Go local and support Central Queensland this Christmas
Published Thursday, 13 December, 2018 at 01:09 PM
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman
When looking for the perfect gift this year the Palaszczuk Government is urging Queenslanders to put local small business at the top of their Christmas shopping list.
The Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said the region’s small businesses would be doing it tough after the recent bushfires and asked locals to make a conscious effort this year to spend their Christmas dollars locally.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and we know that following a disaster, ensuring the local small businesses recover as soon as possible is vital for the community,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Going local for services, trades and products is the best way to support the local small businesses and assist the community to bounce back after a natural disaster.
“We will be supporting small businesses with the Go Local message and through the promotion of Givit donation vouchers that will see goods purchased locally.
“With Christmas just around the corner, we’re encouraging people to shop locally rather than heading online to shops located outside of Central Queensland.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to looking after the small business owners in the region, offering disaster assistance and access to counselling and mentoring services to help with the recovery effort.
“We are making Beyond Blue’s Heads Up resources available to help small businesses get back on their feet following the devastating bushfires,” the Minister said.
The disaster assistance for small business in the regional council areas of Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton includes loans with a concessional interest rate of 1.37 per cent.
Up to $250,000 is available for businesses which have suffered direct damage from the bushfires and loans of up to $100,000 are available for small businesses which have been indirectly impacted and sustained a significant loss of income as a result of the disaster event.
“We are working closely with councils and local Chambers of Commerce as we roll out this assistance and the Emergency Hardship Assistance grants which have already helped more than 7,800 Central Queenslanders hardest hit by the fires,” Minister Fentiman said.
Small business owners impacted by the bushfires in Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton can call the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946 for assistance and information on the concessional loans that are available.
ENDS
Media Contact: Inga Williams 0439 949 719