Championing Sydney as a competitive global city
About Business Sydney
195 Years in business
Who We Are
Business Sydney is the voice for business in Sydney. We advocate, influence and deliver policies and outcomes to drive economic growth and create opportunities to invest, work, live and visit our city. For nearly two hundred years, we have worked to advance Sydney as a global, competitive and liveable city.
Our network includes leading businesses across financial and professional services, construction and development, health, education, arts and culture, tourism and hospitality, as well as technology, transport, and logistics. Through our association with Business NSW and Business Australia we also influence and deliver on a state and national platform.
Business Sydney can proudly trace its history to 1825 when the Sydney Chamber of Commerce was established as the first organisation of its kind in the fledgling colony. In 2006 we became the Sydney Business Chamber and now to reflect our broader reach, influence, and strength we have transformed to become Business Sydney – the voice of business in Sydney.
Our reach, influence and strength has grown, making our role more critical to Sydney’s future. We are now Business Sydney.
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO INVEST, WORK, LIVE AND VISIT
Our priorities include:
- driving jobs and economic growth
- enhancing social and cultural value and life
- reforming and accelerating state and local planning
- delivering sustainable urban renewal and precincts
- creating Sydney as a domestic and international destination
- attracting trade, talent and investment.
We drive the economic, social, and cultural growth of Sydney as a global city with a strong reputation, knowledge and capability in jobs and technology, advanced manufacturing, international education, tourism and the arts. Business Sydney shapes government policy and delivers outcomes that create opportunities to invest, work, live and visit our city.
Recent Achievements
Through our strong advocacy, influence and action we have delivered key outcomes for the city and business.
Our recent achievements include:
- Development of a vibrant and diverse 24-hour economy for Sydney, including the repeal of the Lockout Laws. See Night Shift and Night Works.
- Driven planning reforms including the acceleration of planning decisions through the removal of red tape and overhaul of the Independent Planning Commission to reduce its impact on impeding Sydney’s growth. See Cities Don’t Happen by Chance.
- Championed critical measures to support businesses and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic including enhanced access and use of public space, waiving of local government fees and charges, bringing forward of key infrastructure projects and support for the tourism and hospitality sector.
- Shaped the development of key precincts to maximise job growth and enhance arts and culture. This includes input into the Pyrmont Peninsular Place and Economic Strategies, backing the development of the new Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay as well as championing Tech Central and revitalisation of The Rocks, Circular Quay and Macquarie Street East.
- Improved transport and mobility through the securing of a metro station at Pyrmont, enhanced active transport and pedestrian access on George Street and other high streets across the city and an improved cycleway network. See High Time.
Current issues and projects include building a third cruise liner terminal, updating the hourly landing quotas at Sydney Airport to accommodate weather and other delays, delivering on the 24-hour Economy Strategy, reactivating and shaping Sydney’s CBD and enhancing the city’s freight system.