Empowering local businesses to improve local spaces
An Australian-first pilot program happening across NSW from 16 October is aimed at empowering small businesses and landowners to improve local spaces and boost local economies.
The $2.75 million Community Improvement District (CID) pilot program will incentivise small businesses and local government to deliver improvements to local spaces including outdoor dining, seating, landscaping, public art, shopfront activations and signage.
Ms Brooke Wharton, A/Executive Director, Cities Revitalisation and Place, Transport for NSW said this Australian first trial is about making it easier for sensible ideas to improve public spaces for communities and the businesses that serve them to improve public spaces.
“The program will also allow businesses and groups to unlock funding for festivals and local events.
“We know local community groups know their streets, laneways, and suburbs intimately, and this program is aimed at matching their local knowledge with community grants that will have economic and placemaking benefits,” she said.
“The pilot program will help us to determine the full potential benefits of CIDs as we work towards a policy that streamlines the process and we look forward to seeing the results to map out the best next steps.”
Funding will range from $150,000 to $400,000 which will allow the pilot CID groups to have an immediate, positive impact that will improve our local spaces and create economic opportunities.
A Community Improvement District is a defined area where businesses, landowners, and communities work together to deliver agreed initiatives and projects within a district boundary.
The CID model recognises businesses benefit from, and have a stake in, making their local areas as vibrant and welcoming as possible. This pilot will encourage local groups and businesses to collaborate with each other and co-invest with government to undergo public works that make their communities better places to live, work and enjoy.
Local breweries, bars, cafes, other businesses, and community groups looking to improve their local spaces have the opportunity to get their plans together to apply for the program from 16 October.
NSW embraced outdoor dining throughout the COVID-19 recovery. This program will build on that momentum and play an exciting role in improving our shared spaces by making sensible ideas a reality.
Apply for the CID Pilot Program online at https://place.smartygrants.com.au/