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MAJOR ROLLING BACK OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN NSW
From Monday 7 December, NSW residents and businesses will enjoy the benefits of increased capacity in venues, stadiums and theatres and greater numbers at outdoor gatherings and events as COVID-related restrictions are further eased.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the changes this week, commending NSW citizens for their patience and ongoing commitment to COVID-safe behaviour.
The one person per four square metre rule has been replaced by one person per two square meters in venues, except gyms and nightclubs.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “We have worked closely with industry representatives throughout 2020 to safely ease restrictions and we appreciate their patience and know these changes will be incredibly well received.”
The changes include:
- Hospitality venues, retail and places of worship: one person per two square metres (except gyms and nightclubs)
- Outdoor stadiums: 100 per cent seated capacity, one person per two square metres for unstructured seating areas
- Indoor stadiums/theatres: 75 per cent seated capacity
- Outdoor gatherings:
- Up to 100 people
- Up to 5000 people for outdoor events that are fenced, ticketed and seated (subject to one person per two square metres compliance)
- Up to 3000 people for other organised outdoor events (subject to one person per two square metres compliance)
- Maximum capacity caps removed, one person per two square metres rule applies for bookings at hospitality venues, weddings, funerals, regional agricultural shows, corporate events and religious services.
For more information about NSW health advice and restrictions visit www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.
The further easing of restrictions has been welcomed by the visitor economy particularly the business events sector. Business Events Sydney (BESydney) CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said: “This is a fantastic outcome for business events in NSW and is what the whole industry has been working so hard towards. Minister Ayres and his team have worked incredibly hard to get to this point where we can now get thousands of people back into work facilitating business meetings, networking, knowledge exchange and deal-making. We look forward to moving forward with confidence and building on the pipeline of events that we have already secured for our city and state, supported by our recently launched campaign, It’s got to be Sydney".
GIVE THE GIFT OF BUYING REGIONAL THIS CHRISTMAS
With only three weeks to go until Christmas, buying that extra something special for loved ones has never been easier thanks to the Buy Regional webpage, a one-stop shop that promotes more than 500 regional NSW retailers and producers.
Whether you are after tasty treats, homeware design pieces, a gift voucher to a country farm stay or an outdoor adventure experience, the Buy Regional webpage supports those local communities doing it tough by connecting city shoppers with rural sellers.
Launching one year ago to help support drought-stricken towns, the webpage has received visits from more than 500,000 people, and since its launch, has expanded to allow shoppers to search by product category or use the interactive map to see what regional businesses have on offer.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said research showed 85 per cent of businesses signed up to Buy Regional and during the challenge of drought, bushfires and COVID-19, two-thirds have been connected to customers through the website.
“What a difference a year makes – most of regional NSW is now in drought recovery but businesses are still doing it tough because of COVID-19, however many regional retailers can now easily reach online customers thanks to Buy Regional,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Buy Regional is not only about giving businesses in the bush the gift of new customers and helping to stimulate local economies, it’s also about boosting morale in rural towns and connecting people in the city with our innovative regional retailers.”
Regional businesses can still list themselves for free on Buy Regional and be a part of its social media network by registering online.
The webpage houses a range of NSW tourism businesses which shoppers can search for at www.nsw.gov.au/buyregional. Don’t forget to share your Christmas gift ideas using the hashtag #BuyRegional.
FUNDING FOR NSW COUNCILS TO BOOST SUMMER FUN
Every local council in NSW can apply for up to $10,000 in NSW Government funding to stage free events, activities or experiences to enliven local public spaces this summer.
The NSW Government has launched the $1.3 million Festival of Place Summer Fun(d) program which will run from December 2020 until Easter next year.
“This funding was allocated in the 2020-21 NSW Budget to support councils with events and ideas to draw people back to their local public spaces in order to stimulate the economy,” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said.
“Local businesses need our support to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19 and this funding helps them create environments and experiences that encourage people to stay and spend local.”
The fund will help councils deliver free, COVID-safe activities such as innovative lighting displays, outdoor markets, micro-festivals, open-air theatre, street parties, lawn libraries and street entertainment.
