The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) today released its third report in a series measuring the performance of the Australian Night Time Economy (NTE). The report includes the change in levels of annual sales revenues, number of establishments operating and employment across 14 key urban local government areas (including all State and Territory capital cities).

The CCCLM Chair and Lord Mayor of Darwin, Katrina Fong Lim, noted the significant contribution activities taking place during the evening and night time make to the national economy, “local councils work hard to ensure that safe and diverse entertainment precincts are provided for the enjoyment of all who participate. The reported increase in jobs created and revenue turned over at night time reflects the need to support a growing 24 hour society”.

The report highlights that:

  • Annual NTE sales revenues in 2013-14 was estimated at $108 billion – an increase of 20 per cent from $90 billion in 2009 – the broader Australian economy (unconnected to the NTE) grew by 13.8 per cent in the same period.
  • The NTE employs over 1 million people – 8.7 per cent of all Australian employment. Compared with the day-time economy, employment growth in the NTE experienced strong annual growth of 2.2 per cent.
  • Food led businesses continue to grow, and accounts for 58 per cent of all NTE sales volume, with close to $38 billion of sales at restaurants and cafes, take away food sales follow at $24.6 billion. Food led revenue grew by $14 billion in the 2008-09 to 2013-14 period.
  • Liquor retailing increased slightly by 18 per cent since 2008-09 – slightly ahead of the 13 per cent inflation rate increase in the same period.

“Federal, State/Territory and Local Governments have a responsibility to support the range of city users, including residents, day and night time businesses as well as those that visit cities for work and entertainment” said the Lord Mayor.

“This report provides further evidence that cities matter. We call on all levels of governments to support better places for people to live, work and visit around the clock by:

  • working together to develop national strategies that are delivered locally;
  • creating a structure for all stakeholders to engage in dialogue; and
  • maintaining an evaluative process of performance change.

The Lord Mayor thanked members of the National Local Government Drug and Alcohol Committee for its work in producing this important research, which provides an understanding of the size, value and changing characteristics of our cities’ night time activities.

The report is available here: PN042130_TheAustralianNTE2015-FINAL MAY 2016