Decision details

Moved by Councillor Arkins, seconded by Councillor Ellsmore –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         the NSW Government released the NSW Night Worker Action Plan 2025-2028, led by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, to improve safety, wellbeing and recognition for the 1.27 million people working between 6pm and 6am across NSW;

(ii)        the Action Plan identifies 5 key priorities - economic insecurity, wellbeing, access to services, safety and recognition - and commits to piloting new initiatives including gig worker hubs with access to rest areas, charging facilities and toilets for delivery riders and other gig workers;

(iii)      the NSW Government has recognised that gig workers face particular challenges of low pay, economic insecurity and unsafe conditions;

(iv)      the McKell institute’s Tough Gig report states 76% of gig workers identify low pay as their biggest concern and nearly one in 4 reporting being involved in a road accident while working;

(v)       Sydney’s CBD and inner precincts host the highest concentration of night workers in NSW, including thousands of food delivery riders, rideshare drivers and other gig workers who lack safe and accessible facilities to rest, charge devices or access basic amenities; and

(vi)      the NSW Night Worker Action Plan proposes collaboration between councils, the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, Study NSW, Transport for NSW, the Migrant Worker Hub and industry to design pilot hubs in areas with high concentrations of night workers;

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         meet with the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, the Migrant Workers Hub, Study NSW and Transport for NSW about a future gig worker hub within or close to the Sydney CBD;

(ii)        ensure any future design process includes consideration of the City’s policies, plans and priorities; and

(iii)      report back to Council via the CEO Update on the meetings and progress of a future gig worker hub and any other City actions from the NSW Night Worker Action Plan 2025-2028; and

(C)      the Lord Mayor be requested to write to the Minister for the Night-time Economy and the Migrant Workers Hub to express the City’s support for a gig worker hub in the City of Sydney and offering to work with NSW Government agencies and the Migrant Workers Hub during the planning for a future hub.

Carried unanimously.

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