Welcome to Business News. We hope all Bega Valley businesses have a COVIDSafe Plan in place now to help keep staff and the community safe, particularly our pubs, clubs, restaurants, bars, cafes and now, gyms.
If you haven't already, consider registering as a COVIDSafe business so you can show customers you are committed to keeping them safe. Businesses need to take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission or risk facing a fine or closure.
Please note the amended Public Health Order clarification that the 4 square metre rule does not apply to a vessel used for commercial tours for scuba diving, snorkelling or whale, dolphin or marine animal watching.
Keep up-to-date via our COVID-19 webpage and social media alerts.
And don't forget our Bushfire Recovery service is active and our Bega Valley Together Cuppa and a Chat sessions are running throughout the Shire. We’d love to help or share a cuppa, as you continue through this unprecedented time. Follow our Facebook page to keep in the loop.
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COVID-19 UPDATE
Under the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 4) 2020, an amendment was made to introduce new requirements for gymnasiums (that is, indoor recreation facilities excluding dance, yoga, Pilates, gymnastics or martial arts studios) including registering with the NSW Government as a COVID-19 Safe business, and having a COVID-19 Safety Hygiene Marshal on the premises if open.
It further clarifies that the 4 square metre rule does not apply to a vessel used for commercial tours for scuba diving, snorkelling or whale, dolphin or marine animal watching. The Order commenced on 1 August 2020.
Venues are on notice – NSW Police, Liquor & Gaming inspectors and NSW Health officials will carry out inspections across the state to ensure COVIDSafe plans are being followed.
Businesses should have a COVIDSafe plan in place and be registered as a COVIDSafe business to protect staff, customers and visitors.
Proposed changes to the JobKeeper Payment include an extension through to 28 March 2021, tests based on actual turnover to determine eligibility and tiered payment rates for eligible employees based on average hours worked per week. These proposed changes will not impact JobKeeper Payments until after 28 September 2020. Once legislation has passed, the ATO will make further updates to their web content and support materials to provide additional information on the changes. For more information, see the JobKeeper extension fact sheet on the Treasury website.
Service NSW has released a new interactive tool for business owners who are having trouble meeting lease commitments due to COVID-19, such as paying rent. This aims to help businesses get targeted and tailored information individual to their circumstance, and to encourage negotiation without the need for third party involvement.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has updated its guidance for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, answering common questions businesses have about their rights and responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law. This includes product returns and exchanges, delivery delays and gift card expiry dates.
The ACCC’s guidance for consumers may also be relevant for your rights as a small business. In many instances, small businesses are also defined as consumers, especially when dealing with large businesses.
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has updated its COVID-19 tips page with new information and advice to help reduce some of your phone or internet problems. If you can’t resolve a problem with your phone or internet provider, the TIO is free and here to help.
The TIO’s new complaint form is now live on its website, making it quicker and more focused on the information it needs to look into your phone or internet problem.
Visit the Fair Work Ombudsman’s dedicated COVID-19 website for information about your workplace obligations as you navigate the impact of the pandemic. You’ll find information, tools and resources on pay and leave during the pandemic, temporary changes to workplace laws, managing stand-downs, the application of JobKeeper in workplaces and returning to work.
Council has a dedicated COVID Border Closure page with information applicable to Bega Valley businesses and residents, which is updated as relevant information comes to hand.
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Tim Whitaker joins Council to focus on business recovery
 Introducing Tim Whitaker, Council’s Business Recovery Officer, who will engage with businesses and stakeholders to develop locally led strategies and programs to help small to medium businesses in the Bega Valley. He will be a great asset in these challenging times!
Working closely with Daniel Murphy and Alison Vandenbergh in our Economic Development area, Tim’s role will be to work one-on-one with business owners to facilitate support options and identify business opportunities.
Building on this he will help coordinate business service offerings from different federal and state agencies and support local organisations that are assisting our business community to recover. Tim is keen to ensure our Shire’s businesses receive the advice and support they need.
Tim has over 30 years’ experience as a small business owner and manager in the Bega Valley. He is a qualified trainer and business coach and is dedicated to helping legacy led businesses develop financially sustainable futures.
Tim’s previous role was as a trainer and business coach with the federal government’s New Business Assistance program.
If you need business support, get in contact with Tim at twhitaker@begavalley.nsw.gov.au or 0427 402 050.
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Requests for Tenders | Quotes | Expressions of Interest
Tathra Beach Kiosk - Council is seeking Expressions of Interest for qualified community organisations and interested parties for the use and occupation of the Tathra Beach Kiosk building on Andy Poole Drive in Tathra.
Pambula Beach Accessibility Project - Council is seeking quotes for qualified commercial entities for the construction of new amenities, and picnic and barbecue shelters at the Pambula Beach Reserve.
Back File Scanning of Council Records - Council is seeking quotes for qualified commercial entities to assist Council in undertaking a one-year back file scanning program to determine the feasibility of converting its full collection of hard copy records to electronic files. If the results of the year one program prove successful, then a multi-year program may be established to convert the full collection. This RFQ and associated contract encompass year one of the program only.
