Seeking business input on local Pandemic impact

Regional Development Australia Northern Inland Executive Director Nathan Axelsson.

“If you are a business owner or manager, we need to know how the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has impacted your business. Our staff are conducting a region-wide survey to get a clearer picture of what the crisis has really done to our business sector,” Narrabri-based Chair of Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) Russell Stewart said. “We’ve just survived the worst ever drought and bushfire season but nothing has impacted our lives and livelihoods like the Covid-19 pandemic. As a region, as a community, we will get through this and we can all contribute to the battle.”

“RDA Northern Inland is in regular contact with the Federal Government, updating them on the crisis situation in our region, the local issues and difficulties with the virus control measures, as well as how the Government’s programs are working positively to retain jobs,” said Mr. Stewart.

“Taking the time to complete our survey will help get real, accurate information from our region to the Federal Government.”

“I am confident that when our region enters the recovery phase, we will hit the ground running and we will thrive, if the assistance and support programs are tailored and responsive to the challenges being faced. For that, we and the Government need input,” he said.

Executive Director of RDA Northern Inland Nathan Axelsson said that his staff had worked hard to develop the most efficient, yet thorough survey possible.

“Together with representatives of regions around the country, RDA Northern Inland is taking part in fortnightly teleconferences with Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Hon. Nola Marino, as well as senior Government officials from the Departments of Regional Development and Treasury. The Government is to be applauded for its efforts to get real feedback from regional Australia,” he said.

“From import/export barriers to labour issues or financing, we are well aware of the situation for Northern Inland NSW businesses and our economy in general. We are enduring a crisis that is unprecedented in modern times. Our local knowledge and anecdotal evidence is not enough, under the circumstances. We want to communicate with the Government with cold, hard facts and figures,” Mr. Axelsson said.

“We want to know if your business has kept trading, what the financial impact has been, what tough decisions you have had to make regarding your staff and more. The Federal Government is working to manage the constantly changing crisis as responsively as possible but it is up to you, our local business people, to give them the benefit of your experience,” he said.

“Our Northern Inland NSW regional Covid-19 business impacts survey is comprehensive and should only take around 15 minutes to complete. It is vital that we get as much information as possible to help shape our regional approach and the Government’s assistance measures going forward.”

Business people are encouraged to complete our regional Covid-19 pandemic business impacts survey via this link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID19EffectsOnBusinesses

The deadline for survey responses is 5pm Friday 24 April.