Reinvigorating Sydney's Night Economy 

Sydney’s night economy will be key to economic recovery after the pandemic

A large portion of CBD workers are currently working from home and plan to continue this trend to a lesser degree post pandemic.

Now is the time to think differently about how we can activate the CBD through a series of robust strategies that improves connectivity, transportation, diversity of options, safety and activation of various well-planned sites across the city.

The changing trend of working from home

A large portion of CBD workers are currently working from home and plan to continue this trend to a lesser degree post pandemic. Now is the time to think differently about how we can activate the CBD through a series of robust strategies that improves connectivity, transportation, diversity of options, safety and activation of various well-planned sites across the city.

24-Hour City

We commend the NSW Government on the release of the 24-Hour City Strategy, which will help to ensure the long-term health of Sydney’s night-time economy and assist NSW accelerate its economic recovery.

We were pleased to be part of the Committee for Sydney’s Night-time Economy Commission, which enabled us to table our strategies and contribute to their report, Sydney as a 24-Hour City in 2017.

Our role

Committee for Sydney Director of Advocacy, James Hulme said we were a key part of their Night-time Economy Commission and contributed some excellent ideas, including the concept of the neon grid.

We are delighted that the idea has been endorsed in the 24-hour Economy Strategy. The grid will help Sydney’s night-time sector rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic, Great cities need great ideas and we commend Ethos Urban on their thought leadership.

The neon grid

A key feature of the NSW Government’s Strategy is the neon grid, a concept we proposed as part of the Committee for Sydney’s report, which includes a series of identified entertainment precincts across the city that are connected by an efficient and accessible late-night transportation system. Ms Macken said this strategy aims to amplify existing locations and identify new locations for arts and cultural activities, night markets, restaurants, cafes, bars, public spaces and events.

An easily accessible, coherent neon grid will encourage greater movement across Sydney, activating a greater proportion of the city rather than intensifying activity in a few locations.

The neon grid aims to reduce problems such as crowd control and traffic congestion, while also filtering noise impacts and anti-social behaviour. It will also open up the city and allow both residents and tourists to explore new places in the neon light.