The ‘We LIVE Here’ cards will work like an EFTPOS gift card once loaded, and will only be able to be used in the two shires, ensuring local expenditure and economic development for the region.  

The project is a drought relief initiative. Australians are contributing to help those impacted by the drought.  Cash donations are now able to be funneled by charities to We LIVE Here gift cards and provided to those in need. 

The more participating businesses we have, the greater choice individuals will have in how to use the funds.

The cards can also be individually purchased as an option for Christmas gifts.  We LIVE Here cards can be purchased by companies as staff Christmas gifts, ensuring widespread use and a lack of stigma as a charitable aid. 

The cards can be loaded with funds from $10 to $1000, can only be loaded once (no top ups) but can be used multiple times or spent all at once. They expire after three years. Purchasers can check card balances online or by phone, and registered cards can be replaced if lost. 

The project will be rolling out in the week beginning November 19 2018 and local businesses are encouraged to register to activate their EFTPOS machine to accept the cards. 

Council will provide participating businesses with promotional aids to advertise their acceptance of the investment cards.

Businesses can join the initiative by contacting either the Muswellbrook or Upper Hunter shire councils, or by downloading the registration form on both council websites, www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au and www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au