SMALL businesses across the Mid North Coast have been left behind in the wake of the devastating May floods, according to local business leaders who say the NSW Government has failed to deliver critical support.
Team Taree (Taree Business Chamber) and the Macleay Business Representative Group are jointly calling on the NSW Premier to act urgently by extending Category D disaster relief funding to the region’s small businesses.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” said a spokesperson for Team Taree. “We’re asking for parity.”
“When roads are cut, supply chains disrupted, and properties [are] underwater, small businesses suffer just as much as farms do and yet the NSW Government continues to treat our sector as an afterthought.”
While Category D support has been announced for primary producers, the groups say that decision “blatantly ignores the equally severe damage suffered by hundreds of local businesses, many of whom remain without access to the financial relief they urgently need.”
They are particularly frustrated by the government’s refusal to submit an application to the federal government that would extend the funding to small businesses, raising grant caps to $50,000 to reflect the true cost of recovery.
“With the stringent guidelines already in place regarding eligibility, many small businesses impacted may not even be eligible should the Government grant Category D funding.
“Why is the Premier so reluctant to show support for our communities?”
Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said it’s a betrayal to every small business owner who has done the right thing and is now being ignored.
“By capping the data at $5000, they’re rigging the numbers,” he said.
“They’re cooking the books to downplay the scale of the devastation in our communities and it’s nothing short of dishonest and deceptive.
“The Premier and the Treasurer are clearly blocking this request.
“Premier Minns is happy to turn up for a photo op after a disaster, but when it comes time to deliver real, practical support, he vanishes.
“The Minister’s silence is costing jobs, hurting families, and pushing small businesses to the brink of closure.”
The NSW Opposition has repeatedly called for $50,000 Category D funding to be made available to help small businesses get back on their feet.
They are also calling on the Premier to engage directly with Mid North Coast business communities to understand the compounding impacts of the floods.
Business leaders say the time for photo opportunities and empty promises has passed.
They argue the government must take decisive action to support the small businesses that form the backbone of their local economies.
By Sis Higgins
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