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NORTHERN RIVERS FOOD SCENE SET TO SHINE
Food, boutique beer and distillery lovers across Australia are set to put the Northern Rivers on their travel itinerary, with the NSW Government supporting the Northern Rivers Food tourism initiative in conjunction with Northern Rivers Food Inc.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres and Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin yesterday announced $240,000 over three years, as part of the NSW Government’s Food & Wine Tourism Strategy & Action Plan, developed by Destination NSW.
Mr Ayres said the NSW Government is committed to growing tourism across the state, noting that the Strategy will not only help local businesses recover from the effects of COVID-19, but also develop effective food trails and events that will bolster the regions vibrant tourism offerings.
“The NSW Government understands the importance of adaptability during what has been a difficult time for our tourism industry. This funding will support the delivery and implementation of the Northern Rivers Food Tourism Strategy, which will ensure the region’s food scene continues to evolve and thrive.
“The Northern Rivers is renowned for its abundance of fresh local produce – from Yamba’s famous prawns, to some of Australia’s best paddock to plate experiences in Byron Bay. With this commitment, we’re ensuring the delivery of new and exciting experiences for everyone to enjoy over the years to come," Mr Ayres said.
Mr Franklin said the funding is set to provide a welcome boost into the region’s economy.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors from across NSW and hopefully interstate, to enjoy the new and exciting experiences that will be made possible thanks to the NSW Government’s continued support,” Mr Franklin said.
For more information on the NSW Government’s NSW Food & Wine Tourism Strategy & Action Plan, click here.
Image: Tropical Fruit World
RESTARTING AUSTRALIA'S BUSINESS EVENTS SECTOR
Thousands of jobs across the tourism and hospitality industry will be backed through a $50 million injection announced by the Federal Government today, helping to restart Australia’s vital business events sector.
Businesses will be encouraged to attend events, trade shows and conferences within Australia through grants to help cover the costs associated with exhibiting such as the hire of exhibition spaces, the design and manufacture of displays, travel and accommodation.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s lucrative $36 billion business events sector had virtually ground to a halt during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Getting business events up and running again will be a critical part of the recovery of our tourism industry, but will also have huge flow-on effects through the entire economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said.
“This is not only about supporting events companies and venues, but will also be a shot in the arm for a broad range of businesses and the people they employ - whether it’s accommodation providers, those who build exhibitions, caterers, cleaners or those offering audio-visual services.”
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the sector had been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with around 95 per cent of business events for 2020 either cancelled or postponed.
“Our business events sector is doing it incredibly tough at present and getting events put back into the calendar will help this key part of our tourism industry which supports around 230,000 jobs turn the corner,” Minister Birmingham said.
Under the Business Events Exhibitor Grants program, Australian businesses exhibiting at an approved business meeting, convention, conference and incentives event in 2021 will be able to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50 per cent of their costs ($10,000 - $250,000).
This initiative is part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.
For more information on the program, click here.
FOUNDATIONS SET FOR THE SYDNEY MODERN PROJECT
This week marked an exciting construction milestone for the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ expansion, the Sydney Modern Project, as the concrete foundations were poured on Monday.
The $344 million expansion will deliver 540 construction jobs, in addition to almost 250 full time jobs over the next 25 years.
The new building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects SANAA will almost double current gallery space to show more of the State’s outstanding art collection, including more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks, and attract the best national and international exhibitions to NSW.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said he was pleased to see the project taking shape so swiftly during these unprecedented times.
“The Sydney Modern Project is an important investment in art, artists and culture and sends a strong signal of confidence and hope for the future,” Mr Harwin said.
Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Dr Michael Brand said, “In this moment we need art and artists more than ever, and it’s exciting to be planning how visitors will engage with great art in the future in this special place. This will be an art museum experience unique in the world for everyone to enjoy.”
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is the first public art museum in Australia to achieve the highest environmental standard for design with a 6-star Green Star design rating for its new SANAA-designed building.
Construction is scheduled for completion in 2022 and the Gallery remains open during this time.
NSW ACCOMMODATION PROPERTIES SHINE ON HOTELS BY DESIGN
Eight NSW accommodation properties in Sydney, Byron Bay, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cabarita Beach will feature on the upcoming season of Hotels by Design, airing in Australia from tomorrow.
The series will tell the stories behind Australian and New Zealand hotels and resorts that redefine the holiday experience through great design while inspiring discerning travellers to book a future holiday.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney said the eight NSW segments were secured by the State Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
“This is a great example of the diverse opportunities our Government is generating for the NSW tourism industry, recognising that holidaymakers find inspiration for travel through all channels. Anyone who visits and stays at one of the featured NSW hotels will no doubt support other tourism businesses in the area so it’s a great opportunity to give our state’s visitor economy a boost," Minister Ayres said.
