Council votes down fee relief for businesses battling through lockdown

Brisbane City Council has voted down a motion for small business financial relief with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner saying the best way to support local businesses is to get the outbreak under control.

Brisbane City Council has voted down an urgency motion for small business financial relief as Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner responded to Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick “having a crack” at local governments.

Councilors on Tuesday voted 18 to five against the motion from Cr Jared Cassidy which came after the state government on Monday announced $5,000 payments to small and medium businesses affected by the current COVID-19 lockdown.

Cr Schrinner during Tuesday’s ordinary meeting said the state government support didn’t come without criticism of other levels of government.

“…unfortunately the Treasurer couldn’t help but have a crack at local councils,” Cr Schrinner said.

Mr Dick on Monday had called on all the councils in the 11 affected local government areas to implement their own assistance measures for businesses.

“This could include councils contributing to supporting business cash flows and viability through the waiving of rates, fees and charges paid by small businesses, or by providing a co-contribution towards the Queensland Government’s business support grant program,” he said.

Cr Schrinner said he had no doubt Mr Dick’s funding announcement was the motivation behind Cr Cassidy questioning the mayor about business support during the ordinary meeting.

“We see the treasurer being fixated on the strong financial position that Brisbane is in, looking at his own books which are diabolical, and being envious of the Brisbane City Council balance sheet,” Cr Schrinner said.

“.... that balance sheet is only strong because of responsible financial management over a long period of time and we intend to keep it strong.

“We will do that by offering targeted support where we can but also acknowledging that local government only collects 3 per cent of taxation across the nation.

“The other taxation, the vast majority is collected by state and federal governments so they should rightly be stepping up and supporting our community and businesses in their time of need.”

Lord Mayer Adrian Schrinner. Pics Tara Croser.

Cr Cassidy said fee relief from the council for small business was a matter of urgency because residents were worried about how to make ends meet.

He said the same businesses which received support from the council in 2020 were being “slugged” with council fees and charges after taking up new permits.

“We need to, as a community, work together through this Covid-19 pandemic to make sure we come out the other side,” Cr Cassidy said.

Cr Nicole Johnston joined Cr Cassidy, Cr Charles Strunk, Cr Kara Cook and Cr Steve Griffiths in voting for new fee relief for small businesses.

Cr Sri abstained from the vote while Cr Fiona Cunningham and Cr Angela Owen were absent.

The other 18 councillors present at the virtual meeting voted against the motion.

“Governments can throw money around, they can take borrowings and throw money at a problem but in the end the only sustainable way of supporting local businesses is to get the breakout under control and end the lockdown,” Cr Schrinner said.

“The sooner that happens, the better.”

The council on Tuesday switched off all parking meters and reduced the daily cost of its King George Square and Wickham Terrace car parks to $5 to help make travel easier for essential workers.