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AUSTRALIA DAY LIVE GIVES NSW RESIDENTS A REASON TO CELEBRATE
As with every year, Australia Day is a time to celebrate cultural diversity, the Australian spirit, mateship and sense of community. While celebrations may be a little different this year, Australia Day in 2021 will look to inspire optimism and recognise the many challenges that Australians have overcome as a nation in the past year.
The NSW Government’s annual celebration – Australia Day Live – will be held at the iconic Sydney Opera and broadcast to the nation, ensuring everyone across the country can join in on the celebrations from the comfort and safety of their own home.
Viewers are set to be dazzled, with unforgettable musical performances by top Aussie talent choreographed with a spectacular fireworks display, a flotilla of yachts and jet-skis.
Aussie music icons Delta Goodrem, Casey Donovan, Dami Im, Mitch Tambo, Todd McKenney, tenor Lorenzo Rositano, along with world-renowned didgeridoo player William Barton will entertain the nation with their epic performances. Plus, in a ground-breaking opening segment, Iva Davies will look at Circular Quay when it was known as Warrane.
Rounding out the talent will be Aboriginal vocal group KARI, the renowned Koomurri Aboriginal Dance Troupe, and VOX Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Aussie Pops Orchestra will back up the artists, with Australia Day Creative Director and music maestro John Foreman as host alongside Jeremy Fernandez and Casey Donovan.
Australia Day Live will be broadcast on ABC and iView from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
To ensure public safety, restrictions will be in place around the Circular Quay foreshore precinct. Only those with a confirmed restaurant or venue booking will be allowed entry into the area after 5pm.
Outside Sydney, there are a number of COVID-safe cultural and community events being hosted across NSW, from Mendooran to Molong, - check the official website for all regional events.
For details of the Australia Day 2021 program, including broadcast information, visit www.australiaday.com.au.
VISITOR ECONOMY STRATEGY 2030 RECEIVES OVERWHELMING INDUSTRY SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT
Industry stakeholders have endorsed the NSW Government’s new Visitor Economy Strategy 2030, backing the state’s ambition to become the premier visitor economy of the Asia-Pacific.
The strategy, which was developed by Destination NSW and released on Monday by Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres, is a blueprint to rebuild and grow the state’s visitor economy, providing social and economic benefits to the people of NSW.
Tourism Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson said the strategy addressed the crises the visitor economy had weathered in the past 18 months, and provided a strong plan and clear vision for the rebuilding process.
“We commend the Government and Destination NSW for developing such a robust plan that addresses the current challenging period and the return to pre-COVID and future growth.
“With international borders to remain closed in the foreseeable future it is reassuring the strategy includes an immediate focus on growing visitation from the domestic market,” Mr Johnson said.
NSW Tourism Industry Council Executive General Manager Greg Binskin said as an industry, stakeholders need to plan to not just get back to pre-COVID levels but to leverage the strong performance of NSW through the pandemic.
“Importantly the strategy recognises that the broader visitor economy supply chain includes transport operators, food producers, retail, cultural bodies and the services sector, not just those businesses we would normally associate with tourism in accommodation, attractions and hospitality.
“At 75 million visitors and over $8.3 billion in value to NSW, the inclusion of the day trip market as an area of focus is a good step, particularly in the current environment,” Mr Binskin said.
The Caravan and Camping Industry Association (NSW) welcomed the strategy and the opportunity to continue the strong working relationship with Destination NSW to see it come to fruition.
SYDNEY BROUGHT TO LIFE THIS SUMMER
Sydneysiders are being enticed back into the heart of the Harbour City, with a raft of affordable and COVID-safe cultural events taking place this summer.
As part of its Al Fresco Initiative, the NSW Government has committed $15 million to city revitalisation, matched by $5 million from City of Sydney, for projects and activities that will attract people back to Sydney over the coming months.
This week, the NSW Government announced a new COVID-safe outdoor concert series, Sunset Piazza, which features 32 nights of performances from 28 January to 21 March at a dedicated theatre stage, installed at Cathedral Square.
Headline acts include Peking Duk (DJ Set), Ben Lee, Sneaky Sound System and Opera Australia, with tickets for all events just $25.
Live performance fans can also get their fix of culture with Sydney Opera House’s daily release of $21 tickets, or for those who prefer to stretch out on a picnic rug in the open air, head to the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney’s signature music, food and wine event, The Garden Social (until 7 February).
There is plenty happening in the city for art enthusiasts. The City of Sydney has commissioned four artists to create outdoor experiential artworks to reactivate some of the city’s laneways, including a ‘micro-forest’ of native species installed in Haymarket, near Central Station.
Sydney’s major arts and cultural institutions – including the Art Gallery of NSW, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the Australian Museum and the Powerhouse Museum – are taking part in Culture Up Late until March 2021, giving people the opportunity to visit exhibitions straight after work or during a night out in the city.
