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A MESSAGE FROM DESTINATION NSW
In challenging times, one of the best things we can do is continue to check in on one another and share our experiences.
That’s why today we’re providing an update on what’s happening at Destination NSW and sharing our optimism for the future in the hope that it gives our stakeholders some positive energy too.
We’re encouraged to see the State’s vaccination numbers increasing day-on-day. As Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant have said, anyone over 18 is encouraged to discuss vaccination options with a trusted health professional such as a GP or pharmacist.
Australian Health data shows that 55 per cent of eligible NSW residents have received one dose of vaccination, and 29 per cent have received two doses. That equates to more than 5.5 million doses administered, which is fantastic for our State.
The NSW Government has said that vaccination will be key to moving through this pandemic, and we know how important that is for all of us engaged in the visitor economy. Being able to get back to business, resume travel, gatherings and events as soon as it is safe to do so is the light at the end of the tunnel.
In the meantime, Destination NSW is planning a suite of initiatives to ensure we’re ready to accelerate out of the blocks when restrictions begin to ease.
These include:
Recovery campaign planning: our team is gathering intel on consumer sentiment and what visitors are looking for post lockdown. We’re preparing assets for our marketing channels, engaging partners for conversion campaigns and having ongoing discussions with media to promote the resilience and innovation from NSW businesses
NSW First industry development work: we relaunched our NSW First resources on our corporate website, making this helpful information more easily accessible to businesses. Yesterday, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres announced that Destination NSW is partnering with Restaurant & Catering Australia and social media giant Facebook to deliver a suite of free, new skills development and training programs – read more on this below
Information gathering and advocacy: listening to businesses and industry partners is a significant part of our role, and we continue to collate information and case studies to share with NSW Government stakeholders around the impact of COVID-19. We know many of you are concerned about eligibility criteria for support programs and confidence to restart activity and events when it is safe to do so, and we share your feedback with our counterparts across government
Providing updates on support for businesses and individuals: the NSW Government has announced a range of support programs to help ease financial pressure during this challenging time. Destination NSW provides guidance and updates to stakeholders via Insights and direct communications to industry about what may be available to our network. Service NSW is working hard to deliver as much support and process as many grants as possible.
In line with the National Plan endorsed by the National Cabinet several weeks ago, Destination NSW is preparing for a phased return to activity.
We expect that, in the first phase of transition, we will launch domestic promotional campaigns, leverage other NSW Government initiatives such as voucher programs, and predominantly ticketed, in-venue and regional events will return with COVID-safe programming.
The next step would be to recommence face-to-face industry development activities, launch domestic airline and trade partnership campaigns and see even more flagship events come to life.
Of course, as soon as the NSW Government provides detail about the way forward and COVID-safe requirements from businesses and individuals, we will share that with you.
For now, we hope that you – like the Destination NSW team – are turning your mind to a positive future and the potential of an incredibly strong summer holiday period.
Please continue to take care, look after your well-being and that of those around you, and seek out support that can help you now and in future.
Stay home, stay safe and vaccinate!
Steve Cox
Destination NSW CEO
NEW PROTECTIONS AND COMPLIANCE RULES TO CARRY NSW THROUGH TO VACCINATION TARGETS
In response to the evolving Delta outbreak, NSW will extend the current lockdown in Greater Sydney until the end of September, and introduce new rules targeting the local government areas of concern, where the vast majority of new cases are emerging.
From 12.01am Monday 23 August, it will be mandatory for people in Greater Sydney to wear a mask outside except when exercising.
This new requirement also applies in regional NSW until 28 August in line with the extension of the current stay-at-home orders for the regions to that date.
A permit system for some travel between Greater Sydney and regional NSW will take effect from 12.01am tomorrow Saturday 21 August.
