As many local businesses are affected by the current COVID-19 restrictions and lack of school holiday tourism trade, a State Government support package has been welcomed.
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The business support package includes grants of between $5000 and $10,000 for small businesses and payroll tax deferrals for all employers.
The Dine & Discover program has also been extended to August 31 with the ability for people to use the vouchers for takeaway delivered directly to their home by the venue itself.
The new grants are available across the state.
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Northern Tablelands MP, Adam Marshall, said this latest outbreak, coinciding with school holidays, meant businesses were losing out again.
"A lot of regional areas, like ours, were counting on more visitors to help boost local economies," he 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.
"The small business grants will be available for sole traders and non-for-profit organisations, with expanded criteria to assist most hospitality and tourism operators hit hard by the restrictions during school holidays," Mr Marshall said.
"I am incredibly supportive of the extension of the Dine and Discover program to the end of August, giving locals more flexibility to redeem their vouchers on take-away delivered directly to their door.
"Once again the State Government is delivering timely and targeted support to keep businesses in business and people in jobs as we work together to overcome this latest challenge."
Businesses will be able to apply for the grants through Service NSW from later in July and will need to show a decline in turnover across a minimum two-week period after the commencement of major restrictions on June 26.
The grants will be divided into two streams:
1. Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant
Available to businesses and sole traders with a turnover of more than $75,000 per annum but below the NSW Government 2020-21 payroll tax threshold of $1,200,000 as at July 1, 2020. These businesses must have fewer than 20 full time equivalent employees and an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in New South Wales or be able to demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in New South Wales. (Full criteria will be available in coming days on the Service NSW website).
2. Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 Support Grant
Available to tourism or hospitality businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 and an annual Australian wages bill of below $10 million, as at 1 July 2020. These business must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) registered in New South Wales or be able to demonstrate they are physically located and primarily operating in New South Wales. (Full criteria will be available in coming days on the Service NSW website).
Other key elements of the package include:
- Dine & Discover vouchers will be able to be used for takeaway from eligible and registered Dine businesses during the restriction period. Delivery direct to the home by the restaurant or café is recommended. Food may be picked up from venue but check in with QR code is required. Dine & Discover vouchers cannot be redeemed for takeaway using third party delivery platforms.
- A further one-month extension of Dine & Discover vouchers until August 31, 2021 to allow people more time to use them;
- More than $11 million for increased support for people at risk of homelessness plus assistance to vulnerable temporary visa holders, asylum seekers and refugees;
- An optional deferral of payroll tax payments due in July 2021 and the deferral of hotel June quarter gaming machine tax, with the Chief Commissioner of State Revenue able to provide for appropriate repayment arrangements on a case-by-case basis.
More information on the small business support grants and changes to the Dine & Discover program will be available shortly on the Service NSW website.
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