The Lismore Business Promotion Program (LBPP) is a partnership between lismore business, Lismore City Council and the lismore community. The LBPP is funded by the Special Business Rate Variation Levy (SBRVL).

The purpose of this funding is to ensure Lismore retains its function as a regional centre, with the revitalisation of the City Centre identified as being the key to this objective. Financial control of the SBRVL funds, including all purchases on approved budget items, is retained by Council, together with auditing and acquittal responsibilities. Council also provides significant additional resources to assist the City Centre Manager. The SBRVL is governed by the Lismore Business Promotion Panel and administered by Lismore City Council.

lismore business promotion

our vision

“Lismore’s City Centre will be a vibrant destination for residents and visitors to conduct business, socialise, enjoy the products, services and place”.

lismore business promotion

our role

The over-arching purpose of the Lismore Business Promotion Program is to promote Lismore in a positive manner which reinforces our position as the regional centre of the Far North Coast of NSW. The key objective of the LBPP is to revitalise the CBD in order to achieve our vision.

All of the Lismore Business Promotion Program’s marketing activities and the 'Lismore – come to the heart' brand collateral is aimed at achieving our key objective and reinforcing both our regional status and the special nature of the City Centre.

We know that people are drawn to a place by activity. Research findings contained within the ‘Lismore Alive’ Final Report, coupled with the results of strategic planning sessions by the LBPP, Lismore Tourism and other marketing bodies all point to the need for year-round events and attractions in the city centre, carefully designed, coordinated and promoted.

lismore business promotion

assistance

The LBPP provides financial assistance for events, attractions and retail promotions by accessing funding through the Special Business Rate Variation Levy (SBRVL). The LBPP assesses funding applications at its monthly meetings, where applicants, large or small, meet common criteria and provide post-event reports.

Event organisers need to demonstrate that the major portion of funds applied for are for promotion, but some logistical expenses can be may be met as well. Nearly every event or promotion takes place in the defined Lismore City Centre zone, but there is provision to assist a smaller number of attractions from the broader Lismore Urban Area.

lismore business panel members

The Lismore Business Promotion Program is governed by the nine-member Lismore Business Promotion Panel (or ‘LBPP’). As a group, the LBPP meets monthly or as required, and is responsible for providing direction and guidance to Council on the Lismore Business Promotion Program and expenditure of the Special Business Rate Variation Levy (SBRVL) funds.

Rob Walker
Centre Manager, Lismore Shopping Square

Rob represents the largest single contributor to the SBRVL, with over 80 businesses in the one complex. His driving passion is to see Lismore grow and develop, declaring that “If we can attract more people to Lismore, then we all win.”

Jodie McRae
Owner Beauty Spot at The Square, Price Attack and North Coast Beauty Supplies
Jodie operates 3 successful business’ in Lismore, employs over 30 staff and has two Children.  Jodie was nominated for Telstra Business Women of the Year in 2014 was appointed to “the Panel” in 2013. 

Paul Deegan
Real Estate Agent, LJ Hooker
Mr Paul Deegan was born in Lismore, educated and worked in Sydney, and returned to Lismore in 1987. Mr Deegan has a Bachelor of Building Degree from UNSW, and worked in the Construction industry for some10 years as a Site Engineer, Site Manager and Project Manager on construction projects ranging from $2m to $70m.
Mr Deegan returned to Lismore to continue the family business. LJ Hooker Lismore, which was established in 1916 is 97 years old this year. The business was commenced by Mr John Deegan, Paul’s grandfather. Mr Deegan was on the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Institute of NSW for 11 years and was honoured as a Life Fellow of the Institute in 2007.  He is also on the Management Committee of the Real Estate Employers Federation, and has been on that Committee since 1998.  Mr Deegan was a Board Member of Realestateworld from 2007 until 2011. Realestateworld is a business run by the Restate Agents Co-Operative to assist members in the presentation and sale of all types of Real Estate, and the major publication can be seen every week in many parts of NSW including the Far North Coast. Mr Deegan is a fully licensed real estate agent, and has had experience in the development and sale of all the usual facets of regional real estate, and in addition ran a construction and project management company in the early 1990’s.  Mr Deegan has been on several committees associated with Lismore City Council including the Economic Development Advisory Group, and is well acquainted with the Lismore CBD and surrounds, having worked right in the middle of it for 26 years.

