This week the Australian and NSW Governments announced that a number of new support packages will be rolled out to assist businesses during the current NSW COVID-19 lockdown.
Part of this announcement included a new grant program for micro-businesses with annual turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 who experience at least a 30 percent decline in turnover. These micro-businesses will now be eligible for a $1,500 payment per fortnight during restrictions.
Blue Mountains Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said: "We are pleased to see the Government respond in this way, so that local businesses of different sizes can receive much-needed support in these incredibly challenging times."
These programs were announced after Blue Mountains City Council advocated to the State Government for the existing support packages to be extended to sole traders, micro and small business owners earning less than $75,000. Many of these businesses had been left with no income during the shutdown.
The Government's announcement also included an expansion of the existing Small Business COVID-19 Support Grant and the Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 Support Grant, with grant amounts now having been increased, and the eligibility criteria also having been broadened so that more businesses can apply.
Eligible businesses with Australian wages below $10 million can now claim grants between $7,500 and $15,000 (previously between $5000 and $10,000) to cover the first three weeks of restrictions depending on the decline in business turnover.
Council continues to support the business community during the pandemic by waiving rents for all tenants in Council buildings under commercial agreements, during the current COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
Further details on the State Government's support packages, including eligibility, are available here: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-business-support-2021
Further details on how Blue Mountains City Council are supporting our local businesses at this time is available here: https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/recovery-for-business.
Photo: Dave Griffiths from the On the Soul Side Cafe at Katoomba is making use of Blue Mountains City Council's latest Love Local Resources for businesses to use during the COVID-19 lockdown. Council is encouraging locals to continue to support local businesses during this challenging time.
Get more information at https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/lovelocal.