It complements the relaxation of planning rules for alfresco dining and local events, giving councils even greater scope to attract locals and visitors to get out and about, shop locally, and enjoy local offerings and experiences.
Councils can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with a simple online form in December or January, to boost events over Christmas and during summer. To find out more or apply online, see here.
MORE NSW VENUES TO INTRODUCE ALFRESCO DINING
Sydneysiders and visitors to NSW will now have more venues from which to choose when wining and dining outside, thanks to the successful alfresco dining trial in The Rocks and Darling Harbour that has helped to inject energy and life back into Sydney.
From Tuesday this week, pubs and small bars can use footpaths and public spaces to ensure customers can enjoy a day or night out in a COVID-safe way this summer.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said: “This is a win-win allowing food and drink businesses to better use the public space around them will keep communities safer, support the hospitality industry, and boost the economy.
“NSW is leading the way in showing the world how to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle while remaining COVID-safe – we just have to do things differently. Businesses can now reopen their doors and take advantage of our unbeatable summer climate,” Mr Stokes said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the changes were part of the NSW Government’s commitment to help local business owners get back on their feet.
“Weekend foot traffic is up as much as 77 per cent and sales up over 45 per cent at The Rocks alone since we launched alfresco dining, and summer has only just begun,” Mr Dominello said.
Streamlined alfresco dining approvals are available now, ahead of the $500 million Dine & Discover NSW program being rolled out across NSW in the new year.
For more information, go to https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/statewideoutdoordining.
PROTECTING NATIONAL PARKLAND WHILE BOOSTING CITY GREENERY
More than 15,000 hectares of land will be handed back to Aboriginal owners in the state’s central west, under new measures introduced by the NSW Government.
The land will be reserved to form part of the new Mt Grenfell National Park and Mt Grenfell State Conservation Area.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the move would effectively form a protective ring around some of the most significant Aboriginal art and cultural sites in Australia.
“This area is home to the renowned Ngiyampaa rock art galleries and a rich cultural landscape of immense significance to the Aboriginal community,” Ms Berejiklian said.
The new reservations are part of the NSW Government’s commitment to add 400,000 hectares of national park to the state’s network by the end of 2022.
Meanwhile, more than 40,000 trees will be planted across Greater Sydney as part of the Greening Our City program.
Thirty councils and two partner organisations will receive a share in $10 million worth of grants to implement new tree planting projects that protect native species and bolster greenery in urban spaces.
For the full list of successful applicants, visit Greening Our City.
MAKING SYDNEY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
The recently revamped Australian Museum has introduced Early Birds: Access Mornings, a program designed to offer people on the autism spectrum and those who have other access requirements, the opportunity to experience the Museum in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
Early Birds: Access Mornings is limited to around 100 visitors - prior to the museum opening at 10am - and offers a designated quiet area for those needing to take a break, as well as staff trained in autism awareness and disability. The next available session is 16 January at 8am. Tickets are free and can be booked here.
Many of Sydney’s other cultural institutions also offer access programs such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales, which includes Auslan-interpreters, tactile and sensory tours, audio-described tours and a structured program for people living with dementia and their carers.
At the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the ongoing Bella program offers a range of free creative programs for people of all ages with disability and access requirements. Tomorrow, Saturday 5 December, children and young people aged 5-18 years who are blind or have partial vision are invited to attend the MCA Australia with their family member or support provider for an audio-described tour of Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop, which is free to attend and can be booked here.
For those keen to get up close with some furry friends, Taronga Zoo Sydney welcomes guests with autism and their family or friends to enjoy early entry on select days throughout the year as part of their Access Taronga program. Children with or without special needs can also enjoy the Zoo’s Backyard to Bush area, which includes interactive displays and graphic material set-up inside an urban home and backyard, along with a backyard for petting animals and a garden.
2020 AACTA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Australia’s world-class screen industry professionals have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at the 10th anniversary 2020 AACTA Awards Ceremony held this week at The Star Sydney.
Stateless, created by Cate Blanchett, Elise McCredie and Tony Ayres, won a total of 13 awards including Best Telefeature or Miniseries, Best Screenplay in Television and all four acting awards across television and drama.
