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TRAVEL BUBBLE WITH NZ CONFIRMED
New Zealanders from COVID-19 free areas will be allowed to travel to Australia under a one-way trans-Tasman ‘bubble’ starting Friday 16 October.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack today announced that Stage One of the plan would allow New Zealanders to travel to NSW and the Northern Territory.
“This will allow New Zealanders and other residents in New Zealand who have not been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hotspot in New Zealand in the preceding 14 days to travel quarantine-free to Australia,” Mr McCormack said.
“The Department of Health has undertaken a public health risk assessment of COVID-19 in New Zealand, which indicated that New Zealand posed a low risk of COVID-19 transmission to Australia.”
Although the travel bubble currently only covers New Zealand, Mr McCormack said the Australian Government is working with several Pacific Island nations to potentially extend the bubble.
New Zealanders will still be required to quarantine for two weeks when they return to New Zealand. The changes do not allow Australians to travel to New Zealand at this time.
ANZ STADIUM TO HOST NRL GRAND FINAL
The 2020 NRL Grand Final will be played at ANZ Stadium, giving more league fans the opportunity to enjoy the game in a COVID-safe environment.
The NSW Government and the NRL have been working together to relocate the Telstra Premiership Grand Final from the Sydney Cricket Ground to ANZ Stadium. The move allows for 40,000 fans to attend the blockbuster game under current COVID-19 restrictions.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the opportunity to welcome more spectators to the Grand Final was a significant win for Sydney and rugby league.
“ANZ Stadium has hosted many of Australia’s most iconic moments in sporting history and the 2020 NRL Grand Final will be among them,” Minister Ayres said.
“I encourage NRL fans attending the Grand Final to stay COVID-safe and make the most of the electric atmosphere in Sydney by making a weekend of it, booking a hotel staycation and getting out to enjoy the hospitality and attractions of the city.
“NRL has a significant following in NSW and, with some borders reopening, we hope that fans from across the country will be able to enjoy the action – and Sydney’s many world-class tourism experiences as well.”
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the move to ANZ Stadium would give the Grand Final more atmosphere with extra fans in the stands to see the live action.
“Since 1999, ANZ Stadium has been the home of the NRL Grand Final giving fans so many fond memories from some truly epic showdowns,” Mr Lee said.
“2020 won’t be a full house but the 40,000 fans who do get tickets to the game will I’m sure relish the opportunity to watch a live grand final after what’s been a tough testing season.”
Tickets to the 2020 NRL Grand Final are now on sale. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.nrl.com.
$61.7 MILLION BOOST FOR ENVIRONMENT, JOBS AND TOURISM
The environment, jobs and tourism are the focus of a new $61.7 million investment from the Australian Government, delivered as part of the $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.
This investment will create jobs, boost local tourism and preserve the environment as part of the nation’s economic recovery plan.
Specifically in NSW, the investment will include upgrades to walking tracks in the Gondwana Rainforests, as well as a joint partnership program with The Nature Conservancy to help restore natural shellfish reefs in Port Stephens, Botany Bay and Sapphire Coast, creating up to 170 new direct and indirect jobs.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funding would create or support around 1,000 jobs while assisting the recovery efforts of many regional communities affected by the pandemic and recent bushfires.
“These initiatives will sustain jobs and local businesses, improve facilities and encourage people to visit regional communities and world heritage sites,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the funding would restore and conserve some of Australia’s most iconic natural wonders and heritage sites, providing a vital boost to tourism operators who have been doing it tough as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These sites are some of Australia’s most incredible and treasured tourism drawcards, and enhancing visitor experiences will help attract more visitors and support thousands of local businesses and jobs,” Minister Birmingham said.
“These projects will help to protect natural environments, upgrade facilities and revitalise heritage sites, ensuring that visitors can enjoy these unique attractions for generations to come.”
