Bush Fire Relief
The fire disaster and drought are unprecedented in NSW drastically affecting areas in the southern and northern regions of NSW
and serviced by the Southern and Northern Region Business Enterprise Centre.
To assist businesses, individuals and primary producers obtain emergency and financial assistance available as well as details on
the support available from our organisation, we have listed below the relevant information and contact details. This will be updated
regularly as further details come to hand;
Disaster Assistance
To support relief and recovery following the declared natural disaster, a range of government assistance measures are available. Current LGA declarations are available at raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/declared-natural-disasters.
- Disaster Recovery Grants of up to $50,000 are available to eligible primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations – nsw.gov.au/grants/disaster-recovery-grants/bushfires
- Disaster Recovery Allowance paid for a maximum of 13 weeks is available to eligible individuals, including employees, sole traders and primary producers, whose income has been directly affected by a declared disaster. Call 180 2266 or visit https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/help-emergency
https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/help-emergency/bushfires
Note: in some circumstance’s employers may stand down employees if the reason for the stand down is outside the employer’s control, such as a natural disaster. Small businesses should check the relevant award, agreement or employment contract. - Disaster relief loans have been announced by the Commonwealth Government and to be administered by NSW Government (Rural Assistance Authority)
- Bushfire Working Capital Loan up to $50,000 designed to provide immediate funds for essential expenses while the business returns to its normal level of trading such as wages, rebuilding infrastructure and purchasing of goods and services. The loan terms are up to five years, with a two-year interest free and repayment free period.
- Bushfire Recovery Loan of up to $500,000 over ten years, with a two-year interest and payment free period. This loan is available for significantly larger investments such as replacing or repairing damaged infrastructure, purchasing livestock or replanting areas that were affected by the disaster.
RAA https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-loan-bushfires – eligibility and how to apply
- Special Disaster Grants for Primary Producers up to $75,000 is available to eligible primary producers directly affected by the bushfire with costs associated with immediate recovery activities needed to rebuild their primary production enterprises. https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1195514/FINAL-Guidelines_Special-Disaster-Grant-Bushfires-from-31-August-20192.pdf
- Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) – $15 million in additional funding for 60 new rural financial counsellors and support workers to assist primary producers. See gov.au/ag-farm-food/bushfires
- People affected by the bushfires can claim disaster payments by calling Services Australia (Centrelink) on 180 22 66 and find more information at gov.au/disaster.
Business Enterprise Centre – Key areas of support available
Business Connect Advisors
This is a FREE mobile business advisory service that is available to all businesses in NSW and subsided by the NSW government.
A team of highly experienced Advisors are available to meet with you or talk to you by phone if you wish, to discuss your business needs,
be that general information or more specific business restructuring and recovery advice and assistance.
Register at industry.nsw.gov.au/businessconnect or call 1300 134 359 to book a session with a local advisor or call directly;
Contact details-
SRBEC Office 02 6297 3121
- Paul Coker, (Business Advisor – Bega Valley and Eurobodalla LGA’s) on 0400 843 212
- Kris Laird, (Business Advisor – Snowy Monaro and Queanbeyan Palerang LGA’s) on 0427 668 781
- Narelle Blackadder, (Business Advisor – Wingecarribee and Shoalhaven LGA’s) on 0407 681 107
- Andrew Wales, (Business Advisor – Shoalhaven and Kiama LGA’s) on 0497 832 330
Digital Solution Advice
This is an initial FREE advisory service that is available to all businesses that require help with their online presence, including; websites, Facebook
and online marketing. Our team are mobile and meet with you at your business or by phone and can be contacted directly on;
SRBEC Office 02 6297 3121
Kaye Keogh, (Digital Advisor – Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Snowy Monaro LGA’s) on 0429 725 068
Tanya Creer, (Digital Advisor – Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee, and Queanbeyan Palerang LGA’s) on 0417 988 315
Lost your job?
