5 things that made Jenny Dowell skip out of council meeting

THIS phone photo, captured by Lismore councillor Vanessa Ekins, speaks volumes of how the mayor felt about last night's council meeting.

Jennny Dowell happily skips away from council chambers after a successful meetings, which have culminated many long-term goals. Picture: Vanessa Ekins Facebook

THIS phone photo, captured by Lismore councillor Vanessa Ekins, speaks volumes of how the mayor felt about last night's council meeting.

With the tenders for Lismore gallery and historic solar projects officially inked, there was every reason to skip.

1. Gallery ready for construction

The mayor has staunchly championed a new gallery space throughout her eight years in local government . There have been funding knock-backs as well as vocal opposition, but last night council finally granted the tender to build the $5.8m project to local construction company Bennett Constructions.

Bennett Constructions ranked first in the evaluation criteria for the tender to undertake the Lismore Regional Gallery redevelopment works. It submitted the lower tender of $4,866,332.

The Lismore company built the award-wining Lismore City Hall. The other tenderer Woollam Constructions came a close second in council's tender calculations.

2. Rainbow Power score GSAC solar farm

History was made and tenders were awarded for Australia's first community funded, council operated solar farms.

Local solar pioneers Nimbin Rainbow Power Company scored the tender for 5 various council buildings:

Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre 99kW Solar Farm

Goonellabah Community Centre 10kW.

Lismore Library: 20kW.

Oakes Oval Gordon Pavilion: 10kW.

Wyrallah Road Depot: 30kW

3. Solar system for Sewage Treatment Plant

Council also awarded the contract for a Floating Solar PV System at East Lismore Sewage Treatment Plant to Suntrix Commercial for the amount of $268,330. The pond at the South of the STP was considered to be the most suitable location for the 99.9kW solar PV System.

4. Parking pragmatism

The mayor supported Gianpiero Battista's urgency motion for council to meet with NSW Health over the hospital precinct parking debacle.

The motion stated: "That LCC seek an urgent meeting with NSW Health to address concerns expressed by the community on the impact of the Car Parking Strategy and explore opportunities to reduce/minimise this impact".

5. It's nearly over

Next Tuesday, August 9, will be the last meeting before Lismore City Council goes into caretaker mode. Which means Mayor Dowell only has one more meeting to go.