Month: February 2021

A strategy to unlock Sydney’s cultural and economic potential will be championed by Chair of the Night-Time Industries Association Michael Rodrigues who has been appointed as the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said Mr Rodrigues would bring the 24-Hour Economy strategy to life to make Sydney the best place to live, work and play that it can possibly be.
“Our tourism, hospitality and arts sectors have been hit hard by the pandemic, but now we have the opportunity to bring Sydney back better than ever,” Mr Ayres said.
“The Strategy includes a 24-hour Economy Acceleration Program, through which the Government will work with councils and industry to identify and activate unique and thriving economic hubs across Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
“It will result in a network of activated 24-hour economy hubs across Sydney – each offering a distinct experience, and well connected by efficient transport options.
“This ‘Neon Grid’ of hubs across the city will represent Sydney’s diverse and vibrant night economy and we will collaborate with industry and councils to bring it to life, connecting consumers, creatives and entrepreneurs.
“Michael Rodrigues as the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner will spearhead the strategy and bring State and Local Governments and industry together to create safe and vibrant opportunities for people to enjoy the greatest city in the world.”
Mr Rodrigues said he was looking forward to getting down to business.
“I’m excited about the upcoming opportunities and to champion the 24-Hour Economy strategy as we deliver a nightlife that’ll sit alongside New York, London and Tokyo,” Mr Rodrigues said.
“As our city rebuilds from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 24-hour economy strategy is central to NSW’s economic and social recovery. So many industries have had a really tough 12 months, but we are seeing the green shoots of recovery across Sydney and NSW.”
The strategy will focus on driving investment while turbocharging job creation and night time business activity in the CBD and throughout Greater Sydney, by:

• Supporting more integrated planning and place-making within government to enable the 24-hour economy to thrive.
• Encouraging the diversification of night-time activities by supporting a wider variety of businesses at night.
• Nurturing industry and cultural development to help entrepreneurs thrive in the 24-hour economy.
• Exploring ways to enhance mobility and improve connectivity between 24-hour economy hubs through safe and reliable transport; and
• Changing the narrative to attract more local consumption, encourage healthy behaviours, and reinforce Sydney’s status as a global cultural capital.

Alongside his time with the Night Time Industries Association, Mr Rodrigues also co-founded Time Out Australia and has been its managing director for almost a decade. Mr Rodrigues will commence as Commissioner at the end of March.
For more information about the 24-Hour Economy Strategy, visit https://global.nsw.gov.au/24-hour-economy-strategy

Sydney’s nightlife will be revitalised and boosted, with the NSW Government set to remove the lockout laws in the Kings Cross entertainment precinct.
This move will help stimulate the local economy and boost jobs, while maintaining a focus on community safety.
The changes, part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, bring Kings Cross in line with the Sydney CBD precinct where the restrictions were lifted 12 months ago.
The following changes will take effect from 8 March 2021:

• The 1.30am ‘lock out’ will be removed, so patrons can continue to enter venues like pubs, bars and nightclubs beyond that time;

 

• The standard 3am ‘last drinks’ time will increase to 3.30am;

 

• Blanket restrictions on certain drinks, shots, discounted cocktails and use of glass after midnight will be lifted; and

 

• Requirements for RSA marshals and CCTV will no longer apply.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said while the focus will remain on safety in Kings Cross, the changes will help boost jobs and revitalise a popular area of Sydney.
“Kings Cross has transformed considerably since these laws were introduced over six years ago,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The precinct is now well positioned to continue to evolve into a vibrant lifestyle and cultural destination with a diverse mix of small bars, live music venues and restaurants.”
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said these changes would help grow Sydney’s night-time economy and attract diverse businesses to the area.
“These measures will help breathe new life into the precinct and enhance Sydney’s reputation as a global city,” Mr Dominello said.
“The ID scanners system, which requires some venues to record patrons’ ID during busy times such as Friday and Saturday nights, will be retained in the Kings Cross precinct as an additional public safety measure.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the changes are key in helping Sydney to shine as a true 24 Hour city.
“Sydney is already an iconic international city and Australia’s number one tourism destination, it’s time to enhance our vibrant nightlife, arts and culture scenes as we bounce back from COVID-19,” Mr Ayres said.
“This is an important step towards implementing our 24-hour Economy Strategy to ensure Kings Cross flourishes into a vibrant, diverse, inclusive and safe precinct as our city powers ahead with confidence.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the new laws strike the right balance between supporting businesses and prioritising safety.
“NSW Police have done an amazing job maintaining public safety in the precinct, and the community can feel confident law and order will remain a top priority,” Mr Elliott said.
“Police will continue to have a strong presence in the area and I want to assure the community that the easing of these laws does not mean a return to a violent Kings Cross.”
The NSW Government will closely monitor the changes and any impacts and conduct a review in 12 months, as it progresses the implementation of its 24-hour Economy Strategy and engages with stakeholders like the Committee for Sydney and City of Sydney Council around a new vision for the precinct.
In 2019, NSW Parliament established a Joint Select Committee to examine regulations across Kings Cross and the CBD precinct.

