Bushfire Assistance Initiatives - Grants & Concessions

ClubGRANTS

Grants of between $10,000 - $200,000 are available for clubs for disaster readiness and community infrastructure projects via the NSW Government’s ClubGRANTS Category 3 (Infrastructure Grants) Fund. These funds can be used for projects including (but not limited to) the purchase of emergency power generators and upgrade of kitchen facilities for emergency situations. All clubs – not just those impacted by the bushfires – are eligible to apply for ClubGRANTS Category 3 funds.

The next ClubGRANTS Category 3 application round will open on 16 March 2020. For more information and for a copy of the Grant Program Guide, please visit the Office of Responsible Gambling website.

Member Clubs are reminded that they can provide direct support to bushfire-affected clubs through the Clubs Helping Clubs initiative. Donations of this nature are ClubGRANTS eligible. Already, more than $200,000 worth of support has been provided to venues in need. If you would like advice on how to support clubs affected by recent fires, or would like to express interest, please submit the form on this page. 

Government grants

The NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) provides Disaster Recovery Grants of up to $15,000, and low-interest loans of up to $25,000, for clubs and other not-for-profits in local government areas affected by the bushfires. The funding is to provide immediate assistance for clean-up and restoration costs. 

For further information and to apply please click here or contact the RAA on 1800 678 593. 

Liquor & Gaming NSW Assistance for Liquor Licensees 

Licensees in bushfire-affected communities whose businesses were destroyed, damaged or are suffering financial hardship, will receive assistance from the NSW Government. These include:

•    Extra assistance for liquor licence applications
•    Exemptions from certain regulatory requirements
•    Temporary relocation of liquor licences to other premises
•    Replacement copies of destroyed licences
•    Replacement of signage 
•    Gaming machine tax deferral

Find out more and/or apply here.


Corporate Concessions

Tabcorp are introducing a number of concessions to offer some immediate relief to any venue in a bushfire-affected area that has been restricted from trading. The following will apply:

  • Exemption from a Wagering settlement sweep on Monday, 6 January 2020;
  • Suspension of SKY Fees charges for non-trading days;
  • Suspension of equipment rentals charges for 7 days; and
  • Suspension of the Keno Daily Connection Fee (DCF) for 7 days

OneMusic has advised it will pause music licencing activity for clubs in bushfire declared natural disaster zones, including:

  • Placing relicensing of existing customers in bushfire declared natural disaster zones on temporary hold, and where appropriate extending the current licence on a complimentary basis for 12 months
  • On request, making pro-rata adjustments for those businesses in bushfire declared natural disaster zones who have closed or are unable to trade
  • Placing debt recovery on temporary hold in bushfire declared natural disaster zones
  • Writing off outstanding debts for licensed businesses in the most severely impacted towns

Carlton & United Breweries have contributed a $250,000 donation to help the bushfire response. CUB is committed to helping the relief effort by raising more than $1 million for affected communities. In addition, they have offered support for customers by:

  • Extending credit terms to bushfire-affected customers 
  • Offering free cleaning for all affected customers' draught beer systems

Lion have contributed over $1 million to support those communities and customers devastated by bushfires. In addition, they have offered support for customers by:

  • Extending credit and invoice terms
  • Altering stock allowances and altered delivery conditions as needed
  • Offering free cleaning for draught beer systems to get venues back open as soon as possible

Aoyuan International (Capital Bluestone) have made an initial pledge of $50,000 to be split equally between two grassroots relief funds – the Southern Highlands Mayoral Relief Fund and the Shoalhaven City Council Mayor's Relief Fund. They have also set up an Aoyuan International Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.
 

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