Small businesses and councils across the Blue Mountains and Central West will receive additional support due to the ongoing closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass.
The NSW Government announced a $3.5 million support package to assist businesses and communities impacted by the closure, which followed serious cracking and safety concerns at Victoria Pass. The package includes direct grants for affected businesses, tourism funding for councils, business advisory services and local workshops.
Under the package, eligible small businesses in Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley and Hartley Vale will be able to access $10,000 grants through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority.
Additional funding will also be provided to councils across the region to support tourism and local visitation initiatives. Eight councils – Cabonne, Forbes, Oberon, Dubbo, Hawkesbury, Blayney, Mid Western and Orange – will each receive $15,000 to support local activations and promotional activities. This follows earlier funding provided to Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Bathurst City councils.
Councils across the Blue Mountains and Central West will also have access to $5,000 community event grants to support local events designed to encourage visitation and longer stays in the region.
The support package also includes a specialised business advisory service, providing impacted businesses with one-on-one advice focused on managing disruption, cash flow and business continuity. Businesses will be able to register through the Service NSW Business Bureau from 1 June.
Workshops will also be held in Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Hartley, Oberon, Lithgow and Orange during June, covering topics including cost management, diversification, marketing and available support services.
The NSW Government said the measures were developed in consultation with the NSW Small Business Commission, local councils and business owners to help target assistance where it is most needed.
Transport for NSW continues to work towards reopening the Great Western Highway, with two consortia – Seymour Whyte and Gamuda – currently developing restoration options before a preferred solution and delivery partner is selected.
The NSW Government has also committed $50 million towards improving the safety and resilience of detour routes through the Blue Mountains and Central West, with more than $15 million in works already completed.
Acting NSW Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, John Graham, said businesses in the area had been significantly affected by the closure.
“We know local businesses have been hit hard by the closure of the Great Western Highway and direct financial support, along with a range of other targeted support measures, are much needed,” Graham said.
“We are moving as fast as possible on the road repair, with safety our top priority.”
NSW Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the package would help communities continue operating while repair works continue.
“These grants, workshops and advisory services are practical investments to help local industries get through a difficult time,” Moriarty said.
“This support will help our regional communities continue trading, welcoming visitors, and driving the agricultural and economic activity our state depends on.”
NSW Minister for Small Business, Janelle Saffin, said the package was designed to provide immediate relief to affected businesses.
“By backing our local councils with dedicated tourism funding, we are sending a loud and clear message: the Blue Mountains and Central West are open for business,” Saffin said.
State Member for the Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle, said the funding would help businesses facing ongoing disruption from the closure.
“The closure of Victoria Pass has been tough on many, but this much-needed grant will go some way to alleviating the pressure they’re under,” Doyle said.
