Support local

Published on 12 May 2020

Mayor Frank Carbone standing in front of a sign saying FAIRFIELD at Fairfield City Museum and Gallery

We are starting to see people returning to the shops and spending money boosting our local economy, and the NSW Government is starting to slowly lift restrictions.

But in the coming weeks, as long as we are all sensible and continue to follow social distancing rules, we should all be able to get together and support the local businesses that employ local people. 

There are more than 15,000 small businesses in Fairfield City and they drive our local economy by creating jobs and providing important goods and services for residents and visitors. They are the lifeblood of our City and contribute to what makes our City so unique and diverse. 

Council recognises the impact that COVID-19 is having on these businesses. At the moment it’s our restaurants and coffee shops that have been most impacted by the restrictions on businesses. Many have had to transform the way they do business and would have seen a downturn in customers and income.

We don’t want to see businesses or jobs disappear from our City as they add to the character and vibrancy of our City. That is why Council is working hard to support our local business community.

Council has created a Support Local online business directory for businesses, with trading information, and takeaway and delivery options on offer. Visit our business directory page at www.fairfieldcity.nsw.au/supportlocal

We are also using social media to share the stories of local businesses that are transforming their operations to stay open to their customers. 

Council is supporting its community and commercial tenants by offering a range of rental relief options, including a rent-free period, rent reductions or deferment. We’ve also offered free car parking for our long-term tenants who park in Council’s multi-storey car parks, and have waived parking fees for businesses, shoppers and visitors at Fisher Street Car Park in Cabramatta and Downey Lane Car Park in Fairfield during May. 

Navigating the various assistance for businesses can be daunting. We have also compiled a guide to the support on offer from the state and federal governments, business chambers and banks. This support includes JobKeeper, as well as the $10,000 grants available to business from the NSW Government. To find out more, visit www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus for details. 

As restrictions start to lift, there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel. But we all have a role to play in supporting our local businesses, whether online or in-person while observing important social distancing measures. By buying local, we ensure that our City’s businesses can bounce back on the other side of COVID-19. 

 

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