Disaster loans have been activated to support small businesses affected by widespread flooding in north and north-west Queensland. Eligible businesses across 13 local government areas can access low-interest loans of up to $250,000 to cover recovery costs, as well as up to $100,000 to maintain ongoing operations.
The assistance targets businesses in Burke, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Cloncurry, Croydon, Flinders, McKinlay, Mount Isa, Palm Island, Richmond, Townsville, Winton, and Yarrabah. The support follows severe flooding caused by a monsoon trough that brought heavy rainfall across northern Queensland during the Christmas and New Year period.
Concessional loans are designed to help businesses repair or replace damaged assets, including plant and equipment, premises, and stock, while also maintaining liquidity. Essential Working Capital Loans of up to $100,000 are available to cover operational costs such as wages, rents, rates, or necessary supplies like fuel.
Disaster support has also been extended to primary producers in Winton Shire, with loans of up to $250,000 and freight subsidies of up to $5,000. Doomadgee and Etheridge Councils have been activated to receive assistance for counter-disaster operations and essential asset repairs, bringing the total number of LGAs covered under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to 15.
All financial support is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the DRFA. Small businesses and primary producers seeking assistance or loan applications can visit the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website or call 1800 623 946. A complete list of activated LGAs and details of support is available on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s Activations page.
