August 2, 2021
The State Government will make $5000 payments available to Queensland small and medium businesses affected by the current COVID-19 lockdown.
Treasurer Cameron Dick confirmed on Monday that Queensland businesses did not have to be located within any of the 11 council lockdown areas to apply for the assistance.
The Treasurer said the $260 million package would help eligible small and medium-size businesses across all industries.
“To date, Queensland’s economy has recovered quickly from short sharp lockdowns, but we have seen the damage the delta strain is causing in other jurisdictions,” the Treasurer said.
“Until now, our lockdowns have been months apart, which has given businesses time to recover but we understand two lockdowns within a month presents a new challenge.”
The small business payments will be made through QRIDA.
Applications will open from mid-August.
Small and medium businesses are defined as businesses that have a turnover of more than $75,000 per annum and have an annual payroll in Queensland of up to $10 million.
- More information about the grants is available online
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Support payments will also be available for eligible large businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector within the 11 local government areas currently locked down.
The affected council areas are: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland City, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Sunshine Coast.
Large tourism hospitality businesses are defined as those entities with turnover greater than $10 million that have experienced a 30 per cent reduction in turnover.
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Treasurer Cameron Dick also called on local councils to implement their own assistance measures for affected businesses.
”This could include councils contributing to supporting business cash flows and viability through the waiving of rates, fees and charges paid by small businesses, or by providing a co-contribution towards the Queensland Government’s business support grant program,” Mr Dick said.
South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto told southburnett.com.au that Council would consider what measures it could implement at the next meeting of the Executive and Finance and Corporate Standing Committee on August 18.
He said this would give staff time to work out a proposal but small businesses actually paid few fees and charges to Council.
