COVID-19 Business Support
Alongside the current drought and the recent bushfire crisis, East Gippsland is now experiencing further impacts to our business community and economy due to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Council has been seeking resources to help you navigate all the available information, ensuring you get the right assistance for your business.
To get in contact with our Economic Development team, send us an email or call us on 03 5153 9500.
East Gippsland COVID-19 Support Package
Council has recently announced a support package for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The package includes waiving and refunding of some fees and charges, better facilitating access to information and developing business improvement opportunities.
Further information in relation to accessing the above initiatives will be released shortly. Keep an eye out here for updates.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about the above package, please feel free to contact Council on 5153 9500.
Details of the package are as follows:
| Initiative |
Period of application |
Commercial leases and licences of Council-managed land:
- Rental payments waived for commercial tenants whose business has been materially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This period may be extended for a further period, if a review undertaken prior to 31/05/20 demonstrates that further support is required.
- Any market rental review scheduled to occur during the period indicated be held over until the next market rent review is due.
- No CPI rental increases
|
Respective to the numbering on the left:
- 1 April to 30 June 2020
- 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
- 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
|
| Waive Roadside Trading Permit fees (applies to businesses operating on Council land e.g. mobile food vans) |
1 April to 30 June 2020 |
| Refund Goods on Footpath fees |
1 April to 30 June 2020
|
| Refund health registration fees |
1 April to 30 June 2020 |
Implement measures to assist businesses with access to relevant information, including:
- Business outreach program
- Support page on Council website
|
Potentially ongoing, depending on demand |
| Implement a Business Concierge program to assist with specific COVID recovery |
Potentially ongoing, depending on demand
|
| Deliver business improvement webinars per industry sector, or on specific topics identified by businesses |
Potentially ongoing, depending on demand |
| Provide Business Marketing Support (e.g. offer online workshops to help businesses set up/grow information channels; and help identify and craft messaging to inform potential new customers about their offering and provide existing customers with updates). |
Potentially ongoing, depending on demand |
Australian Government Business Stimulus Package
The Australian Government has a $18.9 billion economic plan in response to COVID-19. Our Economic Development team is happy to have a chat with you about which package is right for you.
- Increasing the Instant Asset Write Off - The instant asset write-off threshold has been increased from $30,000 to $150,000, with expanded access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50m) until 30 June 2020.
-
Boosting Cash Flow for Employers - Provides up to $25,000 to small and medium-sized businesses, with a minimum payment of $2,000 for eligible businesses. The payment will provide cash flow support to businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million that employ staff.
-
Increased and Accelerated Income Support - Expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time‑limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight. This supplement will be paid to both existing and new recipients of the eligible payment categories. These changes will apply for the next six months and will not be income tested.
Read more here - Fact_sheet_Australian_Government_supporting_businesses.pdf
Victorian Government Business Support Fund:
The Victorian Government's $500 million Business Support Fund assists small businesses survive the impacts of COVID-19 and keep people in work.
Click here to register your interest.
Read more here - Fact_Sheet_Victorian_Government_Business_Support.pdf
Advice and resources on the COVID-19 pandemic:
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
Related Information