February 2012
| AUTHORITY NEWS |
EVENT NEWS |
| Meetings with The Rocks Chamber and all tenants | SUSTAINABILITY NEWS |
| The Rocks Pop-Up calls for creative participants | |
| Cruising into The Rocks from around the world | PRECINCT NEWS |
| Cruise ship arrivals | |
AUTHORITY NEWS
Vacancy rates slashed in past six months
The Authority's work over the past few months to attract new tenants to our precinct has delivered great results. The vacancy rate for retail and commercial buildings in The Rocks has decreased significantly since August 2011. Since that time, new leases have:
- reduced the retail vacancy rate from 5.22 per cent to 1.32 per cent
- reduced the commercial office vacancy rate from 13.64 per cent to 4.45 per cent.
These rates compare favourably to vacancy rates in the CBD and indeed across the greater Sydney area.
Meetings with The Rocks Chamber and all tenants
Since November 2011, the Authority has met monthly with The Rocks Chamber of Commerce to discuss important issues relating to:
- business mix
- appearance and reputation of the precinct
- dealing with the Authority
- marketing, visitation and transport.
A detailed submission by The Rocks Chamber on these issues formed the basis for discussions. In total there were 105 statements made by The Rocks Chamber across the four focus areas. The Authority and the Chamber were in agreement in 80 per cent of statements or issues identified, and the way forward, with a further 9 per cent to be discussed on an ongoing basis.
The Authority will continue to regularly meet with The Rocks Chamber to discuss matters such as heritage activities and promotion, outdoor seating, public domain appearance and activation, transport, marketing (both tenant and Authority), events and leasing updates—and track actions and outcomes.
The Authority will also hold biannual group meetings for all tenants to discuss any significant strategic matters and invite feedback in a communal setting. Dates will be announced in the March newsletter.
The Rocks Pop-Up calls for creative participants
Following a trial period, the Authority has reviewed and amended The Rocks Pop-Up project and is now calling for creative partners and arts organisations to submit proposals to get involved. The project will continue to activate temporarily vacant spaces with short-term creative and community uses that can attract visitors into the precinct, while our leasing team works to secure a long-term tenant.
Premises will be used by participants to create work, showcase design and artwork, and host unique events, such as small-scale performances and screenings. Following feedback by tenants, the project will focus on exhibition and creative collaborations rather than a retail focus.
The project is designed to profile The Rocks as a home of innovation and creativity in Sydney, attracting new and return visitors who will also have the opportunity to discover the mix of retail and dining options presented by permanent tenants. For more information visit www.therocks.com.
Cruising into The Rocks from around the world
The cruise ship season is now in full swing and the Authority is promoting The Rocks to travellers arriving by sea, who often represent the high value end of the tourism trade. Marketing activities include prominently featuring the precinct in The Sydney Cruise Arrivals Guide and Cruise Map—the only welcome and information brochures to be distributed on board all international cruise ships.
Designed specifically for 4-6 star luxury cruise ships, the publications orientate short-term visitors on the best of what Sydney has to offer. The Rocks features strongly in advertising and editorial content, which covers The Markets, walking maps and shopping and dining experiences.
George Street North resurfacing works
The Authority is planning for essential resurfacing works at George Street North—the section of road that is beneath The Rocks Market canopy on weekends. Works are expected to commence in late February/early March and will take up to four days to complete, with scheduling from Monday to Thursday.
Impacts will include closing the parking lane on the city bound side of the road and stop/go traffic conditions as only one lane will be accessible at a time. Barricades will also be installed and there will be some noise and dust, however the Authority will ensure that impacts are minimised as much as possible. Further details will be provided to surrounding tenants once a start date is confirmed.
Tree removals to keep heritage in shape
Following advice from independent arborists, the Authority will soon remove three trees in The Rocks in line with its Tree Master Plan, which aims to maximise environmental and aesthetic outcomes while conserving the precinct's heritage assets.
