A MESSAGE TO ALL BUSINESS OWNERS
The Committee wish to express our profound sympathy to all members & all other businesses in our community who have been affected by the bushfires and especially those who have suffered infrastructure loss.
Please forward this message to any business or individual which you feel will benefit from the following information.
We ask that if you believe we can assist in anyway whatever, that you do not hesitate to contact us at – contact@baychamber.com.au & cc the email to treasurer@baychamber.com.au or you can phone Charles Stuart (Vice President) on 0438 888 864 or Maree Jackson (Treasurer) on 0458411953.
The following information and links may be of assistance to business: –
NBN are operating a free of charge internet service, battery charging facility and internet connected computers for personal and business banking and general connectivity. They are located at the Evacuation Centre at Hanging Rock Community Hall, adjacent to the Batemans Bay Library and Uni of Wollongong campus and plan to stay this week.
Cash donations are preferred over goods as charities are struggling with staff levels, transport and warehousing. Please donate if you are able, to: Salvation Army Disaster Appeal – When you make a donation please nominate the area that you would like to donations to come to e.g. South Coast NSW, Eurobodalla, or a town, etc – https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) noted that while there are many ways you can help, “the best way is to donate money. This allows people to buy the things they need, and it supports local businesses which have also been impacted.”
The following are links for financial assistance for individuals, businesses & employees that have been affected by the bush fires: –
- The Regional Assistance Authority funding of up to $15,000 is for Primary Producers, Small businesses & Not-for-Profit Organisations. You can find more information at https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/disaster-recovery-grants/bushfires
- Disaster Recovery Allowance is a short-term payment to help you if a declared disaster directly affects your income. You can get it for a maximum of 13 weeks. It’s payable from the date you lose income as a direct result of the NSW Bushfires in August, September, October, November, December 2019 and January 2020 – https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/nsw-bushfiresseptember-2019-disaster-recovery-allowance
- Support for eligible people adversely affected by the bushfires in New South Wales in August 2019 through to January 2020 – $1000 per adult & $400 for each child younger than 19 – https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/nsw-bushfiresseptember-2019-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment
- The NSW Government Office of Emergency Management provides links for Financial Assistance after an emergency & recovery information & support to communities – https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/
- NAB customers who have lost homes this bushfire season can immediately access $2,000 grants to help cover costs such as temporary accommodation, food and clothing. I believe that other Banks are also providing similar grants.
- The NSW Chamber of Commerce have the Advice Line & ask that businesses to call the number should they have any legal questions relating to staff, or other business issues. They can contact the advice line on 13 29 59
- The Commonwealth Bank have announced they will assist their Customers with restocking their Business and/or rebuilding. Please discuss this with your bank to obtain assistance.
Yours sincerely.
Alison Miers
President
7 January 2020