The NSW properties featured in the program are:
- Pier One Sydney Harbour – Sydney
- Old Clare Hotel – Chippendale
- Paramount House Hotel – Surry Hills
- The Houston – Wagga Wagga
- The Byng Street Boutique Hotel – Orange
- Blackbird Byron – Byron Bay
- Halcyon House – Cabarita Beach
- Ovolo Woolloomooloo – Woolloomooloo
The program will air on Network 10 in Australia and TV3 in New Zealand from Saturday 12 September 2020, and will be available globally through Amazon Prime from December 2020.
HARBOURSIDE RESTAURANTS REOPEN
The Sydney Opera House has reopened its popular harbourside dining venues Opera Bar and Opera Kitchen this week.
Since March, the Opera House has been closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, the world-famous icon has continued to connect with, inspire, educate and entertain local and global audiences through its free weekly digital program, From Our House to Yours. The reopening of Opera Bar and Opera Kitchen marks the initial return of public-facing activities on site.
Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said, “We are thrilled to begin welcoming the public back to the Opera House. The reopening of two of our popular dining venues is a positive first step in our phased approach to resuming events and experiences across the site.
“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of everyone on site, and we are closely following NSW Health guidelines and advice. We look forward to welcoming people back to our theatres, tours, other dining venues and shops soon and will provide more detail in the coming weeks.”
To celebrate its reopening, Opera Bar will offer a new food, wine and cocktail menu that features Australian producers, a series of new experiences for Sydneysiders to enjoy, and live music celebrating local artists and DJs. Opera Kitchen will reopen for all-day dining from breakfast through to dinner offering all of their signature favourites. For the first time, patrons will be able to book ahead for tables at both Opera Bar and Opera Kitchen.
Image credit: Wenny Tan
SHANE WARNE'S CAP ON DISPLAY IN BOWRAL
Following CommBank’s national tour of Shane Warne’s baggy green to raise funds and boost the morale of Australians devastated by bushfires, the cap has found a permanent home at Bradman Museum’s Baggy Green Exhibition in Bowral.
CommBank acquired the baggy green via a $1 million donation to the Australian Red Cross. The cap joins a collection of thirty baggy greens dating back to the 1800’s to present day at the Bradman Museum.
The baggy green 350 will remain on display at the Bradman Museum as a thank you and acknowledgement of the effort by all of the emergency service personnel who assisted in communities across the country last summer.
The Bradman Museum houses state-of-the-art interactive experiences and a collection of national significance. Click here to find out more about the Museum.
PARKLANDS FOOD FEST WITH MATT MORAN
Australia’s largest urban park, Western Sydney Parklands, hosted the popular Parklands Food Fest via a virtual kitchen last weekend with celebrity chef, Matt Moran.
The festival usually draws crowds of 10,000 however, this year's ninth annual event took place via a virtual kitchen. Matt headlined two live cooking shows, cooking six recipes using produce from Western Sydney Parklands' 12 urban farms.
Executive Chef, Travis Harvey of food rescue charity OzHarvest, also made a special guest appearance to help raise much needed funds to supply food to communities in need, plus shared tips for reducing food waste at home.
For those who didn’t get to make the live viewing, the videos can still be seen on the Western Sydney Parklands’ Facebook Page.
RAGING WATERS SYDNEY REOPENS THIS OCTOBER
Formerly known as Wet’n’Wild Sydney, Raging Waters Sydney will reopen to the public on Saturday 3 October 2020.
Due to current NSW Government restrictions, Raging Waters Sydney will operate differently and under reduced capacity. These restrictions mean that season passes will not be available until operations return to normal.
There will be two daily ‘Splash and Slide’ sessions available from 10am to 2pm and 3pm to 7pm. All tickets must be purchased online and the visit date and session time must be booked in advanced. Session tickets can be purchased for $50.
Raging Waters Sydney features 25 hectares of family-friendly fun, including 42 water slides, rides and attractions.
Click here to book your ticket.
CHECK-IN FOR NSW BUSINESSES NOW LIVE
The NSW Government’s COVID Safe check-in tool has now gone live across NSW after being trialled in Dubbo, Central West Sydney and the Blue Mountains, along with Service NSW Service Centres and Merivale venues.
The tool is available to registered COVID Safe businesses and features a QR code to allow customers to check-in at venues across NSW. The tool provides customers a contactless, hygienic method of checking in to businesses so they can be contacted in the event of an outbreak.
The check-in through the Service NSW app automatically captures the date, time and location of the check-in, and securely stores them for 28 days for the sole purpose of COVID tracing.
For more information, click here.
MANLY JAZZ FESTIVAL TO GO VIRTUAL
One of the Northern Beaches’ most popular annual events is set to get a digital makeover, with the Manly Jazz Festival going virtual on the October long weekend.
The digital initiative will again connect, inspire and entertain local and global communities. Mayor Michael Regan said Manly Jazz was one of the highlights of Council’s events calendar, which attracted thousands of jazz lovers to the iconic beach sands of Manly.
“We might not be able to get together this year, but we can still enjoy some incredible artists on the dedicated Manly Jazz Festival website,” Cr Regan said.
“Behind the scenes the team, including the Manly Jazz Festival committee is working hard to secure artists and the program will be announced shortly.”
Click here for event details.
