The Northern Rivers Commercial Property Return to Business Support Grant will provide grants of up to $50,000 to support property owners impacted by storms and floods in February and March 2022, who lease their commercial property to small and medium businesses in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.

Eligibility

To be eligible:

• you must have owned a commercial property in one of the following defined local government areas (LGAs) of Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley or Tweed Shire at the time of the February and March 2022 floods.
• be able to demonstrate that at the time of, or in the 6 months prior to, the February and March 2022 floods: you had a tenant who was operating a small or medium business; you were both the owner of the commercial property and of the small or medium business that operates at the address; or the property was advertised as available for rent;
• provide evidence that the commercial property suffered uninsured direct damage as a result of the February and March 2022 floods;
• show that you are primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the application; and
• show that you intend to repair or otherwise return the commercial property to a condition that enables a small or medium business to occupy and operate from the property.

If you own multiple eligible properties, you may apply for the grant for each commercial space owned, if you meet the above criteria. You must apply separately for each property / commercial space.

Ineligible property owners

You are not eligible if you are claiming costs previously funded by any of the following grant programs: 

• February and March 2022 storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant of up to $50,000
• Northern Rivers medium size business grant of up to $200,000
  $10,000 small business northern flood grant
• Primary producer special disaster grant of up to $75,000 for the February 2022 NSW floods
• Rural Landholders Grant of up to $25,000 for the February 2022 NSW floods.

Commercial properties are not eligible for this grant if they are:

• owned and operated by national and multinational organisations.
• mining, primary industry, forestry or fishery commercial properties
• commercial properties where there are no premises or buildings at the property address (for example, vacant blocks).

Available funding

The Northern Rivers Commercial Property Return to Business Support Grant will help commercial property owners pay for costs associated with the re-establishment, clean-up and reinstatement of commercial properties to allow tenants and occupants to return to business.

The maximum grant amount for clean-up and reinstatement is $50,000 per commercial space.  Covered costs could include, but are not limited to:

• safety inspections of property damage
• equipment or materials required for clean-up
• equipment or materials required for immediately reinstating tenants
• payment for a cleaner, if the cost would not have been incurred if the flooding had not occurred
• repairing a building, or repairing or replacing fittings in a building, if it is essential for resuming operations and is the applicant’s responsibility.

Eligible applicants may apply for up to $25,000 based on quotes or estimates for eligible costs but do not require evidence of payment at the point of application.  Where applicants seek additional funding beyond $25,000, they must provide evidence of payment for all funds claimed, including the first $25,000.

Small or Medium Business 

This is a business which, at the time of or in the 6 months prior to the 2022 Floods, employed:

• only staff with their principal place of employment inside of the LGA;s noted above; and
• less than 200 full-time-equivalent staff.

How to Apply

Once you are ready to apply, you need to call Service NSW on 13 77 88 and they will arrange an email with a secure link to the application form.

Note you have until 30 March 2023 to apply.

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If you want some help, contact me below.

Contact Wayne Wanders for your FREE Business Survival Session

At the end of this session, you will have multiple ideas on how your business can survive and thrive in these uncertain times.

Simply fill in the contact form below or email me at wayne@aRealCFO.com.au or call me on 0412 227 052 to organise one of these obligation free sessions.

Wayne Wanders, A Real CFO

wayne@aRealCFO.com.au