Forum to help businesses hit by floods

An online forum will offer businesses hit hard by the recent flooding disaster a step-by-step guide to accessing financial assistance on March 29.

Moreton Bay Regional Council is hosting the Small Business Disaster Recovery Forum, which will provide information on grants businesses may be eligible for and a guide to how to apply. It is free to attend.

Acting Mayor Jodie Shipway says the forum is in direct response to businesses asking Council for help accessing government grants.

“We had more than 120 businesses damaged across the region and over $9 million worth of damage, which is a major blow to our economy locally,” Cr Shipway says.

“Unfortunately, 48 per cent of those businesses weren’t insured and a further 33 per cent don’t know if they had adequate cover, so that’s why we need to do everything we can to help locals bounce back and get our economy booming again.

“Moreton Bay is united in recovery, but we need to do everything we possibly can to help our most affected residents and businesses so we can get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

What the forum will cover

The two-hour forum will run through key steps businesses can take to recover and how to apply for the $50,000 Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery grants.

A representative from Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), which is administering the grants, will be available.

Council officers from its Economic Development department will offer a call-back service to businesses who attend.

Crisis communication and engagement specialists Articulous, which developed the Small Business Disaster Hub for the State Government, is co-ordinating the forum on Council’s behalf.

The forum is fully subsidised by the Moreton Bay Regional Council at no cost to local participants.

Workshop topics and timing:

9.45am: Log in to Zoom meeting

10-10.15am: Introduction and overview (MBRC)

10.15am–11am: Key steps to take to recover from a disaster and how to communicate following a disaster (Articulous)

11am-noon: How to apply for disaster grants (QRIDA)

How to get involved

Businesses can register for the event online: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/small-business-disaster-recovery-forum-tickets-269303994497

For individuals and community groups, Council recovery hubs are still open for one-on-one assistance.

A list of grants is available here: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management/Disaster-Portal/Flood-Financial-Assistance