Lithgow Emerging Economy Plan - LEEP

19/10/2026

Could AI save you hours every week?

Lithgow City Council is inviting local business owners to a FREE Small Business Bootcamp focused on AI, digital marketing and business growth.

Whether you're running a retail store, trade business, café, tourism operation or professional service, this practical workshop will help you:
☑ Use AI to save time and boost productivity
☑ Strengthen your brand and customer engagement
☑ Improve your website and SEO
☑ Understand the rise of AI-powered search
☑ Build a stronger digital presence

This isn't a technical seminar. It's a hands-on workshop designed for real businesses looking for practical tools they can use immediately.

📆 Monday 26 October 2026
🕑 10:00am - 2:00pm
📍 Lithgow
🎟 FREE but registrations ESSENTIAL -

A practical workshop with expert advice and hands-on activities to help your business harness AI, strengthen its brand, and improve its online presence.

16/10/2026

There's still time to register to attend our co-design workshop being held tomorrow Saturday 17 October from 11am-2pm. Register here - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Hs4zLbzVgV
Come along and help us design a town centre you want to spend time in!

12/10/2026

✨🚁 Lights Over Lithgow returns Friday 20th November! 🌟

We're excited to see Lights Over Lithgow take to the skies once again this November, with markets, food stalls, community displays and performances from 3.30pm, followed by a spectacular drone light show at 8.20pm.

From humble beginnings as a STEM pilot program delivered through the Central West Adaptive Skills Hub in 2025, we're delighted to see local students continue to grow and evolve the project - it's a fantastic example of young people applying new skills, creativity and technology to create something truly unique for our community.

This year's theme, "Under the Same Stars", will bring together Wiradjuri culture and the Western Zodiac through storytelling, music and choreographed drone formations, celebrating connection, community and the stories that unite us beneath a shared sky.

📅 Friday 20 November
📍 Lithgow High School
🛍️ Markets & community activities from: 3.30pm
🚁 Drone Light Show: 8.20pm
🚌 Free shuttle bus from Mort & Eskbank Streets from 4.30pm
🎟 https://events.humanitix.com/lights-over-lithgow-2026?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1den1ng4pc330&fbclid=IwY2xjawU5FulleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMU1GV1VEVHdsUnFqOVBFSjBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEebnSD5FZTAAhMVgXgDy1uN1Yk9jNJPvivweluOOjPuH802lcdbA3ip4uvwg8_aem_r7O8VzceKA4Pz9L5ObCW6A

Bring your family, support local stallholders and enjoy an unforgettable evening under the stars. 🌙✨

The second instalment of Drone Light Show developed by local students. Food, coffee, markets, kids' activities, performances, local community showcases.

02/10/2026

📣 Lithgow Safer Cities Co-design Workshop - October 17

Over the past month, community members have shared their ideas for making Lithgow's town centre more welcoming and more vibrant through surveys, walkshops and community conversations. Now it's time to take the next step.

Join us for a co-design workshop where we'll work together to turn those ideas into practical solutions. Whether you're passionate about lighting, public spaces, accessibility, activation, public art, wayfinding or creating a town centre where people choose to spend time, we'd love for you to be involved.

📅 Saturday 17 October
🕚 11:00am – 2:00pm
🥪 Lunch provided
🎟️ REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Hs4zLbzVgV

Come help shape the future of Lithgow's town centre. Your ideas matter!

26/09/2026

🙋 Hands up who wants better lighting, better directional signage, outdoor dining and street furniture in Lithgow's town centre?

Or maybe you have another amazing idea for ways we can activate and improve perceptions of safety around the Lithgow Railway Station, Main Street, and Cook Street Plaza?

Let us know by pinning a picture or an idea on our Safer Cities Consultation Online Ideas Pinboard, like these (pictured) some residents have shared with us already: https://www.letstalksevenvalleys.com.au/safer-cities-lithgow/brainstormers/safer-cities-ideas-pin-board

Your ideas will help us decide how to spend the Safer Cities: Her Way 2 grant funding we have received from from TfNSW.

But be quick - the consultation closes on September 30....

