MP urges North Sydney Council to bring Vivid festival back

NORTH Sydney is being urged to switch back on to the Vivid light festival — in a bid to shake off its ghost town image. What do you think? TAKE OUR POLL

These sculptures at Bradfield Park were a festival highlight in 2014. Pictures: Supplied

• Vivid returns to Chatswood with steam-punk theme
• Taronga Zoo lights up for Vivid

NORTH Sydney is being urged to switch the Vivid lights back on.

The area embraced the popular festival for two years but it hasn’t hosted it since 2014.

Now Federal MP Trent Zimmerman is calling on North Sydney Council to get involved again.

“I am disappointed they (council) haven’t taken up this opportunity. It’s been a couple of years now so I think it’s time for them to plan ahead,” he said.

“It’s 12 months to the next one which should give plenty of time to think about ways which North Sydney could be involved.”

Trent Zimmerman wants Vivid to return. Photo: Adam Ward

He would like to see the light show in the heart of North Sydney’s CBD itself or at harbourside locations such as Bradfield Park or the Coal Loader, which has historic tunnels.

And he believes Vivid could help North Sydney shake off its ghost town image.

“This would be a great way to reinforce turning what has traditionally been a ghost town after dark and on weekends into a more vibrant precinct,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Vivid cost the council $260,000 to host.

The western side of the bridge glowed in 2013. Picture: Damian Shaw

Highlights included the lighting of the western side of the Harbour Bridge and sculptures of light people in Bradfield Park.

North Sydney Chamber of Commerce proposed to bring the festival back in 2015 and launched a fundraising campaign. But the council said this fell short of fundraising objectives.

Illuminated jesters entertained the crowd at Bradfield Park in 2014.

Illuminated Cloudmen featured at Bradfield Park in 2014.

The council resolved to make an in-kind donation to the chamber in 2015.

“It was reported that City of Sydney Council had ceased to contribute cash to Vivid but contributed up to $250,000 of in-kind services, with the festival now essentially funded by the NSW Government and Sydney City Businesses,” a council spokeswoman said.

Recent construction sites, including the redevelopment of Brett Whiteley Place, have meant the area was “not an attractive option” for Vivid.

Kings Cross gets into Vivid

Taronga Zoo took part in Vivid for the first time last year and the event was celebrated as a success.

Turtles at Taronga Zoo. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Zoo returned with another spectacular show this year, which has an emphasis on conservation.

Chatswood also takes part in the festival.

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