Storm relief: Financial support for small businesses

Gold Coast businesses decimated by the freak cyclonic Christmas storms are eligible for loans and subsidies for relief. See what is available and how to apply

Gold Coast businesses decimated by the freak cyclonic Christmas storm now floods can get $250,000 loans whilst non-profits can get $100,000 and others can get $5000 freight subsidies.

The federal and state-administered disaster assistance loans and essential working capital loans were revealed on Tuesday for small business, primary producers and not-for-profits across the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim and Logan.

Owner of Spectrum Plants Gold Coast Wesley Trevor tells how his business is destroyed after the double whammy of storms and floods. Picture: Adam Head

Federal minister Murray Watt said the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) support would be provided as quickly as need is identified.

“This assistance will help eligible small businesses, primary producers and community organisations across the region recover and return to operations,” he said.

Queensland Reconstruction Authority Minister Nikki Boyd said with primary producers also impacted by the devastating storms could get freight subsidies of up to $5000 to assist with moving stock and operating materials.

“For disaster affected small businesses and community organisations, getting reconnected and back to work is a big step to ensuring recovery across the region – I urge anyone eligible for disaster loans or other activated assistance measures to apply now,” she said.

Small Business Minister Lance McCallum said a natural disaster business survey would help “quantify and detail” the severe weather event effects on small businesses.

“Insights from this survey will be invaluable to help prepare for future events and determine if additional support might be required, and I encourage as many affected small businesses as possible to complete it,” he said.

The Queensland small business commissioner would waive mediation fees for impacted small businesses, of $371 for access to mediation and help to resolve any leasing disputes “quickly and affordably”.

Owner of Spectrum Plants Gold Coast Wesley Trevor tells how his business is destroyed after the double whammy of storms and floods. Picture: Adam Head

Earlier in the week the Bulletin spoke to Spectrum Plants owner Wesley Trevor who said he was down at least $250,000 through lost stock and damages to his Wongawallan nursery.

“There’s that much value of stock that’s been damaged that I won’t be able to sell, and then there’s the damage to the infrastructure,” Mr Trevor said.

“Basically I’d have to work for a year or two without any profit to get back to where we started.”

HOW TO GET HELP:

- The disaster assistance loans up to $250,000 for producers and small businesses and $100,000 for not-for-profits are available via The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website www.qrida.qld.gov.au or by calling on 1800 623 946.

- The same goes for essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 for producers, small businesses and not-for-profits.

- For freight subsidies contact Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or via www.daf.qld.gov.au

- Further assistance is available via the Queensland Community Recovery Hotline [phone].

- Information on the types of disputes the small business commissioner can mediate can be found at https://qsbc.qld.gov.au/get-help/

Originally published as Storm relief: Financial support for small businesses