Financial assistance extended for producers affected by TC Niran

Primary producers affected by Tropical Cyclone Niran now have more time to complete their recovery works thanks to an extension of the availability of extraordinary disaster assistance recovery grants.

The Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Grants, which were announced for Cassowary Coast, Cairns, Hinchinbrook, Mareeba and Tablelands local government areas in March 2021, are being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the damaging winds and rainfall brought by TC Niran in February and March 2021 had hit farmers hard when they were already vulnerable following several years of drier conditions.

“Many of these farmers have missed out on their first year of good crops, and instead have had to deal with loss of income from destroyed crops and reduced yields.

“We are committed to supporting our primary producers as they begin to recover. This extension of time means farmers don’t have to rush their applications and can rest assured they will have the resources to get on with the job,” Minister McKenzie said.

“The funding will provide the support these hard working communities need, when they need it.”

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants had been extended to 30 June 2022.

“Producers have had a long road to recovery with damage to machinery and fencing, along with loss of crops and top-soil from paddocks,” Mr Furner said.

“We acknowledge that recovery works have been hampered by the wet winter, harvest activities and the impacts of COVID-19 on labour shortages and are pleased to extend the deadline for works to be completed.

“As soon as producers are able to complete their recovery works, they can be reimbursed up to $75,000 under the Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants.”

Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants are administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) on behalf of the Queensland and Australian Governments.

For more information or to apply visit qrida.qld.gov.au or freecall 1800 623 946.

Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Hannah Dening 0428 752 271 (Minister McKenzie)

Ron Goodman 0427 781 920 (Minister Furner)