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NSW GOVERNMENT BACKS BUSINESSES -
BILLIONS IN TAX RELIEF AND NEW JOB FUND
The NSW Government today released the second stage of its economic stimulus package aimed at keeping people in jobs, helping businesses and supporting the state’s most vulnerable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key elements of the NSW COVID-19 stage two package include:
Keeping people in jobs and helping businesses stay afloat
- The creation of a $1 billion Working for NSW fund to sustain business, create new jobs and retrain employees. The fund is already being put into action with 1000 new staff for Service NSW announced this week to be funded by the program. The Working for NSW fund will comprise $750 million in new funding and $250 million announced last week for additional cleaning services.
- Deferral of payroll tax for business with payrolls over $10 million for six months (up to $4 billion deferred). Businesses with payrolls of $10 million or less received a three-month waiver on payroll tax in the first package. These businesses will now get an additional three month deferral as well.
- Deferral of gaming tax for clubs, pubs and hotels, and lotteries tax for six months, conditional on these funds being used to retain staff. This improves liquidity and helps these businesses stay afloat.
- Deferral of the parking space levy for six months.
- Deferral of rents for six months for commercial tenants with less than 20 employees in all Government-owned properties.
In terms of supporting the state’s most vulnerable, the NSW Government will provide a boost in funding to prevent homelessness, grow the Energy Accounts Payments Assistance Scheme, support charities and extend Lifeline’s operations.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government’s package will support employment, provide relief for business and protect those most in need.
“We will do whatever it takes to help businesses stay afloat so that they can hold onto as many jobs as possible as we get through this crisis. We will also be there to support those most vulnerable to ensure no one is left behind,” Deputy Premier Barilaro said.
Last week the State Government announced a $2.3 billion funding package which included a $700 million to boost health and $1.6 billion for tax cuts and job creation.
SUPPORT CHANNELS FOR NSW RESIDENTS NOW AVAILABLE
This week, the NSW Government also launched two updated resources for residents and businesses to provide current health guidance and a range of advice and support on non-health related COVID-19 enquiries:
- A dedicated helpline: 13 77 88
- A web portal with extensive resources on COVID-19: nsw.gov.au
ADDITIONAL SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES
The Commonwealth, and individual States and Territories continue to introduce new measures to slow the spread of the virus.
Today, the Prime Minister announced that the National Cabinet had determined all returning travellers arriving in Australia will be quarantined in hotels or accommodation facilities for 14 days, rather than self-isolating at home. This will come into effect from no later than Saturday 28 March at 11.59pm.
This week, new NSW Public Health Orders advise that caravan and camping parks must be closed (effective midnight Wednesday 25 March) except for the purpose of accommodating permanent residents of the caravan park. Read the Orders re: public gatherings here.
Destination NSW is liaising with the Government to fully understand this Order and protect people who travel without a fixed address, or people who are in the process of returning home. Please note people who have no permanent place of residence are permitted to stay in caravan parks as per the Order.
Further, several States and Territories have restricted border crossing this week to reduce movement between jurisdictions and, subsequently, reduce the risk of community infection. NSW has not introduced any border restrictions to date. For a summary of all border restrictions in place, see the Office of the NSW Border Commissioner advice.
Photo: Ivanhoe-Menindee Road, Ivanhoe
EXPERIENCE NSW IN YOUR OWN HOME
Despite the temporary closure of some of the state's tourism attractions, the industry is showing its resilience and creativity by giving arm chair travellers the opportunity to experience some of NSW’s best tourism offerings in the comfort of their own homes.
While travellers are being encouraged to plan now for future holidays in NSW, operators are enticing them through the world of virtual reality.
Below are some of the many clever ideas which operators have developed. Be sure to check out next week’s edition of Insights for more ideas on how you can support your industry colleagues and local businesses.
- Gin Lane Chippendale: Friday after work drinks are still a thing, with the founder of Gin Lane and Blossom Bar, @grantcollinsdrinks, hosting virtual cocktail making classes via Instagram and Facebook every Friday from 3pm.
- Wildlife Sydney: Families and animal lovers can still see some of Australia’s best wildlife with the operator running daily live streams across their social media channels.
- Blue Gingers Picnics: Award-winning Blue Ginger Picnics is offering a selection of the finest produce from NSW North Coast delivered right to your door.
- Centennial Vineyards: Famous for their cool-climate wines, Centennial Vineyards has a special offer for those wanting to stock up on their wine collection. Shoppers will receive a $50 discount off each dozen purchased. (Use code COVID-19, offer available until 3 April 2020).
If you know of more, 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 further inspiration.
SYDNEY TO HOST 2022 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP
NSW Government and Basketball Australia have won the bid to host the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney.
The Australian Opals were runners up in the 2018 event in Spain and will now have the opportunity to go one better when Sydney Olympic Park hosts the esteemed international tournament in September and October 2022, bringing together 12 nations for 38 games in the harbour city.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said it would be the first time Australia has hosted a FIBA World Cup event in 25 years.
“Sydney will provide a fantastic backdrop for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022, from our world-class sporting facilities to the sights and lifestyle experiences our Harbour City has to offer visitors and viewers from around the globe,” Minister Ayres said.
“This event supports the NSW Government’s commitment to secure 10 World Cups in 10 years and will deliver a significant return for the NSW economy through visitation and profile.
“I have no doubt the Australian public will strongly support the tournament and, as a nation with a proud multicultural community, I’m sure all the participating nations will feel right at home in Sydney during this major event.”
The decision was made by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Central Board overnight. As the host nation, the Australian Opals will compete against 11 of the best teams from across FIBA’s regions – Asia & Oceania, Americas, Africa and Europe.
Read the full announcement.
CAMP AT HOME HEROES PREPARE FOR EASTER
Keen caravan and camping fans are being encouraged to keep the magic alive this Easter by enjoying a different kind of holiday at home. The Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) has launched a 'Camp At Home Heroes' campaign to inspire the travel community to think outside the box and embrace the fun, educational and family connection that comes with caravan and camping experiences. CIAA data shows more than 300,000 Australians usually go camping over Easter Weekend but this year they suggest a holiday at home could mean ‘a backyard tent, a caravan in the driveway, or even a home-made cubby in the living room’. To get involved, families are encouraged to visit the Let’s Go Caravan and Camping Facebook page for competitions and tips to camp at home and to share videos and images with the tag #holidayathome #campathomeheroes
NSW NPWS CLOSE CAMPGROUNDS
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will temporarily close all campgrounds, high visitation areas and historic sites across NSW until further notice, in response to tighter Australian and NSW Government health directives on social distancing and non-essential travel to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the wider community. The following closures will take effect:
- Campgrounds closed in line with the Government Public Health Order from 26 March 2020
- Visitor centres, cafes and high visitation areas will be closed from 26 March 2020
- Historic sites will be closed from 26 March 2020 (except for permanent residents)
All visitors with bookings impacted by the closures will be contacted to arrange full refunds.
For a full list of impacted High Visitation Areas please visit nswparks.info/covid19.
All roads through national parks remain open and most walking tracks and trails will also remain open.
#LOVENSW WITH YOUR VIRTUAL COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS
As the community adjusts to a ‘new normal’, many people are now working from home, conducting meetings remotely and connecting with friends via virtual platforms. If you are using Zoom, why not take friends and colleagues on a virtual holiday to your region or favourite place in NSW by updating your Zoom video call background? You can enjoy a new location everyday by uploading your personal photos, or you can source a photo of a place that represents your #LoveNSW from Destination NSW’s Content Library - it’s free to register and download spectacular imagery from across the state. See this simple guide from Shutterstock on how to update a Zoom background.
