COVID-19 Business Support Grant Program

The City of Victor Harbor has introduced an COVID-19 Business Support Grant Program to assist businesses within the City of Victor Harbor to survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also support adaptation and resilience projects that protect businesses from current and future economic shocks. The COVID-19 Business Support Grant Program comprises three streams:

1. Business Adaptation Stream supports initiatives that directly assist businesses to adjust their business or service delivery ensuring revenue sources can be maintained or derived.
2. Business Cashflow Stream supports instances where businesses are unable to defer, waive or negotiate payment terms for critical business related expenses.
3. Business Planning Stream supports businesses seeking professional advice aimed at navigating their businesses through and out of these current challenges.

This grant program is open and closes at 5:00 pm on Thursday 18 June 2020.

Download - COVID-19 Business Support Grant Program Guidelines. Applications are to be lodged via an online form which can be accessed here.

Business Advisory Service

The City of Victor Harbor, in partnership with Business SA and Business Victor Harbor, are currently offering City of Victor Harbor based businesses impacted by COVID-19 access to a trained business advisor to address any business related challenges currently being experienced.

The first stage of Council’s COVID-19 business support measures will include business advisory support provided by Business SA in the short term and Business Victor Harbor in the medium to long term.

Representatives from Business SA will be present in Victor Harbor from Monday the 25th of May and will be available to meet with Victor Harbor businesses to provide advice and assistance.

If you are experiencing a COVID-19 related business problem(s) and you would like to discuss the matter with a business advisor please contact Council via email to request a visit and or phone call from an advisor.

Please direct your request via email to:  business@victor.sa.gov.au

Fees & Charges

As an immediate support measure the City of Victor Harbor has resolved to refund, waived and defer a number of fees and charges that relate to local businesses and community organisations.

• Refund of Outdoor Dining fees from 1 March to 31 August 2020
• Fee waiver for small business leases and licences held with Council from 1 March to 30 June 2020
• Deferral of Community loan repayments for 12 months from 1 March 2020
• Bulk waiver of fines and interest on overdue rates from 1 March to 30 September 2020
• Targeted COVID-19 rates remission allocation of $100,000
• Payment arrangements with waiver of fines and interest to 30 June 2020
• Due date extensions with waiver of fines and interest to 30 June 2020
• Hold on external debt collection and court action for existing accounts to 31 December 2020
• Hold on external debt collection and court action for new accounts to 30 June 2021
• Increase in procurement weighting for local content from 10% to 20%

Buy Local Campaign

The Council have initiated a buy local campaign that is primarily aimed at informing the community of local businesses that remain open and are offering their services in a different manner.  The campaign is also designed to highlight the importance of locals supporting their businesses through the purchase of goods and services in this difficult time.

At this point the campaign is largely focused on businesses in the food and hospitality sectors given the impact that COVID-19 is having on their operations.  As the campaign continues work will progress to other sectors of the business community.

Locals are being directed to a newly created website (www.buylocalvictorharbor.com.au) and a  Buy Local Victor Harbor App that is available on both the App Store and Google Play.

Council with the support of Businesses Victor Harbor will be promoting this campaign primarily via social media, websites, the app, signage, Victor Harbor Times, local radio and other platforms as determined during the campaign.

www.buylocalvictorharbor.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/buylocalvictorharbor

For a full list of grants and financial supports go to our COVID-19 list on Hills & Coast Grant Finder where you can register and set up automated alerts for new funding opportunities and changes to existing funding.

Business SA provides a number of great resources and services that will help your business plan and respond to the impact of COVID-19.

Access this information at: https://www.business-sa.com/covid19

Business SA also have an advice hotline that you can call between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday – (08) 8300 0000.

The Australian Government have announced a number of packages and measures to support business. Visit this site to find out about financial assistance, eligibility and timing of the new support measures for Australian businesses.

Visit the Australian Government Business website or ring the dedicated hotline on 13 28 46 for information and support for business.

Job Keeper’ wage subsidy

This subsidy of up to $1500 per employee a fortnight has been developed to help employers to keep staff and provides wage subsidies to businesses that are significantly affected by COVID-19. Funding is expected to flow through the Australian Tax Office from 1 May, with payments backdated to today. Register your interest on the ATO website..

