Joint media release with the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC and Janelle Saffin MP
Lismore based fuel distributor, North Coast Petroleum, has rebuilt following 2022 floods, and grown its workforce to more than 250 employees, thanks to the Australian and NSW Governments Anchor Business Support Grant Program.
After severe flooding across the Northern Rivers threatened to permanently close parts of its business, McKinlay Enterprises received $4 million to aid its recovery and improve the resilience of its operations at eight sites across Lismore.
Established under joint funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the Program has helped North Coast Petroleum to:
- raise generators and sensitive electrical equipment above probable flood levels
- repair the weighbridge in South Lismore
- replace major equipment at the depot and petrol pumps, with entire service stations gutted and rebuilt.
Flood damaged buildings have also been improved using water-resistant materials and construction has commenced on an improved transport depot at McKees Hill to provide vehicle and stock storage during future floods.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister
"The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring communities are better prepared for natural disasters, so they can respond and recover quicker.
"Having grown up in the Northern Rivers, I know the long-term impacts natural disasters can have on communities and businesses.
"The Albanese Government is committed to supporting local communities as they continue their road to recovery. It's fantastic to see North Coast Petroleum reopen its doors more resilient and able to employ more locals."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty
"North Coast Petroleum has taken significant steps to build back better and improve the disaster resilience of its diverse Lismore operations.
"As one of the region's larger employers, the NSW Government knows how important it is to invest in projects like this that futureproof infrastructure in regional communities so people can stay in jobs and the economy can continue to thrive.
"By funding disaster mitigation infrastructure through the Anchor Business Support Grant Program, it means North Coast Petroleum can get back to business quicker in the face of any future flooding."
Quotes attributable to NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin
"I had every confidence that North Coast Petroleum Director and Proprietor Mick McKinlay and his team would use this flood recovery grant to build back better their Lismore operations.
"These local sites are integral to a much larger fuel and oil distribution network servicing customers throughout New South Wales and Queensland.
"I strongly advocated for the Anchor Business Support Grant Program because our larger businesses in the region employ hundreds of people, either directly or indirectly, and they needed well targeted disaster recovery funding to rebuild from the 2022 floods.
"North Coast Petroleum is going from strength to strength, having created more local jobs with the promise of more to come. It's a really positive story coming out of some dark days."
Quotes attributable to North Coast Petroleum Director Mick McKinlay
"As a result of the severe flood damage, and without the assistance of government we may well have had to close parts of the business in Lismore.
"As a family owned and operated business based in the Northern Rivers, we are committed to the region and made a conscious decision following the 2022 flood to retain all employees and their hours.
"At the time of the flood we employed 244 people across our business, the funding we received has contributed to us employing an additional 18 full-time-equivalent positions. Our growth forecasts indicate we will continue to expand year-on-year and continue to increase our local employment.
"The Anchor Business Support Grant ensured we were able to get back on our feet and it is fair to say that it has helped us save hundreds of local jobs."
