Minister says a 24-hour economy for Sydney is a “fundamental pillar” in national recovery
NSW Minister Stuart Ayres joined Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore in affirming government commitment to Sydney’s nightlife at the first 24 Hour Economy forum
A NSW minister has said that Sydney’s emergence as a 24-hour city is key to the nation’s economic recovery from the Covid crisis.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, was speaking at the 24 Hour Economy: The Future of Our City forum, held in Sydney on Thursday October 29.
Organised by the Night Time Industries Association and made possible by a City of Sydney grant, the forum was designed as the first in a series aimed at what MC Michael Rodrigues referred to as “reimagining the city”, and was attended by both the minister and the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore.
Minister Ayres compared the situation the city faced to the aftermath of World War II when increasing the size of the national economy was paramount. “What are the types of jobs we need now? We need the jobs that people who want to enjoy a 24-hour economy need,” he said.
To attract talented individuals to the city, Minister Ayres said, “you've actually got to create a city that those talented individuals want to live in and they want to work in. That's the only way that we're ever going to be competitive on a world stage. But most importantly, it's the only way we're going to see the rapid economic growth that our nation will need to pay down the debt that we've just used to get us through this Covid crisis.
“Where New South Wales goes is where Australia goes, and there is no bigger influence on national GDP than the metropolis of Sydney.”
The minister said that local government, state government and industry had come together “like we've never come together before” to make Sydney “the beacon of light for the most talented people”.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said that the City would “build on the state government's very welcome 24 Hour Economy Strategy for Sydney, our own Open Sydney strategy, and … last year's parliamentary night-time economy recommendations. So we're all getting on with saying this has got to happen.”
The forum, which was produced by Time Out for Business, brought together politicians, bar owners, arts professionals, and international experts on night-time economies to share information on Sydney’s progress towards being a vibrant 24-hour city.
For more insights on how key players in our cities are responding to the changes accelerated by Covid, check out the Time Out for Business Podcast.