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QUARANTINE-FREE TRANS-TASMAN TRAVEL CONFIRMED
Industries engaged in the NSW visitor economy have welcomed the New Zealand Government’s announcement that it will join the Safe Travel Zone between Australia and New Zealand from 19 April.
The announcement will enable quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand on both sides of the Tasman helping to reunite families and friends and give tourism operators a significant boost.
Destination NSW is working with media and industry partners in New Zealand to capture the first international tourism market for Australia since border restrictions were introduced last March. This includes conversion partner campaigns to drive flight, accommodation and experience bookings in Sydney and NSW and the continuation of Destination NSW’s ‘always on’ marketing activity in New Zealand through inspiring social media content that builds intent among potential visitors.
Industry bodies have responded positively and agree that this will give businesses engaged in the visitor economy confidence about future opportunities.
Tourism & Transport Forum Australia CEO Margy Osmond said: “The ‘buzz around the bubble’ and associated travel confidence will provide some relief to Australia’s long-suffering tourism, transport and aviation sectors as we welcome back Kiwis to visit friends and relatives, conduct business and go on holiday.”
Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Managing Director Peter Shelley said: “Our industry will be very happy to hear that a travel bubble has been agreed between the Australian and New Zealand governments which will see one of our most significant markets back online.”
Tourism Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson said: “The opening of NZ will also allow us to begin to fine tune our international arrival and departure systems once again in preparation for the rest of the world - once worldwide and Australian vaccinations are successfully rolled out.”
Tourism Australia has launched a new $3 million campaign – Be the First – in New Zealand that will run until June 2021 across TV, out-of-home, online, print and radio, supported by publicity and partner activities.
The announcement follows Australia’s opening of a one-way Safe Travel Zone from New Zealand to Australia six months ago, with more than 34,000 arrivals into Australia from New Zealand during that period.
SYDNEY RACING LEADS MEGA MONTH OF EVENTS ACROSS THE HARBOUR CITY IN APRIL
Sydney continues to cement its reputation as Australia’s leading events capital, boasting an enviable, month-long program of sporting and entertainment events this April.
Sydneysiders, intrastate and interstate visitors are expected to converge on the Harbour City for a stellar line-up of cultural and sporting events as spectators return in growing numbers to major events throughout Sydney.
Leading the charge is the vibrant Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, offering a kaleidoscope of world-class racing, fashion, entertainment and hospitality, including the headline event, The Star Championships at Royal Randwick.
Off the track fans can celebrate Sydney style in the Autumn Fashion Stakes and Longines Prize for Elegance competitions and enjoy live DJs, pop-up bars and unique hospitality experiences featuring menus by Culinary Ambassador Chase Kojima of The Star’s famed Sokyo, and a new vibrant garden party at Royal Randwick, The Playground. The live entertainment program includes Hot Dub Time Machine on 10 April and Jon Stevens’ performing Noiseworks and INXS classics on 17 April.
In addition to the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour continues its season of La Traviata, a story which inspired the hit movie Moulin Rouge. The performance takes place at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair against the backdrop of Sydney’s iconic Harbour until 25 April.
Other key Sydney events and attractions in April include the Sydney Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park, which returns this year with a full schedule of rural lifestyle activities and family entertainment until 12 April.
Sydney FC takes on arch-rivals Melbourne City FC at Leichhardt Oval tomorrow and AFL blockbuster, the hotly anticipated Sydney Swans versus GWS Giants local derby, will be played at the SCG on 17 April.
Action-packed NRL fixtures also play a starring role right across Sydney throughout April, including the highly anticipated Canterbury Bulldogs vs Melbourne Storm match tomorrow at Stadium Australia.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “Sydney is open for business and bursting with things to do, from enjoying theatre and live performance, exhilarating sports events and Sydney Royal Easter Show, to our incredible attractions and exceptional retail, bars and restaurants. There’s so much to love, you really need to book a city escape and plan a full Sydney itinerary to even scratch the surface of the Harbour City – and importantly you’ll be supporting our local businesses.”
Australian Turf Club CEO Jamie Barkley said: “A day at Royal Randwick in Autumn is one of Sydney’s time-honoured events and we are delighted to welcome bigger crowds back to the track this April. From the great tradition of Derby-Doncaster Day to the ultimate prize and glamour of the $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Sydney gets its time to shine this Autumn and to celebrate our spectacular city.’’