For further information on the funding details, click here.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING BOOST FOR AUSTRALIAN SURF ROWERS LEAGUE OPEN
Australia’s biggest surf boat racing event will return to the shores of NSW for another three years, thanks to a funding boost from the NSW Government.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said next year’s Australian Surf Rowers League (ASRL) Open would be held at Mollymook Beach, bringing thousands of visitors to the region.
“While we are in these unprecedented times, we are committed to re-energising regional areas and their communities, which is why the NSW Government will continue investing in events across the state,” Mr Ayres said.
“The ASRL Open is expected to inject more than $3 million into the regional NSW visitor economy from 2021 – 2023, which is fantastic news for local accommodation providers, restaurants and attractions who will reap the economic and social benefits.”
“The ASRL Open has been staged since 1997 and has been embraced by the surf lifesaving community all around the country and I am delighted it’s returning to NSW for another three years with the support of Destination NSW.”
Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the return of events could not come at a better time following the summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We want every opportunity to show visitors what the South Coast is known for, from our beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, to our friendly hospitality and great food and wine, and the 2021 ASRL Open will do just that – helping put us back on the map,” Mrs Hancock said.
The 2021 ASRL Open will be held at Mollymook Beach from 18 – 21 February. All NSW businesses, residents and visitors must follow the latest NSW Health advice. For information, go to www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.
NEW PIECE OF BARANGAROO FORESHORE NOW OPEN
A significant part of Sydney’s harbour front has been given back to the community as a new pier, cove and foreshore boardwalk at Sydney’s iconic Barangaroo – now open to the public.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said opening up the foreshore and new Watermans Cove was a fundamental part of Barangaroo’s transformation into a world-class, waterfront precinct.
“It is with great excitement that we can release this stunning piece of the Sydney Harbour foreshore for the people of NSW to enjoy,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Watermans Cove is a completely public space, and with steps down towards the water, it’s an incredible place for residents, workers and tourists to relax and take in the sights of our beautiful city.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said Barangaroo is the most important urban renewal project to happen in Australia in decades, transforming a once neglected and inaccessible area of the city into a dynamic cultural, residential, business and retail hub.
“Watermans Cove delivers more than a hectare of permanent and priceless waterfront parkland for the citizens of Sydney,” Mr Stokes said.
“Our vision is for public space to link our harbour all the way from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo Bay. Watermans Cove liberates one of the final missing links in making this vision a reality”.
Watermans Cove and the foreshore were designed and delivered by Lendlease and Crown Resorts in partnership with the NSW Government and will provide space for events, celebrations and entertainment as well as leisure activities by the water’s edge.
NSW SMALL BUSINESS MONTH TO ASSIST THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES
Thousands of businesses across the state will receive a welcome boost after one of the most challenging times in recent history with the launch yesterday of NSW Small Business Month.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government initiative was the fourth annual NSW Small Business Month, which includes hundreds of free and low-cost activities across NSW and provides a chance for businesses to reboot, connect and recover.
“Business communities have faced unprecedented challenges in 2020, with drought, bushfires, floods and now COVID-19,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“NSW Small Business Month is an opportunity to celebrate our small business owners, their valuable contributions to our local communities and their resilience. We also want to focus on ways to reboot and look at ways of doing business differently to get ahead.”
This year’s NSW Small Business Month will build on the success of the past three years by collaborating with 219 local councils and chambers of commerce, as well as over 180 festival partners, across the state.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said NSW Small Business Month included a mix of online and face-to-face COVID-safe events providing a chance to connect with other businesses and agencies.
“NSW is home to more than 785,000 small businesses who make a valuable contribution; they make up 97.5 per cent of businesses in NSW and employ more than 41 per cent of the private sector workforce,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Up to $640,000 in funding was made available this year with 93 councils and 126 local chambers of commerce receiving grants to host COVID-safe events.”
The events cover a range of innovative and diverse topics including leveraging social media and getting your brand online.
