Callide residents urged to apply for flood assistance

With more destructive rains and flooding set to hit central Queensland over the next couple of days, Deputy Premier and Member for Callide Jeff Seeney urged residents in his electorate to ensure they’re aware of their eligibility for financial assistance.

Mr Seeney said many residents, primary producers and businesses in the Banana Shire, Gympie Regional, North Burnett Regional and South Burnett Regional Councils were eligible for financial assistance under QRAA arrangements.

“I encourage people in Callide to make the necessary enquiries through the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to ensure they get the help they need to recover from this year’s devastating floods,” Mr Seeney said.

“Like many other areas in central Queensland, flood-affected primary producers and businesses within these council areas are eligible for Categories B, C and D funding, with grants or loans ranging from $25,000 to $650,000 and freight subsidies up to $5,000 available.

“Officers in my department are also in regular contact with each of the councils.”

Areas in the Callide electorate currently eligible to apply for the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Scheme, which includes a loan and grant package of up to $650,000 are:

• Banana Shire Council
• Gympie Regional Council
• North Burnett Regional Council
• South Burnett Regional Council

These council areas are also eligible for Category C funding, providing clean up and recovery grants up to $25,000 for primary producers and small businesses and Category B concessional loans for primary producers and small businesses, and freight subsidies for primary producers.

Details on the assistance measures are available on the QRAA website www.qraa.qld.gov.au  or by phone on 1800 623 946.

DAFF freight subsidies are available via its website www.daff.qld.gov.au or by calling the customer information centre 13 23 25.

[ENDS] 28 February 2013

Media contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516