PRACTICAL HELP FOR DROUGHT-AFFECTED QUEENSLAND
Published Friday, 27 October, 2006 at 09:53 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Premier Peter Beattie today announced a cross-government approach to assist severely drought-affected western Queensland.
Mr Beattie said the Government would roll out a series of multi-agency community information sessions to deliver assistance and information to where it was needed most.
“The Queensland Government is providing financial aid to western Queensland through the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme, with more than $31 million distributed since January 2002,” Mr Beattie said.
“There are currently 65 shires and four part shires drought declared in Queensland, which equates to 60.6 per cent of the total land area – in addition, there are 248 individually droughted properties in a further 14 shires.
“Government agencies are delivering a range of services daily to these regions including financial counselling, livestock nutrition advice and small business advice.
“We will take this assistance to the next level, combining it into a coordinated, multi-agency one-stop-shop for western communities worst affected by this drought.
“This will not only make seeking assistance a less timely exercise for our farmers and small businesses owners, but will also ensure they are aware of the full range of aid and services available to them.”
Mr Beattie said sessions would be held in nine western towns before the upcoming school holidays.
“The worst-affected areas of Cunnamulla, Thargomindah, Quilpie, Boulia, Jundah, Longreach, Windorah, Winton and Yaraka have been given priority for these sessions, with a possibility of extending the program to other drought-affected regions in the New Year.
“This is about delivering much needed practical assistance and financial information to those doing it tough in the west.”
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said experts in a number of relevant fields would be available to provide information to producers and businesses.
“The Departments of Primary Industries and State Development will play a key role in delivering advice at these sessions, as well as members of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, rural financial counsellors, accountants and officers from the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA).
“We will also ensure advice and information is available to those eligible for the Federal Government’s Exceptional Circumstance (EC) financial assistance.
“Currently, 54 per cent of the Queensland is covered by Exceptional Circumstances and the Beattie Government is committed to assisting rural communities to access this financial relief.
“We’ve already helped many areas develop successful applications and recently appointed an agricultural economist to work with industry in developing EC applications.”
Mr Mulherin said the Government had processed 17,696 applications under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme since its introduction in 2002.
“Since the start of the current financial year on July 1, there have been 1271claims lodged, worth almost $1.8 million.
“Most claims are coming from the south region, from Chinchilla to the Roma area.
“There has been a noticeable increase in the number of claims from property owners who have never claimed for drought subsidy before.
“The affect of this prolonged drought is escalating, and the Beattie Government is stepping up its support of western Queensland in response.”
ENDS
Friday, 27 October 2006
Media: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister Mulherin’s office 3239 6530
Mr Beattie said the Government would roll out a series of multi-agency community information sessions to deliver assistance and information to where it was needed most.
“The Queensland Government is providing financial aid to western Queensland through the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme, with more than $31 million distributed since January 2002,” Mr Beattie said.
“There are currently 65 shires and four part shires drought declared in Queensland, which equates to 60.6 per cent of the total land area – in addition, there are 248 individually droughted properties in a further 14 shires.
“Government agencies are delivering a range of services daily to these regions including financial counselling, livestock nutrition advice and small business advice.
“We will take this assistance to the next level, combining it into a coordinated, multi-agency one-stop-shop for western communities worst affected by this drought.
“This will not only make seeking assistance a less timely exercise for our farmers and small businesses owners, but will also ensure they are aware of the full range of aid and services available to them.”
Mr Beattie said sessions would be held in nine western towns before the upcoming school holidays.
“The worst-affected areas of Cunnamulla, Thargomindah, Quilpie, Boulia, Jundah, Longreach, Windorah, Winton and Yaraka have been given priority for these sessions, with a possibility of extending the program to other drought-affected regions in the New Year.
“This is about delivering much needed practical assistance and financial information to those doing it tough in the west.”
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said experts in a number of relevant fields would be available to provide information to producers and businesses.
“The Departments of Primary Industries and State Development will play a key role in delivering advice at these sessions, as well as members of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, rural financial counsellors, accountants and officers from the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA).
“We will also ensure advice and information is available to those eligible for the Federal Government’s Exceptional Circumstance (EC) financial assistance.
“Currently, 54 per cent of the Queensland is covered by Exceptional Circumstances and the Beattie Government is committed to assisting rural communities to access this financial relief.
“We’ve already helped many areas develop successful applications and recently appointed an agricultural economist to work with industry in developing EC applications.”
Mr Mulherin said the Government had processed 17,696 applications under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme since its introduction in 2002.
“Since the start of the current financial year on July 1, there have been 1271claims lodged, worth almost $1.8 million.
“Most claims are coming from the south region, from Chinchilla to the Roma area.
“There has been a noticeable increase in the number of claims from property owners who have never claimed for drought subsidy before.
“The affect of this prolonged drought is escalating, and the Beattie Government is stepping up its support of western Queensland in response.”
ENDS
Friday, 27 October 2006
Media: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister Mulherin’s office 3239 6530