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MAJOR NEW COVID-19 SUPPORT PACKAGE TO HELP TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES ACROSS NSW
The NSW Government today announced a major new grants package and changes to the Dine & Discover program to help tens of thousands of small businesses and people across NSW impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions.
The package includes grants of between $5,000 and $10,000 for small businesses, payroll tax deferrals for all employers, an extension of the Dine & Discover program to 31 August and the ability for people to use Dine & Discover vouchers for takeaway delivered directly to their home by the venue itself.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the centrepiece of the package was the small business support grants which would help businesses by alleviating cashflow constraints while trading is restricted. This can be used for business expenses such as rent, utilities and wages, for which no other government support is available.
“We always said we will do whatever it takes to support businesses and keep people in jobs during the pandemic and that is exactly what we are doing,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The current restrictions are in place to protect people and keep the community safe, unfortunately businesses continue to incur costs such as rent, power and lost produce, and this will go some way to lessening that financial pain.”
Three different grant amounts will be available for small businesses depending on the decline in turnover experienced during the restrictions - $10,000 for a 70 per cent decline, $7,000 for a 50 per cent decline and $5,000 for a 30 per cent decline.
The new grants will be available across NSW.
The small business grants will be available for sole traders and non-for-profit organisations, with expanded criteria to assist most hospitality and tourism operators hit hard by the restrictions during school holidays.
Businesses will be able to apply for the grants through Service NSW from later in July and will need to show a decline in turnover across a minimum two-week period after the commencement of major restrictions on June 26.
The grants will be divided into two streams:
1. Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant. Available to businesses and sole traders with a turnover of more than $75,000 per annum but below the NSW Government 2020-21 payroll tax threshold of $1,200,000 as at 1 July 2020.
These businesses must have fewer than 20 full time equivalent employees and an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in New South Wales or be able to demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in New South Wales. (Full criteria will be available in coming days on the Service NSW website).
2. Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 Support Grant. Available to tourism or hospitality businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 and an annual Australian wages bill of below $10 million, as at 1 July 2020.
These business must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in New South Wales or be able to demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in New South Wales. (Full criteria will be available in coming days on the Service NSW website).
Other key elements of the package announced today include:
- Dine & Discover vouchers will be able to be used for takeaway from eligible and registered Dine businesses during the restriction period, but food must be delivered direct to the home by the restaurant or café and not picked up. Dine & Discover vouchers cannot be redeemed for takeaway using third party delivery platforms.
- A further one-month extension of Dine & Discover vouchers until 31 August 2021 to allow people more time to use them.
- More than $11 million for increased support for people at risk of homelessness plus assistance to vulnerable temporary visa holders, asylum seekers and refugees.
- An optional deferral of payroll tax payments due in July 2021 and the deferral of hotel June quarter gaming machine tax, with the Chief Commissioner of State Revenue able to provide for appropriate repayment arrangements on a case by case basis.
More information on the small business support grants and changes to the Dine & Discover program will be available shortly on the Service NSW website.
MESSAGE FROM DESTINATION NSW CEO
After a tough few days of a continual increase in cases of COVID-19 and more restrictions introduced statewide, today's announcement regarding support for visitor economy businesses is fantastic news.
With restrictions introduced right on the eve of school holidays, we know it’s a particularly difficult situation for everyone in our industry network.
However, today's announcement from Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet will provide some relief for business owners and staff, and shows how the NSW Government is listening to the industry and preparing for recovery.
We still have a way to go, with restrictions introduced by the NSW Government in force until the close of 9 July. We ask you all to follow the directions outlined in the Public Health Order.
Whether you’re in Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, or if you’re in regional NSW, the source of truth for what you can and cannot do is NSW.gov.au/COVID-19.
This website is updated with every adjustment to the Health Orders, and reflects the latest advice from our officials.
Further, new contact sites are regularly added which may have an impact on what you are required to do as a resident or business owner.
Please go to NSW.gov.au/COVID-19 to refamiliarise yourself with the current restrictions, in particular anyone in regional NSW where restrictions changed over the weekend regarding mask wearing indoors including on public transport, and limits on gatherings at home and in venues.
