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Business Activation Plan Snapshot
page 6 Business Activation Plan Snapshot
Reporting & reflecting
Regular reporting and analysis are vital to the ongoing success of any business development project. See page 28 for overview of Plan monitoring, evaluation and communication processes. GOALS
OBJECTIVES
PLACE
VIBRANCY
People are excited about being in Lismore and Nimbin business centres. Spaces and activities engage people to try out new things, reflecting our creative and resilient community
EXPERIENCE
Streets and spaces are attractive and easy to get around. People feel safe and a sense of connection
V1. Build on Lismore Laneways pilot to creatively and strategically enable activities and connect sites across the city
V2. Leverage key events across Lismore and Nimbin, to boost visitor numbers, attendees’ experience, and local business patronage
V3. Celebrate our community, including First Nations and local people’s diverse heritage, stories and vision for the future
V4. Bring spaces to life and engage visitors with cultural placemaking E1. Enhance wayfinding to meaningfully connect business centre precincts and attractions
E2. Mobilise parklets to create appealing and versatile spaces for people to enjoy taking time in business centres
E3. Increase urban greening across business centres for shade, street appeal, and wellbeing benefits
E4. Contribute to improved streetscapes, benefiting business centre ambience, perceived safety, and boosting day and nighttime economy
BUSINESS & EVENTS
PROMOTION
Local centres, events and business community are showcased. Signature events are well loved and attended, and businesses leverage these event opportunities
SUPPORT
Programs, opportunities and information resources are offered to help existing and new businesses to flourish in Nimbin and Lismore
P1. Deliver new Business Activation marketing and communications strategy, amplifying promotions, stories and engagement for growth
P2. Highlight upcoming events to benefit local business, community members and visitor engagement S1. Offer local businesses access to learning and training programs, which benefit growth, resilience and innovation
S2. Pilot microgrant program, supporting new and innovative activation ideas to be realised in town business spaces
S3. Support local businesses to access sustainable innovation opportunities, leverage online technologies and encourage startup community development
S4. Communicate helpful information that supports business stakeholders to achieve shared goals for Lismore and Nimbin
Purpose and themes for action
The primary purpose of the Business Activation Plan is to support existing business communities in Lismore and Nimbin, recognising that supporting local businesses now will have flow-on effects into the future. Progressing placebased outcomes for the centres of Lismore and Nimbin is good for business and for the people who live or visit here. Two priority themes have been identified to deliver immediate impact and positive flow-on effects: 1. PLACE – enhancing the vibrancy and experience of local spaces and events 2. BUSINESS AND EVENTS – promoting and supporting our local businesses and events to thrive.
These themes underpin four primary goals to guide Business Activation Plan implementation.
Image 2: Themes and primary goals for the Lismore and Nimbin Business Activation Plan
theme 1: place
VIBRANCY
People are excited about being in Lismore and Nimbin business centres. Spaces and activities engage people to try out new things, reflecting our creative and resilient community
theme 2: business & events
PROMOTION
Local centres,events and business community are showcased. Signature events are well loved and attended, and businesses leverage these event opportunities
EXPERIENCE
Streets and spaces are attractive and easy to get around. People feel safe and a sense of connection.
SUPPORT
Programs, opportunities and information resources are offered to help existing and new businesses to flourish in Nimbin and Lismore
TREVOR WORDEN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATSKY
Building from previous experiences and success
We developed this Plan informed by a broad suite of activities and consultation that have already been done by Lismore City Council, the Nimbin and Lismore Chambers of Commerce, and many other community groups and individuals. In bringing this Plan together, LCC drew on previous knowledge and good ideas, along with new research about business activation and engagement with local business and community. Many community ideas and concerns have been synthesised into actions outlined here, and suggestions that are beyond this Plan’s scope have been collected to inform other Council teams, including assets, maintenance services, procurement, development, events, engagement, and broader economic development initiatives. See Appendix for overview of engagement and horizon scan findings (available at lismore.nsw.gov.au/ business-activation-Plan ). This Plan gives Lismore City Council a way to prioritise and realise action, underpinned by sound evaluation and communication frameworks.
Plan Principles
Building on a simple framework and targeted actions, this Plan recognises that partnering and collaboration is key to success. Actions have longer lasting and effects if initiatives are worked on together: with business owners, organisations, residents, visitors and Council. To meet this goal, the actions in this Plan have been informed by the principles outlined below.
Table 1: Lismore Business Activation Plan Principles. Adapted from Hip v. Hype Sustainability (2019) Shaping the Lismore CBD Report.
Principle How this guides business activation Planning
Connected Supports or develops connections across and between town centres
Inclusive Focuses on person-centred activities that are accessible to all
Collaborative & in Partnership Presents opportunities to partner with other organisations, agencies and peak bodies
Strategic Leverages work underway, and aligns with priorities identified in Council, State and Federal government Plans and strategies
Experimental Tries and tests new ideas that support business activation
