BUSINESS owners in a New England town are reportedly up to $1 million out-of-pocket for contract work done for the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Bulldozers and heavy plant machinery central to firefighting efforts were contracted to the state-owned organisation in what's being called an "unprecedented" bushfire season.
Five months on, business owners in Walcha are still waiting to be paid while NSW RFS bills stack up.
The invoice payment process needs to be streamlined so family-owned businesses aren't left in the lurch, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said.
"The government needs to get better at looking at when demands are unprecedented, making sure there are no road blocks to prevent those services when the RFS says, 'We need you'," he said.
"These are mum and dad businesses providing a service to their community.
"I have been dealing with these businesses personally since before Christmas, as soon as I became aware invoices were not being paid I immediately contact the minister's office and requested those invoices be sent directly to him."
Former fire and emergency service chiefs warned federal and state governments in April last year that the country was unprepared for the horror bushfire season to come.
Up to 23 signatories called on both sides of leadership to acknowledge the need for national firefighting assets and large aircraft to tackle worsening conditions.
The heavy machinery contracted in Walcha to help fight fires were used to establish containment lines in the Nowendoc and Nundle areas.
Walcha Timber transport business owner Brian Smith claims he was owed almost half-a-million dollars, of which $315,000 had been paid out.
In turn it's increased the burden on administrative tasks, a NSW RFS spokesman said.
"We apologise for any delays while we undertake this process and ask for patience while additional personnel have been put on to assist dealing with the backlog," he said.
"A significant volume of payments is expected to be made in the next fortnight."
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
