NSW residents have a reprieve, now given until the end of July to make use of their $100-worth of Dine and Discover vouchers. There's two $25 vouchers redeemable at eateries, and another two at entertainment and recreation venues.
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It's free money for those taking up the offer, although you do have to register through Service NSW and match two forms of identification, and then download the vouchers to a mobile device. All NSW residents 18 years and over are eligible.
Generally around half or fewer eligible residents have registered for the vouchers, although proportionally Inverell shows a stronger-than-average uptake. At the other end of the scale fewer Gwydir residents have put their hand out, so far, although the tyrannies of distance might be a factor.
Even those who have registered for the economy-boosting initiative may have more to claim. Roughly two-thirds of the face value of the issued vouchers is still to be redeemed, although the balance of a voucher is forfeited if the full $25 is not used in one go.
As of the end of last week 12,948 Armidale Regional local government area residents have registered for the vouchers, redeemable at 52 registered businesses in the LGA. So far 15,785 of the vouchers have been redeemed for a total spend of $595,362.
As of the end of last week 7555 Inverell local government area residents have registered for the vouchers, redeemable at 25 registered businesses in the LGA. So far 10,619 of the vouchers have been redeemed for a total spend of $363,642.
As of the end of last week 4078 Moree Plains local government area residents have registered for the vouchers, redeemable at 21 registered businesses in the LGA. So far 4686 of the vouchers have been redeemed for a total spend of $150,880.
As of the end of last week 3623 Glen Innes Severn local government area residents have registered for the vouchers, redeemable at 19 registered businesses in the LGA. So far 3164 of the vouchers have been redeemed for a total spend of $90,218.
As of the end of last week 2330 Tenterfield local government area residents have registered for the vouchers, redeemable at 10 registered businesses in the LGA.
Tenterfield Cinema's Christine Foster said more than 250 Discover vouchers have been redeemed through the complex, and she's pleased to see it's often new patrons.
"A lot have said that had it not been for the vouchers they wouldn't normally come to the movies, or to the Melbourne Comedy Festival." The comedy festival comes to the theatre on June 29.
She hopes the new patrons will keep on coming, with many putting their vouchers towards cinema vouchers that extend the expiry date.
She and nearby restaurant Our Place have also worked out a package deal where people can have an early dinner on a Friday, redeeming a Dine voucher, and then get cut-priced entry to the movie on the night.
So far 2762 of the Dine & Discover vouchers have been redeemed in Tenterfield, for a total spend of $86,727.
"It's definitely been beneficial," Mrs Foster said.
"And people love it."
As of the end of last week 1562 Gwydir local government area residents have registered for the vouchers, redeemable at nine registered businesses in the LGA. So far 905 of the vouchers have been redeemed for a total spend of $26,808.
As of the end of last week 2693 Uralla local government area residents have registered for the vouchers, redeemable at six registered businesses in the LGA. So far 1792 of the vouchers have been redeemed for a total spend of $50,297.
The deadline for using the vouchers, a centrepiece of the NSW Government's November budget, was extended from June 30 to encourage more uptake.