Sharon Dowling
Co-Principal, Lismore Professional

“I have been Co-Principal of Lismore Professionals for over 15 years. Having moved to Lismore from Melbourne in the late 1970’s I consider myself “almost” a local as my son Leigh and daughter Claire were both born in Lismore. Real Estate, particularly in the Lismore area, has played a large part of my life as my husband Rod was involved with a well know project building company for over 20 years we have both been involved in many construction and investment projects in the area. I am an active member of several community organizations including Our Kids, Our House, The Stella Network and am a proud recipient of the highly coveted Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Rotary Club of Summerland Sunrise.

Michael Haddin
Manager, Chandlers Lismore & LBP Chair

Former president of the Lismore Chamber of Commerce, Michael has been the manager of landmark business Chandlers (now Betta) for 28 years and is a passionate advocate for retailers in the City Centre.

Brent McAlister
Lismore City Council’s Executive Director, Sustainable Development

Brent is a town planner by background with over 15 years’ experience in City Centre revitalisation, Brent has pioneered major upgrades of the CBDs in Gladstone, QLD and Hamilton, New Zealand.

Barry Robinson
Private Pilot

Born in Lismore, I hold a bachelor of business majoring in computing, I spent 9 years as a computer analyst working for Queensland Rail and BHP. I returned to Lismore to manage my family's commercial leasing/development business 20 years ago. I was president of Lismore Unlimited for 8 years and an active member involved with the creation of the SBRVL. I started the city safe committee and was on several other council committees. My proudest achievement was the upgrade of Molesworth Street. I am a private pilot and in my spare time I restore vehicles and am developing a four seat electric aircraft.

Issac Smith
Councilor & Operations Manager, Northern Rivers Community Transport

Isaac was born in Lismore and has worked in and managed local businesses since 1988. He married his wife Denise in 1995 and they have four children aged between 16 and 5.
His 25 years of experience in the local area include extensive retail work in his younger years, many years running his own media business, 7 years as a Lecturer at Southern Cross University, all leading to his current role as Operations Manager for Northern Rivers Community Transport. He was elected to Lismore City Council in 2008 and has been a council representative on business committees since that time.

Isaac said it is his passion for the city that draws him to local business and representation as a Councillor. He believes that local business is the foundation of a strong community and is passionate about placemaking which turns public spaces into places, in much the same way a house can become a home. He believes that, in making spaces people want to be a part of, you create a vibrant and inviting culture that supports business development and community participation. This can transform the city and engage people with urban centres once again.

Nicole Sheaffe
Centre Manager, Lismore Central Shopping Centre, Goonellabah Shopping Centre, Macksville Shopping Centre, Cabarita Shopping Centre, Carrara Shopping Centre

Jason Mumford
City Centre Manager, Lismore City Council
Born and raised in Lismore, Jason's family were retailers in the CBD in the mid 70's and his mother Judy was the familiar face of Lismore's office of AGC. Jason and his family moved back to the region in 2003 after spending almost 20 years in Sydney and Melbourne. His background expands the financial sector, tourism & hospitality, advertising & communications, architecture and interior design. Jason has more than 30 years marketing experience and a sound understanding of place activation.  

city centre manager

Lismore City Council, CBD Centre
55 Magellan Street
PO Box 23A
Lismore NSW 2480
1300 87 83 87              
02 6625 0400
council@lismore.nsw.gov.au
facebook.com/cometotheheart

lismore business promotion

our vision

“Lismore’s City Centre will be a vibrant destination for residents and visitors to conduct business, socialise, enjoy the products, services and place”.

Lismore & Nimbin Tourism Logo