In the film categories, Babyteeth received nine awards including Best Film presented by Foxtel and Best Direction for Shannon Murphy.
Director of The Babadook, Jennifer Kent, was awarded The Byron Kennedy Award, which recognises an individual who displays outstanding creative enterprise within the Australian low-budget filmmaking genre.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “The AACTA Awards is a key event on NSW’s impressive events calendar and we are delighted that Sydney could once again host this year’s celebrations. All winners should feel incredible proud of their achievements and for their contribution to the ongoing success of Australia’s screen industry.”
The AACTA Awards are supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW.
Check out the full list of winners and watch highlights from the 2020 AACTA Awards Ceremony, available to stream on ScreenFest until 16 December.
CHANGE, INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY CELEBRATED AT AUSTRALIAN FASHION LAUREATE
Sydney-based Dinosaur Designs this week received the prestigious Australian Fashion Laureate Lifetime Achievement title at the 2020 award ceremony, joining industry icons designer Carla Zampatti and Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann on the honour roll.
The Australian Fashion Laureate – an initiative created by IMG and Destination NSW - celebrates the country’s fashion innovators, leaders and changemakers.
This year, one of unprecedented disruption to the fashion industry, the 2020 Australian Fashion Laureate focused on the resilience, creativity and agility displayed by Australian designers and fashion industry creatives.
Award categories and recipients included 2020 Change and Innovation (Nobody Denim, Showroom-X, Gorman and Fella Hamilton); Sustainable Innovation, newly presented across both emerging designers (A.BCH) and established designers (Nobody Denim); Best Australian Emerging Designer (Esse Studios); and People’s Choice (Macgraw). The Lifetime Achievement Award recognised longstanding and meaningful impact on the Australian fashion industry overall.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the 2020 awards marked an important step forward for Sydney and the country’s creative industries.
“These awards recognise innovation, resilience and determination to succeed - which is how Sydney and NSW has responded to the health pandemic by keeping our economy moving and showing that the Harbour City is a safe and desirable place to visit and do business.”
SIP, CHAT AND DISCOVER – HEAR FROM INDUSTRY AND TRAVEL EXPERTS
Registrations are open for Destination NSW’s next Sip. Chat. Discover. wine tourism webinar, with a panel of winery and travel industry leaders discussing how to reach a wider audience by selling wine tourism experiences online.
The targeted stream of Destination NSW’s industry development program NSW First has helped many of the state’s wineries grow their business and tourism-based revenue. In 2019, Sip. Chat. Discover. workshops supported almost 100 NSW wineries with bookable experiences for visitors, an increase of 800 per cent across the state. View the most recent webinar in the series – Creating Bookable Winery Experiences – on demand.
The next webinar, which will be delivered next Wednesday 9 December from 4.30pm-5.30pm, includes a panel of:
- Nicole Samodol – co-founder of Rowlee Wines
- Lisa Robertson – Rezdy Global Sales Manager
- Katie McDougall – Viator Senior Account Manager
- Kate Shilling – Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia Executive Officer
Following the panel discussion, a Q&A will enable participants to ask more detailed questions about how to create bookable winery experiences, how to sell experiences to visitors via the business website, and how to work with third-party distributors (including information about commissions and online distribution costs).
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres met with Suzanne Little from Wine House Hunter Valley recently and asked her about the benefits of NSW First’s Sip. Chat. Discover. industry events.
Hear what she had to say about the program and how it helped her business grow.
The Sip. Chat. Discover webinar is free and registrations are open. We encourage people interested in the webinar to check out the new resource guide about developing bookable winery experiences before attending.
TRAVEL AGENTS TO RECEIVE FEDERAL SUPPORT
The Commonwealth Government will provide a one-off payment to assist travel agents who have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said most travel agents faced the unique circumstance of having to refund existing bookings at the same time as they manage their operating models in the face of ongoing uncertainty about international travel.
“Providing further assistance to travel agents in the current environment will help keep them afloat at a time when they are continuing to hold travel credits for consumers who have previously cancelled travel,” Mr Birmingham said.
