FLOODS COSTING $460M A DAY IN LOST REVENUE

As Lord Mayor Campbell Newman urges businesspeople to head back to work, organisations across Queensland are crippled by devastated property and stalled infrastructure, to the tune of $5 billion.

The Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland (CCIQ) has launched a national flood appeal to help Queensland businesses get back on their feet and kick-started the appeal with its own donation.

The organisation is offering free 30-day memberships for anyone affected by the floods, providing access to its member-only Employer Assistance Line and an overview of what your obligations are as an employer facing these situations.

Financial assistance available through the Queensland and Australian Governments for Queensland flood affected businesses includes:

• An additional grant of up to $20,000 to assist in repairing and replacing damaged buildings, equipment and stock.
• Low-interest loans of up to $250,000 are also available to help businesses fund repairs.
• Freight subsidies of up to $5,000 available for eligible primary producers located within a disaster-declared area
• The Sport and Recreation Services Disaster Recovery Program is offering one-off funding of up to $5,000 for replacement of operational items and up to $20,000 to assist the repair of sport and recreation infrastructure damaged by flooding
• Farm Financial Counselling Service is offering a free and confidential financial planning to help primary producers manage the natural disaster.

Business should be aware that assistance does not include loss of income. For more information on available assistance programs visit: www.cciq.com.au/campaigns/Flood-Assistance/Getting-back-to-business.