For some people, life may never return to normal in the wake of COVID-19.
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This is why, said state minister Gareth Ward, the Berejiklian government is funding the development of health and wellness projects that reduce the extent of COVID-19's impact on people across NSW.
"The state is proud of the fact that we've removed restrictions as quickly as possible so we can get business back to normal," Mr Ward said.
"But for so many people what was once normal may never be normal again and that's why we've gone to health and well-being first."
The government's proposal will see various universities across the state - including the University of Wollongong - get funding to develop research products that will help businesses deal with COVID-19.
There will be a number of rounds in what has been dubbed Innovation Districts Challenges, each worth $500,000 - and health and well-being is the first challenge.
The highest-ranked applicant will receive half of that funding, with the remainder divided between three other projects.
"We've seen a health crisis manifest itself into an economic crisis which is impacting on things like housing and other areas," Mr Ward said.
"It's important we look at health and well-being first and that's certainly been the response of the government. Driving that has been our focus on looking at the health and well-being of communities and how do we protect that first."
University of Wollongong Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Jennifer Martin said the program will link businesses in the Illawarra with the university and allow them to tap into its research and help develop its commercial potential.
"The health and well-being challenges are among the most critical that need to be addressed," Professor Martin said.
"I'm confident that through this initiative businesses will get vital support and funding to help them find impactful solutions to these urgent challenges."
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Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
