Published Thursday, 05 February, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
PRODUCERS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR INDIVIDUAL DISASTER STRICKEN PROPERTY DECLARATIONS IN NORTH WEST QUEENSLAND.
EMBARGOED February 6, 6AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin is reminding graziers affected by flooding in Queensland’s north west region to apply for the Individual Disaster Stricken Property Declaration (IDSP) program.
The Minister said the north-west region was struggling with the biggest flood event in about 15 years, with hundreds of thousands of hectares flooded and rivers still rising as the rain continued to fall.
“It’s a tragic situation for many producers with many hundreds of cattle dying and producers should consider applying for IDSP assistance,” the Minister said.
The wide-spread flooding in the north west has caused more than $60 million in damage to water infrastructure, roads and boundary fences.
Many towns remain isolated and it’s estimated that the floodwaters could take up to six weeks to recede.
“Many parts of the region have been doing it tough in recent times because of the drought, with towns like Cloncurry suffering from severe water shortages,” Mr Mulherin said.
“One consequence of the drought is that many producers had been de-stocking their farms and stock losses from the flooding are much less than they would have been.
“Livestock producers are destroying those animals that are unable to survive the prolonged wet conditions, and more cattle are expected to be culled in the coming weeks.“
Mr Mulherin said many graziers who had lost cattle to the flooding also faced having to spend thousands of dollars repairing infrastructure on their farms.
“That’s why I’m encouraging affected producers to apply for IDSP assistance,” he said.
“I am well aware that the first priority at times like these is looking after their families, their stock and their property, but producers do need to find the time to apply for their IDSP certificate because this assistance will help them get things back to normal as soon as it’s feasible,” Mr Mulherin said.
Despite the loss of stock and damage to infrastructure, Mr Mulherin said many graziers believed the long term benefits of the flooding event would far outweigh the costs.
“This event will be worth many tens of millions of dollars in increased production over the next two years,” Mr Mulherin said.
The DPI&F has been in regular contact with producers in north-west Queensland and the regional mayors about the impacts of the flooding and is also involved carrying out aerial surveillance of to determine the extent of the stock losses.
“At the moment helicopters are being used to distribute food to people and, where necessary, carry out evacuations,” Mr Mulherin said.
Graziers can access concessional loans of up to $250,000 at QRAA’s commercial interest rates and freight subsidies of 50 per cent of costs up to $5,000 for movement of food, building and fencing materials, stock, fodder, machinery and fuels.
Where appropriate and possible, a DPI&F officer will visit impacted properties to make an assessment, however, emailed digital photos may allow for an alternative means of assessment without a site inspection.
Impacted producers wishing to apply for an IDSP certificate should contact their local DPI&F office or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media: Matt Watson 3239 3120
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin is reminding graziers affected by flooding in Queensland’s north west region to apply for the Individual Disaster Stricken Property Declaration (IDSP) program.
The Minister said the north-west region was struggling with the biggest flood event in about 15 years, with hundreds of thousands of hectares flooded and rivers still rising as the rain continued to fall.
“It’s a tragic situation for many producers with many hundreds of cattle dying and producers should consider applying for IDSP assistance,” the Minister said.
The wide-spread flooding in the north west has caused more than $60 million in damage to water infrastructure, roads and boundary fences.
Many towns remain isolated and it’s estimated that the floodwaters could take up to six weeks to recede.
“Many parts of the region have been doing it tough in recent times because of the drought, with towns like Cloncurry suffering from severe water shortages,” Mr Mulherin said.
“One consequence of the drought is that many producers had been de-stocking their farms and stock losses from the flooding are much less than they would have been.
“Livestock producers are destroying those animals that are unable to survive the prolonged wet conditions, and more cattle are expected to be culled in the coming weeks.“
Mr Mulherin said many graziers who had lost cattle to the flooding also faced having to spend thousands of dollars repairing infrastructure on their farms.
“That’s why I’m encouraging affected producers to apply for IDSP assistance,” he said.
“I am well aware that the first priority at times like these is looking after their families, their stock and their property, but producers do need to find the time to apply for their IDSP certificate because this assistance will help them get things back to normal as soon as it’s feasible,” Mr Mulherin said.
Despite the loss of stock and damage to infrastructure, Mr Mulherin said many graziers believed the long term benefits of the flooding event would far outweigh the costs.
“This event will be worth many tens of millions of dollars in increased production over the next two years,” Mr Mulherin said.
The DPI&F has been in regular contact with producers in north-west Queensland and the regional mayors about the impacts of the flooding and is also involved carrying out aerial surveillance of to determine the extent of the stock losses.
“At the moment helicopters are being used to distribute food to people and, where necessary, carry out evacuations,” Mr Mulherin said.
Graziers can access concessional loans of up to $250,000 at QRAA’s commercial interest rates and freight subsidies of 50 per cent of costs up to $5,000 for movement of food, building and fencing materials, stock, fodder, machinery and fuels.
Where appropriate and possible, a DPI&F officer will visit impacted properties to make an assessment, however, emailed digital photos may allow for an alternative means of assessment without a site inspection.
Impacted producers wishing to apply for an IDSP certificate should contact their local DPI&F office or call the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media: Matt Watson 3239 3120