Financial support available for NSW workers affected by lockdown

Goondiwindi Regional Council is reminding residents who usually work in New South Wales that they may be eligible for financial assistance if they have lost income due to the 14 August 2021 NSW lockdown.

NSW workers may be eligible for lump-sum payments through the federal government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment, even if they live in Queensland.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi Region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said Council is strongly advocating for similar support to be extended to businesses and individuals who usually work in the Goondiwindi Region (QLD) who have lost income due to the Queensland Government border restrictions.

“While this support is welcome, we suspect that only a small number of Goondiwindi Region residents will actually be eligible for the payment,” Cr Springborg said. “At the moment, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment is only available to those who usually work on the NSW side of the border. But we know many businesses in the Goondiwindi Region, on the QLD side, would ordinarily service a large cohort of customers from northern NSW who now cannot cross the border to access those goods and services, so those businesses are affected as well.

“Our local businesses are having to make tough decisions about reducing staff hours or even terminating employees. There will be many people in our region indirectly impacted by the NSW lockdown who are not yet eligible for financial assistance, and Council is strongly advocating on their behalf.”

The Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) will be circulating a survey to local businesses to quantify the impacts and scale of the NSW lockdown and QLD border restrictions. It will report its findings to the state government to demonstrate where the holes are and to advocate for the support we need.

Take part in the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M55L7JD

“I would ask all affected local businesses to take part in that survey so their voices can be heard,” Cr Springborg said.

There is also support and resources available for mental health and wellbeing, and Cr Springborg is encouraging people to seek support if needed.

“The Goondiwindi Region is home to some tough people – you only need to look at the past seven years of drought, recent flooding, mice and locust outbreaks, to tell us that. But after 18 months of the pandemic and now COVID-19 creeping ever closer to our region, frankly, for many people there’s just not much left in the tank.

“This is taking its toll on many of us and I encourage people to seek support if needed. Please look after each other and remember - you’re not alone.”

For support and resources about mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19, visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/keep-well/mental-wellbeing

You may be eligible for COVID-19 Disaster Payment if all of these apply:

• you live or work in any area of New South Wales
• you were unable to earn your usual income of 8 hours or more or a full day’s work because of the restricted movement order
• you meet any other eligibility rules.

For more information and to check your eligibility for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, visit: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment