Support For Businesses ImpactED By Floods

Businesses and families across Brisbane's north have faced significant losses following the recent floods and storms.

To help businesses owners in their recovery, a number of grants, loans and support schemes have been announced by government and industry organisations.

These include:

$50,000 Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants

Grants of up to $50,000 for affected small businesses to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace or repair damaged infrastructure and stock and other costs associated with the recovery process. Further information can be found here.

$100,000 Disaster (Essential Working Capital) Loans

10 year loans of up to $100,000 to assist primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations with essential working capital for expenses.  The concessional loans can assist with paying salaries or wages; paying creditors; paying rent or rates; buying goods, including for example, fuel essential to carry-on the small business . Further information can be found here.

$250,000 Disaster Assistance Loans

10 year loans of up to $250,000 to assist primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations to re-establish normal operations. The loans can assist with repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment; repairing or replacing buildings; supplying stock for up to one month to replace lost stock and maintain liquidity of the business. The loan can also be sued to meeting carry-on requirements including sustenance and paying rent and rates. Further information can be found here. 

FREE HR and Export Helplines

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland have made their HR and export helplines free to support affected businesses.  If your business has been impacted and you need support on managing your staff or impacts to your exports, call CCIQ's helpline on 1300 731 988.

$2000 Retooling and $500 Business Advisory vouchers

Assistance from the Business Council of Australia's natural disaster relief agency BizRebuild for: 

• $500 Business Advisory Voucher: to connect business owners with local legal, accounting and business advisory services to help cover costs in drawing up business recovery plans.
• $2000 Retooling Voucher: for the purchase of essential equipment destroyed or damaged during an event which assists the business in reopening or resuming operating.

Further information can be found here.

Rates relief and other local initiatives

A $250 rebate is available to eligible Brisbane City Council residents and businesses on their next rates bill. Temporary casual work spaces can be utilised at the council's business hubs in Nundah and the CBD. In addition street parking in Brisbane has been made FREE to assist with flood recovery, Further information can be found here.

Important Contacts: Mental Health and Family Helplines

• Lifeline 13 11 14   
• MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78   
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467   
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800  
• Carers Australia 1800 242 636 
• NewAccess for Small Business Owners program Mental Health Hotline 1300 945 301 
• Partners in Wellbeing Small Business Mental Health Hotline 1300 375 330.