Financial help for flood-hit small businesses, primary producers and communities in SEQ

Financial support for flood-affected Queensland small businesses, farmers, not-for-profit organisations, and sporting and community clubs will now be available following a new agreement between the Prime Minister and Premier. 

An initial $558.5 million, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments will be provided to support communities in need.

Demand driven grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers, up to $50,000 for affected small businesses and not-for-profit organisations, and $20,000 for sporting and community clubs and associations will be available through Queensland Government agencies to help flood-affected communities get back on their feet. 

These grants will be available through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority, call 1800 623 946 or visit http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au. 

Nineteen affected councils will also be helped through a $1 million injection each to assist with urgent clean-up works.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this package was the first phase of financial support to ensure flood-affected communities in Queensland get the support they need.

“I saw the devastation of this flood with my own eyes this week in Brisbane and I knew how important it was to get money in the hands of farmers, small businesses and local community groups across Queensland to help them rebuild and recover,” the Prime Minister said. 

“This initial package is in addition to the federally funded $1,000 disaster relief payment and the 13-week income replacement for employees and small businesses, which to date has already paid out over $100 million, including $77 million to those affected in Queensland.

“We are continuing to work with the Queensland and New South Wales governments to develop further support packages to help them rebuild and respond as flood waters recede.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government was committed to backing small businesses and primary producers across the region to recover as quickly as possible. 

“I’ve seen first-hand the devastation this event has caused Queensland communities, many of which had already done it tough through the COVID pandemic and when Ex Tropical Cyclone Seth hit our state just two months ago,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“It’s essential that we get our small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits back up and running again to support our local jobs, economy and communities.

“Many small businesses and not-for-profits are experiencing loss of infrastructure, equipment, stock and trading, and primary producers are again facing losses to crops, equipment and infrastructure, but through these grants we’re here to help them in their recovery.

“Every council affected by these floods has different recovery priorities and a $1 million injection will help them to get on with the immediate clean-up activities that their communities need most.  

“This will be followed by reimbursements to councils and agencies across those 19 areas for costs incurred in counter disaster operations, such as sandbagging, and the restoration of essential public assets including roads and bridges. 

“From the start of these floods we have said we are in this together and this extraordinary assistance package is an example of just that. We will continue to work with all impacted communities, and local governments, to identify what additional support may be required as Queensland’s recovery commences.” 

Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said the swift introduction of a comprehensive grants program will provide much needed support to key impacted areas of the community, including those sectors hit hardest.

“This has been an extraordinary event and it requires an extraordinary response.  The Commonwealth and Queensland governments have worked closely on this jointly funded package to help flood affected communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” Minister McKenzie said.

“We want small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations to be supported to progress their massive clean-up and repair efforts right now and these grants will help. 

“While impact assessments are ongoing, it’s already clear these sectors have been hit very hard, which is why we’re not waiting another day to make these grants available.

“Sadly, many sporting and community clubs and associations have been devastated by these floods. We know how important these organisations are to each and every community, which is why this package also includes assistance to repair damaged infrastructure and replace lost equipment. 

“This latest funding package builds upon emergency personal hardship assistance that has already been made available by both the Australian and Queensland governments.”

The payments are being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) for eligible applicants in the 19 local government areas of Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.

This DRFA assistance is in addition to assistance already available for cases of personal hardship, as well as for councils and agencies for counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential infrastructure.

Summary of extraordinary packages across affected 19 council areas:
•    $1 million each for 19 affected councils for immediate clean-up activities
•    $75,000 grants for affected primary producers (note – these grants are available in 17 local government areas activated for DRFA Category B primary producer assistance)
•    $50,000 grants for affected small businesses and not-for-profit organisations 
•    $20,000 for sport and community clubs and associations.

For more information on grants for primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations, phone the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946 or visit http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au. 

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website at www.qra.qld.gov.au     

ENDS

Minister McKenzie: David Edghill 0477 417 516

Premier Palaszczuk: Kerryn Manifold 0428 510 973