Grants assistance for primary producers impacted by Cyclone Marcia

12 March 2015

Commonwealth Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Queensland Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Bill Byrne today announced that additional disaster assistance has been activated for primary producers in response to Cyclone Marcia and the associated rainfall and flooding.

Mr Keenan said that the assistance was being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

“The Commonwealth and Queensland governments are committed to working together to assist communities affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia so that they can get back on their feet as soon as possible," Mr Keenan said.

“The grants being announced today will directly assist the recovery of the primary producer sector and this will in turn benefit affected communities,” Mr Keenan said.

Eligible primary producers in the local government areas (LGAs) of Livingstone and Rockhampton and targeted areas within the LGAs of Banana and North Burnett will be able to access grants of up to $25,000 to assist with their clean-up and recovery costs.

Mr Byrne said that there was extensive damage to crops, pasture and farming infrastructure and equipment as a result of the flooding from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia.

“These recovery grants will be of enormous benefit to affected farmers by providing funding for clean-up activities, the replacement of damaged equipment, and for other general repairs,” Mr Byrne said.

“I encourage all primary producers in the eligible areas who have suffered direct damage from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia to contact QRAA and test their eligibility for the grants.”

To apply for a clean-up and recovery grant primary producers can contact QRAA on 1800 623 946 or online at www.qraa.qld.gov.au.

Information regarding disaster assistance can be found on the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website at www.qld.gov.au/disaster and on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

Media contact:

Emily Broadbent 0400 390 008 (Minister Keenan’s office)

Adrian Taylor 0448 994 172 (Minister Byrne’s office)