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Coronavirus impact

As you’re all acutely aware, Coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently causing social disruption across the world and consequently affecting local business and communities. West Australian breweries and hospitality venues are being significantly impacted with current social distancing requirements affecting venue and workplace operations, causing loss of revenue and closures across the industry.

WABA are committed to helping the WA brewing industry as we all navigate these unprecedented challenges.

What we’re working on

Government facing activity:

It’s pleasing that the Pregnancy Labelling has been scrapped at a time when our industry doesn’t need another financial burden.

The WARRRL board met this week and have asked the Government for a delay on the Container Deposit Scheme roll out.

We’ll have an update on this in the next couple of days but are hopeful that the State Government will sensibly understand that the current situation means the scheme launch of June is untenable.

Our friends at Carbon Accounting have reached out to offer a free online information session for breweries this Friday at 3pm to cover concessions from the ATO, stimulus packages and other assistance for your business. Join via Zoom and enter password 031863 or contact Joshua Stokes.

WABA will also be researching any grants on offer and encourage all members to share any information available with one another via our Facebook group.

Takeaway Liquor Sales

The State Government has temporarily restricted the quantity of beer allowed per person, per day to one carton. Whilst this is a further challenge for our industry, WABA understands the Government need to make such decisions in the current situation and we urge all our members and industry partners to adhere to the restrictions as we can’t afford for this one last revenue stream, for those fortunate enough to be packaging beer, to be taken away completely.

On the promotional front:

WABA is supporting the Keeping Local Alive campaign, which is promoting initiatives that aim to keep local beer alive. We’re encouraging WA breweries, venues and bottle shops to get on board and utilise the campaign’s assets and Facebook page to upload any offers or initiatives like takeaway beers and deliveries.

We’re also planning a campaign that focuses on local WA beer, which will launch once venues are back on track. It will support our breweries and venues by highlighting the uniquely West Australian craft beer industry that we’re all so proud to be part of.

Once it’s safe to do, we want people to get back to their local venues and support our breweries more than ever so we can keep our industry alive. The campaign will include digital and physical assets and virtual collaborations that will support local venues and promote our WA industry. More on this in the next couple of weeks.

Stay safe and reach out to us.

Cheers
Andy, Brendan, Mike and Robbe
WABA Committee