Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has backed a move by the NSW Government to extend the popular Dine & Discover initiative by a month.
Mr Saunders said the stimulus had proved popular and played a valuable role supporting local businesses as well as reviving consumer confidence, and said giving people until July 31 to use the vouchers would mean another bumper school holiday period for the hospitality and events industries.
“This program is win-win for communities – it’s provides local businesses with much needed stimulus and families with hip pocket relief,” he said.
“People of all ages and walks of life are giving them a go and we don’t want anyone to miss out. This extension will ensure everyone has a chance to use all four of their vouchers, which I’m sure will be particularly handy in the school holidays.
“In our region we’ve had an enormous amount of support for this program. People have embraced it and it has provided a stimulus as we continue to climb out of the hole created by the pandemic.”
Every adult in NSW is eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend across the 14,000 participating businesses.
Dining out has been particularly popular, with patrons across the State spending on average $41 for every $25 voucher used.
Mr Saunders said the enthusiastic take up of the vouchers showed digital initiatives were the way of the future.
“It’s not too late for businesses to register and customers are encouraged to sign up and spend their vouchers before they expire on July 31,” he said.
“We’re giving people more time to take full advantage of these vouchers, so make sure you sign up.”
The vouchers can only be used at eligible businesses that have implemented a COVID Safety Plan and are registered as COVID Safe.