$10 million to build small business resilience across North Queensland

$10 million has been announced under the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to help flood affected small businesses in North and North West Queensland.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman in Townsville today announced the funding will include $10,000 small business grants alongside flood affected small businesses at Fairfield Shopping Centre.

“It’s fantastic to see so many businesses back up and running after the floods, but there are also still a lot of businesses struggling,” 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.

“That’s why today’s announcement of in disaster recovery support is so important, with the $10 million package to include grants of up to $10,000 to assist businesses to plan for the future and increase resilience with assistance such as vital floodproofing measures, implementing cloud-based software and data solutions, business growth strategies, as well as some building, plant and equipment repairs.

Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said this funding will be able to reach more businesses to assist them in their recovery.

“As part of this funding we have introduced additional $10,000 grants that will be expanded to eligible small businesses across 14 Local Government Areas to assist with business planning or to explore other options to make their business more resilient and sustainable,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said funding to repair building, plant or equipment may also be available in circumstances where impacted businesses have not been eligible for other disaster recovery funding.

“This $10 million package will also go towards a small business disaster preparedness and adaptation program, specialist counselling and mental health support, dedicated Mentoring for Growth sessions and workshops, an expanded Go Local advertising campaign and funding for local small business support services, such as the Small Business Recovery Centre, for another two years,” Mr Stewart said.

Ms Fentiman joined Queensland Small Business Champion Maree Adshead and Townsville business owners at Café Bambini in Fairfield Central Shopping Centre, which has reopened after damage from the monsoon trough meant the business had to close and complete a new fit-out.

“The opportunity to meet with Café Bambini owner Steve Law and other businesses is valuable as we see where they are at and what support is still needed three months after the floods,” Ms Fentiman said.

“I would encourage businesses who are still struggling, to get in contact with the Small Business Recovery Centre – we can’t help if we don’t know.”

The Small Business Recovery Centre opened on 11 February, as a one-stop-shop for local business people looking for information and support to help get back up on their feet.

“We will be working to ensure the services offered by the centre continue to help turn recovery into long-term growth,” she said.

“Through working with small business owners who come into the centre and also the online small business survey, we want to see this recovery effort set a foundation for long-term economic growth for the region.”

Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chair Cr Les Walker welcomed the strong government support for the city’s recovery.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and there are many impacted operators who need assistance now to get back up and running as quickly as possible,” Cr Walker said.

Queensland Small Business Champion Maree Adshead said she met Café Bambini owner Steve Law in February while he was cleaning out damaged stock and equipment from his store.

“To see Café Bambini and other stores reopening after this disaster is encouraging but it takes a lot of hard work to get through a challenge like this,” Ms Adshead.

“Celebrating each reopening business and getting customers and clients back in is vital to Townsville and the broader North Queensland business community.”

Grants are available in the following Local Government Areas from June 10:

• Burdekin Shire Council
• Burke Shire Council
• Carpentaria Shire Council
• Charters Towers Regional Council
• Cloncurry Shire Council
• Croydon Shire Council
• Douglas Shire Council
• Etheridge Shire Council
• Flinders Shire Council
• Hinchinbrook Shire Council
• McKinlay Shire Council
• Richmond Shire Council
• Townsville City Council
• Winton Shire Council.

The Small Business Recovery Centre is open 9am to 5pm, seven days a week at 143 Walker Street, Townsville and offers expertise and support for small business owners who are facing a range of issues following this natural disaster. Call 1300 654 687 first to book an appointment.

To find about more about the Small Business Disaster Recovery Grants visit www.business.qld.gov.au/recovery or call 1300 369 935.

ENDS

Media Contact: Inga Williams - 0439 949 719