Ratepayer-funded influencers are paying off in Canterbury, local tourism operators say.

Brown and Simpson are expected to meet over the next day or two.

Councils were ‘seeing a surge’ of sovereignty citizenship arguments.

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Melbourne is no longer on track to overtake Greater Sydney's population, meaning Sydney will retain its position as Australia's largest city for at least another decade.

The government's annual Population Statement had previously projected that Melbourne's population would surpass Sydney's by 2031-32, despite the sharp exodus the city experienced during the pandemic.

However, the latest statement notes that a review of overseas migration flows has changed that.

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"Having reassessed state-level overseas migration patterns, the Centre no longer projects Greater Melbourne's population to overtake Greater Sydney's by 2034–35," the statement said.

Other cities are set to experience a population boom, with Greater Brisbane projected to be home to more than half of Queensland's population from 2025–26 for the first time since 1978.

As of 2023–24, Greater Sydney's population stands at 5.6 million, making it the largest city in the country, with 66 per cent of New South Wales' total population.

However, its growth rate is expected to slow, dropping to 2.3 per cent in 2023–24 and 1.7 per cent in 2024–25.

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Meanwhile, Greater Melbourne's population is currently 5.4 million, comprising 77 per cent of Victoria's population.

Like Sydney, Melbourne's growth rate is also projected to decline, reaching 2.9 per cent in 2023–24 and 2.2 per cent in 2024–25.

Australia's population is projected to grow from 27.1 million people in March 2024 to 31.3 million people by 2034–35.

The annual population growth is forecast to decline from 2.1 per cent in 2023–24 to 1.2 per cent by 2034–35.

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The photos showed piles and piles of sodden books stacked up in mountains outside Lismore's library.

They're the images that will be forever etched in the nation's memory of the floods that ravaged the town and the NSW Northern Rivers region in 2022. 

Around 30,000 books from Lismore Library were destroyed as the floodwaters surged to 1.6 metres, reaching its collection on the second floor for the first time.

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Now, in a display of resilience and hope, Lismore's main library was reopened to customers for the first time since the floods today, as the building's extensive $5.6 million renovations near completion.

Lismore Area Librarian Michael Lewis said the finishing touches were still being put on the Lismore Library, but the council was responding to community demand to re-open the space as soon as possible.

"We know how important the library is to our community, which is why we decided to welcome them back despite the final works yet to be finalised," he said.

"With the elevator still not operational, we have temporarily relocated a selection of services from the higher levels to the ground floor."

After the floods, a pop-up Library was opened in town and a children's library operated from the Lismore Central Shopping Centre.

These temporary sites have now closed.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said it was exciting to see the main building operational again.

"Like many people, I vividly remember the disturbing picture of the large pile of water-soaked books outside the library reaching up to the second story," he said.

"While we are not quite there in terms of the rebuild, the public is keen to return to their treasured library, as is the staff." 

The renovated library has been designed to be sturdier and more flood-resistant.

Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, said the reopening of Lismore Library was a powerful symbol of the community's rebuild.

"Almost three years on, and today we see not just a restoration of what was lost, but a transformation that ensures this space is stronger and better prepared for the future," Hogan said.

An official opening for Lismore Library will take place in March, once the renovation work is complete.

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