THE CFMEU NSW has placed a 'green ban' on the demolition of the Willow Grove and St Georges Terraces buildings in Parramatta, earmarked for destruction by the NSW Government as part of plans for the new Powerhouse Parramatta.

"These green bans mean no work can be done to destroy these historically significant sites," said Darren Greenfield, CFMEU NSW secretary.

"If the Berejiklian government wants work on the museum to proceed they need to sit down with the local community, listen to what they say and come up with a plan that preserves these buildings," he said.

"The local community, through the North Parramatta Residents Action Group, has campaigned for years to save these two heritage buildings and they are supported by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and the Historic Houses Association.

"The CFMEU is proud to stand with the community in support of this important campaign. This is the first green ban the CFMEU has put in place since the recent passing of Jack Mundey who inspired a generation of unionists and community activists to fight for our shared built, cultural, and environmental heritage.

“As shown by the recent success of the green ban on the Bondi Beach Pavilion, the CFMEU won’t stand by while local communities are ignored and important heritage sites are destroyed," Mr Greenfield said.

“Built in the 1870s as a residential home, Willow Grove is a rare remaining example of Victorian Italiante Villa in Parramatta. Many generations of people in the Parramatta community were born there during the three decades it served as a maternity hospital between 1919 and 1953.

“The Berejiklian government has ignored the local community and refused to look at alternative designs that incorporate these two heritage buildings in the design,” said Darren Greenfield.

Suzette Meade, spokesperson for North Parramatta Residents Action Group said, "For four years the community has tried to reason with Premier Berejiklian. Over this time we’ve offered solutions but they have been ignored.  We will not stand by and watch as more local heritage is destroyed.

"The Berejiklian government bulldozed Parramatta's war memorial pool, then it was the historic Royal Oak Hotel - a hotel older than Perth. This hotel was knocked down in the dead of night.  Premier Berejiklian should be under no illusion; if the destruction of Willow Grove or St Georges Terraces commences people will be prepared to put their bodies in front of machinery," Ms Meade said.

"Jack Mundey saved Sydney's historic Rocks precinct. Jack's recent passing has reminded all of us that to simply be passive will only accelerate the destruction of Australia's heritage and our activities honour Jack Mundey’s legacy," she said.

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A RESTRICTION on new applications and a slowdown in Significant Investor Visa (SIV) processing times is leading to a desperate shortage of funding for venture capital and emerging companies to survive the post-COVID-19 recession, according to Atlas Advisors Australia.

A large number of SIV applications under the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) remain frozen in the final stages of approval because they are not being prioritised.

Executive chairman of Atlas Advisors Australia, Guy Hedley said this added to a general slowdown in processing times and a downward trend in BIIP approvals that was impeding venture capital funds and emerging companies from obtaining urgently needed capital.

Mr Hedley said there were grave concerns BIIP applications could be stalled beyond July, creating uncertainty and further funding constraints for organisations that were already on the brink.

“These are startups and emerging companies that have the prospects of becoming global leaders in health, technology, agribusiness and manufacturing but are now on the verge of collapse,” Mr Hedley said.

“The Australian economy risks losing billions of dollars, jobs and future innovation if this occurs.”

Mr Hedley said BIIP applications should be urgently reopened and the Australian Government’s review of the program should be sped up to unlock urgent funds to support post-pandemic growth.

“The current cap on BIIP applications means Australia’s economy has closed itself off from millions of dollars that could assist our recovery,” he said.

Significantly, this could also offset the serious ramifications of an expected 85 percent fall in migration in the 2020-21 financial year compared to 2019-20.

“Priority should be given to higher net worth migrant applicants to Significant Investor Visa, Investor Visa and Premium Investor Visa programs that bring substantially greater investment and longer-term benefits to the Australian economy.”

Atlas Advisors statistics showed: 

• It took up to six months to process applications in 2015. Today it takes between up to two years.
• The number of primary visas granted has declined to 98 in the six months between July to December 2019 from 191 in the previous corresponding period of July, 2018 to June, 2019.
• In 2015, when applications were processed at their fastest, there were 879 approved.

About Atlas Advisors Australia 

Atlas Advisors Australia is a funds manager and investment advisory business, operating between China and Australia offering a wide range of financial services and wealth management solutions. With operations in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia and Shanghai in China, Atlas is able to support investors in all China and Australia locations.

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AUSTRALIA'S accommodation sector has welcomed this afternoon’s announcement to open Queensland borders from midday this Friday.
 
The Accommodation Association, the industry’s peak body, said the decision will bring much needed relief to the many hotels, motels, serviced apartments, resorts, caravan parks and accommodation providers at the heart of Queensland’s tourism sector.

Accommodation Australia CEO Dean Long said the Accommodation Association represented close to 3,500 hotels, over 150,000 rooms and nearly 100,000 employees across Australia. He said accommodation contributed $17 billion to the Australian economy each year.

About 60,000 tourism accommodation jobs have been lost due to COVID-19 with 8,000 Queenslanders now unemployed.

“This announcement has brought a big smile to the faces of our Queensland hotel, motel and accommodation operators," Mr Long said. "While leisure travel is just a small part of revenue and on-going government support is critical to help the sector through the ongoing restrictions, this is a very welcome announcement.
 
“For the many locals who work in the accommodation sector, the prospect of being able to welcome guests once again as restrictions on travel and gatherings ease is great news," Mr Long said.
 
“The accommodation sector has adjusted quickly from the get-go to implement all the recommended health measures. The systems, cleaning protocols and necessary measures are all in place and we’re ready to open for business.”

About the  Accommodation Association
The Accommodation Association represents over 80 percent of all known accommodation providers from small regional parks, caravan parks, serviced apartments and resorts through to the largest hotel groups in the world including Accor, Hilton, Wyndam Destinations and IHG.

www.aaoa.com.au

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SMALL BUSINESSES emerging from hibernation and ready to make the most of easing COVID restrictions can find the information they need on ASBFEO’s My Business Health web portal.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell said the My Business Health web portal now features important information for small business owners ready to re-open or ramp up their operations.

“There’s never been a tougher time to be in business and it is understandable if some small business owners are feeling overwhelmed right now,” Ms Carnell said. 

“The pandemic has changed so much in such a short amount of time, small business owners may be finding it difficult to stay on top of their obligations.

“My Business Health is a one-stop-shop for state-by-state information about restrictions and COVID-Safe Plans.

“It includes links to relevant posters and signage for your workplace along with safe workplace checklists and grants available to re-opening small businesses.

“There’s also information on free apps available such as GuestTrack, for those small businesses that need to collect and store customer and visitor contact details in the event of a localised COVID outbreak.

“My Business Health also links through to leading mental health organisations’ resources, such as Beyond Blue’s dedicated coronavirus mental health support service and Ahead for Business," Ms Carnell said.

“As small business owners work around the clock to get back on their feet, they may not realise the toll it’s taking on their mental health.

“Over the coming weeks, it’s important to take time to be kind to yourself – your business depends on you being healthy. Help is available if you need it. Visiting My Business Health is a good place to start.”    

Beyond Blue’s Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is now live at coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au

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