Save Our Sydney: Young Sydneysiders’ night-life demands to return to CBD

Young people say affordable parking, bars and live outdoor events would lure them to the Sydney CBD and end the isolation they have been suffering.

Young people who value quality of life over old-fashioned 9-5 commuting say they will return to their office desks if night-life returns to the CBD.

Sydney’s 20- and 30-somethings are urging the NSW government to bring back parking, outdoor events including markets, live music and pop-up bars in a bid to reverse the CBD’s dwindling fortunes.

While younger staff say the pandemic has left them under-informed and cut off from their teams, there is growing concern they are missing out on career opportunities.

Friends Nikki Gustafson, Michael Parker and Alex Lipp would return to the CBD more often if there were more events on. Picture: Toby Zerna

A quiet Monday evening in the Sydney CBD as the city is poised to reopen to international travellers. Picture: Toby Zerna

Real estate events manager Alex Lipp, 27, who was out in Chinatown on Monday with friends, said “We need more rooftop bars and parking so that we can feel part of the city and the nature of the place and start enjoying life outside after being locked down,” she said.

“Working from home has its benefits, it’s enabled me to feel I have a choice about where I work and I can organise meetings with contacts in the CBD, but I would hang around late at night there if there was more to do.

The Sydney CBD is ghostly quiet on weeknights after being devastated by lockdowns, people working from home and businesses closing. Picture: Toby Zerna

“Working from home can feel really isolating. Half of my friends want to go back to the office, half don’t.

“The CBD needs more free events and an awareness of the events laid on – sometimes you read about things that have happened and you didn’t know they were happening.”

Friend Nikki Gustafson, 28, said a lot of young people were missing social connection but were still afraid to congregate at venues for fear of catching the ongoing COVID-19 strain.

“Since I was boosted I feel a lot more comfortable about going into the CBD, I’ve missed my friends a lot during lockdowns but there is still a hesitancy among us to go out.

“The answer is for more outdoor events like the lunar installations, for example, outdoor festivals in the CBD and live music on the streets.

“Most people are going out in Newtown because there’s not more happening there.”

Pubs and restaurants like Pitt Street’s Edinburgh Castle are struggling to fill tables of an evening. Picture: Toby Zerna

Sydney psychologist specialising in adolescents Dr Rose Cantali has counselled numerous young people during lockdown expressing fear, isolation and depression during the pandemic.

“There isn’t enough social connection for young people who need to congregate in order to ensure good mental health and the CBD is the perfect place for young people to meet because of its excellent transport links,” she said.

“But there’s not much on offer like affordable bars, cafes and restaurants and affordable parking.

“Young people like to drive I need to feel it safe to park in the CBD.”

“Get those factors in place and young people will meet in the city as well as Newtown.”