To find out how to make the most of Sydney’s jam-packed summer calendar of COVID-safe cultural events, visit nsw.gov.au/campaign/summer-in-the-city.
Image: Sneaky Sound System
Image credit: Nicole Cooper
BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS OPEN FOR DINE & DISCOVER
Eligible dining, arts and tourism businesses across the state can now register to take part in the NSW Government’s major economic stimulus program, Dine & Discover NSW.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet encouraged businesses to register early so they are prepared when the program goes live in coming months.
“We’ve heard loud and clear just how tough it has been for businesses across NSW. This program will reinvigorate local economies and provide customers with hip pocket relief,” Mr Perrottet said.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said Service NSW is launching a specialised app for participating businesses, so they can scan and track voucher usage over the life of the program.
“After applying online, NSW businesses will be able to track the progress of the application through their MyServiceNSW Business Profile. Business owners will then receive a step-by-step process on how to get ready,” Mr Dominello said.
Businesses will be paid automatically – typically – within five business days for the value of vouchers redeemed.
Residents can download the Service NSW app now in anticipation of the rollout.
Phase one includes a pilot at The Rocks and Broken Hill in early February. The pilot will then be extended to the Northern Beaches, Sydney CBD and Bega Valley Shire Council, which is expected to commence in late February. Statewide rollout is expected to commence in March and run until 30 June 2021.
Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total: two $25 vouchers for eating in at restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs from Monday to Thursday, and two $25 vouchers for entertainment and recreation including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues, available 7 days a week (both streams exclude public holidays).
The vouchers can only be used within COVID-safe registered businesses. For more information on Dine & Discover NSW business registration and eligibility, visit www.nsw.gov.au.
Image: Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello
DESTINATION NSW’S 2019-20 ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE
Destination NSW’s annual report for 2019-20 is now available on the corporate website.
Destination NSW Chairman John Warn said the 2019-20 financial year was the most turbulent and challenging period for the NSW tourism industry since the establishment of Destination NSW in 2011.
“The year started positively with Tourism Satellite Accounts reporting the highest levels of tourism employment, tourism Gross State Product and tourism Gross Value Add in NSW for more than a decade... and record results (for visitor expenditure) in the September and December 2019 quarters.
“2019-20 was not an easy year, the response from everyone at Destination NSW was overwhelming, highlighting the passion and commitment of all our staff in making sure that NSW can recover and remain Australia’s number one visitor economy,” Mr Warn said.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox acknowledged the many achievements of the organisation in difficult conditions, including:
The launch of the $10 million tourism recovery package in February supporting businesses to bounce back from bushfires, droughts and floods
The Love NSW campaign driving intrastate and interstate visitation in the wake of natural disasters and COVID-19 and;
Many successful publicity, partnership and content activities such as the creation of the ‘Local Stories’ video series featuring tourism operators inviting travellers to visit.
“The many challenges experienced by the visitor economy in 2019-2020 presented the need to review the Visitor Economy Industry Action Plan 2030 to update our key objectives, reset our targets and develop a comprehensive roadmap of our visitor economy over the next 10 years.
“The new NSW Visitor Economy Strategy will guide the road to recovery and our vision for the future. Going forward increased engagement will be at the forefront of our recovery activities to ensure we are listening to our stakeholders and responding to their needs,” Mr Cox said.
ADAM SPENCER SHARES HIS FIRST EVER NSW AUSSIE ROAD TRIP IN NEW ONLINE VIDEO SERIES
Australia’s most loved maths geek, author and comic, Adam Spencer, will share his first-ever road trip experience around NSW, in a new online video series that celebrates the Australian spirit as we head into Australia Day on 26 January.
With COVID-19 changing the way we travel, the NSW Government and Australia Day Council of NSW is getting behind regional communities in NSW to encourage people to start planning their visits to amazing destinations across our state.
The new 10-part series, Love an Aussie Road Trip, with Adam and his family, is designed to showcase the best of regional NSW, taking viewers through a number of iconic towns, including Mudgee, Parkes, Dubbo, Wellington, Gloucester, Port Macquarie and South West Rocks – just to name a few.
Australia Day Council of NSW Chair Andrew Parker recognised the incredible experiences available to all Australians in our own backyard.
“Australians love a road trip and this summer, we’re bringing the iconic road trip to the community. After a challenging year, we’re celebrating our Australian regional communities, which have so much to offer, from fresh produce, inspiring landscapes, adventure to sporting experiences.
“The humble road trip is embedded in our Australian identity, it’s responsible for a lifetime of memories, connecting with different people and endless stories. Adam’s road trip series through regional NSW provides some much-needed humour and new perspectives for when we can all safely hit the road again,” Mr Parker said.
Episodes will be released through to Australia Day exclusively here.
The website is full of handy tips to assist road trippers, both new and experienced, to plan their next adventure with plenty of ideas for the future when it’s safe to get out and embrace our communities.
$14M CALLAN PARK REVAMP
Callan Park is set to undergo a $14 million makeover, taking Sydney a step closer to connecting its harbour foreshore with public parks and shared paths.
Now under the management of Greater Sydney Parklands, the plans for Callan Park include a proper pedestrian track and the removal of two dilapidated buildings to make way for new picnic spots, accessible amenities and landscaped areas.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said: “These works will see a tricky section of the Bay Run fixed, meaning pedestrians and cyclists will no longer have to weave around motorists looking for parking in a space that will make better use of its prime position on the foreshore.
“We’re enhancing the best of Callan Park’s heritage while maximising public space to make this one of the true jewels in Sydney’s crown.”
The Callan Park upgrade is expected to begin later this year and will complement the $2 million upgrade to Waterfront Sports Ground undertaken by Inner West Council in 2019.
LOVE NSW KEEPS SHINING, SHOWCASING THE STATE TO VISITORS
Destination NSW’s Love NSW campaign continues to create awareness and intent to plan a holiday in NSW among potential visitors through targeted publicity, marketing and social media activity in line with the latest health advice.
Destination NSW has adjusted its activity to ensure the state remains front of mind for intrastate travellers in particular, even though travel restrictions interstate required some campaign programs to be paused in recent weeks.
The agency's publicity team secured hero coverage of the Sapphire Coast recently including features in leading national travel publication Escape, The Daily Telegraph, and several travel trade publications.
This was supported by social media and radio advertising promoting last minute Australia Day getaways to the Sapphire Coast and Murray to NSW and ACT residents in close proximity to the regions.
Love NSW continues to promote the state’s unique and unexpected destinations to holidaymakers through VisitNSW social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter) and advertising placements including print (Good Weekend) and billboards at Sydney Airport.
Hero media coverage has also showcased many different aspects of Sydney and NSW, including articles on six of Sydney’s best scenic walks (Traveller), the state’s best secret swim spots (Life Hacker), five reasons to visit Broken Hill (Escape) and an adventurer’s guide to the Central Coast (9Travel).
REGIONAL COMMUNITIES HIT HOME RUN THROUGH NSW GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR SPORT
The NSW north coast will become the new home plate for the Sydney Blue Sox with regional NSW fans being treated to the return of the Australian Baseball League’s (ABL) premier All-Star series for the first time in three years.
Lismore’s Albert Park will hold coveted All-Star games and a home series of the Sydney Blue Sox, starting from this weekend, thanks to the NSW Government’s partnership with Baseball Australia.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said: “Border closures have forced the cancellation of 12 Blue Sox games, resulting in the loss of ticket sales and potentially threatening the future of the team.”
“Providing this support will enable the Blue Sox to play the remaining games of the 2020/21 season while also giving fans the opportunity to see Australia’s best All-Stars smashing some home runs at Albert Park,” he said.
This week Mr Barilaro also announced that the NSW Government would invest $750,000 to support female athletes in regional NSW aspiring to play for the Matildas. Focusing on girls aged between 12 to 18 years old, the funding will see players supported through training camps and player support scholarships.
Grassroots cricketers will also reap the benefits of NSW Government support, with the announcement this week of 77 successful projects in the final round of the NSW ICC T20 World Cup Cricket Legacy Fund, bringing the total funding amount to $6 million and supporting more than 200 projects.
BIGGEST INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN HISTORY OF NSW NATIONAL PARKS
The NSW Government will invest $257 million to deliver 170 new and improved community infrastructure projects throughout NSW national parks.
The record investment will see the delivery of more than 750km of new and upgraded walking tracks, 33 campground upgrades and 61 new and improved picnic areas.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said: “Not only are our national parks good for the environment and our health and wellbeing, they are good for the health of the economy – injecting around $18 billion into the economy each year and supporting 74,000 direct and indirect jobs.”
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the record funding amount will be delivered over three years, with priority given to projects that benefit the community and boost ecotourism across the state.
“Whether it’s improving accessibility with new walking tracks and trails, or new and improved places to share a picnic with family and friends, we are delivering the single biggest investment in community infrastructure in the history of our national parks.
“Over this summer alone, more than 18.5 million visits are expected in the state’s almost 900 national parks, providing a much-needed boost for nearby small businesses and nature-based tourism operators,” Mr Kean said.
Visitors to all NSW national parks are reminded to check the NPWS Alerts for up-to-date information on any track or precinct closures as well as current COVID-safe requirements.
