September 2021, and had recently returned from Sydney where they had become infected.

It is believed this person while infectious visited;

Muzza's Milk Bar, 1/5 Oak Street Evans Head on Sunday, September 12, 1:15pm-1:45pm

Silly Solly's, 185 Keen Street Lismore on Tuesday, September 14, 8:55am-9:00am

Lifeline Shop, 71 Magellan Street Lismore on Tuesday, September 14, 9:05am-9:20am

NSW Health, media release, 16 September 2021:

Stay-at-home orders will be introduced for the Albury and Lismore Local Government Areas (LGAs) from 6pm today (Thursday) for one week due to an increased COVID-19 public health risk.

These stay-at-home orders also apply to anyone who has been in Albury since 10 September and Lismore since 7 September due to recent COVID-19 exposures.

Everyone in Albury and Lismore LGAs must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education if you can’t work or study at home. [my yellow highlighting]

Albury and Lismore residents who are fully vaccinated can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation as long as all of those aged 16 or older are fully vaccinated.

To determine the extent of the risk and detect any further potential COVID-19 cases in these areas we are calling on the communities to come forward for testing in large numbers.

A strong response to testing will be a key factor in determining if these stay-at-home orders are extended beyond one week. High vaccination rates are also essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community.

There are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. Testing clinics in Albury and Lismore areas include:

• Albury – Albury Dorevitch Pathology Walk-in Clinic, Lavington Hall, 488 Urana Road Lavington

• Albury - Albury Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology Drive-through Clinic, Demountable Building, Albury Showground

• Wodonga - Albury Wodonga Health COVID Clinic, 79 Vermont, Street

• Wodonga - Wodonga Respiratory Clinic, 224-226 Beechworth Road

• Lismore - Lismore Base Hospital, Uralba Street

• Lismore - Lismore 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic, 47-49 Dawson Street

• Lismore - Lismore Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Walk-in Clinic, Shop 12, Wyrallah Road Shopping Centre, 62 Wyrallah Road

• Lismore - Southern Cross University Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Drive-through Clinic, Southern Cross University, Military Rd, East Lismore

• COVID-19 vaccination is available through NSW Health clinics, GPs, pharmacies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS).

Use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find the nearest vaccination clinic, or visit Get your COVID-19 vaccination.

A list of regional and rural NSW Health vaccination clinics is available on the NSW Government website.

A number of regional LGAs have been deemed low risk and have not recorded any COVID-19 cases for the past 14 days.

Stay-at-home orders will be lifted for Bega Valley, Blayney, Bogan, Cabonne, Dungog, Forbes, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Parkes, Singleton, Snowy Monaro and Upper Hunter Shire LGAs from 1pm today (Thursday 16 September).

However, these LGAs will continue to operate under some restrictions to ensure community safety.

The following freedoms are now available to all people in regional LGAs where stay-at-home orders have been lifted:

Gatherings in the home and public spaces:

• Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under).

• Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:

• Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sqm inside and one person per 2sqm outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.

• Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sqm rule.

• Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sqm, capped at five clients per premises.

• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.

• Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.

Schools:

• Schools will re-open with Level 3 COVIDSafe measures in place.

Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sqm, capped at 5,000 people.

• Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.

• Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.

Weddings, funerals and places of worship:

• Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.

• Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.

• Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sqm rule, with no singing.

Travel:

• Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.

• Carpooling will be permitted.

Masks:

• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.

• Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.

• Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.

For more information, please visit the NSW Government website.

Banyam Baigham, the Sleeping Lizard, returned to the Widjabul Wia-bal Traditional Custodians

An excellent example of natural justice for the Widjabul Wia-bal Traditional Custodians and genuine recognition of their connection to country and culture by Lismore City Council. Well-written and empathetic journalism by Eve Jeffrey.

Echo NetDaily, 14 July 2021:

Everybody (almost) hands up! Councillors Vanessa Ekins, Darlene Cook, Elly Bird, Eddie Lloyd, Nancy Casson, Adam Guise and Neil Marks, vote to hand back the Sleeping Lizard to the local mob. Councillor Bill Moorhouse voted against the motion.

In an emotional and historic vote, Lismore City Council last night passed a motion to hand back Banyam Baigham – Sleeping Lizard, known as the North Lismore Plateau, to the Traditional Custodians.

Lismore Mayor, Councillor Vanessa Ekins, spoke at length about the significance of handing back the Council owned land.

Representatives from the local mob including Uncle Mick Ryan, Aunty Marie Delbridge, Aunty Thelma James and Mindy Woods, and North Lismore Plateau Protection Association Inc. spokesperson Dot Moller, took the opportunity to speak in favour of the motion during public access.

The authority and standing to speak for Country

Uncle Mick Ryan said he had both the authority and standing to speak for that country.

