Tamworth will share in a $2 million state government pilot aimed at boosting the night-time economy, one among ten communities selected for support.
Murwillumbah, Lennox Head, Sawtell and Byron Bay on the North Coast, along with Tamworth in the New England, will take part in the Regional Night-Time Economy Program pilot, which will provide funding and training to local business collectives seeking to strengthen their 24-hour economies.
The program will deliver tailored capacity-building bootcamps in each town and provide ongoing support to help local businesses collaborate on initiatives that drive activity after dark.
Funding will help the groups develop strategies and projects designed to increase vibrancy from day to night, including marketing campaigns, events and precinct activations.
The grants are aimed at organised groups of local businesses working together to identify opportunities and develop initiatives suited to their communities.
Ten regional centres will take part in the pilot: Bathurst, Byron Bay, the Hunter Valley, Lennox Head, Milton, Murrumbateman, Murwillumbah, Sawtell, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.
Minister for the Night-Time Economy John Graham said the initiative recognised the importance of supporting regional nightlife and tailoring programs to local conditions.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Minister for Small Business and Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said the program would help regional communities capitalise on growing demand for local nightlife experiences.
“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,” she said.
“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 through the NSW Government.
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