Western Sydney Covid lockdown: Dine & Discover push to aid recovery

A leading western Sydney advocacy group is calling for financial help and a rebuilding of trust for locals following the lockdown. Members think they have come up with just the solution.

A western Sydney advocacy group is pushing for additional Dine & Discover vouchers for Sydneysiders to spend in the west after the region suffered from NSW’s strictest Covid lockdown restrictions.

The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has been in talks with Government officials about a proposal to include a western Sydney pass to the Dine & Discover scheme when it is expanded later this year, to encourage spending in the region.

It forms part of the not-for-profit organisation’s framework, taken to State and Federal Government, for western Sydney’s economic and social recovery post-pandemic.

The Dialogue’s Executive Director Adam Leto said under the proposal, everyone in Sydney from Cremorne to Canterbury would get $50 to spend on hospitality and lifestyle or leisure providers in greater western Sydney.

Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Executive Director Adam Leto. Picture: Richard Dobson

He said there was “pretty strong support” for the bid from stakeholders including local government, the community sector and businesses.

“Why not have an initiative to attract people to western Sydney? To display what there is to see — the sights, the smells, the sounds — while also stimulating local businesses.”

Mr Leto said it would have a “dual impact” as both a social lever and economic driver, calling it a “practical and impactful” initiative.

Fairfield during Covid lockdown. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“I’d like to see support targeting small businesses … Small business is at the heart of the western Sydney economy,” Mr Leto said.

He also said some in the community felt a “clear divide” in how the east was treated compared to the west, and said “trust needs to be rebuilt and encouraged by steps taken in addition to big investment”.

Director of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre Craig Donarski said a specific offer for western Sydney would be “awesome”.

Director of Casula Powerhouse Craig Donarski. Picture: Ian Svegovic

“I think it should happen if it’s possible. It’s a really great thing for western Sydney and a great thing for people who get to discover western Sydney,” Mr Donarski said.

“We’ve had such a strong uptake for Dine & Discover. But this would really encourage people not from western Sydney to come and discover not just the amazing food but also the great entertainment options.”

He said such an initiative would help with western Sydney’s Covid recovery.

“The 12 LGAs of concern were subject to the strictest lockdown restrictions and so the impact on local restaurants and performing artists were more keenly felt,” he said.

“So the road to recovery is a bit steeper and a bit longer. Anything that can push people to either come back or come in or experience it for the first time …”

Centre Manager at Ed. Square Town Centre in Edmondson Park Amanda Whittle said Dine & Discover vouchers specifically for western Sydney would be a “welcome move”.

Ed. Square in Edmondson Park. Picture: Frasers Property Australia

Ed. Square is a shopping precinct which includes an ‘East Street’ showcasing 20 different cuisines as well as a cinema.

“Retailers everywhere have faced real challenges in the wake of Covid, however for those businesses in areas which experienced stricter trading restrictions, an extra helping hand is warranted,” Ms Whittle said.

“The shopping, dining and entertainment options in southwest Sydney are becoming more varied and more exciting.

“There’s a wonderful mix of businesses [at Ed. Square] all eager to welcome more customers back, and which would benefit from more Dine & Discover vouchers circulating in the community,” she said.

A spokesman for Service NSW said “there is currently no plan to roll out region-specific Dine & Discover NSW vouchers”.

He added: “On 14 October the program was expanded to include one additional $25 dine voucher and one additional $25 discover voucher which will be available to customers by December 2021, bringing the total value of vouchers available to eligible NSW residents to $150.

“Vouchers are available to all eligible NSW residents across the state including Western Sydney with customers encouraged to support their local businesses.

“The program is expected to close on 30 June 2022.”

As at November 8, $61,091,354 in vouchers were redeemed in Greater Western Sydney and $271,372,199 in vouchers redeemed across NSW generally.