Queensland’s Small Business Commissioner (QSBC) Dominique Lamb has waived mediation fees for small business/retail shop tenants and landlords affected by Cyclone Jasper and the SEQ storms under section 6(3) of the Small Business Commissioner Regulation 2022.
The period of the waiver is for disputes lodged with the QSBC is between 25 December 2023 to 13 June 2024 for SEQ businesses and 13 December 2023 to 13 June 2024 for those affected by the cyclone.
“We know from past natural disasters that small business tenants and their landlords may need support in resolving disputes that have arisen from the disaster event, such as disagreements about repairs of the leased premises,” Ms Lamb said.
“The QSBC is ready to support impacted small businesses to help informally resolve these disputes and, if necessary, provide them with impartial mediation through an experienced and accredited mediator to come to an agreement.
“I have exercised my statutory power to waive the mediation fees for impacted businesses to help promote access to mediation and ensure there is no financial barrier for businesses to access this vital service.”
Parties to a retail shop or small business lease in the following Local Government Areas at the time of Cyclone Jasper will be eligible for the mediation fee waiver:
- Cairns Regional Local Government Area
- Cassowary Coast Local Government Area
- Cook Shire Local Government Area
- Douglas Shire Local Government Area
- Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Local Government Area
- Mareeba Shire Local Government Area
- Tablelands Regional Local Government Area
- Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Local Government Area
- Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Local Government Area
The mediation fee is currently $371.
More on disaster assistance can be found at www.disasterassist.gov.au or www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.
Share this article