Grants gain for flood-hit business

TWENTY eight minutes.

That's how much time Business Enterprise Centre Ipswich Region manager Tony Axford had to warn and evacuate 18 businesses from the Turley Street incubator hub before the flood waters hit a fortnight ago.

The site allows for people with a home business to expand and grow in a supportive environment.

Tenant Andrew Nelson is an auto electrician who lost half his equipment and all his electrical goods in the deluge.

Mr Nelson and his wife Kathleen live in Mount Crosby so weren't able to return to their business until almost a week after the flood.

“My daughter Claire got in and started the massive clean- up,” Mr Nelson said.

“Her friend Hayley Mathews, Jeff and our apprentice Cameron have done an amazing job.”

Mr Axford said grants were available for any Ipswich business damaged in the floods.

“We'll act as a bureaucratic buffer for people who need money to restart their business,” Mr Axford said.

“There are state-funded grants of $5000 available for clean-up and $20,000 after that.”

The Ipswich Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Michael Munt praised the BECIR's efforts and said more than 100 business people have attended the daily workshops so far.

Four Business Recovery Centres were up and running as of Monday.

The centres will provide a range of services including assisting with queries about the flood recovery grants, matching businesses with suppliers, helping them locate the materials they need to continue operation.

DEEDI is located at Ipswich Centre, 225 Brisbane Street, Ipswich; the BECIR is at 26 East Street, Ipswich.

MAX Employment is at 21 Queen Street, Goodna, and the Office of Economic Development.

Ipswich City Council is at 40 South Street, Ipswich.