The Lismore City Council has put the Visitor Information Centre on Molesworth Street up for lease.

The building which sits adjacent to Heritage Park has 256 sqm of first floor retail space and 34 sqm of upper floor office space and features and indoor rainforest replica, cultural gallery including Aboriginal historical display, gallery space, office space, staff toilets, display shelving and service counter.

The Council's Tenders, Quotes and Expressions of Interest website portal states "Lismore City Council is inviting Expressions Of Interest (EOI) from suitable organisations/individuals who may be interested in the lease of the Visitor Information Centre in Lismore."

"Council prefers that proposals include the provision of tourism information services, including the retention of existing rainforest replica and cultural and historical displays within the Centre."

The Visitor Information Centre was closed on July 1st this year following the adoption of the Operational Plan 2020/21 by councillors at the June 17 council meeting. There was much debate over what areas of council services were cut in order to reduce a ballooning council deficit.

In that meeting Director Partnerships, Planning and Engagements Dr Sharon Harwood said "there is no money to run any Visitor Information Centres"

Heritage Park is currently undergoing a $500,000 makeover which may make the business more attractive to potential leasees. The upgrade includes a new water play area, with a range of squirters, misters and water cannons. As well as a new nature play area with boulders and timber features for children to climb on and new equipment in the tiny tots playground including a carousel, tree-tops tower, whirly dizzy, relocated tortoise seesaw and inground trampolines.

The works are continuing but should be open in the coming months.

Submissions for the Visitor Information Centre lease close at 2pm on Thursday, 17 September 2020.

Interested parties are required to register at Council's eProcurement portal www.tenderlink.com/lismore, to access relevant documents