Financial recovery assistance of up to $75,000 is now available for primary producers impacted by the South East Queensland rainfall and flooding event.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) were activated based on damage reports collated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
“Recent heavy rain and flash flooding has significantly impacted the agriculture sector across 17 local government areas,” Mr Furner said.
“We’ve had reports of significant loss of fences, impacts to infrastructure and supply chains, lost cattle, crop losses, and severe erosion and soil loss.
“Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has been working closely with producers, industry including AgForce and Queensland Farmer’s Federation and local governments trialling an online Natural Disaster Impact Survey where producers can directly report infrastructure, livestock and crop damage along with photos.
“This speeds up our impact assessment report to request financial assistance sooner and I want to thank producers who used this survey.
“DAF staff have also been on the ground assessing the damage to farm infrastructure, crops and livestock where it is safe to do so.
“Some areas are still covered in water, and are too dangerous because of the flood impact, but once they are secure our teams will be there.
Category B assistance will help affected producers with assistance including concessional loans of up to $250,000 and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 at a concessional interest rate, and freight subsidies of up to $5000.
“Category D assistance provides grants of up to $75,000 for affected producers to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace fencing and other costs associated with the recovery process.
“Eligible producers should take photographs of the direct damage to accompany their application. Please date stamp these photographs to show the damage is from this natural disaster event.
“Unfortunately, some of our impacted producers have already been through flood events this season and the impact to wellbeing and mental health is taking a toll.
“I encourage those who are suffering and in distress to seek support in your recovery efforts and my department is here to assist where we can.”
“I encourage primary producers outside the activated areas to continue to report their damage on our online survey so we can continue to assess if further assistance is required.”
Natural Disaster Assistance grants and loans are administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) on behalf of the Queensland and Australian governments.
For more information or to apply visit qrida.qld.gov.au or freecall 1800 623 946.
