McKinlay Shire Access To Small Business Recovery Assistance Grant
Published on 02 June 2026
2nd June 2026
McKinlay Shire Secures Access to Small Business Recovery Assistance Grant
McKinlay Shire Council has welcomed the Queensland Government's decision to activate the Small Business Recovery Assistance Grant Program for businesses impacted by the 2025 Queensland Monsoon Trough, Cyclone Koji, Cyclone Narelle and associated severe weather events.
The announcement follows months of sustained advocacy by McKinlay Shire Council to ensure the significant indirect impacts experienced by local businesses were recognised alongside areas that sustained direct physical damage.
Mayor Janene Fegan said the activation was an important acknowledgement of the challenges faced by businesses across the Shire during one of the most disruptive periods in recent memory.
"While many businesses did not suffer direct damage to their premises, the reality is that prolonged road closures, freight disruptions, reduced visitation, supply chain interruptions and economic uncertainty created significant hardship across our community," Mayor Fegan said.
"Our businesses demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the event, but many experienced reduced trade and increased operating costs through no fault of their own. This funding recognises those impacts and provides meaningful support as businesses continue their recovery."
Since the weather event commenced in late December 2025, McKinlay Shire Council has worked closely with local businesses, government agencies and elected representatives to demonstrate the widespread economic consequences of the disaster across the region.
Mayor Fegan said Council was grateful that the voices of local business owners had ultimately been heard.
"This outcome is the result of a collective effort. We thank every business owner who shared their experiences, provided information and helped us demonstrate the genuine impacts felt throughout McKinlay Shire."
"Council remained persistent in advocating for our business community because we knew the impacts were real. We are extremely pleased to see that advocacy result in practical assistance for local operators."
Under the program, eligible businesses may apply for grants of up to $15,000 (excluding GST) to assist with extraordinary recovery costs.
Funding may be used for expenses including employee wages and salaries, rent or rates, replacement of eligible lost or spoiled stock, marketing and promotional activities, and other costs associated with re-establishing business operations and maintaining employment.
To be eligible, businesses must be located within McKinlay Shire, employ fewer than 20 employees, have an annual turnover of $10 million or less, hold an active ABN and GST registration, and demonstrate that for at least 14 consecutive days they were unable to trade or experienced a reduction in revenue of at least 70 per cent compared with the same period in the previous year.
Applications are now open and will close at 5:00pm on 5 May 2027, or earlier if available funding is exhausted.
Mayor Fegan encouraged eligible businesses to review the guidelines and submit applications as soon as possible.
"This funding provides an important opportunity for local businesses to access support and strengthen their recovery. We encourage all eligible operators to investigate the program and submit an application."
Further information, eligibility guidelines and application details are available through the Queensland Government's Small Business Recovery Assistance Grant Program.
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Media Release(PDF, 358KB)
Word Count: 490
Contact: Mayor, Janene Fegan, - McKinlay Shire Council
Email: mayor@mckinlay.qld.gov.au or PH: (07) 4746 7166