George Town Council & Bell Bay Aluminium Announce COVID-19 Business Grants Recipients

21 Sep 2020


Media Release

George Town Council and Bell Bay Aluminium are pleased to announce the recipients of their Business Resilience, Recovery and Stimulus Grant partnership to assist small to medium-sized businesses in the municipality recover from and adapt to the impact of COVID-19. 

Following an application and assessment process administered by the George Town Council, nine businesses have secured grant funding that aims to stimulate economic growth, increase employment and offer professional support and assistance to help the municipality’s business community return to normal business operations as quickly as possible.

The A$100,000 partnership between Bell Bay Aluminium and George Town Council is one of a number of  major community investments the smelter is supporting in Northern Tasmania  as part of a US$25 million commitment Rio Tinto has made to support communities around the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, through its Partnership to Progress program.

 Bell Bay Aluminium general manager Shona Markham said, As an active member of the George Town business community, it is very important that the smelter is able to support smaller local businesses across a range of industry sectors who have been impacted by COVID-19.

“I thank the George Town Council for partnering with us on this initiative and I am delighted that, in the current economic climate, nine diverse local businesses will receive funding to be resilient and adaptive and to recover for the future,” Shona said.

Mayor Kieser said, “I am delighted this project has been delivered in partnership with Bell Bay Aluminium, which has contributed $50,000 to the Business Resilience, Recovery and Stimulus Grants program, matching Council’s funding of $50,000. It is a testament to the leadership at Bell Bay Aluminium that we have been able to collaborate and develop a program that will assist businesses throughout our municipality.

 Council is pleased to announce that the program has been able to support nine very diverse businesses, funding projects from $6,950 to $12,520 across a range of industries including hospitality, accommodation and hair dressing to artisan agriculture, distillers and viticulture.”

 Business Resilience, Recovery and Stimulus Grant Grant Recipients

La Saliere
Inspired by salt harvesting on the Welsh coastline, La Saliere recognized he same “location and elements” on the northeast coast of Tasmania. Over the past two years Jean-Luc, an environmental engineer specialising in thermodynamics, has developed the methodology of harvesting and dehydrating the sea water utilising solar power to produce premium quality salt with no anticoagulants, no bleaching, not refined or modified and no additives.

 Projects:

Emerging from the Deep, From the Shores of Tam O’Shanter and Salty Over COVID

 Fanny’s Bay Distillery
An artisan single malt whisky distillery, situated at Tam O'Shanter Bay on the northern coast of Tasmania., Fanny’s Bay has been in operation for six years. Sales of whiskey extend throughout Tasmania and Australia and to a number of European countries as well an on-site cellar door for tours and visitors.

 Projects:
Marketing advice and website & ecommerce upgrade

 Taste of Tam O’Shanter

Aiming to shine a light on the northeast coast of Tasmania. Taste of Tam O’Shanter showcases the amazing locally grown fresh produce in the region by transforming it into bottled preserves and award winning products sold locally at the Launceston Harvest Market, online and in local stores throughout northern Tasmania. Taste of Tam O’Shanter’s mantra is zero waste through ensuring all off cuts and wastes that are composted or recycled.

 Projects:       

Upgrade of website and online ordering system and digitalised house-labelling system

 The Hair Parlor

The Hair Parlor has been operating in George Town for the past 9.5 years offering hair and beauty treatments as well as an extensive retail product. The Hair Parlor strives to be at the forefront of ‘on trend’ hair and beauty fashion, as well as offering the more traditional treatments and services.

 Projects:

Parlor Reboot – IT upgrade and business mentoring through COVID-19

 Latitude Wines T/A Delamere Vineyard

Delamere is a family owned and operated vineyard located in northeast Tasmania in Pipers Brook. The owners both professional winemakers have extensive experience in the wine industry, both in Australia and abroad. Delamere pride themselves on 100% estate grown and made traditional method sparkling wine, pinot noir and chardonnay, that show cases the uniqueness and high quality Tasmanian produce.  The vineyard operations consist of grape and wine production, an on-site Cellar Door and online wine sales and provides winemaking services to other Tasmanian wine businesses including labelling and packaging services.

 Projects:       

Sparkling bottle label/hooder, cellar door reservation software & ecommerce system

 Café 1069
Cafe 1069 in Macquarie Street George Town is a boutique café / burger & pizza bar, with a passion for good quality coffee and locally made produce.  With an already extensive menu they also offer take-away and a home delivery service which they are looking to expand upon.

 Projects:       

Kitchen upgrade, business plan & marketing initiatives, website & online ordering development

 Low Head Tourist Park

A locally owned and operated family business providing high quality and standard of  self-contained accommodation, including services and facilities for caravans, motorhomes, RV's and campers, the Low Head Tourist Park have approximately 5,500 guests per year, from intra and interstate, as well as overseas.

 Project:         
Southern Park Redevelopment

 George Town Bowls Club

Along with offering community and sporting facilities of lawn balls and croquet to George Town, the Club has a function room used for weddings, funerals, birthdays and community events.

 Project:         
Recovery for All

 Tasmanian Tamar Tourism Industry Group

Tasmania Tamar Tourism Industry Group Pty Ltd own and operate both residential and commercial properties in George Town.  In early 2020, TTTIG proposed to commence a retail and accommodation development in George Town and have now decided to postpone the venture and renovate the venues to lease and attract new business to the municipality.

 Project:         

Renovate to Activate