Small business support during COVID-19
City of Vincent Support
The City of Vincent has been working on measures to provide relief and support for our community and local businesses impacted by COVID-19.
The City's COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Strategy (Strategy) was endorsed at the Special Council Meeting on 30 March 2020 and the City’s Rebound Plan, an addendum to Strategy, was adopted on 15 September 2020. These documents are available here
The Rebound Plan is a locally responsive action plan designed to support the City’s community and business return to strong economic performance. The Rebound Plan provides a comprehensive list of the initiatives the City is undertaking to support small business and encourage community connection. The progress of these initiatives is reported quarterly to Council. The most recent update report is available here (Item 9.6).
In addition to the Rebound Plan, the City is proving support for small businesses through the provision of:
- Advisory services to provide advice to restaurant, pub and café owners who want to convert to takeaway-only venues.
- Advisory services to support businesses meet their mandatory contract tracing requirements
- Modified on-street parking arrangements to support takeaway services and deliveries.
- Increased Ranger presence in town centres to provide assistance.
- A change of use amnesty for planning applications.
- Arts relief funding to support local artists and creatives using Percent for Art developer contribution cash-in-lieu funds.
- Recovery planning and identification of initiatives to assist with economic rebound.
Outdoor Eating Area (Alfresco) and Goods Display
The City is committed to supporting businesses during restrictions and has made changes to our outdoor eating area and goods display requirements.
Businesses are now able to expand outdoor eating areas and goods displays in front of neighbouring tenancies, provided they have obtained the appropriate permission.
To apply for a free Outdoor Eating Area or Goods Display Permit and/or make use of this new provision, please visit our online permit application page below and complete your application.
Online permits
Parklet Fee Free Trial
To maximise the use of public space during the COVID-19 restrictions, the City is conducting a 24-month Parklet Fee Free Trial to enable businesses to transform on-road parking bays into extended outdoor eating areas and goods displays for free.
New and existing Parklets are now free to host until 30 June 2022.
Parklets Policy & Trial Information
Buying local
As part of our response to COVID-19, we are prioritising our own spending with businesses and contractors within the City of Vincent. The WA Local Government Association has facilitated this through a platform called VendorPanel Marketplace. VendorPanel Marketplace is a proven local economic development tool that helps buyers connect with local suppliers.
We strongly encourage suppliers within the City of Vincent to register, so we can do our bit to buy local and continue to support our business community. Registration with the platform is easy and entirely free.
VendorPanel Marketplace
Resources for Small Business