Usually reserved for daily commuters, Sydney’s Cahill Expressway will be temporarily transformed into a live event space later this year, as part of the NSW Government’s new event fund.

Announced late last month, the $200 million State Significant Event Fund will be delivered over four years to secure major events to the state.

With views overlooking Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay, Cahill Expressway will close to vehicles from 31 December 2021 to 6 January 2022 for a week of activations.

Visitors can attend markets and performances during the day, before headline acts and pop-up food and bar stalls takeover the space into the night.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the bold initiative is part of NSW Government’s plan to boost the city’s 24-hour economy and activate public spaces.

“As we push through the pandemic, we are working to make sure Sydney and NSW continue to shine, businesses stay in business, and people return to our amazing Harbour City to support the rebounding economy,” he said.

“An innovative activation on the Cahill Expressway is one of the recommendations from businesses that we heard during the CBD Summits, and it will attract people into the city, during the key summer trading period.”

Watch an artist’s impression of the activations below:

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the State Significant Event Fund will propel Sydney towards its goal of becoming the events capital of Asia Pacific by 2030.

“This is about letting the world know that we are open, our State is thriving, and there is nowhere better to visit right now,” he said.

“We know visitors are looking for unforgettable experiences so we want to secure blockbuster international concerts for Sydney and regional NSW venues, exhibitions direct form the world’s top galleries, high profile international sporting code events and events celebrating fashion and design, popular culture, and creativity and innovation.”

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