Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark

Share Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark on Facebook Share Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark on Twitter Share Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark on Linkedin Email Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark link

This project is now complete.

Lismore City Council recently accepted a tender for the design and construction of a $650,000 ‘Solar Carpark’ in the Council-owned Clyde Campbell carpark. The infrastructure includes the installation an architectural ‘butterfly-shaped’ awning, clad with photo-voltaic solar panels and covering 40 carparks. It also includes the installation of two Electric Vehicle (EV) fast chargers, with the potential for additional EV chargers to be installed in the future.

The sustainable design and shape of the roof is inspired by the native Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. The Birdwing Butterfly vine – the butterfly’s food source – will grow on the shade structure from hanging planter boxes.

How is this project being funded?

The Solar Carpark is 100% funded by a Federal Government Grant. Council received $1 million under the ‘Drought Communities Program’ in 2021 and has dedicated $650,000 of that funding to this Project. The program has supported 52 NSW councils to complete infrastructure and other drought-relief projects.

What will the benefit be?

The key purpose of this infrastructure, and the alignment with the ‘Drought Communities’ grant, is to demonstrate leadership in addressing the climate related causes of drought and other natural disasters through sustainable technologies. The solar carpark will harness renewable energy to provide charging stations for EV users and much needed shade for CBD users and their vehicles. Excess solar energy will be fed back into the electricity grid.

What about future flooding events?

The potential for flooding at the site was a major consideration of the design. All electronic/electrical components are positioned above the 1% AEP flood level of 12.45 AHD (the level specific to this location) or are removable (the EV charger). The solar roof of the structure includes an extra 500mm of ‘freeboard’ so the lowest solar panels sit at approx. 12.95 AHD. Furthermore, the structure itself has been engineered to withstand these flood depths and velocities, including an allowance for debris build up.

How will parking be affected?

Carparking will be maintained, with the structure installed over the existing configuration. Two of the 40 car parking spaces will be reserved for electric vehicles only.

To ensure safety and efficiency during construction, parking in the area shown in the attached map will be temporarily disrupted (fenced off). The project team will work in with local business as best as possible to ensure deliveries, bin pick ups etc. can continue whilst the temporary changes are in place.


Lismore City Council recently accepted a tender for the design and construction of a $650,000 ‘Solar Carpark’ in the Council-owned Clyde Campbell carpark. The infrastructure includes the installation an architectural ‘butterfly-shaped’ awning, clad with photo-voltaic solar panels and covering 40 carparks. It also includes the installation of two Electric Vehicle (EV) fast chargers, with the potential for additional EV chargers to be installed in the future.

The sustainable design and shape of the roof is inspired by the native Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. The Birdwing Butterfly vine – the butterfly’s food source – will grow on the shade structure from hanging planter boxes.

How is this project being funded?

The Solar Carpark is 100% funded by a Federal Government Grant. Council received $1 million under the ‘Drought Communities Program’ in 2021 and has dedicated $650,000 of that funding to this Project. The program has supported 52 NSW councils to complete infrastructure and other drought-relief projects.

What will the benefit be?

The key purpose of this infrastructure, and the alignment with the ‘Drought Communities’ grant, is to demonstrate leadership in addressing the climate related causes of drought and other natural disasters through sustainable technologies. The solar carpark will harness renewable energy to provide charging stations for EV users and much needed shade for CBD users and their vehicles. Excess solar energy will be fed back into the electricity grid.

What about future flooding events?

The potential for flooding at the site was a major consideration of the design. All electronic/electrical components are positioned above the 1% AEP flood level of 12.45 AHD (the level specific to this location) or are removable (the EV charger). The solar roof of the structure includes an extra 500mm of ‘freeboard’ so the lowest solar panels sit at approx. 12.95 AHD. Furthermore, the structure itself has been engineered to withstand these flood depths and velocities, including an allowance for debris build up.

How will parking be affected?

Carparking will be maintained, with the structure installed over the existing configuration. Two of the 40 car parking spaces will be reserved for electric vehicles only.

To ensure safety and efficiency during construction, parking in the area shown in the attached map will be temporarily disrupted (fenced off). The project team will work in with local business as best as possible to ensure deliveries, bin pick ups etc. can continue whilst the temporary changes are in place.


This project is now complete.

  • Lismore City Council Solar Carpark

    Share Lismore City Council Solar Carpark on Facebook Share Lismore City Council Solar Carpark on Twitter Share Lismore City Council Solar Carpark on Linkedin Email Lismore City Council Solar Carpark link


  • Clyde Campbell Solar Car Park is open

    Share Clyde Campbell Solar Car Park is open on Facebook Share Clyde Campbell Solar Car Park is open on Twitter Share Clyde Campbell Solar Car Park is open on Linkedin Email Clyde Campbell Solar Car Park is open link

    The solar carpark is now open. The finishing touches were made and all fencing removed.

    The Electric Vehicle charger will be available from the afternoon of Friday 23 December onwards for charging vehicles.