Bega and Brogo rivers flood warning scoping and feasibility study - Council is seeking quotes for qualified commercial entities to undertake a scoping and feasibility study for implementation of a Total Flood Warning System within the Bega and Brogo rivers catchment. The study will be required to develop and evaluate options, develop a draft specification, operational manuals, education/communication materials and consider the potential opportunities of incorporating Internet-of-Things technologies into the Total Flood Warning System.
The NSW government is inviting Expressions of Interest to be pre-registered for the Pre-approved Panels of Modular Home Builders. More information is available on the eTender website, following registration.
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Primary producer and business grants extended
The timeframe to apply for primary producer recovery grants of up to $75,000 has been extended to 15 December 2020 in recognition that some primary producers need more time to claim after experiencing drought, bushfires and COVID-19.
Grant eligibility for primary producers is also being expanded. To apply, call 1800 678 593 or visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website.
The government has also extended the timeframes for bushfire recovery grants and loans for small businesses up to 15 December 2020. This includes applications for $10,000 and $50,000 grants and concessional loans of up to $500,000.
Photo: Cliff Shipton
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The Global Foundation to gather in Bega Valley
 Bega Valley Shire Council is partnering with The Global Foundation to provide a unique, regional roundtable discussion from 2pm to 5.30pm on Monday 10 August, blending local, national and global participation.
The Bega Valley roundtable will be the next in a series of ongoing discussions about Australia’s national strategy and policies for the future, in a global context.
This event is convened by the non-profit citizens’ organisation, The Global Foundation and follows on from earlier roundtable discussions convened by the Foundation in Melbourne and Sydney.
As well as a host of Bega Valley voices, the whole community is invited to take part and contribute to the discussion via a live stream to Bega Valley Shire Council’s Facebook page.
It is the ambition of the Foundation the Bega Valley roundtable will serve two purposes:
- to bring to bear the talents of figures of national and global influence to understand, support and, where possible, enable Bega Valley to fulfil its future potential
- to ensure the experience of trauma, resilience and recovery in the Bega Valley is able to influence wider thinking about a forward national strategy for Australia, in a global context.
The Governor General of Australia, The Hon. David Hurley AC (pictured) will address the Bega Valley roundtable on 10 August via Zoom.
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August is Art Month Sapphire Coast
Bega Valley Regional Gallery presents Art Month Sapphire Coast; a diverse digital program bringing together the region’s exceptional artistic talent for the month of August, with online entertainment, events and exhibitions from across the Bega Valley Shire. We have also commissioned a series of unique online events.
Thanks to funding from Create NSW, Regional Arts NSW and Destination NSW, we are able to promote our local creative industries – sole traders and micro-businesses - at a time when they need it most.
Micro grants were distributed to participants from this funding and with guidance from South East Arts. This critical financial support allowed participants to digitise their offering, through live-streaming, website building and online shop creation.
Supporting the creative economy and access to new national audiences at this crucial time works on all levels. Growing economic capacity for artists, performers and creatives allows us to support the building of resilience through the widely acknowledged social and cultural benefits that arts activities have on regional communities.
We currently have on board 27 artists, crafters, makers and authors, nine dancers, musicians and performers, and 13 online events. These include David Rogers landscape photography webinar, My Black Dog, Yuri Wiedenhofer studio tour, Date Night with Melanie Horsnell and The New Graces.
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Bega Chamber of Commerce & Industry
– new website and upcoming AGM
The Bega Chamber of Commerce & Industry recently launched its new website, providing members and interested parties with an informative and user-friendly experience.
Here you will find information on the Chamber and its activities, the benefits of becoming a member and how to join. The News page is updated regularly with information relevant to the Bega business community and the Events listing will keep you active.
The next event on the Chamber’s calendar is the Annual General Meeting at the Bega Valley Motors Toyota Showroom on Wednesday 19 August at 5.30pm.
Open to members and those interested in membership, this important meeting will provide an overview on the past year and share the vision for the coming year. The new Executive will also be elected. Guest speaker for the night is Executive Chairman of Bega Cheese, Barry Irvin. Food and refreshments will be provided.
Information on the activities of chambers, business and tourism organisations and the arts sector will be included in future issues of Business News.
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Steve’s back to strengthen local businesses
The federal government’s Strengthening Business initiative has a new business facilitator, who is already known to many business owners in the Bega Valley - Steve Millott.
Steve, a former business owner, is the Bega Valley’s Strengthening Business facilitator; helping eligible bushfire affected businesses navigate government assistance, discuss immediate business needs and provide access to longer term recovery planning.
Eligibility requirements are:
- businesses in any sector with under $1.5 million in turnover
- must be located in the affected areas and have been impacted, including indirectly impacted through loss of trade, tourism downturn, etc
- must have an ABN which is current and was current in carrying on business at the time of the bushfire in the defined disaster area.
Steve’s key message to business owners considering Strengthening Business is do not self-assess!
