City of Sydney enlists great minds to help guide work

More than 50 experts have been selected to help guide the sustainable recovery of Sydney’s economy and creative and cultural life and address the city’s social issues.

The City of Sydney has engaged 53 people to sit on four new panels and provide expert advice about policies and operations across various priority areas.

Panel members were selected from 290 applications and will be appointed for a term of up to three years with the possibility of reappointment for a further three-year term.

The four new panels are: Cultural and Creative Sector Advisory Panel; Multicultural Advisory Panel; Housing for All Working Group; Business, Economic Development and Covid Recovery Advisory Panel.

They add to the City’s four existing panels: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel; Inclusion (Disability) Advisory Panel; Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel; and Sydney Design Advisory Panel.

“The City’s advisory panels play a crucial role in guiding our work, ensuring experts from a range of sectors – creative, business, housing, climate, multicultural, hospitality and entertainment – help us identify and respond to emerging issues and opportunities,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

“These panels are a reflection of our values and our commitment to the community. Enlisting the help new experts in housing, culture, business and social cohesion will help us navigate the challenges facing our city at this most critical time.”

Business, Economic Development and Covid Recovery Advisory Panel

The panel will play an important role in the City of Sydney‘s Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 Continuing the Vision through the actions of the economic strategy discussion paper and development of the new strategy. Collaborative effort and partnerships between the public and private sectors is the key to this success.

The panel will provide high-level independent expert advice and support to ensure a sustainable recovery from the pandemic, including advice on innovation, growing business diversity and resilience strategies, and opportunities to develop a vibrant 24-hour economy and nightlife.

The panel comprises up to 20 members, from the private sector, state government and peak bodies including the Committee for Sydney, Australian Retailers Association, NSW Indigenous Business Chamber of Commerce and Canva.

“I am honoured to be invited to contribute to this important project and look forward to the panel’s first meeting in September and hopefully we can help bring new life to the city’s economy in spring,” Paul Nicolaou, Executive Director Business Sydney said.

“The economic recovery of the CBD has slowed due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic and it’s vital that business works closely with council to support its initiatives and programs as we try to reactivate the streets of our CBD.

“I applaud council’s initiative in creating these panels to aid recovery, as well as its recognition of the value of including Business Sydney and the other stakeholders.”