Those that enjoyed your ‘Dine and Discover’ vouchers will be happy to know there’s more voucher goodness on the way! On the surface, the plan is yet another great way to encourage people to spend money locally but not everyone is happy.

The scheme looks to encourage workers to head back to their desks in the CBD and hang around until Fridays to take advantage of the TGIF vouchers. Some 500,000 vouchers, worth $25 each, four per person will be shared and required to be spent within the Sydney/Gadigal postcode of 2000. Unlike the ‘Dine and Discover’ vouchers, all four can be used together for one bill in one hit so a good start to the weekend for anyone.

As mentioned, not everyone is happy about the splurge with the Business Western Sydney group frustrated the vouchers can’t be used in Parramatta, NSW’s second most populated business district.

“Successive NSW governments have spent 30 years building up Parramatta as a city in its own right. Why would you lock Parramatta out of this Friday voucher scheme when it is facing the same challenges of a returning workforce as the Sydney CBD is?”

“Parramatta’s restaurants have not only been hit hard by the pandemic but also by the construction of the Parramatta light rail in our famous ‘Eat Street’.

“Businesses across all CBDs in Sydney need support in encouraging people to return. Let’s not just focus narrowly on the Sydney CBD.”

The reasoning for the push to get people back to the CBD specifically is indications that Sydney is running 70% below pre-Covid times. There isn’t a planned roll-out date but ‘Summer’ has been brought up as the time for it.

Turns out only half the issued ‘Dine and Discover’ vouchers worth a stonking $25 each have been spent which has promoted the NSW Government to extend the program for another month.

The program was an idea to get some cash back into the local economy by giving those who had the Services NSW app a couple of $25 vouchers to spend. Initially, we spent a voucher on some local bites but turns out you can use them with various ticketing companies and get a discounted ticket to some great shows.

Originally the program was to be shelved by June 30th but due to only half the stash being used, has been extended until July 31st to make the most of the vouchers! Handily you can drop in a postcode to find out participating venues etc on the Services NSW site if you want to take a browse.

This opens to door to a stack of possibilities in options to eat out or catch a show and a must right now with restrictions eased and a bunch of Sydney/Gadigal entering a new and exciting phase. This next phase includes the appointment of a nighttime economy mayor, new entertainment precincts, extended outdoor dining options, new protection for music venues and grand plans for Kings Cross!