Southern Downs businesses hit by flooding to gain access to $2.5m in state government flood recovery funding

More than a year on from widespread flooding that devastated much of South East Queensland, small businesses from across the Southern Downs can apply for a share of a $2.5m recovery scheme. Here’s what’s involved.

Billabong St in Warwick flooded as the Condamine River peaks at more than 6m in 2021. Picture Jessica Paul / Warwick Daily News

More than a year on from the devastating 2022 floods, Southern Downs small businesses can apply for a share of a $2.5m state government program to promote local tourism and independent businesses.

As part of the new state government disaster relief fund, 21 South East Queensland councils will be able to apply for $250,000 for relief funding, following major flooding in early 2022.

Businesses in local government areas Able including the Southern Downs, Goondiwindi, Lockyer Valley and Somerset regions, as well as Toowoomba and the Western Downs, are able to apply for the grant.

Local councils can use the funds to “promote local small businesses, attract tourists, encourage locals to be tourists in their own region and to shop locally”.

Billabong Street in Warwick flooded after the Condamine River reached heights of more than 6m in December 2021. (Photo: Jessica Paul/Warwick Daily News)

Owner of Belle Vue Cafe and Pickle and Must Delicatessen, Rosie Favero, said the move would be positive if it got more tourists into town regularly.

“I think between our two businesses, we do better at Belle Vue with locals and more tourism with the deli – it’s just people coming through and walking up the main street,” she said.

“The retail aspect of the deli means they can see the produce on the walls and have a browse, so I’ve found the travellers buy a bit more than the locals do at the deli.

“During the flooding, locals were still shopping locally and people still lived their day-to-day lives, but obviously tourism slowed down because people were worried about being able to get home.

“It would be great to have more tourists and tourism promoted here, but I think we need to offer a bit more as well like what’s going on and advertising, like where you can go at night because people who come and stay want to enjoy themselves.”

Aerial shot of Warwick devastated by 2011 floods. (Photo: file)

Employment and Small Business Minister Di Farmer said small businesses were the backbone of our communities, and the Palaszczuk government’s mission had always been to help those affected to fully recover and continue to prosper.

“We consulted with the councils late last year and they indicated they’d like to use these funds to continue existing projects and undertake new campaigns including shop local gift card schemes, business improvement programs, events, and outdoor trade activation,” she said.

“We are committed to working in partnership with local councils to support small businesses with their long-term recovery from last year’s floods.”

Applications close on Thursday, April 27.