Phone one of our Pathways Support Advisors for FREE advice and assistance on what to do next and how we can help.
Contact details-
SRBEC Office 02 6297 3121
Phoebe Turner, (Pathways Advisor – Bega Valley and Eurobodalla LGA’s) on 0447 231 494
Jae Lear, (Pathways Advisor – Snowy Monaro, Queanbeyan Palerang and Goulburn Mulwaree LGA’s) on 0427 036 420
Waste Management Solutions
Waste management will be a key focus area in the fire recovery process and SRBEC is highly experienced in the management and development of
waste management solutions for the southern region of NSW. For advice and assistance on waste solutions and management and how we can help.
Contact details-
SRBEC Office 02 6297 3121
Geoff Pryor, (Waste Management Consultant for the southern region of NSW) on 0428 930 196
ATO Assistance
The ATO will automatically grant deferrals for activity statement lodgements and payments due for anyone in the identified impacted postcodes.
Full details of these deferrals and a list of impacted postcodes are available on the ATO website – anyone affected by the fires should focus on
getting their other affairs in order and not worry about their tax obligations at this time.
If you have been impacted by these bushfires and need assistance with your tax affairs, you can contact the ATO on 1800 806 218 and the ATO
will work with you to get you back on track. More information about the assistance the ATO can offer is available on the ATO website at
ato.gov.au/naturaldisasters
Small Business Recovery Toolkit
The NSW Small Business Commission has developed a range of resources to help small business owners recover from disasters.
Visit https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/disaster-recovery to access these resources.
Solving Problems and Dispute Resolution Service
Access a confidential and free dispute resolution service which has been set up to help small businesses needing assistance to work through problems
with other businesses or government. The NSW Small Business Commission helps parties talk about their problems and work towards a solution
through negotiation and communication. We can also assist small businesses with issues in relation to insurance and regulatory concerns.
Call 1300 795 534 or visit https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/dispute-resolution
Insurance Council of Australia
Can assist policy holders determine which insurer they are with and assisting with general inquiries about the claims process.
Call 1300 728 228 or visit www.insurancecouncil.com.au
Safe Work NSW
Will replace NSW licences at no cost to those affected by natural disasters.
Call 13 10 50 or visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au
Service NSW
Will replace certificates and drivers’ licences at no cost to those affected by natural disasters.
Call 13 77 88 or visit http://www.service.nsw.gov.au/assistance-bush-fire-affected-communities
Motor Vehicle Stamp Duty Relief
Motorists whose cars have been written off as a result of a natural disaster may be eligible for a stamp duty refund on their replacement vehicle.
Call 1300 139 814 or visit https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/taxes-duties-levies-royalties/motor-vehicle-duty
Additional Assistance for Farmers
Fire affected landholders in NSW requiring emergency fodder are being urged to call the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.
For further information see dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/bushfires
Developed by the National Farmers’ Federation and funded by the Commonwealth Government, FarmHub is a one-stop shop for details on assistance
with fodder, water, transport, everyday living expenses, health and more – farmhub.org.au/explore-assistance/.
Mental Health
The following are free services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- Mensline – 1300 789 978
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
- Beyondblue – 1300 22 4636
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000.
Survey to identify areas of most need
This is a key survey where information provided by businesses will be shared with government agencies and other organisations to help them
understand issues faced by small businesses during recovery efforts.
Businesses are encouraged to complete this survey surveymonkey.com/r/bushfireSBsurvey2020.
Resources
- Small business bushfire support factsheet: nsw.gov.au/get-help/small-business-bushfire-support-january-2020 (attached).
- Get back to business – a guide to recovering from disaster is a step-by-step recovery guide for business owners
– most useful information begins on page 12, Early Recovery. - Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website – gov.au
- NSW emergency information and response website – nsw.gov.au
The Southern and Northern Region Business Enterprise Centre’s will continually update this information as it becomes available.