There are fears more than 40% of NSW clubs and RSLs will close permanently due to the coronavirus shutdown.
Woy Woy Leagues Club (above), owned by the Easts Group, has already been forced to close its doors permanently, leading to an uncertain future for the Woy Woy Roosters rugby league team.
Clubs NSW has put an urgent plan to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian asking for permission to reopen.
NSW clubs and RSLs are arguing they could safely reopen if they have an entry limit on patrons, restrict the number of people allowed to sit at dining tables, remove couches and bar stools and conduct temperature checks on entry.
A Clubs NSW briefing paper, obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, revealed that about 80% of staff – or 35,808 people – have been stood down since the shutdown was announced on March 22.
It’s feared more than 100,000 jobs are at risk overall if the situation continues.
A spokesman for Clubs NSW said that on average clubs have experienced an 87% monthly revenue decline, “resulting in a collective $212 million monthly net loss”.
“The longer the shutdown continues, the more clubs that will close their doors permanently which would have a devastating impact on jobs, social interaction and the sense of togetherness which clubs bring,” the spokesman said.
“Thousands of charities and community groups will lose up to $93 million worth of ClubGRANTS funding this year alone and the state government will receive an estimated $200 million less per quarter in tax due to the current club shutdown.”
As part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 economic stimulus package, it has waived a range of liquor licence fees for businesses in the hospitality and entertainment industries.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said: “These fee waivers will deliver much-needed relief for small businesses, at a time when cash flow is crucial.
“Up to 200,000 licence holders will benefit from this fee relief package over the next 12 months. It is the least we can do to support these businesses and their staff through this challenging time.”
Annual liquor licence base fees and trading hours risk loading fees will be waived for most licensees this year. Most new liquor licence application fees and pro-rata liquor licence fees will be waived for 12 months.
Most licensees will have their annual liquor licence base fee and trading hours risk loading fee waived for 12 months (2020-2021 fee period). These licensees will receive a $0 invoice.
Deferral of gaming tax for six months is also available.
Aside from liquor licence fee relief, the NSW Government is providing $10,000 grants for small business, protection for commercial tenants; employee and jobseeker resources; and personalised business support from Service NSW.
Opposition calls for further support measures
Opposition Treasurer Walt Secord said the measures to support NSW clubs and RSLs don’t go far enough.
“The local club is a central part of the Australian identity and unique to our nation. Clubs are a deep part of our nation’s social fabric. We do not want to see clubs and their workers wiped out,” he said.
“After the COVID-19 and when it is safe to do so, thousands of Australians will return to their local club for entertainment, a refreshing schooner and a chicken schnitzel.”
Secord said Labor recognised that the local club was often the largest single employer in a regional community.
He added that any relaxation of rules “must be based on sound medical advice”.
“We do not want a second wave of infections,” he noted.
