$1.1B Parramatta Night Time Economy To Benefit From State’s 24-Hour Plan

Written by on 15 September 2020

Parramatta will become a critical precinct in the NSW Government’s plan to revive and reinvigorate the 24-hour economy of Sydney, now crippled by both the lockout laws and the current pandemic.

Coming just six years on from the controversial lockout laws, the same government that introduced them has announced its 24-hour Economy Strategy, which details plans to revitalise Sydney’s nightlife.

Jobs and Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres is giving Sydneysiders the global city that it deserves. With a focus on live music, new licensing options and reduced red tape for businesses, Sydney is set to be turbocharged by taking “advantage of the $16 bn economic uplift from realising the potential of non-traditional work hours.”

“Sydneysiders deserve a global city that’s thriving 24-hours a day, and the world wants a 24-hour Sydney. We are going to turbocharge Sydney by working closely with industry and councils to implement the 39 actions across the Strategy’s five strategic pillars so the productivity of the night can rival that of the day to create more employment opportunities in arts, entertainment and cultural events throughout the evening.”

The City of Parramatta has welcomed the plan, which will see collaboration between state government ministers, local councils and night-time industry players. Taking the helm will be a newly establish coordinator general, who will coordinate the after dark economy.

Implementing what the government calls a ‘neon grid’, 24-hour entertainment precincts will be set up in local councils, with each location interconnected and mapped out for authorities and consumers.

Heralding Sydney as one of the best cities in the world, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is celebrating the new plans that will “ensure the jewel in our crown continues to shine both day and night”.

“This strategy aims to drive investment, create jobs and attract more businesses to the CBD and surrounding suburbs, laying the ground-work for our State’s economic recovery so we can keep more businesses in business and people in jobs.”

The City of Parramatta is one of the “surrounding suburbs” that could see significant benefits from the proposed plan. With Parramatta’s night-time economy valued at $1.1 billion, Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer is welcoming the “bold plan” which has earmarked the area “as a critical precinct in the NSW Government’s plan.”

“Revitalising Sydney’s nightlife will provide a much-needed boost for businesses and the economy in the wake of COVID-19.”

The vision of Parramatta’s future nocturnal economy has been outlined in the Night City Framework 2020-2024. Mirroring the state government’s action plan, Parramatta aims to attract new and diverse businesses; make the City safer and easier to navigate at night; and help foster creativity, live music and events.

“We are working hard to revamp the City’s night-time economy and make Parramatta a thriving late-night destination, through dining, live music, sporting events, family activities and retail offerings,” Cr Dwyer said.

“Our bold framework will cement the City of Parramatta as Sydney’s Central River City by helping to create jobs as well as enabling businesses to trade after hours.”

Roxy Carpark at Parramatta Lanes Festival

Current track

Title

Artist