Support regional communities and businesses in NSW

Even if social distancing measures end soon, the financial fall-out from the coronavirus will be felt across the state for a long time - especially in regional areas.

As Greens’ spokesperson for Tourism, Regional Communities and the North Coast, I am calling on the government to urgently help regional communities in NSW survive this crisis.

Please sign the petition calling for increased funding for regional businesses.

We may be waiting a long time before people can safely travel again, and this means many businesses will be struggling.

Experts say that regional areas such as Byron, that are particularly reliant on the tourism and hospitality sectors, will be slowest to recover.

I believe more needs to be done to ensure regional areas – and the people who work hard to make it special – get through the other side of this pandemic.

That is why I am calling on the state Minister for Tourism to provide extra funding for regional communities that are reliant on tourism to stay afloat.

This means extra funding to:

- support regional businesses to transition their business models online;

- help regional businesses diversify their retail offerings;

- aid regional businesses to innovate in order to thrive in the changing landscape;

- assist regional businesses to maintain good relationships with their employees. 

Regional businesses and our community need specialised support to help them survive the financial effects of COVID-19.

Please join me in calling on the Tourism Minister to provide this urgent support now.