This grant provides financial support to small and family businesses in Ingham and surrounding areas that lost power for 5 consecutive days or more due to the de-energising of the Ingham substation in early 2025.

This was caused by the North and Far North Tropical Low weather event (29 January to 28 February 2025).

Your business must have lost perishable stock due to the event, but was not insured for these losses and is facing exceptional circumstances or hardship. 

This includes:

• replacement of spoiled food items, including meats, seafood, dairy products, beverages, fresh produce and prepared meals
• replacement of perishable ingredients and raw materials used in food preparation
• replenishment of perishable retail merchandise such as flowers, certain cosmetics, and medications requiring refrigeration.

We will not fund expenses already supported through other disaster grants or loans, such as the Disaster Assistance Loan or the Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan, or damages or losses funded through insurance claims.

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

• have less than 20 full-time equivalent employees at both the time of the disaster and the time of application
• have an annual turnover of less than $10 million
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the disaster
• be registered for GST at both the time of the disaster and the time of application
• be located in Ingham or surrounding areas at the time of the disaster and be able to demonstrate a direct operational impact from the de-energising of the Ingham substation
• have been trading immediately before being affected by the disaster
• have experienced a loss of power for 5 or more consecutive days, resulting in the loss of uninsured perishable goods
• be the holder of a business electricity account registered with a National Meter Identification (NMI) number in the Ergon Energy electricity distribution network.
• be reported by Ergon Energy, confirming that the premises experienced a power outage for more than 5 consecutive days due to the de-energising of the Ingham substation
• provide details and copies of relevant insurance policies and claims. If eligible to claim losses under insurance, you must finalise this claim before applying for assistance
• not have received approval for funding under the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants - North and Far North Tropical Low
• provide satisfactory evidence of the stock loss being claimed, and proof of payment of replacement costs
• be primarily responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the application
• demonstrate an intent to continue (or have continued) in business after the disaster event
• not be insolvent or under external administration
• not have owners/directors that are undischarged bankrupt.

• Email: disastergrants@desbt.qld.gov.au