In a bid to respond to the current business climate, a Central Coast COVID-19 Economic Task Force has been established to help local business through this volatile time.

Business NSW, Central Coast Council, Central Coast Industry Connect, Central Coast Food Alliance and Regional Development Australia (Central Coast) have joined forces to assess the economic impact of COVID-19 to the Central Coast economy and respond with initiatives aimed at stimulating business investment, maintaining jobs and helping businesses withstand the effects of the pandemic.

Central Coast Council Chief Executive Officer, Gary Murphy said they understand the growing stress and impact that the COVID-19 situation is placing our Coast’s business community and Council are dedicating resources, and working with local business groups and government agencies, to develop custom initiatives to lessen the affect locally.

“Whilst every region’s economy will be affected at this time, our business community which is made up of small to large businesses across varied sectors, has its own unique issues and impacts that need to be considered,” Mr Murphy said.

“Central Coast Council is throwing the full weight of its Economic Development team to this central Task Force, so that we are collectively armed with the right information about the economic shocks to the Coast’s local businesses and can develop customised initiatives and support to help keep our local economy going.

“Central Coast is home to a full range of small to large businesses across many sectors, so understanding the array of issues that businesses are experiencing is important to developing initiatives that are bespoke to the Central Coast.”

"The first priority for the Central Coast COVID-19 Economic Task Force is to help local business understand how to get through the pandemic and develop projects that stimulate local jobs."

A Central Coast COVID-19 Information Portal (centralcoasteconomy.com.au) has been set up and businesses are encouraged to go online to see what relevant information and support is available to them, and are invited to submit questions.

Regional Director Central Coast Business NSW, Paula Martin said “Local businesses are confused, scared and unsure of what the next six months has in store for them, so as business leaders of the Central Coast, banding together to help business was a no brainer.

“Each entity is bringing to the table their collective knowledge, support and connections - by working together, we can address current challenges and the opportunities at a much faster pace,” Ms Martin said.

“With the impacts of this pandemic changing on a daily basis, providing one place for businesses to go to get information that can help them locally will reduce confusion and anxiety,” Ms Martin continued.

Central Coast COVID-19 Information Portal is now live at centralcoasteconomy.com.au

Central Coast Council has also developed a Community and Business Support Package and announced a range of new measures to help local businesses and the community through the COVID-19 crisis. Further information can be found on Council’s website at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/news.