History lights up with riverfront revitalisation

Published on 04 February 2016

Feature lighting is used by cities all over the world to enhance and promote the architectural design and the unique façade of urban streetscapes.

Local residents, building owners and business operators along the riverfront precinct included in Council’s $30M Riverside Revitalisation were last night provided a preview of the Project’s planned Feature Lighting.

Mayor Margaret Strelow and the RRC Project Team, together with the advising designers, detailed the proposed lighting plans for the area as a part of the consultation process to inform and answer questions from stakeholders.

The Feature Lighting is budgeted as part of the revitalisation project to enhance the area of Quay Street between Fitzroy and Denham Streets, an area renowned for some of the region’s most impressive historic structures.

Mayor Strelow said she was delighted with the response to the lighting concepts proposed to be included in the riverfront revitalisation and thanked business owners and residents for their support.

“Major cities around the world use feature lighting as a tourist attraction and as an artistic feature to draw visitors and provide economic benefits and we are now putting parts of Rockhampton in the international spotlight,” she said.

“These buildings are magnificent during the day and the proposed feature lighting will give them life at night. The colourful displays will enhance the unique architecture with lighting that’s visually cohesive with the purpose of the area.

“It will also encourage visitors to the region and the Riverside precinct after hours, helping cement this region’s identity as a creative and progressive community with vibrant public spaces,” she said.

The specially designed lighting system is also able to incorporate local art and provide an opportunity for community involvement.

Mayor Strelow said local artists would be canvassed for suggestions on artwork to be incorporated into the feature.

“I’m delighted with progress on the riverfront revitalisation, but importantly I am so pleased that Council has been able to create an area of beauty and purpose for this region that has opportunity for locals to have input in so many ways, and the artwork for the lighting is another example.

“Now our Project Team has canvassed local feedback on the lighting feature, the designers will be able to advance the themes to be incorporated and we should see a spectacularly colourful riverfront towards the end of 2016,” she said.

A public preview of the lighting is planned for the near future.