Melbourne’s famous laneways and buildings will be even better and brighter under a re-elected Nick Reece as Lord Mayor, with a new $10 million Light Up Melbourne Plan to boost tourism, nighttime trading and increase safety across the city.
The first part of the plan is the Light Your Laneway program which will transform 20 of Melbourne’s laneways with new designer decorative lighting, to keep business booming for our hospitality industry after dark.
The $8 million program, to be rolled out over four years, would install catenary lighting, and wall-washer lighting in selected laneways across the CBD.
Catenary lighting is already in place in Bourke Street, Lonsdale Street and Little Collins Street, transforming the atmosphere and vibrancy of these streets after dark.
While backing Melbourne’s nighttime economy and supporting jobs in the hospitality industry, more lighting will also help boost safety across the city for residents, visitors and businesses alike. Research has shown that more lighting makes people – especially women and girls – feel safer, and has the potential to reduce crime.
The City of Melbourne will consult with businesses and property owners on which laneways to target, and work with them to decide the most suitable type of lighting for their laneways, secure permission from building owners, and install and operate the lights.
The second part of the Light Up Melbourne Plan will see a new $2 million Brighter Buildings grants program to help light up some of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings. Under the competitive program, building owners and operators would be able to apply for grants to improve facade lighting design to illuminate their buildings at night.
Lighting up Melbourne’s special buildings at night will enhance the beauty and identity of the architecture and character of Melbourne. This program will make Melbourne’s best buildings look amazing and captivating at night, creating a stunning visual impact that will become a drawcard for visitors to the city.
Melbourne has over 12 million visitors per year – and more than ever, they come to experience our nighttime economy. Melbourne’s restaurants, bars, nightclubs and entertainment businesses contribute over $3 billion to our local economy and support more than 31,000 jobs.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Nick Reece:
“Lighting up Melbourne will make this great city of ours even better, and help our hospitality industry and our famous nighttime economy continue to thrive.”
“Melbourne has the best heritage buildings and modern architecture in Australia – this plan will enhance the beauty and safety of our city at night and create a captivating experience for visitors.”
“I want to make Melbourne cleaner and safer for everyone, and for our city and laneways to be a place that people want to visit at night and where everyone feels safe and welcome.”
“This is all part of my plan to be a Lord Mayor who Gets Good Done and works hard every single day to deliver what matters to the people of Melbourne.”
Case study from Chicago (Chalfil, Kaplan and LaForest 2021)
