Business support

Business sector advice - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The following measures are designed to provide immediate financial support for local businesses currently in survival mode with reduced revenue and significant cash flow difficulties.

City of Gold Coast announcement for Gold Coast businesses

Queensland Government small business support
Federal Government support
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ)
Tourism sector

Fees and charges

Changes will take effect immediately and will apply until 30 June 2020, as a minimum.

Waiving roadside dining fees for the period 1 February to 30 June 2020.
With restaurants closed there will be no further fees until 30 June 2020.
Waiving development application fees relating directly to the COVID-19 emergency until 30 June 2020.
For example an existing restaurant converting to a takeaway service.
Waiving film application fees until 30 June 2020.
Waiving rents for businesses with commercial leases on or within City of Gold Coast owned premises from 1 March until 30 June.
Waiving fees to commercial vessels from 1 February until 30 June.
Waiving fees for any bookings of a Council facility, venue or park between 1 February and 30 June that has to cancel due to COVID-19.
All refund policies are being relaxed to accommodate full refunds.

Rates, water charges, waste water charges and waste charges

Changes will take effect immediately and will apply until 30 June 2020, as a minimum.

Waiving of all interest payments for businesses that enter affordable repayment agreements for water charges, waste water charges, waste charges and rates.
Eligibility now applies to all business property owners and approval can be provided over the phone.
All new debt recovery action for overdue water charges, waste water charges, waste charges and rates will be suspended for businesses who enter an approved payment arrangement.
This excludes pre-existing debt incurred prior to the pandemic.
Interest charged on unpaid water charges, waste water charges, waste charges and rates will be zero per cent (0%) for businesses that enter into an approved repayment arrangement.
Businesses without approved arrangements for repaying overdue water charges, waste water charges, waste charges and rates will have their penalty interest rate cut from 9.83 per cent to 3 per cent.

How to apply

To access these business support measures:

Email: rates@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 GOLD COAST (1300 465 326) or 07 5582 8211

Expanding the city’s Wi-Fi network

A free Wi-Fi service will be provided to business customers within network coverage areas of Southport, Surfers Paradise, Chevron Island, Broadbeach, Miami and Coolangatta; providing access to 4GB of data, at speeds close to 30Mbs, via a secure network connection. To see coverage areas and register for this service, visit our Free public Wi-Fi page.

Payments to suppliers

The City is making payment times to current suppliers faster.
We have allocated additional staff and are making daily payment runs so businesses are paid more quickly.

Future economic measures

In addition to the above immediate business assistance measures, the City will be considering a broad based industry specific stimulus package at a later date.

Stimulus measures will possibly include the following:

accelerated capital works program
revised purchasing policy to benefit local businesses
fast track a joint venture to deliver high speed internet services to businesses
further assistance for specific industries including entertainment, dining, film, tourism, education, health and medical research.

Queensland Government small business support

Queensland Government small business support including information on job support loans, mentoring sessions, financial workshops and recovery packages.

Federal Government

Find financial assistance, eligibility and timing for the new government support for Australian businesses:

Federal Government - Financial assistance for businesses

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ):

Access free resources and support for Queensland businesses:

CCIQ Coronavirus Business Knowledge and Support Hub
CCIQ is offering free 12 month membership to access advice and support.

Tourism sector

Destination Gold Coast will forgo membership fees for the upcoming 2021 financial year. They plan to offer free membership to any tourism related businesses in the 2021 financial year.

Tourism Australia has also compiled a one-stop-shop of information on their website.

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