APPLICATIONS OPEN - BE PART OF GROUNDBREAKING NSW MUSIC EVENTMusic venues across the state can now apply for support to host a gig as part of NSW’s industry-leading new music event, Great Southern Nights, in November. Venues from Tamworth to Tumbarumba, Byron Bay to Bermagui are encouraged to submit a live music event to be included in the program of 1,000 COVID-safe gigs. Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Australian-first initiative had already attracted widespread industry support. “The response to Great Southern Nights has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that this game-changing event will have a huge impact on many industries which is why we want 50 per cent of gigs to be in regional NSW and the other half in greater Sydney,” Minister Ayres said. Venues must be able to demonstrate they have previously hosted gigs and put forward their suggested talent when applying to be in the program. Venues can submit a maximum of four gigs for consideration, and successful applicants will receive financial support to contract talent and deliver their event. The NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW is working in partnership with ARIA to deliver the event, in consultation with an industry steering committee comprised of
representatives from APRA AMCOS, Live Music Office, Music NSW, the Australian Hotels Association NSW, PPCA, Clubs NSW and the Australia Council for the Arts. ARIA chief executive officer Dan Rosen said music was integral to Australian culture. “There are so many amazing live music venues and Australian artists that are ready to reconnect with music fans and bring entertainment back to the people,” Mr Rosen said. Headline artists already secured for Great Southern Nights are (in alphabetical order) Jimmy Barnes, Birds of Tokyo, Missy Higgins, The Jungle Giants, Paul Kelly, Thelma Plum, The Presets, Amy Shark, Tash Sultana, The Teskey Brothers, Tones and I and The Veronicas with further announcements to follow soon. Applications close on Friday 14 August. Venues are reminded to complete their COVID-Safe plan and register as COVID-safe via NSW.gov.au/covid-19/covid-safe-businesses. Read the full media release, and apply to be part of the program at greatsouthernnights.com.au
SERVICE NSW CUSTOMER CHECK-IN SOLUTION
A STEP CLOSERThe Service NSW app is being retooled to include a QR code to allow customers to check in at hospitality venues across NSW, ensuring contact tracers can quickly access customer details and keep people safe. A trial will be conducted at hospitality venues in Dubbo and those owned by Merivale from this week, prompting customers to use the Service NSW app to check-in on arrival. Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the technology would make life easier for business and customers. “Digital record keeping is a no brainer – it’s safer, saves time and helps officials for contact tracing purposes,” Mr Dominello said. “Any registered COVID Safe business will be issued a unique QR code which customers can scan using their Service NSW app. It will also be used for customer and staff check-ins in over 100 Service NSW Centres across the state. “This automatically captures the date, time and location, and securely stores them on a Service NSW database for 28 days for the sole purpose of COVID tracing in the event of an outbreak.” The purpose of the trial is to test and refine the technology to ensure it delivers the best experience for customers and businesses while aiding the work of the NSW Health contact tracing team. More than five million customers have a MyServiceNSW Account and approximately 1.7 million customers
already have the Service NSW app on their mobile phone. NSW businesses are reminded to complete a COVID-safety plan, register their business as COVID-safe and observe the health advice regarding physical distancing, hygiene and staying home if unwell. For the latest health and Government advice visit NSW.gov.au, or find out more about the advantages of using QR codes for customer check in.
