Flood-impacted Ipswich businesses supported by council and GIVIT appeal
26 July 2022
Ipswich City Council is working with national not-for-profit donation platform GIVIT for their Queensland Small Business Hardship Appeal, boosting support to local small businesses that are experiencing hardship due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and twin flood events earlier this year.
Local Disaster Management Group Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said council is delighted to work with GIVIT, who provide a smart way to help those in need across the country.
“As Queensland’s first Small Business Friendly Council, council is delighted to be the first council in Australia to work with GIVIT to support small businesses experiencing hardship,” Mayor Harding said.
“Ipswich’s small businesses are the beating heart of our economy with over 10,000 registered small business in the region, which includes over 6,000 sole operators or micro-businesses and the remaining are small businesses with less than 20 staff.”
Economic and Industry Development Committee Chairperson Councillor Nicole Jonic said businesses have experienced enduring challenges from the pandemic, flood events and other disruptions that have caused tremendous hardship to owners and their staff.
“Council’s ability to support flood-impacted businesses will be bolstered by our ongoing relationship with GIVIT who will help manage offers of donated goods, services and corporate offers of assistance,” Cr Jonic said.
“The collaboration between council, State Government and the not-for-profit sector means assistance is coordinated and targeted to best help Ipswich businesses, community organisations and residents in need after the twin flood events earlier this year.”
GIVIT CEO Sarah Tennant said that GIVIT is the smart way to assist small businesses experiencing hardship.
“Whether it is new tools for a tradie suffering from financial hardship, or furniture for a café that lost everything in the floods, these requests are listed on GIVIT.org.au for generous Queenslanders to browse what’s needed and donate,” Ms Tennant said.
“For people that may not have something to donate but still want to help, many of these items can be funded with 100 per cent of publicly donated money received by GIVIT used to purchase the item listed.
“We know that the past few years have been tough for small businesses across Queensland, the GIVIT platform connects people who have something to give, with the people that need it.”
Goodna business owners Graham and his son Daniel Taylor of Alpha 1 Memorials said if it was not for the support provided by council, they would not have continued to operate after more than 2.5 metres of water flowed through their business during the February 2022 floods.
“Following the flood, our business was left completely destroyed and we lost nearly everything including specialist tools and equipment,” Graham Taylor said.
“I had a lot of kind offers from the community and other businesses. However, I did not know where to start with the massive recovery task ahead while also ensuring we could finish important work for customers and families wanting to honour lost loved ones.
“Council have provided a coordinated approach of what we need to help the business continue to recover and be able to serve our community.”
Mayor Harding said GIVIT is a practical and smart way to help small businesses in hardship to repair or replace equipment or facilities essential to recovering from the flood events earlier this year.
“Getting our small businesses back on their feet with what they need strengthens our wider community and builds our future prosperity, which is a key priority for the council,” Mayor Harding said.
Donors can help local businesses impacted by recent floods can pledge their support at GIVIT.org.au/appeals/givit-together/queensland-small-business-hardship-appeal
A range of support and information is also available for local businesses impacted by recent floods.
Visit Business Ipswich, email business@ipswich.qld.gov.au or contact the Queensland Small Business Commissioners office on 1300 312 344 for information to help you get back on your feet.