Townsville small business recovery centre opens

The Palaszczuk Government is assisting small businesses across Townsville and surrounding areas to get back on their feet with the opening of the new Small Business Recovery Centre today.

Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke welcomed the opening of the new hub to assist local businesses in Townsville.

“The recent flooding has hit the local community hard and especially when residents are struggling to get their homes and businesses back up and running,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“This new Small Business Recovery centre will provide our local business owners with the vital support and assistance they need to get back on their feet as soon as possible.

“This comes on top of other action we’re taking as Government and follows the Premier’s written request to the Prime Minister for more support for small business.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said the new centre offered a one-stop-shop where local small business operators who need support can access advice and services from a range of organisations ready and willing to lend a hand.

“We put out the call to local, state and national organisations to come on board to set up the centre and have been overwhelmed by the response,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Supporting small businesses to reopen as soon as possible will assist the entire community to get back on their feet and contribute to the long-term recovery of Townsville and the wider region.”

“The Townsville City Council has provided a venue and joined with the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, Townsville Enterprise Limited, Townsville Business Development Centre and a number of state and national industry bodies as well as Queensland Government agencies to provide advice on what services are needed and to contribute to the centre.

“By partnering with the local small business support network and through promoting a ‘Go Local’ approach, the centre will enable small businesses to take stock, get the support needed and get back to business.”

Queensland Small Business Champion Maree Adshead is in Townsville connecting with local small businesses to hear firsthand what support is needed and encourage small business operators to access the centre.

“The team will provide a triage service to assess the specific challenges a small business is facing and connect them with the advice and services they need to start trading again,” Ms Adshead said.

“At this early stage of recovery, the centre is ready to provide advice on insurance, retail leases, workplace health and safety, taxation and human resource issues.

“There will also be information on hand to connect small businesses with the financial assistance on offer through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“The centre will also offer one-on-one Mentoring for Recovery sessions, either at the centre or online, as well as group half-day workshops on a range of business recovery topics.

“The centre itself will also provide a workspace for those operators who are currently unable to access their normal place of work.”

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the Small Business Recovery Centre was a great example of the community and all agencies working together to help the city get back on its feet.

“The Centre will provide information and support to help local businesses get up and running as soon as possible,” Cr Hill said.

“It will be crucial to help local businesses re-open again to get residents back into work and allow the economy to recover.”

Organisations involved in establishing the centre to date include: 

• Townsville City Council
• Townsville Business Development Centre
• Townsville Chamber of Commerce
• Townsville Enterprise Limited (TEL)
• Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
• Queensland Small Business Champion 
• Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning 
• Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games 
• Queensland Reconstruction Authority and Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland
• Property Council of Australia
• Master Builders Association  
• Insurance Council of Australia
• Tourism Industry Council
• National Retailers Association 
• AusIndustry
• Australian Taxation Office.

The Small Business Recovery Centre is located at 143 Walker St, Townsville and is open from 9am-5pm every day. Appointments can be made by calling 0459 873 781 or by dropping in to the centre.

Queensland Small Business Champion Maree Adshead is available for media interviews in Townsville on Tuesday, 12 February.

ENDS

Media Contact:          Inga Williams              0439 949 719