Insights - 8 April 2022
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CHAMPION REGIONAL NSW AS A
DESTINATION NETWORK BOARD MEMBER
Destination NSW, on behalf of the Destination Networks, is inviting applications for the position of Board Director for the state’s Destination Networks.
Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee, Destination Networks are the champions of the visitor economy in regional NSW, engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders to identify, prioritise and facilitate opportunities for the visitor economy growth of each region.
Destination Networks coordinate destination management planning and work closely with local government, local tourism organisations and visitor economy operators across regional NSW. They are also responsible for developing and implementing their region’s Destination Management Plan in partnership with Destination NSW and visitor economy stakeholders in each region.
Applicants for Board Director roles will need to commit to making an effective contribution to Board discussions by attending approximately six meetings a year as well as proactive stakeholder engagement outside the Board meeting schedule.
Appointments are for three years and will be effective from 1 July 2022. The Director appointments will supplement existing ongoing Director roles on each Destination Network Board.
A Board Recruitment Package is available that includes an overview of the Destination Networks, a Board Director role description and the requirements for these positions, and information on how to apply. Please email recruitment@dnsw.com.au to request a Board Recruitment Package.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday 2 May 2022.
BICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS FOR
SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW
The Sydney Royal Easter Show opens today at Sydney Olympic Park, filled with celebrations to mark 200 years of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.
The iconic event expected to draw more than 828,000 visitors from Greater Sydney and regional NSW over the next 12 days.
“To commemorate our heritage, the Show will once again bring visitors 12 hours of free entertainment, fun and education; connecting families with agriculture and reflecting on the history through new entertainment acts, agricultural parades and even an arts and crafts section with a 200-year novelty cake section,” the Show’s general manager Murray Wilton said.
“From old-fashioned contortionists to the iconic district exhibits, which will be joining forces for the first time since 1988 to create one display that tells the story of the RAS from 1822 to the modern day, the Show will be a place to come together as a community and make long-lasting memories with family and friends.”
Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne will officially open Sydney Royal Easter Show on 9 April. It will be the first time the show has been opened by a member of the royal family in 34 years. Princess Anne will be escorted by the NSW Mounted Police as she makes her way into the stadium in a horse-drawn caleche originally built more than 150 years ago. The first time it was used it carried Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne to the Main Arena, where they officially opened the 1970 Show.
Destination NSW is proud to support the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which is Australia’s largest annual ticketed event, contributing more than $617 million to the NSW economy each year.
The Show is a celebration of Australian culture, from our rural traditions to our modern day lifestyles, providing unique experiences for everyone. Revenue generated by the event allow the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW to invest in agricultural programs, competitions, education, youth and rural NSW.
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders said: “Our farmers have been through an incredibly challenging few years, so it’s great for the people of NSW to be able to come together and see the fantastic work being done in the agriculture space."
The 2022 Sydney Royal Easter Show will run from 8-19 April.
CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS FOR COUNTRY
WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION
The Country Women’s Association of NSW is celebrating both its centenary in 2022 and the 75th anniversary of its iconic Team Room at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Staffed by CWA volunteers, the Tea Room raises an average of $150,000 every year to help the organisation run assistance programs to improve the lives of women and families across NSW.
CWA of NSW president Stephanie Stanhope told The Land that with increased crowd numbers expected at this year's show, the record of 5125 scones sold in a single day, which was achieved during the 2018 show, could be toppled.
"The fact we can be part of the RAS' 200th anniversary and that it coincides with our own centenary makes this such an important occasion," Stanhope said. "Both associations share a passion for rural and regional NSW and the goal of furthering the interests of our regions, so we can't wait for the gates to open on the 2022 Royal Easter Show."
NSW LANDS INDIA & SOUTH KOREA ROUTES
ON RUNWAY TO RECOVERY
The NSW Government’s $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund has landed two new routes on the State’s runway to recovery, with Qantas announcing Sydney- Bengaluru (Bangalore) and Sydney-Incheon services.