For more information on Sydney’s April events lineup, go to www.sydney.com.
Image credit: Sam Ruttyn, The Daily Telegraph
JUSTIN HEMMES SNAPS UP SOUTH COAST VENUE
Billionaire Hotelier Justin Hemmes has expanded his portfolio, acquiring a unique venue at Narooma on the NSW South Coast, and Merivale’s first regional NSW property.
Mr Hemmes has confirmed the purchase of The Quarterdeck at Narooma in the Eurobodalla region, which is home to spectacular azure waters, dolphins, pelicans and seals.
Best known as the ‘heart of the Oyster Coast’, the town is also home of the annual Narooma Oyster Festival, a month-long celebration of the region's oysters and their growers, quality produce, chefs and rich artistic and cultural talents.
A local institution, The Quarterdeck was originally an oyster farming shed, then a fish and chip shop and most recently a much-loved Tiki bar for the past twenty years. A local treasure, the venue is a quirky boatshed that sits out over the water with an eclectic aesthetic and a menu that champions local seafood.
Mr Hemmes told Good Food he plans to retain the style and ethos of popular venue for the foreseeable future.
"Narooma has become my second home and the backdrop to so many of my happiest memories with my family.
“I think it is one of the most beautiful spots in the world, with a unique landscape, crystal clear waters and an amazing community of people who call it home.
"It has been an absolute privilege to spend so much time here over the past six years and I'm excited to now join the local business community,” Mr Hemmes said.
He attributes the boom in domestic tourism over the past 12 months to have influenced the acquisition.
"One of the silver linings to come out of the last year is a heightened appreciation for our own backyard, an excitement to explore our spectacular country and its coastline," Mr Hemmes said.
The Quarterdeck is located at Riverside Drive in Narooma and is open for lunch, dinner and drinks.
The Narooma Oyster Festival will be held from 30 April to 1 May 2021. For more information go to the event listing at www.visitnsw.com.au.
VALE CARLA ZAMPATTI AC
Iconic Australian designer Carla Zampatti AC will be honoured at a State Funeral following her passing last weekend.
Described as a "true trailblazer", Ms Zampatti established her brand in 1965 and has been an industry leader for more than 55 years. One of the first photo shoots for the brand occurred in front of the Sydney Opera House – which was under construction at the time – and the brand’s first boutique opened in Surry Hills in 1972.
Ms Zampatti received many accolades throughout her career, including the inaugural Australian Business Woman of the Year in 1980 and the inaugural Australian Fashion Laureate in 2008, an industry award established by Australian Fashion Week in partnership with the NSW Government.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian paid her respects via social media with the following statement: “The world will never be the same without Carla Zampatti AC. Talented, generous and inspiring. A true trailblazer in every respect. Rest in Peace.”
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox acknowledged Ms Zampatti’s enormous contribution to the State.
“Carla Zampatti AC was a change-maker, in the world of fashion and business, and her positive impact on the State’s artistic and creative industries was nothing short of significant. Her involvement in Australian Fashion Week, acknowledgement through the Australian Fashion Laureate and support for arts and culture more broadly are testament to her unwavering generosity, leadership and vision.”
The State Funeral will be held at St Mary’s Cathedral at 10:30am and will be live streamed. Doors will open at 9.30am and guests will need to be seated by 10.15am sharp. General public are welcome to attend and will be accommodated inside the Cathedral where possible. If seating reaches Cathedral capacity, guests will be invited to watch the service via live stream.
For details on the service, the live stream and the online condolence book visit www.nsw.gov.au/stateservices. COVID-19 health measures must be adhered to.
DESTINATION NSW’S THE LONG ROAD SERIES DRIVES RETURNS FOR VISITOR ECONOMY
Destination NSW’s road trips web series, The Long Road, has amassed more than 2.5 million views since launching late last year.
The six-part series starring Australian artists Guy Sebastian, Amy Shark, Troy Cassar-Daley, Ocean Alley, Polish Club and Connie Mitchell (Sneaky Sound System) has not only proven incredibly popular among viewers, it has also contributed to significant leads to industry through the broader road trips program.
Each episode features one musician or artist exploring one of NSW's suggested road trips, meeting local operators involved in the visitor economy and experiencing the unique natural beauty and breadth of attractions available along the itinerary.
The Mighty Murray Drive episode, which features rock duo Polish Club touring from Albury to Moama in the Riverina Murray region, has accrued more than 470,000 times with views still increasing.
