City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Bob Dwyer has welcomed the NSW Government's support package for small businesses impacted by the latest COVID-19 outbreak.
The package, announced today, includes grants of between $5000 and $10,000, payroll tax deferrals, and changes to the Dine & Discover program to allow use for takeaway until 31 August.
"I thank the NSW Government for listening to our calls for extra support for the thousands of businesses in the City of Parramatta that will be heavily impacted during this two-week lockdown," Cr Dwyer said.
"Many businesses will be losing income but still racking up costs. I hope these measures will help ease that financial pain and keep people in jobs."
However, Cr Dwyer called on the NSW Government to turn more attention to businesses in Western Sydney. He noted that, in the Parramatta CBD, many restaurants, cafes and bars were also dealing with the impact of Parramatta Light Rail construction, particularly along the City's famous 'Eat Street'.
"I again call on the NSW Government to extend its $50 million 'Thank God It's Friday' voucher scheme in the Sydney CBD to Parramatta, so people can use them once restrictions are eased," Cr Dwyer said.
"I would also like to see the NSW Government match the $15 million in funding it gave to the City of Sydney for a range of initiatives to encourage more people to visit, eat, shop and enjoy the city. Western Sydney is the engine room of the NSW economy and our CBD deserves just as much investment.
"Any extra support our businesses can get will go a long way to ensuring people stay in jobs and our growing City continues to thrive.
"I encourage everyone to continue to show support for Parramatta businesses in any way they can - including by downloading their Dine & Discover vouchers and spending them locally."
