CONNECTED: Help Shape the World’s Best Waterfront – Our Perception Analysis Survey is Live!
Wednesday 31 July
It's been another wonderful winter season on our Waterfront, with Vivid once again delivering record visitation for our Precinct. The final full weekend of Vivid saw a peak for visitor numbers with a 22 per cent increase on the average for other weekends in June. Overall total precinct visits improved 2 per cent in June and 5 per cent in May on the previous year's numbers, with the strongest performance experienced by Cockle Bay, Blackwattle Bay, Darling Square and King Street Wharf. According to Accommodation Australia, hotels reported occupancy rates of 75 per cent on weeknights and up to 90 per cent on weekends, a stellar result that translated into more patronage at restaurants, cafes and bars. Vivid continues to attract visitors during the cold winter months and boosts our local visitor economy, delighting audiences from far and wide.
June saw the release of our ESG Materiality Assessment Report for the Precinct, in partnership with BDO Australia. Commissioned thanks to an Innovation and Ideas Grant from the City of Sydney, our stellar panel event featured Austin Casey from The Old Street District Partnership in London, who joined us to discuss waste management initiatives across London BIDs, and a panel discussion with Ruth Duston OBE OC from Primera Corporation, Garry Simonian from Platinum Restaurant Group, Anita Mitchell from Placemaking NSW, Justin Harness from BDO and Andrew Tobin from Mirvac. This report demonstrates our commitment to leading the way on ESG initiatives in our Precinct, and we are excited to update you further as we progress the development of key projects guided by the report findings.
The big news for the Waterfront is the departure of Geoff Donaghy from the ICC after 10 extraordinary years at the helm of Australia’s premier Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment venue. Geoff has been an important and supportive partner to New Sydney Waterfront Co. since its inception, and his leadership in our Precinct, and as CEO of the ICC has had a transformational impact, including securing and operating events that have delivered an incredible almost $4 billion in economic impact for the state. Geoff is renowned for his commitment to Make a Difference - ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to release a Reconciliation Action Plan and a Disability and Inclusion Action Plan and reach Silver Tier status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index. We thank Geoff sincerely for his support and guidance of New Sydney Waterfront Co and recognise his enormous contribution to where we are now.
Finally, we’re pleased to announce the launch of our Perception Analysis Survey – an important step in the development for our 5-year business plan for the Western Harbour. Your insights and opinions are crucial as we work to develop a comprehensive business plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of our community.
Rachael Smith
BID Director
Image Credit: Haymarket Alliance