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What's in this weeks eBulletin
- Council's Community Support Response - Financial Relief Update
- Victorian Government - Business Support
- Federal Government - Business Support
- Support for Cultural and Creative Industry Sector
- Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre
- National Mental Health Commission
- Small Business Australia - Business Planning
- Business Support and Assistance (COVID-19)
- COVID-19 Business Impact Survey
- Small Business Mentoring Service
- Business Development Program
- Good News Stories
- Helpful Links
- Contact the Economic Development Team
Council's Community Support Response - Financial Hardship and Resources
Council’s Community Support Response (Financial Hardship and Resources) is centred on the development and implementation of Council’s new COVID-19 Financial Hardship Policy, and the Rates, Charges and Fee Review which seeks to assist local businesses, residents and other affected ratepayers.
Council rates: Council’s Financial Hardship Policy offers ratepayers options to apply for rates deferrals until June 2021 without interest, or going on a payment plan. It also aims to provide rates support to individuals and businesses.
For more information, click here
To make arrangements or defer your rates payments, apply online and complete the COVID-19 Hardship Application Form (also available in Vietnamese).
For more information on rates relief, contact Council’s Rates Department on 9249 4000.
Fees and Charges Review: The Response Fees and Charges Review is another important action within the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy and offers some waivers for fees and charges to help local sport and recreation clubs, food and other businesses including, but not limited to:
- Waivers for some business fees and charges – related to Food Act Fees paid by cafes, restaurants, manufacturers; outdoor dining and goods for sale fees; public health and wellbeing fees
- Planning application fee waivers for small businesses who can demonstrate employment benefit
Food Act Fees: Waivers for fees and charges related to the Food Act Fees paid by cafes, restaurants, manufacturers, outdoor dining and goods for sale fees, and public health and well being fees are also available to businesses who have paid the 19/20 renewal and are currently closed (between 16 March 2020 and 31 December 2020)
For more information, or to apply for a refund, please email health@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
Event Permit Fees: Refunds for events cancelled between 16 March and 31 December 2020 can be arranged by calling Council’s Civic Compliance Department on 9249 4000, or by emailing info@brimbank.vic.gov.au.
For more information on Council’s Community Support Response as part of the Coronavirus Response & Recovery Strategy please click here.
Victorian Government - Business Support
Business Support Fund
Funding of $10,000 per small business is available under the Victorian Government’s $500 million Business Support Fund to help small businesses survive the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and keep people in work.
Sustainability Victoria Grants
$28 million for Materials Grants available to improve the recycling or reprocessing of paper and cardboard, plastics and glass (Applications close Friday 8 May 2020)
$11.5 million for Hazardous Waste Grants available for infrastructure projects to improve the recycling of solvents (Applications close Friday 8 May)
Up to $50k on a 1:1 funding basis under their Investment Support Grants – Packaging to help Victorian organisations to reduce packaging waste disposed in landfill (Applications close Friday 5 March 2021)
Australian Government - Business Support
Australian Government’s COVID-19 Business Support Page
You can find the LATEST links to the FULL RANGE of Australian and State Government grants (from across Australia), as well as financial assistance, eligibility and timing for the new COVID-19 related support for Australian businesses at business.gov.au
Subscribe to the business.vic.gov.au newsletter for updates, or call 13 28 46 to chat to the business support team.
JobKeeper Payment Updates
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has published a JobKeeper payment timeline webpage with updates and resource materials for businesses.
The Government has clarified the Jobkeeper Payment rules. See the media release issued by the Treasurer, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, on 24 April.
Extension of time to enrol for the JobKeeper Payment. The Australian Commissioner of Taxation has extended the time to enrol for the initial JobKeeper periods, from 30 April 2020 until 31 May 2020.
Energy Relief Packages for SMEs
Energy Networks Australia, the national industry body representing Australia’s electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution networks, has released relief packages for small businesses. For more information click here
Energy Efficient Communities Program
The Australian Government's Energy Efficient Communities Program offers $40 million to assist businesses AND community organisations. There are two separate streams to help businesses and community groups to save energy and lower bills. For more information click here
NBN Financial Relief and Assistance Fund
To help internet providers support customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, NBN has established a $150 million financial relief and assistance fund. Developed in consultation with more than 50 internet providers, government, and the consumer group Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). For more information click here
Support for Cultural and Creative Industry Sector
Victorian Government - Supporting Creative Industry
A $16.8 million survival package to provide immediate support to Victorian creative organisations and individuals to sustain employment, develop new works and provide opportunities for creative community participation.
For more information about the Strategic Investment Fund and Sustaining Creative Workers initiative, click here
Australian Government - Relief and Recovery Fund for the Cultural and Creative Sector This $27 million targeted support package is for areas of the cultural and creative sector most affected by COVID-19.
There’s dedicated financial support immediately available for Indigenous art centres and Indigenous art fairs, the charity, ‘Support Act’, and artists and arts organisations in regional Australia. For more information click here
Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre
Since the launch of the COVID-19 National Response Register in mid-March, the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre has received over 21,000 submissions from Australian manufacturers and individuals looking to assist all levels of Government in response to the current pandemic in Australia.
Businesses can still register their interest - click on the organisation links below:
Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC)
Health Purchasing Victoria
Industry Capability Network
National Mental Health Commission - Information and Support
The National Mental Health Commission has combined resources that will help keep you informed with the latest health information as well as looking after your mental health and wellbeing. See here
Beyond Blue has launched a free 24/7 Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service to help you deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your mental health and wellbeing.
Small Business Australia - Business Planning
Small Business Australia has developed a five-step small business survival plan to help businesses in the current climate. Get your free copy of their SME survival plan “How to Stay in Business and Reach the Other Side”. For more information click here
Business Support and Assistance (COVID-19)
Council’s Business Support and Assistance website page provides information, support and resources for businesses affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. Find out about: Council's Business Support
- Victorian Government Business
- Victorian Government Economic Survival Package
- Australian Government Business
- Australian Government Stimulus Package - Business
- Australian Government - JobKeeper Payment for Employers and Employees
- AusIndustry Contact Centre
- Australian Taxation Officer (ATO)
- Victorian Chamber of Commerce Industry (VCCI)
- Working for Victoria Fund - Support for Displaced Workers
- Small Business Mentoring Service (SMBS)
- Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
For more information and contact details for the Economic Development team, click here
COVID-19 Business Impact Survey
We would like to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 (coronavirus) is impacting local business. Your input will be used to inform action and advocacy for assistance, and inform government on short and long-term recovery priorities. This survey is mainly multiple choice and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Complete the Business Impact Survey here
Small Business Mentoring Service
The Small Business Mentoring Services (SBMS) offers low-cost mentoring sessions designed to provide support for businesses in these extreme times. Sessions are held with a mentor of your choice by Skype, Zoom or telephone. For further information about the SBMS service, please contact ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au or phone 9249 4000.
Business Development Program - Upcoming Webinars
Matthew Steer Accountants and Kennedy Guy Lawyers: Financial Survival Planning - register here
Macpherson Kelley: COVID-19 and its impact on the employment law sector – register here
Digital Treasury: How to build a professional website in WordPress - register here
Small Business Mentoring Service: 5 Steps to Ensuring Business Success in Extreme Times - register here
Small Business Victoria
A series of webinars to improve chances of business success - for further information click here
Key Business Advisors: Survive and Thrive
A series of webinars to get you through challenging times - for further information click here
ATO: Support for Small Business Webinar
MyGovID: your small business digital Identity - register here
Tax Support for Small Business – register here
Melbourne Innovation Centre: Business Resilience Program
- Business Resilience Mentoring Webinar with 4 hours of free mentoring
- A range of Business Resilience Workshops
Good News Stories
Are you doing something different in your business during the COVID-19 crisis? Let us know, we are looking for good news stories to share about business innovation and changes made to allow your business to continue running during the current crisis. Email us at ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Helpful Links:
Need to Speak to someone in the Economic Development team?
If you need assistance finding information, please contact the Economic Development team at ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au or phone (03) 9249 4000 Translation and interpreting services are available here |
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Copyright © Brimbank City Council, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
PO Box 70, Sunshine 3020
For further information about this newsletter please contact the Economic Development Unit on 9249 4000 or email ecodev@brimbank.vic.gov.au |
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