Targeted COVID support released for NT SMEs

The support will be available to businesses and organisations who are reliant on interstate and international visitation.

The additional financial support has come after the Commonwealth declared Greater Darwin and Katherine as hotspots.

Certain parts of the Northern Territory were placed in snap 72-hour lockdown last week to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The Greater Darwin area emerged from the lockdown on Thursday (19 August), while lockdown ended in Katherine on Friday (20 August).

However, certain restrictions such as mask mandates and limits on the number of visitors allowed at home will remain in place until 12pm on 26 August for high-risk activities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in the community.

Hospitality venues have been permitted to open for seated service only.

Visitation Reliant Support Program

The Visitation Reliant Support Program worth $9 million will be available for tourism and hospitality businesses reliant on international and interstate visitation.

Under the co-funded scheme, employing businesses will receive a $3,000 payment, while sole traders will receive a $1,000 payment.

Eligible businesses must have an annual turnover of less than $10 million, and will need to demonstrate a 30 per cent decrease in turnover as a result of the lockdown (particularly relating to visitation).

Tourism Survival Fund

A $1.3-million Tourism Survival Fund will be available for touring, professional conference organisers, exhibition build companies and eligible attractions.

It will provide targeted support to operators who have been impacted by the lack of international visitors and who have not benefited from tourism vouchers.

Under the scheme (which is also co-funded by the Commonwealth and territory governments), businesses will be able to access payments between $5,000 and $30,000 depending on their annual turnover, which must be less than $10 million.

Eligible businesses must be able to demonstrate a 30 per cent decrease in turnover, compared with the same period in 2019, as a result of the lockdown.

The latest round of funding packages has followed the reopening of the Territory Small Business Lockdown Payment, which has been extended for a second week to businesses with venues which must remain closed until restrictions are removed.

Together, the total package of support is worth more than $12.5 million and will be split on a 50/50 basis.

Commenting on the support packages, Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said that they would help businesses bounce back from the lockdown and keep the economy “ticking over”.

He said: “We know these lockdowns hurt – but they are necessary to control the virus and to keep Territorians safe.

“Because we locked down so hard and so fast, we were able to open up again so quickly and get back to business.”

Mr Gunner also thanked the federal government for “backing the comeback capital” for Northern Territory businesses and the tourism sector.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said that households and businesses in the Northern Territory have received more than $1.2 billion in funding from the federal government.

He said: “We know small businesses have been doing it tough throughout the pandemic, and this new package will give them the support they need to recover from the most recent lockdown.

“Federal government support has never been set and forget, and we will continue to work with the NT government to support businesses through the pandemic.”

[Related: Melbourne SME COVID support extended]