Chamber calls for support as customers drop off

THE Toowoomba CBD has seen a large drop-off in shoppers, and those numbers are declining every day, according to Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl.

The Federal Government’s measures to halt the spread of the virus – such as banning gatherings of more than 100 people in indoor spaces and more than 500 people outside – are having a huge impact on businesses across the country, and in Toowoomba.

“There are impacts through supply chains for wholesalers for people who provide to restaurants, cafes, and shops, quick and dramatic impacts on those small businesses in that hospitality area,” Mr Rohl said.

“And not to mention the core thing we looked at to start this week was the events and travel area. The immediate impact on them would be substantial.

“We have been making contact with them to see how we can potentially assist them to pull through these extraordinary times.”

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland said that unless business support went further, 580,000 jobs would be lost over the next six months.

The CCIQ is calling on the State Government to implement a freeze on payroll tax for six months for businesses with wages up to $5 million.

“My anxiety about this is this is a whole of community issue, not just from a health and safety point of view. I’ve said this a hundred times. If 50% of people are employed in small business, what we’re supporting is household incomes. What we’re trying to do is protect jobs,” Mr Rohl said.

“We need to, and the government needs to find mechanisms to ensure health and safety is protected but also jobs.

“The situation is changing daily, changing hourly. It’s crazy. I have never seen anything like it.”

Mr Rohl said the response to how COVID-19 was affecting businesses needed a coordinated effort from Federal, State, and Local Governments.

“We know the Feds are working on stimulus and hopefully there will be further announcements. We know the State Government has deferred payroll tax and provided the idea of concessional loans.

“(At a state level) we would like to see a freeze on payroll tax and a freeze on household fees and charges.

“At a local level – the same thing. They’ve got some policy levers. They could freeze some houshold fees and charges. We’ve got to look at any option which supports smaller business and subsequently supports household incomes... as we work through the potential impacts of these uncertain times.”

But despite the doom and gloom, Mr Rohl said there were some silver linings.

“We’ve got people who are turning their business to online,” he said.

“We’ve got people who are buying from their local butcher, from their local baker.

“I would urge people that they think about buying locally, finding ways to buy locally, and supporting their local business.

“Because they’re our family and friends, and we need to look after them. Let’s be kind to each other.”