Qantas will operate four weekly return flights from Sydney to Bengaluru, India’s third largest city, commencing 14 September 2022. These will be the first non-stop flights between Australia and southern India by any airline. Qantas Group, including Jetstar, will also operate seven weekly flights from Sydney to Seoul, commencing 10 December 2022.
The new routes were announced this morning at Sydney Airport by Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.
“Sydney is one of the world’s truly global cities and these new direct flights to India and Korea will make it easier for millions of people to come here," Mr Joyce said.
“It’s clear that Australia is back on the map for international travellers. Demand for our international flights has rebounded since borders reopened, and that’s giving us the confidence to launch these new routes together with the marketing support from Destination NSW."
The new routes will bring a total of 11 flights from South Korea and India every week, providing 3277 seats into Sydney each week and supporting more than 360 jobs in NSW.
"Prior to the pandemic, India was the fastest growing market to NSW, with Indian travellers spending an estimated $444 million in year ending December 2019," Mr Ayres said.
“More than 77 per cent of South Koreans who visit Australia spend time in NSW and they spent an estimated $558 million in our visitor economy in 2019.”
The Aviation Attraction Fund, managed by Destination NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, is open until 30 June 2023. For more information or to submit an application visit www.destinationnsw.com.au/aviation-attraction
FC BARCELONA IS COMING TO SYDNEY
The NSW Government is bringing one of the world’s most iconic football teams, FC Barcelona, to Sydney for a match against Australia’s A-Leagues All Stars in May. The exclusive event will be the first time FC Barcelona has toured Australia. The club's ‘first team’ squad, featuring high-profile players including Adama Traore, Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Dani Alves, will take on a selection of the best and most exciting players from Australia’s A-Leagues clubs. The exhibition match will be played at Accor Stadium on 25 May 2022. Ticket go on sale to the general public on 13 April 2022.
SHAPING THE SIX CITIES NSW MEGA REGION
In a landmark move, the Greater Cities Commission will bring together the cities of the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle, Central Coast, Greater Sydney and Illawarra-Shoalhaven to create a globally competitive city region, following the passing of the Greater Cities Commission Bill 2022. Minister for Cities Rob Stokes said: “Thinking laterally will deliver better jobs, housing, education, health and lifestyle opportunities for a population which is expected to hit eight million in the next two decades.” The Commission will finalise a new Region Plan by the end of 2022.
$25 MILLION TO CONNECT COMMUNITIES IN REGIONAL NSW
People across regional NSW can celebrate their community and reconnect with neighbours and friends at local markets, carnivals, festivals and fairs, thanks to the NSW Government’s new $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW - Community Events Program. The funding is designed to help regional councils stage shows, festivals, picnics and recovery events, while also supporting local job creation and injecting cash into local economies.
EXPO DUBAI SPURS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RECOVERY
Prospective international students, their parents and industry agents were the focus for the NSW Government's presence at Expo 2020 Dubai, reinforcing the state's position as Australia’s top destination for international students. More than 28,000 international students have returned to NSW since borders reopened in mid-December 2021, with nearly 162,000 international students currently registered with NSW education providers.
BLUESFEST IS BACK THIS EASTER LONG WEEKEND
Destination NSW is thrilled to support the return of Bluesfest from 14-18 April at the Byron Events Farm in Tyagarah. There are 100 bands on the Bluesfest lineup, including Midnight Oil, Crowded House, Paul Kelly, Morcheeba and Amy Shark. The sun has been shining over the festival site over the past few days and all of the big tops are flying high. Tickets are still available here.
$2.5 MILLION TO GET LIVE MUSIC BACK ON STAGE
The Australian Government is supporting the return of live music with $2.5 million in grants to be shared by 102 venues under round four of the $20 million Live Music Australia program. The grants will bring more original live Australian music to communities by funding small-to-medium venues across the country – from pubs in country towns, to clubs and theatres in major metropolitan areas.
AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK PROGRAM LAUNCH
Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) has announced its schedule of events and programming for AAFW 2022. Destination NSW is a proud supporter of Australia’s only international fashion trade event, which attracts more than 18,000 attendees and participants, including international media, industry, consumers, talent, crew and international buyers. AAFW 2022 will take place 9-13 May live at Carriageworks and virtually at AAFW.com.au.
