Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle has called on the state government to lower the threshold for struggling small businesses to access support grants, as the lockdown enters another week.
The Berejiklian government announced on June 29 that small businesses and sole traders affected by the Greater Sydney COVID-19 restrictions with an annual turnover of more than $75,000 could apply for grants of up to $10,000 from late July.
But the Gazette understands the government is already looking at expanding the current assistance package to include businesses and sole traders with less than $75,000 annual turnover.
Ms Doyle said countless Blue Mountains businesses have contacted her office seeking assistance as they fail to meet the current eligibility requirements.
"When there are a huge amount of businesses not meeting the criteria, then there's something wrong with the criteria," she said in a statement on Friday, July 9. "The government is saying that they've put out an emergency assistance package but a lot of businesses just aren't eligible. The criteria needs to be reviewed, especially with the end of the federal government's JobKeeper payment, it's now more important than ever."
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Michael Rathge, the owner of Cortado Cafe at Lawson and two other hospitality businesses in the Upper Mountains, meets the current turnover threshold but would like to see it lowered so all businesses are supported.
"I think it could be lower. You need to support everyone in the supply chain," he said.
Mr Rathge said Cortado has switched to takeaway-only and taken a 30 per cent hit during this lockdown.
He doesn't employ casuals but has reluctantly reduced the hours of his permanent staff.
"If the lockdown does extend another three weeks, I will have to stand down some people which I don't want to do," he said.
Leura hairdresser Steve Walls is also doing it tough. The Cream Hair Studios owner is losing $2000 a week while the lockdown rolls on, and his business turnover is just below the $75,000 threshold. He says the government support should have been provided from the start of the lockdown and be available to all businesses.
"It should not be dependent on an annual figure," Mr Walls said. "Why should the average person have to push the government to have some common sense?"
Ms Doyle said calls for a reduced turnover limit had been echoed by numerous Blue Mountains businesses who are under extreme financial pressure and highly concerned that the lockdown will continue beyond July 16.
"It's time for the government to act and reduce the turnover limit so these businesses can see the benefits of the Berejiklian government's emergency assistance package," she said.
The existing package offers grants of between $5000 and $10,000 for businesses who suffer a loss of trade of between 30 and 70 per cent but under existing guidelines they must have a turnover of at least $75,000 per year.
Small businesses with a turnover of less than $75,000 can apply for the $1500 Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate Scheme, which allows small businesses to claim a rebate for any eligible state and local government fees, charges or licences.
The rebate is available until June 30, 2022. To apply and for more information, including the program guidelines, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/small-business-fees-and-charges-rebate
NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns said Labor supports the government's decision to act on health advice and extend the lockdown, but this had come at a high cost for livelihoods and thousands of businesses across NSW.
"It is clear that the NSW government's support for businesses and workers has not been good enough. Certainty for business requires the NSW government to provide further support," he said.