‘At the outset, I say to you all that tonight is an historic moment. Grasping this monumental opportunity is a real positive action, more than just empty words.

‘This is a very big step by our community for justice and reconciliation. For all of us, Aboriginal and non-indigenous alike.

‘Not supporting this hand back will just be a continuation of all the injustices people have suffered through massacre, dispossession, stealing of their children in the 200 years of the discriminatory policies enacted by colonial, state and Commonwealth governments.

‘What happens tonight will reflect not only on the Council but the wider community.

‘I believe it will not only be a tragedy but an opportunity lost. There is no question the land to be handed back has been identified as containing some of the most significant and sacred sites within the Bundjalung nation.

‘My responsibility as a senior elder of the Bundjalung nation is toward the protection of ancestral lands and all the animals, plants and people who dwell within.

‘Let’s commence this process of reconciliation and recognition in a meaningful way to right the great injustice, for Council to listen carefully to what I have said and did a proper thing.

‘We Aboriginal people have a strong tradition embedded in our culture of sharing and caring and welcoming.

‘Go beyond the personal politics and point-scoring.

‘All of you see the demand for supporting this historic occasion and supporting the hand back of our sacred land to the rightful landowners,’ said Mr Ryan.

A deep affinity with particular areas of land

Also speaking for the Bundjalung was Mindy Woods who said that Traditional Custodians have a deep affinity with particular areas of land. ‘Much of our sense of identity is derived from it,’ she said.

‘One area is not exchangeable for another, unlike those of Western land systems. We recognize the cultural, spiritual and historical significance of Banyam North Lismore Plateau.

‘This land is steeped in our history, our culture, our spirituality, and our very existence. This is your history.

‘We support and hope to celebrate the motion that custodianship of Council-owned land on North Lismore Plateau be returned to the Widjabul Wia-bal clan group.

For you, our Councillors, this is a significant decision, but a small and vital step to a long journey towards genuine recognition, reconciliation, protection and celebration of our history,’ she said.

‘We extend our thanks and extend our hand to join you on this journey.’

The Sleeping Lizard

Cr Ekins, who moved a motion that Council hand back Council-owned land on the North Lismore Plateau to the Traditional Owners, was very passionate in her address to the chamber, imploring all councillors to vote in favour of the motion.

‘This is a pretty important decision that we’re making to heal Country.

‘We’ve been talking about the North Lismore Plateau and development on it for 20 years. We’ve spent many years in consultation with the Aboriginal community about the significance of that land. And we know that the site is really significant to the Aboriginal community. It’s Sleeping Lizard Hill, it’s well documented and known to us.

‘We need to hand back Council-owned land to the Traditional Custodians. It’s a really small but significant gesture. And it links Lismore with the National Native Title process that’s going on around us everywhere.

‘A Native Title claim was lodged in 2013, and what that claim has done for the Widjabul Wia-bal Custodians, it has recognized that there is connection for Widjabul Wia-bal people to the North Lismore plateau, going back time immemorial.

Cr Ekins outlined the distant and recent history of the land and concluded that the best use for that land is that it be handed it back to the care and control of the Widjabul Wia-bal Traditional Custodians. ‘It’s a pretty easy decision tonight Councilors, we just decide to hand it back.

‘We can’t use this land. We haven’t used it for 40 years, and we’re unlikely to use it for another decade, but it’s really important to the Widjabul Wia-bal Traditonal Custodians. They can protect it and manage it.’

Just hand it back

‘I’m just asking you to make the decision tonight. Just to hand it back,’ said Cr Ekins.

The motion was passed with votes in favour from Crs Ekins, Lloyd, Bird Marks, Cook, Casson and Guise with only Cr Bill Moorhouse voting against.

REX Airlines Sydney-Grafton-Lismore route to remain open until September 2021?

 

It would seem that the Clarence Valley’s only airport at Grafton may have received a temporary reprieve.

On 22 February 2021 Regional Express Airlines (REX) announced for a second time in a little over eight months that it would be abandoning its passenger service into Grafton Airport, this time commencing 23 March 2021.

Again leaving the Clarence Valley without a passenger airline service.

Now that Lismore City and Clarence Valley Councils have been successful in getting an extension of the Regional Aviation Network Support program for the next six months - alas not the twelve months they lobbied for - it is expected that REX will continue to fly the Sydney-Grafton-Lismore route.

However, REX is yet to issue a media release confirming that it has altered its plans to abandon its passenger service to Grafton on 23 March.

Given the airline's established modus operandi I would not be surprised to learn that it is approaching both local governments to see if it can squeeze more airport fee or other concessions from them before it commits to flying in for another six months.

