The Northern Rivers Business Hub opened a few weeks after the February 28 floods devasted the majority of local businesses in the CBD, South Lismore, North Lismore and others across the Northern Rivers.

The Business Hub is a partnership between Business NSW, Southern Cross University and government agencies to ensure businesses not only have direct help in understanding and applying for business grants but also to enjoy a space as a working environment with internet access and meeting rooms.

Delivering good news for the many businesses still looking to reopen, CEO of Business NSW Dan Hunter announced the possible extension of the Business Hub for another 12 to 18 months.

"We're going to be requesting funding from the New South Wales State Government to extend the services and the space so that we can offer it for another 12 to 18 months," Dan said, "State Government has indicated that they're interested in having that conversation with us."

"It's been very successful. We've put together a number of services here. It's a place people can come and get advice, a place where people can work at or people can just talk to a friendly face. So, we think that it's critical to the community that this goes for a bit longer because the recovery is going to take some time. So we think it's really important. As Business New South Wales, if we need to, we'll look at funding from elsewhere as well."

The estimated cost of extending the time-line is $300,000 so as a not-for-profit member organisation Business NSW is likely to need financial support from outside sources with the state government being the most obvious.

The initial $100,000 funding was paid for by Business NSW, "I made a decision straightaway," Dan said, " To put money into this for a limited period of time."

"Now, it's been very successful and it can be more successful and expand I think. I'd like to see this open for the medium term at least."

Dan and his CEO counterpart in Victoria were instrumental in lobbying their respective State Governments for the lifting of the close contact COVID-19 isolation period which was announced last week.

"There was already an exemption for airport workers but a lot of small businesses were left behind and people couldn't get staff," Dan said. "There were healthy people at home self isolating and could be going to work."

"I think this will hopefully, enable business to know their rosters better and know people aren't going to drop out unless they actually have COVID."

The current issue facing business in NSW is the labor and skill shortage. Business NSW is working with the Federal Government to find a solution for skilled migration.

At the NR's Advisory Council meeting, from left to right, Greg McNamara (BNSW State Council), Ross Roberts (Harwood Marine), Ellen Kronan (Business Lismore) Michael Thurston (Destination North Coast), Cameron Arnold (Chair, BNSW Regional Advisory Council), Daniel Hunter (CEO Business NSW), Jane Laverty (Business NSW), Rowle Hull (Retired, Life Member), Donna Kildea (Summerland Credit Union), Bev George (Bev George Accounting), Aymon Gow (Tropical Fruit World), James Owen (Business Kingscliff)

There was a meeting for the Northern River's Advisory Council in the Business Hub. One of the topics of conversation was investment in the Northern Rivers.

Jane Laverty Business NSW Manager for the Northern Rivers said she was was excited for future investment in the region.

"This region is taking that longer term vision approach. So, they (investors) want to be at the table while the discussions are being had now so they can jump in and support us in the rebuild and coming back stronger," Jane explained.

"They're taking it as a given that risk mitigation will be there because this is everyone's first priority. No one wants to invest if you're going to be wiped out again but they want to be at the table and part of the discussion now so they can support this community going forward. That's the confidence that establishing the Reconstruction Corporation has given to those in the region but also those out of the region that want to get in and support us."

The NSW Business Hub is situated at Level 3, Block A at Southern Cross University. You can park at the bottom car park and walk to the left up the hill to Block A.

Hours of operation are 8am to 6pm.