A NSW Government website

Greater Sydney’s 24-hour economy

We are working with councils, businesses and the community to build vibrant, diverse, inclusive and safe 24-hour economies across Greater Sydney.

Key initiatives

Uptown Program

The two-stage program is designed to fast-track the formation of local business communities and facilitate the growth of their districts into vibrant going out hubs in line with the NSW Government’s 24-Hour Economy Strategy for Greater Sydney.

Purple Flag

Purple Flag is an international accreditation program that will assess going-out areas against a set of criteria, including access to public transport, adequate street lighting and entertainment offerings, to achieve a Purple Flag status. The accreditation scheme - currently in a pilot phase - is the first of its kind in Australia.

Culture Up Late

Culture Up Late supports museums and galleries to open regularly to 9:00pm, and includes access to world-class exhibitions, live music and DJ sets, film screenings, workshops and talks, complemented with pop-up bars and dining.

Our strategy

Download

24-Hour Economy Strategy (PDF) 3.4 MB

Building a vibrant and strong 24-hour economy will be a collaborative and coordinated effort between the NSW Government, local councils, industry and communities. Our strategy lays out five pillars to transform Greater Sydney into a 24-hour economic centre.

Provide more integrated planning and place-making which will see increased state and local government and industry collaboration to build an environment in which the 24-hour economy can thrive

Encourage the diversification of night-time activities by supporting a wider variety of businesses at night

Support industry and cultural development to help businesses and cultural entrepreneurs access and thrive in the 24-hour economy

Explore ways to enhance mobility and improve connectivity between 24-hour hubs through safe and reliable transport

Change the narrative for Sydney to bring locals and outside visitors into Sydney at night, observing and encouraging healthy behaviours

Meet the Commissioner

Meet Michael Rodrigues, the state's first 24-hour Economy Commissioner.

24-hour Economy Advisory Group

Our members support the NSW Government to turbocharge job creation and night-time business activity.

Stay up-to-date

Subscribe to our newsletter

The Neon Grid newsletter offers information, events and news about programs that are transforming Sydney’s 24-hour economy.

Listen to our podcast series

Commissioner Michael Rodrigues explores what it means to build a 24-hour economy through a series of interviews with the best and brightest across industry and government.

Year in review

This publication documents the Office’s first 12 months of operation, highlighting key initiatives and areas of focus with respect to the 24-Hour Economy Strategy.

Main photo: Courtesy of Destination NSW