PM and Premier activate fodder drops for NW flood areas

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PM and Premier activate fodder drops for NW flood areas

Fodder drops – worth up to $3 million - to flood-stricken stock in the North West will begin immediately under special Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements agreed today between the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.

“Hotspots in the Croydon-Normanton Flood Zone - the lower reaches of the Norman, Flinders and Cloncurry River systems – are experiencing on-going flooding – and they will be our priority,” said the Premier.

“The first of the drops could begin as early as this afternoon,” she said.

The Prime Minister said that the Australian Government is committed to assisting with the relief and recovery of Queensland Communities adversely affected by the recent severe flooding.

“We are currently providing assistance to Queensland to help meet the costs of personal hardship and distress caused by these floods.

“Today’s agreement will enable us to address the considerable animal welfare concerns caused by the severity of these floods,” the Prime Minister said

Ms Bligh said that many towns remain isolated and floodwaters have damaged roads, boundary and internal fences and farm infrastructure across the region.

“However, the extent of this will be better known when floodwaters recede, but the need now is for targeted helicopter fodder drops for animal welfare reasons.

“On-going flooding means aircraft, fuel and fodder are needed to help feed flood-stricken stock now and this money will make it happen.

“Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin and local MP Betty Kieran have made strong representations to me on the need for some targeted drops,” said the Premier.

Mr Mulherin said: “When I met with beef producers last week I said we were working on a contingency plan based on a second rain event and that is now the situation.”

The Premier said that she had been in contact with AgForce and they have welcomed today’s commitment.

“Despite the losses and the infrastructure damage, this rainfall event will be worth many tens of millions of dollars in increased production for graziers.

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“Many graziers who have been struggling with the ongoing drought are now at risk of losing cattle and having to spend thousands of dollars repairing infrastructure on their farms,” she said.

Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin last week announced that the State Government is offering concessional loans and freight subsidies to help primary producers recover from recent flooding in the North West.

Joint State-Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) have been activated to help primary producers in the Burke, Doomadgee, McKinlay, Carpentaria, Croydon and Etheridge local government areas.

Mr Mulherin said the 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.”

“Primary producers outside the declared areas should consider applying for Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) said Mr Mulherin

Where appropriate and possible, a DPI&F officer will visit impacted properties to make an assessment, but modern technology such as digital cameras and emailed 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 Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500