Primary producer and small business grants extended for Cyclone Yasi affected areas
Published Wednesday, 23 February, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin today announced the extension of grants for primary producers and small businesses for cyclone impacted parts of Charters Towers, Etheridge and Flinders local government areas.
Mr Mulherin said in the defined parts of these local government areas primary producers and small businesses will be eligible to receive grants of up to $25,000 for clean up and recovery.
“The extent of damage caused by Cyclone Yasi is unprecedented and we want to help primary producers and small businesses get back up and running as soon as possible,” Mr Mulherin said.
“These funds will help with urgent repairs to fences and cattle yards, as well as removal of trees across roads.
“The grants will also help with general cleanup, removal of debris and repairs to roads, fences, dams and other essential infrastructure.
“This sort of targeted financial assistance will help primary producers and small businesses minimise their economic losses as they embark on the very difficult recovery and reconstructions period that lies ahead.”
Mr Mulherin said the eligible regions within these local government areas were the most severely impacted by Cyclone Yasi.
“I will be travelling through these regions over the next couple of days and will be speaking firsthand to affected graziers about the damage they received and how to access this assistance,” he said.
“Primary producers and small businesses in the area within northern Charters Towers, northern Flinders and southern Etheridge Council areas have suffered severe widespread destruction to roads, boundary fences, buildings and other infrastructure.
“This is as a result of very destructive winds, heavy rain and massive numbers of downed trees.
“In the Little Creek area of Etheridge Shire Council, record flooding causing damage to fences and other infrastructure has been widespread.
“It is considered that, without the provision of assistance such as the Category C Recovery Grants, the negative impact of the natural disaster in these communities will be prolonged.”
Federal Minister for Queensland Floods Recovery, Senator Joe Ludwig, said this announcement built on the Cyclone Yasi support package announced by the Deputy Prime Minister last week.
“The Federal Government understands that the scope of Cyclone Yasi is widespread and has impacted inland communities in North Queensland,” Minister Ludwig said.
“As the majority funder of natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements the Gillard Government is committed to supporting Queensland as it rebuilds following Cyclone Yasi.
“The Commonwealth has already supported individuals directly in North Queensland through the payment of over $252 million in Australian Government Disaster Relief Payments. Further, $1.7 million has been paid to eligible individuals through the Disaster Income Relief Subsidy.
“The Gillard Government remains committed to supporting the Queensland recovery effort for the long term.”
The eligible regions with the three local government areas are defined as:
• Charters Towers Regional Council north of latitude 20 degrees, 12 minutes south between the Flinders Shire border and the Pentlands - Gregory Springs Road, and north of a line following down the Basalt River, up the Burdekin River and the Star River, and north of the Harvey Range Road between the Star River and the Townsville Regional Council border.
• Etheridge Shire Council south of the Gulf Developmental Road, and including Inorunie Station.
• Flinders Shire Council north of latitude 20 degrees, 12 minutes south.
Mr Mulherin also announced the extension of Category B assistance to the entire local government area of Flinders.
“This allows eligible small businesses and primary producers in the Flinders Shire Council to access concessional loans of up to $250,000 and freight subsidies up to $5,000.
“Further assistance may also be extended to other areas once the full impact in each area can be properly assessed as this natural disaster continues to unfold.
“The Bligh Government will continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure the recovery happens as quickly as possible,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information on assistance that’s available contact Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority 1800 623 946 or www.qraa.qld.gov.au
Media: Minister Mulherin: 0459162226
Minister Ludwig: 0423823843
Mr Mulherin said in the defined parts of these local government areas primary producers and small businesses will be eligible to receive grants of up to $25,000 for clean up and recovery.
“The extent of damage caused by Cyclone Yasi is unprecedented and we want to help primary producers and small businesses get back up and running as soon as possible,” Mr Mulherin said.
“These funds will help with urgent repairs to fences and cattle yards, as well as removal of trees across roads.
“The grants will also help with general cleanup, removal of debris and repairs to roads, fences, dams and other essential infrastructure.
“This sort of targeted financial assistance will help primary producers and small businesses minimise their economic losses as they embark on the very difficult recovery and reconstructions period that lies ahead.”
Mr Mulherin said the eligible regions within these local government areas were the most severely impacted by Cyclone Yasi.
“I will be travelling through these regions over the next couple of days and will be speaking firsthand to affected graziers about the damage they received and how to access this assistance,” he said.
“Primary producers and small businesses in the area within northern Charters Towers, northern Flinders and southern Etheridge Council areas have suffered severe widespread destruction to roads, boundary fences, buildings and other infrastructure.
“This is as a result of very destructive winds, heavy rain and massive numbers of downed trees.
“In the Little Creek area of Etheridge Shire Council, record flooding causing damage to fences and other infrastructure has been widespread.
“It is considered that, without the provision of assistance such as the Category C Recovery Grants, the negative impact of the natural disaster in these communities will be prolonged.”
Federal Minister for Queensland Floods Recovery, Senator Joe Ludwig, said this announcement built on the Cyclone Yasi support package announced by the Deputy Prime Minister last week.
“The Federal Government understands that the scope of Cyclone Yasi is widespread and has impacted inland communities in North Queensland,” Minister Ludwig said.
“As the majority funder of natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements the Gillard Government is committed to supporting Queensland as it rebuilds following Cyclone Yasi.
“The Commonwealth has already supported individuals directly in North Queensland through the payment of over $252 million in Australian Government Disaster Relief Payments. Further, $1.7 million has been paid to eligible individuals through the Disaster Income Relief Subsidy.
“The Gillard Government remains committed to supporting the Queensland recovery effort for the long term.”
The eligible regions with the three local government areas are defined as:
• Charters Towers Regional Council north of latitude 20 degrees, 12 minutes south between the Flinders Shire border and the Pentlands - Gregory Springs Road, and north of a line following down the Basalt River, up the Burdekin River and the Star River, and north of the Harvey Range Road between the Star River and the Townsville Regional Council border.
• Etheridge Shire Council south of the Gulf Developmental Road, and including Inorunie Station.
• Flinders Shire Council north of latitude 20 degrees, 12 minutes south.
Mr Mulherin also announced the extension of Category B assistance to the entire local government area of Flinders.
“This allows eligible small businesses and primary producers in the Flinders Shire Council to access concessional loans of up to $250,000 and freight subsidies up to $5,000.
“Further assistance may also be extended to other areas once the full impact in each area can be properly assessed as this natural disaster continues to unfold.
“The Bligh Government will continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure the recovery happens as quickly as possible,” Mr Mulherin said.
For more information on assistance that’s available contact Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority 1800 623 946 or www.qraa.qld.gov.au
Media: Minister Mulherin: 0459162226
Minister Ludwig: 0423823843