The NSW Government has announced their Mice Bait Rebate program will now be backdated to February 1st, instead of their original May 13th date. Households and small businesses impacted by the plague can claim rebates for purchasing mice baits to ease the financial burden and stress in dealing with the crisis.
The message comes after pressure from the opposition party, as well as residents living in regional NSW who have criticised the rebate program, stating the plague has been devastating their communities since long before May.
The Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Jenny Aitchison condemned the NSW Nationals and Liberals for their inaction: “People have been living with this nightmare for months. It didn’t start in May. “Many rural and regional retailers have been selling out of traps and baits, so many households and businesses will have already spent hundreds of dollars on fighting the plague. There is nothing in this package for them,” Ms Aitchison said.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said backtracking the program will help regional families impacted by mice earlier this year.
“By extending the eligibility period back to February it will hopefully take some pressure off regional communities who are battling these rodents,” Mr Barilaro said.
The rebate program is part of the State Government’s $50 million assistance package. The rebate offers households up to $500 and small businesses will be eligible to claim up to $1,000 through Service NSW.
The mouse bait rebate will be available to households, small businesses and primary producers located in the mouse impacted Central Tablelands, Central West, Northern Tablelands, North West, Western, Riverina and Murray regions, and select Local Government Areas in Hunter and South East Local Land Service regions.