Council concerned Lismore will “miss out”

LISMORE City Council have expressed disappointment that Lismore missed out on ‘regional city’ status in the draft North Coast Regional Plan released last week.

LISMORE City Council, as well as spokespeople for NSW Labor, have expressed disappointment that Lismore missed out on 'regional city' status in the draft North Coast Regional Plan released last week by the NSW Government.

The draft Plan will guide strategic planning across the North Coast over the next 20 years, covering the council areas of Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Greater Taree, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tweed.

Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell explained that Lismore City's status was downgraded from major 'regional city' to a second-tier 'regional centre' secondary to Tweed Heads, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.

She said the draft NCRP targets growth in its nominated three regional cities and the council is deeply concerned that this will seriously disadvantage Lismore when it comes to state government investment.

"This could result in Lismore missing out on vital infrastructure funding despite the fact we boast major regional government services that require ongoing funding such as Lismore Base Hospital, a district court and Southern Cross University," Cr Dowell said.

"The draft plan acknowledges the importance of the health services sector to the community and economy but its stated intention to prioritise infrastructure planning only in the regional cities could lead to shortfalls in future investment in Lismore."

Cr Dowell said council understood that Tweed Heads, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour were given the higher order 'regional city' status as a result of their size and growth rates, but she pointed out that when it comes to having major regional services, Lismore City was on a par with these larger cities.

"We are planning for a significant increase to our population and growth rate, and that will require better infrastructure and improved services into the future," she said.

"The NSW Government's Fit for the Future report singled out Lismore as the regional centre of the Northern Rivers, so it seems inconsistent that the draft NCRP has now seen us downgraded.

"We would like to see this position reviewed as it has significant ramifications for Lismore's future."

Labor spokespeople have also spoken out about the draft plan for the North Coast, stating that the Baird Government continued to ignore the long-term infrastructure, employment, education and health in important regional centres in NSW.

Shadow Minister for Planning and the Environment Penny Sharpe said: "The North Coast is the fastest growing region outside of metropolitan New South Wales.

"Sadly, this draft plan fails to deliver enough detail for the North Coast to map out a coherent and strategic blueprint for the future.

"The focus should be on providing economic growth and employment throughout the North Coast. Not just for those who enjoy the sea breeze but for everyone in Northern New South Wales."

Labor spokesperson for Lismore Mick Veitch said: "I can't believe Thomas George has been silent on this important issue. Surely a city with a major university campus should be a centre for regional growth in Northern New South Wales.

"People living in rural centres in Northern New South Wales deserve equal access to opportunity and prosperity as their coastal cousins."