Business Sydney

A NEW BEGINNING FOR BUILDING SYDNEY BACK BETTER

11 October 2021

Business Sydney says today marks a new beginning for building the city’s CBD back better as we come out of lockdown and bring workers and visitors back to the empty city streets in a significant reactivation of the economy.

“Sydney’s CBD was the beating heart of the state’s economy and we need to restart it with a strong return to offices, hospitality, arts and cultural venues to bring the city back to its vibrant best and show the world that Sydney is the pre-eminent city in our region to work, visit and play,” said Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director of Business Sydney.

“State and local government need to support and work with business to generate economic growth and employment in Sydney’s CBD in order to capitalise on the opportunity we now have through our hard work in leading the nation in vaccination and reopening.”

“Federal and State governments are working to open borders to international visitors as early as next month and we need the city to be pumping again to attract tourists and international workers to our great global city.”

This ten-point plan can help deliver Sydney’s economic recovery:

1. Appointing a special Minister for Sydney to coordinate the city’s recovery.
2. Free public transport from 6-7am and 6-7pm for 6 months.
3. Removal of the FBT on lunches for 12 months.
4. Waiving of fees/restrictions for pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants for al-fresco dining on footpaths and extending outdoor footprints to include car parks & open spaces.
5. Removal of the parking space levy for 6 months.
6. Establishing a “Reopen Sydney Fund”, to support small businesses with operating costs.
7. Run a “Shop & Dine Sydney” promotional campaign including accommodation vouchers and an extension of the ‘Dine & Discover’ vouchers until June 2022.
8. Allow later night trading in the CBD for 12 months.
9. A coordinated live events and street activation program.
10. Create a road map for return of the cruise and business events industries.

“This is also a great opportunity to create a 24-hour economy in our city that drives the hospitality and tourism sectors, something other global cities like London and New York, have been doing for years,” says Mr.Nicolaou.