- The $100 meal vouchers can be used within the Sydney CBD postcode
- Property Council has long been advocating for such Friday-orientated activities
- Unlike the Dine & Discover vouchers, the $100 can be used in as single transactions
In order to encourage workers to treat themselves with an end-of-work CBD dinner, the New South Wales Government has announced $100 vouchers for meals within the Sydney CBD, as part of the state budget, which will be handed down this Tuesday.
The food vouchers will be for businesses located within the 2000 postcode in Sydney’s CBD, such as Surry Hills, Circular Quay and The Rocks.
Currently, under the Dine & Discover vouchers, diners were required to use the four $25 vouchers separately. With the new scheme, the vouchers can be used at once thus giving diners $100 off in one transaction.
The vouchers, which can only be used on Fridays, are expected to cost the NSW government $50 million.
Jane Fitzgerald, the NSW Executive Director of the Property Council (PCA), said her organisation had long been advocating Friday-focused initiatives in capital cities – such as has been seen introduced in Melbourne and Brisbane.
Back in April, the Property Council released a five-point activation plan for CBDs which included the promotion of a social and business culture.
“Fridays should be fantastic, fun and face-to-face for the CBD workforce,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“The Treasurer has clearly reviewed the great suggestions made at his second ‘Ideas Summit’ and we are delighted he has embraced the Property Council’s idea.”
Jane Fitzgerald, Property Council NSW
500,000 people will be able to apply for the vouchers. Compared to fellow CBDs around the country, Sydney’s is still enduring a slower recovery, with occupancy now at 68% of pre-COVID levels.
“Governments have a key leadership role to play to fire back up our CBDs so this investment by the NSW Government right now is vital,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“The Sydney CBD is the economic heart of the nation. About seven percent of the country’s GDP in generated in our CBD so Sydney getting its groove back is integral to the economic health of the nation.”
Jane Fitzgerald, Property Council NSW
