Region fires up over Ballina St Bridge rainbow paintjob idea

HUNDREDS of people have taken to Facebook to speak out for and against Cr Simon Clough's idea of painting the Ballina St Bridge in rainbow colours.

THE Northern Rivers has fired up over Cr Simon Clough's idea of painting the Ballina St Bridge in rainbow colours with hundreds of people speaking out for and against it on The Star's Facebook page.

Facebook comments

As of 2.25pm, a total 238 comments had been posted alongside an artist's impression of the repainted bridge, with some people loving the idea and others hating it.

"I think it's great and why be like every other bridge I think a bit of colour may brighten everyone's day ...awesome idea who wants to be the same as everyone else anyway... What's sad and uncalled for is people's negative comments towards different walks of life .. Lets hope a splash of colour can brighten everyone's day," commented Janece Brinnand.

Others suggested different motifs for the bridge's new paint-job, with a couple saying heritage colours might work well, or artworks along the lines of the Back Alley Gallery.

"The bridge is being repainted anyway as part of its normal maintenance. I think they should get The Back Alley Gallery involved, support local artists at the same time as colouring the town," commented Steph Annette.

"I love the concept, I love the boldness, I love that it's attracting attention. Lismore is a beautiful hub of culture and creativity... There's govt funding for creative arts and culture which will be spent anyway.. perhaps direct some to this project.. If the town hates it, send it back to its banal grey the next time it's painted. If it's being painted anyway, and if they can make it cost-neutral, why not try something new..."

However, there are also plenty of people who think it's just a straight-out bad idea.

"Leave rainbows in the sky," commented Peter Wise.

Many other people questioned the sense in painting the bridge at all before the region's roads were repaired and potholes became less of an issue.

However, the bridge is scheduled to be repainted by the Roads and Maritime Services - not Lismore City Council - as part of its regular maintenance of the bridge, regardless of what work is required on the road network.

How the Ballina Street Bridge might look painted in rainbow colours.

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If a suggestion by Lismore City Councillor Simon Clough is taking seriously, Lismore could have its own rainbow landmark.

Roads and Maritime Services are planning a full repaint of the Ballina Rd Bridge in September. It separates the southern side of the CBD from South Lismore and Cr Clough suggested it be painted in the colours of the rainbow.

Cr Clough said the region had an association with rainbows that dated back well before the 1973 Aquarius Festival and the marriage equality movement.

British naval explorer Henry John Rous, one of the first white explorers of the region, commanded the HMS Rainbow when he mapped our coastline in 1828, naming the Richmond River and Lennox Head.

Rous named Rainbow Bay in Coolangatta after his beloved ship.

By weaving this historical fact into the rainbow narrative, Cr Clough said rainbows should not just be associated with hippies and the marriage equality movement.

"It's a bit tongue in cheek but if the community wants it, they should make it happen," Cr Clough said.

But the suggestion fell on mostly deaf ears in the council chambers on Tuesday night, except for Greens councillor Vanessa Ekins.

Despite the council's reluctance to embrace his curious thought bubble, Cr Clough suggested if the community supported the idea they should lobby the RMS directly.

Perhaps a community Facebook page could be created, he said.