Forty-four businesses recently took part in a survey conducted by Leeton Shire Council in collaboration with other key stakeholders surrounding the short-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small businesses have been among those hit hardest by the pandemic and its associated restrictions, with a staggering 33 per cent of businesses who took part in the survey saying they have experienced a 50 per cent loss in revenue.

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The majority said they had applied for the federal government's JobKeeper assistance program, but felt some of the funding programs introduced during the pandemic were aimed more at "wealthier" businesses and not small sole traders.

The survey did find some small amount of good news and positivity among the responses, with 5 per cent of businesses saying they had seen an increase in revenue and 83 per cent were not experiencing a skills shortage.

With restrictions continuing to ease, businesses are hopeful the pandemic has taught Leeton shire residents why one key message is always drummed into them - the importance of shopping local.

Most businesses said in the survey they would like to see a continued shop local campaign rolled out.

They would also like for council to reduce or freeze some areas of its rates, fees and charges to further assist them.

With there being so much information being disseminated about the pandemic and what businesses are and aren't entitled to, those in Leeton said they found the Australian Taxation Office to be the most helpful source of help.

Their next port of call was then the Leeton Business Chamber followed by Business NSW, Business Australia, BEC Business Advice and, finally, Leeton Shire Council.