Campaign launched to bring Vivid to Sydney’s northern beaches

A CAMPAIGN is under way to bring Vivid — Sydney’s light festival — to the northern beaches next year. What do you think?

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A CAMPAIGN is under way to bring Vivid — Sydney’s light festival — to the northern beaches next year.

Manly state Liberal MP James Griffin, who is leading the push, has already got the backing of the Northern Beaches Council, which would have to fund the project, and the Manly Chamber of Commerce.

He plans to meet with Destination NSW, which owns the rights to Vivid, in the next couple of weeks to discuss a partnership.

Manly MP James Griffin wants to bring Vivid to the northern beaches. Picture: Troy Snook.

“We’re in the early stages,” Mr Griffin said.

“I’ve met with all the key stakeholders including Chamber of Commerce and Northern Beaches Council and we’ve got a uniform agreement to try and bring Vivid to Manly.”

Mr Griffin said ideas being suggested included lighting up Manly Wharf, The Corso, the Manly to Shelly walkway, as well as projecting lights on prominent buildings such as the ICMS and the Town Hall.

Another idea would be to incorporate the Quarantine Station.

Sydney during Vivid. Picture: Birte Verhaegen

He said hosting other events, such as a night market with peninsula stallholders, would allow businesses outside of Manly to benefit too.

A previous attempt to bring Vivid to Manly by former mayor Jean Hay, failed.

At the time, Manly Council was unable to commit funds — with costs predicted to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars — because council amalgamations were looming.

However, the larger Northern Beaches Council is in a better position to support such a move, Mr Griffin said. And, it was hoped sponsorship deals and the State Government might be able to help offset costs.

A slow shutter speed captures the light trail of a tall ship as it passes in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge during Vivid Sydney Festival. Picture: AAP.

“It would be a great opportunity for us to showcase some of the beautiful sights around Manly,” he said.

“And with respect if Chatswood can do it, so can we.”

Northern Beaches Council acting chief executive officer Ben Taylor said the council welcomed the idea.

“Manly would be an excellent location for Vivid,” he said.