{{Short description|Australian chamber of commerce}} {{Use Australian English|date=April 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox company | name = Business Sydney | founded = 1825 | hq_location = Sydney, Australia | key_people = Paul Nicolaou <small>(Executive Director)</small> | area_served = Sydney | industry = Not for Profit<ref>{{cite web |url=https://greekherald.com.au/news/australia/paul-nicolaou-appointed-executive-director-of-business-sydney/ |title=Paul Nicolaou appointed executive director of Business Sydney |date=2021-09-10 |publisher=The Greek Herald }}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://www.businesssydney.com/}} }} '''Business Sydney''' is an advocacy group for businesses in Sydney.<ref name="DT_ambitious_plan">{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/business-sydney-boss-reveals-ambitious-plan-to-transform-cbd-living/news-story/73aeb305e9b6773b63763d0c2d7fc39d |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251102025750/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/business-sydney-boss-reveals-ambitious-plan-to-transform-cbd-living/news-story/73aeb305e9b6773b63763d0c2d7fc39d?amp |url-status=live |archive-date=2025-11-02 |title=Business Sydney boss reveals ambitious plan to transform CBD living |url-access=subscription |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Nathanael |last=Cooper }}</ref> It is a division of Business NSW, the peak body for business in NSW.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-19/nsw-budget-minns-state-government-live-blog-announcement-mookhey/102872482 |title=Business body welcomes 'fiscally responsible' budget |first=Heath |last=Parkes-Hupton |date=2023-09-19 |publisher=ABC News }}</ref>
Business Sydney's primary role is advocating, influencing and delivering policies and outcomes to drive economic growth.<ref name="NeosKosmos2021"/> The organisation aims to advance Sydney as a global, competitive and liveable city.<ref name="AboutBusinessSydney"/>
Business Sydney is headed by its Executive Director, Paul Nicolaou. Nicolaou took up his current post as Executive Director in 2021.<ref name="NeosKosmos2021">{{cite web |url=https://neoskosmos.com/en/2021/09/10/news/greek-australian-takes-on-new-role-as-executive-director-of-business-sydney/ |title=Greek Australian takes on new role as Executive Director of Business Sydney |work=Neos Kosmos |date=10 September 2021 |access-date=10 September 2021}}.</ref> In 2025, ''The Daily Telegraph'' named Paul Nicolaou the 88th most powerful person in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://greekherald.com.au/news/greek-australian-heavyweights-named-among-sydneys-most-powerful/ |work=The Greek Herald |title=Greek Australian heavyweights named among Sydney’s most powerful |date=2025-12-03 }}</ref>
==History==
Business Sydney was established in 1825 as the Sydney Chamber of Commerce and is almost as old as the NSW Legislative Council.<ref>{{Citation | title=We're in business | author1=Oswald Ziegler Publications | author2=Sydney Chamber of Commerce | year=1968 | publisher=Produced for the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia by Oswald Ziegler | language=English | url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1937836 | via=National Library of Australia }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/about/wins-for-business |title=Business Sydney Wins for Business |publisher=Business Sydney }}</ref>
In 1996<ref name="wins_for_business"/> or 2006<ref name="AboutBusinessSydney"/> it became the Sydney Business Chamber.{{citation needed|date=February 2026}} In 2021 Sydney Business Chamber became Business Sydney.<ref name="AboutBusinessSydney">{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/about/about-business-sydney |title=About Business Sydney |publisher=Business Sydney }}</ref>
By February 2012, the Sydney Business Chamber represented 120{{nbsp}}corporations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/ladocs/submissions/39087/sub38.pdf |title=INQUIRY INTO THE UTILISATION OF RAIL CORRIDORS - Submission No 38 |date=2012-02-29 |author=Patricia Forsythe |publisher=Parliament of NSW }}</ref> As of February 2026, Business Sydney states it has 140 members.<ref name="wins_for_business">{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/about/wins-for-business |title=Wins for business |publisher=Business Sydney }}</ref>
In 2023 Business Sydney moved offices to join Business NSW at Level 7, 8 Chifley Square, Sydney.<ref name="AboutBusinessSydney"/>
==Purpose and programmes==
Business Sydney states it supports the "economic, social, and cultural growth" of Sydney.<ref name="AboutBusinessSydney"/>