HEALTH ADVICE UPDATE ON MASKSThe NSW Government is strongly encouraging greater use of masks in high-risk public settings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The advice from the NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant specifically recommends: - The use of face masks in indoor settings where physical distancing is hard to maintain, such as on public transport or in supermarkets
- The use of face masks (where
practical) in indoor settings with a higher risk of transmission, such as for the staff of hospitality and customer-facing venues i.e. cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs; and
- During attendance at places of worship
Wearing a mask in any of these settings is not mandatory but is highly recommended, especially in areas where there has been community transmission. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said masks should be considered a “fourth line of defence” after staying home if unwell and getting tested, maintaining 1.5-metre social distancing and good hand hygiene. Australian supermarkets Coles and Woolworths are strongly encouraging shoppers to wear masks when visiting some
stores, along with maintaining social distancing. For more information, visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19/face-masks
CHANGES TO JOBKEEPER ELIGIBILITY - MORE BUSINESSES TO ACCESS SUPPORTOn 21 July, the Australian Government extended the JobKeeper Payment and the Coronavirus Supplement for those impacted by COVID-19. JobKeeper Payments will be extended by six months to 28 March 2021, and the Coronavirus Supplement will be extended until 31 December 2020. Both payments will have adjusted rates and people must meet eligibility requirements, some of which will be updated. Today, the Australian Government announced
further changes to the JobKeeper Payment to adjust the reference date for determining employee eligibility and make it easier for organisations to qualify for the JobKeeper Payment extension. These payments are also available to new eligible participants. For the latest information about JobKeeper and other support, visit Treasury.gov.au
SUPPORT FOR BUSHFIRE-IMPACTED SMALL BUSINESSES EXTENDEDSupport has been extended for bushfire-impacted small businesses across NSW with grant applications now remaining open until 15 December through the Small Business Assistance Program. Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said communities recovering from the recent bushfires will have more time to apply for the hugely successful small business grants without the stress of missing out. “Last season’s bushfires were unprecedented and the support offered by the NSW Government needed to match,” Mr
Barilaro said. “The $10,000 and $50,000 small business grants have resulted in around $240 million being paid out to small businesses, putting money directly into the pockets of those enterprises most in need across the state. The assistance program will remain open until the end of the year and can be accessed via Service NSW. The concessional loans program for small businesses will also be extended. The below financial aid programs have been extended and will take applications until 15 December 2020: - $10,000 Small Business Bushfire Support Grants
- Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grants of up to $50,000 for businesses directly impacted by bushfire
- Bushfire Recovery Loan of up to $500,000
For information and to apply, contact Service NSW online or via 13 77 88.
PORT MACQUARIE TO HOST TOURISM CONFERENCE IN 2021Port Macquarie may attract more than 160 tourism professionals in 2021 after its winning bid to host Local Government NSW’s (LGNSW) annual Tourism and Economic Development Conference next March. LGNSW President Linda Scott said helping the regional tourism industry recover would be high on the agenda at next year’s conference. “Tourism is a vital industry in NSW, especially our regions, which are home to some of the world’s most stunning attractions,” Cr Scott said. “This
year we’re acknowledging the vital role councils play not just in tourism but also in economic development, encouraging and creating the conditions for appealing, vibrant and sustainable communities and strong local economies. “Developing a strong and diverse visitor economy is just one aspect of that. Whether the local economy is based on tourism, hospitality, retail, education or other offerings, councils are actively involved in encouraging investment, place management and activation and supporting businesses of all sizes. “Port Macquarie is a fantastic tourism destination in NSW, with a range of attractions including a 9km coastal walk, eight beaches, scenic lookouts, the Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park and the world-famous Koala Hospital,” Cr Scott said. “It is home to excellent local tourism businesses that have provided an outstanding example of how to pivot in a crisis when the area’s operators adjusted their offerings to visitors following the impacts of bushfires and COVID-19.” Find out more about the 2021 LGNSW Tourism and Economic Development Conference, to be held March 15-17.
LORD HOWE ISLAND COVID-19 RESTRICTIONSThe Public Health Order restricting travel to Lord Howe Island has been extended until 31 August. Anyone wishing to access Lord Howe Island will continue to need approval and will be subject to a 14-day quarantine period. Those arriving before 31 August will need to complete their full 14-day quarantine, meaning that some quarantine periods could continue until 14 September. Both Qantas and Eastern Air Services are directly managing visitors who previously booked flights but may now be able to arrive on-island.
$250 MILLION BOOST FOR PUBLIC SPACESCouncils across NSW will have the opportunity to deliver new and improved public spaces for their local communities through a $250 million NSW Government COVID-19 recovery program. Local councils that focus on fast-tracking development assessments for projects that deliver much-needed jobs and housing will be eligible for up to $5.5 million each in funding for parklands, town squares and main streets. Councils are encouraged to consider legacy projects such as new parks, walking trails and more walkable and inviting streets and open spaces for the community. The NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program is only available to the 68 councils currently participating in the e-planning system.
THREDBO ALL WHITE FOR VISITORSPopular ski-field Thredbo has had a positive week with 10cm of fresh snow on Wednesday and more powder forecast for the weekend. Storms are expected to bring 60-80cm of fresh snow over the weekend, serving up windblown powder stashes right across the mountain. Lift passes are still available until the end of the season and visitors are reminded they must book ahead before visiting Thredbo or any NSW ski resort. For more information about the 2020 ski season, go to VisitNSW.com.
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