NSW budget acclaimed for backing visitor economy

The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has welcomed the NSW Government’s budget as a bar-setting example of the economic value of investing in the visitor economy and public transport.

The NSW budget has backed ongoing investment in Australia’s leading visitor economy with $175 million allocated in 2016/17 for tourism and events, as well as a solid list of visitor infrastructure investments in both Sydney and Regional NSW.

Welcoming the investment, TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond stated “TTF has been a vocal advocate of the need for the NSW Government to continue to back the visitor economy and it is marvellous to see that our message has been received with open arms.

“Investing in the destination marketing of Sydney and NSW to overseas visitors is a win-win for the State and the country. Sydney’s image is a critical lure for international visitors to commit to visit Australia but who also then travel onto other cities and regions of Australia.

“Working to further diversify and renew the visitor experience through investment in our natural and cultural infrastructure is very welcome, including funding for the Sydney Opera House Stage 1 Renewal and Walsh Bay Arts Precinct redevelopment. TTF provided a compelling case in its Budget submission for funding these projects, and we are pleased to see the NSW Government has listened.”

Osmond also welcomed the NSW Government’s ambitious $41.5 billion major capital works program is pushing Sydney’s public transport revolution ahead, with $2.7 billion for the North West Metro and expansion of the Sydney Metro through the CBD and South West and $277 million allocated for light rail projects in Western Sydney, Newcastle and Sydney CBD.

The NSW 2016/17 budget has also boosted sport with $207 million to be spent on major sporting infrastructure, programs, grants and facilities over the next 12 months to increase participation across local communities.

NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres stated “this budget will focus on coordinating the Government’s investment in stadia, including the demolition of the current Parramatta Stadium and the construction of a new 30,000 seat Western Sydney Stadium.

“The NSW Government will also be managing government-owned sport and recreation facilities and providing $56.5 million in grants and subsidies for a range of sporting initiatives. Sport is about so much more than competition. It’s about community, facilitating friendships, having fun and promoting a healthy lifestyle - with all the benefits that result.”

Key initiatives, some of which have already been announced, include:

• $5.9 million NSW contribution to a jointly funded State and Commonwealth initiative to construct a new International Water Jump Ramp at Lake Ainsworth
• $5.5 million ($22 million over four years) for the Office of Sport’s new strategic direction, including rebuilding the major stadia network and facilitating sport capacity and capability development
• $4 million additional for regional offices and regional Sport and Recreation Centres.
• $3.0 million for the Surfing Australia High Performance Centre at Casuarina Beach 
• $2.0 million ($8 million over four years) additional funding for NSW Institute of Sport
• $1.0 million ($4 million over four years) additional funding for the Regional Academies of Sport
• $1.2 million in additional maintenance funding for the Sport and Recreation Centres and ex-Olympic Venues
• $1 million in funds carried forward from 2015-16 as an election commitment to assist with the development of the Northern Inland Centre of Excellence in Tamworth
• Continuing funding of $250,000 in 2016-17 to upgrade Centenary Park in Croydon as part of $500,000 from 2015/16 to 2016/17.

Images: Artist's impressions of the new Walsh Bay Arts Precinct (top) and the Parramatta Stadium (below).

17th June 2016 - FIGURES SHOW NSW AS AUSTRALIA’S NUMBER ONE REGIONAL DESTINATION FOR VISITORS

14th June 2016 - SUBTROPICAL LENNOX HEAD TO HOST WINTER SPORTS SKI JUMP RAMP

2nd June 2016 - PARRAMATTA STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT ENTERS DESIGN PHASE

22nd March 2016 - NSW GOVERNMENT APPOINTS ARCHITECT FOR WALSH BAY ARTS PRECINCT