The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) has completed the 2016 and 2017 research measuring the Australian night time economy.

Now in its eighth year of growth, the research captures the scale, diversity and direction of the development of Local, State and Territory and National night time economy activity.

CCCLM Chair, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr welcomed the results of the research, “Australia’s city economies are the engine rooms of the nation, this research shows the increasing value that our residents, workers and visitors place on enjoying the varied and diverse activities and workplaces that are on offer around the country’s largest city centres”.

The research demonstrates that the national night time economy continues to significantly contribute to the Australian economy as a whole, and between 2016 and 2017 the national night time economy out-performed the total Australian economy (3.4% compared to 3.1%).

In 2017, the night time economy:
• Comprises of 106,000 businesses;
• Employs 1,087,000 people; and
• Generated nearly $127 billion in turnover.

Between 2016 and 2017, the number of businesses increased by 3.2%, employing an additional workforce of 3.7% and increased turnover by 3.1%. Establishments predominantly involved in the food industry continue to be the main driver of the night time economy growth – rising from 57% of the sector in 2009 to 63% (67,000) in 2017. The drink and entertainment sectors also increased over the same period, but a much slower rate.

State and Territory results show that NSW and Victoria are the largest contributors to the night time economy, whilst Victoria and Queensland have grown at a faster rate than the national average. Similar to the national results, State and Territory growth has been primarily driven by the food sector.

The report, available here, provides analysis of each of the member-councils contributing to the report, including Australia’s capital cities as well as the cities of Newcastle, Parramatta, Gold Coast, Port Phillip and Maroondah.

An online analysis tool is available to members of the Local Government Safe Cities Network, which provides ready access to night time economy areas of 88 largest city councils in Australia.
The continued growth in the night time economy is testimony to the strategies and initiatives city councils provide that facilitate successful and safe 24-hour cities. Further information for Local Councils that would like access to their own data is available here.