New additions to Lismore's laneways

Lismore City Council has launched a new Listening Booth and Community Book Exchange, which bring local audio stories and book swapping to the laneways in the heart of the city.

The bespoke ‘activation pods’ on Carrington Street look like retro phone booths. However, once you step inside the Listening Booth, Lismore comes to life by simply pressing a button for audio content or scanning a QR code to hear and see more from local musicians, artists and community events.

Right now you will hear a lively overview of some of the amazing local arts and experiences in the Lismore Laneways, along with an introduction to the new Listening Booth and how to get involved. We are working with Lismore’s creative organisations for future audio programming and invite local ideas for stories and sounds to share. Make sure you visit Lismore Laneways’ Listening Booth to tune in, find out more and get involved!

And while you are here, visit the Lismore Laneways’ Community Book Exchange to update your reading and share your favourite books with the community. The Book Exchange is managed by Lismore Library, and is a fun, accessible way to share books in the Lismore community.

The booths are another element of the Lismore Laneways Project, which commenced in 2021 to help reinvigorate our inner-city laneways precinct and attract more visitors. The project was interrupted by the 2022 natural disaster, however, Council is now in the final stages of completing and restoring the project works. We aim to continue revitalising Lismore’s laneways over the coming years. Council worked closely with the Back Alley Gallery on the elements of the Lismore Laneways Project due to their history and activity around the site.

Other Lismore Laneways Project elements that can be found in Carrington Street and Eggins Lane include public artworks, colourful street furniture, decorative lighting, wayfinding and new street art. The Lismore Laneways Project was funded through a $510,000 grant as part of a $1.5 million grant from the NSW Government for the ongoing revitalisation of the Lismore CBD.

To find out more, come check out the Listening Booth or online details at visitlismore.com.au/lismore-laneways