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State government ministers are believed to be trying to negotiate changes to the eligibility of funding assistance for bushfire affected businesses. Currently only those directly fire affected businesses can apply for the $50,000 assistance, leaving businesses such as those in Merimbula and Pambula to struggle after tourists were sent home at the time when they would be expected to maximise their income. Read also: Dire straits in Merimbula Our letters page this week has been taken over by angry residents and business owners, many of whom feel they have been abandoned by government. The funding, such as the $50,000 for directly affected businesses, comes from the federal government. The state government has been tasked with the job of handing it out according to the federal government's guidelines. It has placed the state government in an invidious position. President of the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce Nigel Ayling conducted a survey on the trading situation for its 140 members of which 90 responded. Read also: How the fires have affected this business The survey revealed that over the next 12 months seven businesses could close in Merimbula with a further 20 on the edge of closure if there is no financial help for businesses that have lost their trade due to the bushfires or there is no turnaround in trading conditions. It has prompted Mr Ayling to ask what it takes for the government to realise the seriousness of the situation. "Our local towns and businesses are facing dire economic circumstances, not unlike the impact of the global financial crisis," Mr Ayling said. "Our businesses are receiving no financial assistance from government despite them all being directly impacted and losing up to 60 per cent of their annual turnover." On Friday evening Mr Ayling spoke with Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro. "I had an informal discussion with John Barilaro and discussed the eligibility criteria (for the business funding) and he is aware of the issues," Mr Ayling said. It is believed that the state government will raise the matter with federal counterparts. But every day the passage of time takes its toll on those businesses, not burnt, but very much directly affected by the bushfires. "When it comes to government assistance, it's a big fat zero," Mr Ayling said.

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