Latest NNIC News

Nimbin Community Disaster Plan - Survey - CLOSES 31 January 2021 The recent flood event was a timely reminder of our ongoing need to develop a Community Disaster Plan. A plan which helps us work together to address issues before, during and after disasters strike. Nimbin community members are working in partnership with Lismore City Council to develop such a plan.

*For the purposes of the Disaster Planning process, Nimbinites are defined as those people living around Nimbin who would be most likely to call upon Nimbin services and information sources, or evacuate to Nimbin in the event of a Disaster (compared to e.g. Lismore, Kyogle or Murwillumbah).

Nimbin Community Disaster Plan - STEP TWO - Tuesday 9th February 2021 Nimbin Town Hall Nimbin Disaster Plan - Community Info/education session followed by community workshops.

The current proposal is to hold a 2.5hr info session in the morning with speakers from the key disaster response agencies (SES etc) to update the community on the overall State-led Disaster response etc mechanisms. Followed by a community workshop from 3-5pm to start developing our community plan, which will be repeated at 6-8pm. Our Nimbin Plan will be about filling the gaps as a community in the processes involved in preparing for (before), responding to (during) and recovering from (after) the range of disasters that are likely to impact our community, particularly as the effects of climate change bear down upon us. GET THIS DATE INTO YER DIARIES!! This will be a registered event due to Covid and more details will be posted soon. For those who cannot make it on that date there will be at least one other opportunity for input by community members, but the input from the community on the 9th Feb will be the most comprehensive chance to have input into the Disaster Plan so come along if you can.

Important Message from SES to Northern Rivers Residents attached. Be prepared for a predicted season of heavy weather. More info and helpful tips here.

Nimbin Pool Re-opening Saturday 19th December 7.30am Any changes will be posted here and on Hook Ups. Or on the pool gate. If you are willing to volunteer we need more people to help keep the pool open. You will need a current working with children check number and will need to attend an induction. If you are willing email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nimbin CDAT Youth Arts Competition WILD Winners Announced! See our CDAT page for details.

The NEXT round of Nimbin Holiday Club (Vacation Care) SUMMER 2020 - commenced on 4th January 2021. Full program details here.

Nimbin Pool Officially Open!! The pool opened on Monday 30th November 2020. It will be open 7 days a week, inlcuding public holidays, from 7.30am until 6pm, unless we advise otherwise (e.g. a flood is about to descend upon us!). (Like last week!)

A million thanks to all the willing volunteers who have stepped up to ensure that Council's Covid Safety Plan is implementated so that we can have the pool open this season. More volunteers are needed. Volunteers will be required to ensure people entering the pool sign in for Covid tracing purposes, remind people about Physical Distancing and wipe down key surfaces every 2 hours. Volunteers will NOT be required to enforce physical distancing rules etc. Volunteers MUST have current Working With Children Checks which you can apply for free here, and MUST attend an induction session at NNIC. To register, email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nimbin Holiday Club aka Vacation Care Nimbin Holiday Club (aka Vacation Care) SURVIVES! (for another year). We are pleased to announce we received transition funds to keep this service going until June 2021 in order to investigate a new model under which parents would be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy. In order to make this transition we need to find out more about what parents may need from a vacation care program. We know that the limited hours has not suited many working families and this is our opportunity to expand the program to more days during school holidays and for longer hours each day. BUT we need to hear about whether this is really needed and whether we can in fact make the program viable in Nimbin. PARENTS of kids aged 5-12 years (or soon to be 5) please do our survey. Please share this survey around to anyone relevant folks.

NOW RECRUITING: Casual Staff for Nimbin Holiday Club/Vacation Care. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a Job Kit.

Got unpaid fines? Struggling to pay them off? Unpaid fines attract fees and penalties and over time can become an overwhelming financial burden.You may be eligible for a Work Development Order so that you can pay off your fines via volunteer work at NNIC. There are lots of different things you can do to help us out - also at 7 Sibley St. Phone us on 66891692 or just drop in to make an appointment with Peter for more info.

Covid 19 - NNIC opening hours NNIC is open 10am-4pm weekdays for face to face services, PC and copier access, support services and food relief.

Centrelink Mon-Thursdays 10am-2.30pm, Fridays 10am-2pm.

