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November 2011
AUTHORITY NEWS
New tenants moving into The Rocks
The Authority has been working hard to lease available properties in The Rocks, and I'm pleased to welcome the following new tenants:
- Baseline Constructions, which has recently moved into levels 4, 5 and 6 of 157-161 Gloucester Street (Science House)
- Ugg since 1974, which have commenced a fitout at 140 George Street.
The leasing team is also in the final stages of negotiating new leases at:
- 139 George Street
- 105 George Street
- 127-129 George Street
- Shop 13, The Rocks Centre.
In a challenging period in retail leasing these tenancies is an excellent outcome for the precinct.
E-book promotes wide range of visitor drawcards
The Authority recently launched its first electronic publication to comprehensively cover the depth and breadth of precinct activities and offerings in The Rocks. Called 'The What's on this Spring in The Rocks', the e-book has a rich media format featuring video links, links to pages such as blogs, facebook pages, menus, special offers and booking pages, and was created to better promote the precinct to an online audience.
The e-book presents:
- a list of calendar activities from September to November, including major highlights like Crave Sydney International Food Festival and Melbourne Cup events
- activities of things to do in The Rocks by categories, such as showstoppers; for the love of food; stray with me; attractions for distraction; guest reviews; and an extensive retail directory.
The e-book has been sent to 6000 Rewards at The Rocks e-newsletter subscribers and is also available on the Authority's website at http://epublishbyus.com/whats_on_this_spring_in_the_rocks/10021644
The e-book extends the content found in a printed publication called 'What's on this Spring in The Rocks', of which 330,000 copies were distributed to international and domestic visitors in September. If you would like to provide feedback or have your business involved in future editions of the e-book, please email Michelle Thomas at michelle.thomas@shfa.nsw.gov.au.
Other recent marketing activities to promote the precinct have included:
- Where Magazine - distributed in hotels through a combination of guest rooms, lobbies, lobby bars and cafes, reception areas and concierge desks, with an annual readership of around 2.1 million. The Rocks is featured across three pages of the magazine
- Guest TV - operates in around 10,000 hotel rooms in 25 of Sydney's top hotels. 'A day out in The Rocks' has featured for the past 12 months.
West Circular Quay revitalisation
The community consultation on the proposed revitalisation of West Circular Quay ended on 30 September and the Authority received 70 submissions from the public. An independent consultant is now finalising a report on the public submissions.
The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has requested that work on First Fleet Park is to be delayed until the Authority and the City of Sydney have prepared a master plan for Circular Quay, a process which is now in its early stages. Work across the eastern front of the MCA, which is required to provide access to the new MCA foyer, has been exempted from this direction to enable the MCA to meet its opening schedule of March 2012.
Artistic installations to brighten George Street North
The Authority has engaged eight artists to add their creative flair to the northern section of George Street and the Metcalfe Arcade to encourage visitation to this part of the precinct during Village Bizarre at Markets by Moonlight.
A series of art pieces, including large scale wall murals, sculptures and digital displays, will be installed in mid November, enticing visitors to discover tenant offerings in the northern part of The Rocks.
Artist: Shannon Crees
The Rocks visitation
In September 2011, people movements in the precinct were 928,285, a slight decrease of 0.6% when compared to September 2010. The 12-month rolling people movements to The Rocks from October 2010 to September 2011 was13,747,358, a similar slight decrease of 0.6%. Obviously, we are looking to the Village Bizarre at Markets by Moonlight and the warmer summer months to boost precinct visitation.
SUSTAINABILITY NEWS
Christmas Tree branches out to the environment
In keeping with tradition, The Rocks Christmas Tree will again spring forth from sustainable roots; this year it will be made from recycled coreflute. Coreflute is a plastic corrugated material traditionally used for event and marketing signage, and has been used in the precinct for events like Aroma and The Rocks Australia Day. Coreflute often ends up in landfill, making The Rocks Christmas Tree a unique and creative way of reusing this common material. The coreflute will be stencilled, cut and shaped to represent a stunning contemporary version of a traditional Christmas tree.
The seven metre tall tree will stand the top of the First Fleet Park stairs on George Street and will be installed in mid November along with other colourful Christmas decorations.
EVENT NEWS
The Rocks Village Bizarre at Markets by Moonlight
The Authority's moonlight market event kicks off this Friday 4 November, and runs from 5.30 pm to 10 pm every Friday evening until 23 December. Village Bizarre will transform The Rocks evening markets into an authentic village fair with a distinctly new twist. Visitors will be encouraged to journey through The Rocks' secret alleys and hidden rooms. They will be able to see a burlesque performance, grab a bite at the markets, learn to hula hoop, take a dance class, relax at The Rocks Square lounge bar, go on an artisan tour, and check out local designers at a pop-up space, before enjoying some relaxed dining at any one of the great restaurants in The Rocks. This intimate approach to the format is designed to draw visitors to various parts of the precinct, exposing them to more tenant offerings.
PRECINCT NEWS
Dreamtime to bring worldwide buyers to The Rocks
Dreamtime is Tourism Australia's premier trade activity for international business events buyers and its coming to our precinct from 13-18 November. The event is designed to provide product knowledge through first-hand experiences and create sales opportunities for local destinations. Held every two years, the event historically attracts more than 100 international incentive buyers and media and this year is targeting key markets of the UK/Europe, US, Asia, Japan and New Zealand. As part of the program, buyers will come to The Rocks for a guided walking tour to explore the highlights and historical landmarks.
To entice delegates into your property, 'The Rocks Welcomes Dreamtime 2011' posters for display in shopfronts are available from Foreshore House reception. For more information contact Vanessa Campbell, The Rocks and Circular Quay operations manager on 9240 8747. Dreamtime will be delivered by Tourism Australia in cooperation with Business Events.
Cruise ship arrivals
There are thirteen ships scheduled to dock at the Overseas Passenger Terminal this month as follows:
Rhapsody of the Seas, 3 November
Pacific Pearl, 4 November
Rhapsody of the Seas, 6 November
Volendam, 7 November
Rhapsody of the Seas, 13 November
Orion, 14 November
Amsterdam, 15 November
Radiance of the Seas, 18 November
Radiance of the Seas, 20 November
Rhapsody of the Seas, 24 November
Zaandam, 25 November
Rhapsody of the Seas, 27 November
Celebrity Century, 30 November
For more information on cruise ship arrivals to the OPT visit Sydney Ports.
