$10,000 bushfire grants for small business expanded to 30 Local Government Areas

Announced today by Federal Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud and NSW Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro, the much needed support will be extended to additional LGAs that have suffered hardship as a result of the recent bushfires.

Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud said the $10,000 bushfire grants have so far been made available to 17 LGAs and has now been expanded to 30 so that Government can support even more vital regional businesses.

“More than $125 million has been spent to support heavily impacted local businesses that were affected by the recent bushfires – and we need to keep that support going,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Despite the extent of the Coronavirus crisis the federal government has never forgotten those impacted by this summer’s bushfires. We’re helping the states get money out quicker by supporting them with more boots on the ground to assist people to navigate the process.

“We are deploying 21 new specialist business recovery advisors into affected communities and are increasing the regional footprint of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency by up to 50 staff in order to make a real difference.”

Mr Barilaro said the NSW Government continues to back regional small businesses and expanding this funding to additional LGAs is doing just that.

“Many regional businesses that rely on tourism lost their peak summer season due to the bushfires and then lost Easter trade due to COVID-19,” Mr Barilaro said.

“It is fantastic to see more than 12,500 businesses have taken up the grant offer so far which equates to $125.4 million.

“With the expansion of the grants to more LGAs we will see more money in the pockets of those who need it most.”

The grants are now being extended to 13 more LGAs, taking the total to 30. The 13 new LGAs are jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

The additional eligible LGAs include: Armidale, Bellingen, Cessnock, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Kyogle, Mid-Western, Oberon, Singleton, Tenterfield and Walcha.

Grants of up to $50,000 are also available for eligible small businesses directly impacted by the bushfires. Businesses that have received financial assistance via other grants may still be eligible for the $10,000 grants.

For small business assistance please contact Service NSW, via www.service.nsw.gov.au

Additional information on the $10k small business grants:

Initially, the grants covered the following LGAs: Bega Valley, Blue Mountains, Clarence Valley, Eurobodalla, Hawkesbury, Kempsey, Lithgow, Mid Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Richmond Valley, Shoalhaven, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly.

To be eligible, businesses must have experienced a 40 percent drop in revenue over a three-month period, compared to last year, because of the bushfires.

The criteria for the additional 13 LGAs is:

• Greater than 4 per cent of LGA burnt.
• Greater than 4 buildings damaged or destroyed.