Physical distancing, hygiene and other safety measures will continue to be in place at the Centre. See our website for other Covid 19 updates and community info: www.nnic.org.au

If you need NNIC services and support but you are: In compulsory self-isolation, OR Feeling unwell, OR Feeling nervous and wanting to maintain social isolation, then YOU CAN CALL us on 6689 1692 and we can arrange a telephone appointment for you so you do not have to come in personally.

Tools & Equipment Library and Seed Exchange are both still operating at Sibley Street. Please contact Steph on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange pick-ups or drop offs.

NNIC Memberships are due for renewal on 1^st July 2020. Your memberships are important to us. Great value at $5.50 per year. Drop in to renew during our opening hours.

Tools and Equipment Library Memberships Because of Covid 19, all existing Tools and Equipment Library memberships will be extended for another year at no extra cost PROVIDING that you all renew your NNIC memberships (see above).

Equipment Library memberships are open to all NNIC members. To join, simply come into NNIC, fill in the membership form and pay $22 (plus $5.50 to join NNIC if you haven’t already). You will need photo ID and a separate document no older than 3 months old showing your current residential address (e.g. rates notice, rent receipt, phone or electricity bill, letter from MO confirming address). If you would like to join but cannot get in during our opening hours contact Nat on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make alternate arrangements.

Wanted: Front Desk Assistant volunteers Must have min Cert II in relevant field (e.g. Welfare, Community Development) or be currently undertaking Cert II or higher qualification. Must be reliable and able to do at least one day per week (6 hour shift). A great way to gain experience in the sector, connect with the Nimbin community and contribute to NNIC and Nimbin. Please send CV to The Manager, NNIC This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (or drop it in). For more info contact Kath at our front desk.

Need help navigating your devices? In these times of working, learning and connecting on line, we suspect that some people could use a bit of help. We have people here who are trained to assist you to learn how to use your devices including everything from how to access the internet, make video calls or set up your device and e-safety tips.Call us or drop in to see if anyone can assist you.

Report on the 2019 Community Sustainability Survey 241 of you did this survey way back in October 2019...right before the Mt Nardi bushfire and then Covid 19. You can find the Report on our website Survey Results page. Makes for some fascinating reading and well worth a look.

Introducing Darren Smyth We are very pleased to welcome Darren to our team. Having worked for over 30 years in drug and alcohol services around Australia, Darren is a highly experienced Drug and Alcohol Nurse Practitioner who is joining our existing Nurse Practitioner, Genevieve Beggs, to deliver Nimbin Integrated Services (NIS) at NNIC on Fridays. More info about NIS here.

Are you struggling to make ends meet because you have lost income as a result of Covid 19? Are you either a) not eligible for Jobseekers or Job Keepers? or b) you are eligible but you are still left with a reduced income and unable to pay your bills? We may be able to help with some of your expenses including electricity bill relief, food vouchers, telstra vouchers, food or other material aid. If this sounds like you don't be backwards in coming forwards..we are here to help you through this...we make no judgements and all services are confidential...don't struggle through this all alone. We can also provide mental health support. Call us on 66891692 to make an appointment with our community worker available Wed-Fridays at NNIC.

Living with long term mental health issues and wondering if the NDIS is right for you? Make an appointment with our Community Worker to find out more.

Nimbin Community Drug Action Team (CDAT) is still meeting regularly via Zoom. More members would be very cool. Especially if you are aged under 50! And extra especially if you are aged between 18 and 25. We do lots of fun and creative stuff and we need input from people with diverse experiences. To join contact Nat on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can invite you to the next meeting. Check out our new animated films on the CDAT page on this website.

SuperHeroes Wanted! Are you into acting and dressing up in fun costumes? Enjoy going along to events, festivals and gigs or even STARRING in movies? Are you around 180cms tall and of slim build, reasonably fit and healthy? Then do we have the ultimate volunteering opportunity for you! We need males and females. All SuperHeroes have at least one ‘Wrangler’ with them at all times, so it’s a great job for 2 friends to do together if you prefer.

Covid 19 Info 

GENERAL INFO

Self-isolation - you MUST self-isolate at home for 14 days if

• You have cold or flu symptoms; or
• You have returned from overseas in the last 14 days; or
• You have been in contact with someone who has the virus; or
• You are otherwise instructed or recommended to by Health personnel.

Call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 with questions regarding prevention and the spread of Covid 19.

