Creating and sustaining a circular economy has been a topic of interest among the community for some time now. As a result, there are some great initiatives across the Northern Rivers you might want to get involved with.
Northern Rivers Reuse and Repair Trail
The Northern Rivers Reuse and Repair Trail is a website that maps and lists qualified repairers, repair cafes and shops, events selling pre-loved goods as well as repair guides and forums. The Trail helps us to keep waste and pollution out of systems and in the local economy.
Take a look at the Reuse and Repair Trail, and log your own business or event, at https://reusetrail.com.au/.
Shedding on the Road aims to empower a joy of carpentry, building, salvage and repair work and is bringing 6 weekends of workshops and events to 6 locations around the Northern Rivers between April and September 2024. The roadshow will come to Lismore on the 10th and 11th of August. For more information and to book, visit
here.
Lismore Community Garden – Call for help
Lismore’s community garden is a non-profit organisation run by local volunteers.
The group aims to contribute to the community of Lismore, by encouraging people to get involved in gardening activities, grow edible produce, help improve family nutrition through healthy eating, facilitate environmental sustainability, promote local health and fitness and provide education about a variety of gardening related topics through training projects and workshop.
Currently, the community garden is working to establish a seed bank where the community can access free seeds and seedlings to take and grow at home.
As the community garden is not always staffed, the seeds are left out on the ‘Sharing Table’ where they are exposed to wind and rain, which isn’t great (food produce is also left out, so be sure to check it out!).
The community garden is currently seeking a glass-door cabinet or fridge to provide weather protection for the free seeds/seedlings (and books). This will enable the community to continue self-sourcing these great resources. If you know of any glass-doored fridges (broken is fine!) or shelves that could be donated to the community garden, please get in touch with them via their Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/lismorecommunitygarden.
The garden is located at the corner of Brewster and Magellan Streets and everyone is always welcome to join in on the fun. Social working bees are held on Wednesday mornings and other events are advertised via Facebook.
NSW Energy Rebates
The NSW Government has a range of rebates for eligible householders, for those on low incomes, earning family support or on a pension. For more information and to apply, visit
Service NSW.
NSW Farm Business Resilience Program – Farm Business Coaching
The Farm Business Coaching Program is designed to support participants to develop or update existing farm business plans through providing individually tailored professional support and advice to complete your business plan.
The coaching program offers subsidised access to professional business coaches who will deliver both on-farm support and group workshops to prepare you and your business for the risks and challenges the industry faces. Find out more and register your interest here.
Your feedback and suggestions
We’d love to hear from you if you have feedback on the content of this newsletter or ideas on what you’d like to hear about.
Send any thoughts to
Jamie.vaniersel@lismore.nsw.gov.au.