Sydney Harbour Bridge celebrates 90th anniversary
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MESSAGE FROM THE DESTINATION NSW CEO
Our thoughts are with those battling the devastating floods around the state. It is heartbreaking that so many communities have been impacted again after such a challenging two years. Thousands of homes and businesses are currently underwater, while many more are isolated and without power.
The State Emergency Operations Centre has been reactivated at Homebush in response to the flooding emergency throughout NSW. Experts from critical agencies including the State Emergency Service, Police, Fire and Rescue, Resilience NSW, Health, Planning, Rural Fire Service, Service NSW and more will work alongside each other in the purpose-built operations. Planning is also underway to open local recovery centres in impacted areas, and the NSW Government is working with local councils on waste management and clean-up processes.
Service NSW has activated its emergency information and services resources in response to the flooding, acting as a one-stop-shop to provide access to support across NSW Government partner agencies, local government, and the Australian Government. To connect with a Customer Care specialist, please call Service NSW on 13 77 88.
Individuals and councils impacted by the flood events unfolding in NSW can also access the first tranche of NSW Government support through Service NSW here.
Small businesses and primary producers can apply for concessional loans of up to $130,000. There are also concessional interest rate loans available for not-for-profits, freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent for primary producers and assistance available for councils for operational costs and the restoration of essential public assets.
On behalf of the Destination NSW Board and team, I want to assure you that Destination NSW will work with our stakeholders over the coming months to support the visitor economy and our communities as they recover.
Please stay safe. We will get through this together.
Steve Cox
CEO, Destination NSW
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE CELEBRATES
ITS 90TH ANNIVERSARY
NSW is stepping back in time to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Sydney Harbour Bridge on 19 March 2022, with vintage train, ferry and bus rides, spectacular projections on the Bridge pylons and community events.
The opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on 19 March 1932 was a milestone in the city's coming of age.
Minister for Heritage James Griffin said: “Many of us now take this bridge for granted, but previously the only way across the harbour directly was via boat or ferry. Its construction connected communities and helped Sydney become the global success it is today.”
In 2022, an estimated 160,000 motorists and 480 trains cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge every day. Last month, the global icon also became the ultimate stage for Azure Ryder's breathtaking official music video to accompany the single release of Feeling Good, the soundtrack to the Destination NSW 'Feel New' marketing campaign. Azure Ryder is first artist in the world to be filmed atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Watch the clip here.
The 90th birthday celebrations will begin with a light show and projections on the bridge pylons each evening from 17-20 March 2022. Additional activities will include the famous steam locomotive 3801 crossing the Bridge to be met by the vintage electric train set F1. Historic double-decker vintage buses will also operate from North Sydney and Wynyard as well as vintage ferries between Milsons Point and Campbell Cove.
Other highlights are a walking tour around the CBD, including a pop-up art gallery featuring historical images; dancers, buskers and theatrical performances between Sydney Town Hall and Campbells Cove; plus a community hub at Campbells Cove, including a Welcome to Country, children’s events and performances by James Morrison and Christine Anu.
DESTINATION NSW WINS
AUSTRALIAN INFLUENCER MARKETING AWARD
Destination NSW has taken out the Most Effective Collaboration or Partnership Award for its NSW Road Trips activation at the inaugural Australian Influencer Marketing Council Awards.
The AiMCO Awards celebrate the creativity, clever thinking and innovation behind the Australian influencer marketing industry.
The NSW Road Trips campaign sought to increase visitation to regional NSW, encouraging Aussies to explore their own backyard by sending influencers on road trips to showcase the state and support regional businesses during their time of need.
Destination NSW, together with Havas Media, created two influencer components to the campaign: 'The Long Road' webisodes, starring musicians including Troy Cassar Daley and Guy Sebastian, received 3.4 million video views; while content creation with talent such as Andy Reid and Ryan Clark (10’s Bondi Rescue) and Andrew Bowden (SBS’s The Cook Up) resulted in 517 pieces of content featuring 766 local businesses and received 3.8 million impressions across Facebook and Instagram.
