We are living in extraordinary times. The Coronavirus aka COVID-19 has totally transformed our daily work, play and life. The impact on Sydney Olympic Park has been, and continues to be, huge. While there are many aspects of this crisis that are out of our control, we can work together to minimise its impacts by following the health and safety guideline. At the same time it is more important than ever that we continue to work collaboratively and collectively to ensure Sydney Olympic Park is ready to spring back when the current crisis is resolved.

As Australia’s major events and entertainment precinct, the impact on our venues, sporting organisations and all our stakeholders, including the many staff that are employed in these businesses, cannot be overstated.

As everywhere, our small businesses are also very affected by the trading restrictions in place to ensure everyone’s health. I would ask all of you, and any of your team that may be on site, and all residents, to support local businesses that are continuing to trade. For example, get takeaway or home delivery from our local food and beverage outlets and stay up to date with services by following local businesses on social media. Links provided in the body of the newsletter.

Within the articles in the newsletter below you will find many resources available to you from State and Federal governments. You will most likely be eligible for financial and other relief during these difficult times.

There are also some good news stories. The Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre has been recognised by Australia Post with the issue of a new stamp and in a major announcement, Sydney has been chosen to host the 2021 FIBA women’s basketball world cup, with Sydney Olympic Park, obviously! being the primary location for this event

Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre’s Oscar Stubbs will receive words of wisdom, encouragement and inspiration from one of Australia’s greatest athletes after being named as a 2020 Kurt Fearnley Scholarship recipient. Oscar is a member of the Aquatic Centre Swim Club and is also employed at the Aquatic Centre as a Casual Aquatic Program Instructor. Congratulations Oscar!

While many areas of Olympic Park are closed, the Sydney Olympic Park Authority is working to keep the community connected to support locals’ overall wellbeing and safety at this time. The Authority has introduced neighbour check-in cards as a useful tool to encourage connection and safely maintain social distancing requirements. The cards offer several suggestions on how to connect including helping to set up a phone call, a video conference coffee, or supporting those that need to self-isolate to obtain essential items such as groceries.

To everyone, keep safe, follow State and Federal medical experts’ advice and remain wary of the information you may receive via social media. I dearly hope that by the time of the next Business Association newsletter we will have emerged from the worst of the current crisis and can work together to restore a new and even better ‘normal’ for our beautiful, vibrant, connected, amazingly sustainable and commercially vital Olympic precinct.

Allison Taylor
CEO