Published Wednesday, 23 January, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
DPI&F flies in to assess flood damage for producers
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) Tim Mulherin has today seen first-hand some of the worst flood-affected areas around the town of Emerald.
The Minister said aerial assessments were being undertaken to gauge the impacts of the flooding.
“I flew by helicopter over the Belyando region with AgForce CEO Brett De Hayr to confirm the impacts on primary producers,” Mr Mulherin said.
“I had seen the footage of the floods on television but nothing could prepare me for the sheer scale of the flooding and the incredible volume of water spreading across the landscape.
“My department is undertaking aerial surveys to assess stock and crop losses, damage to infrastructure, and to monitor any animal welfare situations where livestock may be stranded by floodwaters.
“AgForce is partnering in the surveys and I have asked my Director-General Mr Jim Varghese to provide all the information from these surveys to the State Disaster Management Group, which is chaired by the head of the Premier’s Department.
“DPI&F is also maintaining a register for cattle and horses that may have been washed downstream in the flood.
“We ask that any producers who have lost stock contact DPI&F on 13 25 23 so that this information can be used for the impact assessment.”
The recent monsoonal flooding means large areas of Queensland are now natural disaster declared, with joint state-commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) activated.
“The aerial assessments are key to determining what emergency assistance producers need to help get them through this difficult time,” Mr Mulherin said.
“We’ve already identified stranded cattle and DPI&F is working with AgForce, Emergency Services and producers to deliver urgent fodder drops along the Belyando and associated flood systems.
“Government vets will also be providing advice to producers to ensure the wellbeing of cattle.
“Immediate assistance to aid recovery is also already available through NDRRA for primary producers via concessional loans and freight subsidies.”
Over the coming days further aerial assessments will be conducted on other flood affected areas where there may also be livestock and crop losses.
The good news for producers will be the overall benefits of the rainfall which are expected to far outweigh the costs over the next year or so.
“Increased soil moisture will mean pasture growth and a good summer and winter crop response, and future irrigated crops in the region will benefit from full dams,” Mr Mulherin said.
To apply for freight subsidies (fodder and restocking), contact your local Biosecurity Inspector or DPI&F on 13 25 23 or www.dpi.qld.gov.au
For information on concessional loans contact QRAA on Free call 1800 623 946 or www.qraa.qld.gov.au
Media contact: David Potter 0409 305 662
The Minister said aerial assessments were being undertaken to gauge the impacts of the flooding.
“I flew by helicopter over the Belyando region with AgForce CEO Brett De Hayr to confirm the impacts on primary producers,” Mr Mulherin said.
“I had seen the footage of the floods on television but nothing could prepare me for the sheer scale of the flooding and the incredible volume of water spreading across the landscape.
“My department is undertaking aerial surveys to assess stock and crop losses, damage to infrastructure, and to monitor any animal welfare situations where livestock may be stranded by floodwaters.
“AgForce is partnering in the surveys and I have asked my Director-General Mr Jim Varghese to provide all the information from these surveys to the State Disaster Management Group, which is chaired by the head of the Premier’s Department.
“DPI&F is also maintaining a register for cattle and horses that may have been washed downstream in the flood.
“We ask that any producers who have lost stock contact DPI&F on 13 25 23 so that this information can be used for the impact assessment.”
The recent monsoonal flooding means large areas of Queensland are now natural disaster declared, with joint state-commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) activated.
“The aerial assessments are key to determining what emergency assistance producers need to help get them through this difficult time,” Mr Mulherin said.
“We’ve already identified stranded cattle and DPI&F is working with AgForce, Emergency Services and producers to deliver urgent fodder drops along the Belyando and associated flood systems.
“Government vets will also be providing advice to producers to ensure the wellbeing of cattle.
“Immediate assistance to aid recovery is also already available through NDRRA for primary producers via concessional loans and freight subsidies.”
Over the coming days further aerial assessments will be conducted on other flood affected areas where there may also be livestock and crop losses.
The good news for producers will be the overall benefits of the rainfall which are expected to far outweigh the costs over the next year or so.
“Increased soil moisture will mean pasture growth and a good summer and winter crop response, and future irrigated crops in the region will benefit from full dams,” Mr Mulherin said.
To apply for freight subsidies (fodder and restocking), contact your local Biosecurity Inspector or DPI&F on 13 25 23 or www.dpi.qld.gov.au
For information on concessional loans contact QRAA on Free call 1800 623 946 or www.qraa.qld.gov.au
Media contact: David Potter 0409 305 662