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$10,000 GRANTS TO PROVIDE FAST RELIEF FOR
NSW SMALL BUSINESSES BATTLING COVID-19
Thousands of small businesses across NSW struggling to cope with the COVID-19 shutdown will receive grants of up to $10,000 under a new assistance scheme announced today by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope.
The NSW Government will put $750 million into the Small Business Support Fund as the centrepiece of a third wave of support measures to keep small businesses afloat.
“This is about getting cash into small businesses when they are struggling right now in the face of an unprecedented situation,” Ms Berejiklian said.
"These grants will provide a big boost, and we will make the application process easy to ensure small businesses can receive some cash-flow as soon as possible to meet pressing needs.”
Mr Perrottet said the fund was designed to provide help fast and would benefit tens of thousands of businesses across NSW.
“Many local cafés, restaurants, corner shops, gyms and small accommodation providers will be eligible to apply,” Mr Perrottet said.
“This is real, rapid relief for tens of thousands of businesses and it will help ensure many businesses that are not eligible for payroll tax waivers and deferrals can live to trade another day.”
To be eligible, businesses will need to:
- Have between 1-19 employees and a turnover of more than $75,000;
- A payroll below the NSW Government 2019-20 payroll tax threshold of $900,000;
- Have an Australian Business Number as at 1 March 2020, be based in NSW and employ staff as at 1 March 2020;
- Be highly impacted by the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 issued on 30 March 2020;
- Use the funding for unavoidable business costs such as utilities, overheads, legal costs and financial advice;
- Provide appropriate documentation upon application.
Applications for a small business grant of up to $10,000 will be available through Service NSW within a fortnight and remain open until 1 June 2020.
The Australian Government has also released a series of fact sheets on the JobKeeper Payment to assist businesses, sole traders and employees understand the process and benefits that are available. For further information visit the Treasury website, or download the fact sheets for:
FUNDING BOOST TO SUPPORT AUSTRALIAN EXPORTERS AND TOURISM BUSINESSES
The Australian Government will inject an extra $49.8 million into the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program in the 2019-20 financial year, allowing exporters and tourism businesses to get additional reimbursements for costs incurred in marketing their products and services around the world.
Federal Trade and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the funding boost would provide much needed relief and a timely cash flow injection for those exporters and tourism businesses within the scheme who were doing it tough.
“We recognise the current COVID-19 crisis is placing immense pressure on Australian exporters and tourism businesses,” Minister Birmingham said.
“The EMDG scheme has been a popular vehicle to support the costs associated in reaching new markets… It means businesses within the scheme who have spent their own money to market and grow Australian exports will receive more of that money back, up to 50 per cent of their total eligible marketing expenses.
“This investment addresses the reality that businesses invested in good faith to lift Australia’s exports, but are unlikely to see immediate return on those investments. These entrepreneurial and outward looking businesses will be crucial to our future economic recovery.”
EMDG funding is now at its highest level in more than 20 years, reaching $207.7 million for the 2019-20 financial year.
This support is in addition to other measures announced to help small and medium businesses manage cash flow challenges and retain employees such as increasing the instant asset write-off, cash payments of up to $100 000 and supporting apprentices.
The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme is a key Government financial assistance program to help aspiring and current exporters grow their business overseas. Last year alone, almost 4000 Small and Medium Enterprises accessed the EMDG scheme, employing almost 70,000 Australians and generating exports worth $3.8 billion.
Further information on the EMDG scheme and how to apply can be found at Austrade.
NEW DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL NSW TO TAKE ON URGENT NEEDS OF THE BUSH
This week the NSW Government established a new Department of Regional NSW to better coordinate support for communities, businesses and farmers in the bush that have endured drought, bushfire and flood and now face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the department will bring together Primary Industries, Local Land Services, Resources and Geoscience and regional coordination across government to form a central agency dedicated to regional issues.
“We are urgently responding to the desperate needs of people in the regions and this new agency will work to ensure community wellbeing, resilient economies and strong key regional industries,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We know that the issues faced by the people of Cootamundra are very different to those faced in Coogee and so it is imperative we have a government designed to properly support every corner of this State.
“The new Department of Regional NSW will be a voice in government for people in the bush… helping them to get through hardships many of us have not seen in our time.
“This department will allow a more streamlined response to regional issues as experts in areas such as primary industries, land management, resources, regional development, drought response and bushfire recovery work closer together than ever before.”
