Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has called for further financial support to be provided to residents and business owners in drought-impacted regions of regional NSW.
Mr Saunders wrote to NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet earlier this week, calling for similar provisions to the ones applied to bushfire-affected parts of the state, including rate relief, and working capital and low interest loans.
Mr Saunders said the proposed assistance would be similar to that rolled out across regions which have been affected by the devastating bushfires.
“What has happened to parts of NSW, particularly on the South Coast, has been nothing short of heartbreaking. There is no doubting that,” Mr Saunders said.
“I applaud the NSW Government for taking the action it has to support those people and those communities, but I am calling on those same to be rolled out for our drought affected communities.
“I have asked for rate relief for the first six months of the 2020/21 financial year, and for working capital loans of up to $50,000 and low interest loans of up to $500,000 to eligible businesses because these are measures that could help keep our towns afloat.
Mr Saunders said the proposed drought measures would complement existing drought support.
“To date, the NSW Nationals in Government have rolled out more than $1.8 billion for drought assistance, but as the drought continues, I know as a government, we need to do more.
“While some areas have been blessed with rain in recent times, others haven’t been so lucky and the reality is the drought is far from over.
“There are people out there who can’t pay their rates or other bills, and the pressure keeps building on them. That’s why I wrote to the Treasurer asking for similar provisions to be put in place in local government areas that have been hit hard by drought.” For drought support, visit www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au