The New South Wales Government, ARI Registry Services and a selection of Sydney’s most recognised businesses today joined forces to officially launch .sydney web addresses as the city’s new home online.

From 11am Tuesday 17 February 2015, all eligible residents in New South Wales and service providers to the State are able to register a domain name ending in .sydney.

NSW Finance and Services Minister Dominic Perrottet said the launch will encourage greater ecommerce and give a boost to the State’s digital economy.

“The Government invested in .sydney to provide the New South Wales business community with a long-term digital asset that will create a platform for innovation and ensure the continued development of the digital economy across the State,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Registering a .sydney domain name offers individuals and brands a new and innovative way of doing business online in New South Wales.”

Sydney has long been considered one of the world’s leading business and tourist hubs and today it joined the likes of New York, London and Tokyo in launching its own new Top-Level Domain.

Adrian Kinderis, CEO of ARI Registry Services—the company contracted to run the technology and manage .sydney—said .sydney domain names are a valuable drawcard for those looking to innovate online and connect themselves with the city.

“ARI Registry Services on behalf of the New South Wales Government is proud to launch this digital asset for use by all residents and businesses in the State. It provides an opportunity to get the perfect web address,” Mr Kinderis said.

He explained that today’s milestone follows the recent launch of .cancerresearch by the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and .melbourne by the Victorian Government.

Savvy registrants now have the chance to join .sydney ambassadors, such as BridgeClimb Sydney (www.bridgeclimb.sydney) and What’s On Sydney (www.whatson.sydney) in making digital history and taking advantage of the benefits that .sydney domain names offer.

Stephanie Williams, Sydney Fish Market CSR & External Relations Manager, said their new .sydney domain name will help strengthen their connection with the city.

“Sydney Fish Market is a must do for many visitors to Sydney and has been an institution amongst Sydney locals for decades. It is important for our organisation to continue to innovate and engage our consumers online,” Ms Williams said.

“As the authority on all things seafood and fish in Sydney, it makes perfect sense for us to adopt the domain names www.fishmarket.sydney and www.seafood.sydney.”

Similarly, Luna Park Sydney’s Marketing Manager, Darrin Parker said registering a .sydney web address was an important element in their digital marketing strategy.

“As an icon of the Sydney tourism industry, it was important to ensure visitors can easily find information about Luna Park on the Internet. We believe that www.lunapark.sydney will improve the online experience for our visitors and give us a competitive advantage in Sydney’s fierce tourism market,” said Mr Parker.

Mr Kinderis said .sydney web addresses will be an innovative way for individuals and businesses to clearly display an online affiliation to the city.

“Advertisers, digital marketers, major brands and even small businesses and tradespeople like www.plumber.sydney can now embrace .sydney domain names and target consumers in a way that has never been possible before,” he said.

“Navigating the Internet through .sydney domain names will be the easiest way to identify products and organisations serving the Sydney and New South Wales community, and provide savvy businesses with an opportunity to own an entire industry category online.”

To register a .sydney web address or to find out more information, please visit www.iconic.sydney.