A $50 accommodation voucher will be available from today as part of the NSW Government’s $250 million Stay NSW program. Applications for the vouchers will be made available by Local Government Area in a staggered approach. Every community will have access to them by 3 March.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the voucher initiative is a commitment to bolster the accommodation industry while getting people excited to travel in NSW. “This is a win-win for NSW – the vouchers will give hard hit businesses much needed stimulus, while also encouraging residents to explore our great State,” Mr Dominello said.

“The Stay NSW program has been expanded and fast-tracked, so people can enjoy a staycation sooner. Whether it’s a quiet country inn, the family-run caravan park or a hotel in the Sydney CBD, every budget needs a boost this year.”

Applying is fast and simple via the Service NSW mobile app, through the Service NSW website or by calling 13 77 88 for assistance.

There are more than 1,200 Stay NSW businesses registered across the State but it is not too late for accommodation premises to get on board. Stay NSW Vouchers are valid until 9 October, 2022.

CREATIVE KIDS VOUCHERS AVAILABLE: Creative Kids Vouchers are now available via the ServiceNSW website.

Parents, guardians and carers can apply for a voucher with a value of up to $100 per calendar year for each student aged 4.5 to 18 years old enrolled in school.

The voucher may be used with a registered activity provider for registration, participation and tuition costs for a range of creative activities, including arts, drama, dance, digital design, coding, and music lessons.

The voucher can be used at any time during the calendar year it was issued. To use the voucher, give the details to your registered activity provider. The program runs year-round, so kids can get creative at any time.

If you’re a parent, carer or guardian, the student will be eligible if they are a NSW resident:
• Aged between 4.5 and 18 years;
• Enrolled in school (from Kindergarten to Year 12, including those who are home-schooled or enrolled in secondary school education at TAFE NSW);
• A current Medicare card holder.

You can apply for a voucher for each eligible student. You can use the voucher for registration, participation, and tuition costs with approved Creative Kids providers.

What you need:
• A MyServiceNSW account;
• One proof of identity document for the parent, carer or guardian;
• Your child’s Medicare card details.

How to apply:
• Check the eligibility requirements and the types of activities.
• Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
• Log in to your account or sign up for a MyServiceNSW Account.
• Follow the prompts to apply for the voucher.
• Eligible programs

An eligible program is a structured, focused program with clear creative skill development outcomes, delivered in real-time (live). The primary purpose is for children or young people to learn or participate in interactive creative or cultural activities. The program must demonstrate value for money and be relevant to the age and skill level of participants.

For more information and to apply: www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-creative-kids-voucher

POSITIVE BUDGET OUTLOOK: Business NSW – West-ern’s Vicki Seccombe is optimistic the budget will have positive impact on business. The NSW Perrottet-Toole government will be delivering their first budget together after the resignation of both Gladys Berejiklian and John Barilaro in the past four months.

The ability to trade safely, to welcome back customers and staff with certainty, and the ability to plan for the future are top priorities for business while quickly rebuilding consumer and trading confidence is central to the state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW’s submission ahead of the upcoming NSW Budget. The submission has been formally lodged with the NSW Government.

“As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to deploy agile and tailored policy making responses remain key,” said Business NSW Regional Manager – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe.

“The NSW Government’s leadership and collaboration supporting businesses has again been demonstrated, with the delivery, without Federal Government assistance, of the $1billion business support package including direct payments to businesses of up to $5,000 per week,” Ms Seccombe said.

“The rebuilding of consumer and business confidence and tailored support for particular business sectors and localities doing it tough are key priorities for the first months of 2022 and through new variants or a ‘winter wave’,” she said.

Increased freedom and flexibility to safely get on with it remain the biggest challenges for business, Ms Seccombe added.

A male cane toad has been positively identified in Dubbo. DPI believe it is most likely a stowaway but vigilance is important. For people travelling from known cane toad areas or collecting feed or machinery, be aware cane toads can hitch a ride and they can have a devastating impact on local biodiversity if allowed to establish in our region. Here’s what to do if you think you’ve spotted a cane toad:

• Always wear protective gloves and eyewear. Cane toads extrude (and sometimes squirt) poison from glands behindtheir head.

• Catch the animal and hold it in a closed,well-ventilated container with some water.

• Do not kill it until we confirm what it is(some native frog species look similar tocane toads.) Photograph the animal.

• Report it to NSW Department of PrimaryIndustries through the online form at https://bit.ly/3Ju0Jnp or call 1800 680 244.

You can also contact a Local Land Services Biosecurity Officer on 1300 795 299 who can assist you with identification and submission of the online form.

Sammy Leonard, owner of Forbes Smash keeps kicking goals with a nomination as one of the finalists in the Owner/ Manager category for the 2021 Australasian Paint and Panel Women in Collision Awards. Sammy made the top 5 from well over 40 nominations in the category.