In this new Ragtrader series, we investigate how capital cities are planning to revitalise CBD traffic after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Sydney will open up high streets across the city this spring in a bid to offer local businesses the opportunity to revel in higher foot traffic.
Seven city streets will be closed off on a nominated Saturday as part of the ‘Sydney Streets’ series. They include main streets in Surry Hills, Pyrmont, Redfern, Haymarket, Glebe, Potts Point and East Sydney.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said encouraging a festival vibe would help businesses regain momentum following the impacts of Covid and record rainfall.
“We’re closing our main streets to traffic and making it safe,” Moore said, “so locals can shop, dine or drink on our footpaths and roadways in a Covid-safe way.
“Our first series of 'Sydney Streets' parties through the last summer was a huge success and well received by residents and businesses alike.
“We want to see more people get out and about and enjoy what their neighbourhoods have to offer.”
Each main street will become pedestrian-only for one day from 11am to 10pm, giving businesses the opportunity to trade outdoors and set up in-store activations to attract customers and patrons.
Acoustic musicians and roving entertainers will perform throughout the day.
The move comes as Sydney foot traffic slowly returns to pre-covid levels.
In the City of Sydney’s walking count surveys, which it carries out twice a year, average foot counts have grown since 2020 and 2021.
In autumn 2019, the average day count was at 18,000, with a max of 82,000. In both autumn 2020 and 2021, the average day count was 14,000 and 12,000 respectively, with a max of 74,000 and 62,000 respectively.
Then, in autumn 2022, the average day count rose to 11,000, with a max of 100,000, indicating notable growth in foot traffic in the CBD.
As well as the Sydney Streets series, the City of Sydney is continuing to work closely with the NSW Government to provide businesses with more options to cater for more consumers.
This includes fast-tracking a free application process for outdoor dining permits, with accompanied fees being waived util June 30, 2023.
In June, Sydney council also approved more than $6.2 million in direct cash grants and in-kind contributions for local businesses, community groups and cultural programs. The funding will help local businesses recover and grow and breathe new life into Sydney’s cultural and night-time economy.
Fourteen grants worth $3 million in cash and $700,000 value-in-kind were approved by the City in May as part of its precinct activation grants program to revitalise the city centre and villages and activate new micro-precincts over the next 12 months.
“Our precinct activation grant program was designed to encourage businesses, creatives and communities to collaborate and bring cultural activity to precincts and local neighbourhoods,” Moore said.
“Not only will there be our annual calendar of major events in the city, we’ll see local businesses and communities working together, building relationships and capacity to ensure local events and collaboration continue long term.”
Also in June, Sydney’s George Street south’s transformation as a pedestrian boulevard was officially opened.
“As well as creating more than 9,000m2 of additional space for people in the city centre, the boulevard is now a seamless car-free path for walking, dining and seating, running the full length of George Street from Haymarket to Circular Quay.”
As for the future, the City of Sydney has announced preparations for a new economic strategy toward a more prosperous economy.
The City is asking for input from the community on its new economic strategy to help guide post-pandemic recovery and cement Sydney’s place as a premium destination for business, retail, tourism and employment.
Moore said the new strategy will ensure the City continues to support a more prosperous, innovative and inclusive economy.
“In December 2013, we published a ten-year plan to strengthen our economy and support business,” Moore noted.
“Since then, the climate crises and pandemic have had a devastating impact on our economy and our community.
“We need to examine the new challenges and consider how to create a sustainable and resilient economic future.
“The new strategy will set out a short to medium term framework, with high-level actions for the city’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity.
“Sydney is home to Australia’s largest local economy, generating more than $138 billion per annum prior to the pandemic.
“As Australia’s global gateway our economy plays a significant role in supporting and influencing economies far beyond our geographic boundary, so it is important our economy is thriving and ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
“It is time to prepare a new economic strategy, particularly given the changes and uncertainty facing our city and economy.
“We look forward to hearing from businesses big and small, employers, workers and our wider community as we create a plan for a resilient, sustainable and fair economy.”
The discussion paper outlines four major directions that will transition Sydney to a strong and resilient economy. This includes transitioning to a greener and more circular activities, through innovation, inclusivity, and through the "revitalisation" of Sydney’s city centre.