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Queensland Businesses suffering due to border restrictions with New South Wales will receive $52.8 million in funding from an emergency support package delivered by the State and Commonwealth governments.
The multi-million-dollar funding injection will provide targeted support to tourism and hospitality businesses still facing significant hardship as a result of border closures.
"Tourism and hospitality businesses on the Queensland and New South Wales border have done it particularly tough as they feel the impact of lockdowns and border restrictions,” Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.
"But there is light at the end of the tunnel. By sticking to the National Plan, agreed to by State and Territory leaders, we can safely ease restrictions and open up our economy.
“We will continue to work with the Palaszczuk Government to ensure the Queensland economy bounces back.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Government recognised the communities and businesses reliant on regular cross border trade were suffering.
“The impact on Queensland businesses along the border with NSW has been devastating,” the Premier said.
“This package will provide a lifeline for a number of businesses doing it tough right now.
“With the Delta variant continuing to rage in Sydney, we’re investing in our economic recovery in Queensland to support local businesses to make it through the pandemic.”
The package will see $14.55 million in Border Business Zone Support delivered to businesses along the border region in the areas of Coolangatta, Currumbin – Tugun, and Currumbin Waters and the towns of Wallangarra, Goondiwindi and Mungindi.
The joint Federal-State package includes:
- $40 million for the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program to deliver one off grants of $15,000, $25,000 and $50,000 for small, medium and large employing businesses across the state that have experienced a reduction in turnover of at least 70 per cent for at least seven consecutive days between 1 July and 30 September.
- $6.3 million to extend the existing COVID-19 Business Support Grants program
- $6.5 million to provide one-off Hardship Scheme grants of $5000 for employing businesses and $1000 for non-employing sole traders to recipients of the COVID-19 Business Support Grants in the border zone in the event of an extended border closure
State elements include:
- Up to $1 million to match City of the Gold Coast Council and Destination Gold Coast’s ‘Play Money’ campaign, encouraging Gold Coasters to patronise border businesses
- $50,000 support for marketing campaigns in Coolangatta
- $700,000 for additional mental health support for business owners and their families in the border zone
The Premier said businesses within the border zone that were recipients of the COVID-19 Business Support Grants and had been significantly impacted by any possible extended border closure would be able to apply for one-off hardship grants of up to $5,000 for an employing business and $1,000 for a non-employing sole-trader.
These special hardship grants will be available from mid-October 2021.
“This package will help. But it’s also vital that we encourage more Queenslanders to support businesses on the border – particularly in communities like Coolangatta,” the Premier said.
“Through today’s package, we’ll also supporting local marketing campaigns, starting with the Essentially Cooly initiative.”
For business support and assistance visit the Queensland Business website at www.business.qld.gov.au or call the Small Business Hotline 24/7 on 1300 654 687.
Updated at 12.41pm AEST on 14 September 2021.
This update is brought to you by Employment Hero.
Click here to go to Employment Hero’s COVID-19 Resource Hub for essential resources to help employers, managers and HR specialists navigate the ongoing pandemic.
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