Trees that will be removed are:
- a Corymbia citriodor, lemon scented gum, in Well Courtyard—which adjoins the rear of 43 Argyle Street—and is impacting substantially on the structural integrity of a significant heritage stone wall dating from 1839
- a Celtis australis, hackberry tree, at the rear of 31 George Street, which is posing a substantial risk to the adjacent heritage-listed buildings, the Gloucester Walk retaining wall and a nearby well established fig tree
- another hackberry tree at Longs Lane—the pedestrian pathway linking Cumberland Street with Gloucester Street—which has been identified as failing in health and being structurally unsound. The Authority will replace this tree with a semi-mature deciduous Chinese elm.
All three trees being removed are neither rare nor endangered species and show no sign of use by fauna for nesting. Work is expected to take place in late February/early March, and surrounding tenants will be advised once a start date is confirmed. The Authority will monitor the works to minimise any disturbance for visitors and businesses.
The Rocks visitation
In December 2011, people movements in the precinct were 1,475,102, a slight increase of 1 per cent when compared to December 2010. The 12-month rolling people movements to The Rocks from January 2011 to December 2011 were 13,826,657, up by just under 1 per cent.
EVENT NEWS
Australia Day and NYE events get thumbs up
The recent New Year's Eve and Australia Day events were a huge success, bringing tens of thousands of visitors into The Rocks and Circular Quay.
The Rocks Chamber of Commerce President, Michael Lacey, wrote to the Authority about the impressive clean-up of The Rocks after New Year's Eve: "Many of the tenants commented on how thorough the clean-up was after New Year's Eve. Please convey our appreciation to the organisers and cleaners for such an exceptional effort. A number of visitors were astonished at the transformation from the night before. Congratulations."
Michael also commented on The Rocks Australia Day - Festival of the Voice: "The Voices concept is a perfect fit for our precinct. The locations of the stages and distribution of the Market stalls ensured a good distribution of visitors throughout The Rocks. Please convey our congratulations to all concerned with its organisation.
Changes to the Australia Day event included setting up a stage at the northern end of George Street, creating relaxation zones near the harbourside and using roaming performers to entice visitors into The Rocks—all which worked extremely well in animating the entire precinct.
SUSTAINABIILITY NEWS
Get your business ready for a low-carbon economy
Financial assistance is now available to Sydney businesses to help combat rising energy bills and a looming price on carbon emissions.
More and more businesses are taking control of their running costs and improving their day-to-day workplace operations by being smarter with energy. As part of the City of Sydney's CitySwitch Green Office program, there is $40,000 worth of funding on offer for a limited time to assist with energy efficiency improvements.
Businesses can each receive up to $1,000 towards an energy rating for their office tenancy when they join CitySwitch. Obtaining an energy rating allows businesses to monitor their progress and improve year-on-year. NABERS Energy ratings are the industry benchmark for any business serious about monitoring and reducing their costs and environmental impact.
The Authority is a CitySwitch signatory and is currently in the process of implementing various energy-saving recommendations at its head office in The Rocks. These changes aim to increase the organisation's energy rating and will result in cost and environmental benefits for the Authority and the precinct.
For more information on the grants offered to City of Sydney businesses, email cityswitchgrants@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au, contact the program manager, Virginie Vernin on 9246 7354 or visit the CitySwitch website.
PRECINCT NEWS
Cruise ship arrivals
The cruise season continues to bring thousands of travellers to our precinct with 17 ships scheduled to dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal this month:
- Athena, 1 February
- Rhapsody of the Seas, 3 February
- Diamond Princess, 4 February
- Rhapsody of the Seas, 6 February
- Crystal Serenity, 7 February
- Amadea, 9 February
- Radiance of the Seas, 11 February
- Pacific Jewel, 14 February
- Rhapsody of the Seas, 16 February
- Aurora, 17 February
- Radiance of the Seas, 19 February
- Costa Deliziosa, 19 February
- Seven Seas Voyager, 22 February
- Oriana, 23 February
- Saga Ruby, 25 February
- Pacific Princess, 26 February
- Queen Elizabeth, 28 February
For more information on cruise ship arrivals to the OPT visit the Sydney Ports website.
