Rent reprieve for cyclone-impacted primary producers in North Queensland

More than 1500 primary producers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Niran will receive a land rent reprieve as part of the Queensland Government’s disaster assistance measures.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said more than $213,000 worth of land rent due between March 1, 2021 and August 30, 2021 would be automatically deferred for up to six months.

“The Palaszczuk Government understands just how important our $60 billion food and fibre industry is to not only Queensland, but all of Australia, and

we are doing everything we can to support landholders during this tough time,” Mr Stewart said.

“Primary producers on leased state land in Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Mareeba and Tablelands areas won’t have to pay their land rent until 1 September 2021.

“Many primary production lease, licence and permit holders in these affected areas are doing it tough financially and emotionally as they recover from not only property damage, loss of income and businesses including crops and livestock, but also COVID-19.

“Farmers on pastoral leases in this region will have one less thing to worry about.

“To make this process as easy as possible eligible landholders have had their rent automatically deferred, they don’t have to do anything further to take up this offer of assistance.

“This is practical assistance to help ease the financial burden on cyclone-affected leaseholders as they make the first steps on the road to recovery.”

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the assistance would be important for FNQ producers who had suffered damage from Cyclone Niran.

“I visited Innisfail in the wake of Cyclone Niran and the producers I met were doing it tough,” Mr Furner said.

“This additional assistance will help to give affected producers the breathing space they need to get back on their feet.”

Land rent relief applies to businesses, farmers and individuals that hold a lease, licence or permit to occupy for primary production purposes on state land.

Landholders still suffering hardship after this deferral period can seek further hardship assistance by applying online. 

For further information, visit www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/state/rents/deferring/

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Media contact:          Michael Saunders - 0428 411 617