Relief fund application too complicated - businesses

Businesses in Golden Bay applying for money from a mayoral relief fund have found it hard-going. The Tasman District Council has used a $100,000 government grant as the basis of the fund, aimed at businesses and residents needing help in the wake of the February storms. But the co-owner of a Takaka art gallery says they looked at applying, but ended up tossing the paperwork in the bin. Another business had to hire an accountant to help. Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne told Nelson reporter Tracy Neal that was not the plan.