The NSW Business Chamber has called for a “suite of practical and targeted measures” to support businesses affected by drought.
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Ninety-six per cent of businesses in Western NSW have been negatively affected by the drought, almost 70 per cent of affected businesses indicated their local economy had been weakened, according to a survey from the NSW Business Chamber.
The survey heard from more than 1,000 respondents across the State.
“The impact on our regional businesses including retailers, manufacturers, agri-business and tourism operators has been significant in Western NSW,” said Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe.
“Cash flow is a huge concern with 86 per cent of Western NSW businesses indicating their cash flow had been adversely impacted. Our regional businesses are the backbone of our communities, supplying our essentials, providing many of us with employment, and more often than not financially supporting our sporting and community groups.”
The Chamber would like to see:
- A drought-focussed business concierge service to help connect non-farm businesses with existing government programs. The service would also provide access to financial counselling and specialised business advisory services in town halls and community centres across regional NSW.
- Clear policy statements from the ATO and Revenue NSW on tailored payment plans to assist businesses in meeting their tax obligations.
- Australian and NSW Government funding to allow local governments to provide council rate relief.
- Financial relief modelled on the Farm Household Allowance, made available to family enterprises facing equivalent financial hardship.
- Prioritising drought resilience infrastructure investment in drought-affected communities.
