Border Business Zone Support Package some reprieve for Queensland border economy
The ongoing financial and emotional impact of the state’s border closure on the Queensland border business sector has been recognised with close to $15 million in support payments.
Announced in Queensland Parliament today, the Border Business Zone Support Package comes after the Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce (GSGC) and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) warned the State Government ignoring the impacts of the border closure on business and consumer confidence would have significant long-term impacts on both the local and state economy.
GSGC President Hilary Jacobs said the local chamber joined with active locals to lobby for a more tailored and targeted response to the impact of the Queensland, New South Wales border closure.
“Many border businesses were not eligible for existing lockdown support payments, so it’s fantastic the ongoing financial and emotional impacts of the border closure on local businesses has been recognised,” Ms Jacobs said.
“Thousands of Queensland border businesses relied on staff, stock and consumers from New South Wales so to have those markets cut-off was financially and emotionally detrimental for many of those business.
“Without certainty as to when the borders will re-open completely, the on-going impact meant some businesses had already admitted defeat. For that impact to be acknowledged and payments made available for businesses that need it most will go a long way in securing some level of optimism in their ability to meet immediate costs.
“The chamber is very proud to have built the relationships with the Small Business Commissioner and the Minister for Employment, Small Business and Training, during our many meetings with CCIQ over the last year, to now ensure our message was heard and acted upon.”
The Border Business Zone includes Coolangatta, Currumbin-Tugun, Currumbin Waters and the border towns of Goondiwindi, Wallangara and Mungindi.
CCIQ Policy and Advocacy General Manager Amanda Rohan said Greater Southern Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce worked consistently behind the scenes to advocate for the needs of local small businesses, especially those directly and indirectly impacted from the border closure.
“These payments, which will benefit businesses on the Gold Coast as well as further west, are certainly welcome for businesses to be compensated for immediate costs and support positive mental health in the workplace,” Ms Rohan said.
“Moving forward, businesses need to know what it will take, for example for the Queensland Government to commit to a vaccination rate target and deadline, for borders to re-open completely. Without that certainty, it’s increasingly difficult for border businesses and the wider Queensland business sector to plan their long-term journey back to business.”
The Border Business Zone Support Package includes:
- Up to $6.3 million to extend eligibility for the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants to border zone businesses to include the border closure
- Up to $6.5 million to provide a special one-off payment under the new COVID-19 Border Business Zone Hardship Grant of $5,000 to an eligible employing business and $1,000 to an eligible non-employing business from 14 October 2021
- Provide up to $1 million to Destination Gold Coast to boost the Gold Coasters Play Money campaign with a focus on the border zone.
- An additional $50,000 contribution to the Essentially Cooly marketing campaign
- Provide $700,000 for additional mental health support for business owners and their families in the border zone.
Up to $40 million has been committed to the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program which will provide grants of up to $50,000 for employing businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors which have experienced a turnover reduction of at least 70%.
For details see the Business Queensland website.
CCIQ media contact
Emma Clarke
Media and Communications Advisor
[email protected] | 0403 944 902