Backing Brisbane Business
Schrinner Council Budget keeps business on recovery path
The Schrinner Council Budget will slash footpath dining fees in half for thousands of Brisbane cafes and restaurants to help fast-track the city’s COVID-19 recovery, Backing Brisbane Business.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the footpath dining fee discount was an initiative of the Economic Recovery Taskforce, which would also continue thanks to a $3.6 million Budget boost.
“The pandemic is not over for Brisbane’s hospitality businesses and the ongoing restrictions placed on our cafes, restaurants and bars continue to hurt owners,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Our 50 per cent reduction in footpath dining fees for new and existing food businesses will save them money and help them recover.”
Council’s 2021-22 business recovery initiatives:
➢ $575,000 package for business fee reductions
➢ $3.6 million for the continuation of the Economic Recovery Taskforce
➢ $1.6 million for Business Hotline
➢ $11 million for Village Precinct Projects
Cr Schrinner said the Economic Recovery Taskforce had helped his Council navigate the COVID19 crisis through successful initiatives, including the Brisbane business hubs and the popular 24/7 business hotline.
“The Economic Recovery Taskforce has laid down the building blocks for our recovery and last year waived and slashed millions of dollars in fees for businesses and community groups,” he said.
“We know there’s no handbook for how to operate a business during a pandemic and that’s why we’ve also focused on providing targeted support to businesses and emerging business owners to ensure they can get the right advice, meet like-minded people and have affordable spaces to start their endeavours.
“Last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our 24/7 Business Hotline was a resounding success, answering 25,500 calls to support owners and operators in the past year.
“We’re continuing to invest in this hotline as well as Brisbane’s two dedicated business hubs – the Brisbane Business Hub and Suburban Business hub – which have been embraced by our business community as free, professional spaces to seek advice, network and take part in development programs.”
Cr Schrinner said with more people than ever working from home and spending locally, an $11 million investment into Village Precinct Projects would focus on revitalising suburban shopping strips.
“These projects have a proven track record of boosting local businesses by creating more attractive places for residents to shop, dine and visit retailers and we’ll see even more local strips receive makeovers over the next year including Manly Harbour Village and Ashgrove West,” he said.
Since 2020, Brisbane has experienced a three per cent growth in new business registrations across the city. This number is expected to rise as the Schrinner Council works to build confidence and attract investment back into the city.
For more information on the Lord Mayor’s 2021-22 Budget, visit Council’s website on www.brisbane.qld.gov.au