The NSW Government has launched a $5 million grants scheme to support domestic manufacturing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the state.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the program will provide grants to manufacturers who can demonstrate their ability to ramp up or repurpose manufacturing of items including masks, gowns, disinfectant, hand-wash and soap or their components.
“This scheme is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to ramping up domestic manufacturing in NSW, developing regular supply and creating vital jobs to meet the long haul challenge of COVID-19,” Mr Barilaro said.
“In NSW and across Australia we should never have insufficient access to PPE and this funding will go towards maintaining the critical supply of equipment to our frontline health workers and communities.”
“In April and May, nearly 2000 companies from across NSW answered our call to register their ability to supply PPE through the Government’s Emergency Supplies Portal, including 235 in regional NSW.”
He said local manufacturers and suppliers who registered to provide PPE have also been listed in a directory on the Buy NSW website, with the list having already been downloaded over 4000 times.
“We have seen some great success stories such as Snowy Mountains Tech Store, a manufacturer of 3D printed parts, which pivoted to make face shields and masks,” Mr Barilaro continued.
“As domestic capacity increases, we encourage NSW businesses to buy local and support our manufacturing sector.”
“It has been incredible to see so many companies answering the call to help. This new package is the latest step in our efforts to create jobs and high-quality protective equipment for the people of NSW.
