$770,200 to put Newcastle and lower Hunter night-time districts on the map

The Newcastle and Lower Hunter recipients include the East End Collective and Midtown in the
Newcastle CBD, Five Villages of Newcastle’s Throsby Basin which encompasses Wickham, Islington,
Carrington, Maryville and Tighes Hill villages and the Shoaly Collective in Port Stephens.

This is the first time precincts in Newcastle and lower Hunter have participated in the program.
Across the state, thirty-seven precincts have received funding under the third round of the NSW
Government’s $5.5 million Uptown Grant program.

Now in its third round, the Uptown District Acceleration Program is a key element of the NSW
Government’s 24-Hour Economy Strategy. A catalyst for change, it supports place-based
collaboration, branding and storytelling within districts, and provides a platform for districts to
innovate with reduced risk and ultimately become self-sustainable in the future.

The program is delivered in 2 phases. The capacity-building Uptown Accelerator Program, which
features a series of workshops designed to help Districts build on their unique vision, and the
Uptown Grant Program.

The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner has also engaged with local government and
industry in regional areas across NSW, to understand the unique needs, challenges and priorities of
these areas to better understand how a program like Uptown could be rolled out across NSW.

All new Uptown districts will be featured on the NSW Government’s Neon Marketplace to help these
Districts connect with the creative community and collaborate on local activations and initiatives.

For more information, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/office-of-24-hour-economy-commissioner/uptown-program

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham said:

“We’ve seen amazing success stories come out of the Uptown program, from District partnerships
with major events like Vivid Sydney and SXSW Sydney to amazing community events and activations
like the Inner West Ale Trail’s Inner West Country festival. I’m pleased to see districts from the
state’s north, central coast and south coasts in the program.

“The Uptown Grant Program allows often cash-strapped businesses to work together and develop
product offerings and promotional strategies that tell the stories of their local areas and encourage
people to come, stay and spend.

“We want to create self-sustaining district initiatives that will go from strength to strength in
promoting their vibrant local offerings and help promote our visitor economy for years to come.”

Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley said:

“This is a fantastic outcome for the Hunter. It’s the first time our local precincts have joined the
Uptown program and they’re already showing exactly why they deserve to be on the map.”

“Whether it’s the creative energy of Midtown in the Newcastle CBD, the coastal vibe of Shoaly or the
village charm of Throsby Basin, this support is helping local communities bring their stories to life
and build thriving destinations.”

“This is about more than nightlife. It’s about safer streets, stronger small businesses and building
vibrant precincts that locals love and visitors want to explore.”

Member for Newcastle, Tim Crackenthorpe said:

“Locals have long-known Newcastle is the best city in the world, and increasingly, visitors are seeing
that we have more to enjoy than spectacular beaches and great music.

“These Uptown grants support businesses to collaborate and develop initiatives to improve their
districts.

Throsby Basin Business Chamber president and Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club CEO Paul O’Rourke
said:

“This grant will allow us to unite and collaborate and achieve more as the collective, become a
clearly recognised and distinctive area, iconic for a walkable event.

“The Five Villages of Newcastle’s Throsby Basin is walkable from the main transport interchange –
and walking the area is full of surprises and diversity.

“We want to launch our District with a walking food, drink and music festival later this year.
“This investment and support is a gamechanger for the district and the businesses within it.”