Support for Small Businesses during the COVID-19 crisis

Visit Shop Local

Many local businesses have innovative responses to continue service delivery. To support and promote our local businesses, Cumberland City Council is launching a Shop Local campaign. It will enable local businesses to list their details on a dedicated Cumberland City Council web page – allowing customers to quickly find:

• Shops and services that are still trading

• Trading hours

• Business contact and website details

• Delivery and order processes

• Special offers

If you are a local business and would like to participate in this initiative, please complete the online registration form. This initiative is free.

If you require more information or assistance, please call Natalie Yu Council’s Business Engagement Coordinator on 02 8757 9491. Or email natalie.yu@cumberland.nsw.gov.au 

Visit Employ Local

Cumberland City Council encourages local businesses to take advantage of this service and advertise your vacant positions, free of charge on our Employ Local page to attract local jobseekers.

Please use our easy to fill out Local Employment Opportunity Submission Form to add any vacancies you may have.

If you are looking for work check out our Employ Local page to see jobs on offer from local businesses in the Cumberland Council area.

Free business webinars, from digital marketing to legal matters, our practical business webinars provide key information and useful hints and tips. For details, visit www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/local-business-webinars

One-on-one Business Advisory Services will continue through webinar and video. For details, visit www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/one-one-business-advisory

Council has agreed to waive all outdoor dining licensing fees for the rest of this calendar year, leaving any businesses who have paid up until the rest of this financial year, in credit for future years. Council has commenced the administration process of implementing this decision.

Any lessees of Council properties are also able to contact Council  to discuss rent deferral options, to provide them with some certainty over their businesses and their lease arrangements with Council. Council is considering any requests on a case by case basis, and applicants are required to submit  further information to Council for a request to be considered.

For any enquiries, please contact Council on 8757 9000 and request to speak to the Property team, or email Council at council@cumberland.nsw.gov.au 

Applications are now open for the Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant of up to $3,000.

Visit the Service NSW website for more information and to apply.

The NSW Government is working with councils to support communities across the state in response to COVID-19. There is a list of Ministerial orders currently in force including

• Extended days for construction work
• Flexibility for food trucks and dark kitchens
• Temporary workers accommodation
• Retail trading and operating hours and waste disposal
• Home businesses operating hours
• Supermarkets and other retail outlets can receive deliveries 24 hours a day

The list will be updated progressively. For details please visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/COVID19-response

NSW Government has put together COVID-19 Safety Plans help to protect the staff, customers and visitors of your business.

Some businesses will need to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan under the public health orders, but you can also voluntarily complete one. To find out if you need to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan, visit the Service NSW website.

Mediation help with rent, retail leases and talking to your agent or landlord.

The Mediation Services of NSW Office of Small Business Commissioner offers mediation services, along with negotiation and procedural advice, to assist in the resolution of small business and retail lease disputes.

Businesses are encouraged to speak frankly with the landlord/contractor about rent and retail lease matters. If after discussion you require further advice, you can contact the NSW Office of Small Business Commissioner’s regarding their mediation services on 1300 795 534 or submit an online inquiry via www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/contact 

The mediation service is provided to small businesses experiencing commercial disputes, assisting at any stage of a dispute, helping those involved to address key issues and find solutions.

A series of free webinars covering 5 general areas of small business tax obligations running from 25 June to 29 July 2020.

Presented by experienced tax officers from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Interact with presenters, ask questions and apply information to your situation.

Each webinar runs for approximately 45 to 60 minutes and some are running multiple dates and times.

Please note, if you register for a live session, be sure you are online by the start time as the session will be locked 10 mins after the webinar begins.

• Tax Support for Small Business - Find out how the Government’s stimulus package can help your small business during COVID-19.
• Introduction to Business Records - Learn about which business records to keep, the legal requirements and how long to keep the records.
• Cash Flow for Small Business Success - Find out how to identify issues and use a range of tips to help maximise your cash flow.
• Becoming an Employer – Learn about hiring workers, paying employees, paying contractors and providing benefits to workers.
• Income Tax Deduction – Find out fundamental principles of income tax deductions that apply to all businesses, and tax treatment of different deductions including depreciation of assets.  

In light of the current Covid-19 (Corona Virus) Pandemic, Council would like to take this opportunity to recognise the challenges faced by all food businesses at this time and assist those that are still able to remain open with some information on what you can do as a food business to protect yourself, your business, staff and your customers.

A downloadable version of our Food Safety Newsletter from April 2020 is now available.

Access a suite of eLearning modules have been developed by Australian Commission on Safety & Quality in Health Care. This offering provides information on the principles of infection prevention and control. Many of these modules are of value to those involved in Aged Care, the community in general and workforce - such as hairdressers. A certificate of completion can be obtained once all modules are completed. For further information, visit www.safetyandquality.gov.au

Small businesses that are temporarily closed due to COVID-19 may be eligible for full electricity and gas tariff relief under a financial support package organized by Energy Networks Australia.

Eligibility criteria apply, including usage figures and time limits.

For more information, visit the Energy Networks webpage.

Visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre to see the guide developed to help small and micro businesses adapt to working during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Resources to use and share to stay mentally healthy during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

• Beyond Blue – Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
• Australian Psychological Society – Tips for coping with coronavirus anxiety
• Headspace – How to cope with stress related to coronavirus (COVID-19
• Black Dog Institute - Coronavirus Anxiety Resources
• Smiling Mind – Supporting yourself and others through Coronavirus
• HeadsUp- Small Business mental health for employers and employees
• WayAhead workplaces