Bushfire assistance grants available to more Queensland primary producers

Published Monday, 24 February, 2020 at 03:55 PM

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries
The Honourable Mark Furner

Impacted farmers in an additional 11 local government areas across Southern and Eastern Queensland will now have access to grants of up to $75,000 to assist with their bushfire recovery.

The grants are being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and are available to bushfire-impacted farmers in the Bundaberg, Gladstone, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Noosa, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba local government areas.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the grants would help impacted farmers get their businesses and livelihoods back on track.

“These fires came on the back of prolonged drought and have been a devastating blow to farmers that have held on for so long,

“Helping farmers get back on their feet also helps communities get back on theirs.

“We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with impacted communities to ensure they receive the best possible support.”

Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the grants would provide certainty for farmers struggling to make ends meet.

“These grants are a vote of confidence in our primary producers and demonstrate their importance in our regional communities,

“The Queensland and Commonwealth governments will continue to work together to help our farmers who are doing it tough as a result of these fires.

“I encourage all impacted farmers in the activated regions to apply.”

For more information on the eligibility for primary producer grants contact the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister Littleproud - Douglas Ferguson 0455 448 985

Minister Furner - Ron Goodman