In 2006 the Sydney Business Chamber launched the Sydney First membership offering.<ref name="AboutBusinessSydney"/>{{efn|Not to be confused with the Sydney First reports.<ref>{{cite report |author1=Edward J Blakely |author2=Richard Y Hu |title=Sydney First: Who’s Governing Sydney?, Sydney, Sydney Chamber of Commerce |date=April 2007 |url=https://researchsystem.canberra.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/52353281/2007_whos_governing_Sydney.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.businessnsw.com/getattachment/82f23eaf-99a8-48ff-b878-78ff7ef8df5e/081113-Governance-Report.pdf |title=Sydney First - Governance Arrangements for Sydney’s Local Government Authorities }} </ref> }} Sydney First members are listed on the Business Sydney website.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/members/our-members |title=Our Members |publisher=Business Sydney }}</ref>
Business Sydney hosts over 50 events per year<ref name="business_support"/> and offers invitation-only membership.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/members/business-sydney-member-benefits |title=Business Sydney Member Benefits }}</ref> Sydney First members are invited to exclusive forums as well as roundtables.<ref name="business_support">{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/about/business-support |title=Business Support |publisher=Business Sydney }}</ref>
==Policy views==
===Housing policy===
Business Sydney advocates for increasing the number of people living in the Sydney CBD. Paul Nicolaou has called for the population to be increased from 30,000 people in postcode 2000 to around 100,000<ref name="syd_conveyencer_red_tape">{{cite web |url=https://www.australianconveyancer.com.au/article/paul-nicolaou-sydneys-red-tape-warrior/ |title=Paul Nicolaou: Sydney’s red tape warrior |date=2025-10-14 |publisher=Australian Conveyencer |author=Richard Cunningham }}</ref> - 200,000.<ref name="DT_ambitious_plan"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/revealed-the-big-dreams-sydney-has-to-remain-the-greatest-city-in-the-world/news-story/455770a38650b96e377ef4ff0378ad52 |title=Revealed: The big dreams Sydney has to remain the greatest city in the world |author1=Nathanael Cooper |author2=Jack Rothfield |author3=Tyson Jackson |date=2025-10-24 |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |website=News.com.au }}</ref><ref name="DT_bike_lanes_relevant"/><ref name="syd_conveyencer_red_tape"/>
A recommendation of a report authored in collaboration with Urbis was to identify land suitable for essential worker housing. It also recommended implementing Inclusionary zoning on government land, requiring 25% to 35% on such land to be reserved for essential workers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/getmedia/5527bcf6-4371-4aae-a502-f8354b95d894/2024-09-Essential-Worker-Housing-Submission_Urbis-and-Business-Sydney_Final.pdf |date=September 2024 |first1=Princess |last1=Ventura |first2=Allison |last2=Heller |first3=Les |last3=Hems |first4=Carlos |last4=Frias |first5=James |last5=White |first6=Kylie |last6=Newcombe |first7=Paul |last7=Nicolaou |publisher=Business Sydney |title=Essential Worker Housing Urbis Submission }}</ref>{{rp|10,11}}
Nicolaou has stated Parramatta Road is an ideal candidate for more housing, however needs revitalisation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/getmedia/1183496f-1c21-4c12-99a6-a002fe0d69da/pn-op-ed-18-july-2023.pdf |date=2023-07-18 |author=Paul Nicolaou |title=Sydney's first road needs restoration and revival |publisher=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref> Business Sydney published a report detailing Parramatta Road options in 2023 in collaboration with Business Western Sydney and the Housing Industry Association.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/getmedia/8ac1d130-4a95-45b1-81ec-23c073210cb4/three-roads-a-solution-to-sydney-s-perfect-housing-storm.pdf |title=Three-Roads - A solution to Sydney's perfect housing storm |publisher=Business Sydney |date=October 2023 }}</ref>
===Town Hall Square===
Paul Nicolaou has stated the proposed Town Hall Square public space "makes little sense" for the CBD's businesses and residents.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/business/makes-little-sense-business-leader-tears-into-plans-for-new-sydney-town-square-amid-push-from-clover-moore/news-story/cb9d091be494c6f0d82613b354a9f3aa |publisher=Sky News |title='Makes little sense': Business leader tears into plans for new Sydney town square amid push from Clover Moore |date=2026-02-11 |first=Matt |last=Hampson }}</ref> Nicolaou claimed "Demolishing the Woolworths building would tear at the commercial heart of the city at precisely the time it is needed most."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-business-group-attacks-plan-to-demolish-woolworths-for-new-town-hall-square/news-story/ec190184cc082706158945f71f7f1cae?amp |title=Sydney business group attacks plan to demolish Woolworths for new Town Hall Square |first=Peter |last=Jenkins |date=2026-02-11 |work=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260211002756/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-business-group-attacks-plan-to-demolish-woolworths-for-new-town-hall-square/news-story/ec190184cc082706158945f71f7f1cae?amp |url-status=live |archive-date=2026-02-11 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
