Disaster Assistance for Primary Producers in Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook Joint Release

Published Thursday, 29 March, 2018 at 08:37 AM

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Craig Crawford

Disaster assistance has been extended to primary producers in the local government areas of Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook, which were affected by heavy rainfall and flooding in early March.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor, who has responsibility for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said a large number of primary producers in Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook were affected by heavy rainfall and flooding.

“The floods damaged farm infrastructure and impacted production, with banana and sugar cane growers particularly affected,” Mr Taylor said.

“This assistance will provide access to concessional interest rate loans and freight subsidies for primary producers whose assets have been damaged or for those who have suffered a significant loss of income.”

Queensland Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Craig Crawford said this assistance will help eligible primary producers in the region get back on their feet.

“We continue to work closely with councils and other agencies during the recovery phase,” Mr Crawford said.

“These recovery measures are in addition to the range of assistance that has already been made available to the communities affected by this disaster."

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

Media:

0412 393 909 (Minister Crawford)

0481 907 178 (Minister Taylor)