House debates

Monday, 24 August 2020

Statements by Members

Robertson Electorate: COVID Economy

4:25 pm

Photo of Lucy WicksLucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Many small businesses on the Central Coast are struggling with the challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic, but in response a number of residents in my electorate of Robertson have really banded together to support local jobs in our economy by backing our small and family-owned businesses, and it's really great to see. Whether it's buying from a local online store, rather than a big retailer, sourcing locally grown produce or purchasing a face mask from a locally owned family business, these acts can all make a big difference. Our community's collective effort to purchase face masks from local manufacturers has been particularly appreciated by businesses like the family owned and operated ZBR Zibara. ZBR Zibara have transitioned from making sportswear and team wear to producing face faces and personal protective equipment. They're now providing more PPE in our region, and I've been advised they're assisting in the national effort to combat coronavirus by supplying PPE to frontline services in Victoria as well. Other businesses where residents can buy locally made face masks are JG's Uniforms in Kincumber, Benjamas Dressmaker & Alterations at Ettalong Beach or Cinta Collections in east Gosford.

To connect these businesses with Central Coast residents, we're creating a map of all the local businesses that are producing and selling face masks across the region, so I call on anyone who might know of a local business who is supplying face masks to let us know so that we can add them to the map. We look forward to seeing this completed map and to touring our beautiful region again to hear directly from our business community and local residents.