Financial assistance for flood affected Northern and Central Qld agri-businesses

Primary producers across Northern and Central Queensland impacted by the April and May rainfall event can now apply for natural disaster recovery assistance.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development, Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said Category B assistance under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) was activated based on damage reports collated by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The late April and May rainfall event significantly impacted the agriculture sector across the following local government areas:

1. 1. • Barcaldine Regional Council
      • Longreach Regional Council
      • Winton Shire Council

“We received impact reports of infrastructure damage and livestock losses caused by flood inundation,” Mr Furner said.

“Category B assistance will help affected producers with assistance including concessional loans of up to $250,000 and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 at a concessional interest rate, and freight subsidies of up to $5,000.

Primary producers who have suffered major damage outside the above declared areas may apply for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration.

“An IDSP provides access to Queensland Government assistance similar to the Category B DRFA of freight subsidies and concessional loans,” Minister Furner said.

Category B Natural Disaster Assistance loans are administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) on behalf of the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments. For more information or to apply visit qrida.qld.gov.au or freecall 1800 623 946.

ENDS

Media contact:           Ron Goodman            0427 781 920