Night lighting, shading and seating in Lismore’s CBD laneways could be on the cards over the next few months as a new grant-funded Lismore Laneways Project gets underway.

Lismore City Council Mayor Isaac Smith said Council is calling on the community to help co-design and transform Lismore’s under-utilised inner-city areas and take part in a public workshop on July 9.

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“Coming out of coronavirus, it’s important to bring business back to the CBD and make sure it thrives,” he said.

“We have businesses who know how to work well in public spaces and we want to work with them and make good placemaking events here in the future.”

Cr Smith said a laneway network in the city centre was not something you see in many cities, expect Melbourne, and utilising it was an important part of bringing culture and arts back into the city.

“We are surrounded by street art here in the Eggins Lane Back Alley Gallery and people flood in to see it," he said.

"We want to keep art alive and stimulate the creativity of Lismore again.

“We need people to own and love these spaces, and encourage greater activity by hosting dining, live music and pop-up activities, art installations, gatherings and community events.”

Cr Smith said the Lismore Laneways Project is fully funded through a $510,00 NSW Government grant and will help to stimulate the vibrancy, safety and visitor appeal of the city centre.

The project will be completed by the end of 2020.

To play an active role in shaping the project design and implementation, you can join the Lismore Laneways Project Working Group by registering for the July 9 workshop.

Places are limited, so register early to secure a place. For more information and registrations, visit https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/lismore-laneways-project

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Project background

“In late 2019, Council held workshops around the region as part of an extensive community consultation process to develop a new Economic Development Strategy,” Cr Smith said.

“This included a collaborative engagement process which sought to understand community aspirations for the future of Lismore.

In partnership with VEE Design, Fourfold Studio and DFJ Architects, the project aims to work collaboratively with local businesses and community members to bring new life and activation to some of Lismore’s most under-utilised spaces.

Harriet McKindlay, Placemaking Consultant with independent engagement specialists Fourfold Studio, said the project could not come at a better time to give businesses a sense of confidence in their city.

“We are eager to partner with local Lismore businesses, cultural organisations and community leaders to get hands on in shaping the direction of this project and bringing life to these spaces,” Harriet said.

“It will also support the community to reconnect as restrictions on gatherings and community interactions are eased.

“The revitalisation and activation of Lismore’s laneways came through strongly in these engagement activities and was identified as a key priority.

"The Lismore Laneways Project will assist in activating underutilised land, support local businesses, create new public space at the city core, showcase local art, provide new space for activations and programs, and result in increased time and money spent in our city centre.”