LOCAL POLITICAL NEWS
TAKING PRESSURE OFF RATEPAYERS, BUSINESSES & COUNCILS
Regulatory changes have been made to ensure council resources continue to be focused
on frontline COVID-19 response efforts, allowing them to provide financial relief to
businesses and residents. These changes provide ratepayers more time to pay their rates
notices and allows councils to provide financial support to businesses suffering from
reduced cash flows or forced closure by waiving or reducing fees. More at www.nsw.gov.
au/news/regulatory-changes-to-take-pressure-off-ratepayers-businesses-and-councils
DOCTORS TO SEND DIGITAL SCRIPTS
Doctors can prescribe medicines via email or fax, making it more convenient for
patients to access medications from their pharmacists during this crisis. It will also
help stop potential prescription forgery. More at preview.nsw.gov.au/news/doctors-tosend-
digital-scripts-to-pharmacists
SUPPORT FOR TENANTS AND LANDLORDS
The NSW Government has implemented emergency protections for commercial and
residential tenancies in financial distress who are unable to meet their commitments
due to the impact of COVID-19 including Land Tax rebates and deferrals for Landlords
who reduce rent.
PRESCHOOL FEE-FREE FOR SIX MONTHS
Preschool will be free for parents with children enrolled at community preschools for up to six months. Parents in NSW will not have to pay fees for up to six months thanks to a $51 million funding package. The funding will be available to 700 State-funded community preschools and 38 mobile services that provide care to 45,000 three to five year olds. A further $82 million is committed to support 260 council childcare centres who are not eligible for the JobKeeper payments.
SLASHED LICENCE FEES
Up to 200,000 licence holders operating across the trades and construction sectors will not have to pay up to $50 million worth of licence fees. The measures will deliver close to $50 million worth of fee waivers to tradies for 12 months, helping businesses during one of the hardest economic challenges in our lifetime. For more information visit: www.nsw.gov.au
