As small business owners across Logan continue to rebuild from the devastating impacts of the February and March floods, government agencies are working hard to “build resilience”, with a potential third La Nina looming this Summer.
With over 160 small businesses impacted by the historic floods earlier this year, ‘Strengthening Business’– a service under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme that seeks to rebuild businesses, is well underway.
It comes as BOM recently revealed there was a 70% chance of La Nina forming again, which would increase the chances of above-average rainfall during Spring and into Summer.
“Logan is a resilient bunch,” Strengthening Business Facilitator James Christie said.
“A lot of these small business owners were pushed to the wall.
“Our purpose is to help those small medium enterprises that have been hit by flooding and try to get them back on their feet.”
Mr Christie is one of 17 Facilitators who provides business advice to Logan-based flood-affected businesses; such as a physiotherapy center and a small Asian Grocer, and helps them recover and become more resilient to protect themselves in the future.
“A lot of small businesses, which are the backbone of employment in Australia and also community, were impacted.
“But there are a small number, maybe a dozen, who are still struggling.”
Mr Christie says while many small businesses in the community are back on their feet, some owners are having difficulty recovering.
“A few are financially struggling, and mentally–that mental health is a big component, some people just said: ‘I can’t go on any further, I don’t know how I’m going to face this?’
“It’s not to be dismissed, this whole thing has pushed a lot of people to the boundaries of their mental health.
“And a lot of them are doubting themselves, and when you throw Covid on top of it, ‘what’s next? has been the question.”
According to BOM, La Niña could return by early to mid Spring, and if the climate driver is declared, it would be the third consecutive La Niña summer.
And with only a short break between La Niñas, the soil may not have enough time to dry out across the state, meaning an increased risk of flooding is on its way if La Niña does develop.
But Mr Christie says the people he works with will be much better prepared if La Niña does strike.
“It’s rewarding seeing that community strengthening.”
In response to the previous floods, the Queensland Government has put $224m into disaster recovery and resilience grants for councils, state agencies, and organisations.
