Grants available to Townsville businesses

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

Over $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 to businesses impacted by Queensland lockdowns.

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

“If your business saw at least a 30% reduction in turnover during the August Queensland lockdowns, even though Townsville wasn’t in lockdown itself, you could be eligible for a grant,” Minister Farmer said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said businesses should get in touch with the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687 if they have any questions.

“We’ve had fewer than 150 applications from Townsville, and we want to make sure businesses know what support is open to them,” Mr Stewart 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 in North Queensland that applies will receive the grant.”

Clare Ley of Pilgrim Sailing in Magnetic Island encouraged other Townsville businesses to apply for the grant.

“We have survived with the tremendous support of our loyal local customers, and combined with State Government assistance, we have been able to retain our skipper and two deckhands by diverting them on to maintenance and other duties when bookings are low," Clare said.

“The grant came at just the right time to help pay our annual insurance bill, but we also want to use some of the money to grow the business, so we don’t stand still or go backwards.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper 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 Harper 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 in North Queensland 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.”

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said there was other support available too.

“$5,000 Business Basics Grants for regional small businesses are still open but we expect these to close soon, so get your application in now,” Mr Walker said.

“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 North Queensland we’ve provided $10 million in COVID-19 Small Business Adaptation Grants, almost $41 million in Jobs Support Loans, more than $10 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 eligibility and how to apply visit www.business.qld.gov.au/supportgrants or call our 24/7 Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687

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

Images of Pilgrim Sailing available here

ENDS

Media contact: Kate Talbot, 0439 803 211

All other enquiries: 1300 654 687