Australian Federation of Travel Agents Chief Executive Officer Darren Rudd welcomed the payments.
“This package will help to ensure the sector’s sustainability to assist Australian travellers with the new world of COVID-safe travel.”
Under the $128 million scheme, eligible travel agents will be able to apply for the one-off payment on a scaled rate, with a minimum payment of $1500 for a business with a turnover of $50 000 up to a maximum payment of $100,000 for a business with a turnover of $20 million.
More information will be available soon.
NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS
The NSW Government has announced four new appointments and 12 reappointments, all for three years, across the NSW State Cultural Institutions including the Australian Museum Trust, Art Gallery of NSW Trust, Sydney Opera House Trust and Library Council of NSW.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the appointments continued to bring an impressive breadth of experience that will be invaluable to each Board.
“These distinguished people bring significant expertise and experience at a critical time for our Cultural Institutions which are recovering from the impact of COVID-19,” Mr Harwin said.
Among the appointments are Lucy Turnbull AO who will become chairperson for the Sydney Opera House Trust after stepping down from the Art Gallery of NSW. See the announcement for the full list of appointments.
PRESS PLAY ON SUMMER IN THE GONG
Destination Wollongong is encouraging visitors to experience the region first-hand this summer, as part of its Press Play campaign which positions Wollongong as a playful, bold and creative place to visit.
With a stellar line-up of events and recently opened dining and accommodation options, there is plenty to see and do in Wollongong. The Boat Harbour Motel, which recently completed a refurbishment, now offers room that feature modern décor, smart TV’s, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi.
Visitors and locals can watch the sun set over the escarpment at the ultimate outdoor cinema experience, Sunset Cinema, which runs from 17 December until 27 February. This year’s program features Rams and The Witches as well as timeless classics, Love Actually and Home Alone to get your Christmas spirit jingling.
For more information on Wollongong, click here.
REX LAUNCHES SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE WITH $79 FARES
Regional airline Rex has confirmed its plans to fly between Australia’s capital cities, with tickets now on sale for services between Sydney and Melbourne.
Rex will begin with nine Sydney-Melbourne return services a day, with the first three Rex Boeing 737-800s taking off between Sydney and Melbourne on 1 March 2021.
To celebrate the launch, Rex is offering 100,000 promotional fares for the Sydney-Melbourne service at $79 for travel within 12 months. Tickets are on sale at rex.com.au or through travel agents.
All fares will include checked baggage allowance, food, pre-assigned seating and online check-in. Lounge access and on-board Wi-Fi will be free for business class, while economy passengers can access these services for a small fee..
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR GREATER SYDNEY COMMISSION
The Greater Sydney Commission this week announced the appointment of new Chief Executive, Elizabeth Mildwater.
Chief Commissioner, Geoff Roberts AM said: “Elizabeth is well-known to many of us at the Commission through her work at Transport for NSW, where she focused on integrated transport services for Greater Sydney, encouragement of public transport, walking and cycling, zero emission buses and keeping people moving during COVID.”
“Elizabeth’s appointment is another major step in the Commission’s evolution through the stages of plan-making, implementation and now setting new priorities that will underpin the imminent review of the Greater Sydney Region Plan.”
Chairman of the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, Christopher Brown AM, congratulated Elizabeth on her appointment and said: “We’ve enjoyed a positive relationship with Elizabeth through her work at Transport, where she’s played a key role, particularly in the active and public transport space.”
SYDNEY'S BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT PARK OPENS
Sydney’s biggest indoor entertainment facility has opened at the Aerodrome next to Bankstown Airport, just in time for the upcoming Christmas break and school holidays.
Aptly named
Entertainment Park, the new facility features Sydney’s largest indoor electric go-kart track, six competition length bowling lanes, a virtual reality arena, traditional arcade games and even a barbershop.
Visitors won’t be left feeling peckish, with Entertainment Park boasting an in-house café along with some of Sydney’s best loved food trucks, including Knafeh Drive Thru and Kerbside Eatery.
Entertainment Park is open daily from 10am until 10pm and caters for kids’ birthdays as well as corporate events.
