A champion of small business wants drought-hit operators in the Dubbo region to know they are "not alone in trying to work all this out".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs OAM has told of her commitment to advocating for them as she encouraged traders to seek support.
She also urged consumers to shop local to support their own communities.
Visits to regional NSW have reinforced to Ms Hobbs that as the money dries up, all sectors of the local business community "feel the pinch".
"While our farmers are at the forefront of the drought, it is crystal clear that the impact stretches far beyond the farm gate into whole communities," she said.
"The businesses I have met have all said the same thing - more support is needed, as this drought will have a prolonged impact on their business long after the rains come - that would only be the first step in a lengthy recovery.
"Our small businesses need further support, and I am strongly advocating for them, particularly those in non-farm based industries."
The Far West and Orana regions reported some of the worst business conditions in the state in the latest quarterly survey by the NSW Business Chamber.
Ms Hobbs detailed help already on offer, and said her office was there to support businesses, particularly in times of difficulty.
As all businesses experiencing the impact of the drought undoubtedly knew, cash flow management was key and businesses should be carefully interrogating their finances to look for ways to ease the pressure, she said.
For example, businesses could seek deferrals for tax obligations from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or Revenue NSW by simply calling these agencies and having a chat about their current situation, she said.
The ATO's instant asset write-off scheme, which could help 'replace an essential asset even when money is tight' and the NSW Business Chamber's free energy comparison service were other suggestions.
"And to the small businesses, I want you to know you are not alone in trying to work all this out," Ms Hobbs said.
"Seek a helping hand whenever you need it - another key service on the business side of things are your local Business Connect advisors, who offer a free service and can give you the advice you need.
"But most importantly, continue to support each other - your strong local networks and support systems are incredibly important during this time."
Meanwhile it was a "simple message" for consumers.
"Shop local whenever you can and support the businesses in your own communities," Ms Hobbs said.
Would you like more Dubbo and regional news?
You can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Daily Liberal. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up to our free or subscriber only newsletters below: