Flood assistance extended to Mackay region

Joint Queensland and Federal Government funding for flood-affected communities, primary producers and small businesses to four local government areas in the Mackay region.

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said he activated assistance overnight in Mackay City, Nebo, Sarina and Mirani local government areas.

There are now 46 shires where the joint State-Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRAA) have been activated for heavy rain and flooding associated with the monsoonal low. In total, NDRRA has been activated in 56 local governments, covering almost 70% of the State, this month.

The assistance, under the joint State-Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), can provide concessional loans for primary producers and small businesses affected by funding, and freight subsidies for producers as well as personal hardship assistance and costs for restoring public assets, such as roads, and for costs of local councils' extraordinary disaster management.

"Personal hardship assistance and aid to restore public assets, such as roads and bridges, and pay for council counter disaster operations has been activated in these areas," Mr Roberts said.

"For primary producers who have combatted severe drought in recent years, rain has been desperately sought. But flooding rains like these have caused damage to property infrastructure, such as fences, and there are reports of significant stock losses."

"Assistance for affected producers and small business is in the form of concessional loans of up to $150,000."

"Eligible producers can apply for up to 50 per cent of their total freight costs."

"Items for transport may include emergency fodder, building and fencing materials associated with primary production, machinery and equipment, water, and animals purchased for restocking."

"The maximum combined freight subsidy payment per property is $5000 (excluding GST)."

"Under the personal hardship provisions, people affected by flooding in these local government areas can apply for grants of up to $160 per person and $740 per family for essentials such as food, dry clothes and accommodation."

Personal hardship assistance to individuals and families is administered by the Department of Communities. The Department of Communities can be contacted on 1800 440 074.

To apply for concessional loans, producers and small businesses should contact QRRA (Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority) on 1800 623 946.

To apply for freight subsidies, producers should contact the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries on 13 25 23 or their local DPI&F inspector.

22 January 2008

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350