Lismore to (hopefully) get another public holiday for Cup

LISMORE residents could soon be the envy of the Northern Rivers with Lismore City Council set to vote again on whether the town gets a half-day public holiday coinciding with the 2016 Lismore Cup.

The decision comes after Ballina Shire Council last year axed its equivalent public holiday for the Ballina Cup for the next two years.

Lismore councillors will vote on the proposal at its meeting next Tuesday night.

The council received a request from the Lismore Turf Club for the Part Day Local Public Holiday to be held in conjunction with the 2016 Lismore Cup Day on Thursday, 22 September 2016.

The holiday would run from noon to 6pm.

This is the same time period that was approved in conjunction with the 2014 and 2015 Lismore Cup Day.

The council papers noted "the concept of a half day local public holiday for the Lismore Cup is a long standing concept, one which is well known to the community and accepted by most".

As part of the approval process, Council was required to consult with local organisations including schools and the Lismore Chamber of Commerce.

Correspondence was also forwarded to the Lismore Business Panel, the Catholic Schools Office, the North Coast Education Office and the Local Member Thomas George MP.