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SYDNEY COUNTS DOWN TO THE PREMIERE OF PIPPIN
Excitement is building for the Australian premiere of PIPPIN next month, marking the return of large-scale musicals to Sydney theatres.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said PIPPIN’s opening at Sydney Lyric Theatre was a milestone event for COVID-safe live performance and the state’s economy.
“PIPPIN will be the first large-scale musical to return to the Australian stage since theatres closed down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Ayres said.
“The opening of PIPPIN signifies that we are turning a corner in the management of the pandemic and restoring employment in the creative industries, with more than 500 jobs for artists, musicians, crews, administration and venue staff working on the musical.
“Why not plan a staycation in conjunction with the show - book an overnight stay, enjoy a great meal, indulge in some retail therapy or explore parts of the city you haven’t discovered before.”
PIPPIN, the multiple Tony Award winning musical, opens at Sydney Lyric Theatre on 24 November. Tickets are available from pippinthemusical.com.au.
Destination NSW is supporting the Sydney season of PIPPIN.
2020 ICC SYDNEY NSW WINE AWARDS ANNOUNCED
The 2020 NSW Wine Awards were announced at a special event at ICC Sydney last week, which was attended by 100 winemakers, industry guests and Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales.
This year’s winners were selected by 16 expert judges, led by Chief Judge Dave Brookes and ICC Sydney’s Beverage Operations and Cellar Manager, William Wilson, from 904 varietals from 16 wine regions across the state.
The ICC is one of the NSW wine industry’s biggest supporters boasting a wine list that is 100 per cent NSW. It has also produced a second episode in a four-part documentary series, ‘100% Local’, which shines a light on the NSW wine industry.
ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy said: “It has been an incredibly difficult year for NSW’s winemakers and it’s important that we continue to show our support for the industry, even in the most challenging of times. We are delighted to host and sponsor the NSW Wine Awards today and also release ‘Resilience & Climate Change’, a short documentary which explores the impact of climate change on our local wine industry.”
To see the full list of the 2020 trophy winners, click here.
Image caption: Briar Ridge Winemaker Alex Beckett and the Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC
ANOTHER KNOCKOUT EVENT FOR WESTERN SYDNEY
The NSW Government has continued its winning streak, securing another high-profile sporting event for Western Sydney – the inaugural Sydney SuperFight event at Bankwest Stadium on 16 December.
Headlining the event will be a Trans-Tasman bout between up and coming Australian star Tim Tszyu and New Zealand’s Bowyn Morgan.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres welcomed the COVID-safe event, estimated to deliver over $1 million to the visitor economy, as another major win for Western Sydney and NSW.
“Sydney SuperFight joins an impressive list of major sporting events that have been secured for our state through the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW,” Mr Ayres said.
“With Sydneysider Tim Tszyu, son of Australian boxing legend Kostya Tszyu, in the ring against the Kiwi champion, this will be a contest boxing fans won’t want to miss, and I have no doubt Sydney SuperFight will be a sellout.”
The Sydney SuperFight program is packed with entertainment including a number of undercard bouts such as the highly anticipated clash between former NRL star Paul Gallen and former UFC star Mark Hunt.
Tickets for the Sydney SuperFight go on sale at 10am on 2 November via Ticketek.
Image caption: UFC star Mark Hunt, Australian boxer Tim Tszyu and former NRL player Paul Gallen
SYDNEY FISH MARKET HITS MAJOR MILESTONE
The new Sydney Fish Market has hit a major milestone with a contract awarded to begin construction, creating jobs for NSW now and into the future.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the award of a contract on the pivotal $750 million project demonstrated the NSW Government’s commitment to stimulating the economy while providing infrastructure for the local community and visitors alike.
“The new Sydney Fish Market is set to become a world-class cultural icon for Sydney, creating jobs for the economy, boosting tourism and showcasing Sydney’s beautiful Blackwattle Bay,” Mr Ayres said.
“After careful consideration and a competitive process, Multiplex has been appointed to start construction on the fish markets, with work to start early next year. More than 700 jobs will be created during construction, with a further 700 jobs to be supported upon completion in 2024, providing a much-needed boost to the local economy.”
David Ghannoum, Regional Managing Director Multiplex said the new Sydney Fish Market was set to become one of Australia’s best tourist destinations.
“With its award-winning design, the modernised Sydney Fish Market will retain an authentic marine and seafood market experience and strengthen its position as one of Australia’s leading tourist destinations,” Mr Ghannoum said.
The Sydney Fish Market redevelopment is one of many projects fast tracked through Government’s new Planning System Acceleration Program, introduced to keep people in jobs and the economy moving in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current Sydney Fish Market site will remain operational while the new site is under construction. For more information, visit insw.com/blackwattlebay.
