From Thursday, Ballarat community groups and businesses can apply for a one-off support payment after Ballarat City Council endorsed a $1 million Community and Business Support Package to help those severely affected by COVID-19 lockdowns.
The Community and Business Support Package grants include:
• Business Support Grants - $500 grants for businesses with a significant revenue reduction due to COVID-19
• Community Support Grants - $250 grants for community groups, volunteer groups and sports clubs with a significant revenue reduction due to COVID-19
Online applications open Thursday, 26 August via ballarat.vic.gov.au, with 100 points of identity and proof of revenue reduction (business activity statement, letter from accountant, statutory declaration) required to be uploaded.
To be eligible for a Business Support Grant, you must:
• operate within the City of Ballarat municipal boundary
• maintain an ABN registered within the municipality
• demonstrate a turnover reduction of 30% or greater for a period of four weeks (can be non-consecutive weeks) since 27 May 2021
• not have an annual payroll exceeding $1 million.
To be eligible for a Community Support Grant, your organisation must
• operate within the City of Ballarat municipal boundary
• be registered or incorporated
• demonstrate a negative financial impact during the restriction period which commenced on 27 May 2021
Full terms and conditions are also available online.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said Council would endeavour to have successful applicants receive their grant within a fortnight of applying.
"We know this doesn't solve everyone's problems, but in the end we hope it provides some relief and hope as we move forward together," he said.
"For some, the feedback has been that they need assistance to pay for that power or utility bill, while others need to cover the rent money even if they have not been able to open for several weeks.
"If this funding can offer them some relief for those urgent payments, that's what it is all about.
"We've seen wonderful community spirit in Ballarat in the past 18 months as part of the Be Kind campaign and this is a continuation of that important messaging by being kind to businesses and community groups that are experiencing some tough, uncertain times right now."
Other proposed measures approved by Council on Wednesday evening included:
• Waiver of interest on outstanding 2021/22 financial year rates, which is expected to save local businesses and residents $175,000
• Ongoing application of the City of Ballarat's Financial Hardship Policy to support residents and businesses
• Waiver of Food Act registration fees until 30 June 2022, which will save more than $60,000 for local hospitality businesses
• Waiver of Public Health and Wellbeing registration fees until 30 June 2022, which will create $44,000 in savings
• Waiver of outdoor dining permit fees until 30 June which will save $30,000
• Waiver of A Frame signage permit fees until 30 June 2022, which will save $5000
• Re-establishment of the Business Contact Centre to help local businesses access federal, state and local funding programs plus other assistance
Funding for the support package has been allocated from under expenditure in 2020/21.
The program will supplement existing federal and state funding while also supporting other businesses and community groups not eligible for support through other funding programs.
City of Ballarat CEO Evan King said Council had listened to its community and some of the strongest feedback was from small and micro businesses impacted by snap lockdowns.
"While we know the State Government must take the necessary steps to tackle this incredibly infectious variant, we acknowledge that snap lockdowns continue to impact the community and, in particular, our business community," he said.
"Ballarat is a very significant regional economic, sporting, social and cultural hub in Victoria and its recovery and future prosperity is reliant on a rapid recovery in business activation and visitation.
"With thousands of residents who are employed in local business, it's in all of our best interests to provide support where we can.
"Our research shows that for every $100 spent at a Ballarat-owned business, $68.53 stays in our community. So ultimately, any assistance for our local businesses will also benefit our community more generally."
