Reducing the cost of living and growing OUR REGION

AS the new year continues to roll on, cost-of living pressures and growth in our region are the forefront of this government’s mind. When I speak with people everyday, it’s clear that we are all feeling the pinch – but that’s where this Government is providing real, concrete relief.

Through Service NSW, there are now over 70 different ways to save through vouchers and rebates.

By simply entering your details into the Service NSW Savings Finder, you can access key savings such as the Premier’s Back to School vouchers, with families being provided $150 in vouchers toward the cost of school uniforms, shoes, bags and technology; First Lap vouchers providing $100 to go towards the cost of swimming lessons for children aged 3 to 6 years; Active Kids $100 vouchers for children’s sport programs and the Creative Kids $100 voucher for contributions to activities such as performing arts, music and visual arts – all of which are redeemable at many Central Coast businesses.

Accessing these vouchers has never been easier – through either a couple taps on the Service NSW app, accessing them on the Service NSW website or walking into a Service NSW branch and speaking with a friendly concierge to help guide you through the process. Further, cost of living support is open to businesses as well.

Through Service NSW’s free Business Connect service, businesses owners can access a hub of support, knowledge and assistance.

The service provides guidance for every stage of the business life cycle and assists with identifying financial assistance opportunities such as vouchers, grants and rebates; necessary license and permits; mental health support for you and your employees alongside disaster recovery support.

They can also assist in providing information regarding payroll tax, goods and service tax – all handy and free support provided by Business Connect.

Cost of living pressues

As we work to reduce the cost-ofliving pressures on the Coast, we’re also focusing on building up and growing our region.

Through our regional focused funds like the Regional Growth Fund, the Central Coast benefits from massive investment through associated grant programs, such as the $660 million Stronger Country Communities Fund, $100 million Regional Sporting Infrastructure Fund and the $240 million Regional Job Creation Fund.

These funds are absolutely essential to our region’s growth, providing welcome infrastructure upgrades and numerous jobs for locals.

For example, projects like the $1.347 million Sun Valley Reserve upgrade and the $500,000 new amenities block at Wamberal Beach have provided jobs for tradies through initial construction as well as providing brand new facilities for locals, all thanks to funding under the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

The same can be said for the Regional Job Creation fund, which through funding of 15 projects on the Central Coast have provided over 500 jobs as well as bringing brand names onto the Coast.

Infrastructure projects such as the Waratah Super Battery will not only provide 130 local jobs, but also stimulate $1 billion in investment to energy storage alongside remarkable capital investment into our region. Cost of living and growing our region – its where our priorities lie, and it’s where we are delivering for our region as a whole.