Chamber Chats are proudly brought to you each month by the Chamber President.
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who put their heart and energy into combatting the recent bushfire emergency. To the multitude of businesses that contributed their time and resources, thank you. The fires severely affected many businesses and your generosity of spirit and resources during times such as this is so important to strengthening and enriching the community response. (more)
Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who put their heart and energy into combatting the recent bushfire emergency. To the multitude of businesses that contributed their time and resources, thank you. The fires severely affected many businesses and your generosity of spirit and resources during times such as this is so important to strengthening and enriching the community response.
It’s hard to think about normal Chamber business so immediately after the dramatic time we’ve just had but it’s my role to give an overview of our activities over the past year. Our small committee is made up of a group of people committed to community and together we have achieved much to be proud of. We have worked in close collaboration with the Nimbin Community Centre and the Nimbin Advisory Group, partly because our committee and work roles overlap, which has encouraged a pooling of resources delivering better outcomes for both local business and the wider community.
We have continued the Chamber’s mission to restore and enhance the murals in our village. We have donation tins around town which trickle in funds. We have also used funds collected from local business property owners through Lismore Council’s Special Business Rate Levy. We have seen two important murals redone this year and are financially supporting the restoration of two more murals and the creation of a new one above the soon to be constructed Rainbow Cafe. We were also engaged in the Light Up Nimbin Project which has seen a small part of the main street and associated murals beautifully lit up. We are hoping to extend this project over the next 12 months. In addition, the refurbishment of the Welcome to Nimbin sign at the northern entry to the village was also a Chamber outcome.
The Chamber has been actively engaged in supporting important local events such as the Nimbin Roots Festival and the Nimbin Poetry World Cup. We contributed to a Welcome to Nimbin kit for new residents, in partnership with the Nimbin Advisory Group and the Neighbourhood Centre and are grateful for support received in printing from the Nimbin Bush Theatre. The Chamber has also initiated a Buy Local campaign which we hope local businesses and community members will continue to support.
On a longer-term, strategic level we have made a lengthy submission to Lismore Council’s economic development strategy (awaiting outcomes regarding this), lobbied for better pedestrian management around the village (especially Cecil St), written support letters for community organisations applying for funding, protested withdrawal of the Rainbow Road village walking trail from Council’s delivery plan, advocated for delivery of DA approval for the fire sites, queried the distribution of developer contributions collected from Nimbin, and much more. In June we met with Lismore Council’s General Manager, Shelley Oldham, and raised many concerns but at that stage Shelley was focussed on addressing Council’s massive budget deficit so it was not the most satisfactory of meetings. A decision on whether to proceed or not with their proposed rate increase was voted on by Council in November with a 25% increase over 4 years recommended. However, following our meeting with Shelley, we now have a dedicated Nimbin liaison person in Council which improves communication lines considerably.
To keep you informed we make regular contributions to the Good Times in Chamber Chat. We have also launched a new website and are currently ironing out teething problems. It looks great but we need it to function effectively as well. Our thanks to those who are working on this. We also had a bit of a membership drive to encourage more local businesses to join us. Our committee for the past year has been comprised of myself, Teresa Biscuit Vice-President (Coordination Coop), Peter Hughes Treasurer (Nimbin Tax & Accounting), David Spain Secretary (Nimbin Law), together with Kylie Cain (The Green Bank) & Steph Seckold (markets coordinator). At our recent AGM Caroline Todd (Hemp Embassy) and Sammi Allen (Nimbin Apothecary & Clinic) were elected as ordinary members to join the previous committee. As set out in the Chamber’s constitution, I will continue as President for the next 12 months, a role I have enjoyed thanks to my fellow committee members and others who have volunteered their time to Chamber initiatives. Hopefully our next 12 months will be as productive.
Light Up Nimbin
This project is complete for now and we hope you like the results. A local person has been trained in adjusting the lighting and we’ve had a request to slow down the speed of light changes so we’re planning to give that a go. Our thanks go to the Nimbin Community Centre for their considerable support managing this project. (more)
Light Up Nimbin
This project is complete for now and we hope you like the results. A local person has been trained in adjusting the lighting and we’ve had a request to slow down the speed of light changes so we’re planning to give that a go. Our thanks go to the Nimbin Community Centre for their considerable support managing this project.
Meanwhile we’d like to extend the current installation to beyond the new mural above the Visitor Information Centre and the businesses in that precinct. We’re currently exploring options with a view to raising funds to make this possible. We’re also looking at a similar set up on the other side of the street, from the School of Arts to the Hotel and maybe beyond. This will require considerable funding but would be a wonderful main street addition.
Main Street Murals
Meanwhile the Chamber will contribute $2000 towards a new mural above the School of Arts. Gilbert Laurie and Oral Roberts have agreed to do this, hopefully before Xmas. In addition, we’re looking to refurbish the Burri Jerome mural above Daizy’s as it has faded considerably over the years. Elspeth Jones and Julie de Lorenzo have agreed to take on this project, artists of considerable talent who are responsible for the two new murals in the village. If you’d like to support our mural initiatives please give generously in the mural collection tins located in various businesses in the village.
Cecil Street footbridge
Council were successful in securing funding to construct the footbridge. It is hoped it will be in place by Xmas and the current temporary traffic calming devices and signage removed.
Nimbin CCTV
Renewal includes upgrading the five existing cameras and installation of two new cameras, one in the Western Carpark and one on Cullen Street looking into the Community Centre. Each location will have one pan-tilt zoom and one fixed camera providing 24/7 monitoring. Night lighting for observation will no longer be critical as the technology has much improved. By the time you read this work should have commenced with a view to completion by end November.
Economic Development Strategy
Lismore Council’s draft Economic Development Strategy 2019-2024 is currently on exhibition for comment. We’d encourage those interested to have a look and input https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/drafteconomicdevelopmentstrategy
The strategy will be accompanied by some funding and resourcing and, while very Lismore focussed, its implementation will engage both the Chamber and the Nimbin Advisory Group in relation to Nimbin initiatives. The Chamber discussed the strategy at length at our recent meeting and will be making a detailed submission before the closing date – 12 November. Some of the initiatives we’d support as having specific relevance to our village are:
Lismore Council’s Community Participation Plan
Currently on exhibition until 21st November. The plan identifies when certain types of development require notification, whom should be notified, signs displayed and advertising requirements. I know many have been concerned about the intensity of development around the village and it’s important people have input at the early planning stages to be effective. This is a chance for you to have your say to guide consultation into the future: https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/.
Electric car charging
Know anyone with an electric car? We understand Rainbow Power has two car charging stations.
Chamber’s AGM
The Chamber will be working to deliver the best outcomes we possibly can on all the above and more. To this end we encourage all local business people to join or rejoin the Chamber and attend our AGM scheduled for 20th November, 6pm, in the Comskool room at the Community Centre (not Birth & Beyond as previously advertised as there was a prior booking). If you’d like to stand for the committee please nominate in advance. Joining forms and nomination forms can be obtained from our Secretary, David Spain, at Nimbin Law or Peter Hughes, our Treasurer, at Nimbin Tax & Accounting. Memberships can be paid to Peter or directly into our bank account
Feedback on any of the above or other issues always welcome chamber@nimbin.nsw.au or ring me on 0427 886 748.
