Grants available to CQ businesses

Small and medium businesses in Rockhampton and Livingstone are being encouraged to see if they’re eligible for grants of up to $30,000.

More than $108 million is already in the pockets of more than 12,400 small businesses across Queensland, thanks to the Palaszczuk Government’s COVID-19 Business Support Grants.

The program, jointly funded by the Palaszczuk and Commonwealth Governments, provides grants of up to $30,000 to businesses impacted by Queensland lockdowns.

The Minister for Employment and Small Business, Di Farmer, said Central Queensland businesses should check to see if they were eligible.

“If your business saw at least a 30% reduction in turnover during the recent Queensland lockdowns, even though places like Rockhampton and Yeppoon weren’t actually locked down, you could be eligible for a grant,” Minister Farmer said.

Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga, said businesses should get in touch if they have any questions.

“We’ve had fewer than 60 applications from the Rockhampton and Livingstone local government areas, and we want to make sure businesses know what support is open to them,” Ms Lauga said.

“Please don’t rule yourself out. You can call our Small Business Hotline with any questions you have.

“Applying is straight forward, with template letters provided to make the process easier. We’ve doubled the number of staff working on the grants which means we’ve already processed thousands of applications.

“I want to be really clear: any eligible business or sole trader that applies will receive the grant.”

Helen Kynoch of Australiana Charters at Rosslyn strongly encouraged other affected businesses to apply for the grant.  

“Regional businesses are all suffering too, so regional businesses should apply. You’ve got nothing to lose,” Helen said.

“We got this grant so quickly. It was surprisingly easy to apply for and very welcome because we had no income.

“The grant means that we have some extra money to pay bills and not stress so much about how we are going to stay afloat.”

Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said the COVID-19 Business Support Grants are just one part of the government’s $14.2 billion COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“The best thing we can do for businesses is ensure our economy is growing, do everything we can to ensure any lockdowns are short and sharp, and keep businesses open and trading,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Here in Queensland, we didn’t have a lockdown that went for longer than three days until very recently. And Queenslanders did an incredible job to stop Delta in its tracks.

“Just like we were the first state to introduce a COVID economic stimulus package last year, we acted quickly again: applications for this support opened just one week after that lockdown ended and the first payments were being made the very next day.

“But we know businesses are feeling the impact of COVID-19 which is why we are providing this support, along with a $10,000 cleaning rebate for COVID exposure sites and nearly $50 million for tourism and hospitality businesses.

“$5,000 Business Basics Grants for regional small businesses are still open, but we expect them to close soon so don’t wait much longer to get your application in.

“We’ve also recently announced a further $40 million of support for tourism businesses, giving those who’ve seen a 70% reduction in turnover grants of up to $50,000.

“In addition, in Central Queensland we’ve provided nearly $6.5 million in COVID-19 Small Business Adaptation Grants, around $28 million in Jobs Support Loans, more than $11 million in payroll tax relief, and a range of measures in our $140 million Big Plans for Small Business strategy.

“There’s also one-on-one support available, through our tailored Mentoring for Growth service, Small Business Financial Counsellors and the Queensland Small Business Commissioner.”

For more information on the COVID-19 Business Support Grants visit: www.business.qld.gov.au/supportgrants   

For more information on Business Basics Grants visit: www.business.qld.gov.au/businessbasics

24/7 Small Business Hotline: 1300 654 687

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211

All other enquiries: 1300 654 687