FIRES SPECIAL: NSW SA launch small business help

State governments in NSW and SA are already offering assistance for beleagured printers and other small business in bushfire zones, with a host of other assistance packages available.

Specific assistance for small business in Vic, Qld and WA has not yet been announced by the state governments there. However, all state governments have issued assistance details to individuals and homeowners – see the separate lists compiled by the PVCA on this bulletin for full details.

The ongoing bushfire crisis has devastated large parts of the NSW South Coast, East Gippsland in Victoria, Kangaroo Island in SA, as well as other parts of virtually all states.

Printers are reporting that their presses as idle, as the combination of fire damage; lack of power; and a collapse in customers thanks to towns emptying, no tourists, and damaged businesses contribute to a massive fall off in work.

The NSW state government has small business assistance in the form of up to $15,000 recovery grants, and concessional loans for eligible small businesses. Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593. It is also providing Legal Aid, which can provide free assistance on issues such as insurance policies, employment, tenancy, credit and debt. Contact Disaster Response Legal Service NSW on 1800 801 529.

The SA government has a grant of up to $10,000 available for eligible small businesses affected by the Kangaroo Island bushfires for costs associated with clean-up, restoration and rebuilding.

The grant is designed to assist with the immediate costs of beginning to rebuild and recover, and is provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

To learn more about eligibility criteria or to apply, visit the Supporting Business in South Australia website