===Glebe Island port===
Business Sydney has criticised plans (and the associating uncertainty) to close the Glebe Island port. It is Sydney Harbour's last deep water port.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/selfharm-government-to-put-sydney-at-risk-if-it-shuts-our-last-working-port/news-story/9becd63deee95e12c98b5b09ad29bbd6?amp |title=Self-harm: Government to put Sydney at risk if it shuts our last working port |first=Peter |last=Jenkins |date=2025-11-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Business Sydney and the Tourism & Transport Forum coordinated more than 20 peak bodies, companies and associations to form Sydney’s Working Port Coalition.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/glebe-island-the-plan-to-save-sydneys-last-working-port |title=Glebe Island: The plan to save Sydney’s last working port |author=Connor Pearce |date=2025-10-13 |work=Daily Cargo News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260103061223/https://www.thedcn.com.au/news/glebe-island-the-plan-to-save-sydneys-last-working-port |url-status=live |archive-date=2026-01-03 }}</ref> Nicolaou claimed closing Glebe Island Port would disrupt Sydney's supply chains and inflate construction costs, and instead supported redeveloping Parramatta Road to deliver more housing.<ref>{{cite web |title=NSW considers moving Sydney Harbour's last working port for homes |first=Paul |last=Karp |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/nsw-considers-moving-sydney-harbour-s-last-working-port-for-homes-20250527-p5m2pk |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250531214612/https://www.afr.com/politics/nsw-considers-moving-sydney-harbour-s-last-working-port-for-homes-20250527-p5m2pk |work=Australian Financial Review |archive-date=2025-05-31 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
===Speed limits===
Business Sydney has stated reducing the speed limit across suburban streets in New South Wales to 30km/h would create "red tape and confusion". Business Sydney opposed a New South Wales Greens proposal to reduce urban speed limits to 30km/h.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-sydney/sydney-business-fears-greens-mp-kobi-shettys-reduced-speed-limit-bill-will-halt-the-city/news-story/a3810dae437a7062cef703485b63ab4c |title=Sydney Business fears Greens MP Kobi Shetty’s reduced speed limit bill will halt the city |first=Savannah |last=Pocock |date=2025-11-25 |work=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251125070830/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-sydney/sydney-business-fears-greens-mp-kobi-shettys-reduced-speed-limit-bill-will-halt-the-city/news-story/a3810dae437a7062cef703485b63ab4c?amp |archive-date=2025-11-25 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Under the proposal Councils would need to apply to increase speed limits for their local government areas.<ref>{{cite news |title=NSW drivers face 30km/h speed limits under proposed new Greens bill |author=Savannah Pocock |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nsw-drivers-face-30kmh-speed-limits-under-proposed-new-greens-bill/news-story/ac9fd753c8eee5981f376cad8d9c6e47?amp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251113120445/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nsw-drivers-face-30kmh-speed-limits-under-proposed-new-greens-bill/news-story/ac9fd753c8eee5981f376cad8d9c6e47?amp |url-status=live |archive-date=2025-11-13 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
The City of Sydney's proposal for 30km/h sparked a backlash from Paul Nicolaou, who stated behalf of Business Sydney that a 30km/h speed limit in the Sydney CBD would be "another nail in the coffin for business".