Destination NSW’s road trips program is an extension of the Love NSW and The Great Escape campaigns to drive domestic visitation in the wake of bushfires, drought and the pandemic. The Long Road web series and extensive media and partnership programs is calling on travellers to book a NSW escape.
The program has delivered more than 848,000 visits to Destination NSW’s consumer websites, www.visitnsw.com and www.sydney.com, since its launch, translating to 207,000 direct leads to operators.
The paid media program is ongoing. To watch the full The Long Road series, go to www.youtube.com/visitnsw.
NEW FRAMEWORK TAPS INTO SENIORS’ CREATIVITY FOR WELL-BEING
Painting for people living with dementia is one program featured in the NSW Government’s new framework to help boost health and wellbeing for seniors.
Minister for Seniors Geoff Lee said the NSW Creative Ageing Framework promotes productive ageing and healthy lifestyles by tapping into seniors’ creativity.
“We’re encouraging seniors to undertake creative pursuits as a way to challenge themselves, stay socially connected and embrace lifelong learning,” Mr Lee said.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the framework assists with partnerships between the arts and culture sector and organisations that support older people.
“We want to connect seniors to the bold, rich and diverse experiences that can be enjoyed by audiences and participants of programs within the arts and culture sector,” Mr Harwin said.
The Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing (MACA) helped develop the framework and said it’s a timely addition amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The framework is a key initiative of the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021– 2031. For more information, visit the website.
ROAD NETWORK RESTORATION UNDERWAY FOLLOWING FLOODS
As large sections of the State continue to clean up from the recent wild weather, the NSW Government has announced a Regional Road Flood Recovery Taskforce to help fast track efforts to restore the road network.
Deputy Premier and the Minister responsible for disaster recovery John Barilaro said with water levels starting to recede, the NSW Government is pivoting its focus from response to recovery.
“Emergency services and road crews have worked tirelessly to restore access to these communities as soon as possible – and now we want to focus on restoring those roads to full capacity.
“Transport for NSW has set up a Regional Road Flood Recovery Taskforce to assess damage, report ongoing road closures to locals, assist the freight industry and other road users, and support councils with applications for disaster recovery funding,” Mr Barilaro said.
Some of the damage, particularly along Bells Line of Road and slope failures along Jenolan Caves Road would require more extensive and time-consuming repairs.
In the north, Waterfall Way has more than a dozen landslips after more than 500 millimetres of rain in that area. Crews are on site starting the high risk clean-up ensuring safety first.
More information on how to best plan your journey is available at http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/holiday-journeys.
NSW TO MODERNISE HERITAGE PROTECTIONS
The NSW Government is taking the first steps to review and modernise NSW Heritage legislation with the referral of a discussion paper to a Parliamentary committee for inquiry and consultation.
This 2021 review is designed to make it easier, more affordable, and more desirable to own a State significant heritage property.
The community are encouraged to make a submission through the inquiry process to have their say on the discussion paper and proposed reforms. The discussion paper proposes initiatives to incentivise investment in heritage conservation, make day to day use of heritage items easier, and introduce a category style of listing to accommodate the different and complex needs of heritage properties.
Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the Government wants to see heritage not only protected but celebrated and activated for communities.
“We know that the best way to keep our heritage alive is to use and re-use it. This review is about ensuring heritage listing actively contributes to conservation outcomes in the long-term,” Minister Harwin said.
NSW heritage legislation has had no major system reforms since 1999 and a review is well overdue to ensure heritage is protected now and into the future.
The NSW Legislative Council Standing Committee on Social Issues will undertake a public inquiry and report back later this year, providing an opportunity for all stakeholders and members of the community to have their say.
The discussion paper and more information about the inquiry and how to get involved is available on the website.
NEW FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL TO HIT SYDNEY’S NORTHERN BEACHES
Food and wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to indulge in the very best Sydney’s Northern Beaches have to offer, with a new month-long festival to be held in May.
Managed by Northern Beaches Council, Taste of the Beaches, will run from Manly to Palm Beach and include more than 30 events.
Mayor of Northern Beaches Council Michael Regan said Taste of the Beaches will have something for everyone.
“The program will be unique and varied, and we are proud to support a very vibrant line-up of local restaurants, brewers and wine producers. You never know what fantastic restaurant or café or local brewery you may discover, just around the corner from you.
