Disaster assistance for NSW flood-impacted primary producers

Posted on 28 November 2022 | by Allan Hall

Primary producers affected by ongoing flooding in NSW can apply for recovery grants of up to $25,000.

The jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements are aiding those impacted by recent natural disasters.

Key points:

Grants are available for eligible primary producers in the Local Government Areas that have been disaster declared from the most recent storm and flood event.
Assistance is available for the immediate clean-up and recovery costs to repair extensive damage to properties.

A full list of eligible LGAs can be viewed on the NSW Rural Assistance Authority’s (RAA’s) Declared Natural Disasters webpage.

Primary producers are encouraged not to self-assess and should consult their local Rural Financial Counselling Service or apply for the scheme so that the RAA can determine eligibility.

For more information, or to lodge an application, visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au or call the RAA on 1800 678 593. If you are a farmer or a member of the community requiring an emergency response regarding livestock or animals, call 1800 814 647.

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Small business and non-profit storm grants extended to Northern Beaches LGA

Posted on 24 March 2022 | by Allan Hall

NSW Small Business and Primary Producer recovery grants

Grants extended for small business and primary producers to communities impacted by summer storms

The Australian and New South Wales governments have extended Small Business and Primary Producer recovery grants to help residents impacted by a number of significant storm and flood events that occurred from October 2021 to March 2022.

Key points

The $50,000 grants for small businesses and non-profit organisations will be extended to the Northern Beaches LGA impacted by a severe storm on 19 December 2021
The $50,000 Recovery Grant Program for primary producers and small businesses impacted by storms and floods in November and December 2021 has been extended to Albury, Bland, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Griffith, Hilltops, Narrandera and Temora – all of which were impacted by the Southern NSW storms and floods from 5 January 2022 onwards
Lithgow LGA was impacted by the severe storm on 11 January 2022 and is also eligible for the $50,000 Primary Producer Recovery Grants and the Small Business Recovery Grants
The Coffs Harbour LGA impacted by severe weather on 20 October 2021 will also be eligible for Small Business Recovery Grants.

Support is designed to provide targeted short-term assistance to help flood-affected communities bounce back from catastrophic floods.

The extension is provided under Category D of the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and is designed to offer equal access to small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits the tools they need to clean up, rebuild and keep operating.

Anyone in NSW who has suffered as a result of storms and floods this summer is encouraged to contact Service NSW and find out what you are eligible for or call 13 77 88.

Please liaise with the relevant agencies directly and contact us if you require support in making an application for funding.

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Relief for flood-affected communities

Posted on 15 March 2022 | by Allan Hall

Help for businesses affected by storms and floods

Financial support

We outline both state and federal financial recovery assistance for people impacted or affected by the recent NSW floods.

Please liaise with the relevant agencies directly and contact us if you require support in making an application for funding.

Small business and not-for-profit organisations

Disaster recovery grant – up to $50,000 to help pay for the cost of clean-up and resuming operations
Disaster recovery allowance – a short-term income support payment to assist if you’ve lost income as a direct result of the floods, provided by the Australian Government
Stamp duty relief – for replacing insured commercial motor vehicles written off due to floods and storms
Disaster relief loans – concessional interest rate loans up to $130,000 for small businesses and up to $25,000 for not-for-profit organisations.

Primary producers

Special disaster grant – up to $75,000 to help pay for the cost of clean-up and resuming operations
Disaster recovery allowance – a short-term income support payment to assist if you’ve lost income as a direct result of the floods, provided by the Australian Government
Stamp duty relief – for replacing insured commercial motor vehicles written off due to floods and storms
Natural disaster transport subsidy – up to $15,000 to cover costs of transporting fodder/water to an affected property, stock to sale or slaughter and stock to/from agistment
Disaster relief loans – concessional interest rate loans up to $130,000 for business continuity and to replace or repair damage not covered by insurance
Flood-affected farmers and land managers who require assistance with livestock assessment, veterinary assistance, emergency fodder and livestock euthanasia or burial, can call 1800 814 647.

Sport and recreation clubs

Disaster relief grant – up to $2,000 to assist with clean-up and restoring essential facilities and equipment
Disaster relief loans – concessional interest rate loans up to $10,000 to help meet the costs of restoring essential club facilities, equipment or other assets

Clean-up support

Flood-impacted businesses will receive clean-up assistance, including the removal of debris, mud and green waste.

Skip bins and dump trucks have started to appear on the streets. Where there are no skip bins or dump trucks available, separate waste on the kerbside until they arrive.

Cleaning up after a natural disaster can be dangerous. Here’s some advice on how to clean up safely and deal with hazardous waste.

Request clean up support »

Additional support

Use the Disaster Assistance Finder to generate a customised list of flood recovery services.

Also, taxpayers in flood-affected local government areas in NSW and QLD are provided with immediate tax relief to alleviate pressures on cash flow and operations.

The Treasurer announced that affected taxpayers will be eligible to receive the following concessions:

additional time to meet their upcoming Business Activity Statement (BAS) obligations
taxpayers paying PAYG instalments on a quarterly basis are eligible to vary upcoming instalments and receive a refund of previously paid instalments
claims for GST refunds will be expedited to ensure eligible taxpayers promptly receive their payments
small business and individual taxpayers will be able to notify the ATO about their circumstances to assist them in their situation.

The ATO has also announced that small businesses and individuals who need to lodge a BAS or instalment with an original due date of 28 February 2022 or 21 March 2022, and are not able to lodge by that date, may lodge these returns by 28 March 2022 without needing to request a lodgement deferral. Taxpayers who are unable to lodge by the new deadline of 28 March 2022 should contact the ATO and apply for a deferral as required.

The ATO has indicated that the payment due date will remain the same for these returns, but they will take an empathetic approach to the situations of affected taxpayers. Note that this concession does not apply to significant global entities or large businesses, who should contact the ATO to discuss their situation.

The ATO understands that tax is not your number one priority at this time, however you are encouraged to lodge when you can. The ATO has established an emergency Infoline on 1800 806 218 to answer any questions or provide urgent support to taxpayers.

Mental health support

Natural disasters, cleaning up and recovery can take a toll on your mental and physical health. It’s important for you to seek support and look after your own and your employees’ wellbeing.

Find out more »

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Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment flood assistance

Posted on 1 March 2022 | by Allan Hall

Commonwealth assistance for NSW and QLD flood victims

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is now available for people impacted by a flooding event.

Residents in 26 flood-affected local government areas across New South Wales and Queensland can start applying for Commonwealth financial support through Services Australia from 1 March 2022.

Eligible residents can claim support via myGov or by calling Services Australia on 180 22 66
Claims for AGDRP and DRA for NSW local government areas will be open at 2pm (AEDT) from 1 March 2022
Affected Queensland local government areas can claim AGDRP from 9am (AEST) and can claim DRA from 1pm (AEST) from 1 March 2022
The DRFA assistance provides grants of up to $180 per person, to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more.

Financial support has now been activated for Northern New South Wales local government areas of Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.

Queensland residents in Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba local government areas are also included.

These communities are in addition to the local government areas of Gympie and North Burnett, who became eligible to apply on 28 February 2022. Payments are available in Gympie and North Burnett local government areas and the Queensland Government is responsible for activating these payments.

The AGDRP is a one-off, non-means-tested payment and is available to eligible people in those affected local government areas who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury.

Disaster Recovery Allowance

The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) will also be provided into the 26 affected local government areas.

The DRA assists employees, small business persons and farmers who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster. This allowance provides for a maximum of 13 weeks payment from the date you have or will have a loss of income as a direct result of a disaster. The DRA payment is set at the maximum equivalent rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance, depending on your personal circumstances, and is taxable.

For more information on support available, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster

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SME Recovery Loan Scheme extended

Posted on 17 January 2022 | by Allan Hall

Support extended to SMEs adversely affected by COVID-19

Proposed Scheme extension to offer loans period from 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2022 with a Government guarantee of 50%.

In recognition of the continued economic impacts of the pandemic, the Government announced on 13 December 2021 that it proposes to amend the Scheme Rules to extend the SME Recovery Loan Scheme (under varied terms) to provide support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adversely economically affected by coronavirus.

Government and lenders ensure better SME access to finance to maintain and grow businesses.

The Scheme is enhancing lenders’ abilities to provide cheaper credit to otherwise viable SMEs for additional funding to get through the crisis, recover and invest in the future.

The SME Recovery Loan Scheme builds on earlier loan schemes introduced during COVID-19. Under the existing SME Recovery Loan Scheme, loans are available from 1 April 2021 until 31 December 2021 with a Government guarantee of 80%.

Under the proposed Scheme extension, loans will be available from 1 January 2022 until 30 June 2022, with a Government guarantee of 50%.

The Government’s SME Recovery Loan Scheme is designed to support economic recovery and provide assistance to SMEs dealing with the economic impacts of the coronavirus crisis. Treasury’s website will be updated with further information once the proposed amendments to the Scheme Rules have been finalised.

Contact Allan Hall Business Advisors in Brookvale