<ref name="BNSW_why_30kmh">{{cite web |url=https://bicyclensw.org.au/why-are-people-calling-for-30km-h/ |title=Why are people calling for 30km/h? |date=2024-08-27 |publisher=Bicycle NSW }}</ref> Paul Nicolaou has claimed "unreasonably low speed limits" risk impacting commercial life of the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/business-groups-furious-over-blanket-speed-limit-cuts-to-sydney-50kmh-zones/news-story/bbb5db846704dfe9298d359a56fe3230?amp |title=Business groups furious over blanket speed limit cuts to Sydney 50km/h zones |author=Lachlan Leeming |date=2024-07-10 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260214015836/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/business-groups-furious-over-blanket-speed-limit-cuts-to-sydney-50kmh-zones/news-story/bbb5db846704dfe9298d359a56fe3230?amp&nk=b3a2efc370bf382b7a0d148d2c77ab14-1771034322 |url-status=live |archive-date=2026-02-14 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/over-the-top-or-a-life-saving-move-the-push-for-30km-h-speed-limits/1x45dgkuv |title='Over the top' or a life-saving move? The push for 30km/h speed limits |author=Aleisha Orr |publisher=SBS News |date=2024-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251126173219/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/over-the-top-or-a-life-saving-move-the-push-for-30km-h-speed-limits/1x45dgkuv |archive-date=2025-11-26 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BNSW_why_30kmh"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Renewed calls for major road rule change that could affect millions |author=Joe Attanasio |date=2024-09-17 |publisher=Yahoo News |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/renewed-calls-for-major-road-rule-change-that-could-affect-millions-074842145.html }}</ref>
In 2020, Business Sydney co-authored and published a report recommending a 30km/h speed limit on Oxford Street to increase safety and encourage economic activity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/getmedia/d48dc4ce-0343-46c6-8c68-0ebd9c44aab2/high-time-the-future-of-oxford-street.pdf#page=12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101120534/https://www.businesssydney.com/getmedia/d48dc4ce-0343-46c6-8c68-0ebd9c44aab2/high-time-the-future-of-oxford-street.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-01 |publisher=Business Sydney |title=HIGH TIME: THE FUTURE OF OXFORD STREET |date=November 2020 |page=12 }}</ref>
===Transport=== In May 2024, ''The Daily Telegraph'' published an opinion article by Paul Nicolaou titled "Now is the time to tear up bike lanes blighting Sydney".<ref name="DT_tear_up_bike_lanes">{{cite web |title=Now is the time to tear up bike lanes blighting Sydney |date=2024-05-29 |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/getmedia/bcf36ca5-2d7a-4ac7-9512-fe3ff1b0917c/PN-Op-Ed-29-May-2024.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704000728/https://www.businesssydney.com/getmedia/bcf36ca5-2d7a-4ac7-9512-fe3ff1b0917c/PN-Op-Ed-29-May-2024.pdf |archive-date=2024-07-04 |author=Paul Nicolaou }}</ref>
In July 2024, Business Sydney stated "Business Sydney has never opposed the introduction of bike lanes or general encouragement of bike riding".<ref name="share_bike_submission"/> In October 2024 Business Sydney stated "we really are supportive of e-bikes" in a Parliament of NSW inquiry.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lcdocs/transcripts/3364/Transcript%20-%20CORRECTED%20-%20PC%206%20-%20E-bikes%20-%2029%20October%202024.pdf |title=INQUIRY INTO THE USE OF E-SCOOTERS, E-BIKES AND RELATED MOBILITY OPTIONS |date=2024-10-29 |publisher=Parliament of New South Wales }}</ref>
Nicolaou stated in September 2024 "I think bike lanes do serve a purpose and we do need bike lanes that work efficient and effectively".<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|45:27}} In November 2024 Nicolaou suggested millions of dollars has been "blown" on "seldom used CBD bike lanes"<ref name="DT_bike_lanes_relevant">{{cite web |url=https://bczsaprodassetstorage.blob.core.windows.net/businessnswmedia/nswbcsharedmedia/businesssydney/media/reports/pn-op-ed-07-nov-2024.pdf |date=2024-11-07 |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Paul |last=Nicolaou |title=Scooters will make bike lanes relevant }}</ref>, and repeated this claim in December 2025.<ref name="DT_spending_priorities">{{cite web |url=https://bczsaprodassetstorage.blob.core.windows.net/businessnswmedia/nswbcsharedmedia/businesssydney/media/pn-op-ed-9-december-2025.pdf |date=2025-12-09 |work=The Daily Telegraph |page=19 |first=Paul |last=Nicolaou |title=Spending priorities all out of wack |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260214070643/https://bczsaprodassetstorage.blob.core.windows.net/businessnswmedia/nswbcsharedmedia/businesssydney/media/pn-op-ed-9-december-2025.pdf |archive-date=2026-02-14 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In April 2023, Business Sydney called for the State Government to ask the Greater Cities Commission (formerly the Greater Sydney Commission) to conduct a review into cycleways.<ref name="DT_taken_for_a_ride">{{cite web |url=https://www.businesssydney.com/getmedia/4b31d750-a9f9-4ee5-8bcc-83e0d1a42a1b/taken-for-a-ride-over-cycle-ways-(750-x-500-px).pdf |title=We're being taken for a ride over cycle ways planning |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Paul |last=Nicolaou |date=2023-04-12 }}</ref> Business Sydney claimed in May 2024 the "bike lane experiment is a fiasco"<ref name="DT_tear_up_bike_lanes"/> and in July 2024 the "share bike experiment has failed".<ref name="share_bike_submission"/>
