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Small businesses are encouraged to sign up for a new $1500 rebate scheme to help cover the cost of NSW and local government fees and charges.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate was designed to benefit tens of thousands of small businesses across the state as NSW continues its post-pandemic recovery.
“Our November Budget committed nearly $500 million to this rebate, which will leave more money in the pockets of eligible small businesses, sole traders and non-profit organisations,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and supporting them equals supporting jobs. I encourage all eligible operators to register for the $1500 credit with Service NSW.”
Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said claiming the rebate would be simple and could be done online.
“Liquor licences, food authority licences, council rates and outdoor seating fees are just a few examples of the fees and charges that can be claimed back through this rebate scheme,” Mr Dominello said.
“Small businesses who have total wages below the new 2020-21 $1.2 million payroll tax threshold, and have a turnover of at least $75,000 per year, will be able to register through their MyServiceNSW account and claim back eligible state and local government fees and changes.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the launch of the rebate scheme coincided with a number of licence waivers coming to an end.
“It’s so important that we continue to support the small businesses of NSW,” Mr Tudehope said.
“Small businesses are the backbone of their communities and we want to make it easier for them to run a business and get ahead.”
The rebate will be available until 30 June 2022. To apply and for more information, including the program guidelines, visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/small-business-fees-and-charges-rebate

The world’s smartest computer could be used to tackle Sydney’s complex transport problems, including updating schedules in real time if there is crowding on the network.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said a new partnership between the NSW Government and Australian company Q-CTRL will look at how quantum computing technology can create and manage a more resilient transport network.
“This is a rare opportunity for some of our leading transport innovators and quantum computing experts to come together to tackle complex transport network management and congestion problems,” Mr Constance said.
“Future applications of the technology could include mapping all transport modes and crowd movements simultaneously in real time, and automatically updating the schedule to solve disruption issues.
“We could see all trains, busses, ferries, trams and motorways essentially ‘talking to each other’ to find out where customers are and deploy resources where needed. It could be used for massive public events, like New Year’s Eve or Vivid Festival.”
Q-CTRL Founder and CEO Professor Michael Biercuk said Quantum computers are an emerging technology that replaces the traditional ‘binary’ computing concepts used in most computers today, and instead uses quantum physics to tackle tough computational challenges in a fraction of the time.
“This technology could completely transform the computing tools available to Transport for NSW in the next few years. The possibilities are endless,” Professor Biercuk said.
The quantum computing research project is one of several initiatives being launched as part of the Future Transport Technology Roadmap.

Construction is underway on the state’s second longest steel arch bridge, which will connect light rail users, cyclists and pedestrians when the Parramatta Light Rail opens in 2023.
Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the biggest of the six bridges being constructed for the project will stretch across six lanes of traffic on James Ruse Drive in Rosehill, and accommodate the new light rail and walking and bike-riding path.
“The giant bronze arches will be an amazing sight for locals and anyone travelling through the area. The new bridge has the second longest steel arch bridge span in the state, behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” Mr Constance said.
“This bridge is currently on a construction site next to James Ruse Drive, where the fabricated steelwork, each piece weighing up to 60 tonnes, has been assembled to build the 15-metre-high steel arch.”
The Australian-made steelwork for the bridge was fabricated by Western Sydney based company, S&L Steel, before it was transported to Rosehill for assembly.
Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said the project is committed to using Australian resources wherever possible and supporting local jobs.
“The Australian steel was fabricated in a workshop at Rooty Hill, creating around 50 jobs for Western Sydney,” Dr Lee said.
“The bridge will be a great asset for the local community as it will not only support the new light rail, but it will make it much safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the very busy James Ruse Drive.”
Over the coming weeks, the temporary support frames will be removed, and the arch will be fitted out with precast concrete, concrete deck, precast concrete barriers, and temporary steel railing and protection screens, before it is lifted into place.
The 1425-tonne steel and concrete structure will be moved into position during a weekend closure of James Ruse Drive in the coming months. Once in place, the bridge will be fitted out for light rail and pedestrian and cyclist use.
The Parramatta Light Rail will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to commence services in 2023.

Today marks the opening of the 300-metre-long final piece of the 11 kilometre Barangaroo foreshore walk from Woolloomooloo to the Anzac Bridge.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said opening up the last piece of the 11 kilometre walk is a fundamental part of Barangaroo’s transformation from a once neglected and inaccessible area into a world-class cultural, residential, business and retail hub.
“I am excited to open this stunning new foreshore walk in Barangaroo, which not only connects the natural surroundings of Barangaroo Reserve with the business district of Barangaroo South, but also completes the scenic walk along Sydney Harbour from Woolloomooloo to the Anzac Bridge,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The walk is a beautiful 15-metre-wide, tree-lined boulevard on Sydney’s waterfront and will be used by cyclists, commuters and visitors every day. It is designed by award-winning landscape architect Peter Walker, who also designed the Barangaroo Reserve.
“This new public space demonstrates our commitment to ensure more than half of Barangaroo is public open space and opens up this once neglected and inaccessible area for the community to enjoy.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the opening of the final part of the Barangaroo foreshore demonstrated the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to creating more public space throughout Sydney.
“In October last year, we opened Waterman’s Cove and today we make available another 300 metres of public space which runs alongside our world-famous harbour,” Mr Stokes said.
“The pandemic has showed us how vital public space is and with more people coming back into the CBD, we need more spaces like this one at Barangaroo.
“More than 100 trees were planted in this section of the foreshore walk which contributes to our goal to plant one million trees by 2022.”