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 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.
  • 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; and
  • $5 million for an early environmental recovery package.

You can read the full Business Support Package statement here.

Disaster Legal Help

Communities recover more effectively when they access support services. The services below can help you identify and navigate insurance and legal issues you may have after the Grampians Bushfire and connect you to the most appropriate help. 

The services below provide free support, information, advice and referral options. 

Insurance/Legal Issues

If you have been affected by the recent bushfire in the Grampians, you can get free information and advice by call the Disaster Legal Helpline on 1800 113 432 weekdays from 8am to 6pm or email disasterlegalhelp@vla.vic.gov.au. You can also visit their website here.

Local legal assistance services Ballarat and Grampians Community Legal Service - Horsham office call 1800 466 488 weekdays 9am to 5pm or request an appointment here.

Disaster Legal Help can support you with the following examples:

  • Make an insurance claim after a disaster and ways you can escalate or resolve disputes.
  • Check your insurance policy and understand what it covers.
  • Preparation of documentation e.g. passport, birth certificate, drivers license etc.

Small Business Insurance Support

For small business insurance support, please contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service - Victoria West. Register online here or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Should you have any questions please reach out to Rohan Gow, Recovery Lead at rohan.gow@ngshire.vic.gov.au

The Halls Gap Business Advisory Committee has facilitated a workshop on Thursday, July 3 for business owners in Halls Gap and surrounds. 

The establishment of a Halls Gap and surrounds business association has been agreed with a draft action plan to be circulated and communicated once finalised. The Halls Gap Business Association draft action plan will define the vision, purpose and governance to reflect the business community needs and wants.

All Halls Gap business owners who attended the workshop and those who did not will be sent a copy of the draft document via an email in the coming weeks.

For further information contact, Rohan Gow, Recovery Lead at rohan.gow@ngshire.vic.gov.au or call 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 Support

Support for farmers and small business owners from trained financial and wellbeing counsellors. Please contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service - Victoria West. Register online here or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

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. 

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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