Increasing the Instant Asset Write-Off

The instant asset write-off threshold has been increased from $30,000 to $150,000 and expanded access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million). This applies from 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2020, for new or second hand assets first used or installed ready for use in this timeframe. Check website for details.

Backing Business Investment

A time limited 15-month investment incentive to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions. This applies to eligible assets acquired from 12 March 2020 and first used or installed by 30 June 2021. Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million will be able to deduct 50 per cent of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset cost. See website for details.

Boosting cash flow for employers

Provides $25,000 back 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. The payment will be tax free. See website for details.

Supporting Apprentices and Trainees

If you employ an apprentice or trainee you may be eligible for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of their wage paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. You can register for the subsidy from early April 2020. See website for details.

Federal Government Fact Sheets for Business

• Cash flow assistance for businesses
• Providing temporary relief for financially distressed businesses
• Delivering support for business investment
• Support for Business
• Supporting the flow of Credit
• Small and Medium Business Enterprise (SME) Guarantee Scheme
• Jobkeeper Payment

The SA Government also has also pulled together a number of great resources for businesses. The site includes information relating to:

• Economic Response Package and how to access financial support
• Managing your business through a crisis
• Supporting staff
• Exports and imports
• Practical advice and tips
• Webinars and other resources

Access the South Australian Government business site for information.

In addition, the state Government has released a $1 billion stimulus package to help drive the South Australian economy and secure local jobs includes (read details here):

• a significant $22 million injection in nature based tourism infrastructure, to boost employment and the long-term visitor economy in hard-hit regions.
• This stimulus will include a $15 million investment in upgrades at our country hospitals, doubling the Planning and Development Fund available this year to $50 million, when matched with the local government contribution on a 50:50 basis.
• Payroll tax relief up to $60 million savings to business
• Land tax relief of up to $13 million in additional savings
• Liquor license fees waived
• $300 million business and jobs support fund
• $250 million community and jobs fund
• Cost of living concessions of an estimated $30 million
• Access to accrued leave for public sector workforce
• COVID-19 Arts Grant Support can be found on the Arts SA website. The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline 1800 959 500 is a free confidential helpline for performing arts workers.

For more information and how to apply to the funds email:

BusinessandJobsSupportFund@sa.gov.au

CommunityandJobsSupportFund@sa.gov.au

Visit their COVID-19 website for details on the latest updates, advice and support.

• Economic Development Australia Recovery Hub 
  • provides relevant funding links, resources, case studies and learnings from around the world. EDA will update and add to this hub on an on-going basis.
• Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
  • Support if you are experiencing difficulties meeting your tax and super obligations
  • Frequently asked COVID-19 questions
  • Details of the Australian Governments economic stimulus and support packages
• Insurance Council of Australia
  • declared COVID-19 an insurance catastrophe on 11 March 2020. Find out how insurance products including Business Interruption, Travel and Life Insurance may be responding to the impacts of the virus.
• Australian Institute of Food Safety
  • Learn about the novel coronavirus that is spreading around the world, and what it means for your food business.
• South Australian Tourism Commission
  • has information and fact sheets for hotel and tourism operators.
• Restaurant and Catering Industry
  • information with common Restaurant & Café themes as local businesses pivot to ever-changing COVID-19 requirements.
• Fair Work Ombudsman
  • has a helpline to deal with pay and industrial relations matters on 13 13 94 or their website. Look at the Business SA COVID-19 Employer Guide
• SA Small Business Commissioner.
  • For workplace wellbeing, dispute resolution etc
• CPA Australia resources for business
  • resources, guides, advice and updates, along with the latest information from government and regulatory bodies, to support businesses
• Australian Trade & Investment Commission
  • Advice for exporters
• Export Council of Australia
  • Advice for exporters
• Scam Watch
  • Watch out for scammers taking advantage of the COVID-19
• Australian Business Continuity
  • To help you keep your business functioning with minimal disruption during these times of adversity, the AIIA in conjunction with some of its members and with the support of the Federal Government, has come together to provide a suite of free service offerings, advice and tools designed to support Australian business continuity through the use of technology.
• You can also refer to your business or industry association which include Business SA, Australian Industry Group, Tourism Industry Council SA, Master Builders Association, Housing Industry Association, Australian Hotels Association, Restaurant and Caterers Association, Motor Trade Association, Primary Producers SA.