Small Business Grants and Support

The following information is for small businesses located in Burke Shire. For any queries or questions regarding content on the page please contact Council office@burke.qld.gov.au or (07) 4745 5100.

Business Grants

  • Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant – up to $50,000 is available for affected small businesses following the Northern and Central Queensland Monsoon and Flooding, 20 December 2022 - March 2023 to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace or repair damaged infrastructure and stock and other costs associated with the recovery process. Businesses should take photographs of the direct damage to accompany their application/s. https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/program/extraordinary-disaster-assistance-recovery-grants-northern-and-central-queensland-monsoon
  • Disaster Assistance Loans – maximum amount of $250, 000. Concessional loans are provided to assist you to re-establish the normal operations of your small business by covering costs such as, repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment, repairing or replacing buildings, supplying stock for up to one month to replace lost stock and maintain liquidity of the business etc.  
  • Disaster Assistance (Essential working capital loan) – maximum of $100,000. Loans are provided to assist with essential working capital for expenses such as paying salaries or wages, paying creditors, paying rent or rates etc. https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/program/disaster-assistance-essential-working-capital-loan

17th March 2023

The Federal Government has recently released the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and the Disaster Recovery Allowance. To see the full media release, view the website - https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/MurrayWatt/Pages/federal-disaster-payments-activated-north-queensland-floods.aspx

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment - https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/nth-qld-monsoon-and-flooding-dec-2022-mar-2023-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment

  • The AGDRP is a one-off payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury.

Government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance – https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/nth-qld-monsoon-and-flooding-dec-2022-mar-2023-disaster-recovery-allowance

  • The DRA provides up to 13 weeks of federal income support to assist people who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster.

Information about payment eligibility is available on the Services Australia website

 

Message from the Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT)

The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) provides a range of programs to support small business impacted by the recent rainfall and flooding event in North-West Queensland for the following local government areas (LGA): Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Mornington and Mount Isa.

 

Currently available programs are:

  • The Small Business Financial Counsellor Service delivered through (RFCSNQ) provides free, impartial and confidential services throughout North Queensland. Please visit Small Business Financial Counsellors (rfcsnq.com.au) for more information.
  • Small Business Wellness Coaches help small business owners with their unique and personal business challenge in a free one-on-one, supportive environment. Coaches are available to work with you or any of you family members employed in your business. Coaches work closely with the Financial Counselling Service and can help you find the right service available for support to reduce stress, improve wellbeing and provide flexible business support. Please visit  Business Wellness Coaching for Small & Rural Businesses (rfcsnq.com.au) for more information.
  • Mentoring for Growth (M4G) Mentor for assistance with business recovery. Please visit Mentoring for Growth for more information.
  • The Small Business Disaster Hub (also available as a free app via Apple or Google) contains resources to help businesses respond and recover following a natural disaster. Useful topics include:

 

 

The Queensland Small Business Commissioner provides support and assistance to Queensland small businesses, including advice on leasing, retail tenancy and franchise disputes. Visit QSBC for more information or contact the Commission on 1300 312 344.

 

Small businesses may be eligible for financial assistance under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA). To be eligible for assistance your small business must be located in one of the defined LGA disaster areas Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Mornington and Mount Isa:

 

 

Other mental health and wellbeing support:  

 

 

Additional information to help you keep updated:

 

If you would like further assistance, please keep in contact with the department please contact us directly by reply email or via the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687. (Emily.higgins@desbt.qld.gov.au)

 

 

Message from the Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT)

Tourism Business Financial Counsellor

Cam Charlton

Phone:  0418 773 737

Email:  Cam@rfcsnq.com.au

Tourism business financial counsellors | Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (dtis.qld.gov.au)

This link will provide you with background information on Cam and his role:  RFCSNQ

Cam is based in Cairns but will be able to provide support to Tourism Businesses and on hand to speak with as well is:

Small Business Financial Counsellor: Peter David RFCSNQ

Small Business Wellness Coach:  Geoff Wyer RFCSNQ

 

Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Round

  • The Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Round 1 is now open.
  • This grant opportunity provides small and medium businesses up to $25,000 to replace or upgrade existing equipment to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Grants cover up to 100% of eligible project expenditure. There is a total of $16 million available for this grant opportunity.
  • We expect a high level of interest for this grant. This is a demand-driven grant opportunity and grants will be awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the funding is exhausted in each jurisdiction. 
  • To find out more about this grant visit: Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Round 1 | business.gov.au

Business Grants and Support