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'Unprecedented emergency': City of Sydney unveils crisis relief package for businesses
By Matt Bungard
The City of Sydney will provide rent relief, refunds for venue fees and advertising bookings, and cover the cost of closed facilities so casuals are paid in the first phase of a plan to support the city's businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
On Friday evening, the City of Sydney signed off on the 'Business, Arts and Creative Support package', allocating $25 million to support various measures.
"The health and wellbeing of our communities is paramount": lord mayor Clover Moore.Credit: Janie Barrett
"This is an unprecedented health emergency," said lord mayor Clover Moore.
"We stand ready to support our residents, businesses, cultural and vulnerable communities through this challenging time."
The City of Sydney has committed to covering staff and operational costs for all aquatic centres for the next two weeks, and waiving outdoor dining fees. Using a footpath without a permit will not be fined. Mandatory health inspections will continue, without fees.
Parking rangers have to use discretion and only issue parking fines or other penalties if there is an imminent public or environmental health or safety risk.
“Over the past two months, the City has been working with NSW Health to ensure we respond urgently and effectively to the spread of COVID-19,” Ms Moore said.
“The health and wellbeing of our communities is paramount, but we are also very concerned about businesses experiencing a significant downturn in patrons, and people left without work."
The City of Sydney will also work with major business partners and contractors, whether or not services continue to be provided in their current form, "to support them as much as possible so they can continue to pay their staff during this period and maintain business continuity in the long term".
Earlier this week, Premier Gladys Berejiklian unveiled the state's $2.3 billion stimulus plan.
An additional $700 million will be pumped into the health system to improve its capacity to respond to the emergency, with an assortment of measures to help businesses survive and support employment.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet says that it equates to an average saving of $15,000 between now and the end of June for businesses that qualify.
"Our package is intended to have the maximum impact in the shortest possible time. We want to get this money out the door quickly," Mr Perrottet said.