Hawkesbury Flood Recovery – Business Support

15 April 2021

If you have a business or a not-for-profit organisation, and you've been directly impacted by the NSW Storms and Floods from March 2021 onwards, you may be eligible for various flood recovery grants and assistance. Flood recovery information for Hawkesbury businesses is available at

www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/for-business/hawkesbury-business-hub/business-emergency-preparation

The Mayor of Hawkesbury is asking residents to “please support our local businesses who have been through disaster after disaster and they are struggling even more now”.

“Council will continue to support local businesses and to use local suppliers and to buy local whenever and wherever possible.”

Australian Government disaster relief

The Federal Government has activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance for 34 NSW local government areas affected by storms and flooding.

Under the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child is available to individuals who have been adversely affected by a major disaster either in Australia or overseas.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance is a short-term payment to assist individuals if a declared disaster directly affects their income. Individuals can access the Disaster Recovery Allowance for a maximum of 13 weeks, with Services Australia paying the Disaster Recovery Allowance from the date an individual loses income as a direct result of the NSW floods.

NSW State Government disaster relief

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.

Mental health support

• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
• Online services and resources
• Ahead for Business by everymind.org.au – Helps small business owners take action on their own mental health and wellbeing.
• NewAccess by Beyond Blue – Free and confidential help for small business owners from mental health coaches with a small business background.
• Rural Adversity Mental Health Program – Connects people living in regional, rural and remote NSW with local mental health services and resources.
• Rural Resilience Program – helping build resilience by linking rural communities, families and individuals with the most appropriate services and information.

Business loans and financial assistance

• Primary producers may be eligible for urgent loans at a concessional interest rate and transport subsidies for the carriage of livestock, fodder and supplements for dairy cattle. Visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance for more information or call 1800 678 593.
• Small businesses.

Urgent loans are available at a concessional interest rate to eligible small businesses. Visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance for more information or call 1800 678 593.

Non-profit organisations

Loan assistance is available to churches and voluntary non-profit organisations for the restoration of essential facilities. Visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website

www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance for more information or call 1800 678 593.

Sporting clubs

A grant or a concessional fixed rate loan is available for sporting and recreation clubs and associations for clean-up, removal of debris and/or restoring essential facilities.

To access an application for grant assistance, contact NSW Treasury by email at natural_disasters@treasury.nsw.gov.au

For more details about loan assistance, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or (02) 6391 3000, visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance or email rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au

Legal support

Businesses can contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to discuss legal support that may be available from Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres and other free legal assistance services in your area.

Legal Aid NSW lawyers may be able to provide free legal advice to businesses affected by disasters on a range of issues including insurance, tenancy, credit and debt problems. Visit www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Insurance assistance

Guide to making an insurance claim

The NSW Small Business Commissioner’s quick guide to making an insurance claim can help businesses through the claims process to get paid quickly and smoothly after a disaster or disruption. Visit www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/get-help/advocacy/quick-guide-making-insurance-claims

The Insurance Council of Australia may also be able to assist businesses who have queries relating to insurance. Visit www.insurancecouncil.com.au or call 1800 734 621.

Business guides and resources

A business guide to recovering from disaster ‘Get back to business’ by the NSW Small Business Commissioner is a step-by-step guide for business owners dealing with a disaster. The guide provides information to help businesses from the moment disaster hits, to the days, weeks and months ahead. Visit www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/resources/get-back-business-guide-recovering-disaster to learn more or download a copy.

Flood Recovery Information - Hawkesbury 2021

Please go to Council’s community engagement page, Your Hawkesbury Your Say for Flood Recovery Information - Hawkesbury 2021 at www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/fih2021