For further information, visit businessmonth.nsw.gov.au
WILD LIFE SYDNEY ZOO WELCOMES KOALA JOEY
It was a special occasion for a gem at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour this week where the emergence of the newest koala joey was celebrated with an intimate naming party.
A small group of guests was invited to the exclusive event hosted by excited ZooKeepers who unveiled the eight-month-old koala joey’s name, Sapphire.
WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Head Keeper Renee Howell said Sapphire was carefully and unanimously selected by the team because it represents her importance to koalas and the zoo.
“Sapphires are precious gemstones and we consider our koalas to be particularly precious, especially given the threat to their population,” Ms Howell said.
“As the newest addition, she will make a fantastic ambassador for her species and help educate guests on how they can better protect Australia’s iconic koalas in the wild.”
Sapphire joins 11-month-old Jasper and 12-month-old Ilani as the last of WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo’s koala joeys for 2020. She will spend the next four months cuddling up to mum Scarlet before finding her independence and roaming freely on her own.
For more information, visit wildlifesydney.com.au
NEW NAME FOR HUNTER VALLEY INSTITUTION
It has long been an institution for locals and visitors to the Hunter Valley, but Potters Hotel is about to get a mighty lot of love, and a new name.
Craft beverages business, Founders First, has recently acquired the prominent wine country gateway site, set to be known as The Mighty Hunter.
The Mighty Hunter will become a hub for craft drinks as well as home to local craft beer producer, Foghorn Brewery. Local chef, Sean Townsend formerly of hatted Muse Restaurant, Muse Kitchen and more recently the Prince of Merewether, has taken over the kitchen.
This newly revamped location at the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country is not just a beer-lover’s paradise, but a fantastic venue for couples, groups, weddings, business events and families.
Founders First CEO Mark Haysman said: “We’re all about creating community for our craft brands. We have some amazing partners from all around the country, including Foghorn Brewery, Sauce Brewing Co, Jetty Road Brewery, Kangaroo Island Spirits and Slipstream.
“We fell in love with Potter’s when we first visited and instantly knew it was the perfect place for us to build a community and share our products. We hope over time The Mighty becomes a must visit destination for anyone coming to the Hunter Valley.”
DISCOVER NSW WEBINAR SERIES
Destination NSW invites tourism businesses to explore NSW and discover the places, people and experiences that await their clients on a series of unforgettable adventures.
The six webinars, delivered by Destination NSW, provide information for new itinerary ideas and inspiration, ready to book products and experiences, and the tools and resources available to help promote and sell NSW holidays.
Register here for the first Discover NSW webinar covering key regions and destinations of NSW at 11am AEST on Thursday 8 October 2020.
Participants who join each webinar live will go in the draw to win a NSW prize pack. The sessions will also be available on demand after each event. Travel agents, wholesalers, inbound tour operators, online travel agents and other travel resellers are encouraged to register and attend.
CREATING A GET CONNECTED LISTING
Tourism businesses are encouraged to participate in the next NSW First online event, Discuss and Develop your Business: Creating a Get Connected Listing.
Destination NSW has two consumer websites, sydney.com and visitnsw.com, which are the go-to source of information about what to see, things to do and where to stay throughout NSW. To be featured on these websites, tourism businesses need to join the FREE Destination NSW online membership program, Get Connected.
The online event, on 12 October, will provide a step-by-step guide to creating a stand-out listing for every NSW tourism business.
JOURNEY BEYOND CRUISE SYDNEY
Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney has resumed operations offering a three-hour dinner cruise on Fridays and Saturdays and a premium two-and-a-half-hour lunch cruise on Sundays.
The luxurious 78-foot vessel gives guests an intimate setting to take in the 360° views of spectacular Sydney harbour and iconic landmarks including Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House.
Journeys Beyond has implemented new operating procedures that feature even more rigorous cleaning, hygiene and physical distancing measures so guests can relax with peace of mind.
For more information, go to https://journeybeyondcruises.com/