Under the updated public health order, the following people traveling from Greater Sydney to regional NSW require a permit:
- anyone from Greater Sydney (including authorised workers from the LGAs of concern) who needs to travel more than 50km from Greater Sydney for work purposes, noting the existing requirement for such workers to have had a COVID test in the previous seven days
- people travelling to a second home outside Greater Sydney. This is now only allowed if you are using the home for work accommodation or if the home requires urgent maintenance and repairs (if so, only one person may travel there)
- people inspecting a potential new residence, but only if they have a genuine intention to relocate as soon as practicable (no investment properties)
- people who are permanently relocating.
For the purposes of this public health order requiring travel permits, Greater Sydney no longer includes Shellharbour and the Central Coast. People travelling to Shellharbour and the Central Coast for the above reasons will require a permit to do so.
Taking a holiday to a second residence is not a reasonable excuse to leave home.
Permit applications will be made available on the Service NSW website. Service NSW is working closely with NSW Health and NSW Police, and more information regarding eligibility criteria and the application process for travel registrations will be made available on the later today.
Further, increased fines of up to $5,000 for COVID breaches and a heightened police presence have also been introduced to reduce the spread of the Delta variant. These increased fines apply to breaching self-isolation rules, lying on a permit and lying to a contact tracer. Breaching the rule limiting outdoor exercise to two people may incur a $3,000 fine.
Finally, eligible workers aged 17 and over who live in the 12 Greater Sydney LGAs of concern who have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and isolate until a negative result is returned, will be eligible for one $320 payment in a four week period for lost wages.
For the latest information about NSW’s COVID-19 response, restrictions and support measures, visit NSW.gov.au.
HOSPITALITY AND SOCIAL MEDIA SKILLS BOOST FOR NSW VISITOR ECONOMY
The NSW Government has partnered with Restaurant & Catering Australia and social media giant Facebook to deliver a suite of free, new skills development and training programs designed for individuals and businesses engaged in the State’s visitor economy.
The programs, delivered by Destination NSW, will be offered to individuals and businesses wishing to upgrade their customer service skills and enhance their social media capability.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said this support was needed to help address the current skills shortage across NSW and ensure business operators had the social media know-how to stand out in a crowded digital marketplace.
“We know that access to skilled workers is one of the greatest challenges facing tourism and hospitality businesses in NSW right now,” Mr Ayres said.
“Equally, using social media to engage and inspire potential customers through rich storytelling has never been a more important part of a businesses’ marketing and promotional mix.
“The NSW Government is committed to supporting business owners and workers to develop the skills they need to be successful and to help grow the visitor economy.”
The hospitality training modules and registrations for the social media webinars are now live. The programs, part of Destination NSW’s NSW First industry development program, involve:
1,400 micro credentials available to tourism and hospitality staff across three modules: Managing customer expectations in terms of COVID-safe practices, emotional awareness in customer service, and an introduction to customer service (delivered in partnership with Restaurant & Catering Australia)
Five webinars about Facebook and Instagram for Tourism to help optimise a business’s Facebook presence; engage audiences on social media; create Instagram stories; capture social content on a smartphone; and inspire action on Instagram (delivered in partnership with Facebook, which also owns Instagram)
“Destination NSW’s industry development program, NSW First, is tailored to the unique needs of businesses engaged in the visitor economy through leveraging industry insights and partnerships for the benefit of operators,” Mr Ayres said.
“In addition to the NSW and Commonwealth Government’s $5.1 billion-plus COVID-19 support package, these free NSW First initiatives will provide business owners with practical support that is relevant to their industry, so they are ready to ramp up again when travel restrictions are lifted.”
Restaurant & Catering Australia CEO Wes Lambert said the partnership aimed to ensure the broader hospitality sector had access to the skills and workers it needed to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“For so many businesses, being able to find the staff they need will be the difference between survival and closure,” Mr Lambert said.
For more information and to register for either program, go to www.destinationnsw.com.au/NSWFirst.