Let Steve do the assessing and help you to rebuild, grow, strengthen and continue your sustainability into the future. Contact Steve at Steven.Millott@ep.industry.gov.au or call him on 0413 606 982.
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The Sapphire Coast in the media
Council’s investment in tourism marketing, through our tourism service provider Sapphire Coast Destination Marketing, has once again achieved valuable media coverage for the region.
Fishing World - Australia's number one fishing publication reaching over 200,000 readers - has featured Tathra in its August edition and has promised to come back to the Sapphire Coast later in the year.
The Sapphire Coast will also feature in the September edition of Australian Golf Digest (122,000 readers) and the September issue of Green Magazine (120,000 readers), both due to hit shelves in late August.
In other news, Destination Southern NSW have pulled together grant and funding information and made it available on its website. The grants cover bushfires, COVID-19, events, the arts and more.
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NSW First Quick Tip Web tutorials
Destination NSW has produced a series of web tutorials as part of the NSW First Quick Tips series to help tourism businesses in the recovery phase.
The web tutorials provide advice about how to stay in touch with customers, maintain relationships with media and distribution partners, and opportunities to develop new areas of business.
The first two tutorials now available are Adapting your product and Staying connected with distribution partners.
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Rural Financial Counselling Service
The Rural Financial Counselling Service has additional financial counsellors and support workers to provide eligible primary producers and small businesses in regional communities with access to free and confidential financial counselling.
Are you experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship? Talk to a rural financial counsellor. It's a free, confidential service. They can give you individual support to meet your needs and help you make the right decisions for your business.
Financial hardship in regional communities doesn't stop at the farm gate. Other financial counselling services are available if you're not eligible for the RFCS program. This includes services for:
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Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace
Providing a mentally healthy work environment is so important in the current climate. There are several business-related mental health websites with information and resources; some will work better for you than others.
It’s worth spending a little time to see what might suit where you are right now.
Heads Up (with Beyond Blue) has information directed towards business owners and people working from home.
My Business Health helps you maintain wellbeing as you navigate your business through this difficult time.
Lifeline has some mental health and wellbeing tips and strategies to help continue looking after yourself, family and friends.
Black Dog Institute has resources for managers and workers.
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Inquiry into insurance affordability
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has launched an inquiry into insurance affordability and availability following a growing trend of insurance companies denying small businesses insurance and pricing them out of the market.
Of particular concern are cases where small businesses with current insurance policies have been subjected to major changes that have reduced their coverage without their consent, and with no refund of premiums. The Ombudsman's inquiry will look at this in more detail and consider if these practices amount to Unfair Contract Terms.
If you are a small or family business that has faced difficulties with your insurance company, please take part in this survey by 30 August 2020.
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Promote your business through BCA
The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has set up a webpage to showcase and promote businesses in bushfire affected communities.
If you would like to have your business promoted, email community@bca.com.au with your full name, business name, email address, a high resolution photo of a shopfront/product/service provided by your business, and a link to your website/social media platform.
This initiative will provide an additional platform and opportunity for businesses to get their name out there and reach consumers from around different parts of Australia, and it will be supported through BCA's Strong Australia Network social media platforms.
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Superannuation amnesty deadline looms
A reminder that small businesses have until 7 September to declare any errors in superannuation payments to staff, without facing harsh penalties. Payment plans are available to small businesses unable to pay the lump sum amount owed, so long as they get on the front foot and make contact with the ATO.
To qualify for the amnesty, employers must come forward voluntarily, without direct prompting from the ATO and agree to pay all employee entitlements plus interest. If you don’t disclose unpaid super under the amnesty and you are found to have been non-compliant, you will face a minimum penalty of 100% of the superannuation owed, have to pay a $20 administration fee per employee per quarter and you can't deduct any payments made.
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Resources Directory for women entrepreneurs
The Expert FindHer Resources Directory has information about funding sources, programs, networks and tools that can help women entrepreneurs develop their start-up, such as mentoring programs, networking opportunities, sources of funding or finance, business training and professional development.
The directory was developed to counter women’s business challenges, which include access to funding and capital, lack of confidence and access to information, networks, mentors and support.
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Sapphire Coast NSW's most popular Facebook post for July was a photograph of the stingrays at Kianinny Bay in Tathra, which went super viral, reaching more than 175,000 people. These gentle giants like to cruise the crystal clear waters of Kianinny while they wait for the fishing boats to come in. Watching from the jetty (and joining them for a splash) is a classic Tathra pastime! 💦 Photo by Andrew Buesnel IG/@andrew_buesnel
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Get the latest Bega Valley and Sapphire Coast business news and information direct to your inbox.
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Business News is a key channel that connects us to you and helps us support your business.
Let us know what you need from us. You can contact Dan, Alison and Tim in the Economic Development team on (02) 6499 2222 or EconomicDevelopment@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
As we navigate the pandemic, we thank you for continuing to care for yourself, your staff and your families. Please check Council's dedicated COVID-19 webpage for the very latest news and information on the pandemic, including business news.
Feedback and topic suggestions are welcome:
EconomicDevelopment@begavalley.nsw.gov.au
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