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A TASTE OF NSW FOR MEDIA
NSW gin was on the menu for travel and lifestyle media last Friday when Destination NSW hosted a virtual cocktail-making masterclass as part of its new #LoveNSW virtual workshop series.
The workshop was developed to showcase NSW-produced craft gins and award-winning Sydney bars to the media, and participants were invited to join in the fun by preparing gin-based cocktails at home.
The session was streamed live from Sydney’s hip York Street establishment, The Barber Shop - Australia’s Best Gin Bar four years running – and hosted by the proprietor Mikey Enright and specialist drinks writer Amy Cooper.
Mikey and Amy took participants on a gin-tasting adventure of four NSW distilleries – Husk (Tumbulgum), Stone Pine (Bathurst), Archie Rose (Sydney) and Headlands (Wollongong) – highlighting the unique qualities of each gin, including the distillers’ use of exclusive-to-NSW botanicals.
Following the tasting, participants were guided through the making of two classic gin cocktails – a negroni and a martini.
To accompany the tipple, Destination NSW provided the media representatives with a comprehensive information pack about those NSW wineries, breweries and distilleries which offer virtual happy hour or tasting experiences to promote to their readers and social media followers.
Destination NSW’s #LoveNSW virtual media workshops promote uniquely NSW experiences and products that are available to consumers now – albeit online or in the virtual world – with the aim of inspiring holidays around NSW when travel restrictions are lifted.
In other media activities facilitated by Destination NSW, the river city of Albury was featured on Channel 7’s Sunrise this morning, proudly kick-starting weather presenter Sam Mac’s Virtual Australia A to Z.
NEW LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS ELIGIBLE FOR $10,000 SMALL BUSINESS BUSHFIRE RECOVERY GRANTS
Small businesses impacted by the recent bushfires will receive more support with the expansion of the $10,000 grants to 13 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud and NSW Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro announced the extension of the grant program today to support more regions that have suffered hardship as a result of the recent bushfires.
The grants are now available to 13 more LGAs, taking the total to 30. The 13 new LGAs are jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.
The additional eligible LGAs are: Armidale, Bellingen, Cessnock, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Kyogle, Mid-Western, Oberon, Singleton, Tenterfield and Walcha.
Mr Barilaro said the NSW Government continues to back regional small businesses and expanding this funding to additional LGAs is doing just that.
“Many regional businesses that rely on tourism lost their peak summer season due to the bushfires and then lost Easter trade due to COVID-19,” Mr Barilaro said.
“It is fantastic to see more than 12,500 businesses have taken up the grant offer so far which equates to $125.4 million.”
Mr Littleproud said the Australian Government was helping the states get money to businesses as quickly as possible by providing ‘more boots on the ground’ to assist people to navigate the process.
“We are deploying 21 new specialist business recovery advisors into affected communities and are increasing the regional footprint of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency by up to 50 staff in order to make a real difference,” Mr Littleproud said.
Grants of up to $50,000 are also available for eligible small businesses directly impacted by the bushfires. Businesses that have received financial assistance via other grants may still be eligible for the $10,000 grants.
For small business assistance please contact Service NSW.
APPLICATIONS FOR JOBKEEPER SCHEME NOW OPEN
Employers can now enrol for the Government’s $130 billion JobKeeper payment scheme, which supports businesses affected by the coronavirus to help keep more Australians in jobs.
The JobKeeper payment is open to eligible employers, sole traders and other entities to enable them to pay eligible employees’ salary or wages of at least $1,500 (before tax) per fortnight.
Businesses can enrol for the JobKeeper payment through the Australian Tax Office's Business Portal, through the ATO’s online services using myGov for sole traders, or through a registered tax or BAS agent.
There are a several resources available to businesses, sole traders and employees to understand eligibility criteria and the process involved in accessing payments:
- ATO JobKeeper Payment summary webpage and downloadable guides
- Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry JobKeeper Q&A webinar and downloadable quick employer guide
INDUSTRY WEBINARS OFFER INSIGHT
On Friday 24 April, Tourism Australia’s weekly industry webinar will be held at 9am (AEST) and feature a Q&A with Sally Cope, its Regional General Manager for the UK and Northern Europe. Sally will share her perspective on developments in the UK and EU.
The session will also kick off discussion about what the future for Australia and the tourism sector will look like post coronavirus.
Register for Tourism Australia’s industry webinar now.
ATEC also continues to host regular Build Back Better leadership webinars, and Road to Recovery tourism tutorials.
Today’s Build Back Better webinar – Keys to Recovery – an STO perspective – was a panel with representatives from each State and Territory Tourism Organisation discussing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the visitor economy and state and territory perspectives on recovery.
To watch a replay of today’s webinar or previous online events, visit the ATEC website. Other recordings cover topics such as maintaining trade relationships and how to downscale businesses to survive hibernation.
View past editions at ATEC, or register for upcoming webinars and tutorials.
$140 MILLION TO BOOST FORESTRY, HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE IN RESPONSE TO BUSHFIRE IMPACT
The NSW Government has announced a $140 million Bushfire Industry Recovery Package to support forestry, horticulture and agriculture industries impacted by the recent bushfires.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the package would help industries significantly impacted by bushfires to rebuild, recover, regrow and remain the heartbeat of regional economies.
“This funding will support the recovery and resilience of key industries by backing projects that retain and create jobs, strengthen local supply chains and support a return to production,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Regional NSW relies on these key driver industries to help generate jobs and economic activity... which in turn will help their wider industry remain viable.”