NSW GOVERNMENT EXTENDS DINE & DISCOVER AND SUPPORT FOR TENANTS AND LANDLORDS
The NSW Government has extended two business support measures – the Dine & Discover program and the Residential Tenancy Support package.
Dine & Discover voucher scheme has been extended to 30 June 2022, meaning that NSW residents can use remaining hospitality and entertainment vouchers for an additional 11 months.
Information about the Dine & Discover voucher program is available via Service NSW, and addresses requirements for businesses and customers.
Meanwhile the Government will also provide increased security for tenants and financial support for landlords by extending the Residential Tenancy Support package.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the Residential Tenancy Support package would be paid for a second month and eligible landlords could apply for up to $3,000 to cover the two months from 14 July 2021, assuming they had reduced rent for their tenant by at least that much.
“The NSW Government is ensuring both residential tenants and landlords have ongoing support by extending financial assistance for private landlords who pass on rent relief," Mr Anderson said.
“Keeping people safe doesn’t just mean reducing the health threats of the virus. It is vital we help keep a roof over the heads of those who may be suffering financial hardship at this difficult time.”
Landlords who have already applied can make an additional application and those who are yet to apply will be able to make one application for the total amount of rent waived, up to $1,500 a month.
Landlords also have the option to apply for the COVID-19 land tax benefit instead of applying for the Residential Tenancy Support Payment, which is an offset of the land tax liability equal to the rent reduction granted.
Eligible COVID-19 impacted residential tenants who cannot meet their residential rent payments will be protected from eviction during the moratorium period commencing from 14 July and finishing at the end of 11 September 2021.
For more information on the package or to apply, visit NSW Fair Trading.
A recent webinar hosted by Service NSW and Treasury outlining the various support measures available to businesses impacted by COVID-19 is now available to view on demand. Visit the Service NSW COVID-19 help for businesses page to view the recording.
PENRITH SET TO BECOME AUSTRALIAN FILM AND
TV CAPITAL
The western Sydney location of the final scene in Mad Max: Fury Road could soon become a permanent production house for some of the world’s biggest blockbuster films.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said a proposal to transform part of Penrith Lakes into a movie mecca was on track, with changes to planning rules set to pave the way for a $150 million film production precinct.
“Who needs Hollywood Hills when we’ve got Penrith Lakes? NSW is home to some of the best film production crews in the world, so it’s fitting they have a place to call home in Greater Sydney,” Mr Stokes said.
“If approved, this 41-hectare precinct would include up to 10 production stages, filming tanks, construction and design facilities, as well as a film school.
“It would create up to 300 construction jobs over three years and once completed, the site would employ up to 2,000 people on major movie projects.”
The development would be made possible by a proposed amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) for Penrith Lakes, now on public exhibition.
The amendment also proposes:
An 18-hole golf course
A new heliport for Sydney Helicopters, currently based at Granville, with flight path access south of the Richmond (RAAF) Control Zone
The heritage listing of the historic Landers Inn, enabling uses such as tourist accommodation.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said it was an exciting venture and would be a win for the film industry, Western Sydney and the people of Penrith.
“This is a fantastic result for Penrith that will bring jobs and investment while activating a beautiful part of Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
“The heritage listing of the Landers Inn is really important because it will ensure the building is protected while giving the public greater access to a historic local building.”
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Chairman Christopher Brown AM welcomed the announcement.
“Federal and State Governments have committed to creating 200,000 knowledge jobs as part of their Western Sydney City Deal, and many of these can come in the creative industries that serve the movie sector,” Mr Brown said.
To view the draft amendment and have your say by 26 September, visit Planning NSW’s Penrith Lakes SEPP webpage.
TOURISM AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE VACCINATION
Tourism Australia has launched its latest industry initiative “It's our best shot for travel”.
The social media and print initiative encourages Australians to get vaccinated and be ready to travel and attend events as soon as restrictions ease.
Industry can get behind the initiative by using the toolkit which includes a campaign overview, social asset for industry use, email signature, website sticker, Zoom background and Facebook profile sticker.
