Transforming the retail strip in St Marys, an Inner West "ale trail" of craft breweries, street-level improvements for Little India in Harris Park and a night-time makeover for the 24-hour medical precinct in Randwick are among 10 business and community-led projects set to improve vibrancy in local districts.
The successful recipients will receive up to $400,000 each including 2 in Western Sydney, 1 in Randwick and 3 in regional centres including Yamba, Muswellbrook and Murwillumbah.
In Western Sydney, businesses on Queen Street, St Marys, are working with Penrith City Council to transform the area into an urban hub, with new lighting in laneways, public art installations and new infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
The amenity will be further improved with street events and other pop-ups to breathe new life into the city centre.
In Chinatown, local businesses will relaunch "Neon Playground", a street festival of lights, music, art and food.
Randwick's health precinct is set for a transformation to cater for the area's unique 24-hour workforce, turning underutilised health land into vibrant and connected public spaces, including night markets and community events around High Street and Avoca Street in the area of the light rail terminus.
Administered by Transport for NSW, the Community Improvement District Pilot Program grants are part of the NSW Government's vibrancy agenda that is backing businesses to make the most of their public spaces and local character to draw more visitors and more life to their district - day or night.
The 10 district pilots awarded up to $400,000 are:
- Clarence Valley Council for Clarence Valley CID Pilot Program
- Haymarket Alliance Incorporated for Neon Playground 2.0
- Inner West Brewery Association Incorporated for Inner West Ale Trail
- Little India Harris Park Business Association for 'Udaan' - A Little India Harris Park Business Association Lift-Off
- Murwillumbah District Business Chamber Limited for Connect Murwillumbah: A CID Transformation
- Muswellbrook Shire Council for Activating the Hunter Innovation Precinct
- Penrith City Council for St Marys - Transforming into a Thriving Urban Hub
- Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct for Heart of Randwick Collaboration
- Walsh Bay Precinct Association Incorporated for Hickson Road bridges activation and Walsh Bay CID trial
- YCK Laneways Association Incorporated for Safer YCK Laneways.
Insights from the funded pilots will inform a state-wide Community Improvement District policy, helping to ensure our communities have inviting, vibrant and welcoming places in the long-term.
Improvement district grants are running in parallel with the NSW Government's Open Streets program. This program empowers councils to host markets, live music and outdoor dining on local streets to boost community life and economic activity.
Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Londonderry Prue Car said:
"It is exciting to see our local neighbourhood in St Marys set for a transformation, particularly as work progresses on the rail connection to Western Sydney Airport.
"Our local area already has so much on offer, and I look forward to enjoying the new lighting, installations and fun events with my community."
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
"Nothing beats local knowledge. That is why we are backing local knowledge from local businesses and local councils - they know their area, know their community and know what is needed to improve their public spaces and build upon their unique, local identity.
"The Community Improvement District model recognises businesses benefit from, and have a stake in, making their local areas as vibrant and welcoming as possible and better places to live, work and play. This is supporting communities to use their streets and public spaces - they own them.
"COVID showed us that entertainment starts close to home. St Marys is a great example of a local neighbourhood wanting to make itself a destination and give people more reason to stay local, day or night."
