Published Wednesday, 06 December, 2006 at 01:43 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
DROUGHT FREIGHT SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE
Livestock producers in Queensland Shires that are not drought declared can apply for an Individually Droughted Property (IDP) status to enable them to access freight cost subsidies.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said producers battling water and fodder shortages from shires such as Calliope and Miriam Vale that were not drought declared should lodge an IDP application.
“An IDP provides the same access to the State’s Drought Relief Assistance Scheme as producers located in a drought declared shire,” Mr Mulherin said.
“DRAS provides freight subsidies to eligible primary producers for the transport of fodder and water.
“The freight subsidy also applies to livestock returning to the home property from agistment and for restocking in the drought recovery period.”
IDP applications and freight subsidy forms are available from the biosecurity inspector at the nearest Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries office.
Mr Mulherin said further information relating to drought feeding and pasture management was available from the Department’s beef extension officers.
DPI&F farm financial counsellors were ready to assist all producers to apply for carry-on finance through the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA).
For those producers eligible for the Federal Government’s Exceptional Circumstance (EC) financial assistance which currently encompassed the bulk of Central Queensland, Centrelink could provide farm family support payments and access to Health Cards and Youth Allowance. Centrelink’s drought assistance hot line is 13 23 16.
Drought assistance information was available through the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 and drought application forms were available on line at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/drought.
Media: 323 96530
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said producers battling water and fodder shortages from shires such as Calliope and Miriam Vale that were not drought declared should lodge an IDP application.
“An IDP provides the same access to the State’s Drought Relief Assistance Scheme as producers located in a drought declared shire,” Mr Mulherin said.
“DRAS provides freight subsidies to eligible primary producers for the transport of fodder and water.
“The freight subsidy also applies to livestock returning to the home property from agistment and for restocking in the drought recovery period.”
IDP applications and freight subsidy forms are available from the biosecurity inspector at the nearest Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries office.
Mr Mulherin said further information relating to drought feeding and pasture management was available from the Department’s beef extension officers.
DPI&F farm financial counsellors were ready to assist all producers to apply for carry-on finance through the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA).
For those producers eligible for the Federal Government’s Exceptional Circumstance (EC) financial assistance which currently encompassed the bulk of Central Queensland, Centrelink could provide farm family support payments and access to Health Cards and Youth Allowance. Centrelink’s drought assistance hot line is 13 23 16.
Drought assistance information was available through the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23 and drought application forms were available on line at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/drought.
Media: 323 96530