Support for Local Businesses

Halls Gap reopened to visitors on Wednesday, January 8. Many areas of Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park are now open. To find out what's open in the Grampians post-summer fires, visit the Parks Victoria website here. 

Thank you for your continued support as we acknowledge how difficult this event has been for you. Please do not hesitate to contact the Recovery Lead if you need assistance. 

The $5,000 grant to small businesses and eligible primary producers is NOW OPEN.

The Business Bushfire Recovery Grant program is now open for eligible small businesses, including eligible primary producers, that experienced a significant decline in their revenue due to the 2024-25 Grampians and surrounds Bushfires.  
The program provides a grant of $5,000 to eligible small businesses including primary producers located in the following Local Government Areas: Ararat, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians and West Wimmera. 
 

Eligibility

You are required to complete the Pre-Application Eligibility Checker. If your business is potentially eligible for the program, you will then receive an email inviting you to submit an application which will be pre-populated with your key business details.
To find out more information about the program eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Business Victoria website.  

 

 

Further support is available via:

  • The Business Recovery Advisory service which will be available at Halls Gap Hub on Thursday 29 May from 9.30am to 4.30pm to support Halls Gap and surrounds businesses.
  • The Northern Grampians Shire Council Recovery Lead, Rohan Gow, is onsite at the Halls Gap Hub Wednesday to Friday from 9am to 4pm each week to support you with the application process. Or you can email Rohan at rohan.gow@ngshire.vic.gov.au or call 0400 800 186 for support.
  • Emergency Recovery Victoria will be onsite at the Halls Gap Hub on Thursday 22 May to support the grant application process and data entry.
  • Business Recovery Advisory service support Business Recovery Advisory Service 2024-25 Western Victoria Bushfires | Business Victoria
  • $100,000 for Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism to deliver immediate industry support activities;
  • $5 million for an early environmental recovery package; and
  • Gate Fee Rebate Program so the community can dispose of waste from private properties relating to the impact of the bushfires free of charge.

You can read the full Business Support Package statement here.

As part of the business recovery following the Grampians Fires in 2024/25, Northern Grampians Shire Council is facilitating the formation of a Halls Gap and surrounds business advisory committee. This will support the development of a future independent business association.
 
We are looking for members to join the advisory committee in early May 2025 to help facilitate the process. Below is a Terms of Reference (TOR) that outlines the purpose, commitment and responsibilities of the business association.
 

For those who would like to be involved, please review the TOR, then email or call Rohan Gow to discuss membership and your participation.

Halls Gap business advisory committee - TOR(PDF, 781KB)

Rohan Gow
Recovery Lead
rohan.gow@ngshire.vic.gov.au
0400 800 186

Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) is a guided self-help mental health coaching program. 

It’s free, confidential and convenient. Available nationally by phone or video call, no GP referral is required. 

Over 6 sessions, your mental health coach will work with you to manage stress and overwhelm using straightforward problem-solving approaches. All mental health coaches are specially trained and have a small business background, so they understand your unique challenges.

Who can enquire?

NewAccess might be right for you if you:

  • are 18 years or older
  • own a small business, or are a sole trader, with 20 employees or fewer
  • aren't currently seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist.

How do I enquire?

Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ) delivers the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program. To enquire about NewAccess you can:

  • submit an online enquiry - here
  • by email at newaccess.smallbusiness@rfq.com.au
  • by phone on 1300 945 301
If you’re in crisis, NewAccess may not be right for you. For other support options, talk to your GP or visit Get mental health support.

Rural Financial Counselling Service Events

Support for farmers and small business owners from trained financial and wellbeing counsellors.

Wednesday, 14 May from 10am to 3pm at the Stawell Library.
For further information visit the events calendar here.

Thursday, 29 May from 10am to 3pm at the Halls Gap Hub.
Further information to come. 

Business Victoria

Factsheet-Prepare-Respond-and-Recover-from-Emergencies-2025-Version06012025.pdf(PDF, 96KB)

Victorian Small Business Commission

Guidance-requesting-support-during-hardship.pdf(PDF, 165KB)

Businesses who operate in the visitor economy are encouraged to create an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing to ensure maximum reach of your business profile.  

ATDW is an essential marketing tool for tourism businesses and events. An ATDW listing provides a presence at national, state, regional and destination levels via official tourism websites such as australia.com, visitvictoria.com, visitgrampians.com.au, visitwimmeramallee.com.au etc.

With a joint initiative between Visit Victoria and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism, tourism businesses are eligible for a 12 month free listing as response to the 2024/25 Grampians Bushfires. 

To see if you are eligible visit the Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism website here and contact Rohan Gow at recovery@ngshire.vic.gov.au for support. Business have until 30 June, 2025 to receive a free 12 month listing. 

Please note: Events and not-for-profit businesses are already entitled to free ATDW listings and are exempt for the above activity. 

Need council assistance?

Please contact Rohan Gow, Recovery Lead, by emailing recovery@ngshire.vic.gov.au or alternatively by calling 0400 800 186.

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