Monday, 13 April 2020
The South Australian Business Chamber has called on South Australian councils to consider all possible options available to temporarily waive or reduce commercial rates for heavily COVID-19 impacted businesses for the current quarter with immediate effect.
The peak industry body says businesses, including landlords, need financial relief now, and the move could save an average business around $2,500.
The South Australian Business Chamber CEO, Martin Haese, said the consistent call for commercial rate relief was being heard from across all business sectors in South Australia.
“With the Federal Government and State Government doing much of the heavy lifting, it is now time for the Local Government sector to step up to the plate to help,” said Mr Haese.
“We encourage every council to put all options on the table to provide commercial rate relief waivers immediately – not deferrals, not rate freezes, short-term waivers,”
“The urgent need for commercial rate relief was one of the loudest messages to come out of our recent Virtual Industry Summit held with more than 40 industry leaders.
“Commercial tenants and landlords need support right now and councils need to play their role and take on some of the heavy lifting to help get businesses through this COVID-19 crisis.
“While we recognise not all councils are in a position to pass on this financial support, we strongly encourage councils to look at all possible steps they can take to support commercial rate payers who would be otherwise eligible for JobKeeper.
“We don’t want to see businesses or landlords racking up a crippling level of debt during COVID- 19 as that will restrain their ability to recover once we get through this crisis. It will defeat the very purpose of what needs to be achieved.”
The South Australian Business Chamber said commercial rate relief waivers should occur for the current quarter, refunded back to businesses effective 1 April 2020.
Adelaide hospitality entrepreneur, Josh Baker, echoed the call for more support, as he moves to re-open two of his popular businesses, Whistle & Flute and Part Time Lover, for weekend takeaway trade from tomorrow.
“Our sector has been hit the hardest and there is still a bumpy road ahead so we’re going to need all the help we can get,” Mr Baker said.
“The JobKeeper payment has allowed us to re-hire 15 staff across our businesses this week and to deliver that news was just amazing.”
Mr Baker said Unley café, Whistle & Flute will re-open from 8:00am‑2:00pm for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays operating a new kiosk-style takeaway service. While city hot spot, Part Time Lover will re-open for pre-order drive through takeaway on weekends.
