The National Retail Association (NRA) and the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) are joining forces to call for urgent tenancy relief for businesses crippled by the prolonged NSW lockdown.
Many NSW small businesses and retailers are at breaking point, therefore both the NRA and FCA want a reintroduction of last year’s NSW commercial tenancy relief legislation.
“Without significant support over the coming six months many simply will not survive,” says NRA CEO Dominique Lamb.
“Snap lockdowns can certainly hurt a business, but prolonged restrictions such as we’ve seen in NSW require extensive support for those businesses that have been severely affected. That is why we’re calling for the reintroduction of the NSW leasing code which served tenants and landlords so well during the 2020 lockdown.
“The property industry is one of the few not to have received extensive government support, which is why a comprehensive solution is required that assists both tenants and landlords.”
FCA CEO Mary Aldred adds, “Deferring rent during a lockdown is one thing, but during prolonged restrictions that provides little assistance. Eventually the debts mount up and must be paid at some point, with many businesses simply unable to continue.
“NSW businesses of all sizes are suffering, but those with a turnover of up to $5 million run the greatest risk of going under.
“The situation in NSW presents a dire situation for many in the franchising industry, which is why the FCA supports the immediate reinstatement of the NSW leasing code.”