This work is part of the City of Sydney's COVID-19 pandemic response.
The economic, social and cultural impacts of COVID-19 are being felt around the world, as well as in our City of Sydney local government area.
The health and wellbeing of our communities is paramount, and we are also very concerned about businesses experiencing a significant downturn in patrons – so we’re doing everything we can to support business during this unusual time.
Relief Grants
We’ve released an additional $2 million for buisness support over the next financial year.
These $10,000 grants compliment state and federal and will cover the cost of:
- Move business online; website; e-commerce; marketing)
- Change operating model; equipment; promotion; new packaging
- Training, for you or staff
- Capital works; renovations (if you have a DA lodged); new equipment.
Our business concierge service will help you through the grant process, provide you with tips on completing a successful application, and they’ll even point you to where you can go to apply for State and Federal grants.
Call them on 02 9265 9333 Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4pm or email [email protected].
Rent Reduction
For tenants in City buildings, we will review and reduce rent for businesses suffering financial hardship.
For City buildings managed by a leasehold tenant, like the QVB, we will be varying our contract with the leasehold tenant to allow them to engage with sub-tenants and reduce rent where appropriate.
Waiving Fees
For the duration of this pandemic, we’ve waived fees for health and building compliance activities, waived and refunded the cost of hiring venues and banner advertising, waived market and filming permits, and we’ve relaxed our policing of parking spaces in the City.
We’ve allowed supermarkets and other stores to operate their loading docks 24 hours a day to deliver essential goods.
We are also only enforcing rules when there is an imminent public, environmental, health or safety risk, making it easier for businesses to increase or introduce take away food options to allow for social distancing, and expand outdoor dining when restrictions allow.
By fast-tracking $23 million worth of City of Sydney building works (paving upgrades, park renewals and building upgrades), we hope to engage and support our City’s building industry.
As the situation unfolds, the City will continue to take action to support business and the community. If you’d like to be kept up to date with the actions we are taking, sign up for eNews here.