Destination NSW stands with the NSW Government in the health response and we hope that compliance from residents and visitors will ensure we can return to our normal business as soon as possible.
We also remind readers that attending a vaccination appointment is a reason to leave home under the current restrictions if you are well and eligible.
Destination NSW continues to engage with our followers through social media in particular, and we are working on new ways to inspire future visitors through media and digital activities.
Further, we are keen to work with our industry stakeholders to use this time to focus, plan and develop businesses so we are creating a pipeline of opportunities as soon as it is safe to travel again. We will work with stakeholders to assess individual circumstances as they arise and provide guidance and support wherever possible.
Businesses are encouraged to explore the NSW First industry development resources, including the Quick Tips for Tourism Recovery series.
We remain optimistic and energised about coming through this challenging period quickly, and that we will be ready to welcome visitors back for our unbeatable hospitality, experiences and events as soon as possible.
We will continue to provide updates via Insights as the situation evolves, and as always, please let us know if you have any questions.
Take care, be safe and please stay connected during this time.
Steve Cox
UPDATED RESTRICTIONS NOW IN PLACE FOR GREATER SYDNEY & REGIONAL NSW
To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, stay-at-home orders were extended at the weekend across all of Greater Sydney including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour until 11.59pm Friday, 9 July.
Everyone in Greater Sydney must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason. Taking a holiday is not a reasonable excuse.
The reasons community members can leave home include:
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services
- Medical care or compassionate needs (people can leave home to have a COVID-19 vaccination unless you have been identified as a close contact)
- Exercise outdoors in groups of 10 or fewer
- Travel for work or education, where this work or study cannot be completed from home.
Advice for regional NSW (not Greater Sydney which includes Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour)
- Anyone who has been to Greater Sydney since 21 June must follow stay at home orders wherever they are in NSW
- Stay at home orders mean only leave home for essential reasons
- Avoid unnecessary travel to Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour
- Wear a mask at all times in indoor non-residential settings
- Stay informed about case locations and follow Health advice
- Anyone who feels unwell or has even mild symptoms must get tested immediately and self-isolate.
Restrictions applicable to regional NSW
The following restrictions now apply to regional areas:
- Visitors to households are limited to five guests – including children
- Masks are compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events
- Drinking while standing at indoor venues is not allowed
- Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship is not allowed
- Dancing is not allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs
- Dancing is allowed at weddings, but only for the wedding party (no more than 20 people)
- Dance and gym classes are limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn)
- The one person per four square metre rule applies for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals
- Outdoor seated events are limited to 50 per cent seated capacity.
For the latest NSW health advice, please visit NSW.gov.au/COVID-19.
As a result of the update to restrictions, the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly has declared all LGAs in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong to be a “hotspot” for the purposes of support for individuals affected by the lockdown. Destination NSW is seeking clarification on Shellharbour’s eligibility also.
The Australian Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment may be available to Greater Sydney residents who meet the eligibility criteria, but the Government is yet to announce specific measures as a result of the current restrictions. For more information, please visit Services Australia.
UPDATE FOR CARAVAN PARKS AND CAMPING GROUNDS
The Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW (CCIA) has advised caravan parks and camping grounds, including residential land lease communities, in regional NSW may remain open.
For those continuing to operate, the following restrictions apply:
- One person per four square metre rule applies for all indoor and outdoor areas
- Masks are compulsory in all indoor areas except inside dwellings and accommodation (an indoor area is defined as including an area in a building or other structure, whether or not temporary, that has a roof, ceiling or other top covering, but does not include an area with at least 2 sides open to the weather
- Sites are limited to five visitors
- Guests who ordinarily live in Greater Sydney who are already staying in caravan parks and camping grounds before 6pm 26 June 2021 may remain.
Anyone who has been in Greater Sydney on or after 21 June 2021 must follow the stay-at-home orders for a period of 14 days from the date they were last in Greater Sydney.
