Stakeholder Update | April 2020

April 7th, 2020

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Webinar
NSW Small Business Bushfire Information Roadshow
TONIGHT – Tuesday 7 April 2020 – 6pm to 7pm

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on public gatherings, the NSW Government will be launching the NSW Small Business Bushfire Information Roadshow as a webinar at 6pm on Tuesday 7 April. This webinar will feature representatives from a number of State Government agencies including:

Overview by Regional NSW – Chris Hanger
NSW Small Business Commission – Ben Lees
Service NSW – David Morrant
Business Connect – Gary Wheatstone
Training Services NSW – Angela Parker

The 35 minute webinar offers guidance on the support available to small business owners who have been affected by the recent bushfires.

Click to Register

$10,000 grants to provide fast relief for NSW small businesses battling COVID-19

Thousands of small businesses across NSW struggling to cope with the COVID-19 shutdown will receive grants of up to $10,000 under a new assistance scheme announced this week by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope.

More Information

COVID-19 Help for Small Businesses

Service NSW is here to help businesses impacted by COVID-19. We’re working with federal, state and local government and the private sector to bring together all the support and services available to assist small business.

More Information

Destination Sydney Surrounds South is seeking information about the impact Coronavirus is having on your business. Click the button below to take a short survey.

Click for the Survey

Job Keeper Payment

The Government has announced a $130 billion JobKeeper payment to help keep more Australians in jobs and support businesses affected by the significant economic impact caused by the Coronavirus.

Around 6 million workers will receive a fortnightly payment of $1,500 (before tax) through their employer.

More Information

Free TAFE Courses to support NSW residents and businesses to upskill

Twenty-one fee-free TAFE NSW short courses are now available online to assist anyone across the State who wants to upskill during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the pandemic response has had a dramatic effect on communities and working life, but these select courses would assist job seekers, workers and business owners looking to diversify their skills during these times.

“The NSW Government understands that circumstances have changed for a lot of people and business owners, which means the way they work and how they conduct their business has also changed,” Mr Lee said.

“The TAFE NSW fee-free accredited courses will contribute to helping businesses stay in business and people stay in jobs. It’s vital we keep people employed and ensure we have the ability to rebound when things do improve.

The 21 short courses include:

·       eMarketing for Small Business
·       Engaging Customers Using Social Media
·       Writing and Presentation Skills
·       Computing Skills
·       Team Leader Skill Set
·       Administration Skills for Team Leaders

More information, including a full list of courses, click the link below or call 131 601.

Click Here

New department of regional NSW to take on urgent needs of the bush

The NSW Government recently established the new Department of Regional NSW to better coordinate support for communities, businesses and farmers in the bush that have endured drought, bushfire and flood and now face the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the department will bring together Primary Industries, Local Land Services, Resources and Geoscience and regional coordination across government to form a central agency dedicated to regional issues.

More Information

Funding Boost to Support Australian Exporters and Tourism Businesses

The Australian Government will inject an extra $49.8 million into the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program in the 2019-20 financial year, allowing exporters and tourism businesses to get additional reimbursements for costs incurred in marketing their products and services around the world.

More Information

With Love from AUS – Tourism Australia launches new video

Tourism Australia has released a new video via social media and the web reminding visitors of the beauty of the Australian landscape that awaits future holiday makers.

The video is a digital postcard from some of Australia’s iconic natural attractions and stars many of the cute and cuddly animals for which the country is famous.

“In these times of uncertainty, the world needs a little positivity and something to look forward to,” Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said.

“Inspired by Matesong, Tourism Australia is sending an uplifting message to Australians and the world – keep dreaming about the beautiful places, people and experiences waiting for you on the other side of this.”

Watch Video

Coronavirus Weekly Webinar

Planning rules relaxed for food trucks and ‘dark kitchens’

Food trucks and ‘dark kitchens’ are now easier to set up and operate, thanks to new planning rules in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes issued the Environmental Planning and Assessment (COVID-19 Development – Takeaway Food and Beverages) Order 2020 to support the food and beverage industry, which has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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