Canberra’s City Centre is changing. An important driver of this transformation into a welcoming, lively place that locals love and visitors are excited to explore is the City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy.
This levy, contributed by commercial property owners in the City Centre and Braddon, works together with City Renewal funding to bring the city to life. Each year, commercial property owners and the City Renewal contribute matched funding.
Funds from the Levy supports everything from lively events and creative public space activations to extra cleaning and maintenance. These are small touches that make a big difference. Together, these efforts are not only enhancing the city’s charm and visitor experience but also helping to boost foot traffic and assist local spending.
Throughout the year, the levy helps bring a diverse calendar of events to life. These activities draw people into the city and encourage them to stay, explore, and support local businesses.
La Fiesta draws thousands of visitors to City West’s Latin American Plaza in a celebration of food, art, music and dance.
The City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy also funds our Placemaking Grants program, which empowers local artists, entrepreneurs, and community groups to bring public spaces to life.
From iconic art like the Big Swoop (which even made it onto a commemorative coin) to pop-up events like the Braddon Busking Festival and creative activations like Elsie’s Film House, these grants help turn great ideas into memorable experiences.
Other standout projects include bringing world-class skateboarding to the City during the Belco Bowl Jam weekend, community bike rides with Pedal Power, and creative hubs like Blank, all helping to energise the city and build a strong sense of pride and connection.
A Placemaking Grant helped Blank turn a vacant tenancy into an accommodating and customisable space for creatives, groups, and events.
While the Levy helps bring people into the city through events and activations, it also supports essential behind-the-scenes services that keep the city looking its best.
Each morning, the dedicated Place Team is out early from 5:25am, cleaning pavements, removing graffiti, tending gardens, and adding fresh touches like flowers and oiled furniture. These behind-the-scenes efforts help make the city clean, safe, and welcoming.
The City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy even funds small city presentation projects. Small garden beds were created along City Walk between Petrie Plaza and Ainslie Place. These beds, now filled with thriving native plants, have created a more attractive, welcoming space for people to relax and enjoy.
Another important initiative supported by the levy is the St John’s Ambulance CBR Night Crew. Originally set-up as a trial, it now receives ongoing support to provide first aid and assistance to people enjoying a night out, helping to keep visitors to the city safe after dark.
The City Renewal Place Team contributes around 12,000 hours of cleaning, beautification and maintenance each year.
In 2024, the St John’s Ambulance CBR Night Crew supported 11,000 people, helping make the city safer at night.
From 5-19 July 2025, Winter in the City will feature 15 days of free entertainment for locals and visitors to our city to enjoy from 5 to 19 July 2025.
Co-funded by the Levy, the event program is expected to attract thousands of people into the City over two weeks of the July school holidays and provide another seasonal boost for many city businesses. Last year’s winter event generated approximately $2.72 million for City Centre businesses.
Free nightly fire performances will return to Canberra's City Centre these July school holidays.
The levy is a partnership between commercial ratepayers, the City Renewal Authority, and the ACT Government that supports the growth, economy, culture, and vibrancy of the City Centre and Braddon.
Read more information about the City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy here.
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