18/09/2026

🚶 There's still time to join tomorrow's Safer Cities: Her Way Day Walkshop around Lithgow town centre on Saturday 19 September.

If you've ever had thoughts about how our town centre could feel safer, more welcoming or easier to navigate, we'd love to hear from you. On our walk we'll discuss ways to make our public spaces safer, more accessible and more welcoming for everyone. We're particularly keen to hear from women, girls and gender diverse people about their experiences moving through the C*D.

Your insights will help shape future improvements to:
✅ Safety and comfort
✅ Lighting and visibility
✅ Accessibility
✅ Wayfinding
✅ Public spaces and community connections

📅 Saturday 19 September
🕐 1:00pm – 3:00pm
📍 Starting form Lithgow Railway Station

Register now while places remain available: https://events.humanitix.com/lithgow-safer-cities

Can't make it? You can still have your say by completing the survey and contributing ideas online via Let's Talk Seven Valleys - https://www.letstalksevenvalleys.com.au/safer-cities-lithgow

16/09/2026

Looking forward to seeing anyone interested in a career change or getting back into the workforce tomorrow at the Mature Age Talent Hub - 176 Mort Street, Lithgow, from 10am-12.30pm 👋

Bridging job seekers and local employers through targeted training across the Central West Region.

14/09/2026

🚶 Help shape a more welcoming Lithgow town centre at a walkshop this week!

Join us Thursday evening or Saturday afternoon and share your ideas to improve safety, lighting, accessibility, wayfinding and public spaces in the town centre. We'll give you a free feed in thanks for your time!

📍 Night Walkshop: Thursday 17 September, 5pm–7pm
📍 Day Walkshop: Saturday 19 September, 1pm–3pm

The Thursday evening event will conclude with a candlelight vigil in support of flood recovery efforts in Nepal and the Nepalese community at 7pm in Cook Street Plaza.

Places are limited and registration is essential:
🔗https://events.humanitix.com/lithgow-safer-cities

Can't attend? Complete the survey or add your ideas online:
🔗 www.letstalksevenvalleys.com.au/safer-cities-lithgow

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Transport for NSW's Safer Cities: Her Way program.

10/09/2026

🚶Register now to join a Community Walkshop!🚶

There’s just one week to go until the first of our Safer Cities: Her Way community walkshops, and we'd love for you to join us!

We're inviting community members, particularly women, girls and gender diverse people, to help identify opportunities to improve safety, lighting, accessibility, wayfinding and the overall experience of moving through our town centre.

Together we'll explore safety and comfort, lighting and visibility, accessibility, wayfinding, public space opportunities, and ideas for future improvements.

📍 Night Walkshop – Thursday 17 September 2026, 5pm-7pm
📍 Day Walkshop – Saturday 19 September 2026, 1pm-3pm

Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/lithgow-safer-cities

Can't make a walkshop? You can still get involved:
✅ Complete the community survey
✅ Add your ideas to the online pinboard
Consultation is now open and runs throughout September:
🔗 www.letstalksevenvalleys.com.au/safer-cities-lithgow

Places for the walkshops are limited, so register now to secure your spot.

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Transport for NSW's Safer Cities: Her Way program.

07/09/2026

Innovate with nbn® Grants Program now open 📢

Regional and remote businesses with big ideas can now apply for the 2026 Innovate with nbn® Grants Program, which is offering a total of $125,000 in funding to help showcase and support digital innovation across Australia.

Delivered in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute, the program celebrates businesses and organisations using the nbn® network to create opportunities, strengthen regional economies and improve the way people live, learn and work.

Seven grants of $15,000 are available across a range of categories, including Arts, Culture & Tourism, Education, Health & Wellbeing, Innovation for Productivity, Women in Regional Business and more. One outstanding recipient will also receive the 2026 Innovate with nbn® Champion Award, including an additional $20,000.

Applications are open to eligible regional and remote Australian businesses and organisations connected to the nbn® network.

📅 Applications close: 12 October 2026

Find out more and apply: https://www.nbnco.com.au/campaigns/innovate-with-nbn-grants-program