Dine, discover and support community with new $25 vouchers from NSW Government

The initiative is designed to get more people out and about supporting dining, arts and tourism businesses.

NSW residents over the age of 18 can apply for four vouchers, worth $100 in total.

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They include two $25 Dine NSW vouchers to be used for dining in at restaurants, cafés, bars, wineries, pubs or clubs that can be used from Monday to Thursday. And two $25 Discover NSW vouchers that can be used for entertainment and recreation, including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues seven days a week.

The vouchers can only be used at participating businesses that have registered as COVID Safe.

Wollongong MP Paul Scully and Business Illawarra executive director Adam Zarth heard first-hand how The Illawarra is already registered and has people using the Dine & Discover vouchers.

Co-owner Nikki Aitchison said it would not only help the hotel but the entire hospitality community.

"There are approximately 200,000 adults in our region and if everyone downloads and uses these apps and not let them stay in their inbox that is approximately $10 million just going into our local hospitality community," Mrs Aitchison said.

"As a local business operator it is just phenomenal to see people getting excited to come out of their homes again. This is just a small amount that might go to their lunch or dinner but it is just awesome because it encourages people to come back through the doors."

Mr Scully said the program was for businesses of all sizes from Symbio and Jamberoo Action Park to small suburban cafes.

"That is why it is so important to get the money out. Do it for the Illawarra, Get out there, get your vouchers and use them before they expire at the end of June."

Mr Zarth said the uptake of businesses registering was a little slow at first and encouraged businesses to make it a priority.

Be he and Mr Scully were both happy to see Dine & Discover signs starting to pop up around Wollongong on Friday.

"Hoyts at Warrawong is one of the businesses I have seen registered along with Little Stompers in Kenny St, Wollongong," Mr Scully said.

"We would like to see every local consumer register and every local business register.

"We saw how the community was willing to do that using deals offered by businesses on the Illawarra Menu's Facebook page to really get behind local businesses more. This is another opportunity to do the same."

The Illawarra's Ryan Aitchison encouraged voucher uses to find a business that has been doing it a bit tough during COVID and help them out by using one of the vouchers..

Little Stompers owner Catherine Vormister said she jumped on board so quickly because it was such a great opportunity.

"We have actually had a customer book already after finding us registered for Dine and Discovery on the Service NSW website," she said.

"As soon as I heard it was rolling out I was on there. We can actually take both vouchers for dining and discovery. But you are only able to use one a day."

The children's play centre was closed for three months during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and survived with the help of JobKeeper.

"We were among the last businesses allowed to open," Ms Vormister said.

"We still haven't reintroduced a ball pit though."

Ms Vormister said the Dine and Discover vouchers would be good for small businesses like hers and the community.

"It is going to be a good helping hand for people out there who are struggling. It will mean they can take the kids out to do something," she said.

"We are a fan of the NSW Government at the moment. They are doing their bit. And every little bit helps."

Little Stompers is open from 9am to 2pm seven days a week.

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