As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the Australian economy, the federal government has pledged a total of around $189 billion in stimulus packages to try to stop the country from crumbling.  The Queensland Government has committed $4 billion to support Queenslander’s health, jobs and businesses in the COVID-19 Economic Relief Package. 

Sole traders

• If eligible, sole traders can access the ‘Coronavirus supplement‘ of $550/fortnight for the next six months. 
• If income is reduced by 20% or more, sole traders can access up to $10,000 of superannuation tax-free. 

Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) With Staff

• Tax-free cash payment of minimum $20,000 and up to $100,000 to retain staff and operations (for businesses with a turnover under $50 million).  
• 50% wage subsidy for apprentice or trainee wages for nine months, up to a maximum of $21,000.
• Payroll tax support
  • Two months of payroll tax will be immediately refunded.
  • The next three months of payroll tax will be waived.
  • Payroll tax for July to December will be deferred.

All Businesses

• Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme — Government guarantee for 50% of new loans issued by eligible lenders. 
• Increase in the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand and the time for companies to respond. 
• Businesses can immediately write-off multiple assets up to $150,000/asset. There is also expanded access to the instant asset write-off to include all businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million (30 June 2020). 
• Accelerated depreciation deduction — 50% of the cost of an asset, with existing depreciation applying to the balance of the asset’s cost. 
• $500 million to provide business loans up to $250,000 with no interest for the first 12 months. 
• Free financial advice to producers, commercial fishers, and tourism operators through the Rural Financial Counselling Service. 
• Workshops will be held around the state for financial management and business planning. Register your interest for a potential Far North Queensland workshop.
• Mentoring for Growth offering free access to business mentors including around business finances and planning. 

Agriculture Industry

• Grants up to $7500 to support new equipment purchases. 
• Grants up to $50,000 to support project activities, such as market evaluation studies, market visits and staff training. 

Commercial Fishers

• Waiving of tropical rock lobster and coral trout quota fees and fishing boat license fees until June 2020. 
• Expanding tropical rock lobster fishery area for three months.
• Local seafood promotion campaign.
• Rural financial counselling services for commercial fishers, fishery supply chain and tourism businesses impacted by Covid-19. 

 Tourism Operators

• Waiving of site fees to conduct business in a national park, conservation park, recreation area or state forest between 1 February and 31 July 2020. 
• Waiving registration renewal fees for Queensland inbound tour operators for 12 months.
• Deferring Queensland Government lease rent payments for tourism leases until 1 January 2021.

Interest-free loans

• Loans of up to $250,000 will be interest-free for the first 12 months, and are intended to help businesses keep employees on board and maintain their operation until the worst of the crisis has passed. The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority is currently accepting expressions of interest for the loans. Businesses that are interested should contact the authority here.

Clear, simple messaging focusing on the “perfect” experiences that can be found on the Atherton Tablelands was the inspiration behind the local tourism organisations’s new destination brand.

Tabling his report at the annual general meeting, outgoing Chairman Brett Stevenson said the largely volunteer LTO had delivered a number of key marketing activities during the 2018-19 financial year, including rolling out the Atherton Tablelands’ Discover Perfect campaign.

“The Discover Perfect campaign was a natural evolution of the discover brand, which has been synonymous with the Atherton Tablelands destination for the last three decades.”

Supporting the campaign was a new website with enhanced digital features, six new videos produced by Phlipvids showcasing some of the “perfect” experiences that can be found on the Atherton Tablelands and the new Travel Guide app, which hosts the Atherton Tablelands Discover publication produced by Atherton Tablelands Promotion Bureau Ltd.  

A partnership with Queensland Rail also saw the Atherton Tablelands Discover Perfect campaign promoted at one of Brisbane’s busiest train stations – Roma Street – with a number of light boxes and supported advertising in its in-house publication Embark. 

The LTO also continued to bolster its efforts in the digital space, producing 48 travel blogs as well as adding additional features to the destination’s new website.

“Enhancements include member product brochures and a concierge service,” Mr Stevenson added.

“This unique online platform allows visitors to submit more information on their visit to the region including type of accommodation they are looking for, type of activities of interest, when they are coming, how many travelling and so on.  

“Within 24 hours, the visitor has a tailored itinerary suggesting locations to stay and what to do, matching their interests.”

 The destination was also well showcased  at the three major caravan and camping shows at Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne under the Caravanning Queensland banner, continuing its efforts in the self-drive market.  

Mr Stevenson thanked his fellow board members, for their continued support. “They have brought an enormous amount of industry experience to the table for the collective benefit of the Atherton Tablelands.

The 2018-19 directors included Angela Freeman from Wildlife TNQ, Tracy Klaproth from On the Wallaby, Eddy Nye from Rainforest Bounty, Brett Cameron from Brett’s Outback Tasting Adventures, Rebekah Haase as the outback representative, Cr Nipper Brown from Mareeba Shire Council, Bob Owen from Tablelands Regional Council  and Brad Farrington as a special interest director. 

He also thanked the marketing and media team, along with executive officer and board secretary Bronwyn Jones, for their dedication and professionalism.

Appointed to position of chair at Monday’s AGM was Eddy Nye with Rebekah Haase taking on the role of deputy chair. They join Angela Freeman as treasurer, along with Brett Cameron, Brett Stevenson and Brad Farrington as directors.

Atherton Tablelands Promotion Bureau Limited