Recovery grants extended for North Queensland floods

Small businesses and primary producers impacted by the North and Far North Queensland floods earlier this year have until the end of November to apply for recovery grants.

The Special Disaster Recovery Grants are jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Up to $75,000 is available for primary producers and up to $50,000 for small businesses and not-for-profits to help with clean-up and recovery activities.

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the grants had been extended until Friday 29 November 2019.

“Communities have come a long way but many small businesses and primary producers are still doing it tough,” Minister Littleproud said.

“We’ve extended the deadline so that this funding can get people back up and running as quickly as possible.”

In addition to the DRFA grants, affected primary producers can also access Restocking, Replanting and On-farm Infrastructure co-contribution grants of up to $400,000.

“I encourage all impacted small businesses and primary producers in eligible areas to enquire about the comprehensive range of assistance available,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Now is not the time to be shy.”

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments are committed to supporting small businesses and primary producers recover from the unprecedented disaster.

“More than $80 million in DRFA small business and primary producer grants and loans have been approved for the flooding so far, but we want to make sure that all eligible applicants have a chance to apply,” Minister Fentiman said.

“The grants were due to wind up six months after they were activated but we have agreed to extend the window to help as many people as possible access this support.

“The Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants for small business offer up to $50,000 for cleaning, repairs and replacements, leasing temporary premises and other eligible activities.

“We also recently launched a further $10 million package to support the region’s small businesses, which offers Small Business Disaster Recovery Grants and other support to assist the recovery effort.”

For information about the Primary Producer and Small Business recovery grants visit: http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au or call 1800 623 946.

There is also a range of information available for disaster affected primary producers at: https://www.nqlira.gov.au/.

For further Small Business information visit //www.business.qld.gov.au/recovery or call 1300 654 687.

Media contacts:

Robert Herrick 0432 324 576 (Minister Littleproud)

Dou Ribu 0447 372 517 (Minister Fentiman)