Insights - 29 April 2022
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NSW SHINES IN AQUABUMPS COLLABORATION
Destination NSW has teamed up with world-renowned photographer and Aquabumps founder Eugene Tan for an exciting new phase of the 'Feel New' campaign.
The NSW Aquabumps series showcases spectacular destinations across the state, from Byron Bay to Broken Hill and the Snowy Mountains to Lord Howe Island, with the images shared globally and locally across social platforms.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: "The ‘Feel New’ campaign is a key pillar of the NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2030, which aims to make NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific.
“Content and social media has never played a more important role in helping us discover our next holiday destination. Through Aquabumps, Eugene has ensured his work is eagerly anticipated and shared on social media by millions of people each week.
“His shots are powerful, emotive and distinctive. Who better to capture some of NSW’s most stunning locations and introduce prospective visitors from around the world to the incredible products and experiences our state has to offer?”
Mr Tan travelled around NSW capturing the seven feelings of the ‘Feel New’ brand – joy, connection, freedom, awe, rejuvenation, belonging and adventure.
His first stop was the Northern Rivers, supporting the region’s visitor economy as it gets back on its feet after the floods.
“Shooting for my fine art gallery Aquabumps has taken me to a lot of incredible destinations over the years, but none are as special to me as NSW,” Mr Tan said.
“This is a magical place of contrasts, offering unique and diverse nature, coastlines and cultural experiences to everyone who visits. It was an honour to have the opportunity to do something to showcase some of this diversity.
“I hope the series inspires visitors from near and far to get out there and explore everything NSW has to offer.”
Read Mr Tan's blog post about his trip to the Northern Rivers here.
Insights will be following Mr Tan's journey around NSW - stay tuned for more stunning images in next week's newsletter.
COUNTING DOWN TO THE LIGHTING OF THE SAILS
AT VIVID SYDNEY
The Sydney Opera House sails will be illuminated in four weeks time with a ground-breaking digital artwork, Yarrkalpa – Hunting Ground, 2021.
The stunning animation is a collaboration between the East Pilbara-based Martu Artists and Sydney-based creative technologists Curiious, bringing to life the Parnngurr community in Western Australia and its surrounding landscape.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney said that once again all eyes would be on the Sydney Opera House as the sails are transformed into a global canvas.
“The Lighting of the Sails is iconic to the Vivid Sydney program and will signal to the world that the Harbour City is open and reinforce our position as the events capital of the Asia Pacific,” Mr Ayres said.
Vivid Sydney will transform the city from 27 May to 18 June 2022.
MUNDI MUNDI CELEBRATES FESTIVAL SUCCESS
The inaugural Mundi Mundi Bash drew around 9500 people to the NSW outback from 21-23 April, with tickets now on sale for a second festival in August.
Acts including Paul Kelly, Ian Moss, Kate Ceberano and The Radiators performed during the event on the Mundi Mundi Plains, 35km outside of Broken Hill. A number of events were held during the festival, raising $130,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Deputy Premier Paul Toole, Minister for Western NSW Dugald Saunders and Scott Barrett MLC were among those who gathered to enjoy the festival.
"It was amazing to see the best of Broken Hill on display and thousands of caravans arrive from across the country," Mr Toole said.
"Far West NSW was buzzing with excitement and I am pleased that as a government, we could support a great event such as this."
Destination NSW is a proud partner of Mundi Mundi Bash, with a second festival scheduled for 18-20 August 2022. Among the acts lined up to perform are Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers, Jon Stevens and Daryl Braithwaite.
$10,000 SMALL BUSINESS NORTHERN FLOOD GRANT NOW OPEN
Flood-impacted small business owners and not-for-profits in the Northern Rivers region can apply for the $10,000 Small Business Northern Flood Grant to help with rent, wages, government fees and other business costs. Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the grant is targeted at the highly impacted Northern Rivers local government areas of Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Tweed Shire.
NEW TOOLS TO BETTER SERVE VISITORS WITH ACCESS NEEDS
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has developed new tools for visitor economy operators in the Asia-Pacific region to better serve travellers with access needs, including those living with disability. Around 16.7 per cent of the region’s population live with a disability and the resources are aimed at giving them greater choice and control over their travel decisions. The tools include Best Practice Guidelines for Tourism Access and Inclusion and a suite of practical online resources for tourism operators.
NEW RULES FOR INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS
From 30 April, all international arrivals into NSW will follow the same rules, regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated international arrivals do not need to enter hotel quarantine, but must follow the same guidelines as fully vaccinated international arrivals, including going straight to their home or accommodation, taking a rapid antigen test, self-isolating until they receive a negative result and continuing to follow NSW Health guidelines. If a test result is positive, it must be registered with Service NSW.
MORE FUNDING FOR SYDNEY STREET PARTIES
Sydney will enjoy 10 new weekend street parties from 21 May 2022, thanks to a $2 million investment from the NSW Government’s CBDs Revitalisation Program. 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said: “Your Street, Your Party will bring people together across Greater Sydney, with traffic cleared for good times and streets transformed into stages. We invite Sydneysiders to get off their couch and back into community for that social connection that’s been hard to get during the pandemic!”
A PATH FORWARD FOR WALKING AND CYCLING
IN NSW
A trial of e-scooters is being brought forward following the first NSW Mobility Summit, which was held at Sydney ICC on 28 April 2022. Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes said the NSW Government is working towards having e-scooters on the streets from July, with councils invited to submit expressions of interest. Other key points of discussion at the summit were encouraging more children to walk to school and identifying missing infrastructure links in the network. The community is invited to get involved by completing a short online survey. Click here to have your say.
ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES EXPANSION TO OPEN IN DECEMBER
The Art Gallery of New South Wales expansion will officially open to the public on 3 December 2022. In addition to $244 million in funding from the NSW Government, the Art Gallery has raised more than $100 million from private donors to support the expansion.The centrepiece is a spectacular new building that will almost double exhibition space, including a permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gallery. The Art Gallery's much-loved historic building will also be revitalised, with a complete re-installation of the collection, a public art garden and new outdoor art experiences.
PROJECTS VYING FOR WESTINVEST FUNDING
New sporting grounds, educational hubs and performance spaces are among more than 1000 local bids for a share of $1.6 billion in funding under the WestInvest Community Project Grants program. Applicants will be advised of the outcomes of the ROI process before grants open for eight weeks from 2 May until 27 June 2022. The WestInvest program is designed to fund transformational infrastructure projects that will enhance communities. A further $3 billion is set aside to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
IRONMAN AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES 35 YEARS
Excitement is building for the return of the 35th anniversary of IRONMAN Australia, which will be held this weekend in Port Macquarie. More than 3000 athletes will take part in IRONMAN events on 1 May 2022. Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government was proud to support the event through Destination NSW. “IRONMAN Australia attracts thousands of athletes and supporters who stay in our hotels and spend locally, which boosts the area’s visitor economy," Mr Ayres said. More information about the event can be found at www.ironman.com/im-australia
WALLABIES VS ENGLAND TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets have gone on sale for the third and final match of the eToro England vs Australia series, which will be held at Sydney Cricket Ground on 16 July 2022. Destination NSW, in partnership with Rugby Australia, has secured this important match for the Wallabies. Minister Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said: “The NSW Government has been a leading supporter for the return of international sport and this crucial rugby test adds further weight to our incredible line-up of world-class events.”
FUNDING TO TRANSFORM TARONGA ZOO SKY SAFARI
The NSW Government is funding a $81.3 million upgrade of Taronga Zoo’s Sky Safari. Environment Minister James Griffin said: “The upgrade will feature additional, larger and more accessible gondolas, an expanded route and new, accessible stations. The route will also allow guests to take in the zoo while learning about conservation. There is no view more iconic than the animals of Taronga Zoo set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the reimagined Sky Safari will provide a new way to experience it.”
SINGLETON TO HOST FIRELIGHT FESTIVAL
The Singleton Firelight Festival is set to transform the town during May. A new addition to the event will be ‘Firewalk’, a spectacular light show in the historic Dunolly Bridge and Cook Park precinct, which will combine unique sensory, hologram and immersive laser light experiences. The festival will run from 14- 22 May 2022, with the much-loved Firelight event on 21 May, featuring fire performers, live music, laser shows, food stalls, food trucks and laneway bars.
GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS
Great Southern Nights helped more than 1000 artists get back on stage during March and April. Destination NSW has created a video featuring highlights from the initiative, which was created in partnership with Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) to reignite live music across NSW and support thousands of jobs across the state. Thank you to everyone who was involved in bringing Great Southern Nights to life, including all the fans who bought tickets to gigs.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
CHAMPION REGIONAL NSW AS A DESTINATION NETWORK BOARD MEMBER: Destination NSW is inviting applications for the position of Board Director for the state’s Destination Networks. Please email recruitment@dnsw.com.au to request a Board Recruitment Package. The closing date for applications is 2 May 2022. Read more
GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW KOALA HAVEN: A significant transfer of 54 hectares of land at Lysaght Road has signaled the start of work on the new multi-million-dollar Georges River Koala Reserve, which will strengthen species numbers and deliver positive environmental benefits for Western Sydney. Read more
NSW TOP OF THE TABLE FOR INNOVATION: NSW has Australia’s strongest startup ecosystem, world-leading universities and an unparalleled opportunity to attract major new investment, according to the latest NSW Innovation and Productivity Scorecard. NSW has moved to the top spot in the world for the number of global top 200 universities on a population adjusted basis. Read more
LORD HOWE ISLAND’S BIODIVERSITY RECOVERING THANKS TO RODENT CONTROL: The recovery of one of Australia’s rarest birds is on track thanks to a rodent control program developed to protect the unique wildlife on World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island. The population of endangered Lord Howe Island Woodhens has almost tripled to about 565 since the rodent control was implemented in 2019. Read more
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here
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