Speaking at a recent industry webinar, Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison acknowledged industry and media partners who were “really adding their voice to the groundswell” of support around vaccination.
“One voice may not make a difference, but many voices singing to the same choir sheet really do start to make a difference,” she said.
“We just want to make sure that the groundswell of voices encouraging people to get vaccinated so we can get back to our way of life which involves travelling and seeing family and friends and reconnecting again, is by getting yourself vaccinated.”
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) welcomed the initiative.
“Tourism businesses across Australia, regional and metropolitan, are in limbo without visitors and without a certain future and the only solution to their predicament is for Australians to get vaccinated,” ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley said.
“Vaccination is the only way we will be able to enjoy travel in Australia and internationally and to welcome back our international visitors and see our friends and family once again.”
THE 2021 DELICIOUS. HARVEY NORMAN PRODUCE AWARD WINNERS REVEALED
The winners of the 2021 delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards, the country’s most prestigious food industry campaign, have been announced.
Now in its 16th year, the Awards celebrate the country’s new, innovative, native and consistently outstanding Australian ingredients grown, caught, sourced or produced with dedication, passion, knowledge and regard for the environment.
South Coast producer Tathra Oysters was named Producer of the Year for their 5 Year Old Bistro Grade oysters, second-generation beekeeper Tim Malfroy was awarded Outstanding Artisan for Malfroy's Gold honey, while Tweed was an Outstanding Region winner.
Tathra Oysters’ Gary Rodley told The Daily Telegraph he was “bursting with pride” about the award.
Acclaimed Sydney-based chef Peter Gilmore was also recognised through the Awards, receiving the Maggie Beer Award for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Food.
delicious. editorial director Kerrie McCallum said: “During a time of unprecedented change, including flood and the Covid-19 pandemic, acknowledging the resilience and the dedication that Australian farmers, fishermen and artisans show their craft has never been more important.”
Gerry Harvey, Harvey Norman executive chairman said: “If we take the time to source from this year’s winners we will taste the difference in our cooking and know that we are supporting the talent and hard work of our local producers.”
Seventeen trophies were awarded by some of Australia’s most renowned chefs, including Josh Niland, Lennox Hastie, Matt Stone and Matt Moran. See the full list of winners online.
DESIGN SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE’S NEW BIKE RAMP
A competition to design the new Sydney Harbour Bridge bike ramp will be held, after the community backed a proposed ramp from Bradfield Park to the existing bridge deck cycleway.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the community would be asked for feedback on three shortlisted architectural designs before a winner is announced later this year.
“We’re after innovative designs that are not only worthy of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, but also respect the heritage of the area, embrace Aboriginal culture and enhance the open space for the Milsons Point community," Mr Constance said.
“The Harbour Bridge cycleway is one of the most popular bike routes in the city, with an average of 2,000 cyclists using it each day. Patronage is expected to increase once the ramp is built and cyclists no longer have to carry their bikes up the stairs.
“Transport for NSW will continue to engage with residents and community groups as the design process progresses, as well as with Heritage NSW.”
Transport for NSW conducted consultation that reached 6,300 people and heard from 2,759 through surveys and submissions. 82 per cent voted in favour of the bike ramp, with the majority wanting the linear option over a looped ramp at Milsons Point.
Member for North Shore Felicity Wilson said: “For more than a decade, design and consultation has been undertaken to try to find the best solution to the incredibly challenging problem of both increasing safety for pedestrians and meeting the need for improved cycle access to the bridge – all while protecting and preserving the open space and heritage we love.”
Transport for NSW previously made the decision not to progress with a lift or travellator because they did not solve safety or congestion issues, and reduced the capacity of the existing cycleway.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway runs between Millers Point and Milsons Point along the western side of the Harbour Bridge.
