First look: All the details of council’s financial lifeline to COVID impacted businesses
The council has revealed its $3 million “buy local/play local” rewards package for Gold Coast residents as the city’s economy struggles to recover from COVID lockdowns.
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THE council is delivering a $3 million “buy local/play local” rewards package for Gold Coast residents as the city’s economy struggles to recover from COVID lockdowns.
Councillors voted on the package, previously confidential, after going into closed session at a full council meeting on Tuesday.
The relief package was developed after the Bulletin sent several questions to Mayor Tom Tate aware that the Brisbane City Council had considered, and rejected, an urgent motion for financial relief for its own businesses
Mayor Tom Tate told the Bulletin: “City businesses, particularly in hospitality, retail, arts and tourism, urgently need support given their key interstate markets — Melbourne and Sydney — remain locked out.”
“At the same time, we must respect ratepayers’ funds so the best way to ensure maximum local return on our initiative is through this ‘buy local/play local’ program.
“We have today voted to approve a $3 million voucher program that will be managed through DestinationGC. This will complement the existing partnership that DGC has with Tourism Events Queensland (TEQ) for the broader Holiday Dollars package.’’
Councillors voted on up to 60,000 vouchers being offered at $50 each — about $3 million.
Cr Tate said he expected the city’s program would be ready for public release in two weeks, which was “perfect timing given the TEQ/DGC Holiday Dollars program ends in September”.
“The basis is that 60,000 locals can receive a $50 voucher to spend across thousands of local businesses. The voucher would be activated when the purchase is $100 or more, so effectively a 50 per cent discount on dining, accommodation, tours, art experiences and even retail shopping,” he said.
“Proof of local residency will be managed through DGC along the same rules that apply to the Holiday Dollar package.’’
Mayor Tate said council had agreed to further extend key components of the 2020-2021 relief package for small business.
These measures include:
* Waiving fees for al fresco dining (since 2020, the al fresco dining package has saved 330 businesses $1.28 million in fees);
* Establishing more flexible payment plans for water and rates accounts (including accounts for residents who have a business property and residential property);
* Waive interest on outstanding fees including film application and development applications.
Other new measures agreed today include:
* Flexible payment arrangements for all ratepayers who need support with no penalty interest to apply including suspension of any new rate recovery action until 31 January 2022;
* One month free hire of City Community centres for small business, community group and essential service hirers; and
* Commercial vessel permit fee waivers.
“We are also directing our City Business Engagement officers to support small businesses across the City to assist them to access Federal and State grants,’’ Mayor Tate said
“These grants are wide ranging and often, small businesses are unaware of them so I encourage every small business who feel they may be eligible for a grant to contact our officers.’’
The City has also voted to spend $90,000 to provide a free digital growth training program to eligible accommodation providers.
“This measure will give small accommodation providers who may not have the skills to maximise their digital platforms the support they need,’’ he said.
“We have more than 66,000 small business owners in our city and many are mum-and-dad family operations. These people have put their hearts and souls into their enterprise and we must do everything we can to help.’’
A State Government package announced on Tuesday includes $70 million business booster —$50m set aside for the tourism and hospitality industry, and $20m for a “COVID-19 cleaning rebate” to help the business sector
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