Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced seven-day payments for business suppliers will be introduced within a week to boost business cash flow as they face the economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis.
“Our team has been working to ensure businesses are supported in every way we can since the coronavirus first emerged as a threat to the Brisbane community and economy over a month ago.“Over the past few weeks we have announced a range of relief packages to help residents and businesses,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Today I am confirming that within the next week Council’s payment to business suppliers will be slashed from 30 days to 7 days.
“This initiative is so important as there are more than 124,000 small businesses across Brisbane, and it gets the money into the pockets of struggling businesses faster.
“We are not only working to get the money to people quicker but are also putting a stop to the bills coming during these tough times.
“Council’s $7.9 million business relief package will ensure a range of fees and charges for businesses and council lessees will be waived from March 1 to at least June 30 and in addition to this all ratepayers, including owner occupiers, non-owner occupiers and business owners, can access payment plans or deferred payment agreements of up to nine months,” Cr Schrinner said.“This is about supporting business and protecting jobs. Brisbane’s small business needs support and I am determined to do everything we can to see them through the other end of this crisis.
“While coronavirus is a health crisis it is just as much an economic crisis with businesses all over Brisbane facing uncertainty.
“I have never seen anything like this in Brisbane before with so many shopfronts closed, and I want residents to know this is only temporary and Council will do everything it can to continue to back businesses into recovery
“Keeping Brisbane’s local economy strong and growing has always been a priority and in 2019 I announced my commitment to boost the number of Brisbane and South East Queensland businesses benefitting from Council’s procurement policy.
“Over the past six months this local procurement initiative has led to more than $500 million being spent across 3000 businesses in South East Queensland, with more than 2000 of those businesses located right here in Brisbane.
“This local procurement policy is more important than ever right now and will continue to benefit thousands of businesses and inject millions into our economy over the coming months,” Cr Schrinner said.
For more information on small business support visit Brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888