Food businesses saved over $6.5 million in fee waivers

By Juliano Oliveira

Over 7000 food businesses in Brisbane managed to save more than $6.5 million in fee waivers since the start of the pandemic.

Data released today by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner showed that only restaurants in the CBD, Fortitude Valley and West End were responsible for cutting $1.1 million in fees expenses.

The fee exemption scheme was carried out between 1 March and 31 December 2020 as part of the Economic Recovery Taskforce’s Business Relief Package, spanning 186 suburbs in Brisbane.

“Our cafes, restaurants and food trucks were some of the hardest hit during the pandemic, with many seeing their cash flow evaporate entirely overnight,” Cr Schrinner said.

“By waiving a range of fees for local food businesses, we’ve helped more than 7000 businesses save a combined total of more than $6.5 million.”

According to Cr Schrinner, more than $5.2 million in food business fees and another $1.2 million in footpath dining applications were waived.

“For food businesses, many of which are small, family-owned and the only source of people’s livelihoods, waiving these fees helped them keep their doors open and the lights on.

“Easing financial pressure meant they were able to focus on the important things like keeping their business running, retaining staff and pivoting their operations.

“Free one-on-one sessions with our food safety officers and Council’s new pre-lodgement service are also helping to make the process of opening and operating a compliant food business simpler.”