The judges said: “The Long Road is an impressive influencer program that shows what can be achieved when influencer work is well planned and executed. Destination NSW is a stand-out campaign in all aspects.”
CROWDY BAY PUTS NSW ON THE MAP
FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
Crowdy Bay National Park plays a starring role in Tourism Australia’s $40 million marketing campaign, with a photograph of kangaroos on its beach featured at Piccadilly Lights in London - the largest advertising display site in Europe - and Times Square in New York City.
MidCoast Council's manager of economic growth and development Deb Tuckerman said: "It's clear that MidCoast is well and truly on the map and this is really uplifting news for locals, especially small business owners, after a tough few years.''
Tourism Australia Chief Marketing Officer Susan Coghill said pent-up demand to travel to Australia is high, particularly in markets such as the US and UK. When the announcement was made that the international border was reopening, searches in Germany soared 183 per cent, 181 per cent in the UK and 134 per cent the US. Tourism Australia has also seen changes in booking pattern, with international travellers seeking more flexibility.
“We're certainly seeing shifts in how people book holidays, post pandemic,” Ms Coghill said. “They are booking a little closer to travel time so that they have perhaps a little more certainty about travel conditions.
“Our outdoor lifestyle and culture, whether it is our beaches, our outback or even our cities with that great outdoor lifestyle, is also really appealing at this time in terms of how people want to travel in terms of safety and health.”
Ms Coghill said social media would be key to getting the visitor economy back on track. Tourism Australia has the largest social media following of any in the world - 17 million - “and probably one of the most highly engaged audiences as well,” she said.
AVIATION FUND LANDS VIETNAM ROUTE
The NSW Government's $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund has landed its first airline on its runway to recovery, with a new service between Ho Chi Minh and Sydney. The twice-weekly service by Bamboo Airways begins on 30 March 2022. CEO of Bamboo Airways Dang Tat Thang said the support of the Aviation Attraction Fund was key to making this new route viable. Applications are open for the Aviation Attraction Fund until 30 June 2023 and are being managed by Destination NSW.
SYDNEY SCORES NEW FOOTBALL EVENT
Destination NSW has secured an exciting new international football event in partnership with TEG Live. Sydney Super Cup will see some of the world’s best football clubs playing in Sydney in 2022 and 2025. The new four-team football mini-series kicks off with Scotland's Celtic FC and Glasgow Rangers FC playing their first ever ‘Old Firm’ derby outside of Scotland in the 134-year history of their rivalry, against Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers FC. The matches begin on 16 November 2022.
RAIN WON'T STOP THE MARDI GRAS PARADE
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will go ahead rain or shine. “There have been many times over the last 44 years where it has rained on Parade night and that has never stopped our communities from coming together to celebrate," the organisers said. More than 6500 marchers and 160 floats are participating in this year's parade, which starts at 6pm on 5 March at the SCG. It will also be broadcast on all ABC channels from 6:30pm. The event is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
SYDNEY CULTURAL VENUES JOIN FORCES FOR AD
Destination NSW has collaborated with the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australian Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Powerhouse Museum, State Library of New South Wales and Sydney Living Museums on a new marketing campaign called 'Find Yourself’ that aims to promote Sydney’s iconic cultural institutions and encourage Sydneysiders and visitors to rediscover the Harbour City’s art galleries, museums, libraries and historic sites following temporary closures in 2021.
HUGE VIDEO GAME VENUE COMING TO SYDNEY
Sydney's night-time economy will be boosted when Fortress Sydney opens at Broadway's Central Park Mall next summer. It will include a licensed venue with a full-service restaurant, video games in a large arcade, scores of state-of-the-art PCs, a library of board and card games and a 200-seat arena and stage to host both amateur and professional e-sports tournaments. Fortress CEO and Co-Founder Jon Satterley said: “Fortress Sydney will be the jewel in our crown. It will be an awe-inspiring new ‘home of games’ – the ultimate statement in live games culture entertainment."
