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ACCOMMODATION SUPPORT GRANT GOES LIVE
Hotels and accommodation providers across the State who experienced cancellations as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, can now access additional financial support, thanks to the Accommodation Support Grant going live .
The Grant provides a one-off lump sum payment to businesses which faced a significant loss of income during the winter school holidays.
The funding forms part of a suite of economic support measures for businesses.
Eligible applicants will be required to show booking cancellations between Friday 25 June and Sunday 11 July inclusive as a result of the lockdown restrictions.
Two different grant amounts will be available:
• $2,000 for cancellations of 10 nights or less
• $5,000 for cancellations of 11 nights or more
Accommodation providers can apply for the grants via the Service NSW website.
One application can be made for each eligible accommodation premises belonging to a larger chain. Approved applications will receive the one-off payment to their bank account as quickly as possible.
For more information and how to apply visit COVID-19 | NSW Government
JOBSAVER EXTENSION TO BOOST BUSINESS RECOVERY
The NSW Government will go it alone to fund an extension of the JobSaver program to help NSW businesses re-open their doors and get people back into jobs as the State starts to ease restrictions and enjoy greater freedoms.
When NSW reaches the 70 per cent double vaccination rate, JobSaver payments will be tapered from 40 per cent to 30 per cent of weekly payroll.
When NSW reaches the 80 per cent double vaccination rate, the joint Commonwealth and NSW Government JobSaver payments will cease, and the Commonwealth will end its contributions.
At that time, the NSW Government will continue to fund its 50 per cent contribution to JobSaver payments. At this point JobSaver payments will be tapered from 30 per cent to 15 per cent of weekly payroll.
JobSaver payments will end on 30 November 2021, coinciding with the further relaxation of restrictions.
By 30 November, the NSW Government is expected to have provided unilaterally over $8 billion in direct support to businesses and individuals, including through the JobSaver program and its contribution to Commonwealth Disaster Payments.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said pivoting JobSaver from support to recovery would put businesses on the front-foot as restrictions are eased and the economy is restarted.
“JobSaver has helped businesses weather the storm of the latest outbreak and now is the right time to plan for the future so we can get our economy firing again,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I know businesses across the State are keen to open their doors and are busy planning now that our Roadmap is out. There’s renewed optimism in NSW.
“We are sticking by businesses and giving them the support they need to get back on the road to prosperity with the State only a few weeks away from re-opening.
The jointly funded Commonwealth and NSW Government business support package, including JobSaver, has provided a $7 billion financial lifeline to businesses over the past three months helping keep people connected to their workplaces. Over the next two months, this lifeline will increase to almost $12 billion provided to NSW businesses to make it through the Delta pandemic.
After NSW reaches the 80 per cent double vaccination target, the Micro-business grant will continue to be available at a rate of $750 a fortnight, before ceasing on 30 November.
The NSW Government will announce its comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan in early October, designed to boost business confidence and jobs growth and inject stimulus as restrictions ease across the State.
MATILDAS BRING INTERNATIONAL SPORT BACK TO SYDNEY
Sydney’s much-anticipated return to hosting international sport has been locked in, with the NSW Government announcing a two-match series between the Matildas and Brazil in October.
The games will be played at Bankwest Stadium, soon to be known as CommBank Stadium, on Saturday 23 October and Tuesday 26 October, with a controlled number of fans able to attend in line with the NSW Government’s Reopening NSW roadmap, following NSW Health approval of quarantine arrangements for players, coaches and support staff.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the games had only been made possible due to the vigilance of NSW residents during lockdown.
“It’s been a long winter for fans of live sport in NSW, and I’m excited to announce that, thanks to the community’s commitment to achieving our vaccination targets, international sport will return to Sydney in late October,” Mr Barilaro said.
“As COVID restrictions ease, in line with our roadmap, a limited number of fully vaccinated, football-starved fans from Sydney will have the opportunity to see some of the best players in the world right here in NSW.”
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said it was exciting to welcome the Matildas back to NSW.
