Local businesses and primary producers affected by the recent flood event in the Bundaberg Region can access a range of recovery support.
For information on flood recovery programs and resources, please visit Bundaberg Regional Council’s flood recovery page.
Business recovery event
Bundaberg Regional Council is hosting a free drop-in service for flood impacted businesses and primary producers (including the fishing industry) at the Bundaberg Multiplex on Thursday 19 March.
Business recovery event
When: Thursday 19 March, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: The Bundaberg Multiplex Sport and Convention Centre – 1 Civic Avenue
Cost: Free, drop-in service with no registrations required
Natural Disaster Impact Surveys
Businesses
To help the Queensland Government understand the extent of impacts and identify what support is needed, any affected businesses are strongly encouraged to complete the Natural Disaster Impact Survey available on the Business Queensland website.
Your input is essential in shaping the support programs that may be made available to our region.
Primary producers
If you are a primary producer or in the fishing industry and your business has been impacted by a recent disaster event, the Department of Primary Industries requests you to complete this Disaster Impact Survey for Queensland Primary Producers .
If you have multiple locations that were impacted, please complete one survey for each location by clicking the link provided or by visiting the Department of Primary Industries website.
Please note: It is recommended to take date stamped photos and keep a detailed record of any flood impacted property prior to commencing cleanup.
This may help with any insurance claims or disaster recovery funding applications you may be eligible for.
Disaster grants and loans available
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments have activated Disaster Recovery Grants and low interest loans for more flooded primary producers and small businesses following this week’s wild weather.
For producers, grants up to $75,000, loans up to $2 million, and freight subsidies up to $5,000 will help those impacted in the local government areas of Boulia, Bundaberg, Diamantina, Fraser Coast, Gympie, North Burnett and South Burnett.
Flood affected small businesses in Boulia, Bundaberg, Diamantina, Douglas, Gladstone and Western Downs can apply for loans up to $250,000. Grants up to $25,000 are also available to eligible small businesses in Bundaberg, Douglas and Western Downs.
Funding can be used for a range of recovery and operational activities unique to each support measure, such as clean-up, repairs, supply, paying wages, rent or rates, replanting, or the purchase of fuel or water.
All assistance is delivered under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Grant and loan applications can be made via www.qrida.qld.gov.au, while information on freight subsidies is available through Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries on 13 25 23.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the latest expansion of disaster assistance would give hope to hardworking Queenslanders doing it tough.
“Primary production and small business are the heart and soul of these Queensland communities, and we want to see operators recovering as soon as possible,” Minister McBain said.
“This assistance will provide the urgent liquidity needed to make repairs and replace stock and equipment, but most importantly to stay afloat and recover in full.
“It’s been a really tough disaster season for the state, but we’re determined to help businesses sustain this prolonged severe weather.”
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said this assistance would support Queensland primary producers.
“The flooding we’ve seen in Queensland has had a terrible impact on farmers and primary producers, who are not only critical to regional economies, but to our food security, which is why making this support available is so important.
“We’ll always back our farmers and primary producers, with this support to help those impacted in Queensland to clean up, sustain livestock, and mitigate the impacts of flooding and loss of pasture.”
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said swiftly activating assistance for flood affected primary producers and small businesses remains a priority for the Crisafulli Government.
“Activating assistance for our small and family businesses as well as our primary producers ensures they will have access to the support they need to recover quicker,” Minister Leahy said.
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said it’s been a season of flooding across much of the state, but primary producers need to understand the scale of the disaster is not diminishing the response.
“The impact to grazing, cropping and communities has been significant, so we are responding swiftly to ease the uncertainty and speed recovery,” Minister Perrett said.
“It’s been cruel timing for some, who have lost crops so close to harvest, but regardless of the production cycle the impacts will be long lasting and widespread across the whole farming community, whether you are a farmer or grazier or both you can have confidence support is available.”
Queensland Minister for Small and Family Business Steven Minnikin said financial assistance was critical to support local small and family businesses to recovery as quickly as possible.
“Natural disasters don’t just damage premises, they impact the lives of staff and customers. Support is vital to assist small and family business owners to restore operations and continue to support their local communities,” Minister Minnikin said.
Temporary working space
Regional Business HQ and their co-working space, The Generator are opening their spaces for our local business community.
If your workplace has been impacted by the recent floods and you need a temporary space to get back up and running to use during the recovery period.
You’ll have access to desk space, reliable Wi-Fi, and kitchen facilities (with tea and coffee available).
This is a free service to support local businesses while things get back on track.
Please phone 1300 249 482 or email info@businesshq.org.au.
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