More than 100,000 people visit Nimbin each year. For many tourists, it is best known for illicit drug deals in side alleyways and Bringabong T-shirts.
But Lismore Council wants to change all that with a new multimedia walk that will bring alive the village’s Aquarian past and alternative future.
The tourist walk would be designed to showcase Nimbin’s innovative flair for solar power, permaculture and other alternative ideas, peppered with quirky anecdotes and historical footage of the hippie era.
Locals Lois Kelly and Ross Wallace will work with experienced Nimbin planner Malcolm Scott to deliver the feasibility plan, building on a report commissioned by Lismore City Council in 1997.
‘Our young visitors want to learn about communities, see and learn about Nimbin’s alternative culture, its innovation, its history and its ethos,’ said Andrew Walker from Nimbin Tourism.
‘More and more backpackers access everything via their smartphones. This project presents the perfect opportunity to teach people from all over the world about creativity, community, talent, tolerance and alternative life… Nimbin style!’
If the project proves feasible in the early stages, consultants will work with the community over the next eight months to develop a route and design for the track.
‘The consultants bring with them a wealth of experience,’ said Mitch Lowe from Lismore City Council.
‘Lois Kelly brings many years of practical and successful experience in community development; town planner Malcolm Scott has extensive experience in identifying and solving local planning and development consent issues; and Ross Wallace is a locally based, nationally recognised “place” designer.’
Lois, a Nimbin local, would like to see the latest technology used to capture the imagination of tech-savvy young travellers.
‘We know we are developing more than just a walk,’ said Lois.
‘We are telling the stories of the fabric of this community. We need help from the community! We are after input from as broad a cross-section as possible on what stories to tell and how to tell them.’
A community workshop to discuss the project, and get ideas and input, will be held at the Nimbin Bowling Club on Saturday 12 August from 2pm to 4pm.
For more information or to RSVP for the community workshop, email Lois Kelly at [email protected].