Testing Mid North Coast and Northern NSW communities can now access free COVID-19 assessment and testing across the region. People with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms are encouraged to attend a free respiratory clinic in their local area or visit their GP via telehealth to obtain a referral for pathology testing.

Healthdirect Help If you think you may require testing, or to speak to a registered nurse who can provide advice when you’re not sure what to do — whether you should see a local GP, manage the condition at home, go to an emergency department, or call an ambulance, call healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Physical Distancing and hygiene it is essential that everyone cooperates and maintains a distance of at least 1.5metres from each other and washes hands frequently and properly, sneeze and cough into your elbow and generally avoid close contact with people other than immediate household members as much as possible.

Support for Small Business for the latest info on support packages for small businesses impacted by Covid 19, including wage subsidies, tax relief etc. and how to apply for this support, see https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business

Income Support for people whose employment has been impacted by Covid 19 For info see www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19/people-who-dont-get-payment-from-us-coronavirus-covid-19

If you need assistance navigating the Job Seeker process, come into the Services Australia/Centrelink Agency at Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre at 71 Cullen St 10am -2.30pm weekdays.

Local Services and Support Available in Nimbin

Nimbin Medical Centre (GP Clinic) Mon-Friday 9am-5pm with strict hygiene and social distancing measures in place. Telephone consultations are available to high risk patients (children aged under 1 year and people aged over 70 years) Call 6689 1410 for an appointment. Please call ahead if you need to see a Doctor, rather than just dropping in.

Nimbin Hospital if you have cold or flu symptoms or are concerned you may have Covid 19 please call the National Helpline on 1800 022 222 for advice.

For all other patients seeking assistance with general health issues, please call the hospital on 6689 1400 before presenting, if possible. Please also call before planning a visit to the aged care residents.

Domestic and family violence and child safety risks Please keep your eyes and ears alert to everyone around you. Now is the time to make sure everyone is safe, including women and children from abuse and violence. Never have the risks been higher to victims of abuse and violence trapped behind closed doors. If you have any concerns or worries for yourself or anyone else, call NNIC on 66891692 for support and guidance, or call:

1800 RESPECT 1800 732 732

Domestic Violence Helpline 1800 65 64 63

Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491

NSW Ageing and Disability Abuse Hotline 1800 628 221

Covid 19 On line Scams On-line scammers are using Covid 19 to their advantage - be very wary of texts or emails telling to you to get tested or notifying you have been in contact with infected person asking you to click on link to download a form to fill out and take to your nearest hospital. IT IS A SCAM. And it's not the only one. https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert-service/widespread-reports-covid-19-malicious-scams-being-sent-australians

Wildlife rescue Wildlife rescue services are still operating to the best of their ability. Please be patient as resources are stretched. For rescues and advice call:

WIRES 6628 1898

NRWC 6628 1866

Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers 6672 4789

Friends of the Koala 6622 1233

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Tune into NIM FM on 102.3 FM for more regular local info.

Make sure you keep an eye for updates and keep people you know who may not be on line or have access to regular info, informed as much as possible.

If you have updates, corrections or additions to this info please send them to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. AND This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We all need to work together and support one another as much as possible. Please keep an eye on people you know who may be especially vulnerable and call NNIC on 6689 1692 10am-4pm weekdays with any concerns.

For emergencies requiring ambulance, police or fire response Call 000

Latest News 7 Sibley St - Nimbin's Sustainable Living Hub

Coming up in 2020 at 7 Sibley Street We have almost completed the fit outs needed to expand our Soup Kitchen and Food Relief program storage and overall capacity.

We will be building new food gardens to support our Food Relief programs so we can provide more fresh veges to people in need.

Our Tools and Equipment Library will reopen in January 2020 for community borrowing, and skills development workshops will commence in 2020 for existing or prospective tools and equipment library members.

A large variety of workshops will continue to provide skills and raise funds to keep the doors open.

7 Sibley Street will continue to operate as a satellite hub of NNIC, providing info about our services and referrals into programs.

It will continue to function as a key composting and recycling hub in the community, aiming to develop a social enterprise recycled plastics project in 2020.

It will also continue to function as a promotional hub for local producers to enhance our local economy and job opportunities.

More details in 2020.

See the Sibley St website for latest info and updates

Sustainability Plan Updates

Progress against the goals of the SNCP can be found via the Sustainability tab above under each key Focus Area's own page.