“By organising events across the whole region, we are helping support local businesses, particularly hospitality, who have been hard hit over the past year.
“Council is also providing grants to local restaurants, cafes and businesses to participate in the event. Taste of the Beaches is as much about supporting local businesses as it is providing first-class wining and dining experiences.
“Back on the program this year (from Taste of Manly) will be the very popular Manly Beach Restaurant, a pop-up restaurant in partnership with Hotel Steyne on spectacular Manly Beach. In Palm Beach, we plan to stage the Palm Beach Wine Garden, a cellar door style event, featuring up to 12 wineries. It will be a limited ticket event and I’m sure it will be very popular, so be sure to get in quick," Cr Regan said.
Further information on Taste of the Beaches will be made available soon via the Council website.
ALL ABOARD FOR MAKEOVER OF INNER WEST TRAIN STATIONS
St Peters and Erskineville train stations will receive major makeovers worth approximately $40 million as part of the integration of Sydney Metro City & Southwest. Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the upgrades will include new lifts and canopies in preparation for the increase in train services when the new Metro opens in 2024. “We’re upgrading key infrastructure to complement the changes we need to make to some existing rail services as a result of the next stage of Metro,” Mr Constance said. At St Peters and Erskineville, it will mean more modern and accessible stations as well as a boost in train services, however, there will be a change in travel patterns. Review of Environmental Factors for St Peters Station Upgrade was recently on public display. Subject to planning approval, construction for both upgrades is expected to start later this year.
$15.1M FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR 2021 SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW
The Australian Government has provided $15.1 million to the Sydney Royal Easter Show under the Supporting Agricultural Shows and Field Days program to relieve cash flow pressures and ensure this year's Show could go ahead. Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said Agricultural shows and field days contribute over $1 billion to the economy each year. "Agricultural shows are an integral part of Australian culture and the most authentic and accessible display of Australian farming and regional life," he said. The Sydney Royal Easter Show generates $250 million in economic activity each year, a lot of which flows to agricultural industries and regional and rural communities.
$4.8M TO DIGITISE PLANNING IN REGIONAL NSW
The NSW Government is investing $4.8 million to help regional councils across the State transition toward a digital platform to lodge and assess planning applications. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the Government has $4.8 million in grant funding available through the Regional Digital Planning Program to ensure that the digital shift will include regional residents and councils. “We’ve seen more than 55,000 development applications submitted through the e-planning system since councils started coming online in December 2018 which represents more than $82 billion worth of potential investment value for NSW,” Mr Stokes said. Each of the 95 regional councils and the Lord Howe Island Board has the opportunity to receive a grant of $50,000 to assist with their transition to the Planning Portal. All NSW councils need to be using the Planning Portal to lodge all development applications and complying development certificates by 1 July 2021.
BUSHFIRE RECOVERY VIDEO LAUNCHED FOR SAPPHIRE COAST
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency and Tourism Australia have released their next Open for Business video featuring the Sapphire Coast. The 15-part series shines a spotlight on everyday Australians as the rebuild their lives, 12 months on from the 2019-20 bushfire season. The videos were funded from the Australian Government’s $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund. Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said that driving tourism to bushfire-affected regions would help to support local jobs and economies. “Our message to Australians is to visit these incredible regions, stay for a few days, eat and shop local. Many of the small businesses impacted by the bushfires are back open for business and they need our support to help their long-term recovery,” Mr Tehan said. Click here to view the Sapphire Coast video, along with other videos featuring NSW.
POPULAR TRAVELOGUE TO SHOWCASE NSW IN JAPAN
Popular Japanese travel program, Tabi Salad, will broadcast stories of NSW over the next few weeks, reaching millions of potential visitors across Japan. The program will shine a bright light on an array of products and experiences across Sydney and Port Macquarie, enticing audiences to continue dreaming about their next holiday to NSW once borders reopen. The series, which was a collaboration between Destination NSW and Tourism Australia, will air from 10 April to 22 May reaching more than 8 million Japanese viewers each week.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE CARAVAN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AWARDS
In anticipation of the upcoming National Conference, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia is currently seeking nominations for several high-profile industry awards.
There are three major awards which are currently open for nominations. The award categories are: The Eric Hayman Award for Excellence, The Gerry Ryan OAM Award for Innovation and the Future Leaders Award. Winners will be announced at the National Conference Gala Dinner on Thursday 6th May 2021. For more information or to make a nomination, visit the website.
