A new Mobile Service Centre is set to support locals in Far West New South Wales with applying for grants following the recent power outage.
A Service NSW Mobile Service Centre is currently stationed in Broken Hill to help those claiming a Power Outage Support Grant and provide support where needed.
From 12 November, the Mobile Service Centre will travel around the region to provide further assistance, starting at the Albert Hall in Tibooburra. Over the next few weeks, the Mobile Service Centre and NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) team members will conduct recovery outreach programs across some of the more remote communities, with guidance from authorities working in local communities, to ensure they are receiving the help they need to apply for the grant.
A Business Concierge from the Service NSW Business Bureau will also travel with the Mobile Service Centre to provide personalised guidance on the $400 Far West Business grant application process.
The Mobile Service Centre’s schedule in the Far West will be guided by on-the-ground information about demand levels in each town.
People can stay up to date on where it is headed by going to the Service NSW website.
In Broken Hill, a Recovery Assistance Point (RAP) will continue to operate to support anyone who needs help applying for the grants. The RAP will be open from 11 November to 15 November, from 9am to 6pm, at 329 Blende Street, Broken Hill.
Community members can visit the RAP to access mental health services, community not-for-profits, and government representatives including staff from Service NSW and the Red Cross.
In addition, RA staff will visit Menindee on 14 November from 10am to 3pm at the Menindee Civic Hall.
Staff at the Broken Hill Service NSW Centre have also been boosted to meet increased demand since the Far West Power Outage grants went live, with $200 available to eligible adults and $400 to affected small-medium business owners.
New South Wales Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Jihad Dib, said that the government wants to make sure support reaches across the Far West and the Mobile Service Centre will go to areas where it is needed to make sure the community is supported.
“The teams at Service NSW will travel far and wide to ensure people impacted by the power outage can get financial support they need,” Minister Dib said.
“Everyone in the state should be able to access all Service NSW offers, which is why the Mobile Service Centres are so important in reaching everyone who needs help.
“For people who can’t get to us, we’re going to them. This principle is about making sure everyone is included and has access to our support.”
Member for Barwon, Roy Butler, thanked the teams at Service NSW and the RA for assisting the communities of the Far West.
“We want to make sure this support reaches as many people as possible, and I commend the agencies on finding ways to do that – whether that’s through engagement at the RAP, local radio and social media, or the Mobile Service Centre,” Mr Butler said.
“Sometimes these smaller communities feel like they are forgotten. It’s great to see that the outreach services will be available to them.”
Managing Director of Service NSW, Greg Wells, said that Service NSW is getting more help on the ground and in its Mobile Service Centres to make sure those who can’t access the grant payments through the Service NSW apps don’t miss out.
“The people of Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Menindee and White Cliffs have faced disruption in recent weeks, so Service NSW and the Reconstruction Authority are working hard to reach out to them.”
