Welcome to 2024 & Disaster assistance available – SEQ Severe Storms

Welcome to 2024!

We hope everyone had a great break and had plenty of opportunities to refresh and reflect on the year that was, but also look at what opportunities lie ahead for 2024. We are grateful to be able to guide you towards success for another year!

Please see some Key dates to start the year, and an alert from the State Government regarding Grant Assistance for those affected by the recent severe weather.

21 January – December Monthly Activity Statements
28 January – December Quarter Super Contributions to be received by Funds
21 February – January Monthly Activity Statements
28 February – December Quarterly Business Activity Statement

Were you affected by the recent severe storms in SEQ?

Disaster assistant grants for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits

Support from the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) has been expanded to offer Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery grants of up to $50,000 to directly impacted small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in the Logan, Scenic Rim and Gold Coast local government areas. Primary producers in these areas can apply for grants of up to $75,000.

These grants can be used 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. This will support directly-impacted businesses damaged by floodwater or falling trees, to reduce their financial hardship and speed up the recovery process.

For more information, or to apply for a grant, please call the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) on 1800 623 946 or visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au.

These grants are in addition to the loans that were made available on 2 January 2024:

Disaster Assistance concessional loans

Up to $250,000 for producers and small businesses and $100,000 for not-for-profits to repair or replace damaged assets like plant and equipment, to repair premises, or to replace stock and maintain liquidity.

Essential Working Capital loans

Up to $100,000 for producers, small businesses and not-for-profits to allow for the continuation of operations, including paying wages, rents or rates, purchasing items such as fuel, fodder and water, or for the transportation of livestock and produce.

Freight subsidies

Freight subsidies are also being made available to primary producers to alleviate the costs of moving stock and operating materials.
Up to $5,000 for primary producers to assist with the movement of stock, feed, machinery, fuel, water, and building or fencing materials.

For more information or help to apply for a loan or grant, contact the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) via 1800 623 946 or www.qrida.qld.gov.au

Small business and primary producer surveys

A natural disaster business survey is available for small businesses that the SEQ storms impacted. Please complete this to help assess the scope of support needed.

SEQ storm business disaster survey

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has set up a separate survey for primary producers affected by this event:

Agriculture disaster impact survey

Mediation fees waived

The Office of the Queensland Small Business Commissioner has waived the fees for SEQ small businesses and their landlords to take up their mediation service to help resolve leasing disputes quickly and affordably. Find out more at: qsbc.qld.gov.au/get-help

Reference
Department of Employment, Small business and Training, 10 January 2024, communication@desbt.qld.gov.au
Business Queensland, Queensland natural disaster assistance; https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/natural-disaster/assistance#small-business-disaster-relief, https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/alerts/se-storms-dec-2023