Local know how to shape Community Improvement District laws
The NSW Government is encouraging the community to provide its local knowledge and experiences to help drive the legislation that will empower small businesses and landowners to improve local spaces and boost local economies as a part of the Community Improvement District program (CID).
Following on from the passing of the NSW Government’s vibrancy reforms, the next round of legislation targeting further improvement to our local streets, lanes, and shared spaces will aim to improve local areas, allowing Sydney to improve its outdoor dining, seating, landscaping, public art and local business activations.
The activation of streets is part of the NSW Government’s agenda to remove red tape, bring back live music and enable more people to go out, closer to home.
The NSW Government is releasing the draft Bill for public comment so stakeholders can help shape the final legislation.
The CID model recognises businesses benefit from, and have a stake in, making their local areas as vibrant and welcoming as possible and better places to live, work and play.
The draft Bill has three objectives:
- To provide for the establishment and operation of CIDs for the benefit of businesses and local communities
- To provide for the delivery of services, projects, and activities by CID entities in CIDs funded by CID levies, and
- To regulate CID entities, CID proposals, CID proposal ballots, and the delivery of services, projects and activities funded by CID levies.
A parallel Australian-first CID pilot program closed for preliminary applications on 28 November 2023. Successful applicants for the $2.75 million program are due to be announced in 2024.
The pilot will trial the CID model and deliver improvements to local spaces including outdoor dining, seating, landscaping, public art, shopfront activations, and signage.
You can contribute to the discussion by completing the survey or uploading a submission on the NSW Government’s Have Your Say website.
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Cities and Active Transport Anna Bradley said:
“The NSW Government is taking steps to improve our local areas and the Community Improvement District legislation will empower local communities to improve their shared spaces.
“We’re eager to hear ideas and comments from the community on the draft legislation and use local knowledge to get a comprehensive understanding of what is important to residents and businesses in their area.
“Local groups know their streets, laneways, and suburbs intimately, and this program is aimed at matching their local knowledge with a framework that will have economic and placemaking benefits.”