“Sydney is Australia’s major event capital and once again we are leading the way out of COVID,” Mr Ayres said.
“Football and Sydney is a match made in heaven. These are exactly the events we need as we open up from lockdown.”
The international football matches will be played under strict COVID-safe arrangements, in line with the roadmap.
The Brazilian team will be required to quarantine under strict NSW Health protocols, with strong measures in place to protect the strength of the quarantine environment and the broader NSW community.
Tickets for the games will go on sale shortly with spectator capacity to be determined in line with Public Health Orders.
The NSW Government will consider future proposed international football games at a later date.
NEW WESTERN SYDNEY NATIONAL PARK TO LEAD FIGHT AGAINST EXTINCTION
Quolls, bettongs and the brush-tailed phascogale are just some of the locally extinct species making their historic return to a new national park and feral predator-free area in Western Sydney.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 500-hectare site at Shanes Park between Penrith and Windsor would be one of the largest new national parks in Western Sydney in over a decade.
"The pandemic has shown us how important our open public spaces are, they are critical to our mental and physical well-being," Ms Berejiklian said.
"This project will not only allow the people of Western Sydney a new place to enjoy the outdoors but they will also get to access a conservation area and one of the nation's best wildlife experiences."
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the new Shanes Park site would become a tourist destination and would allow visitors to see what the Australian bush was like over 200 years ago.
"This is wildlife restoration on a grand scale and one of the biggest urban wildlife restoration projects in Australia's history," Mr Kean said.
"Nowhere else in the country is the reintroduction of 30 species in an urban setting of over 500 hectares even being considered, let alone being delivered."
"Visiting Shanes Park will be like stepping back in time to see the Australian bush alive with native animals as it was before foxes, cats and rabbits had such a devastating impact."
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this project would be a welcome addition to the growing list of attractions bringing tourists to Western Sydney.
"They will be able to see and experience some of our most unique, threatened and endangered wildlife and habitats right here in the heart of Western Sydney."
Public access to the new national park – expected by early 2022 – will include a one-of-a-kind visitor experience including visitor facilities, interpretive signage and an education centre, which will run nocturnal spotlighting tours. Image: Southern Brown Bandicoot. K Stepnell DPIE.
TWO WORLD CLASS SHOWS TO TAKE OVER SYDNEY HARBOUR IN 2022
The NSW Government and Opera Australia are partnering to bring two internationally acclaimed productions to Sydney Harbour in 2022, including a new offering on Cockatoo Island with the audience on land and on the water.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour will return from 25 March to 24 April 2022 with The Phantom of the Opera taking to the harbour stage at Mrs Macquarie’s Point for the first time. Then from 25 November to 18 December 2022 a new event, Opera on Cockatoo Island, will stage the popular opera Carmen on the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said events would play an important role in the recovery and growth of the State’s visitor economy in 2022 and beyond.
“It’s exciting to put Sydney in the spotlight once more and remind visitors about the unforgettable experiences on offer exclusively in the Harbour City,” Mr Ayres said.
“There’s no better way to do that than with two spectacular Opera Australia productions right on the water, against the backdrop of the city, inviting people to spend an evening or more in Sydney.
Opera Australia’s artistic director Lyndon Terracini said 2022 would be an exciting year for the Company thanks to the ongoing support of the NSW Government.
“Opera Australia is proud to work with the NSW Government through Destination NSW to lead innovation that attracts global audiences and to further strengthen Sydney’s reputation as a city that celebrates creativity and culture,” Mr Terracini said.
Tickets for both productions go on sale in November. For more information visit www.opera.org.au.
DON'T BE ALARMED - IT'S TIME FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING
The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t just the coming reduction in COVID-19 restrictions with high vaccination rates, it’s also the lengthening light at the end of the day.
Attorney General Mark Speakman is reminding NSW residents the time for change has come with the clocks moving forward on Sunday 3 October at 2am.
“With spring in the air, the start of daylight saving marks the finest hour for many people. However, with Public Health Orders still in place, I encourage people in NSW to enjoy the lighter evenings responsibly to keep the community safe,” Mr Speakman said.
