I hope you’re feeling positive about the optimistic start to the week.
Following the $3 billion business relief package announced by Premier Dan Andrews yesterday, the press conference today included an announcement on specific support for sole traders and a package for hospitality operators to use more outdoor space.
We’ve had a slight easing of restrictions today in Regional Victoria, moving to the Second Step of the roadmap.
The Premier and Chief Health Officer have also indicated that Regional Victoria may move to the third step rather quickly, which would mean significant changes to permitted operations for many businesses, as well as the opportunity for region-to-region travel. We’ll keep you posted on those announcements as they come.
Round 3 of the Business Support Fund:
Grants available to businesses with payrolls up to $10 million. Allocations will be based on the following
- companies with a payroll of less than $650,000 will be eligible to receive a $10,000 grant;
- companies with a payroll between $650,000 and $3 million, a grant of $15,000 will be made available; and
- companies with a payroll between $3 million and $10 million will be eligible for a grant of $20,000.
Licensed venues in the hospitality sector:The $251 million Licensed Venue Fund will deliver grants of between $10,000 and $30,000. Levels of funding in Regional Victoria will be allocated as follows
- venues with licenses allowing 1-20 patrons will be eligible for grants of $10,000;
- venues with patron caps of between 21 and 100 are eligible for $15,000
- venues with patron caps of greater than 100 have access to grants of $25,000.
Payroll tax relief extended:An extension of the payroll tax relief for the remainder of the 2020/21 financial year for businesses with payrolls of up to $10 million.
In addition, a further $137 million worth of tax relief packages will include waiving and deferring charges like liquor licensing fees, the congestion levy and increases to the landfill levy.
Sole Trader Relief:
$100 million is available via $3,000 grants to sole traders operating in closed or heavily restricted industries.
Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package:
The $87.5 million Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package includes direct business support as well as opportunities for local government to access funds that will help them facilitate hospitality in outdoor environments.
Find out more:
For eligible businesses, the details for all these programs will be made available on the Business Victoria website.
We want to make sure we represent our members and the tourism industry in this region effectively. To do that, we need to understand the state of play.
We know you might sigh and think ‘not another survey’ but this really is a critical part of the process for us to lobby, advocate and paint an accurate picture of the challenge we face. Please commit some time completing this barometer to help us understand where you’re at now, how summer looks and what you need.
We’re also sharing the aggregated results with Victoria Tourism Industry Council for statewide advocacy.
Thank you for continuing to adapt to the evolving situation. We’re looking forward to hearing some good news soon so Team Tourism can get back to what it does best – welcoming visitors and providing memorable experiences.
Our team is available to answer any questions or help you navigate all these programs, just shoot us an email or call on 03 5223 2588.
Take care and we’ll see you soon.
Tracy Carter
Acting Executive Director
Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine
