An Aboriginal community health service in Lismore has opened a new flood-resilient building. Rekindling the Spirit was severely affected by the 2022 floods. The $4.4 million facility was funded by the Australian and NSW governments and will restore health, mental health, counselling and social support services. A separate $2.4 million grant is rebuilding the service's existing site, with works due for completion later this year. Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said the facility marks a major recovery milestone.
Rekindling the Spirit, an Aboriginal health service hit hard by the 2022 floods, has opened a new flood-resilient building in Lismore. The $4.4 million facility will offer health, mental health, counselling and social support services that were disrupted by the floods. Funding came from the Australian and NSW governments through the Aboriginal Owned Assets Program. A separate $2.4 million grant is rebuilding the service's existing site on Uralba Street, which is due to finish later this year. Chief executive Chris Binge said the project represents more than 35 years of advocacy by the Widjabul Wia-bal community.
Nearly five years after the 2022 floods, many Lismore residents are still rebuilding their lives. Alison Norris and her children must leave a temporary pod village by mid-December and have nowhere else to go. Some residents have relocated or accepted buyback payments, while others remain on the floodplain. A New South Wales auditor general report found earlier buyback programs did not deliver what was promised. The state government has since announced more land release and new homes.
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Work to restore Ipswich's riverside walkway at River Heart Parklands is underway, with the park expected to reopen to the public early next year. Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said about 20 metres of concrete footpath damaged by severe weather from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in 2025 is being rebuilt. Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said a landslip caused the embankment under part of the path to collapse. Bank stabilisation works, including piling, rock protection and minor re-vegetation, aim to make the site more flood resilient.
