The Sydney Business Chamber says after the lock-downs and social restrictions are lifted, Sydney can capitalise on the Covid crisis and turn it into an opportunity to begin restructuring a wide range of businesses to become 24 hour operations, rather than the outdated 9-5 model.
“As we emerge from Covid hibernation, now is the time to rethink how we can maximise the value of the night time economy right across Greater Sydney, to become as valuable as the daytime one,” said Katherine O’Regan, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber.”
“We must take action to distribute and diversify the night time economy – to create opportunities for people to safely participate in both work and social activities across all hours of the day and night and across all of Sydney.”
“This is why we have created a detailed, in-depth REPORT, outlining a pathway to making our global city an ‘open all hours’ one that’s competitive with other 24 hour world cities, so that we remain competitive for doing business and attracting international talent and tourists.”
“Now is the perfect time for Sydney to press the reset button on this issue with many of our daytime and nighttime businesses coming out of enforced hibernation. Crises can create the opportunity to re-think and change the norm. Now is the time to capitalise on the changing work/life hours and patterns that Covid restrictions have produced and plan ahead for a longer and stronger 24 hour economy.”
“There is a large cohort of night shift workers, estimated at over 300,000 across Greater Sydney, who work late hours. They deserve to have places to get a healthy meal, a chemist or medical centre open late, some government services, libraries and other meeting and recreation places – all open during their work hours. Currently this large group of workers is sorely overlooked, but with more businesses and services open at nightme, more people will be enticed to work flxible hours, relieving congestion on our roads and rail.”
“This requires putting in place the policies and investments which will support the much needed jobs growth and productivity our damaged economy needs. Our city’s cultural output has suffered severely through the lock-down and our theatres, music venues and galleries have closed, so we need to work quickly to get the show back on the road. “
“This report sets out the path for our citizens. civic leaders, community and the cohort of industry players, so that we can get our city moving 24 hours a day – to build a better, safer and more diverse nighttime economy.”
“As we drive toward revitalising the hospitality and visitor economies, adhering to health measures in guiding the speed of the reopening, we must also consider carefully how we capitalise on the new norm of people working more flexible hours, which will reduce peak hour travel and public transport pressures, making them safer to use with less crowding.”
“The COVID crisis has also revived the focus on localism. We can create local jobs, activate local streets and parks and support local businesses when we broaden our view of ‘after dark’ to include all shades of the night and think of the night as both a time and a place.”
“The Sydney Business Chamber has laid out a path for our city to become a truly 24 hour global one. Reconceptualising the nighttime as a place, prompts different policy responses from State and Local Governments, cutting red tape that currently and unnecessarily restricts trading hours for various businesses, venues and services.”
“Places need to be safe and healthy, so policing and law order are important and if they are to succeed, they need to attract people, so vibrancy and excitement must exist. Successful places are underpinned by a diverse and strong economy so supporting nighttime industries – all of them – is a priority.
“They also need to be both fair and accessible, so how they are evenly distributed across the metropolis and how you get to them, and around within them, become important. AQs such we look at all transport options at all hours – public and private, ride-share, taxis, walkability, scooters and cycling safely.”
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