Regional NSW Receives Night-Time Economy Boost

Under the Regional Night-Time Economy Program pilot, ten regional business collectives across the state looking to uplift their local 24-hour economy will receive support to help them develop thriving, vibrant local economies day and night.

The towns are Bathurst, Byron Bay, Hunter Valley, Lennox Head, Milton, Murrumbateman, Murwillumbah, Sawtell, Tamworth and Wagga.

“Our 24-hour economy strategy highlights the importance of supporting unique offerings across the state and showcasing the stories of night-time precincts across regional NSW,” says NSW Minister for the Night-Time Economy John Graham.

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Across the state, groups provided feedback that an integrated capacity-building and funding approach designed to suit the unique local contexts and settings across the state would be ideal.

“The program will support these regions to harness local opportunities that make them unique and work toward developing vibrant local economies from day to night in regional town centres.”

The pilot, developed in response to feedback from regional businesses, councils and industry groups, will offer tailored capacity-building bootcamps locally for each collective.

Funding and ongoing support will help local business collectives to harness opportunities in their area and deliver initiatives that will create more vibrancy from day to night.

These capacity-building grants are designed to support organised teams of local businesses to collaborate and further develop vibrant economies and leverage opportunities in their communities.

The funding will support business collectives to develop strategies, plans and ideas about how they can support their region’s unique 24-hour economy through collective initiatives such as marketing campaigns, activations and events.

“We know that people are seeking out nightlife experiences closer to home, and this program will enable regional business groups to collaborate and highlight what their region has to offer – not just during major or community events but all year round, day or night,” says NSW Minister for Small Business and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin.

“This round of the program is a pilot, providing an opportunity to test the approach, learn from the outcomes and inform future program expansion.”

More information on the Regional Night-Time Economy Program is available here.