The NSW Government is giving the State’s visitor economy a $200 million boost to turbocharge recovery by securing global events for Sydney and regional NSW.

The new $200 million State Significant Event Fund delivered over four years will put NSW in pole position to secure major events that attract visitors to the State.

Meanwhile, this summer the Cahill Expressway will be temporarily transformed into a world-class stage.

Road traffic will make way for foot traffic on the Cahill Expressway from 31 December 2021 (for New Year’s Eve) to 6 January 2022 with markets, performances and big screens during the day, then headline acts and pop-up food and bar experiences into the night.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said both initiatives were part of the NSW Government’s plan to support the recovery and growth of the visitor and 24-hour economies, activate public spaces and showcase the State and Harbour City to the world.

“As we push through the pandemic, we are working to make sure Sydney and NSW continue to shine, businesses stay in business, and people return to our amazing Harbour City to support the rebounding economy,” Mr Perrottet said.

“An innovative activation on the Cahill Expressway is one of the recommendations from businesses that we heard during the CBD Summits, and it will attract people into the city, during the key summer trading period.”

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the creation of the State Significant Event Fund would extend the opportunities for NSW in terms of visitation and global profile.

“Getting more visitors to Sydney and regional NSW, giving them high quality experiences and offering a smorgasbord of events to include in their itinerary will propel us toward our goal of being the premier visitor economy and events capital of the Asia Pacific by 2030,” Mr Ayres said.

“This is about letting the world know that we are open, our State is thriving, and there is nowhere better to visit right now.

“We know visitors are looking for unforgettable experiences so we want to secure blockbuster international concerts for Sydney and regional NSW venues, exhibitions direct form the world’s top galleries, high profile international sporting code events and events celebrating fashion and design, popular culture, and creativity and innovation.”

The Cahill Expressway will be closed to traffic from Friday 31 December 2021 to Thursday 6 January 2022, with public transport and alternate routes available for visitors and residents.

For more information about what’s on in Sydney and NSW, go to www.sydney.com and https://www.visitnsw.com/ 

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