REFORMED PLANNING PANELS KEY TO NSW RECOVERY
A planetarium, aged care facilities and thousands of new homes are among $17 billion worth of development approved by independent planning panels in the last financial year that will aid NSW’s economic recovery from the pandemic.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said streamlining independent planning panels were part of reforms to reduce assessment times that had paved the way for approximately 27,000 new homes and 52,000 jobs across the State.
“Hundreds of new projects are in the pipeline because of these vital reforms which have helped independent planning panels clear their backlogs without compromising rigorous assessment processes,” Mr Stokes said.
“Collectively, Sydney, regional, and local planning panels approved 1,497 development applications during the 2020-21 financial year - worth $17 billion to the NSW economy.
“Resolving uncertainty in the planning system has been an important focus for the Government, and over the past 12 months regional planning panels and local councils worked together to clear the decks of DAs that had been stuck in the system for too long.”
Planning Panels are made up of independent experts in fields including planning, architecture, heritage, environment, urban design, economics, traffic and transport, law and government, and public administration. Panels also include representatives from local communities to ensure issues and considerations important in those places are captured in the Panel’s deliberations.
Panels help to safeguard against corruption and provide the community with more certainty of panning decisions.
BUSINESS EVENTS AND TOURISM INDUSTRY SEEK JOBKEEPER SUPPORT
Representatives of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) met online with the Commonwealth Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan requesting targeted support for businesses reliant upon income from business events.
BECA Deputy Chair Geoff Donaghy said the survival of the visitor and events supply chain was the council’s number one priority, along with maintaining the skilled workforce.
“If we are to be match fit for domestic recovery and deliver global best practice to our international clients for which we are recognised when the border reopens, retaining our people is essential," Mr Donaghy said.
“With minimal opportunity to earn revenue over the past 18 months, the current Delta lockdowns across Australia are directly impacting lives and livelihoods and the core capability of our dynamic industry.”
BECA has called for an urgent bundle of targeted measures as a lifeline towards recovery including:
The return of a national wage subsidy scheme to support business survival and retention of specialist industry skills
The introduction of a national event insurance scheme to cover for government-enforced cancellations and postponements resulting from COVID-19 restrictions
An improved Business Events Grant Program to stimulate demand of in-person business events in 2022, via corporate and association event owners.
BECA said that COVID-19 business support grants and disaster payments were welcome but fall short for the business events industry which is reliant on interstate services, labour, and equipment, yet opportunities and support vary state-by-state.
The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) joined the call for the Commonwealth to reinstate Jobkeeper to protect 150,000 jobs across the sector. TTF commissioned research conducted by Strafford Strategy revealed Australia’s tourism industry is losing approximately $5.8 billion in domestic tourism each month due to lockdowns and border restrictions.
TTF CEO Margy Osmond said: “The losses continue to mount at a rapid pace with almost $7 billion wiped off tourism spend over the December/January peak holiday period, another $1.8 billion over the Easter School Holidays and the July winter school holidays decimated to the tune of $6.3 billion.
“No industry can sustain these types of losses and survive and although school holidays are obviously the peak for travel the news is bleak for the foreseeable future with NSW’ visitor economy alone losing $23 million per day or $158 million per week even during none holiday periods.”
See more insights from the Strafford Strategy research on TTF’s LinkedIn post.
RFDS STARS ON SILVER SCREEN
After years of planning and over five months of shooting, a new TV drama that depicts the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service is now screening on Seven Network.
RFDS launched this month featuring Australian stars Stephen Peacocke and Rob Collins, plus acclaimed actors Emma Hamilton and Justine Clarke.
Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, the Flying Doctor worked closely with Endemol Shine in the coordination of aircraft, staff, remote airstrip landings, filming at an operational base and set build.
The Flying Doctor took production crew to bases and clinics, plus facilitated the interviewing of doctors, nurses, pilots and patients.
This process took more than a year - with scoping, scripting and pitches thoroughly worked and reworked. A committee was set up within the RFDS for advice to writers on aviation procedures and terminology, as well as medical and clinical processes and technical details.
