Council's COVID-19 Business Support

Mailtland City Council has endorsed a number of COVID-19 response actions now in place, and other recovery initiatives being developed to support businesses and the community as the pandemic eases. We encourage you to read through the actions and initiatives below, and contact Council with any questions.

 

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE ACTIONS

Initiatives and actions that will support business and the community during the pandemic are being developed, expanded or fast tracked in current or from future service programs.  ​​​​​​

FOR ALL BUSINESSES

Hardship provisions
Council has expanded the hardship provisions to incorporate business ratepayers subject to eligibility criteria aligned to ‘JobKeeper’ payment. More information on how to access Council's hardship provisions is available here.

The 'Grants Guy' webinar series
A series of three one hour webinars free for all businesses in Maitland:
Getting grants ready - Wednesday 29 April, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
Tackling tenders - Wednesday 6 May, 11am to 12pm
Business planning through difficult times - Wednesday 13 May, 11am to 12pm

ABR Database Project
The Australian Business Register (ABR) contains contact information for more than 15,000 active businesses registered in Maitland. The expansion of the current database of businesses will ensure Council provides essential information, help and support to more local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.​​​​​

Vibrant City Sponsorship Program
Council's sponsorship program offers both in kind and financial sponsorship to the community as well as local organisations and industry groups that fit within the guiding principles of the Maitland City Council Sponsorship Policy.

FOR TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES

Fast tracking actions from the Draft Destination Management Plan
The immediate objective is to enhance Council's capacity to deliver exceptional online visitor services and build awareness through continued digital marketing efforts. A new interactive website will assist with a faster recovery so when restrictions on movement and travel are lifted, residents and visitors are encouraged to visit local businesses and attractions.

A Taste of Maitland food and beverage promotion
A campaign to support local restaurants, cafés and bars by encouraging locals to order takeaway or delivery. Social posts will promote a variety of meals purchased from different businesses across Maitland.

Social media campaign promoting The Levee businesses
A campaign to build community awareness of businesses at The Levee that are open or have online shopping available.  ​​​

FOR THE COMMUNITY

Creative Streets funding
Council partnering with the community to co-create, reimagine and creatively transform places around Maitland through temporary and semi-permanent projects. Program is currently open. 

#myMaitland community vibe online campaign
Building on the previous successful #mymaitland campaigns, this will be the opportunity for the community to share their past and current #mymaitland experiences and support local businesses. See what's trending on Instagram.

Live @ The Levee (home sessions)
Taking the existing Live @ The Levee program online on the third Friday of each month. Music will be livestreamed and viewers will be encouraged to purchase takeaway or use a home delivery service from The Levee businesses, whilst they watch the music in the comfort of their own homes.

RECOVERY AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES

These initiatives and actions aim to support the recovery as the pandemic eases, and as the restrictions embodied in the current public health orders begin to be reviewed and lifted. 

CITYWIDE

Visitor and City Economy PR Campaigns
Recommencing planned campaigns to generate media coverage promoting Maitland as a great place to live, work, visit and invest through local people, businesses and their stories.

Love NSW
Social media campaign through Destination NSW which will focus on food and wine experiences and the history and culture of Maitland. 

Make it Maitland
Building on the success of the first 'Make it Maitland' campaign which was about increasing awareness of Maitland, this would be about promoting the local visitor economy, one of the hardest hit sectors by the pandemic, with a call to action.​​​​​

KEY COMMERCIAL CENTRES

Business prospectus for Central Maitland
The release of Business Opportunities for Central Maitland including The Levee, which will be distributed to target business prospects. A marketing and promotional campaign will support the distribution.

Business prospectus for Morpeth
Development of a business prospectus outlining a range of opportunities in Morpeth that will be distributed to target business prospects. A marketing and promotional campaign will support the distribution.

FUTURE RECOVERY INITIATIVES

There are a range of initiatives for further development and consideration based on funding and determination by Council as the City moves through the course of the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.​​​​​​

 

FOR BUSINESS
  • Innovation grants for start-ups and businesses to develop solutions and create opportunities that respond to the current pandemic.

  • Business accelerator program to help businesses take their business online, including but not limited to e-commerce opportunities.

  • Place Score recovery program for key commercial centres.

  • Proposed discontinuation of the current Second Tier (Mall/Levee) of the CBD Marketing and Promotion Special Rate.​​​​

FOR THE COMMUNITY

Rebound/recovery events, activities and promotions supporting reconnection within neighbourhoods and across the community, such as:

  • ‘My Place’ funding program which will encourage the community to put forward their ideas online for how they would like their suburb to celebrate once the pandemic is over and receive funding to make it happen.
  • A ‘Rebound Campaign’ of Council, business and community initiatives and promotions supported by Council similar to the previous Summer in Maitland campaign, whereby all Council, business and community initiatives are promoted together to encourage local and visitor participation.
  • City wide creative arts program* will provide support to the highly impacted creative community, this could include public art commissions, lighting and projection initiatives, live performances, theatre etc. right across the city.
  • New community infrastructure projects funded through COVID-19 grant relief opportunities should they arise.