Financial lifeline for NSW businesses, communities hit by highway closure
Relief is in sight for businesses suffering from the sudden closure of one of the nation's busiest and most critical roads, with a financial support package announced by the NSW government.The $3.5 million package for small businesses and councils across the Blue Mountains and Central West comes after the unexpected closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass more than two months ago.The support package includes $10,000 grants for small businesses in Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley and Hartley Vale.To be eligible, they must show at least a 40 per cent downturn since the road closed. Small Business Minister Janelle Saffin announced the measures while visiting Lithgow today, describing it as a "buffer"."It's not meant to be compensation or to be the cash flow of the business, as much as I would love to do that," she said. Great Western Highway shut in both directions at Victoria Pass on March 9. (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregory)The road has been shut for almost 11 weeks after movement and cracking were discovered in the Mitchell's Causeway, a bridge built by convicts in the 1830s.Janelle Saffin has described the relief package as a "buffer". (ABC Central West: Lani Oataway)Businesses were quick to call for financial assistance, fearing early estimates of a three-month-long closure would prove to be optimistic.The minister conceded that the assessment process to determine who should receive support had taken longer than locals would have liked. "I know in disasters everyone's impacted, but we do have to target it and make sure it gets to those who need it," Ms Saffin said.All traffic between Sydney and the Central West is being diverted via Chifley Road at Lithgow. (ABC Central West: Lani Oataway)The package also includes $15,000 to help councils boost their visitor economies, including Cabonne, Forbes, Oberon, Dubbo, Blayney, Hawkesbury, Mid-Western and Orange.Those councils, as well as Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Bathurst, also have access to $5,000 community event grants.Speaking to community members in Lithgow, Ms Saffin said it was possible further assistance could be provided. "My ears are open. I'm listening and whatever else they put forward, I will consider it and put that to the government," she said. From the local lolly shop to a power tool supplier and a Japanese garden and nursery, businesses in Mount Victoria and the Hartley Valley relied heavily on trade generated by the 12,000-odd cars that travelled along the Great Western Highway each day.That was until March 9, when the road was closed in both directions at Victoria Pass.Many businesses have since recorded an approximately 90 per cent reduction in sales or visitor numbers.Some have reduced opening hours, others have had to lay off staff.Sharon Tofler, who owns the Lolly Bug in Little Hartley, said today's $10,000 grant announcement was "disappointing". Sharon Tofler's business relies on passing Great Western Highway traffic. (ABC News: Xanthe Gregory)"Anything counts but for us that's one week's wages," Ms Tofler said.The lost revenue has forced her to cut back trading days from seven to four, and reduce the hours of her six full-time staff. "It's a great weight on your shoulders because you feel a great responsibility to those staff." Above everything else, she wants a timeframe for the road's reopening so she can make decisions about the future of the business. Business NSW western regional director Vicki Seccombe said while the support was welcome, it didn't go far enough."[It] didn't fully reflect the scale and complexity of the impacts being felt by the business community right across the wider region," Ms Seccombe said. A survey by the business advocacy body highlighted increased costs being felt across sectors, including manufacturing, transport and construction, from Lithgow and much further west. "We'd like to see transport rebates for those additional kilometres those businesses are having to travel around the detour, and temporary payroll tax relief," she said. There are major delays and safety issues along the steep and windy Chifley Road, which vehicles are being diverted to. (ABC Central West: Xanthe Gregory)This week, Premier Chris Minns said the government could not provide a whole-of-region package."There'll be businesses that we can help in the immediate vicinity and there are others that have been affected by the change that we just don't have the funds to prop up or help during a difficult period," he said."This changed traffic affects Orange, Bathurst, Parkes, Forbes, the entire Central West."The NSW government is working through two possible design solutions for Mitchell's Causeway, with a decision expected to be made by late June.In a statement, the acting roads and regional transport minister, John Graham, said the targeted support would assist during the "difficult period" until the road reopens."We are moving as fast as possible on the road repair, with safety our top priority," he said.
