Sunshine Coast State MPs have backed a four-stage plan for re-opening the local economy to give businesses certainty, calling for businesses to give their feedback.
The Sunshine Coast team are taking the plan across their Coast business communities, asking local businesses to have their say, while pressure mounts on the State Government to act.
Shadow Minister for Small Business and Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson joined forces with Sunshine LNP MPs Mark McArdle, Andrew Powell, Jarrod Bleijie, Marty Hunt, and Brent Mickelberg, and Caloundra and Noosa Candidates Stuart Coward and James Blevin to promote the consultation plan which was launched yesterday by LNP Leader Deb Frecklington.
“Giving certainty to businesses to reopen and clear guidelines about when and how is vital,” Ms Simpson said.
“Leader Deb Frecklington has released a roadmap that gives businesses the hope and ambition and certainty for a restart.”
“Decisions are needed now as we need to get our local economy moving to rebuild small business and local jobs.”
They urged the State Government to listen and act to give a roadmap for businesses for the Sunshine Coast with certainty and clarity.
Mr McArdle said: “The LNP’s plan is staged and careful and each phase would only proceed if coronavirus is still contained. The Northern Territory has already done this and Queensland needs to give that clear plan.”
Mr Powell: “As the number of cases of coronavirus continue to drop, the focus of my Hinterland business owners has changed – from how do we survive and pay our staff, to when can we open. They need the certainty of a roadmap.”
Mr Hunt: “Businesses in Nicklin have been contacting my office daily, many anxious about their futures and desperately looking for a plan forward. The LNP has listened and acted.”
In phase one of the plan, cafes, restaurants and shops would be allowed to open for business by the last week of May. Border and intrastate travel restrictions would also be partially eased.
Other businesses and community facilities, such as public pools and libraries, would be re-opened in three further phases throughout June and July. All restrictions on intrastate travel would be lifted by mid-July.
