Joint media release
Small businesses on the Coffs Coast impacted by the recent bushfires are now eligible to apply for $10,000 grants under the streamlined Bushfire Affected Small Business Rebuild package.
Up until now, it had only been available to small businesses in the Nambucca Valley, Kempsey Shire and Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Areas (LGA) in the electorate of Cowper.
“This is great news for small businesses and residents on the Coffs Coast who had been affected by the devastating bushfires,” Mr Conaghan said.
“Access to this $10,000 grant is more crucial than ever because of the shut down due to COVID-19 and I thank the Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud and the NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro for jointly coming up with this funding.
“Importantly, primary producers in the Bellingen Shire who have already applied for the $75,000 bushfire recovery grant can still apply for this additional $10,000 grant.”
State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the extension of the Bushfire Affected Small Business Rebuild package is evidence the Liberal-Nationals Governments continue to back regional small businesses.
“I know many small businesses on the Coffs Coast rely on tourism and had a loss in summer trade due to the bushfires, followed by a loss in Easter trade due to coronavirus,” Mr Singh said.
“I welcome this grant being extended to the Coffs Coast as I know it has greatly helped businesses in the Clarence LGA with cash flow.
“More than 12,500 businesses have taken up the grant offer so far across NSW which equates to $125.4 million going directly to those businesses worst hit by bushfire.”
For more information or to apply contact Service NSW via www.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88. To be eligible, small businesses must have experienced a 40 per cent drop in revenue over a three-month period, compared to last year, because of the bushfires.
Coffs Harbour is one of 13 additional LGAs now eligible for the Bushfire Affected Small Business Rebuild package because greater than four per cent of the LGA burnt or greater than four buildings were damaged or destroyed in the bushfires.
Media contact:
Mr Conaghan – 0418 928 744
Mr Singh – (02) 6652 6500
