The calls of flood-affected North Queensland businesses have been heard by Canberra and Brisbane, with the State and Commonwealth Governments today announcing an additional $15 million in disaster recovery funding.
The pool of money will make $15,000 grants available to help the hardest-hit small business owners meet essential costs, including wages, salaries, and operational expenses.
This welcome news will bring a wave of relief to many of our businesses who have been doing it extremely tough since the prolonged flooding and wet weather event of January and February.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith
“As our region continues on its road to recovery post the 2025 flooding, announcements like this provide much-needed relief and reassurance for small businesses that have had a significant business disruption or losses.
“We thank the State and Federal Government for delivering on our calls to support small businesses in recovery.
“Early estimates indicated wide-ranging economic losses for our region, of at least $257 million, and there was almost no industry spared from these effects.
“This fund will go a long way to help those businesses that were the hardest hit."
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain
“Small businesses are the heart of North Queensland and provide the services communities love and rely on, which is why we’ve activated additional financial assistance to help them get back on their feet.
“We’ve listened to local operators about the impact of this year’s floods, and this grant is about providing practical support to help them to rebuild with confidence.”
Qld Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin
“Small businesses are the backbone of regional communities. When disaster strikes, they face not only physical damage but also massive financial uncertainty,” Minister Minnikin said.
“This grant recognises the real and ongoing challenges these businesses face and helps them cover essential costs like wages, rent and stock so they can focus on reopening, retaining staff, and rebuilding stronger than before.”
Qld Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy
“This government is here for the long haul, and we’ll continue to work in the knowledge that our job is not done until affected businesses get back to full operation.
“We understand the impact and are here to provide the necessary support.”
- The Small Business Recovery Assistance Grant is targeted at small businesses that either ceased trading or suffered a revenue loss of 60 per cent or more for at least two consecutive weeks as a direct result of the disaster.
- The program has been allocated $15 million and will remain open until all funds are exhausted.
- Eligible businesses must be located in one of eight declared disaster-affected Local Government Areas, including Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Townsville, and Yarrabah.
- Grants will be assessed on a competitive basis, with applicants needing to demonstrate the financial impact of the disaster, their intent to continue operating, and how the funds will contribute to business and community recovery.
- Businesses can apply online via the Business Queensland website by clicking here.
- For more information or assistance with the application process, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or email disastergrants@desbt.qld.gov.au.
