A new Festival is coming to Lismore next year. Modelled on Sydney’s Shine Festival, it will see the laneways in the CBD become a hive of activity.

Yesterday, Page MP Kevin Hogan announced almost $600,000 of Federal Government funding for Lismore City Council to put the festival on. He also announced funding to resurface Eggins Lane, to improve drainage and roof water discharge, as well as install power infrastructure to support community events, festivals and pop-up businesses.

Back Alley Gallery

Eggins Lane is part of the Back Alley Gallery network of street art and will become a focus of the festival in the heart of Lismore’s CBD.

Lismore Mayor Isaac Smith said the upgrades to lighting, roads and drainage will make the popular laneways safer for visitors.

“People always come to see the Gallery when they visit Lismore – you have to go as far as Melbourne to see something similar,” he said.

“The upgrade will take away trip hazards and new street lighting will make people feel safer when they walk through Lismore CBD.”

Grants a big step forward

The funding for the laneways is part of a multi-staged upgrade and Mayor Smith said it was a “big step forward” as Council worked with government grants to make it happen.

Shine Festival

The Shine Festival is set to be a week-long event to “re-illuminate the region's 'shine' attracting visitors and reigniting tourism in the region”, Cr Smith said.

“The program will include streetscape illuminations, visual art show of indigenous storytelling, live multimedia art exhibitions and a live sculpture walk.”

Lismore Councillor Elly Bird the festival will showcase the area and revitalise the heart of the city.

“It will be held over a number of locations and involve local musicians and performers in the festival,” she said.

“We are an innovative and creative region and will be looking to involve local artists,” she said.

2021 date

The Shine Festival is currently set for September 2021, but Cr Bird said because of Covid, “we don’t know what it will look like 12 months from now”.

“We hope we will have more free movement and enjoy the Festival.”

She acknowledged that the festival and street upgrade will also create jobs, generate income for local businesses, as well as boost tourism.

Lismore City Council received over $1 million as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program. $447,570 has been allocated for the reconstruction of Eggins Lane. Councl also received $145,000 through the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants for ‘Shine Festival’.