Stakeholder Update | May 2020

May 1st, 2020

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NSW COVID-19 Restrictions Updated

Face-to-face teaching will commence from 11 May through a staggered return to classroom learning, and the NSW Government will consider accelerating a full return to school as soon as possible
There may be increased retail activity, with some businesses choosing to re-open. It is important these shops maintain social distancing and hygiene requirements.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this update on visits to households had been made to reduce social isolation and improve mental health.

Health officials advise it is important when visiting another household that social distancing is maintained and extra hygiene precautions are taken. When visiting, meeting in an outdoor environment such as a home garden, backyard or verandah will help reduce the risk.

The two-person gathering limit still applies to public places.
The NSW Government has announced an update to COVID-19 restrictions relating to small social gatherings at home, students’ return to school and retail activities in May.
There will be three key changes that will take effect across NSW next month:

From today up to two adults and their dependent children will be allowed to visit another household.

Click for the Latest COVID-19 Information

Regenerate Regional Event Initiative Now Open for Applications

The Regenerate Regional Event Initiative supports organisations to commission the creation and development of a community/cultural event featuring local artists with a focus on music and performance. It is open to arts and cultural organisations in regional NSW. Regional organisations in areas affected by the recent bushfires are encouraged to apply.

Regional organisations can apply for up to $10,000 to support an event for the community to take place after public health orders relating to social distancing and travel restrictions have been lifted.

Applications open from 28 April 2020 and closes at 5pm AEST, 19 May 2020.

More Information

The Great Burragorang Valley Walk – A new initiative from Wollondilly Shire Council

Wollondilly Shire Council has proposed an iconic new 316 km walk through the spectacular bushland on Sydney’s outskirts. A concept brochure has been developed and will be used to promote the walk and seek support and funding for the project from key stakeholders, including local members of State and Federal Parliament.

The Great Burragorang Valley Walk initiative is an opportunity to attract domestic and international visitors connect our communities, attract domestic and international visitors, grow the local and regional economy and ensure our environment, culture and heritage is valued and protected.

Download Brochure

Applications Open for the Advance Program 2020-21

In response to these challenging times, Business Events Australia has revamped the Advance Program for next financial year, to increase support for Australia’s business events industry.

A partnership marketing initiative, the Advance Program has been reviewed to increase industry access to the funding on offer in 2020-21. Changes include greater access for smaller projects by lowering the minimum amount requested for each project to $10,000; offering two rounds of applications each year (one now and one in November); and streamlining the application process to make it easier to put forward new and different ideas.

Download the Advance Program Prospectus to access full details on the criteria and the application process.

You can also register to attend the Advance Program Webinar taking place this Thursday, 30 April at 2pm AEST, where you can learn more about the program and have your questions answered.

Applications for the first round close on Monday, 1 June 2020 at 5pm AEST.

More Information

Tourism and Events Industry Supports CovidSafe App (Fed)

The tourism and events industry has encouraged even more Australians to download and use the COVIDSafe app saying it was the next step in the containment of COVID 19 and would help to hasten the easing of current restrictions and social distancing measures.

The industry represented by the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF), the Accommodation Association (AA), Cruise Lines International Australasia (CLIA), the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) the Restaurant and Catering Association (RCA) and the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) said the rapid take up of the COVIDSafe app shows how seriously Australians are treating the response to this challenge, both in terms of their health, but also a desire for a return to some form of normality as soon as possible.

Click to Download App

Funding Lifeline for Australian Wildlife

Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham has announced that Australia’s zoos, aquariums and animal sanctuaries will receive a $94.6 million support package to help them get through the coronavirus. This funding will assist exhibiting zoos and aquariums with the fixed operational costs associated with the caring of their animals, while also helping to ensure Australian zoos and aquariums can remain viable and ready to welcome visitors when restrictions are eased.

More Information

Zip Line Experience

Immerse yourself in a natural rainforest environment with a virtual adventure at Illawarra Fly. Take a zipline tour with your guide and soar amongst the trees.

More Information

Business Connect – Key Online Events

Minister for Finance and Small Business, the Hon Damien Tudehope said in a media release this week “Small businesses doing it tough due to the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to sign up for free-of-charge webinars funded by the NSW Government.” Media release here and attached.

Here are some key online events happening in the next two weeks –

Title: Business Disruption – Innovation
Date: Thursday 7 May
Time: 11:00 AM
Registration link is here

Title: Should I borrow to support my small business during the COVID-19 Disruption
Date: Friday 8 May
Time: 12:00 PM
Registration link is here

Title: COVID-19 Ramadan-EID Restaurant/Café Top Tips for Survival
Date: Wednesday 13 May
Time: 11:00 AM
Registration link is here

Title: Social Media Strategies for Business
Date: Thursday 14 May
Time: 11:00 AM
Registration link is here

We invite you to share feedback from businesses regarding useful topics for future webinars.

Have your say in the NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry

The NSW Government has commissioned an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season to provide input to NSW ahead of the next bushfire season.

Everyone is encouraged to share their experience and tell their story to inform the Inquiry’s work. To this end the NSW Bushfire Inquiry has been travelling to bushfire-affected communities to meet with and directly hear from people who have been affected by the 2019-20 bushfires.

As the COVID-19 situation prohibits the Inquiry from continuing to visit communities to hold face-to-face meetings, community consultation will now be undertaken via video conference (with an option to participate by phone) to ensure we can continue to hear stories directly from community members.

The Inquiry will hold a videoconference for the Wollondilly and Southern Highlands

Location: Online

Date: Thursday 7 May 2020

Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Click to Register

COVID-19 Survey

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 Survey