Business Sydney claims a benefit of cycling is reduced motor vehicle use, however claims more consultation is required before cycleway construction.<ref name="share_bike_submission">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213033033/https://bczsaprodassetstorage.blob.core.windows.net/businessnswmedia/nswbcsharedmedia/businesssydney/media/reports/business-sydney-share-bike-submission-10-july-24.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=2025-12-13 |url=https://bczsaprodassetstorage.blob.core.windows.net/businessnswmedia/nswbcsharedmedia/businesssydney/media/reports/business-sydney-share-bike-submission-10-july-24.pdf |date=2024-07-10 |author=Paul Nicolaou |title=Business Sydney Share Bike Submission }} {{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/lcdocs/submissions/86935/0065%20Business%20Sydney.pdf |title=Submission No 65 - INQUIRY INTO USE OF E-SCOOTERS, E-BIKES AND RELATED MOBILITY OPTIONS |author=Paul Nicolaou |publisher=Parliament of New South Wales }}</ref><ref name="DT_taken_for_a_ride"/> In May 2024 Nicolaou stated "Business Sydney is all for bike lanes where it makes sense and there has been proper consultation with the business community".<ref name="DT_tear_up_bike_lanes"/> Nicolaou believes the lanes have "been put in the wrong spots".<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|45:18}}
In October 2022, Nicolaou called for a "two-to-three year moratorium on any new CBD cycleways", which was also supported by the New South Wales Taxi Council and Tourism Accommodation Australia<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/30/cycling-wars-resume-in-australias-biggest-cities-but-is-it-a-bikelash-or-just-nimbyism |title=Cycling wars resume in Australia’s biggest cities – but is it a ‘bikelash’ or just nimbyism? |author=Gary Nunn |date=2022-10-30 |publisher=The Guardian }}</ref> (a division of the Australian Hotels Association<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://aha.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/AHA-National-Policy-Platform-2013.pdf |title=Australian Hotels: Contributing to economic growth and national prosperity |date=May 2013 |access-date=23 December 2013 |archive-date=24 December 2013 |pages=6,21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224110502/http://aha.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/AHA-National-Policy-Platform-2013.pdf |url-status=dead }} ''"Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) is a division of the AHA representing the needs and interests of Australia's accommodation sector."''</ref>). In April 2025 Nicolaou again called for a "moratorium on the construction of bicycle lanes in the CBD".<ref name="DT_bike_lane_gridlock"/>
In April and May 2025, ''The Daily Telegraph'' published several articles quoting Nicolaou's criticism of bike lanes.<ref name="DT_complicate_things"/><ref name="DT_bike_lane_gridlock"/><ref name="DT_tear_up_bike_lanes"/> Paul Nicolaou stated in April 2025 a bike lane along King Street (Sydney CBD) might plunge the city into "even greater gridlock".<ref name="DT_bike_lane_gridlock">{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-cbd-set-to-suffer-more-bike-lane-gridlock/news-story/81f223e94615318d244d1e94ea3e06f4?amp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20260214023431/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-cbd-set-to-suffer-more-bike-lane-gridlock/news-story/81f223e94615318d244d1e94ea3e06f4?amp&nk=e6c1a8cb0a486ff6a516bfd3e21bf5bb-1771036478 |url-status=live |archive-date=2026-02-14 |title=Sydney CBD set to suffer more bike lane 'gridlock' as business leaders call for pause and review |date=2025-04-21 |work=The Daily Telegraph |author=Madeleine Bower |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Paul Nicolaou claimed building more bike paths in the CBD was causing "chaos" and commented less cars in the city is not the right thing to do.<ref name="DT_complicate_things">{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/they-just-complicate-things-bike-lane-madness-exacerbates-sydney-cbd-congestion/news-story/f69d265e21293b4f4f0cb9bb025fa391?amp |title='They just complicate things': Bike lane madness exacerbates Sydney CBD congestion |author1=Madeleine Bower |author2=Olivia Lancuba |date=2025-04-14 |work=The Daily Telegraph |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250421000419/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/they-just-complicate-things-bike-lane-madness-exacerbates-sydney-cbd-congestion/news-story/f69d265e21293b4f4f0cb9bb025fa391?amp&nk=fc39e25e73bfb44a7fba57312c15c9bd-1745193874 |archive-date=2025-04-21 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Business Sydney claimed the two-way cycleway on King Street is a safety risk because the street is one-way for cars.<ref name="DT_tear_up_bike_lanes"/> Clover Moore responded to the April 14 article with "If anyone's got a “bike lane obsession", it might be ''the Daily Telegraph''!"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7317461187250569216/ |author=Clover Moore |title=(Untitled LinkedIn post) |date=2025-05-14 }}</ref>