LINGER LONGER AT SPECIAL EVENTS IN 2022
The NSW Government has extended trading hours for hotels and registered clubs during special sporting and cultural events in 2022. The extension allows some venues to trade longer hours so patrons can celebrate events such as Vivid Sydney, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Parkes Elvis Festival and the NRL Grand Final. Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said: "We need to recognise and support events that cater to a range of interests and cultures and that are both locally and globally significant." Events are listed here.
PIER 2/3 AT WALSH BAY ARTS PRECINCT OFFICIALLY OPENS
Pier 2/3 at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct has officially opened its doors to the public following the completion of major construction works. Located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour, the revitalised heritage precinct features world-class cultural facilities and is the new home to some of the nation’s leading performing arts companies, including Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian Theatre for Young People, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Bell Shakespeare, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Sydney Theatre Company and The Song Company.
ICC SYDNEY CONTINUES RECONCILIATION COMMITMENT
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has strengthened its commitment to respecting, celebrating and acknowledging Australia’s First Nations community with the launch of its second Reconciliation Action Plan at the city’s inaugural Business Sydney First Nations Forum. ICC has expanded upon its established initiatives including working with First Nations businesses and communities across Australia through its supply chains and networks and collaboration with vocational education providers and community partners to attract First Nations employees.
NEW MACLEAY VALLEY NATURE TRAIL SIGNAGE
Exploring the Macleay Valley through the eyes and words of the Dunghutti and Thunghutti people is now a reality following a collection of culturally significant and informative signage being installed throughout the region. Kempsey Shire Council launched the Nature Trails of the Macleay campaign this month thanks to National Recovery and Resilience Agency funding under the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grant Program.
WHY PIRRA IS PLAYING GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS
Pirra is just one of the talented bands that will be performing on opening night of Great Southern Nights. The celebration of live music is being delivered by Destination NSW and ARIA. It aims to stimulate the NSW visitor economy, get artists, crews and music venues back doing what they love and encourage people to attend gigs throughout NSW. Watch this video interview with Pirra on why they are taking taking to the stage on 18 March.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
WASTE LEVY WAIVED FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS: Seventeen local government areas subject to natural disaster declarations will be able to dispose of their flood-damaged goods and possessions without paying waste levies. Learn more
GREY NOMAD AWARDS & AUSTRALIAN STREET ART AWARDS LIVE-STREAMED TONIGHT: The Grey Nomad Awards announcements will be streamed at 6.30pm AEST, while the Australian Street Art Awards will be streamed starting at 7.30 pm AEST.
2022 MEA MENTOR PROGRAM LAUNCHES: Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) has launched the 2022 MEA Mentor Program. The national program will bring together event professionals from across the country to connect, share and assist in the development of skills, expertise and career progression. Read more
'YOUR CITY’S WAITING FOR YOU' CAMPAIGN SET TO BRING BACK LIFE TO THE CBD: The Property Council of Australia has partnered with the City of Sydney and other key industry groups on a return to CBD campaign to reinvigorate our cities. Read more
REINTRODUCED MAMMALS THRIVE IN NATIONAL PARK: Three mammal species once locally extinct - bilbies, crest-tailed mulgaras and Shark Bay bandicoots - are booming since their reintroduction to Sturt National Park. Recent surveys have shown they are busy breeding and are good numbers. Read more
DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2022 AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL TOURISM CONVENTION: The 2022 Australian Regional Tourism Convention will be held in Ballarat from 10-12 October 2022. Registrations are now open. Read more
GOVERNMENT ENHANCES TEMPORARY VISA SETTINGS: Visas will be extended for 24 months for eligible Skilled-Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) visa holders who lost time in Australia as a result of COVID-19 international border restrictions. Due to current workforce shortages, the Government is also temporarily removing the limit on secondary Training (subclass 407) visa holders’ working hours across all sectors of the economy. Additionally, temporary visa holders with work rights will be able to access the COVID-19 Pandemic Event (Subclass 408) visa incurring no Visa Application Charge for a period of six to 12 months if they work in any sector of the Australian economy. Read more
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