Coronavirus: Support for Brisbane businesses

Council will waive all charges, rents, levies and permit fees for all businesses and Council lessees until 31 December 2020 as they face economic hardship caused by coronavirus. 

Businesses that have paid these fees since 1 March will receive a refund.

The business relief package will waive fees and charges for:  

• Footpath dining
• Outdoor dining
• River Pontoon Moorings
• Advertising
• Filming
• Event cancellations
• Temporary food stalls
• Commercial lease rents
• Commercial stalls, booths and stands
• Lease fees for community organisations.

Council is delivering a range of online webinars and workshops to provide learning and networking opportunities to support small business. 

See all upcoming business events.

Council is offering rates relief to businesses and residents that experiencing hardship because of the economic impacts of Coronavirus. The assistance will apply to all ratepayers, including owner occupiers, non-owner occupiers and businesses.

Payment plans or deferred payment arrangements will be offered for up to 9 months and interest would not be applied to any outstanding amounts. In addition, all rating recovery processing will cease until further notice.

For more information phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

We’re committed to our Local Buy procurement policy, which aims to lift the number of Council contract going to local business by 80 per cent.  

Visit How Council buys or phone 133 BNE (133 263) to find out more. 

Seven-day payment terms

Council wishes to advise Council’s payments to business suppliers who employ less than 20 people has been reduced from 30 days to seven to help further support small business and protect jobs from the impact of coronavirus in Brisbane.  ​

These changes will apply to Council-procured goods and services where outstanding and future payments will be fast-tracked, effective from Friday 3 April 2020.  

Useful links

• Learn how Council buys
• View tender opportunities
• Sign up to the Supplier Portal

• Federal Government: financial assistance for businesses
• Queensland Government: small business support
• Facebook Small Business Grants Program

Council has announced business recycling fees will be suspended effective immediately, for all businesses currently signed up to the service. The recycling fees will be suspended until December 2020.

Waste charges at Council’s resource recovery centres still apply to businesses and residents. Businesses will not receive a bill for the business recycling service while charges are on hold.

Those needing to cancel an upcoming booking at a Council-operated venue will have their booking refunded or postponed free of charge until further notice.  

Phone the venue where the booking was placed to receive your refund.  

Access a suite of resources and advice to help you respond to the impacts of coronavirus.

• Australian Small Business Advisory Services Digital Solutions Qld, delivered by RDA Brisbane
  • Government-subsidised one-on-one consultations with a focus on websites and online selling, social media and digital marketing, using small business software, online security and data privacy
  • Webinars 
• Beyond Blue Coronavirus support 
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) Coronavirus Business Knowledge and Support Hub 
• Cybersecurity advice to help small and micro businesses adapt to working during the coronavirus pandemic
• Fair Work Ombudsman: Information on Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws 
• National Retail Association Coronavirus resources
• Restaurant and Catering Industry Association of Australia Coronavirus Information Hub