Mr Barilaro said the department will drive the delivery of recent bushfire and COVID-19 stimulus and industry recovery packages along with the NSW Government’s drought initiatives, $1.7 billion Regional Growth Fund and $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
AUSTRALIA COUNCIL ANNOUNCES NEW RESILIENCE FUND FOR ARTS
A new $5 million Resilience Fund for artists and arts organisations will open for applications today, offering welcome support to the nation's arts and cultural sector, which has been hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis.
The Australia Council, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body, announced the Resilience Fund this week to address the immediate and enormous challenges the sector is currently experiencing.
The fund will provide immediate relief to Australian artists, arts workers and arts organisations to support their livelihoods, practice and operations.
The 2020 Resilience Fund includes three streams:
- Survive - small grants for individuals, groups and organisations to offset or recoup financial losses due to cancelled activity
- Adapt - grants for individuals, groups and organisations to adapt their practice and explore new operating models
- Create - grants for individuals, groups and organisations to continue to create artistic work and develop creative responses in a time of disruption
Organisations that currently receive multi-year funding from the Australia Council are not eligible to apply. Artists and organisations that have existing agreements with the Australia Council are encouraged to contact their contract manager to discuss flexible support options at this time.
Applications for the Resilience Fund quick response opportunities open today. For more information visit the Australia Council website.
The Australia Council has also launched a Facebook group - Arts and creative industry: digital support - as a digital support to the industry. Artists and organisations can share and promote content on this new channel, and use it as a professional development resource for those who may not have the technology, skill sets or bandwidth to successfully present and represent their work online through live streaming or other methods.
NSW TOURISM STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS
As the tourism industry navigates this challenging landscape, many operators have found new and exciting ways to captivate audiences. From showcasing music performances online to delivering fresh produce right to your doorstep, businesses across the State are taking advantage of the ‘new normal’ by continuing to educate, inspire and entertain travellers from across Australia and the world:
- Sydney Opera House - From our House to yours: Those at home have been given an exclusive ticket to Sydney Opera House performances with the iconic World Heritage-listed venue unveiling its new digital series. Full-length performances, talks, never-before-seen footage from the venue’s archives and behind-the-scenes content is available on the Sydney Opera House website. Be sure to check the website for new weekly content.
- Printhie Wines, Orange: Brothers Ed and Dave Swift are inviting wine lovers to visit their virtual cellar door as they prepare to showcase their delicious cool-climate wines through tasting sessions on Facebook and Instagram. You can order your Printhie Virtual Wine Pack now and watch the boys live stream their wine expertise every Friday at 4pm.
- Taronga Zoo TV: Taking a trip to the zoo has never been easier with Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo launching its very first Taronga TV. Tune in daily for a packed schedule of fascinating keepers talks and shows, 24/7 live animal streams, amusing animal antics and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at what the animals (and the keepers) actually get up to when the zoo is closed. Taronga TV will release new videos daily on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and online via tarongatv.com.
Destination NSW will continue to feature innovative businesses and attractions in each edition of Insights to inspire others in the sector to consider how they might engage with the community online.
If your business has a virtual tour or online experience you’d like to share with the thousands of readers of Insights, please email product@dnsw.com.au.
If you know of other similar experiences we’ve not promoted here, please join the movement and share them on social media using the hashtag #LoveNSW. Follow VisitNSW (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and Sydney (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) for future holiday inspiration and a showcase of NSW’s best attractions and experiences.
SYDNEY SHINES IN BRITISH VOGUE
Sydney and NSW’s South Coast star in the May edition of British Vogue, released in the UK today.
British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enniful visited Sydney in December in support of Vogue Australia’s 60th birthday celebrations, and took the opportunity to style a fashion editorial with Australian model Adut Akech.
The fashion shoot - Beyond The Horizon - took place near Kiama, just weeks before the summer’s unprecedented bushfires took hold of much of regional NSW.
The feature in British Vogue is a timely reminder to readers about preserving the world’s natural beauty, such as that found exclusively in and around Sydney, Australia.
You can see the full story in the May 2020 issue of British Vogue, on newsstands and available for free digital download today, Friday, April 3 (sign up to the newsletter for details).
NSW SOUTH COAST STARS ON QANTAS TRAVEL INSIDER COVER
A spectacular photo of Hyams Beach on NSW’s South Coast graces the cover of the April edition of Qantas Travel Insider, pointing to a five-page feature on the popular region and its world-class food and wine experiences.
