Taskforce Established to Lead Manly's Economic Recovery

Member for Manly James Griffin has announced the formation of the Manly Tourism & Economic Recovery Taskforce to provide strategic and practical advice to lead Manly through the economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Griffin said the Taskforce will focus on reviving our local economy, harnessing the innovative spirit shown throughout the pandemic to build a stronger, more resilient Manly community.

“Over recent months our local tourism trade has been decimated, our hospitality workforce retrenched, and our professional and white-collar workers under significant financial pressure facing job insecurity,” Mr Griffin said.

“The NSW Government is focused on recovery as it steers the State through this once in a lifetime event.”

In order to revive the local economy and capitalise on the opportunities presented by these unprecedented times, a collection of community leaders and key stakeholders will provide actionable recommendations focusing on a variety of areas.

Mr Griffin said the first action of the Taskforce will be to encourage local stakeholders to call on Manly’s local musicians and live music venues to register their interest to be involved in the NSW Government’s Great Southern Nights music event.

Key objectives of the Taskforce over the next 6 months are to:

• Develop potential recovery initiatives and ideas including the fast-tracking of existing local projects and concepts.
• Leverage existing and future Government programs and initiatives that focus on tourism, the local economy and practical community support programs.
• Identify collaboration opportunities between various agencies to revive and reimagine post pandemic projects, events and economic activity.

The Taskforce will work in parallel with other agencies, consulting widely with stakeholders across Manly and key local business zones including Seaforth, Balgowlah and Freshwater.

Mr Griffin said the Manly Business Chamber will play a key role in connecting with the local business community as the major stakeholder in Manly’s economic recovery.

“Engaging the Manly Business Chamber as a founding member of the Taskforce is the crucial first step we need to support the local economy,” Mr Griffin said.

Mr Griffin and the Chamber will be inviting a host of eminent business people, alongside Manly’s major accommodation providers and representatives from government agencies to fast track our economic recovery.

Manly Business Chamber Vice President said the Chamber was excited to be involved in this important economic initiative.

“The Manly Business Chamber is fully committed to supporting local businesses in moving forward post-COVID towards a sustainable economy, and looks forward to working with all levels of local and state government to ensure every viable opportunity, be it existing programs or newly-created ones, are fully leveraged while taking into consideration the needs of local business and its community.”

Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres commended the establishment of the taskforce as an important local initiative.

“Manly is a world class destination with tourism attractions and a vibrant night economy that support livelihoods and this taskforce will help draw people back to the area boosting the local economy,” Mr Ayres said.

The Manly Tourism & Economic Recovery Taskforce will be chaired by Mr Griffin and will meet as soon as possible after its membership has been established. It will operate for an initial six month period.

According to the Taylor Fry COVID-19 Financial Impact Index, Manly and surrounding suburbs are in the top 10 per cent of Australian postcodes most financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Musicians and venues can register their interest for the Great Southern Nights music event at http://www.greatsouthernnights.com.au