Business Incentive Program

The Flinders Shire Business Incentive Program is a Flinders Shire Council initiative to attract new investments, to support revitalisation of local Businesses, generate investment and create employment opportunities across the Flinders Shire region. The goals of this program are to increase the economic opportunities for businesses through increased patronage, support new investments that generate economic benefit to the region, support the preservation and improvement of buildings and make more attractive commercial streetscapes across townships in the Shire.

Applications must demonstrate:

• Business located within Hughenden, Prairie and Torrens Creek Town zone/ boundary (see attachment A for map).
• Business outside of designated zones must have a premises and relevant approvals in place to operate.
• Business may submit multiple applications up to the total value of grant funds available for their business category. The full funding available to an eligible business will be available up to 5 years from original approval date.
• If a business operates from multiple lot plans within approved funding zone, they will be eligible to apply for full funding allocation per block.

For more information, please read the Business Incentive Policy.

Sole Trader

• Must hold current ABN.
• Support the local industry, but not a home-based business.
• Business presence within the shire.
• Funding Allocation: capped at $2000 over 5 years.

Micro Business

• Employ 1 to 4 persons.
• ATO turnover < $2million.
• Funding Allocation capped at $5,000 over 5 years.

Small / Medium Business 

• Employ 5 to 50 persons.
• ATO turnover $2 million to < $50 million.
• Funding Allocation: capped at $10,000 over 5 years.

Business and Investors Incentive Program is for the following:

• An existing business, located within the Shire, to expand their operations.
• An existing business, located outside the Shire, to relocate or establish within the Shire; and
• A new business to establish within the Shire, in the expectation that the business will directly or indirectly provide increased employment opportunities or services for residents of the Flinders Shire.

Note: Large businesses and investments fall outside the scope of this policy and will be considered separately by Council.

The below items are considered eligible under the policy guidelines:

• Upgrade Shop Fronts
• Structural Upgrade – internal and external
• Non-mobile Plant such as digital screens, POS systems, security, A/V equipment and the like,
• Billboards & signboards
• Staff housing construction
• Council Product – eg Gravel (can only be used on a commercial and industrial blocks)
• Employee incentives to attract new staff
• Marketing materials (signs, banners, brochures, mailers, etc.)
•  IT equipment, software and supplies
• Website (redesign and/or upgrade, etc.)
• Staff training and development
• Office Furniture

Note: If request is for Council product e.g. Gravel, amount of product provided will be based on the value of the material at the time of application, including Royalty Rates payable by Council, up to the total funding amount available to the business.

The following will not be considered for funding:

• General Maintenance
• Any tasks related to day-to-day running, such as operational activities
• Any other task as deemed by Council

• All applications are to be submitted via SmartyGrants.
• In determining the level of assistance required, Council shall:
  • Ensure applications are eligible.
  • Assess application against the Selection Criteria (see above).
  • Application submitted to the Ordinary Council Meeting for decision. 
• Applicants will be advised of outcomes after the relevant Council meeting.

Successful applicants:

You will receive a formal letter and a purchase order for the financial contribution amount within 4 weeks of approval. Your business will be required to submit an invoice for payment and return your signed formal contract.

All funds must be expended, and acquittal reports completed via SmartyGrants as per your formal contract.

Further funding will not be given until acquittal reports are received and approved.

Unsuccessful applicants:

Failure to receive funding is not necessarily due to a poor application but may be the result of the demand for funds. Council reserves the right to offer a smaller amount if total budget is over subscribed.

For feedback on your application, please refer to the contact phone number given in your notification letter. You may wish to consider submitting another application at a later date.

Community Development Officer - Health and Wellbeing

Flinders Shire Council

PO Box 274

HUGHENDEN QLD 4821

P: (07) 4741 2900

E: sportandrec@flinders.qld.gov.au