Industry Update – April
Hello
We know it has been an incredibly difficult few months for everyone in Clarence Valley. We will do everything within our control to continue to provide vital services, the latest information and support our local businesses and industry.
Things are changing quickly, to find the latest information and advice on COVID-19 (coronavirus) for community and businesses in NSW visit the NSW Government COVID-19 Website.
Stay up to date on how we are responding to emerging issues and our service levels by visiting our website
Clarence Business Plan Act Rebuild
In case you missed the email last week, we have support to offer you as a business and it’s free.
It comes in three forms:
NUMBER 1 – 1-on-1 personalised support with a dedicated small business specialist
NUMBER 2 – From the Couch buy local campaign
NUMBER 3 – Clarence Valley Grant Finder
Find support for your business via the Business Concierge service
If your business has been impacted by the NSW bushfires and/or COVID-19, contact the Service NSW Business Concierge.
They’ll identify the specific support and services available to your business, including relevant grants.
The NSW Government has also recently announced a range of payroll tax cuts for small businesses as part of their NSW COVID-19 economic stimulus package. More info here
To be connected to the Service NSW Business Concierge call 13 77 88 or request a call back at their website.
Federal Government Support for Businesses
A range of Federal Government relief assistance, support and resources are available to help businesses deal with the financial impacts of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Businesses can visit business.gov.au to find out about the range of support available to small and medium businesses.
SafeWork NSW advice for Businesses Safework NSW has developed advice to assist NSW businesses, both large and small, to manage increasing risks of exposure of workers and others to COVID-19 in the workplace, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Banks Announce Small Business Relief Package
Australian banks will defer loan repayments for small businesses affected by COVID-19 for six months.
Other assistance includes:
● A deferral of scheduled loan repayments
● Waiving fees and charges
● Interest-free periods or no interest rate increases
● Debt consolidation to help make repayments more manageable.
New $10,000 small business bushfire recovery grant
The NSW and Commonwealth governments have announced a new $10,000 grant for bushfire affected small businesses. It’s for businesses that have experienced a significant decline in revenue due to the recent bushfires.
So far 275 of businesses in Clarence Valley have been successful since the program was first announced on 17 March 2020.
The application process was designed to be as simple as possible. It does not require you to upload documents as evidence.
Apply and find more information through the Service NSW Bushfire Customer Care line, 13 77 88, and website.
Changes to Regional Event grants for bushfire and drought-affected communities
The restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings had had a flow-on effect to the Regional Event grants program. The program is still open for applications but the closing dates for applications will be extended.
The grants are part of the NSW Government’s $10 million Tourism Recovery package to support community organisers host a range of sporting, arts, cultural and lifestyle events.
Visa extensions for seasonal workers and working holiday makers
The Commonwealth Government is making temporary changes to visa arrangements to help farmers access the workforce they need to secure Australia’s food and produce supply during the coronavirus.
Before moving to other parts of the country, working holiday makers will need to self-isolate for 14 days and register at the Australia.gov.au website. Those who do not comply will face having their visas cancelled.
Reminder: Black Summer Innovation Program grants close soon
The Black Summer Innovation Program is a fund provided by Food Innovation Australia Limited designed to help small and medium businesses, who have been affected by national natural catastrophe events or global disease outbreaks (in 2019 or 2020).
Grants of up to $25,000 are available to Australian food and agribusinesses geographically located in and affected by drought, flood, fire, African Swine Flu and coronavirus epidemic.
Applications close 9 April 2020.
