Supporting South Australian businesses affected by bushfire
The 2019/2020 bushfire season has had a devastating effect on people and businesses in South Australia. If your business has been affected by bushfire in the Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Mount Barker, Murray Bridge, Mid Murray, Yorke Peninsula and Kingston district council areas, you can apply for financial assistance of up to $50,000 through the South Australian Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grant.
A recovery package and a range of support services are available to help you.
- Small Business Bushfire Recovery Grant
Financial assistance of up to $50,000 is available to impacted small businesses for costs associated with clean-up, restoration and rebuilding. Multiple applications can be made up to the maximum amount available under the non-profit organisation grants. Bushfire affected primary producers can also seek relevant grants and services. For more information, visit Recovery grants for bushfire affected communities in South Australia.
- Financial support after a bushfire
South Australian primary producers in bushfire affected areas can apply for the Emergency Response in Primary Industries Grant. You can receive up to $75,000 to assist with your clean up costs. Learn more about the Primary Producer Clean-up Grants.
- Primary Producer Clean-up Grants
South Australian primary producers in bushfire affected areas can apply for the Emergency Response in Primary Industries Grant. You can receive up to $75,000 to assist with your clean up costs. Learn more about the Primary Producer Clean-up Grants.
- Bushfire Recovery Grant for Apple Producers
If you are a South Australian apple producer that has suffered damage from the 2019/20 bushfires, you may be eligible to apply for a grant of up to $120,000 per hectare to assist with clean up and recovery activities. Learn more about the Bushfire Recovery Grant for Apple Producers.
- Concessional loans
Eligible South Australian small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations impacted by the recent bushfires on Kangaroo Island and at Cudlee Creek, as well as other SA regions, including Keilira in the state’s South-East and at Yorketown on the Yorke Peninsula, can now apply to the State Government for concessional loans to assist them rebuild or continue operating while the regions recover. The loans, of up to $500,000, will be available to support eligible businesses restore and replace assets and property that have been significantly damaged in the fires. Applications are open until 31 December 2020.
- Loss of Income Grant
The South Australian and Commonwealth Governments have announced Small Business Support Grants of up to $10,000 to support eligible small businesses (including primary producers) who have experienced a significant loss of income due to the South Australian bushfires that commenced 21 November 2019. The South Australian Small Business Support Grant is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Arrangements.
- SA Bushfire Appeal
The SA Bushfire Appeal was launched to raise funds for people directly affected by bushfires in Cudlee Creek and on Kangaroo Island.
- Supporting businesses
Payments were provided to those businesses in the fire footprint who experienced injury, loss or damage under a number of categories. Applications for the SA Bushfire Appeal closed 31 July 2020. To find out more, visit SA Bushfire Appeal.
- Supporting community organisations
Payments of up to $20,000 were provided to community groups and organisations to deliver programs that build community strength and resilience, replace damaged or destroyed infrastructure or support new infrastructure. Applications for Round 2 closed on Friday 11 September 2020. To find out more, visit SA Bushfire Appeal.
- Wildlife recovery grants
Landholders, community groups and researchers can now apply for recovery grants of up to $50,000 to help re-establish native habitat and support threatened and vulnerable native animals in South Australia’s bushfire affected areas. The first round of the $400,000 Wildlife Recovery Fund is open for applicants to deliver bushfire recovery projects such as native plant regeneration, feral animal and weed control, as well as projects to support species recovery like monitoring projects. For more information and to apply, visit Nature Foundation.
- Wine Grape Smoke Taint Grant
The South Australian and Federal Governments have announced a new support program for wine grape producers affected by bushfires in South Australia. Eligible businesses can access grants of up to $10,000 to help meet ongoing business costs, seek financial advice, deliver marketing activities or make improvements to ensure the business is resilient to future disasters. Successful grant applicants will need to match funds dollar for dollar. Applications close Thursday, 31 December 2020.
- Tax support
Businesses in bushfire-impacted postcodes are eligible for tax support and assistance through the South Australian Government and the Australian Taxation Office.
- Ex-gratia tax relief for the stamp duty payable on the purchase of replacement properties and motor vehicles
- Ex-gratia relief for 2019-20 and 2020-21 land tax liabilities for those directly impacted by bushfires in South Australia
- Putting on hold debt collection of Emergency Services Levy (ESL) debts.
Tax support is also available through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
For more information, call ATO’s Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218 or visit the Australian Taxation Office website.
