The Victorian Government has announced the following flood relief grants for affected businesses

Small business owners – through DJPR

Eligible for a one-off payment of $5,000 to support clean-up, safety inspections, repairs, the hiring of equipment and purchase of stock that businesses need to get back in business as quickly as possible. Also supports a dedicated Business Relief Service with dedicated mentors to guide business owners through the available Commonwealth, state and local supports, manage insurance and landlord issues and build a strong recovery strategy. 

Who can get it

To be eligible, a business must:

  • be located within a local government area deemed eligible for assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement

  • hold an active Australian business number (ABN) and have held that ABN on and from 14 October 2022

  • be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on and from 14 October 2022

  • have incurred significant direct damage from flooding to the place of business, business assets, stock or equipment.

Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Grant applications will be closed at 4pm on Tuesday 7th February. If have not already applied, do so before the end date here:
https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/small-business-immediate-flood-relief-program

Primary Producers – through Rural Finance

Flood Clean-up and Relief Grant

Payment of up to $10,000 to primary producers directly affected by the floods to help them clean up, re-establish their properties, and get their businesses up and running again. Covers activities like the removal and disposal of debris and injured or dead livestock, replacing or repairing essential equipment, fixing and replacing fencing, buying fodder, water and water storage, salvaging damaged crops, grain or feed, and hiring or purchasing materials to clean up a property or equipment.

Flood Recovery Transport Support Program

If you own stock and require transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and moving stock to agistment, sale or slaughter, you may be eligible to claim 50 per cent of transport costs, up to $15,000. Use the same application form as the Flood Clean Up and Relief Grant and submit evidence of paid tax invoices from a registered carrier, or vehicle registration and logbook entries if you are an owner driver.

Flood Recovery Concessional Loans

Concessional loans of up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged assets, and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway.

More information about the Primary Producer grants here: https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/Industry-programs/victorian-primary-producer-flood-relief-program

Community Sport and Councils

Community Sports Emergency Flood Assistance Program

$5,000 one-off grants are available to assist in the replacement of items that have been lost, damaged or destroyed.

The Program is now open for applications and will stay open until 5pm on 13 January 2023 or until funding is exhausted.

Council Support Fund

Immediate payments of $500,000 to the 24 government areas that have experienced the most profound flood damage to start clean up activities and restore local facilities and services that are lifeblood of regional communities, like sports clubs and community centres.

For wellbeing and mental health services, there is:

  • Flood Recovery Hotline: 1800 560 760 for immediate help on clean up and temporary accommodation, and mental health and wellbeing.

  • Partners in Wellbeing Helpline: 1300 375 330 for one-on-one financial, confidential, business advice and wellbeing support to Victoria small business owners. 

  • Workplace Wellbeing Hub: See business.vic.gov.au for one-stop shop for business owners and advisors to access a range of wellbeing and mental health information. 

Donations

If you would like to donate or support those affected by the floods through a not-for-profit service, please visit https://www.givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding

–‘Featured photo from Darren Howe – The Bendigo Advertiser 2022’

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