Night-time venues in the region are being thrown a lifeline, as the City of Parramatta Council seeks to revive the sector so hard hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Council is offering grants of up to $10,000 for night-time venues in a bid to breathe some new life back into the region, whilst taking the next step towards becoming a thriving 24-hour destination.
Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said the grant program will help lead the city’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
“As Parramatta continues to grow and transform, it is crucial we also expand our night-time economy and move towards becoming a 24-hour city,” he said.
“Our $1.1 billion night-time economy, the third largest in NSW, has taken a severe blow as a result of the pandemic.
“Through these grants, we are supporting our local business community while bringing a host of new night-time offerings to our residents and visitors.”
Grant funding could be used for projects such as creative performances, pop-up events, new experiences or trials of longer trading hours.
Grants of up to $10,000 are available per application, with a total funding pool of $50,000.
“We’d like to see a greater mix of night-time offerings in Parramatta to entice more people to come and enjoy our rich and vibrant city,” Cr Dwyer said.
“This program is a fantastic opportunity for our community to contribute to the growth and development of our night-time economy.
“I encourage any interested local businesses, groups and individuals to apply.”
Grant applications close on Monday, February 22.
Applicants are reminded that all projects or events must adhere to public health orders and COVID restrictions.
Currently in Greater Sydney up to 2000 attendees are allowed at controlled outdoor events where attendees are assigned to a specific seat.
For events where attendees are allocated a designated seating area such as marked grass, only 500 attendees are accepted.
For singing events, no more than five performers are permitted to sing indoors, however there is no cap on outdoor performances.
For more information and to apply, visit cityofparramatta.co/night-grants.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.