Thousands of eligible Central Coast businesses may still apply for a $10,000 one-off grant from the State Government aimed at keeping them afloat through the COVID-19 crisis.
The grant was announced on March 16 by Premier Gladys Berejiklian as part of the Government’s second stimulus package.
Eligible businesses are required to have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions, have between 1-19 employees, and have a turnover in excess of $75,000.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said over $4.6 million had already been allocated to businesses here on the Central Coast.
“In the space of a few weeks we have received 701 applications through Service NSW, and 462 local businesses have already received a $10,000 payment,” Crouch said.
“This is designed to be fast relief so that businesses can stay in business and keep people in jobs.
“The $10,000 payment can be used to cover bills like utilities, council rates, telecommunications bills, insurance payments, wages and more.
“There are (many) more local businesses that are eligible and haven’t applied, and I want to make sure we provide this financial support to all eligible businesses who need it.”
Member of the Legislative Council, Taylor Martin, said the initiative was the biggest small business support package in NSW history.
“The State Government has also provided a three month waiver of payroll tax for businesses with payrolls up to $10M and deferred billions of dollars of payroll tax for businesses with payrolls above $10M for the next six months, to give them breathing room,” Martin said.
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, says more needs to be done to let businesses know of their entitlements under the various relief packages.
“It’s so disheartening to see so little information being given to small businesses who are right now struggling to keep afloat,” she said.
“Figures have shown only 1% of small businesses state-wide have taken up the Government’s $10,000 grant assistance.
“There are 99% of small businesses out there who are yet to take up this crucial funding, which during a time like this, could make or break them.”
“I know locally that many businesses have had to close, be inoperable or have a significant loss in customers as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions, including cafes, nail salons, beauty therapists, independent theatre companies and artists, and personal trainers.
“I am making it my duty to let all of the Central Coast small businesses know what is available for them during this crisis.”
Grants applications can be made through the ServiceNSW website.
Source: Media release, Apr 29, 2020 – Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch – Media release, Apr 30, 2020 – Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch