Cyclone recovery assistance for Mackay region businesses

Council have put together an Economic Disaster Recover Sub-Group to help facilitate access to financial assistance programs.

‍

Cr Mann said State and Federal governments had announced the availability of financial assistance to small businesses affected by the cyclone.

‍

“We’d encourage small business owners, primary producers and not-for-profits to investigate assistance being made available through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).”

‍

Some assistance available includes:

• Low interest loans of up to $100,000 for essential working capital or up to $250,000 to repair or replace damaged plant, equipment, stock or buildings
• Freight subsidies to primary producers for assistance with the movement of feed, building/fencing materials, stock, water, machinery and fuels
• Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) officers are now on the ground at Community Recovery Hubs to provide advice to primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits about immediate financial assistance available to those affected - free call 1800 623 946
• Information on all disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government's disaster assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Queensland Government's disaster management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au
• The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has developed a Building and Tradie Assistance Register, as well as a Building Certifier Register, so that building owners, local government and insurance companies can find a local tradesperson for building recovery. The builders, tradies and building certifiers listed in these registers are appropriately licensed www.qbcc.qld.gov.au