Relief package announced for hard hit NSW businesses

Small businesses, tourism operators, and hospitality venues hit hard by the NSW lockdowns will be able to access grants of up to $10,000 as part of a state government relief package.

Grants of up to $10,000 will go to small businesses, tourism operators, and hospitality venues hit hard by the lockdown as part of a state government tourism package worth “hundreds of millions” of dollars.

The Mine and Discover voucher program will also be extended for a month, with patrons able to use their $25 food vouchers on takeaway.

Payments to businesses will be made available from July 19, with different amounts provided depending on decline in turnover: $10,000 for a 70 per cent drop in turnover, $7,000 for a 50 per cent drop, and $5,000 for a 30 per cent drop in turnover.

“This is rapid relief for every business across the state to help them through this period,” Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced relief for business today along with a $10.3 million package to support to rough sleepers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Businesses across the state will be eligible for support grants if they fit into certain categories:

Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees which have a turnover of more than $75,000 but less than $1.2 million at July 1 2020, or

Tourism or hospitality businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 but below $10 million at July 1 2020.

“We will also be deferring any payroll tax liabilities and gaming tax liabilities for hotels, for the July period into August,” Mr Perrottet said.

A $10.3 million package will also provide support to rough sleepers.

NSW residents who are still yet to use their Dine and Discover vouchers will be able to spend their two $25 food vouchers on takeaway and delivery direct from the restaurant. Delivery platforms like UberEats will not be included.

The voucher program will now expire on August 31, the second time the scheme has been extended.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro welcomed the package, which will be available in the regions.

“This latest outbreak has coincided with school holidays when a lot of regional areas were counting on more visitors to help boost local economies,” Mr Barilaro said.

“These grants will help many get through the winter, and just like after the bushfires, the floods and the first wave of COVID-19, the regions will lead NSW out the other side.”

Empty King St, Newtown. Hospitality businesses hit by the lockdown can benefit from relief grants and an extension of Dine and Discover Vouchers. Picture: Adam Yip

Restaurant and Catering Australia CEO Wes Lambert welcomed the support package, which he said would “help thousands of small restaurants and cafes recover from this current lockdown”.

Changes to the Dine and Discover program means that “thousands of families and households across Sydney have the ability to help their local hospitality business today,” Mr Lambert said.

“With tens of millions of vouchers still unspent, the message is this – get out and spend your vouchers.

“Help these businesses stay afloat and help them continue to employ staff. They need your help,” he said.

The state government small business grants are going to prove a “lifeline” for cafe and venue owners like Marrickville‘s Charles Cameron.

Mr Cameron was staring down the barrel of a bleak fortnight as Sydney‘s lockdown began, forced to let go half of his 20 staff at Matinee Coffee as business dwindled to just takeaway for Inner West locals.

But following the Treasurer‘s announcement of relief, Mr Cameron’s coffee shop will now be eligible for a $7,000 grant after his turnover halved following lockdown measures.

“It‘s a welcome relief, we don’t know how long this will go on for but I can look at the next fortnight now and go ”Okay, we’ll survive this”,” Mr Cameron said.

“It‘s great they’ve announced these relief packages, it will go a long way to soften the blow (of lockdown), whether it’s covering overhead business costs or replenishing savings we’re dipping into to make it.”