Long-time NT small business Regency Bathrooms ‘suffering’ as Home Improvement Scheme stalls

THE NT Government’s Home Improvement Scheme was meant to be ‘really beneficial’ for Jane Ward’s more than two-decade-old small business but instead it has left her almost jobless

Jane Ward of Regency Bathrooms, right, who has experienced issues with her business related to the Home Improvement Scheme, pictured with Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaroas, left, and CLP candidate for Brennan Marie-Clare Boothby. Picture: Che Chorley

THE NT Government’s Home Improvement Scheme was meant to be “really beneficial” for Jane Ward’s more than two-decade-old small business but instead it has left her near jobless as vouchers for the tradie scheme trickle out.

Ms Ward, who runs Regency Bathrooms with her partner, said the company had produced at least 70 quotes for people wanting to sign up for the Home Improvement Scheme.

RELATED STORIES

6 per cent of $100 million scheme’s vouchers approved, 20 public servants added to team

Just 526 applications approved from almost 20,000 Home Improvement Scheme applications

The scheme doles out vouchers of up to $6000 for homeowners to undertake renovations and improvements to their property by a local business or tradie, after chipping in a percentage of their own funds.

Jane Ward of Regency Bathrooms, right, with Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Che Chorley

The scheme, originally set to cost $30 million, had to be trebled to $100 million after the Government was flooded with nearly 20,000 applications.

Ms Ward has so far received notice that one of those quotes has been approved and turned into a voucher and has no idea if any of those other quotes were submitted and even if they were, it is likely to be weeks if not months before she knows if they have been approved.

TOP NT NEWS STORIES

Chief Minister finally hints at NT borders reopening date

Backflip: NT Govt to provide financial forecasts before election after all

Exclusive: CBD homeless centre dumped in favour of Marrara site

Exclusive: We reveal the full list of 18 names on the NT Government’s Team Territory

“We’re standing back waiting for these vouchers to be approved because the rules say we are not permitted to actually start any work until those vouchers are issued,” she said.

“So we’re hamstrung, we’re sitting back … this was supposed to give us stimulus when we really needed it most.

“And as we are standing here with a hands firmly tied behind our backs work has dried up.”

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said calls to bolster the team of bureaucrats working on the scheme had gone unheard.

She accused the government of stalling the process because they couldn’t find the money to fund it.

Get amazing Sennheiser earbuds (RRP: $499) with NT News subscription deal

Data from the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation last week revealed 1042 of the nearly 20,000 applications had been approved in a month and 1097 vouchers had been sent out.