COVID-19 Community & small business relief

Play Money Rewards

We are investing $3 million into a ‘buy local and play local’ rewards program to stimulate local spending in the Gold Coast’s tourism, dining, retail, arts and culture businesses. There are 60,000 rewards of $50 each on offer.

Book your Play Money Rewards now and get $50 off Gold Coast accommodation, dining, retail, tours and attractions when the purchase is $100 or more.

Play money rewards



Looking up at apartments on a blue sky day

Digital growth for the accommodation industry

The accommodation sector is a key driver for the tourism industry. The digital growth program will be a 6-month program aimed at helping you retain and increase avenues for income. Available from later this year.
Two people in a cafe with a laptop

Business engagement

Our newly appointed officers are available to assist small to medium sized businesses to access Federal and State funding. Learn more about this and other business support.
Person removing rubbish from the beach

Discretionary Grants Program

As part of the City’s second COVID-19 support package, the 2021-22 Discretionary Grants Program has been fast-tracked. Applications are open until 29 August 2021 for community organisations.

Economic relief and support

We are implementing initiatives to support local businesses and local jobs, through the Gold Coast's road to recovery from COVID-19. We continue to work with you to keep you safe, informed and supported. Find information about relief and support available to the community and businesses below.

27
million
Community and business support
13.3
million
Economic stimulus and recovery measures
7.5
million
Accelerated works to support job creation
5
million
Relief package for 2021-22

 

Community relief and support

  • Nil increase to property rates bill for owner-occupiers ($9.07m)
  • Water and sewerage usage charge nil increase ($3.6m)
  • Water and waste hardship program ($2.16m)
  • General/separate rates bill hardship program ($2.16m)
  • Not for profit rent relief on community leases, community facility and community centre leases ($183,165)
  • Right of use hire fee waivers ($228,000)
  • Major sporting venues community lease/license (not for profit) ($114,919)
  • Rates and water accounts - enter a flexible payment arrangement (based on affordability) without penalty interest for up to 6 months. Please visit our Payment plans page to organise via our online form. We have also suspended new recovery action, for those without arrears or in an arrangement, until January 2022.
  • Hardship grants for community organisations ($500,000)
  • Recovery grants for community organisations ($1m)
  • The Discretionary Grants Program allocates funds each financial year to support community organisations to deliver projects with a community purpose.
  • Resource support for not for profit groups ($200,000)
  • City Connect offering recovery support for resident and community groups ($250,000)
  • The City is investing $3 million into a Play Money Rewards program to support the Gold Coast's tourism, dining, retail, arts and culture industries. The Play Money Rewards program will be available to Gold Coast residents with 60,000 rewards of $50 each on offer from 16 September 2021. The program will be facilitated by Destination Gold Coast. ($3m)
    destinationgoldcoast.com/play-money-business

Business relief and support

  • Discontinuation of special rates for Surfers Paradise Alliance, Broadbeach Alliance, Connecting Southern Gold Coast and Southport CBD and 12 month deferral of replacement funding model ($6.04m)
  • Fees waived for 2021-22 for:
    • roadside dining for 330 hospitality properties ($1.28m)
    • liquor license holders ($248,987)
    • hot air ballooning for the city's operators ($3,447)
    • commercial vessel permits for 19 businesses ($23,351)
    • Referral Agency Advice and Express Development Applications fee relief until 31 October 2021
    • Contact us to arrange this fee relief
  • Community Centre hire fees waived for 1 month for 780 eligible small businesses, i.e. local dance schools, karate classes and training providers. Businesses will be contacted. ($100,000)
  • Business analysis and engagement – City staff work with small to medium businesses impacted by COVID-19 in the Surfers Paradise, Southport and Coolangatta precincts. Support is available for investment opportunities and bid proposals for Federal and State government funding. Please complete this form.
  • Digital growth for the accommodation industry – a 6-month training program aimed at upskilling 50 accommodation providers. Available later this year. More details to come.
  • Accelerated payment of City suppliers to ensure businesses are paid within 7 days wherever possible.
  • 'Buy local' policy continues to be strengthened to support local businesses.

What we've done for you

From 2020 our City Budget and business support packages have included:

$5 million relief package for 2021-22
STATUS: in progress

More flexible payment arrangement terms for those experiencing hardship due to COVID-19
STATUS: Continuing

Continuing to waive a range of fees and charges for businesses
STATUS: Continuing

Continued our buy local procurement policy
STATUS: Continuing

Initial $26.9 million support package
STATUS: COMPLETED

$4.3 million for targeted stimulus measures
STATUS: COMPLETED

$7.5 million in accelerated capital works, to support job creation
STATUS: COMPLETED

Supported food and beverage businesses to move to takeaway models during lockdowns
STATUS: COMPLETED

In a snapshot: 2020-21

  • Rates relief for 137,800 residential properties
  • Water rates relief for 265,270 properties
  • 0% increase in the Tourism & Economic Diversification Differential Rate
  • 11,500 commercial and tourist rental properties received a one-off rate relief
  • More flexible payment plans for water and rates accounts
  • Creation of a water and waste hardship program
  • General rates relief hardship program continued
  • Small business relief through waiving or reducing fees and charges for businesses, community groups and sporting organisations
  • Supporting community organisations through grants programs and other initiatives
  • Fast tracked targeted stimulus measures
  • Increased our contribution to Study Gold Coast to support the return of international students
  • Additional funding to fast track planning for Light Rail Stage 4
  • Accelerated capital works program
  • Accelerated payment of suppliers
  • Parking meters were turned off for a period of time
  • Retained average general rate increase for 2021-22 at 2.5%.

Other financial assistance

2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grant

Queensland businesses who have had a decline in turnover of more than 30% can access a $600 million support package jointly funded by the Federal and State governments. As part of the package, additional support for businesses includes:
- a $1,000 one-off grant to non-employing sole traders across Queensland
- a one-off, top-up grant from $5000 to $25,000 based on payroll size.
Queensland Government - Business Support Grant

Queensland Tourism Grants

Queensland Tourism Industry Council offers a range of grants throughout the year to operators in the tourism industry.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council - Grants Gateway

Destination Gold Coast

Destination Gold Coast continues to keep the tourism industry up-to-date on industry specific support via their LinkedIn page.
Destination Gold Coast LinkedIn page

Additional resources

 

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