NSW Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is hoping Lismore City Council can reset and make local ratepayers and businesses its main priority in the months leading up to local government elections in September this year

 

Lismore City Council resets in lead-up to election: Saffin

STATE Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is hoping Lismore City Council can reset and make local ratepayers and businesses its main priority in the months leading up to local government elections in September this year.

Responding to media inquiries for comment on the election overnight of Cr Vanessa Ekins as Mayor and the departure of General Manager Shelley Oldham, Ms Saffin said these were decisions for the elected body alone to make.

“Locals have told me it’s been a few torrid years at Council and what we need is some calm leadership for the good of ratepayers and residents. Looking after them must again be the Council’s main priority, as it is mine,” Ms Saffin said.

“I’d like to see more attention given to our CBD businesses and industry. The September election is likely to ring in changes in the make-up of a new Council who will have the job of recruiting a new GM with a view to the future.

“I wish only positive things for that future.”

Media Release, Wednesday, 10 February 2020.

For the second time since its 9 July 2020 first issue "The Northern Rivers Times" gets publicly admonished

https://issuu.com/heartlandmagazineaus/docs/northern_rivers_times

Echo NetDaily, 9 October 2020:

Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith has called for an apology from the the Northern Rivers Times over their front page story about the nomination of general manager Shelly Oldman for the NSW Government Minister’s Awards for Women.

‘The Northern Rivers Times must immediately apologise to the General Manager of Lismore City Council Shelley Oldham, the Lismore community, and their own readers for the very personal hatchet job they did on its front page this week,’ he said in a press release this afternoon (Friday, 9 October, 2020).

The article is headed ‘YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING!’ and finishes stating that, ‘The anger when the announcement was made was apparent on Social Media and the people in the street of Lismore and surrounds.’ [sic] The Northern Rivers Times further claimed that, ‘more than 3,000 readers made comments’ on Facebook or contacted their office.

‘The attack on our General Manager is totally without substance. It is cheap lousy “journalism” and our community deserves better,’ says Mayor Smith.

‘The Casino-based paper appears to have a personal vendetta against Ms Oldham and Lismore City Council. It is the second time they have personally attacked our General Manager. Last time they were forced to print a retraction for its factually incorrect story.

‘The current article, which was mostly a lazy cut and paste from social media, claims that “more than 3000 readers made comments (on Facebook)” or contacted its office following Ms Oldham’s nomination for a NSW Government Ministers Award for Women.

‘This not only reflects badly on Council but on all the great women nominated for these awards and the Minister’s office who promoted it.

‘In fact, just over 50 people made a comment across a number of Facebook pages.

‘Many of us in the community were very keen to support this new paper and were prepared to accept early missteps, but it has gone from bad to worse and has now lost our trust.

‘Newspapers and the media have great power in our society, but with it comes great responsibility.

‘The Northern Rivers Times has failed the responsibility test and must apologise.

‘Lismore City Council will no longer support the paper or assist its “journalists” as the paper has shown it is has no journalistic integrity and does not even attempt to provide fair, accurate and balanced reporting.’

The first newspaper article which caused comment was one published in July 2020 concerning an alleged sexual assault that was described on social media as 'a nasty, victim blaming story' and a 'suspect' article.

Clarence Valley & Lismore City were recognised for their achievements at NSW Local Government Week 2020

Last week was NSW Local Government Week 2020.

Clarence Valley and Lismore City councils received recognition.

Excellence in Communication - Division B - population between 30,000 and 70,000: 

Winner Clarence Valley Council 
Communicating in Recovery 

Judges' comment 

Outstanding. An amazing example of innovative and responsive best practice that is informed by the community and also specialised sources such as Red Cross and NY post 9/11. As someone who was directly impacted by bushfires last summer and is involved in community led recovery, this is a fantastic example of how to implement a disaster recovery engagement plan within existing resources. 

Excellence in Leadership Award - Division B - Outstanding Individual Contribution: 

Highly Commended Clarence Valley Council 

Des Shroder for Strong Leadership in times of Crises 

Judges' comment 

Des demonstrated leadership in dealing with the important issue of high youth suicide in the area; he proactively sought solutions to improve the mental health and well-being of the community and his hard work and commitment facilitated delivery of important services to provide for the needs of young people.

Innovation in Special Events - Division B - population between 30,000 and 70,000: 

Highly Commended Clarence Valley Council 
Introduction to Surf Safety for non-English Speakers 

 Projects - Division B - population between 30,000 and 70,000: 

Highly Commended Lismore City Council 
Dungarimba Wandarahn (Lismore place of learning)

Even when trying to do the right thing are Morrison Government MPs hampered by the penny-pinching ways of their leader

Lismore City Council, 9 April 2019:

As a result of the significant flood event of April 2017 that impacted Lismore in the wake of ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie, Lismore City Council was successful in securing funding for the repair and remediation of a major landslip located at Beardow Street, Lismore Heights.

