Uber Eats finally hits regional NSW

Getting a Friday night pizza, a midnight kebab or a morning coffee delivered is set to get a whole lot easier as Uber Eats makes a long-awaited expansion into country towns.

Regional NSW towns will soon be able to order through Uber Eats. Picture: David Swift

Getting a Friday night pizza, a midnight kebab or a morning coffee delivered is set to get a whole lot easier as Uber Eats makes a long-awaited expansion into country towns.

The popular food delivery app will expand into more than 100 regional areas across Australia this year, starting today (Wednesday) with locations from Murwillumbah to Ulladulla.

Singleton, Forster, Muswellbrook, Ballina, Casino, St Georges Basin, Taree, Camden Haven, Grafton, Lithgow, Kempsey, Inverell and Cowra are among the locations to get immediate access to the ap, with Gunnedah, Broken Hill, Mudgee, Parkes, Merimbula and Batemans Bay to follow in May.

Uber Eats Australia managing director Ed Kitchen described the move as a “gamechanger” for regional Australia.

“Together, we’ll generate tens of millions of dollars in new revenue for small businesses and bring greater choice and convenience for the one in three Aussies who call regional Australia home.

“We’re thrilled to be kicking off the expansion leg in NSW, where more than 300,000 locals from Ballina to Batemans Bay to Broken Hill will gain access to the convenience of Uber Eats for the first time all while helping local business owners tap into technology to drive more opportunities to their restaurants,” Mr Kitchen said.

“There’s no reason (these towns) shouldn’t enjoy the same technologically aided convenience as Brisbane.

“With that in mind, from now until the end of the year, Uber Eats will more than double its footprint.”

Uber Eats is coming to regional Australia with more than 100 country towns to get the popular food delivery app by the end of this year. Picture: Supplied

In the first year of the expansion, the new locations are projected to generate $45m in extra revenue for restaurants, $19m in gross domestic product and $161m in consumer wellbeing benefit, according to analysis by Oxford Economics.

The analysis found Uber Eats’ expansion would deliver “significant economic benefits” by increasing restaurant revenue and supporting local businesses.

“We expect Uber Eats’ regional expansion to not only increase restaurant revenue, but also to strengthen supply chains and stimulate demand for local producers

and service providers,” the report said.

“Additionally, the platform enhances consumer choice and convenience, leading to broader socio-economic gains, particularly in expanding access to previously limited online food delivery services for a new base of regional customers.”

Ballina takeaway store owner James Leigh welcomed the move, having pushed for Uber Eats to expand to his area for years.

Mr Leigh believes the app’s arrival will help him improve his brand.

“This will be really good for us and good for the town,” Mr Leigh said.

“It’s wanted, it’s needed, it’s been requested. I am really excited. (Wednesday) will be a big day.”

Mr Leigh believed partnering with Uber Eats would enable him to reach more of the local community, as well as tourists who visit Ballina.