Biz/Ag grants also extended

Gympie small businesses and primary producers will have a greater chance of moving on, with flood assistance funding applications being extended until early September.

Primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit agencies still recovering from the devastating floods of early 2022 now have more time to apply for Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants of up to $75,000.

Eligible primary producers can apply for grants of up to $75,000 and eligible small businesses and not-for-profits can apply for grants up to $50,000.

The assistance measures are being made available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Grants associated with the South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding, 22 February – 5 April 2022 event have been extended until 8 September 2023.

Gympie is one of the Queensland local government areas activated for the February-April 2022 event and the 6 – 20 May 2022 event, which has also been extended, but only until 1 September 2023.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the extension of grants to eligible recipients will help primary producers and businesses continue recovering.

“These extraordinary assistance grants provide funding for a range of clean-up and recovery activities, including salvaging crops and making repairs to damaged fencing for primary producers,” Minister Watt said.

“Extending the dates to apply for grant funding will ensure no one impacted by last year’s floods misses out on accessing vital support.”

Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said funding will also go towards the repair of flood-damaged equipment, flooring and walls for small businesses and not-for-profits.

“To date, close to $150 million in extraordinary assistance grants have already been distributed to more than 8000 flood-affected primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits in response to the floods,” Mr Furner said.

“We understand there continues to be challenges on the road to recovery, including trade shortages and supply chain delays, and these have a knock-on effect to disaster repairs.

“Giving our hardworking farmers, small business operators and not-for-profit organisations more time to apply for funding is one way we can help relieve the pressures being faced.”

For information on grant assistance visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or call 1800 623 946.

Further information can also be found on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website.