Pexels. The state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW, says confidence is returning, but lockdowns and border closures are continuing to present challenges. Jane Laverty is the Northern Rivers Regional Manager for Business NSW. She says feedback from businesses across the region over the past week suggests their main focus is on consolidation, along with the need to provide sharper business product and service offerings which can withstand change. One ongoing challenge for the sector is workforce development, with a much greater focus on attracting skilled staff and/or investing in developing existing staff. Business also say local councils need to champion economic development activity.