Victoria Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher

Victorian Businesses Access Millions In Flood Relief Funding And Loans

Victor P Taffa

Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher today announced that almost 200 flood-affected businesses in Victoria have received financial assistance from the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) Business Relief Fund.

The Victorian Coalition Government has provided up to $1.5 Million for the VECCI Business Relief Fund to help businesses that were not directly flooded but were still detrimentally impacted by the floods earlier this year.

The Victorian Coalition Government has also provided more than 4,000 Clean-Up and Restoration Grants worth a total of $54 Million to affected communities and businesses through the Rural Finance Corporation.

The VECCI Business Relief Fund targeted businesses that suffered a loss of trade as a result of the floods, with 198 businesses receiving grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.

“Many businesses in the flood areas and surrounding communities were impacted by road closures and decreased levels of visitation.” Ms. Asher said.

“This funding provided much needed support to Victorian businesses enabling them to rebuild.”

VECCI Chief Executive Mark Stone said the majority of the approved applicants received grants of $5,000.

“The VECCI Business Relief Fund has again played an important role in helping businesses adversely affected by natural disasters.” Mr. Stone said.

Ms. Asher said the $1.5 million fund represented another element of the Victorian Government’s comprehensive business response to the 2010–2011 floods.

“In addition to the Clean-Up and Restoration Grants and the VECCI Business Relief Fund, the Victorian Government has also provided funding for tourism flood recovery.” Ms. Asher said.

“The Victorian Government allocated $1 Million to the Tourism Flood Recovery Program to encourage visitation in regional Victoria, and an additional $700,000 to enable flood-affected businesses to access business mentoring assistance.”