Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Sydney CBD freeway to close for NY party
Sydney’s Cahill Expressway will be closed to vehicles and transformed into a week-long party from New Year’s Eve, as part of efforts to bring back visitors.
June 19, 2021
A Sydney CBD motorway with views across the city’s world-famous harbour is set to be transformed into a week-long party venue for the New Year.
The Cahill Expressway will be temporarily closed to vehicles for seven days from December 31, the NSW government said on Saturday.
Markets, performers and big screens will entertain visitors during the day, with live acts and pop-up food and bar experiences available into the night.
It comes as Treasurer Dominic Perrottet promises $200 million to bring global events to Sydney and regional NSW over the next four years.
“We are working to make sure Sydney and NSW continue to shine, businesses stay in business, and people return to our amazing harbour city to support the rebounding economy,” he said.
The nation’s peak tourism body, Tourism and Transport Forum, applauded the expressway plan, saying it could become a tourist attraction visited by hundreds of thousands of people each year, like New York’s High Line, if made permanent.
“New Year’s in Sydney is a world-class global event attracting visitors from near and far and this will only add to the festivities, chief executive Margy Osmond said.
TTF also welcomed the $200 million event bid fund promise, saying it had the potential to help kickstart NSW’s economic recovery by luring visitors to Sydney and regional NSW.