Ettalong Beach’s The Box on the Water is just one of the Peninsula businesses to have signed up for the Dine & Discover program ahead of its launch in March.
The State Government’s dining scheme will provide every NSW resident aged 18 and over with four $25 vouchers to spend with local businesses.
Two vouchers will be used for eating in at restaurants from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays.
The two remaining vouchers will be used for entertainment and recreation activities, excluding public holidays.
Restaurant manager, Melanie Deren, said The Box was looking forward to the start of the vouchers next month.
“We are very excited to be a part of the program as it will help people get out and about and visit local businesses after the busy summer period,” Deren said.
“[It’ll also] support jobs in our local community going into the quieter months.”
Deren said the restaurant will continue to offer its regular a-la-carte menu to patrons.
Businesses must register through Service NSW to be included in the program, and must have an active ABN, be registered for GST, operate in NSW, and have a registered COVID-19 safety plan.
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, is encouraging every eligible business to register.
“This program is the perfect opportunity to get more people through your doors and spending at your business,” Tesch said.
“I want every business on the Central Coast to reap the rewards from this initiative and that starts with registration.
“I can imagine many businesses will be rushing to register a few days before the vouchers are made available and I want Central Coast businesses to be ahead of the approval wait list.”
Tesch also said businesses should get in early to ensure they are approved in time.
“The impact the pandemic has had on our local businesses is still being felt today with many struggling to stay afloat,” Tesch said.
“I hope we’ll support our local restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues with these vouchers, so our economy and locals get the boost they desperately need.”
Locals who are aged over 18 can redeem their vouchers by applying online.
For those who are not able to access the digital forms, Service NSW Centres will also offer support to complete the application.
More information can be found at: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/dine-and-discover-nsw.
Maisy Rae