Countdown begins to Vivid Sydney 2022
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COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2022
The 100-day countdown has officially begun for the return of Vivid Sydney, which will transform the CBD into a kaleidoscope of colour and light from 27 May to 18 June.
Delivered by the NSW Government through Destination NSW, the world-renowned festival of light, music and ideas will be staged over 23 nights, with mesmerising art displays, 3D light projections, uplifting live music performances and deep-dive discussions from the world’s brightest minds.
In a festival first, the spectacular Light Walk will stretch continuously for 8km, linking the Sydney Opera House to Central Station with 47 installations and projections.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres joined with Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini at Circular Quay to launch the two signature countdown clocks, located on the Queen Victoria Building forecourt at Town Hall and Gateway Plaza, Circular Quay
“The 2022 program will be the biggest and brightest yet, with many festival firsts, providing even more reasons for Sydneysiders and visitors from around the country – and all over the world – to immerse themselves in our city at its creative best," Mr Ayres said.
“Vivid Sydney makes a vital social and economic contribution during winter. From our creative industries to entertainment and hospitality venues, accommodation and retailers, it supports the entire ecosystem of the NSW visitor economy.”
Ms Minervini said Vivid Sydney would deliver fresh experiences for festivalgoers, with an impressive collection of Sydney’s most celebrated artists, including the unmistakable work of Ken Done delivering the Customs House projection.
VISITOR ECONOMY WELCOMES EASING OF
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS
The hospitality and retail sectors have welcomed the NSW Government's easing of COVID-19 restrictions, as the state continues to take a measured response to managing the pandemic.
The following adjustments have been made to settings from 18 February 2022 :
- No density limits (previously one person per 2sqm for hospitality venues);
- QR check-ins only required for nightclubs and music festivals with more than 1000 people. Hospitals, aged and disability facilities may use their existing systems for recording visitors;
- Singing and dancing permitted at all venues, except music festivals, where singing and dancing can recommence from 25 February;
- The recommendation to work from home will change and be returned to the employer’s discretion.
The following settings will apply from 25 February 2022:
- Masks will only be mandated on public transport, planes, and indoors at airports, hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, corrections facilities and indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people;
- Masks are encouraged for indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe distance from others and for customer facing retail staff to protect vulnerable people who must access these premises and services;
- Each State Government agency will review where it may be appropriate for public-facing staff to wear masks and will implement as necessary;
- The 20,000 person cap on music festivals will be removed, with singing and dancing permitted. Vaccination requirements will remain for indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people, with at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine required.
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said: “Clubs are hugely appreciative of the Premier’s decision to bring forward the relaxing of restrictions. The past few months have been tough for clubs, as people just haven’t been going out like they used to. We hope this decision sends a signal to the public that it is safe to go out once again and boost their confidence to return to their local club."
Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra said: “These are sensible measures that reduce the burden on business and allows them to trade at their full potential. It’s important that health protocols are eased when it’s safe to do so and we thank the NSW Government for the adjustments they’ve made. QR codes have served an important purpose throughout the pandemic – but for retail, they’re passed their use by date."
NSW PARENTS GIVE VOUCHERS A BIG THUMBS UP
Around 300,000 households across the state have taken advantage of the NSW Government’s new voucher program Parents NSW, which offers $250 in vouchers as a thank you for parents' efforts to support learning from home in 2021.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said that since the program's launch on 7 February, there have been more than 1.5 million vouchers issued to NSW families, totalling more than $75 million dollars in parents' pockets.
“More than 118,424 households applied for vouchers in the first 24 hours, the most successful start to a voucher program we have had to date," Mr Perrottet said.
"In one week, parents have redeemed 12,500 vouchers spending around $970,000 in Stay NSW and Discover NSW registered businesses.
The Parents NSW program provides each eligible household with at least one school-enrolled child where home learning took place in 2021 with five $50 vouchers which can be redeemed at Discover NSW and Stay NSW registered businesses.
It is not too late for tourism, recreation and accommodation businesses to register. Parents NSW vouchers are valid until 9 October, 2022.
TOURISM AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES NEW CAMPAIGN
Tourism Australia is celebrating Australia's international borders reopening with a $40 million campaign called Don’t Go Small. Go Australia. The campaign is running in Germany, France, Italy, Canada, the US and UK. It will build on the successful public relations blitz that supported the border reopening announcement, with tactical billboard placements in landmark sites in New York, London and Paris. Watch the campaign here.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAM
Small businesses that experienced a downturn over summer can now apply for a NSW Government support payment of up to $5000 per week through Service NSW. The program will provide targeted support to businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million that experienced a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent during January and early February 2022 and the start of February 2022.
SINGLETON ARTS & CULTURAL CENTRE TO OPEN NEXT MONTH
Singleton’s new Arts & Cultural Centre will open on 6 March 2022. The $4 million Arts and Cultural Centre, funded in partnership between Singleton Council and a $2.8 million Create NSW grant, includes more than 300 square metres of state-of-the-art gallery space. The inaugural exhibition at the Singleton Arts and Cultural Centre features new commissions by photographer Edwina Richards and Indigenous artist Debbie Becker, each with a unique connection to Singleton and the Hunter Valley.
GUNDAGAI & THE CENTRAL COAST FEATURE ON WEEKEND SUNRISE
Gourmet food and drink, boutique accommodation and outdoor attractions in regional NSW will be showcased on Weekend Sunrise this weekend thanks to investment by the NSW Government. Weather presenter James Tobin will visit Gundagai on 19 February and the Central Coast on 20 February during his JT Travels NSW series, which has been created in partnership with Destination NSW. Each week, exclusive travel deals will be offered to the regions that are featured on the program.
