Federal Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Linda Reynolds

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

Recovery Grants Available For Queensland Small Businesses

Victor P Taffa

Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced the activation of Category C recovery grants for small businesses that have been devastated by the Queensland floods.

Assistant Minister Reynolds said the Category C assistance, being provided through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), would provide impacted small businesses and not for profit organisations in the council areas of Townsville, Cloncurry, McKinlay, Richmond and Flinders with grants of up to $25,000.

“Small businesses and not for profit organisations are essential to the economy, especially in regional areas, so it is vital to help with their initial clean-up and recovery efforts.” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.

“Many North and Western Queensland small businesses have been left devastated with damage to buildings and assets as well as damaged or perished stock.”

“Businesses have also been isolated or disrupted resulting in a substantial loss of trade through business interruption, supply chain impacts and in many instances, complete closures.” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.

“We have all seen the destructive effects the flooding has had on primary producers in Queensland and the Commonwealth and Queensland governments were quick to approve assistance to help them.”

“Size, scale and scope of the historic and ongoing flooding event in Queensland continues to grow and with it the need for further assistance to help those communities.” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk thanked the Commonwealth Government for swiftly agreeing to jointly fund the assistance grants for small businesses and not for profit organisations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It’s vitally important we help the small businesses as much as we possibly can to help them get back on their feet because the services, they provide are often the lifeblood of their communities.” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“Some of these areas have received more than 120% of their annual rainfall in just 7 days and it’s not just about the direct impact but the follow-on effects from loss of power and closure of the road network and supply chains that hurt.”

“Many communities have been brought to a standstill while small businesses in the tourism industry in many locations in North Queensland have reported significant cancellations of bookings which has a ripple effect on the economy.”

“These businesses face an incredibly difficult journey that will take weeks, if not months, until they recover and it’s essential, we support them so these assistance grants of up to $25,000 are available immediately.” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“Queensland Government will continue to work around the clock with the Commonwealth to provide assistance for small businesses and not for profit organisations in other communities as information comes to hand.”