The initial works at an estimated and approved cost of $1.12 million were funded by the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

Contaminated soil was discovered during the restoration process and the cost of remediation is significantly greater than the currently available funding.

When contamination was discovered, eligibility for compensation through the NDRRA changed outside of Council’s control. Council was initially advised that the remediation was eligible for NDRRA funding. This advice was rescinded in late 2018. Negotiations with State agencies continue on this matter and work has stopped while funding issues are resolved.

The area is still contaminated and material needs to be removed. A schedule of works has been developed for full remediation of the site.

The residents in the vicinity of the landslip rightly seek a resolution to the issues associated with access to property, remediation, repairs to the landslip and the lack of clarity around timeframe for completion.

Residents have worked with Council to manage the issues and need closure. They are acutely aware of the process Council needs to follow and have justifiably reached a point where a solution is both required and demanded.

Council’s estimated cost to complete the remediation works is an additional $2.4 million. Council’s December 2018 quarterly budget review provides $700,000 to address the remediation at Beardow Street. Council has been advised of an alternate estimate to complete the works in the order of $5.7 million undertaken by an affected landowner. To date Council has been unable to source the estimated funding shortfall of $1.7 million from Government.

Council is continuing to negotiate a funding outcome. Council held an emergency meeting with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) on Thursday, 14 March 2019 to find a solution. RMS management attended the site on Tuesday, 19 March 2019 to discuss options. A steering committee has been formed with Council and RMS staff. RMS has made available their geotechnical and environmental specialists, however no alternate solution has been recommended. RMS has made application to the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for a review of NDRRA eligibility. OEM have escalated the matter to the Federal Government for review of eligibility, however there is no guarantee of success and no time frame for a response. On 29 March 2019 RMS requested Council make application for a Specific Purpose Grant. The outcome of this application is unknown.

The nearest licenced disposal site for the asbestos contamination is in Queensland. The Queensland waste levy comes into effect on 1 July 2019. The levy will add $2 million to the cost of the project in contaminated soil disposal costs.

Council has engaged litigation specialists to provide advice on NDRRA eligibility and options to secure funding. The current advice is to commence with formal correspondence to RMS and/or OEM. This action is underway.

The solution proposed is for Council to obtain the required $1.7 million shortfall from government. We require support from Council for the actions taken to date as well as support for any legal proceedings instigated to recover the restoration costs associated with this natural disaster event. 

On 26 April 2019 during the recent federal election campaign The Northern Star reported that all the candidates, including sitting Nats MP Kevin Hogan, had been asked to commit $10 million to fully remediate this site.

On 27 May 2019 a Lismore journalist stated that Hogan has committed $2.4 million to remediate the asbestos and chemical contaminated landslip. Although it was not explained how he could do this when the new Lib-Nats Coalition Government is weeks away from being sworn in by the Governor-General or why he was committing to less than a quarter of the money requested.

Council is still considering instigating legal proceedings to progress the eligibility of its initial claim for state funding.

Lismore City Council quarry fined for failure to conduct ground water assessment before rock extraction

A business unit of Lismore City Council, with an annual turnover of around $12 million and a licence to extract 600,000 tonnes of aggregate per annum until 2039, has been caught breaching council’s consent conditions.

NSW Dept.pf Planning and Environment, media release, 4 July 2016:

The Department of Planning and Environment has fined Blakebrook Quarry $15,000 for failing to undertake a ground water assessment before commencing extraction in the quarry’s South Pit, in accordance with their conditions of approval.

A spokesperson from the Department said compliance officers have liaised with the company on numerous occasions since 2011 about the failure to submit the required groundwater assessment, which was due by 30 June 2010.

“Despite the Department issuing a Notice of Intention to Give an Order in September 2011, a subsequent Warning Letter in January 2012 and a Draft Order in March 2013, the company has not submitted the required ground assessment,” a spokesperson said.

“Compliance officers have confirmed extraction of hard rock has begun in the South Pit without the ground water assessment, which must be approved by the Department.

“The Department has confirmed works in this pit have continued as recently as December 2015.

“In addition to the $15,000 penalty, the Department has issued an Order to the company to conduct monitoring, and provide the groundwater assessment by a specified date.

“Failure by the company to comply with the Order may attract stronger enforcement action which could include the commencement of proceedings in the Land and Environment Court.

“Our compliance officers conduct spot checks without warning, regular inspections and audits as well as work with companies to ensure they are sticking to the rules.

“The Department actively conducts compliance audits and also offers education and training.

“The Department can issue the highest on-the-spot fines in the country for breaches of conditions.

“The community is also encouraged to contact the Department with any concerns. Complaints will be investigated by the compliance team.”