Business NSW Central Coast has welcomed a relief package for businesses announced by the NSW Government to begin from February 1.
Regional Director Paula Martin said the new support measures would see businesses with turnover between $75,000 and $50M benefit.
“Our latest Business Conditions Survey clearly showed the pain and impact Omicron was having on business,” Martin said.
“On the Central Coast, food production and manufacturing have now joined hospitality, retail and tourism with Omicron-related staff shortages.
“These are large employers of locals and they have had to cut production which is impacting cash flow and potential investment in the region.
“The Government has done a great job in designing a package that will help a wide variety of business owners who’ve suffered a downturn in their operations through no fault of their own, and now what’s important is that the money gets out the door and into the hands of those most in need.
“I am estimating that one in six of the eligible Central Coast businesses could benefit from support, particularly those who were expecting a busy time over Christmas.
“What’s crucial now is that customers have the confidence to return to businesses and do their shopping in a safe manner.
“Businesses are doing the right thing in ensuring their staff are healthy before commencing shifts so supporting local towns and local produce will be vital for our regional recovery.”
The package will see: a payment of up to $5,000 per week (20 per cent of payroll) for businesses with turnover between $75,000 and $50M which suffered a 40 per cent downturn in January and project 50 per cent of the costs incurred to acquire RAT’s for the workplace; and commercial landlord relief extended until March 13.
The NSW Opposition ,welcomed the relief measures but said many businesses would be concerned it they were far too late and wouldn’t hit the mark.
“We can’t have a repeat of last time where businesses were waiting months for support,” Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, said.
“The architecture is already there.
“Service NSW must be ready; businesses cannot wait any longer.
“On the extension of the small business fees and charges rebate to Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), NSW Labor has been clear that RATs should be free.
“This measure doesn’t help small businesses with the issue of accessing supply of RATs – we have a hunger games situation in NSW because the Premier did not do the planning back in December when Omicron spread through the community.”
Shadow Treasurer Daniel Mookhey criticised Premier Dominic Perrotttet for making the decision on December 15 to remove modest restrictions that help to slow the spread of COVID – just as Omicron took off.
“He ignored the advice of experts and he didn’t do the planning,” Mookhey said.
“Businesses were asking for support back in December.
“This should have been much faster, and it should have been at similar levels to last year.”
Terry Collins