Journalist Alexandra Carlton wrote the article following the bushfires in January to highlight the many experiences and natural beauty the region continues to offer. Destination NSW hosted Qantas Travel Insider on the South Coast in 2019.
The article offers readers a taste of the charm of villages along the South Coast from Culburra Beach to Berry and many in between.
Though the story speaks to the devastation and disruption caused by the bushfires, it also celebrates community, commitment to excellence and the beauty of regional NSW.
Qantas Travel Insider is available to read online and the April edition also includes coverage of Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Snowy Mountains and Riverina that was supported by Destination NSW.
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT AT HAND
The Australian and NSW Governments have a range of resources available to support small and medium businesses during this time of uncertainty and change.
Service NSW has a portal dedicated to helping small businesses navigate the various government support packages, changes to regulations and the free resources that are available.
The key areas of support are:
- Personal support through Service NSW Business Concierge or through Business Connect
- Changes to business trading: restrictions, exemptions and regulations for businesses trading during COVID-19
- Fee waivers and tax assistance
- Grants, loans and financial assistance
- Your employees and apprentices: programs to support the employment of NSW’s workforce
- Mental health and general wellbeing
- Training and education including online courses
- General business support including: free customer communication posters about change of hours, temporary closure and good hygiene practices; link to a free dispute resolution service; advice on free software for small businesses from Atlassian and information about business owner rights regarding commercial rent arrangements
- Online events for business owners such as virtual workshops and webinars about business planning, digital marketing strategies for survival and understanding bank offerings and loan applications in the context of COVID-19
Visit the website to register with the Business Concierge service for personalised support if your business has been impacted by COVID-19 or the NSW bushfires.
MAKE TIME FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Social connection and wellbeing has never been more important as the community adjusts to the many continual changes to daily life at this time.
Mental Health Australia has launched a social media campaign to encourage everyone to look after their mental health through simple steps such as staying connected to family and friends, eating well, sleeping well and exercising.
Mental Health Australia is working with organisations and businesses around the country to promote a series of community-driven ideas to help people keep mentally well during this difficult time.
Start with these five tips, and follow their Facebook page for more ideas:
- Stay active - exercise increases wellbeing and helps reduce symptoms of common mental health concerns. Yoga, Pilates, HIIT routines can be done in a relatively small space and with no equipment, or search the internet for free workout videos and guides
- Eat well - eating a nutritious diet is great for both your physical and mental health
- Connect with others - physical distancing is crucial right now, but social connection is more important than ever. Use technology to talk to your friends and family, using video chats to talk face-to-face where possible. Reach out to your neighbours and community.
- Limit media consumption (and choose trusted sources) - Choose how often you engage with news and social media about the coronavirus, and be sure to find news sources that are trustworthy and factual. Add in some content that makes you laugh wherever possible.
- Try and keep to a routine and make it fun - Keep to a regular routine as much as possible, including exercise, sleep, daily chores, work, recreational activities and connecting with others… and make it fun where you can.
For a full list of support services and contact details: Mental Health Australia
TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE MEDIA MAKE
ADJUSTMENTS DURING COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a widespread impact on the Australian media landscape, forcing many outlets to either suspend or cease publication, or shift the focus of their content.
Several supplements in Nine’s The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review have been suspended, including Sophisticated Traveller, Luxury Magazine and Good Food.
Nine’s Traveller lift-out has also been suspended. However, Traveller will continue to publish inspiring content online to excite readers for when they can take a holiday again. Traveller has also launched a social media campaign “Don’t Dream It’s Over” with the hashtag #travellerAUdream to encourage readers to share their most inspiring travel photos.
News Corp Australia is suspending the print editions of its community newspapers across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia from 9 April due to the decline in advertising revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. The news websites will continue to publish daily online only.
Local Western Sydney newspaper The Western Weekender will suspend its weekly print editions until 8 May, while digital operations will continue as normal.
Across the Tasman, New Zealand’s largest magazine publisher Bauer Media NZ has announced it will close its operations due to the “severe economic impact of COVID-19”. Its titles include The New Zealand Listener, Kia Ora, North & South, Metro, NZ Woman’s Day, New Zealand Woman’s Weekly and The Australian Women’s Weekly NZ.
Meanwhile, other publications have adapted their content, including Time Out which has now become Time In to reflect its new focus on helping people in Sydney find things to see and do while staying indoors. Australian Traveller has also re-assured its readers that, despite the travel restrictions, it will continue to keep them connected through regular updates and inspirational travel posts on its Facebook page.
