The Queensland Government is today delivering support to a number of small Bundaberg and Burnett businesses recovering from January’s flood event.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey said the Mentoring for Recovery (M4R) program, based on the successful Mentoring for Growth program, matched growing companies with volunteer business mentors.
M4R sessions will be held today and tomorrow in Bundaberg, after previously being held in Laidley and Gympie. Further sessions are scheduled for Gympie and Maryborough on 30 July and 31 July respectively.
“Many of the region’s small businesses were hit hard by the floods and this program is a chance for owners and operators to get practical help from private sector mentors with real-world experience in recovery issues,” Ms Stuckey said.
“Businesses taking part have been impacted significantly by natural disasters, either directly by damage or indirectly through supply chain interruptions.
“The mentors who are involved can help participating businesses re-establish their operations, sort out human resource issues, keep customers, maintain their cash flow and identify new opportunities.”
Each panel consists of up to six mentors with diverse business experience who are able to address the many scenarios faced during recovery. Businesses draw on the panel’s knowledge to develop strategies to get their operations up and running again. “Thanks to the generosity of the volunteer mentors, we are able to offer this service free of charge,” Ms Stuckey said.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said he was pleased to see local businesses taking part in the program. “It’s great to see local business owners taking advantage of the M4R program, so they have as much information as possible to return to pre-flood performance and better,” Mr Bennett said.
“In my electorate, the Wide Bay Laser Skirmish not only lost income, they lost their field. This new initiative will help them get back on their feet with mentoring on marketing and new business opportunities, plus greater understanding of legal issues around staffing.”
Member for Bundaberg Jack Dempsey said the Bundaberg community had bounced back since the January floods but everyone wanted to see the city bigger and better. “One way to do this is to make sure small businesses – the economic engine rooms of Bundaberg – have the tools they need to flourish once again,” Mr Dempsey said.
M4R is part of a range of responses to the floods, including those that help businesses become stronger and develop business resilience plans to combat future disasters.
To find out more email [email protected] or phone 3238 3047.