Taxation relief and advisory services are part of a raft of assistance for drought-affected small businesses highlighted by the NSW government as it insists "nothing is off the table" for consideration.
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Deputy Premier John Barilaro detailed measures to help struggling enterprises after a Dubbo industry leader and the peak body for NSW business called for targeted assistance.
It came after the Orana and Far West reported some of the worst business conditions in the state in the most recent survey by the NSW Business Chamber.
More than half of those surveyed in the region reported deteriorating conditions, falling revenues and profits, and as a result, one-third reported cutting staff in the latest quarter.
Steve Fieldus, managing director of Transforce, said the drought's impact extended beyond farming to most businesses that relying on the agricultural supply chain.
He "totally agreed" with a Western NSW Business Chamber call for targeted measures to support regional businesses.
The Daily Liberal asked Mr Barilaro, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade, if he thought the Orana and Far West conditions shown in the survey were acceptable.
In response, he said the NSW government and the Office of the Small Business Commissioner recognised that small businesses were the "backbone of regional communities" and were committed to providing ongoing support to those affected by drought, he said.
The commissioner and her team were this week visiting Narrabri and the north-west this week, meeting with affected businesses and providing targeted one-on-one support, he said.
The commissioner's office was providing support through the Small Business Friendly Councils initiative, identifying opportunities to stimulate economic growth for drought-affected areas, he said.
It was also providing retail leasing, advocacy and dispute resolution services to businesses impacted by drought and was facilitating taxation relief and business advisory service support through Revenue NSW, Australian Taxation Office and the NSW government's Business Connect program, he said.
The more than $1.1 billion to deliver the Farm Innovation Fund, $190 million in drought transport subsidies and other assistance measures for primary producers also played a role in putting more money into rural and regional communities, he said.
"The NSW government is also raising the payroll taxation threshold to $1 million over the next four years - putting $881 million back into small businesses across the state," Mr Barilaro said.
"But there is no denying that more needs to be done, and that is why the NSW government has consistently added to its drought assistance package.
"Nothing is off the table when it comes to considering ways in which this government can help to ease the burden of drought on both farming communities and the small businesses of regional NSW."
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
