Australian cities’ night time economy produced $134 billion in 2017-18.

The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) has released updated research on the Australian night time economy for 2017-18.

CCCLM Chair, Lord Mayor of Hobart Anna Reynolds said, “Now in its ninth year, this important research captures the scale, diversity and direction of the development of local, state and territory and national night time economy activity. This research supports city councils’ decision-making by measuring existing strategies and developing policy that contributes to providing safe and vibrant city experiences”.

The CCCLM claims its research demonstrates that the overall night time economy continues to significantly contribute to the Australian economy as a whole, reporting that between the wo study periods of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 the national night time economy:

• Comprises of 108,061 establishments: growth of 2.5 per cent;
• Employs 1,119,290 people: up by 2.1 per cent;
• Generated nearly $134 billion in turnover: growth of 3.8 per cent.

Establishments predominantly involved in the food industry continue to be the main drivers of the night time economy. While growth slowed slightly in the 2017-18 financial year, the sector still represents 63 per cent of NTE establishments and grew by 2.5 per cent. The entertainment sector grew the most nationally, up by 3.3 per cent, which provided opportunity for a 3.4 per cent employment increase.

State and Territory results show that NSW and Victoria are the largest contributors to the night time economy, while Victoria has again this year grown at a faster rate than NSW. Similar to the national results, growth in most States and Territories has been primarily driven by the entertainment sector.

The report, available below, provides analysis of each of Australia’s capital cities and member-councils contributing to the report, including the Central Coast, Georges River, Liverpool, Newcastle, Northern Beaches and Parramatta in NSW; Gold Coast in Queensland; and Port Phillip and Maroondah in Victoria.  Most of these city councils are working on strategies to develop their night time economies, and the CCCLM says continued growth is testimony to the strategies and initiatives city councils provide that facilitate successful and safe 24-hour cities.

View the report, Measuring the Australian Night Time Economy 2018 here.

Image: Travel Victoria.