STRICT NEW LAWS TO REGULATE SHORT-TERM RENTALS
From 18 December 2020, a mandatory Code of Conduct will apply to booking platforms, hosts, letting agents and guests of short-term rental accommodation, helping to enforce minimum standards of good behaviour.
A key feature of the new laws will be the establishment of an exclusion register, which will introduce a ‘two strikes and you’re out’ policy for unruly guests. NSW Fair Trading will have the ability to ban problematic hosts or anti-social guests from booking short-term rentals for five years.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said while the sector had gone from strength to strength, what has been missing is a clear set of rules to protect the rights of both hosts, guests and neighbours and which put mutual respect front and centre.
“The NSW Government is introducing these laws as part of our broad reform of the sector. Together, they will ensure the minority of participants who are giving the sector a bad name are removed and the short-term rental sector is improved for hosts, guests and communities,” Mr Anderson said.
“We have all heard the horror stories of hosts doing the wrong thing or the house guests from hell behaving disgracefully in holiday rentals. The standards are enforceable, with powers available to NSW Fair Trading Commissioner to take disciplinary action, including penalties and exclusion from the industry for repeat offenders.”
All participants, including booking platforms, will be required to comply with the Code and with directions and requests from the Commissioner.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is also developing a government-run premises register and state environmental planning policy for short-term rental accommodation which will round out the reforms to this sector and launch in 2021.
The Code of Conduct can be viewed here. For additional information, please visit the Fair Trading website.
NEWCASTLE CONNECTS TO LORD HOWE ISLAND
The Hunter region and Northern NSW will have easier access to the World Heritage site, Lord Howe Island, from 14 November thanks to a new agreement between Newcastle Airport and Port Macquarie-based airline, Eastern Air Services.
Eastern Air Services will operate a direct service from Newcastle Airport to Lord Howe Island on a 10-seat Beechcraft B200 aircraft.
Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock said he was buoyed by the growing optimism in the aviation industry and excited about the ability of the airport to help connect its region with one of the most beautiful places on earth.
“With domestic borders starting to open, I think we’ll see strong demand for leisure travel within Australia in the coming weeks,” Dr Cock said.
“We know our customers are keen to fly and with international travel still some way off, we feel the people of our region deserve a range of exciting and unique holiday options. The eco-tourism experience at this World Heritage island certainly fits that category.”
Frequency of services will increase with demand over the peak summer months and as awareness of the service increases. Visitors can book now via Eastern Air Services or via their local travel agent.
NEW WELCOME TO COUNTRY CAMPAIGN
Destination NSW and Tourism Australia have partnered with Welcome to Country, Australia’s premium marketplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism experiences, to launch a new statewide campaign.
The ‘Experience Your Own Backyard’ campaign showcases 14 NSW Aboriginal tourism operators and encourages people to get out and experience their own state, support Aboriginal tourism and reinvigorate the local tourism economy.
CEO of Welcome to Country Jason Eades said: “We are thrilled to partner with Destination NSW and Tourism Australia to promote experiences in NSW. The campaign highlights the diversity and richness of Aboriginal experiences in NSW. It also presents the perfect opportunity for every Australian to explore and discover their own back yard.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “NSW is home to Australia’s largest Aboriginal population represented by more than 80 Tribal Groups each with a compelling story to tell. Our Aboriginal tourism operators offer a unique perspective on the land, the history and the culture of our regions, so it’s fantastic to see these businesses feature in the new campaign with Welcome to Country.”
The campaign kicked off last week and will run until 30 November 2020. For more information, click here.
$100 MILLION REGIONAL JOB CREATION FUND
The NSW Government has announced a $100 million fund to create at least 5,000 jobs across regional NSW over the next three years.
The new Regional Job Creation Fund will provide grants between $100,000 and $10 million to undertake projects and fast-track expansion plans, with applications now open.
The Fund supports regional investment and job creation by offering matched dollar-for-dollar funding to activate or bring forward regional projects in engine, enabling or emerging engine industries.
For more information and to apply, click here.
QANTAS TO LAUNCH LAUNCESTON TO SYDNEY SERVICE
Following the easing of border restrictions between NSW and Tasmania, Qantas will launch a new route between Sydney and Launceston this summer, bringing more visitors from Tasmania to NSW.
Qantas will initially operate three return services per week with a Boeing 717 aircraft from 4 December, increasing to four return services the following week until 1 February 2021.
Qantas will also recommence flights between Hobart to Sydney, with 11 return services per week from 6 November.
$7.4 MILLION COMMITMENT TO CLOSING THE GAP
The NSW Government has announced funding of $7.4 million as a first step to begin state-based actions to support the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Don Harwin confirmed this new investment at the 400th meeting of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) held this week in Broken Hill.
“This investment demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to achieving a critical priority under the Closing the Gap National Agreement – strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations,” Mr Harwin said.