Most electronic devices automatically update to daylight saving time, but anyone with a manual clock or watch should wind it forward by one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.
Daylight saving starts on the first Sunday in October and finishes on the first Sunday in April.
“The shortened night usually occurs during the October long weekend, meaning those who have the benefit of the public holiday have an extra day to make up for that lost hour’s sleep,” Mr Speakman said.
Daylight Saving Time is legislated in NSW under the Standard Time Act 1987 and applies to the whole of the state (with some special circumstances for Broken Hill and Lord Howe Island). For more information visit www.justice.nsw.gov.au.
DESTINATION NORTHERN BEACHES: VISITOR PLAN GETS APPROVAL
The first-ever, five-year tourism blueprint to sustainably grow the visitor economy in the Northern Beaches got the go-ahead by Northern Beaches Council on 29 September.
After extensive community and industry consultation, the plan sets in place a roadmap to strengthen the local economy through visitation, while protecting the local environment and social values.
Dovetailing with the NSW Government's broader state-wide tourism strategy (NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030), the Northern Beaches Council plan will leverage existing competitive advantages and popular attractions to attract higher spend visitors, such as overnight stays, to the area.
Mayor Michael Regan said the tourism strategy was a collaboration between many players who recognised the importance of a thriving visitor economy and what needed to be done to tap into stifled tourism demand.
“It’s vital that we plan for sustainable growth in our visitor economy – growth that respects the needs of local communities while harnessing opportunities to create demand and grow jobs.
“The Destination Management Plan (DMP) includes strategies to maintain and potentially grow existing markets to encourage repeat visitation and increase length of stay and also plans to attract new markets with the greatest potential to grow the visitor economy.
"Delivery of the DMP will be aligned to the reopening of the economy and easing of restrictions.
"Initially this will include working with tourism operators and the hospitality sector to assist them get back to business and welcome visitors under COVID-safe conditions.
“We know how much local businesses have suffered and this strategy is all about getting back to business sustainably now and in the long term.”
Tourism is conservatively valued at $500m to the local economy, with the tourism and hospitality sector accounting for 12 per cent of all jobs on the Northern Beaches.
“The Destination Management Plan is not just about recovery, it’s about the future and how we can build on our natural advantages so we can share it with the world in a sustainable way," Mayor Regan said.
SUPERCARS CONFIRMS RETURN TO RACING UNDER LIGHTS IN OCTOBER
Supercars will return to racing in spectacular style, with four back-to-back weekends of racing to be held at Sydney Motorsport Park, starting on 29 October, for a month-long spectacle for motorsport fans in NSW and around Australia.
After a three-month hiatus due to COVID restrictions, Supercars will be back with a bang for fans prior to the season-ending Repco Bathurst 1000. The grand finale for 2021 is a six-day event, starting on 30 November and finishing on 5 December.
Multiple races will be held at night over the four weeks, and fans can expect a variation in formats and regulations to put on the best show ever seen at Sydney Motorsport Park.
“What an exciting five-week period for motorsport in NSW with five spectacular events to round out the 2021 Supercars Championship season,” said Australian Racing Drivers’ Club CEO, Glenn Matthews.
“Sydney Motorsport Park is a world-class venue and the NSW Government’s investment in permanent lights has created the unique opportunity for fans to enjoy two weekends of thrilling night racing at Eastern Creek.
“NSW is proud to host these national events that will give the motorsport community cause for celebration, provide fans with amazing entertainment and support our state's economy through visitation and broadcast reach to future visitors.”
Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said it was fitting to return to racing at Sydney Motorsport Park, as we did in 2020.
“The venue is world-class and under its new permanent lighting makes for spectacular viewing for fans at the circuit and watching at home.
“First and foremost, we are happy to be back, but we will make sure we use everything that SMSP has to offer to put on the best possible show.
“We look forward to seeing fans at all five events and will have details on those availabilities over coming weeks.
