The NSW Government is supporting the growth of vibrant local businesses and entertainment precincts across Greater Sydney, Lower Hunter, Greater Newcastle, Central Coast, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, as part of the latest round of the Uptown Grant Program delivered by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner.
Through a total grant injection of $4.8 million, 41 Districts will receive funding under Round 4 of the program, with six new Districts joining the initiative for the first time.
The Uptown Grant Program is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s 24-hour economy by helping local Districts develop unique identities, attract visitors, support business-led collaboration and increase community participation after dark.
The latest recipients span a mix of hospitality, retail, arts and cultural precincts across metropolitan and regional centres, with funding supporting events, activation programs, marketing campaigns, place-based improvements and collaborative business initiatives.
This is the second time the grant program was open to select regional participants with the third round of the program expanded to include grant recipients across Central Coast, Lower Hunter, Greater Newcastle, the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
The Nest @ Night in Crows Nest, Darby Street in Newcastle, Hello Drummoyne, the Inner West’s Sydney Street Makers, Parramatta’s Parra Nights and the Illawarra’s SeaCliff Coast make up the six new Uptown Districts to receive financial support.
All six newly minted Uptown Districts, along with previously funded precincts, including the iconic Hollywood Quarter, Chippendale Collective and other previously funded regional Districts like the Port Kembla Precinct and The Gosford Strip, are receiving grants of $100,000 to $120,000.
Funded initiatives include live music and entertainment programs, multicultural festivals, public art activations, coordinated marketing campaigns and enhanced visitor experiences designed to increase foot traffic and support local businesses. For more information on the Uptown Grant Program and the latest recipients, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/uptowngrantprogram.
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said: “The Uptown Grant Program is about empowering local businesses to work together to improve the going out experience in their area.
“It takes time and commitment, but we've seen this work with some of the program’s mature districts which now include household names like YCK Laneways, Brookvale Arts District and the Newtown Enmore Precinct in Sydney.
“As the program expanded, we’ve seen momentum growing, with more new districts in places like the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Illawarra. It’s even better when local councils get behind these districts and work closely with them as part of their own local night-time economy strategies.
“This time we welcome fresh district identities such as SeaCliff Coast that will work to reflect Northern Illawarra’s industrial heritage and the internationally recognised Sea Cliff Bridge, along with Newcastle’s Darby Street District that will leverage the reopened Newcastle Art Gallery.
“These are just two of many unique collective initiatives and we look forward to supporting all other district partners as they add to the network of thriving local destinations across the state.”