Nicolaou described his advocacy on Sydney CBD cycle lanes in a September 2024 interview.<ref name="the_mentor_interview">{{cite interview |interviewer=Mark Bouris |publisher=The Mentor with Mark Bouris |url=https://omny.fm/shows/the-mentor-with-mark-bouris/463-paul-nicolaou-leading-sydneys-future-by-supporting-small-businesses-addressing-issues-head-on |date=2024-09-30 |title=#463 Paul Nicolaou: Leading Sydney's future by supporting Small Businesses & addressing issues head-on }};{{cite interview |interviewer=Mark Bouris |publisher=The Mentor with Mark Bouris |url=https://23233.mc.tritondigital.com/OMNY_THEMENTORWITHMARKBOURIS_PODCAST_P/media-session/aa9f862e-4f7f-41ec-be93-b45fc674372b/d/clips/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/ce5a8b6e-2c75-4fae-bd0c-b305004fc1b4/acaf39c1-d026-41c3-8512-b3050050f1b4/audio/direct/t1765779767/463_Paul_Nicolaou_Leading_Sydney's_future_by_supporting_Small_Businesses_addres.mp3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260214063829/https://23233.mc.tritondigital.com:443/OMNY_THEMENTORWITHMARKBOURIS_PODCAST_P/media-session/a56be8d8-a976-4648-b29c-9525d59b55db/d/clips/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/ce5a8b6e-2c75-4fae-bd0c-b305004fc1b4/acaf39c1-d026-41c3-8512-b3050050f1b4/audio/direct/t1765779767/463_Paul_Nicolaou_Leading_Sydney%27s_future_by_supporting_Small_Businesses_addres.mp3 |url-status=live |archive-date=2026-02-14 |date=2024-09-30 |title=#463 Paul Nicolaou: Leading Sydney's future by supporting Small Businesses & addressing issues head-on }} </ref> He might first speak to the relevant officer for a project.<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|46:04}} If he doesn't "get any joy out of them" he seeks to speak to the council CEO<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|46:17}}, and if no joy to Clover Moore or other councillors.<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|46:22}} He stated "Well they do listen to me. Whether they then actually implement what I suggest is another matter."<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|46:59}} If he can't, "then I probably would ring up Ben Fordham or I'd get in contact with Ben English (editor of the Daily Telegraph<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/ben-english-appointed-new-editor-of-the-daily-telegraph/news-story/6ff61c620d29ca8fd2b69996b736330a |title=Ben English appointed new editor of The Daily Telegraph
|date=2018-10-08 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref>) or one of his editors" and say "Here's an issue that you should help me advocate for through the media."<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|46:07}} Nicolaou stated Ben Fordham is a very powerful individual in Sydney<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|24:56}} and is very influential.<ref name="the_mentor_interview"/>{{rp|48:41}}
Nicolaou opposed the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycle ramp. He has suggested funding be redirected to reducing homelessness instead.<ref name="DT_tear_up_bike_lanes"/><ref name="DT_spending_priorities"/>
In May 2026, Business Sydney proposed that the NSW Government extend the L3 light rail line from Kingsford to La Perouse via Anzac Parade in order to unlock up to 50,000 new homes.<ref>{{cite news |work=Yahoo News |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-suburb-in-line-for-50000-houses-if-missing-link-is-completed-opportunity-011458203.html |access-date=18 May 2026 |date=12 May 2026 |title=Aussie suburb in line for 50,000 houses if 'missing link' is completed: 'Opportunity' |url-status=live |archive-date=18 May 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260518043535/https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-suburb-in-line-for-50000-houses-if-missing-link-is-completed-opportunity-011458203.html |first=Preston |last=Potts}}</ref>
==See also== * Economy of Sydney * Economy of New South Wales * Business NSW
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Chambers of commerce in Australia Category:Organizations established in 1825 Category:Economy of Sydney