MORE THAN 2500 BUSINESSES APPROVED FOR GRANTS
NSW GOVERNMENT TO BOOST RESILIENCE IN REGIONAL NSW AMID COVID-19
SLASHED LICENCE FEES A BIG WIN FOR BUSINESSES
DOCTORS TO SEND DIGITAL SCRIPTS TO PHARMACISTS
SMS DELIVERS FASTER COVID-19 RESULTS IN NSW
FUNDING BOOST AND NEW EMERGENCY MEASURES TO PROTECT TENANCIES
ECONOMIC STIMULUS TO BOOST JOBS AND SOCIAL HOUSING
FUNDING TO HELP BUSHFIRE-HIT FARMERS REBUILD BOUNDARY FENCING BORDERING PUBLIC LANDS
REGULATORY CHANGES TO TAKE PRESSURE OFF RATEPAYERS, BUSINESSES AND COUNCILS
- More than 2500 small businesses heavily impacted by COVID-19 have already been approved for grants of up to $10,000 in the first three days of the NSW Government’s new Small Business Support Fund.
- Applications for the grant must be received by 1 June 2020. For more information on eligibility or to submit an application please visit www.service.nsw.gov.au
NSW GOVERNMENT TO BOOST RESILIENCE IN REGIONAL NSW AMID COVID-19
- Vital infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked in regional NSW to help local industries, councils and communities rebuild and recover from the impacts of drought, bushfire and COVID-19.
- Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said more than $100 million of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus package will go towards the expansion of plantation nurseries to boost production, infrastructure repairs in State forests, the rebuild of local showgrounds, and vital upgrades to regional hospitals, courthouses and Aboriginal housing.
SLASHED LICENCE FEES A BIG WIN FOR BUSINESSES
- Up to 200,000 licence holders operating across the trades and construction sectors will not have to pay up to $50 million worth of licence fees, thanks to the NSW Government.
- Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the licence fee waivers were a crucial part of the NSW Government’s first economic stimulus package.
- For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au.
DOCTORS TO SEND DIGITAL SCRIPTS TO PHARMACISTS
- Doctors can prescribe medicines via email or fax from April 17, making it more convenient for patients to access medications from their pharmacists during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Health Minister Brad Hazzard said under the NSW Government changes announced GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to send a digital image of the prescription.
- Advice to pharmacists is available at Advice for community pharmacies on COVID-19
- NSW commercial tenants significantly impacted by COVID-19 will have greater protection from evictions with the State Government set to enact the National Cabinet Code of Conduct as part of a $440 million land tax relief package.
- The measures will apply to commercial leases where the tenant is in financial distress due to COVID-19, including but not limited to shops, cafes, gyms, hairdressers, restaurants, offices, warehouses and industrial sites.
- The NSW Government has outlined its plan to reform developer levies and contributions to unlock new housing supply, deliver vital community infrastructure and boost investment in NSW.
- In November, Premier Gladys Berejiklian outlined four key areas for reform to the NSW planning system in 2020, including fixing the uncertainty of developer contributions to drive investment in NSW.
- A purpose-built COVID-19 recovery ward at Royal North Shore Hospital will be the first major project underway as part of $100 million worth of health infrastructure being fast-tracked by the NSW Government.
- The ward with more than 40 beds will cater to patients who are recovering from COVID-19 and require ongoing care before they are cleared to go home.
- The NSW Government previously announced $800 million for NSW Health to support the health system including significantly increasing capacity in NSW public hospitals, particularly within ICUs
SMS DELIVERS FASTER COVID-19 RESULTS IN NSW
- In a NSW first, patients can opt-in to receive their COVID-19 pathology results via text message.
- NSW Health Pathology’s secure automated SMS solution will see the average notification period for results halved, plus ease the pressure on busy hospital and laboratory staff.
FUNDING BOOST AND NEW EMERGENCY MEASURES TO PROTECT TENANCIES
- Residential tenants and landlords facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 will receive increased support and greater certainty from the NSW Government’s new temporary rental support measures announced.
- Tenants, landlords and agents can find up to date information and resources at nsw.gov.au.
ECONOMIC STIMULUS TO BOOST JOBS AND SOCIAL HOUSING
- A targeted stimulus program is delivering a triple-impact for NSW by boosting the economy, supporting employment and revitalising public housing and supply.
- The $60.5 million program in the NSW Government’s $2.3 billion COVID-19 stimulus package is delivering maintenance works and upgrades on public housing properties; including 50 per cent in regional NSW.
FUNDING TO HELP BUSHFIRE-HIT FARMERS REBUILD BOUNDARY FENCING BORDERING PUBLIC LANDS
- Bushfire-affected landholders will now have access to their share of up to $209 million to help cover the cost of rebuilding boundary fences, after Deputy Premier John Barilaro launched the NSW Government’s ‘Supporting our Neighbours’ project.
- For more information about the program visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au. Eligible landholders can apply for the program online at the LLS website, by expressing their interest for a callback service via one of the 11 regional LLS Facebook pages or by calling 1300 778 080.
REGULATORY CHANGES TO TAKE PRESSURE OFF RATEPAYERS, BUSINESSES AND COUNCILS
- The NSW Government has made a series of regulatory changes to ensure council resources continue to be focused on frontline COVID-19 response efforts and allow councils to provide financial relief to businesses and residents.