More Shires receive government flood support

Central Highlands and Goondiwindi Regional Councils have been added to the list of local government areas where flood-impacted producers and small businesses can access concessional loans and freight subsidies.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh thanked the Minister for Police and Community Safety, Jack Dempsey, for his prompt consideration to expand the number of shires eligible for Category B disaster assistance.

The Queensland Government has now made Category B assistance available to 23 local government areas:

·         Banana Shire Council

·         Brisbane City Council

·         Bundaberg Regional Council

·         Central Highlands Regional Council

·         Fraser Coast Regional Council

·         Gladstone Regional Council

·         Gold Coast City Council

·         Goondiwindi Regional Council

·         Gympie Regional Council

·         Ipswich Regional Council

·         Lockyer Valley Regional Council

·         Logan City Council

·         Moreton Bay Regional Council

·         North Burnett Regional Council

·         Redland City Council

·         Rockhampton Regional Council

·         Scenic Rim Regional Council

·         Somerset Regional Council

·         South Burnett Regional Council

·         Southern Downs Regional Council

·         Sunshine Coast Regional Council

·         Toowoomba Regional Council

·         Western Downs Regional Council.

Mr McVeigh said Category B assistance included concessional loans to small businesses and primary producers of up to $250,000.

“There is also provision for freight subsidies of up to $5,000 for the movement of recovery materials, such as fodder and building materials,” Mr McVeigh said.

“Concessional loans can be used for repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment, buildings, purchasing replacement livestock, and carry on requirements including replanting, restoring and re-establishing disaster impacted areas, paying rates, sustenance and other essential property operations.”

For information on Category B assistance visit www.daff.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

For information on small business support visit www.business.qld.gov.au 

[ENDS] 2 February 2013

Media: Louise Gillis – 0408 709 160