ARTS AND CULTURE HITS THE ROAD TO REGIONAL NSW IN 2022
Audiences across regional NSW will enjoy more performances and creative experiences thanks to the first round of the NSW Government’s Regional Arts Touring fund. The funding will support 11 arts and cultural organisations and groups to tour their works to 60 regional towns and villages across the state. Applications for Round 2 of the Regional Arts Touring Fund and a new funding round for multi-year support open on 14 March 2022.
FIBA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP HEADS TO SYDNEY
The 12-team playing field for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 has been confirmed, with Australia, US, Canada, France, Belgium, China, Japan, Serbia, Russia, Korea, Nigeria and Bosnia and Herzegovina competing. The NSW Government has brought the event to NSW through its 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative. The FIBA Women's Basketball Cup will be held from 22 September 2022 at Sydney Olympic Park.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT & BACKPACKER BOOM
International student and backpacker visa applications and arrivals have surged since the Federal Government announced its visa fee refund initiative. Nearly 13,500 international students arrived in Australia last week alone – a 33 per cent increase on the week prior; while 1000 backpackers also arrived. The program is worth $3.1 billion to the Australian economy, with backpackers filling workforce shortages while exploring regional Australia.
SEMI PERMANENT FESTIVAL RETURNS TO SYDNEY
Creativity and design festival Semi Permanent will return to its hometown of Sydney from 25-27 May 2022. Taking place at arts precinct Carriageworks as part of the Destination NSW initiative Vivid Sydney 2022, Semi Permanent will present its biggest, most dynamic program to date, coupled with an enhanced visitor experience of workshops, panel discussions, performances and installations.
AUSTRALIA'S TOP STATE FOR STREET ART
Nine out of 11 national finalists in the 2021 Australian Street Art Awards are located in NSW, making it the top state for street and public art. Director Liz Rivers said smart communities promote their street and outdoor art as a unique landmark – an attraction that visitors can see in only place - which makes their destination immediately identifiable, highly attractive and a drawcard for art-loving tourists. The winners across 11 categories will be announced on 4 March 2022.
BILLAGOE LISTED ON STATE HERITAGE REGISTER
The Billagoe (Mount Drysdale) Cultural Landscape has been listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. The area has rich cultural significance to the Indigenous people of the Ngemba-Ngiyampaa-Wangaaybuwan-Wayilwan and Baiame, the ancestral creator of landscapes and resources. Features of state significance in the region include its rare Aboriginal archaeology, which is linked to ceremony, axe manufacturing, trade and social sites.
NSW NATIONAL LEADER
IN UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION
The NSW Government has signed historic five-year inovation partnerships with a further 10 NSW public universities to boost innovation, attract investment and strengthen collaboration across the sector and state. Premier Dominic Perrottet said: “NSW is home to some of the world’s leading universities and we want to strengthen our working relationships with the sector to commercialise research and develop world-leading local precincts where people live and create jobs."
QANTAS TO CONTINUE FLYING DARWIN KANGAROO ROUTE
Qantas will continue flying its daily direct flight from London via Darwin until at least June 2022, following ongoing uncertainty around the reopening of the West Australian border and testing requirements for passengers transiting through Singapore. The Perth to London service was scheduled to revert to operating via Perth in April. Qantas currently operates daily flights from both Melbourne and Sydney to London (via Darwin) on its 787 Dreamliner.
STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC AND TOURISM TIES WITH INDIA
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan and India’s Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal have renewed the Australia-India Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism Cooperation. The MoU will help encourage more Indian visitors to Australia and enhance the capabilities of Australian tourism businesses. Both governments will also work with airlines and airports to boost aviation capacity between the two countries. India was Australia’s fastest growing source of international visitors in 2019, with almost 400,000 visitors contributing $1.8 billion to the economy.
FIRST LOOK AT CENTRAL STATION TRANSFORMATION
The largest escalators in the Southern Hemisphere have been installed at Central as part of Sydney Metro’s $955 million transformation of Australia’s busiest railway station. Work on the new station is well advanced, with excavation of the underground cavern and installation of new platforms complete. The upgrade will create more than 5500 jobs over the four years of construction, and represents the biggest improvement to the station in decades. The first stage of Central Walk is being prepared to open this year. When complete, the underground link will make it easier for customers to connect with train, bus light rail and metro services.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
HAVE YOUR SAY ON FASTER PAYMENTS POLICY: Small business owners are being encouraged to have their say on the NSW Government’s Faster Payment Terms Policy, which aims to make eligible payments to registered small business suppliers within five business days, as part of a review flagged in the state’s Economic Recovery Strategy. Read more about the policy here. Have your say here.
BUSINESS EVENTS COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW INDEPENDENT CHAIR: Dr Leo Jago has a strong research background in business events and the visitor economy. Dr Jago helped establish guidelines for assessing the economic impact of business events and was involved in the early work to identify the 'beyond tourism' value of business events. Read more
BUSINESS NSW PRESIDENT AND DEPUTY RE-ELECTED: President Lyall Gorman and Deputy Brett Manwaring have been re-elected for a further two-year term. Mr Gorman said: “NSW has a lot to look forward to in the next two years as the powerhouse of the national economy and we look forward to joining our members on that journey." Read more
MATISSE: LIFE & SPIRIT EXHIBITION CLOSING SOON: The exhibition, at Art Gallery of NSW, which has been made possible through the support of Destination NSW, features more than 100 works of brilliant colour and inventiveness by the French artist. On display until 13 March 2022. Read more
REGISTER FOR NSW SMALL BUSINESS MONTH WORKSHOPS & EVENTS: This year’s program, held from 1-31 March, will offer opportunities to learn new skills and new ideas to help navigate the road ahead and connect and collaborate with other small business owners and operators. Read more