WALLABIES TAKE ON ENGLAND AT THE SCG
Destination NSW and Rugby Australia are bringing the final test and potential decider match of the 2022 eToro England Series to Sydney Cricket Ground on 16 July. The blockbuster three-match series will see the Wallabies take on the Eddie Jones-led England team. The coup adds further weight to the already incredible line-up of world-class sporting and cultural events across Sydney and NSW over the coming months.
MUSIC TRIBUTE FESTIVAL HEADS TO SNOWY MOUNTAINS
Outdoor music festival This Is Just A Tribute is being held on the shores of Lake Jindabyne on 16-17 April. Supported by Destination NSW, the event pays tribute to the artists such as Queen, Fleetwood Mac, U2, ABBA, INXS and many more. The songs are faithfully reproduced and performed live by acclaimed musicians including the Australian Rock Collective, which features Australian music legends Davey Lane from You Am I, Kram from Spiderbait, Mark Wilson from Jet and Darren Middleton from Powderfinger.
ACCELERATE SYDNEY BUSINESS EVENTS FUND ROUND 2 OPENS
The second round of the Accelerate Sydney Business Events Fund has opened. Accelerate is designed to stimulate the return of business events across Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong and offers organisers up to $60,000 in matched funding for business events held between July 2022 and June 2023. Accelerate is part of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Package announced by the NSW Government in October 2021 and is administered by Business Events Sydney in conjunction with Destination NSW.
BUSINESS CONNECT SUPPORT AVAILABLE FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
Business Connect is providing advice free of charge for businesses impacted by floods. Its advisors are independent professionals with first-hand experience of running their own small business and can help businesses to work out priorities and next steps, develop a business or recovery plan, manage cashflow and access finance, connect to other government support and professional services, implement digital tools and market their business.
MACQUARIE PIER BRINGS NEWCASTLE’S HISTORY
TO LIFE
Newcastle’s iconic Macquarie Pier has received the final touches to its multi-staged facelift, with a heritage walk for locals and visitors commemorating the city’s rich maritime history. The walkway now features new signage and an interactive audio tour. The Macquarie Pier Revitalisation Project is jointly funded by the NSW Government in association with Port Authority of NSW and has also been supported by contributions from Port of Newcastle.
EXPLORE NSW DURING GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS
Don't miss out on the final days of Great Southern Nights. This weekend you can catch Archie Roach at Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, The Whitlams at Parramatta's Riverside Theatre and Ross Wilson & the Peaceniks at Deniliquin Golf Club. Destination NSW, in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), has been bringing live music to venues across NSW during the initiative.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FILM FESTIVAL FUNDING
Sydney film festivals and councils can apply for a share in the NSW Government’s $1 million Film Festival Funding program. The targeted funding, delivered through Screen NSW, will support Sydney’s dynamic film festival culture, and accelerate the economic and social recovery of CBDs across Sydney, Western Sydney and South-Western Sydney. Applications close 4 May 2022.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
MUNGO MAN AND LADY TO FINALLY REST IN PEACE: More than 40 years after Mungo Man, Mungo Lady and the ancestral remains of 106 others were removed from their resting places, the Australian Government has approved their reburial on country in the Willandra Lakes Region. Read more
WORLD-CLASS HERBARIUM TO BLOOM IN WESTERN SYDNEY: Australia’s biggest and newest Herbarium facility, with a collection of more than one million plant specimens, has opened at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Read more
CRYSTALBROOK LAUNCHES CLIMATE CONTROL CALORIES: Crystalbrook is labelling all menu items across its 14 restaurants and bars with Climate Calorie information, allowing diners to immediately see whether the ingredients in their dish are locally sourced, sustainably grown or caught, have an indigenous connection, consciously reduce waste and whether they have been delivered to the restaurant in eco-friendly packaging. Read more
SYDNEY’S CBD OFFICE OCCUPANCY DATA SURGES: Sydney’s office occupancy rate has more than doubled for the third month in a row as workers return to Sydney CBD. According to a new survey by the Property Council of Australia occupancy rates have jumped from seven per cent in January to 41 per cent in March. Read more
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