YOUNG ARTISTS STAR IN MANLY
Manly will shine a spotlight on local young up-and-coming artists at the Express Yourself exhibition, kicking off next month. The annual exhibition at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum (MAG&M) will feature multi-media and digital works, as well as sculpture, ceramics and drawings from more than 40 HSC Visual Art students from the Northern Beaches when it gets underway on 19 February. Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said: “It’s wonderful to see the diversity of local talent on display at a local institution like MAG&M which continues to nurture and inspire new generations of artists.” Artists featured in the exhibition will be considered for the $3,000 Manly Art Gallery and Museum Society Youth Art Award and the $5,000 Theor Batten Bequest Youth Art Award. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite artwork in the KALOF People’s Choice Award. Express Yourself will be open daily (excluding Mondays) 10am-4pm from 19 February to 28 March. Find out more and book the Art Walk and Talk on Saturday 27 February from 3-4pm via the gallery website.
CALLUBRI STATION OPENS IN WESTERN PLAINS
Travellers are invited to immerse themselves in the wild, rugged landscape of the NSW Western Plains by staying in the region’s newest accommodation offering, Callubri Station, located 52km south of Nyngan. The premium property – developed with the support of Destination NSW through the 2018-19 Regional Tourism Fund –offers four ‘Sky Suite’ king ensuite rooms with outdoor decks that overlook a 12-metre mineral pool with a swim jet and lounges. Separate to the Sky Suites, the River Suite is located close to the Shearer’s Quarters Hall and provides accessible accommodation via a ramp with an accessible ensuite. Callubri Station’s true luxury lies in its seclusion, with a maximum of 10 guests sharing the property at any given time. The 11,500-hectare property also offers a stunning canvas for weddings, seating up to 130 guests in the Shearer’s Quarters Dining Hall, which features vintage bentwood chairs, rustic timber tables and exposed beams adorned with old brass chandeliers. Pre-launch packages are available until 15 March 2021. Click here to find out more.
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE DRAFT LOCAL GOVERNMENT RATING BILL
Communities across NSW have two weeks left to provide feedback on a draft Bill to implement key reforms to ensure a fairer and more flexible rating system for councils and ratepayers. Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said submissions would close on 5 February for the Local Government Amendment (Rating) Bill 2020 which will implement the Government’s response to IPART’s local government rating review. “This Bill is a significant step in continuing to ensure we have a fair and equitable rating system that responds to the changing needs of communities across the State,” Mrs Hancock said. “Most significantly, the Government is proposing to align rating income growth with population growth to help councils provide for growing communities while still protecting residents from unfair rate rises through the rate pegging system.” More information can be found here.
SMALL AND REGIONAL BUSINESSES WIN BIG IN NSW
Small, medium and regional businesses are reaping the benefits of the NSW Government’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy, with the NSW Government spending more money with SMEs and regional businesses. In the 12 months since the policy commenced on 1 February 2019, spend with regional suppliers increased by $255 million, while spend with SMEs increased by $337 million from the previous year. Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the SME and Regional Procurement Policy was helping family businesses and entrepreneurs to supply goods and services to the NSW Government, often for the first time. “These businesses are the backbone of their communities and by giving them the opportunity to supply to Government we are helping support sectors hit hard by natural disasters, such as drought, bushfires, floods, as well as COVID-19 in the past year.” For more information on the SME and Regional Procurement Policy, click here.
COASTXP OFFERS NEW EXPERIENCES FOR THE HUNTER
Visitors to the Hunter region can now experience guided hikes into the Wallarah National Park, thanks to local tourism operator – CoastXP. The Caves Coastal Hike is an 8.5km hike beginning at Caves Beach along the Lake Macquarie coastline, which focuses on Aboriginal heritage, local geology, coastal history as well as the flora and fauna native to the National Park. The new hike will operate over the warmer months of the year and will be led by CoastXP Founder and Managing Director, Dominic May and Team Member, Rachael Scott. CoastXP also offers a range of other unique nature-based experiences, from coastal sightseeing and whale watching tours, to photography workshops, combined ride and fly experiences, as well as a luxury dining experience - all aboard their custom-built boat, Atmos. For more information, click here.
NSW TO HOST AUSTRALIAN TRACK & FIELD CHAMPS 2021
Sydney will host the largest annual athletics event in Australia and the Oceania region, The Australian Track and Field Championships, when it takes place in April this year. The event was due to take place in Sydney last year but was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The 2021 Championships will take place at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre from 12 to 21 April and subject to COVID-19 measures at the time of the event, will be the last chance for automatic qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympics. NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “Events like these Championships are the engine room of the NSW visitor economy with thousands of competitors participating in the program supported by officials, staff, volunteers and spectators who all stay and spend locally for the duration.” Athletics Australia will work with the NSW Government to monitor COVID-19 restrictions to ensure it is appropriate for the event to take place. Learn more here.
