Flood aid activated for Rockhampton, Fitzroy and Balonne shires

The Queensland Government has activated assistance for flood-affected residents, farmers and businesses in three more local government areas.

Visiting the Rockhampton region today, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has received a recommendation to activate the joint State-Commonwealth funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) for Rockhampton and Fitzroy local government ares in central Queensland and for Balonne shire in the State's south-west.

There are now 56 shires where the joint State-Commonwealth NDRAA support has been activated for heavy rain and flooding associated with the monsoonal low. NDRRA has also been activated in another 10 shires this month.

Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten and Member for Fitzroy Jim Pearce welcomed the activation of NDRRA assistance.

"While the Fitzroy River level is not expected to reach earlier predictions of up to 8.2 metres, there has been damage caused. When the water levels finally recede, we will have a much better idea of how much damage," Mr Schwarten said.

Mr Pearce said the activation of NDRRA assistance for local shires - aid was activated for Livingstone shire on Monday - would give local residents comfort that once the floodwaters recede assistance was available for the recovery.

NDRRA assistance 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.

"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% 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."

Last week, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Premier Bligh announced that grants for registered small and home-based businesses, including farmers, of up to $10,000 or up to $25,000 depending on the extent or cost of losses.

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 QRAA (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.

31 January 2008

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0418 197 350