Mr Barilaro said regional NSW is the backbone of the State and it is critical to support the key regional industries which keep our economy thriving.
“Industries with the greatest impact will be given the greatest share of this funding. The program will focus on recovery in the short term and will support valuable investments to help these sectors plan for recovery in the longer term.”
For a full list of all available bushfire support, go to ServiceNSW.
NSW SHOWS INGENUITY THROUGH INNOVATION
NSW’s tourism operators continue to delight and entertain online visitors by giving them the opportunity to experience their offering from the comfort of their own couch. Below are just some of the many ways in which NSW businesses are adapting their products and experiences to suit the current #stayhome situation and entertain their virtual audiences:
Together in Art Kids: Looking for activities to keep the kids entertained while you work from home? As part of the Art Gallery of NSW’s #TogetherInArt initiative, kids are invited to use what they have at home to create an artwork that’s imaginative, inspiring and adventurous, and then submit it before 30 April. The artworks will be showcased in an online exhibition from 18 May.
McGuigan Wines: Synonymous with Australian winemaking, McGuigan Wines is offering foodies the opportunity to enjoy a taste of the Hunter Valley at home. The family-owned winery has curated a delectable Home Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Pack, which includes free delivery across NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Urban Vogue Day Spa: Based in Tamworth in the New England High Country, Urban Vogue Day Spa has been forced to temporarily close its doors due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, the Spa is now offering online skin consults, tips and tutorials through its social media channels, as well as ‘day spa in a box’ for you to pamper yourself or gift to someone special.
In every edition of Insights, Destination NSW features innovative businesses and attractions like these to inspire other tourism operators to develop new and different ways to promote their products and experiences to audiences worldwide.
If your business has a virtual tour or online experience you’d like to share with the thousands of Insights readers please email product@dnsw.com.au.
Alternatively, if you know of other experiences not promoted here, please join the movement and share them on social media using the hashtag #LoveNSW.
Please follow VisitNSW (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and Sydney (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) for holiday inspiration and a showcase of NSW’s best attractions and experiences.
$14 MILLION BOOST TO BUSINESS CONNECT
Operators across the state are encouraged to register for the NSW Government’s expanding small business advisory program – Business Connect – to assist them navigate these challenging times.
This week, Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the NSW Government would inject more than $14 million into Business Connect to engage 30 additional advisors and ensure the program continues for another 12 months.
“Business Connect is a powerful tool, with advisors having assisted more than 28,000 businesses over the past three years, providing advice and skills training for small businesses,” Minister Tudehope said.
“Business owners have reported increased confidence, stronger finances, and developed plans for their business.”
Business Connect was delivering targeted support and Small Business Bushfire Information Sessions in regional areas following the recent bushfires. Today, as a result of COVID-19, more than 60 webinars are available through Business Connect online. Additional webinars that provide information about coronavirus-specific stimulus and support initiatives, including Q&As with Government representatives, will be available soon.
Businesses can access support by visiting Business Connect or calling 1300 134 359.
From next week, Business Connect consultant NetStripes will deliver free, three-hour webinars: Reinvent Your Business In Troubled Times. Hosted by NetStripes founder Dinesh De Silva, the digital marketing-focused program will provide strategies to protect cashflow, and ways that operators can deliver services in unique and innovative ways. View the four session times and register now.
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA ENTERS VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATION
The NSW Government has confirmed its support for a competitive aviation sector in response to Virgin Australia Group entering voluntary administration yesterday.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres released a statement yesterday outlining that the NSW Government’s objective is to serve the people of NSW.
“The NSW Government believes our state and nation are best served by having a competitive aviation sector,” the statement said.
“We have been in discussions with Virgin, as have other States, about their future. We will continue these discussions with the Administrators and the Federal Government.
“We will always act in the best interests of the people of NSW. Any measures the NSW Government takes are aimed and keeping business in business and people in jobs.”
Virgin Australia Group’s Board of Directors appointed representatives of Deloitte as voluntary administrators of Virgin Australia to recapitalise the business and help it emerge in a stronger financial position on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis.
Virgin Australia will continue to operate a limited schedule of international and domestic flights to transport essential workers, maintain freight corridors, and return Australians home. The administrators will be supported by the Group’s current management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Paul Scurrah. Velocity Frequent Flyer, while owned by the Group, is a separate company and is not in administration.
Read the full statement from Virgin Australia.
RESIDENTS URGED TO BE VIGILANT ABOUT HOME FIRE SAFETY
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is encouraging residents across the state to be vigilant about home fire safety in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March, there were 163 house fires in NSW, one-in-five homes having no working smoke alarms, with a total 14 injuries. Thirty-eight per cent were caused by unattended cooking, which accounted for six injuries.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said that residents should be extra vigilant about home fire safety with the majority of NSW residents following health authority advice and either working from home or staying home.
“As more people begin to work from home and now that we are moving into the colder months of the year, it is even more important that residents be conscious about home fire safety,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“We assure the community that the current situation will not impact our frontline emergency response and that we remain prepared for anything at any time.”
FRNSW has provided the following tips for fire safety in the home:
- Smoke alarms double the chance of survival – regularly check your alarm is working
- Keep looking when cooking – do not leave cooking unattended at any time
- Make sure you keep candles, oil/incense burners and heaters away from flammable items
- NEVER use outdoor heaters, barbecues or charcoal pits inside your home due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning
- Don’t overload power points and powerboards
- Check electric blankets to ensure they are not faulty.
