Support for businesses

Independent MLA Thomas Emerson has called on the ACT Government to act urgently to prevent the collapse of Canberra’s night-time economy, after several venues — Cube, Transit, Sideway, Cabo and Reload — closed.

In a joint letter with MusicACT and venue managers, Mr Emerson asked Tara Cheyne MLA, minister for the night-time economy, to expedite delivery of a night-time economy support package committed to under his November supply-and-confidence agreement with Labor, and to appoint a dedicated night-time economy coordinator.

The letter states that many night-time local venue managers are distressed their operations might not be viable. They are concerned that the closure of hospitality and live music venues undermines opportunities for emerging artists and Canberra’s reputation as a destination for touring acts; that government responses have been fragmented and inadequate; that foot traffic has declined due to light rail construction; and that costs have risen without corresponding revenue or financial assistance. Some report being offered advice on how to wind up their businesses rather than meaningful assistance.

“It’s been a brutal few years for the hospitality sector,” Mr Emerson said. “A pandemic, labour shortages, a cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing insurance premiums have led to the closure of several beloved venues. Without concerted cross-portfolio effort, we risk seeing further closures of the venues that give Canberra life at night. Do we want students, artists and young professionals moving to Canberra to discover it is dead after dark? Local creatives leaving because there’s no vibe here?”

In response, the ACT Government today announced a targeted support package to help businesses affected by light rail construction works around London Circuit.

Measures include free evening parking, fee waivers for outdoor dining permits, upgraded CCTV, a promotional campaign, expanded liquor licence fee reductions for hospitality businesses, and free advice.

“Canberra’s city centre is home to some of our most loved bars, restaurants, and performance venues,” Ms Cheyne said.

“By providing fee relief, enhancing public safety, and backing local activations, we’re helping ensure these businesses remain destinations of choice, even during construction.”

The package was developed in consultation with traders to address pressure from construction and to support the night-time economy, business minister Michael Pettersson MLA said.

“This is a practical response designed to ease pressure and maintain confidence in the city centre during construction.”

Both Mr Emerson and the Canberra Business Chamber welcomed the initiative, but believe more must be done to save businesses at risk.

“It’s encouraging to see the ACT Government come to the table with some initial measures for our nighttime venues,” Mr Emerson said. “Much more support is needed, and this has to be the first step of many. I’m constantly hearing from venue managers who are seriously concerned about the viability of their businesses. Further closures beyond what we have already seen would be disastrous for our city’s nightlife and local live music scene. We need our Government to really get behind the iconic venues that give Canberra life after dark.”

Greg Harford, CEO of the Canberra Business Chamber, said: “These are good initiatives – but they do not go far enough. We are hearing from businesses on London Circuit that some have seen their revenues collapse by 50 to 60 per cent. This will be very hard to sustain over a 2+ year period, and the Chamber believes rates/ rent relief or other some other financial support will be critical to ensuring their survival.”

Last month, independent Senator David Pocock joined Mr Emerson and businesses in calling for a support package.

Today, Senator Pocock said: “This is a welcome start from the ACT Government in supporting local businesses that have been badly impacted from the light rail construction on London Circuit.

“Based on the feedback I have received from local small businesspeople, the package needs to be bigger if we are to ensure their survival through to the end of the construction period.

“This is a joint Federal and ACT-funded project and I will continue to advocate for some of the $100 million earmarked in funding for planning of Stage 2B to go toward supporting businesses through measures like rent and rates relief.”

The Canberra Liberals welcomed the “belated support”, leader Leanne Castley MLA said. “We have been calling for this support since February and suspect that this assistance may be too late for some local businesses, who have been struggling for months.  It just shows how little the Labor government thinks of business in Canberra.”

Maternity care at hospital

The ACT Government has invested $5.5 million to refurbish two obstetric operating theatre suites and a Post Anaesthetic Care Unit at Canberra Hospital.

The theatre suites will open by the end of May, and will be used for emergency interventions, caesarean sections, complicated births, and transporting mothers and babies in need.

This forms part of the ACT Government’s largest ever investment into health infrastructure, minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said.

Nurse and midwife to patient ratios will be introduced into operating theatres and maternity at Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital later this year.

New pedestrian crossing on Canberra Avenue

To mark National Road Safety Week, the ACT Government will install a signalised pedestrian crossing on Canberra Avenue near Burke Crescent, the site of a recent accident that left two St Edmund’s boys seriously injured. The crossing will make it safer for students from St Edmund’s and St Clare’s Colleges to commute to and from school.

Ministers Tara Cheyne and Yvette Berry said the pedestrian crossing reflects the Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable young people and making sure they could travel safely.

The government is committed to the Vision Zero strategy, where no one is killed or seriously injured on the road. This week, the ministers urged Canberrans to pledge to drive so others can survive : to slow down, stay alert, and drive to the conditions.