As one of Australia’s oldest RFDS bases, the RFDS Broken Hill base was chosen as the location for filming due to its impressive red dirt landscapes, and the capacity to have filming set up alongside RFDS day-to-day operations without impacting delivery of primary health services and emergency medical retrievals.
Broken Hill has long been a preferred location for filming, with Mad Max 2, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Mission Impossible II, Last Cab to Darwin and A Town Like Alice all shot at the outback town and surrounds.
Seven Network Executive producer Julie McGauran said: “This compelling series, led by an incredible cast and team of creatives, is based on the real-life stories of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and highlights the extraordinary work they do, day in, day out.
“RFDS showcases powerful contemporary Australian drama on an epic scale. We are thrilled to bring this rich and engaging series and its magnificent setting of outback Australia to audiences.”
RFDS is an Endemol Shine Banks production for the Seven Network, with major production investment from Seven in association with Screen Australia. It was financed with support from Screen NSW through the Made in NSW Fund and the Regional Filming Fund. RFDS screens on Wednesday evenings at 8.30pm on Seven, or is available on 7Plus.
TARGETED EMERGENCY SUPPORT FOR ARTS SECTOR
Individual artists and small to medium arts and cultural organisations impacted by COVID-19 restrictions can now apply for COVID Development Grants to support the development of new work. Up to $300,000 in small development grants will be delivered through Create NSW. Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said: "Individual artists and small to medium arts and cultural organisations are the lifeblood of the sector, generating significant cultural and artistic activity, which is crucial for the state’s economic and social wellbeing. The NSW Government is providing emergency targeted support through grants of up to $5,000 for individuals and groups, and up to $10,000 for small to medium organisations to alleviate alleviate the disruption the pandemic has caused for the cultural and creative sectors.” Funding is available for the creation, development and presentation of new works, employment of artists and arts and culture workers, skills development and training, marketing, fundraising and promotional costs, workshops and other public programs, and to purchase equipment or digital resources to deliver new programs and projects. Applications are open on the Create NSW website.
TAKE OFF FROM HOME WITH QANTAS
Qantas has found a way to combine video conferencing with daydreams about future holidays. The airline has released a series of aviation-themed meeting backgrounds to get customers back on board a domestic or international flight with 10 easily downloadable in-situ backgrounds creating a Qantas experience for virtual meetings. Travellers can conduct their meetings from the comfort of their Business Class seat, sitting behind the pilots in the cockpit jump seat, or from one of the Qantas’ luxury lounges. Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer Stephanie Tully said it was a fun way to engage with Frequent Flyers who are keen to recapture the experience of being up in the air. “Our customers tell us they miss flying as much as getting to the destination itself and this sensory experience will help fill the temporary void while some of us can’t fly because of border closures.” In recent months, Qantas also made a limited number of inflight products available for purchase including Business Class PJs, care packs featuring wine, amenity kits and Qantas playing cards.
SLIM DUSTY CENTRE SECURED AS A KEMPSEY COMMUNITY ASSET
The future of the Slim Dusty Centre as a cultural, community and tourism facility has been secured, with Kempsey Shire Council agreeing to permanently take over ownership and management of the facility. This week elected members authorised the council to enter an agreement with the Slim Dusty Foundation to transfer the Slim Dusty Centre buildings and its contents, excluding the Slim Dusty Museum exhibits and memorabilia, to Council for nil cost. Mayor Liz Campbell praised the decision as a major step forward in enabling Council to meet a gap in local cultural and event facilities. “In the Slim Dusty Centre, Council has been presented with a genuinely unique opportunity to acquire an important cultural and tourism facility for our community which also has a direct link to one of the valley’s favourite sons,” Cr Campbell said. The Slim Dusty Centre, including the Kempsey Visitor Information Centre, is currently closed due to the public health orders but will reopen under Council management in due course.
