Open Space, Walking & Cycling Strategy

Thank you to all who participated in the engagement activities for the Open Space, Walking and Cycling Strategy.

The strategy has been developed considering both Local and State Government plans, community consultation and extensive open space audits. Your feedback was essential in shaping the finalised Strategy.

Click the image to view the adopted Open Space, Walking and Cycling Strategy 2024 - 2034

Lismore City Council is seeking community input on two long-term strategies. The Open Space Strategy and Walking and Cycling Strategy are long-term plans that guide future investment in and maintenance of Lismore’s parks network, walking and cycling infrastructure.

The need for an Open Space Strategy and Walking and Cycling Strategy was identified in the Sport and Recreation Plan to 2024, which recommended that Council:

• ‘Develop an Open Space Strategy to enhance the provision and maintenance of Lismore’s parks network’ and,
• ‘Prepare a Walking and Cycling Strategy to encourage increased participation in walking and cycling for recreation, commuting and fitness’.

These recommendations were also included as an action of the Local Strategic Planning Statement which was adopted by Council in 2020.

We encourage you to read the below information on each strategy before taking the time to complete the survey and place pins on the interactive map of the Lismore LGA, where you would like to see investment in walking and cycling infrastructure. The survey and interactive map are located on the bottom of this page.

Open Space Strategy

The overall aim of this Strategy is to ensure that Lismore remains an attractive and healthy place to live and work with ample opportunities to enjoy the unique and biodiverse local environment in a recreation setting or an active sporting context.

The main goals of the Open Space Strategy are to:

• Provide strategic direction for the future provision of recreation parks in accordance with State Government planning legislation
• Recommend the distribution and standard of open space appropriate to Council’s population, projected growth, corporate priorities and emerging community needs
• Review existing Desired Standards of Service (DSS) for the provision of public open space
• Ensure that the provision of open space meets the environmental objectives of mitigating against the impacts of climate change and providing biodiversity benefits
• Ensure that the provision of open space meets the objectives of improving community safety, participation, accessibility, equity and health outcomes.
• Establish different ‘themes’ into the planning of open spaces including Sporting facilities (future training hub), Nature spaces (nature play, hiking, walking trails), Connections with the River (arts trail).

Walking & Cycling Strategy

The main goal of the Walking and Cycling Strategy is to identify a strategic approach for the provision of infrastructure that meets the needs of all ages and abilities and will:

• Encourage increased participation in walking and cycling for recreation, commuting and fitness within and around Lismore and its surrounding villages
• Create a positive culture of walking and cycling throughout the Lismore LGA
• Enhance walking and cycling connections to future Rail Trails for both local participation and economic benefit
• Improve the amenity and accessibility of local neighbourhoods by facilitating active transport

Priority will be given to projects that facilitate access to and between:

• recreation areas, sporting facilities and green spaces,
• shopping and medical precincts,
• schools and other education facilities,
• public transport nodes and
• residential areas

The strategy will provide cost estimates that will allow Council to plan for future infrastructure investment and will also support grant applications.