As Australia takes stock after Ex Tropical Cyclone Debbie both the Queensland & New South Wales governments have published details of their small business support packages. If you are a small business owner or primary producer who has been affected by a natural disaster albeit Cyclones or Flooding in either Queensland or New South Wales, there may be financial assistance available, as well as a range of support services to help you recover.

Queensland

Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie assistance includes:

Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) Category B assistance for small businesses and primary producers which have been activated for the following local government areas:

• Whitsunday Regional Council.
• Mackay Regional Council.

Small business support

The activated Category B assistance for small businesses includes:

• Natural Disaster Assistance (Concessional Loans) of up to $250,000. These loans can be interest free up to 2 years and incur 1.16 per cent interest. The loans are can stretch up to a period of 7 years. There are no early payout, establishment or account maintenance fees.
• Essential Working Capital Loans Scheme of up to $100,000. These working capital loans are to assist with rents, wages and creditor payments whilst businesses undergo repair and attempt to reopen. 

Primary producer support

Producers have access to freight subsidies of up to $5,000 per property and Natural Disaster loans of up to $250,000.

Visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website for more information on primary producer assistance and eligibility.

New South Wales 

North Coast Floods: from 28 March 2017 the joint Australian, state and territory governments' Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) provide a range of financial assistance to the natural disaster-declared areas in each state or territory.