Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison is continuing her calls for the state government to provide more financial assistance to small businesses that were affected by last month’s super storm.
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Almost 400mm of rain fell in the Maitland area in a 24-hour period on April 21 and widespread floods followed.
The government announced $1 million for Hunter tourism operators to spend on marketing last week.
But Ms Aitchison says more needs to be done for businesses in the Hunter.
“The 2007 storms did not impact as widely in terms of physical damage, nor did businesses back then rely as heavily on the internet, power and telecommunications to conduct business,” she said.
Ms Aitchison said she was concerned that the superstorm had led to reduced revenue for many Maitland businesses.
“Most of the government business disaster relief grants have been for low- interest loans, but it is really cash-flow that is of concern,” she said.
“For those who might already be highly leveraged by debt, a loan is the last thing they will want to get and many may not be able to get them.”
A spokesman for Small Business Minister John Barilaro told the Mercury t the Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) had been in regular contact with emergency relief co-ordinator Brigadier Darren Naumann.
The spokesman said the OSBC had also offered to conduct disaster recovery and economic development workshops in affected communities.
He said the minister had identified loss of power, phone and internet for extended periods and issues with insurance as key issues for Hunter businesses.
“To support small businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather event the OSBC provided assistance through a number of channels including the Small Biz Connect Program and stationed the Small Biz Bus at the various recovery centres in Dungog, Cessnock, Nelson Bay, Hamilton, Swansea and Gosford,” he said. services.”
