While hundreds of Bundaberg business owners have suffered immense infrastructure and financial loss during the floods, the message being circulated by Bundaberg Regional Council’s Economic Development Unit is that 100% of businesses across the region have been impacted.
Council’s Economic Development portfolio spokesperson and Chair of the Economic Recovery Committee, Cr. Greg Barnes said the “double whammy” of tornadoes followed by flooding had hit the regional business community in a devastating manner.
“Council has been quick to establish a Business Recovery Centre at the Bundaberg Enterprise Centre and it is dealing with a growing number of enquiries relating to assistance packages and other forms of aid to help business get back on its feet.”
A major initiative will be a Business Recovery Information session to be held at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre on Friday morning at 10am.
Cr. Barnes said the session will provide an opportunity for the many business support agencies to deliver a brief overview of services offered. He urged all business owners to attend the session as a valuable information and networking exercise.
He said the recent announcement that business operators and primary producers in the Bundaberg Region would be able to access grants of up to $25,000 following Federal/State Governments declaration of the area as a Category C assistance recipient under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance program was heartening.
This is in addition to the range of support already available to primary producers and businesses including concessional loans of up to $250,000.
Referring back to the Business Recovery Centre, Cr. Barnes said the facility would stand as an essential point of contact and information dissemination for local business operators.
He said the centre is located at the corner of Quay and Tantitha Streets and is open week days from 8.30am until 6pm. “It is fully equipped with essential business equipment with appropriate software programs including MYOB and Quickbooks.
Cr. Barnes said Council’s office of Economic Development had developed a Bundaberg Region Flood Recovery webpage at its www.businessbundaberg.com.au website. “This page is a veritable one-stop-shop for all pertinent information and contact points relating to flood recovery initiatives,” said Cr. Barnes.
Date: 06-02-2013