Support for NSW storm and flood affected businesses
Advance Greater Cessnock has compiled the following information to assist businesses that may be affected by the 2021 NSW storms and floods.
Practical support is available to all businesses affected by the NSW floods, from damaged or destroyed property to disrupted business and reduced income.
At the moment we continue to collate resources to assist storm and flood affected businesses, as the focus continues to be on safety and recovery.
Information and Resources:
The following will be updated as details emerge. Please click to expand the sections you wish to read more about.
Government Assistance
Disaster recovery assistance is available to businesses in eligible NSW local government areas (LGAs) that have been impacted by the storms and floods from 10 March 2021.
If your business premises have been damaged in the recent storms and flooding, please take photographs of the visible damage as soon as it is safe to do so, to assist in accessing support in the future.
Register for ongoing business support
A Business Concierge can help you if your business has been impacted by the recent NSW storms and floods, and can notify you when new financial support becomes available.
Call 13 77 88 or register for a call back.
Disaster declared local government areas
Government support is available in areas that have been included in natural disaster declarations due to the heavy storms and flooding. Assistance includes concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations.
Business support and resources
Grants and loans
Small businesses and non-for-profit organisations directly impacted by the NSW storms and floods from 10 March 2021 onwards may be eligible for a flood disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000. For more information visit: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/storm-and-flood-assistance-businesses/grants-and-loans
or click the links below for specific information:
- Personalised support
- Financial and tax assistance
- Legal support
- Insurance assistance
- Mental health support
- Business guides and resources
- Telco support
- Animal and livestock
- Licences and business documents
- Clean-up and rebuilding
- General support
Support for fire-affected small businesses
Advance Cessnock City has compiled the following information to assist businesses that may be affected by the bush fires over 2019 and 2020.
Practical support is available to all businesses affected by the NSW bushfires, from damaged or destroyed property to disrupted business and reduced income.
At the moment we continue to collate resources to assist bush fire affected businesses whilst conditions stabilise, as the focus continues to be on safety and recovery. Council is also strategically raising awareness of local business needs to support a strategic response by NSW and Australian Government.
What is Cessnock City Council doing?
Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent attended a Community Rebuilding Roundtable at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday 28 January to advocate for local businesses impacted by bush fires. Council’s submission collated feedback of all the Advance Cessnock City partners, our local chambers of commerce and industry networks, to build a strategic case for lobbying funds and leadership from our governments. Council’s submission advocates for a buy local ‘open for business’ marketing campaign and funding to be allocated to Destination NSW to coordinate a regional and international marketing campaigns. It also includes a proposal for providing a local tourism stimulus package, funding for local events to stimulate visitation and more investment in soft infrastructure to support regional and inter-regional bookings.
Council will continue to lobby for greater outcomes and leadership response for our business community.
Information and Resources:
The following will be updated as details emerge. Please click to expand the sections you wish to read more about.
Government Assistance
We’re encouraging our business community to use the assistance that has been made available in the recovery efforts. A Support Line is being set up by the Federal Government. The Support Line will be staffed by small business specialist financial counsellors who will be able to provide information on the assistance and support available to small businesses in bushfire affected regions. For more information businesses can visit www.business.gov.au or call 13 28 46.
NSW Government is also delivering bushfire recovery assistance to help people and businesses impacted by bushfires. The Service NSW bushfire customer care service has specialists to help guide you every step of the way via https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/bushfire-customer-care-service or call 137788.