A woman will face court after she was charged with allegedly committing nearly 80 fraudulent transactions amounting to over $650 000 while employed at an aged-care facility at Strathfield.
In August 2020 Auburn Police Area Command received information that a number of fraudulent transactions had occurred in relation to an employee of the Margaret Street facility between 2017 and 2020, and an investigation commenced.
Following inquiries, Auburn detectives attended a house in Australia Avenue, Sydney Olympic Park and arrested a 63-year-old woman yesterday (Monday 8 February 2021).
The woman was issued a future court attendance notice for 78 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
She is due to appear in Burwood Local Court on Thursday 25 March 2021.

More than 50 young people leaving out-of-home care will soon move into a first-of-its-kind development in Sydney, providing secure housing and access to specialist services and support to help them break the cycle of disadvantage.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said Foyer Central would give young people leaving care the best possible start to adulthood as they undertake work, study or training.
“This landmark project will give many of our most vulnerable teenagers the chance to get back on track. Homelessness is a tragedy and it’s initiatives like Foyer Central and the access to secure housing and practical support they provide that can actually help break the cycle and change lives for the better,” Mr Perrottet said.
Foyer Central is based on the globally successful foyer model and will be targeted at young people aged 18 to 22 who have left out-of-home care.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the development includes 53 self-contained units in close proximity to transport, shops, services and education institutions.
“Foyer Central is about unlocking opportunities for young people and enabling and empowering them to achieve their full potential in life,” Mr Ward said.
Services delivered through the project will be funded primarily through a Social Impact Bond. The bonds combine investment and expertise from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to achieve specific social goals. Partners with the NSW Government in the project include SGCH, Uniting, Social Ventures Australia and the City of Sydney.
Uniting Executive Director Tracey Burton said a team of dedicated Youth Development Coaches will mentor and connect young people to education institutions, employment opportunities, health and wellbeing services and community initiatives.
“We want young people living at Foyer Central to feel proud of where they live, and that they can create the positive, diverse and dynamic environment they want. A space supported by talented, capable coaches providing 24/7 support,” Ms Burton said.
SGCH CEO Scott Langford said the property also includes 20 affordable units, managed by SGCH, for low-income workers such as childcare staff.
“Foyer Central brings together the capability, expertise and dedication of a range of partners with the common goal to change young lives through opportunity,” Mr Langford said.
For more information, visit www.foyercentral.org.au.

Additional dedicated cleaning squads have rolled out across CBD transport hubs, to help keep commuters COVID safe.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the roving teams are cleaning high touch points at five key locations and handing out masks to commuters.
“In addition to the cleaners on our services, we have now rolled out additional cleaning squads to keep stops, waiting areas and even bike racks clean to help stop the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Constance said.
“More than 1,000 touch points are cleaned each shift at Central, Town Hall, Wynyard, Circular Quay and Martin Place, and more than 92,000 masks have been handed out to customers since the squads first popped up during the Northern Beaches outbreak.
“The teams can be deployed quickly to areas where there has been a COVID-19 breakout or where a major event is taking place, like the SCG for the cricket.
“I’d like to thank all our frontline workers for keeping our network moving and our commuters who are wearing their masks while travelling on public transport.”
Transport for NSW Acting Deputy Secretary for Greater Sydney Howard Collins said the 1,200 extra summer services, introduced in early December, will continue until at least the end of March.
“The extra summer services will be extended to help commuters stay safe as they continue to return to the CBD. More than 4,500 extra services are now running across the network in response to COVID-19,” Mr Collins said.
“Don’t forget to wear your face mask, sit or stand on a green dot, maintain physical distancing and register your Opal card or check in using a QR code to help support the NSW Health tracing team.”
The roving cleaning teams are in addition to the cleaners on services which have carried out an additional 1.7 million hours of cleaning across the public transport network since March 2020.
Commuters are reminded that face masks are still mandatory on all modes of public transport and you may be fined $200 on the spot for not wearing one. Children aged 12 and under are exempt but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable.