The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have announced assistance for businesses and primary producers directly impacted by the bushfires. The assistance package comprises: Assistance – $5,000 Emergency Business Grant Emergency grants of $5,000 are immediately available to small businesses and primary producers who have lost property or tools from the bushfires. The grants aim to assist businesses with immediate repair and restoration costs. Additional funding may be available for businesses significantly impacted, up to a total of $25,000, based on a damage assessment. Free business advice and counselling services Bushfire-affected businesses are able to access free, independent business advice to help them determine how best to respond to the impact of the bushfires on their business. Low-interest loan scheme Small businesses and primary producers whose physical assets have been destroyed or damaged by bushfire may be eligible for a low-cost loan through the Rural Finance Corporation. Loans for 15 years of up to $200,000 are available at a concessional rate of 3.2% p/a for the first five years. Eligibility
- All bushfire affected businesses and primary producers are eligible for free business advice and counselling services.
- Emergency Business Grants and low-interest loans to businesses and primary producers are subject to eligibility requirements. Please contact the Rural Finance Corporation (details below) for further information.
How to access the assistance Visit the Rural Finance Corporation online to apply for an Emergency Business Grant or a concessional loan or call 1800 255 925. Visit here for information on business counselling and general business advice or call 13 22 15. Financial assistance available to individuals Visit here for further information about available grants, insurance and dealing with financial matters. Grants include:
- An emergency grant of up to $1,067 is available per household for immediate and urgent accommodation, food and personal needs
- A temporary living and re-establishment grant is available to people whose principal place of residence has been made uninhabitable by bushfire
- A Commonwealth grant has been made available to provide short-term financial assistance to those affected by these fires
- A Compassion and Bereavement Payment is available to assist families of individuals who have died in the 2009 Victorian Bushfires
Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority The Victorian Government, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government, will establish this new Authority to coordinate bushfire recovery activity across Victoria. The Authority will be headed by Victoria Police Chief Commissioner, Christine Nixon. It will be responsible for coordinating activities of all Local, State and Commonwealth Government agencies, and the many community organisations involved, aimed at helping communities to recover and rebuild. More information will be published in future editions of this Update as details are finalised. How can I help? There are a range of agencies working to help those affected. You can:
- to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal Fund, call 1800 811 700
- Call the Victorian Bushfire Public Accommodation Donation Line on 1800 006 468 if you wish to donate discrete accommodation such as vacant furnished homes, holiday accommodation and offers of caravans for up to 12 months or longer
- Call the VicRelief Foodbank on 9362 8300 for corporate donations of food
How to stay informed
- Register for updates through Business Victoria
- Visit Victoria Online for information and news about the bushfires
- Contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for up to date information on total fire bans, fire restrictions and major fires
- Make your bushfire survival plan
- Call the Red Cross Information Line on 1800 727 077 for relief centres and help locating relatives, friends and missing persons
Helping those who have been through trauma and other support services There are a range of support services which offer personal, emotional, psychological and financial help to those affected. Below are some tips for helping someone who has been through trauma:
- Spend time with the stressed person, without judging or demanding; their recovery will occur in its own time.
- Offer support and a listening ear. Talking is one of the best things they can do to work things out, but they may need to go over things many more times than you expect. Try avoid giving advice or trying to solve the problems. The talking itself is important and helps to make the trauma fade.
- Help with practical tasks and chores as this enables more of their energy and time to be given to the recovery process.
- Give them time, space and patience; don’t take it personally if at times they are irritable, bad tempered or want to be alone. These are a natural part of the stress response and will pass as they recover.
- Don’t try to talk them out of their reactions, minimise the event or try to get them to look on the bright side. Stressed people need to concentrate on themselves at first; they will feel supported if you let them know you are concerned, want to help and are trying to understand. They will see your viewpoint as they recover.
Visit here for information on a range of support services including financial assistance, coping with loss and grief, health and accommodation. QUESTIONS? Other questions about your business? Don’t hesitate to contact us on 13 22 15 or email service@business.vic.gov.au
