Supporting our local businesses across hepburn

The Victorian Government has helped tip millions of dollars back into the Hepburn economy by supporting local businesses to get through to the other side of the coronavirus crisis.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today announced 206 businesses across the Hepburn Shire Council area been paid a one-off $10,000 Business Support Fund grant for operational costs such as salaries and utilities.

The Business Support Fund provides payments for eligible businesses that have a wages bill below the payroll tax threshold.

16 businesses in the Hepburn Shire have also received full payroll tax refunds for the 2019/20 financial year, totalling $136,765 in immediate government support.

The payroll tax refunds are part of the Victorian Government’s $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package, which is helping Victorian businesses and workers during the pandemic.

The Economic Survival Package also includes land tax deferrals for eligible small businesses, rent relief for commercial tenants, and the $500 million Working for Victoria fund to help workers who have lost their jobs find new opportunities.

More than 6,700 workers across the state have already started drawing pay cheques through Working for Victoria.

The Government is also helping thousands of Victorians back to work by fast-tracking shovel-ready projects all over the state.

The $2.7 billion Building Works economic stimulus package includes new schools, road upgrades, a boost to public housing and important help for our tourism sector.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas MP
"The coronavirus pandemic has clearly had a devastating impact on lives and livelihoods – but we’re giving our local businesses the support they need to survive."

"We’re fighting for every job and every industry across the Hepburn Shire region to ensure we get through to the other side."

Quotes attributable to Anne Marie Banting, owner of the Daylesford Hotel
"The Andrews Government’s assistance came along just in time for us – the cash injection meant that we were able to place new orders and open back up for trading."

"We’re very thankful for the leadership shown by the State Government in these extraordinary times."