  • Project Update - November 2022

    Share Project Update - November 2022 on Facebook Share Project Update - November 2022 on Twitter Share Project Update - November 2022 on Linkedin Email Project Update - November 2022 link

    The estimated completion date for the Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark has been moved to early December 2022. The project was original scheduled to be completed by late October but delays were experienced with gaining Essential Energy endorsement on the switchboard design. This led to impacts on timing of fabrication of the board, and the subsequent galvanised steel platform.

    Workers will be resuming on the 7th Nov 2022 and will remain onsite through to the completion of the works.

    Additional points of community interest with respect to the project include:

    • A community led art project is currently under review and subject to funding and resourcing. Details will be shared shortly.
    • Richmond Birdwing Butterfly vine, hoya and Dianella will be planted in the planter boxes at the base of the columns and along the length of the structure

    We value community feedback, and encourage you to ask any questions via the Q&A tab of this page. Otherwise, you can reach out directly by emailing council@lismore.nsw.gov.au

  • Accessible Parking Update

    Share Accessible Parking Update on Facebook Share Accessible Parking Update on Twitter Share Accessible Parking Update on Linkedin Email Accessible Parking Update link

    Community feedback in conjunction with Council's Access and Inclusion Advisory Group consultations, has led to a review of the Accessible Parking spaces for the Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark.

    This is a positive outcome for our greater community, to ensure shaded parking spaces are available for all.

    If you would like to Have Your Say on this project, please utilise the Q&A function of this page, email council@lismore.nsw.gov.au or write in to PO Box 23A, Lismore NSW 2480.


    4.1 Request for Accessible Parking Zones - Clyde Campbell Carpark, Lismore

    Request has been received for the installation of two (2) accessible parking spaces, in addition to two (2) dedicated EV charging carparking spaces in Clyde Campbell Car Park, Lismore.

    There are two (2) existing accessible parking spaces on the southern side of the car park.

    The matter was raised with Councils Project Delivery Manager who is overseeing construction installation for sun shading works in the car park.

    There is also a request for the inclusion of two EV charging car parking spaces in the same location.

    RECOMMENDED that Council support the request for the installation of two (2) accessible and two (2) dedicated EV charging car parks, within the Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark.

    Voting for: Councillor Jeri Hall, Caleisse Dunston, Snr Const Rod Ferris and Harry Gregg.

    Voting against: Nil.



  • Project Updates September

    Share Project Updates September on Facebook Share Project Updates September on Twitter Share Project Updates September on Linkedin Email Project Updates September link

    The asphalt works are finished, with the roof structure now also completed.

    Design for the switchboard has been completed, approved by Essential Energy and is currently being fabricated.

    Estimated project completion is mid December 2022.

  • Monday, 5 September 2022

    Share Monday, 5 September 2022 on Facebook Share Monday, 5 September 2022 on Twitter Share Monday, 5 September 2022 on Linkedin Email Monday, 5 September 2022 link

    With the steel structure now erected, all foundations and underground infrastructure also installed; the Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark is beginning to make it's mark in our community.

    Throughout August, 90% of the asphalt works have also been completed, including flood damaged area.

    The solar panels have arrived at site ready for installation, with the project remaining on schedule to be completed for late October.

    Council have also been consulting with Advisory Groups to ensure our community interests are considered for this project, including provision for additional accessible parking spaces and public art. Updates will be posted to this page as these works progress.

  • August 4 2022

    Share August 4 2022 on Facebook Share August 4 2022 on Twitter Share August 4 2022 on Linkedin Email August 4 2022 link
    Construction of the Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark and EV Charging Station officially commenced in early July. Electrical work for the 75kW DC fast Electric Vehicle (EV) charger, capable of charging two cars at one, has been installed.


    Today crews resurfaced the area of the Solar Carpark with asphalt and prepared the landscaping sections.


    The next phase of this project will be constructing a 100kW solar array, which doubles as a shade structure – Engineered to withstand floods.


    At the same time today, the carpark was repaired in sections from damage due to the 28 February natural disaster. Crews prepared the surface of the carpark and resurfaced it with asphalt.
  • July 4 2022

    Share July 4 2022 on Facebook Share July 4 2022 on Twitter Share July 4 2022 on Linkedin Email July 4 2022 link

    Construction for the Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark starts today.

    Some works have been completed in readiness last week, which included mobilisation and asphalt being stripped away. The completion date for the project is estimated for the end of October, 2022.

    We encourage community members and local businesses who have questions to utilise the Q+A function of this article, so we may share responses with the wider community. If you would like to discuss further feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out to Council directly.

    Council would like to thank the community for their patience, and we look forward to delivering this project.

  • June 10 2022

    Share June 10 2022 on Facebook Share June 10 2022 on Twitter Share June 10 2022 on Linkedin Email June 10 2022 link

    Construction schedule has been pushed back for works on the Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark.

    Construction will now recommence July 4th, 2022.

  • May 27 2022 Update

    Share May 27 2022 Update on Facebook Share May 27 2022 Update on Twitter Share May 27 2022 Update on Linkedin Email May 27 2022 Update link

    The Clyde Campbell Solar Carpark will recommence works on June 22, 2022.

    Further engagement with the community is now underway, and community members are encouraged to post their questions in the Q&A tab of this article.