Further, the Public Health Order has been amended to allow caravan parks and camping grounds (including residential land lease communities) in Greater Sydney to accommodate overnight travellers and people working in the local area while the Order remains in force. Caravan parks and camping grounds in Greater Sydney must not open to members of the public except for the purposes of accommodating:
- Permanent residents of the caravan park or camping ground
- Overnight travellers
- Persons working in the local area
- Other persons who have no place of permanent residence
- Visitors to the persons set out above
Caravan parks and camping grounds are reminded to keep COVID-19 safety plans up to date and comply with requirements to keep a record of all people visiting the premises. Please check NSW.gov.au/COVID-19 for the latest information.
COUNCILS SUPPORTED TO DELIVER VIRTUAL MEETINGS
The NSW Government continues to support local councils to function during the state’s current COVID-19 restrictions, enhancing existing laws to allow them to hold official meetings online up until December this year.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said virtual meetings would help local councils continue to make important decisions on behalf of the community while complying with Public Health Orders and minimising the spread of COVID-19.
“Councils debate and determine important community issues at meetings so it’s vital that this decision making process continues during the current phase of COVID-19 restrictions,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The regulations introduced earlier this year allow councils to meet by audio-visual link to protect councillors, staff and members of the public from COVID-19.
“With residents of Greater Sydney unable to attend a chamber in person because of current stay-at-home orders, councils meeting electronically can still provide public access by livestreaming them so locals can tune in.
“Members of the public are permitted to physically attend council meetings outside of Greater Sydney, however, councils must ensure there is four square metres of space for each resident in attendance including requirements for social distancing and the wearing of face masks.
APPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL TOURISM ACTIVATION FUND OPEN
The NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund remains open, and businesses may wish to consider applying during this period of reduced travel activity.
The Fund supports the development of unique and high impact tourism and events infrastructure that helps to boost local economies, create jobs and ensure visitors to regional NSW have unforgettable experiences that encourage repeat visitation.
The Fund also aims to boost regional tourism and improve the visitor experience for people with a disability in regional NSW by making funding available for:
- The development of unique and high impact visitor experiences
- Visitor accessibility and inclusion enhancements.
The Regional Tourism Activation Fund will be available through two funding streams:
Stream One: Unique and high-impact visitor experiences - Grants between $200,000 and $5 million are available for projects that create unique and high impact visitor experiences for people visiting regional NSW and encourage more people to plan and book holidays in regional areas
Stream Two: Visitor accessibility and inclusion enhancements - Grants between $50,000 and $500,000 are available for projects that improve accessibility and inclusion at unique and high impact tourism destinations and visitor experiences.
For information and to apply, go to NSW.gov.au/RTAFund.
TOURISM INDUSTRY WILL TAKE ANOTHER $6 BILLION HIT OVER SCHOOL HOLIDAY PERIOD
As Greater Sydney experiences a two-week lockdown covering the entirety of the June/July school holidays, Australia’s struggling tourism industry has estimated it will lose over $6 billion according to new economic data commissioned by the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF).
The research undertaken by tourism economists Stafford Strategy revealed Sydney’s latest COVID-19 outbreak and the border restrictions imposed on Sydney and NSW residents would completely decimate the mid-year holiday period with spending predicted to be down by $6.3 billion nationally.
As non-essential businesses across Sydney closed and the majority of Sydneysiders settled in for two weeks at home, the tourism sector in NSW prepared for lost business of $2.1 billion or $153 million a day – almost one third of the total losses predicted nationally for the peak holiday period.
TTF CEO, Margy Osmond, said this was the third school holiday period in a row that an outbreak had forced a lockdown in one of our capital cities and this time around we have increased restrictions throughout NSW ensuring the pain continues for the industry.
“While health remains the number one priority in the management of COVID-19 and TTF commends the management of the crisis particularly by the NSW Government, I’m not sure how much longer we can survive while ever this lack of certainty continues.
“This latest outbreak is proof of how important it is for the vaccination program to be fast-tracked and for all Australians to get the jab.
“Our data shows that in the equivalent 2019 school holidays over 1.7 million Australians travelled domestically but we are predicting the Sydney lockdown will see that number drop drastically by 73 per cent to just over 460,000 travellers.”
