Community
14 August, 2024
Do you want your cause up in lights?
THE future is looking bright for community causes in Camperdown.
After being launched at the Light Up Camperdown – Light and Lantern Festival, the Manifold Street Clocktower and Courthouse Camperdown spotlights have been used to raise awareness of Violence Against Woman and to salute SES volunteers on Wear Orange Wednesday in May.
It was lit up green and gold during the Olympics to celebrate Camperdown’s gold medallist Grace Brown and bronze medallist Penny Smith.
Corangamite Shire mayor Kate Makin said council had formalised a set of guidelines for how the lights can best used to support our community.
“It’s a great way to contribute to the vibrancy and creativity of the region,” she said.
“Requests to light up public buildings can be submitted to council and will be considered against a number of criteria to make sure they reflect our community’s values.
“The intention is to support community groups, not to advance any individual or business.
“Requests an organisation or registered not-for-profit organisation at least 31 days before the requested light-up date.”
Submissions must explain how the proposed colour and lighting:
Promotes respect for all;
Is consistent with council’s values and policies;
Engages with the community;
Embraces a sense of belonging and enhances community life; and
Aligns and furthers the requesting organisation’s values.
Cr Makin said approvals would be for one-off events or campaigns lasting from one night up to a maximum one month.
“Because the lights are low energy, they are an environmentally friendly way to make a big impact with low carbon emissions,” she said.
“The digital projection onto the old Shire of Hampden building and the creative art boxes along McNicol Street have been developed for council use with content to be curated and managed by council officers.
“Consideration may be given to community programming which would be managed through an Expression of Interest or similar process.”
For more information, go to go.vic.gov.au/3QTJJ0q or call council on 5593 7100.
Installation of the lighting was funded by a grant from the State Government’s $5 million Our Regions: Living Local – Regional Fund.
The fund is aimed at activating public spaces to promote social connections, enhance liveability and revitalise regional shopping strips.
Groups can apply at corangamite.vic.gov.au/URL.