Lismore Flood Support for Local Businesses – Small Business Grants
It has been announced that small businesses impacted by the recent flooding are now eligible for Relief and Recovery grants (Category C Funding)
A important session has been organised by the NSW Department of Industry that will explain details of these grants including eligibility, how to apply and what is included or not included.
TNR is grateful that this assistance has been announced by the Government for our community and hopes it helps to get business back on track to recovery. Feel free to contact us if you require guidance or assistance.
NSW Department of Industry invites you to attend a session that covers how businesses can apply for CATEGORY C FUNDING.
When
Thursday, April 20, 2017 from 7:00 AM to 7:15 AM AEST
Where
Lismore & District Workers Club
231 Keen Street
Lismore 2480
This event will cover:
* How to apply
* What is covered
* What is not covered
Please use the following link to register for the event
NATURAL DISASTER RELIEF AND RECOVERY GRANT
March 2017 NSW North Coast Floods
SMALL BUSINESS
For the following areas:
Lismore LGA – Localities
- Lismore
- East Lismore
- North Lismore
- South Lismore
- Girards Hill
Tweed Shire LGA – Localities
- Bray Park
- Condong
- Murwillumbah
- South Murwillumbah
Purpose: To provide grants to small businesses which have suffered direct damage as a result of the March 2017 NSW North Coast floods , for clean-up, removal of debris and
restoration to assist business to continue or commence trading.
This grant is not intended to replace the need for insurance, and is not intended to provide compensation for losses. All claims for assist ance will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Assistance Available:
A grant up to $15,000 to all eligible small businesses for clean-up and immediate restoration costs.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible small businesses which:
- have less than 20 full time (or equivalent) employees; and
- are a registered business, partnership or sole trader; and
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN); and
- have suffered direct damage to their premises and/or tools of trade (e.g. equipment/plant) as a result of the March 2017 NSW North Coast floods and the cost of essential repair orreplacement are the applicant’s responsibility; and
- were conducting business prior to and including the date of the event, or are business enterprises in the development phase(e.g. premises being prepared but trading had not yet commenced); and
- are intending to re-establish the business enterprise; and
- derive the majority (more than 50%) of their individual gross income from the business enterprise.
Eligible small businesses mayinclude locally owned and operated franchises; businesses not operating from commercial premises but which experienced damage to primary equipment; home based enterprises (claiming only the costs directly attributable to the business).
Who is NOT Eligible?
- businesses that are part of a national chain or company
- public companies alone, or in association with other companies
- primary producers who are eligible for other forms of assistance
- businesses which have not incurred clean-up, removal of debris or restoration costs but have suffered a loss of income as a result of the event
- home based ‘hobby’ business (which produce less than 50% of your income). If you work from home and think this may apply to your business you should discuss your case with the NSW Rural Assistance Authority.
What Costs ARE Covered?
The recovery grant is designed to cover the cost of clean-up and restoration to assist small businesses which have suffered direct damage as a result of a natural disaster, to enable businesses to continue or commence trading as soon as possible where the impact on the sector has been particularly severe, also to assist with the costs of relocation to temporary premises in cases where immediate re-opening of damaged premises is not possible.
Eligible expenditure for recovery grants includes:
- Clean-up:
- equipment and materials to undertake clean-up
- additional labour costs (above and beyond normal wage expenditure)
- Removal of debris:
- carting away damaged goods and material
- cost of disposal
- Restoration
- Payment of trades people to conduct safety inspections essential repairs to premises and internal fittings (eg. floor covering, electrical rewiring, shelving)
- Purchase or hire/lease costs for equipment essential to the immediate resumption of operations
- leasing of temporary premises
- Replacement of stock which is essential to the immediate resumption of operations.
What is NOT Covered?
- Damage to dwellings. Owners may be able to claim other assistance for this (e.g. personal hardship and distress payments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements by contacting Department of Community Service on 1800 018 444).
- Damage covered by insurance
- Your own labour costs
- All capital purchases
TO ACCESS GRANT FUNDS
- You must lodge an application with the Authority on or before 13 OCTOBER 2017
- You will need to provide tax invoices or receipts dated after the flood event for damages incurred.
NOTE: Payment of any assistance can only occur upon production of tax invoice or receipt for damages incurred which must be received by the Authority by 13 OCTOBER 2017.
- Provide complete copies of your latest Business Tax Returns and Financial Statements PLUS Personal Tax Returns for each member of the business enterprise.
- Your business must be located within an eligible Local Government Area (Contact the Authority for details of declared Local Government Areas)
HOW DO I APPLY ?
Application forms are available from the NSW Rural Assistance Authority by telephoning:
Toll Free 1800 678 593 or (02) 6391 3000 Or visit our web site www.raa.nsw.gov.au
Completed applications can be lodged with the NSW Rural Assistance Authority at:
Post:
Locked Bag 23,
ORANGE NSW 2800
Email:
rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au
Fax:
(02) 6391 3098
Applications for assistance must be received by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on or before 13 OCTOBER 2017