City’s Special Business Rate Forum Facilitates Collaboration and Creativity

Local business embraced the benefits of new connections and sharing ideas at City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate (SBR) Collaboration Forum.

City of Newcastle brought together the recipients of its latest $935,000 round of SBR funding for the City Centre Darby Street precincts on Thursday at the event, designed to foster business-to-business collaboration and the opportunity to partner and strengthen project concepts.

Special Business Rates are collected by City of Newcastle for the promotion, beautification and development of Newcastle’s business precincts.

The SBR program provides funding for unique and engaging events, activities and creative projects that breathe life into the city centre and encourage people to spend locally.

The forum encouraged cooperation and provided Newcastle’s small business community the opportunity to network and make connections with City of Newcastle staff.

SBR funding recipients shared their project concepts designed to activate public spaces and strengthen the city's reputation as a destination for tourism, business and events.

Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, Newcastle’s business and creative community adapted and is developing resilience building solutions to ensure the local economy thrives.