Cyclone Nora business recovery support rolls out

Published Friday, 13 April, 2018 at 03:58 PM

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Hinchinbrook region businesses can attend a Queensland Government workshop in Ingham later this month to boost their recovery from Tropical Cyclone Nora and prepare for the upcoming tourism season.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said officers from his department were on the ground immediately after the cyclone swept through the region in late March, causing widespread damage.

“Departmental officers completed impact assessments on manufacturing, industry and business operations in the region to identify the support businesses need to get back on their feet after flooding or damage related to Cyclone Nora and support the region’s ongoing economic recovery,” he said.

“Townsville Enterprise and Tourism and Events Queensland will also deliver tourism messaging to bring tourists back into the Hinchinbrook region, especially as the extreme weather impacted regional businesses that would usually benefit from Easter trade and the start of the tourism season.

“The Queensland Government is funding a Go Local Campaign on radio and press to encourage people to buy locally.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said: “Our response to Queenslanders and small business owners are a top priority for the Palaszczuk Government and I encourage Small Business owners affected by recent weather in North Queensland to reach out for assistance.”

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Deputy Mayor Mary Brown, who chairs the Hinchinbrook Recovery Group, said the substantial impact of the recent extreme weather events would be felt on local communities and the regional economy for some time.

“I’m very grateful for the Queensland Government’s swift response to help our small businesses get back on their feet and support the region’s ongoing community recovery,” Councillor Brown said.

“While we’re a resilient community used to dealing with natural disasters, the recovery process is never easy and every bit of support is critical.”

Tahnee Bartolini from Ingham’s Michael Bartolini Concreting and Construction welcomed the business-focused support.

“We’re a small family business based in Ingham and have been significantly damaged by flooding and loss of trade as a result of the extreme weather in North Queensland,” Ms Bartolini said.

“As it’s going to take some time for us to get back on our feet and recover from those losses, we’d welcome any information or support the government can provide to help us.

“The information provided at the Tendering for Business workshop I attended last year has certainly helped with making submissions for work and I’d encourage other small business owners to make the most of workshops such as this to gain new skills and find out about support.”

The business flood recovery workshop will be held on April 16 from 3pm at the Royal Hotel, Ingham, providing information about government programs, mentoring, financial resilience and tendering, while mentors will be available to host one-on-one mentoring sessions with registered businesses the following day.  

To register or for more information email: townsvillenqro@dsdmip.qld.gov.au

For details about other business support events and workshops hosted by DSDMIP throughout Queensland visit: www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au or www.business.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Anika Hume 0447 320 039