Published Wednesday, 11 February, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Minister Mulherin to visit Gulf flood areas
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin will today visit the flood affected Gulf region to see first hand the situation facing primary producers.
The Minister will be accompanied by Member for Mt Isa Betty Kiernan, AgForce President John Cotter, and DPI&F Director-General Rob Setter.
Mr Mulherin said: “I will be flying over flooded areas and hotspots to see for myself the problems facing graziers and I’ll be meeting with Mayors and Industry leaders in the towns of Cloncurry, Burketown and Normanton.
“I will discuss with Mayors and Industry the establishment of a Flood Response Taskforce to be led by my department.
“This is in addition to the regular conference call hook ups I’ve been holding with the Mayors during this flood period.
“I want to meet with the locals face to face to hear from them in person,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It’s a difficult situation for graziers in north west Queensland.”
“I’m aware of the massive commitment of men and women across the cattle industry who are working day and night ensuring that livestock are safe and have access to adequate feed.
“Working in these conditions is difficult and their efforts in managing a massive flood while trying to protect their cattle reflects the dedication of these people,” Mr Mulherin said.
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said she was eager to have the Minister come to the electorate.
Mrs Kiernan said: “With the weather deteriorating again it will be beneficial for the Minister, myself and Mr Cotter to get in these areas and meet with people who have been isolated for some time.
Yesterday Mr Mulherin announced that joint State-Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) area-wide declarations had been activated for the worst affected shires.
These arrangements apply to the Burke, Doomadgee, McKinlay, Carpentaria, Croydon and Etheridge local government areas.
Concessional loans of up to $250,000 at a current interest rate of 4% would greatly assist eligible primary producers with carry-on needs, stock replacement and essential repairs.
“Freight subsidies up to 50 per cent of their total freight costs to a combined maximum of $5,000 (excluding GST) would also provide much needed financial assistance to help primary producers transport necessary items to their flood affected properties for the purpose of assisting recovery,” Mr Mulherin said.
Prior to the NDRAA declarations producers could apply for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration for their property and producers outside the NDRAA areas can still do this.
Mr Mulherin said his department has also been working with graziers including:
• Phoning individual property owners
• Sending additional officers to the Gulf to undertake aerial surveillance
• Giving advice on stock management
Media: Mark Symons 32396530
The Minister will be accompanied by Member for Mt Isa Betty Kiernan, AgForce President John Cotter, and DPI&F Director-General Rob Setter.
Mr Mulherin said: “I will be flying over flooded areas and hotspots to see for myself the problems facing graziers and I’ll be meeting with Mayors and Industry leaders in the towns of Cloncurry, Burketown and Normanton.
“I will discuss with Mayors and Industry the establishment of a Flood Response Taskforce to be led by my department.
“This is in addition to the regular conference call hook ups I’ve been holding with the Mayors during this flood period.
“I want to meet with the locals face to face to hear from them in person,” Mr Mulherin said.
“It’s a difficult situation for graziers in north west Queensland.”
“I’m aware of the massive commitment of men and women across the cattle industry who are working day and night ensuring that livestock are safe and have access to adequate feed.
“Working in these conditions is difficult and their efforts in managing a massive flood while trying to protect their cattle reflects the dedication of these people,” Mr Mulherin said.
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said she was eager to have the Minister come to the electorate.
Mrs Kiernan said: “With the weather deteriorating again it will be beneficial for the Minister, myself and Mr Cotter to get in these areas and meet with people who have been isolated for some time.
Yesterday Mr Mulherin announced that joint State-Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) area-wide declarations had been activated for the worst affected shires.
These arrangements apply to the Burke, Doomadgee, McKinlay, Carpentaria, Croydon and Etheridge local government areas.
Concessional loans of up to $250,000 at a current interest rate of 4% would greatly assist eligible primary producers with carry-on needs, stock replacement and essential repairs.
“Freight subsidies up to 50 per cent of their total freight costs to a combined maximum of $5,000 (excluding GST) would also provide much needed financial assistance to help primary producers transport necessary items to their flood affected properties for the purpose of assisting recovery,” Mr Mulherin said.
Prior to the NDRAA declarations producers could apply for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration for their property and producers outside the NDRAA areas can still do this.
Mr Mulherin said his department has also been working with graziers including:
• Phoning individual property owners
• Sending additional officers to the Gulf to undertake aerial surveillance
• Giving advice on stock management
Media: Mark Symons 32396530