Lismore installs colourful parklets to attract visitors back to CBD

The first of two ‘parklets’ to encourage people to visit the Lismore CBD has been installed in Keen Street near the Embassy Arcade, under a program funded by the NSW Government.

As part of the trial project, called ‘Spaced Out’, each parklet will occupy one parallel car park space and include seating, vegetation, tree shade and colourful art to deliver a connection between existing green spaces within the city centre.

Lismore City Council’s Manager of Economic Development Tina Irish said the project was designed to improve CBD amenity and provide COVIDSafe spaces where people could congregate in the CBD.

Irish advised “this is not only important for the general community, but it’s also crucial to help our local businesses during the next phase of adapting to a COVID world.

“Providing more seating where people can relax in the CBD while being safely socially distanced is a positive improvement for visitors and businesses alike.”

The second parklet is scheduled to be installed in Molesworth Street outside the Star Court Theatre next week.

Irish added “Importantly, the locations for these parklets were identified to minimise any potential impact to local businesses.

“As part of the project, we are also conducting a social distancing awareness campaign in the Lismore and Nimbin business centres.”

Irish explained that when COVID first hit, Council delivered an advertising campaign to encourage people to buy take away and purchase items from local businesses via their websites adding “we also removed fees to help businesses, like charges for outdoor dining.

“This parklet project is another program to support local businesses and help bring more visitors and shoppers into the CBD.”

The parklet project is a three-month trial, during which time community members will be asked to provide feedback via QR codes on-site at the parklets. Council will also collect data on community usage to determine if and how they are used in the future.

Irisn continued “should the project receive positive feedback, work will be undertaken with the community in 2021 to identify future temporary parklet locations.”

The trial parklet project is funded through the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Streets as Shared Spaces program.

Early in December 2020, Victoria’s Port Phillip also saw the transformation of a number of its parking bays into temporary community parklets, offering a new form of public space across the City.

The Victorian Government contributed a $100,000 grant under its Neighbourhood Activity Centre Renewal Fund towards the community parklets. Council has provided more than $100,000 for this project under its Live Love Local initiative aimed at keeping Port Phillip vibrant during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery phase.

The fenced modular designs offer additional recreational opportunities for residents to meet friends and family or dine outdoors with the ten parklets in place until at least 30th April 2021 after which they may transfer to other locations.

Image top: Lismore parklet courtesy of lismore.nsw.gov.au/ and image above - Port Phillip community parklet.