Chamber plans D-I-Y drought support for local businesses

AS THE drought drags on the drain on incomes is taking a toll on all types of businesses around the region.
Some local business owners have been asking sitting members, visiting political candidates and staff of various government agencies what their strategies are for assisting non-farm businesses to remain viable in these extreme conditions.
Apart from small-scale initiatives like the Coonamble Drought Buster Dollars and taxation deferrals from the Australian Tax Office, it has become clear that no substantial external help is available from any quarter for businesses outside the agricultural sector.
With this in mind, the Coonamble Chamber of Commerce applied for a $10,000 grant from the Western NSW Primary Health Network to bring local businesses together to build their survival skills and sustain their businesses during dry times.
The application was made under the PHN’s Community Wellbeing and Drought Support program as part of their push to support community education sessions that develop sustainability in natural disasters.
Last week the organisation received notice that their application was successful and they are now surveying members as to the topics they would most like to discuss.
“We will be working to find the best presenters on the topics that our members feel are critical to helping them strengthen their business and out-last this drought,” said Chamber President Mark Vaughan.”Things are very tough for businesses in these communities.”
“Everyone is getting pretty exhausted,” Mr Vaughan said. “There is just not enough money going around and our businesses are constantly thinking about how they can keep their staff and continue to provide goods and services to their customers.”
Non-farm businesses are responsible for employing a large proportion of the region’s population and unless they can continue to operate profitably, the district will see a further contraction in both employment and population.
At the last census there were 1416 people employed in the local government area, with at least 450 of those employed in non-agricultural and non-government businesses.
When surveyed by the NSW Business Chamber in August 2018, approximately one in three regional businesses stated that the viability of their business was at risk due to drought conditions.
The survey included large regional centres so it is expected that businesses in agriculture-reliant communities such as Coonamble, Baradine and Gulargambone would be at least two in three.
In additional, four in five affected businesses indicated cash flow had been impacted and these businesses stated they may need to reduce staffing levels by an average of 1.5 employees.
“There are many challenges being thrown up by the drought,” Mr Vaughan said.
“We hope that bringing people together to support each other and to take home some new skills and strategies will be a big help to those who need it.”
Businesses around the district who are not members of the Chamber of Commerce will also be invited to participate.