“I would like to personally thank Minister Stuart Ayres, Destination NSW, and of course Glenn and his team at the ARDC for everything they’ve done to make this happen.”
NSW FIRST - DISASTER RESILIENCE GUIDES
The NSW First program is a Destination NSW initiative that assists NSW tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their tourism products. It includes a range of workshops and webcasts, resources and guides for the NSW tourism industry. NSW First has released some Quick Tip Guides for tourism resilience. These guides provide practical advice to help tourism businesses prepare, respond and recover from the impacts of bushfires and other natural disasters. More information: NSW First Program - Develop - Destination NSW
COVID RESTRICTIONS BRING DOMESTIC AIRLINE INDUSTRY TO A STANDSTILL
Travel restrictions as a result of the recent COVID-19 Delta outbreaks have brought the majority of domestic flying to a stop and delivered a significant blow to the local airline industry, the ACCC's latest Airline Competition in Australia report reveals. The report shows passenger numbers in July 2021 plunged to 23 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, after recovering to a peak of 68 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in April 2021. Passenger numbers reported for August and September 2021 are expected to be even lower. Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Rex combined were forced to cancel one in three flights in July 2021, which is the highest cancellation rate since April 2020.
STORM SEASON IS COMING TO
With the countdown to Storm Season underway, NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has one question for its communities – will you be prepared when it arrives? The Bureau of Meteorology has advised this Storm Season – which traditionally runs from October to March each year – is likely to bring similar conditions to what was experienced last season. NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said this meant we could once again experience severe weather. “The more you can do now to prepare, the less likely you’ll end up needing emergency assistance from our volunteers." From preparing an emergency evacuation kit, making sure your gutters are clear, to planning for your animals, you can find all this information and more via ses.nsw.gov.au.
SUMMER OF FUN - THREE-STAGE CERTAINTY FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY
The NSW Government's newly announced three-stage reopening plan provides much-needed certainty for the immediate future of the tourism, transport and aviation industry, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has said. "As more of us are fully vaccinated, our businesses and event organisations across the state can now start planning to reopen for a summer of fun in NSW in line with these vaccination-tied timelines," TTF CEO Margy Osmond said. "People living in both regional and metropolitan NSW will also be able to start planning Christmas celebrations... as well as long needed summer holidays and weekends away. With Victoria on a similar trajectory and with a similar ambition, this sensible NSW three-stage plan to safely reopen while also living with COVID-19 will hopefully encourage other states to also reopen along similar timeframes."
TREES TO COOL ONE OF SYDNEY'S HOTTEST SUBURBS
A trial project will see 2,000 trees planted in one of Sydney’s hottest suburbs, as part of an initiative informed by new research from the NSW Government. The south-west Sydney suburb of Rosemeadow has less than six per cent existing canopy cover and is significantly impacted by the urban heat island effect. The new research used to inform the trial has now been released to councils across NSW to help boost tree canopy cover and improve stormwater management. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said: “Trees are our first line of defence against rising temperatures and the urban heat island effect, particularly in Western Sydney where temperatures in summer can soar to over 50 degrees,” Mr Stokes said. “Rosemeadow has some of the lowest tree cover in Greater Sydney and it’s the perfect location to trial new ways to use canopy cover to combat rising temperatures.”
FORESHORE PRECINCT ALMOST COMPLETE AT THE WATERFRONT SHELL COVE
Construction of the new harbour foreshore precinct at Shell Cove, near Shellharbour on the NSW South Coast, is almost complete. The precinct will soon transition into a vibrant, open space, featuring world-class coastal infrastructure and facilities that local residents, visitors and the entire community will be proud of. The Waterfront, Shell Cove is a new master-planned community by Shellharbour City Council, with Frasers Property Australia. It is situated in a natural coastal setting surrounded by beaches, parks and wetlands close to schools, transport and major centres. The Shellharbour Marina, the first stages of the Waterfront Dining Precinct, public boat ramp and car park, foreshore promenade and boardwalks have all been completed, while The Waterfront Tavern is scheduled to open in December.
