As we start a new year in 2025, we are touching base with our members following the recent rain event that impacted our region on Monday, December 30th, 2024.
We understand that many businesses were inundated with water from this event, and we want to assure you that the KCCI is here to support you during this difficult time.
The KCCI has been in direct contact with several key stakeholders, including:
• Small Business Commissioner Dominique Lamb
• Department of Customer Services, Open data and Small and Family Business
• South Burnett Regional Council
• Deb Frecklington MP
These discussions have focused on raising awareness of the issues faced by businesses affected by the flooding. The KCCI is represented on the Local Disaster Recovery Group that has now been activated following the rain event.
So Where Are We At With Support For Small Business Following This Event?
- South Burnett Regional Council have lodged a request for assistance with relevant agencies of the QLD Government including the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and Department of Customer Services, Open data and Small and Family Business
- From this request, relevant government departments have commenced data collection of the impact of the event, to assess what recovery response is required (survey link below)
- From there, the Government may make a Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement declaration for small business support, if it is deemed there is substantial need.
We appreciate that many of you have been greatly impacted by this rain event, with disruptions to business operations, damage to stock and damage to your premises. It is of the upmost importance that this is documented to support requests for support.
For those that have been able to undertake the clean up and get back to business as usual, please ensure you also report the impact on your business and keep your receipts and documentation around your clean up, as there may be future opportunities to get support to claim some cost recovery in this space. Photographic evidence is extremely beneficial.
If you have been impacted by this rain event, please complete the Departments Survey here as soon as possible. If you need support in doing this, please reach out to us.
Please see Council’s recent Media Release with information relating to support.
For your reference, we have been informed that the rain event reached a Q400 storm at its peak intensity. The intensity of the storm on the 30th meant that no storm water or guttering system would be able to cope with that much water in such a short period of time.
We will continue to play a vital role in supporting the recovery process by keeping you up to date on information being released by government and relevant agencies. BIEDO will also be a key support as the Economic Development arm of Council.
In the meantime, if you need support, the following services are available (including mental health support):
- Small Business Financial Counselling Service – https://sbfcssq.org.au/
- Queensland Small Business Commissioner – https://qsbc.qld.gov.au/resources/
- Department of Customer Services, Open data and Small and Family Business – https://desbt.qld.gov.au/dcsodsfb/small-business
We encourage you to reach out to us if you have any concerns or require assistance. You can email us at info@kcci.asn.au or reach out to any of the executive listed below.
Remember to please complete the survey – LINK HERE
Our Executive Members Are:
- Damo Martoo
- Rob Fitz-Herbert
- Paula Greenwood
- Jacqui Trace
- Susan Robertson
- Jason Erbacher
- Daniel Pelcl
- Mitch Gray
- Sheena Lindholm
- Allen Christensen
- Ree Fazldeen
We will endeavour to keep you updated on developments and available resources as we receive them.
Damo and the KCCI Executive Team