Disaster Loans, Grants Activated for Queensland Floods
The Australian and Queensland Governments are activating concessional loans and freight subsidies to help primary producers in nine western Queensland Local Government Areas recover from recent flooding.
Funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the support is available to eligible producers in Barcoo, Boulia, Bulloo, Diamantina, Longreach, Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, and Winton.
Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000 and Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000 are available to assist farmers with the repair or replacement of damaged assets, and for loss of income, while freight subsides up to $5,000 can be accessed too.
This comes after the region experienced more than a year’s worth of rainfall in roughly a week, with many landholders remaining isolated and facing significant livestock losses.
Personal Hardship Assistance is also now available for eligible flood impacted residents in Barcoo, Bulloo, Quilpie and Winton.
This support includes a range of grants to assist with the purchase of emergency essentials, the replacement of damaged household items, and income-tested assistance for property structural repairs and the reconnection of essential services.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the Commonwealth was working quickly with the Queensland Government to support communities impacted by the flooding in western Queensland.
“Primary producers are central to the western Queensland community and this assistance will support them to repair damage and get back on their feet.
“Personal hardship assistance will also support impacted residents with the cost of replacing emergency essentials and other damaged items.
“It is still a dynamic situation and I urge all in the community to listen to warnings and stay up to date.
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said flooded communities in western Queensland would be supported now and well after the waters had receded.
“This support is part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to ensuring everyone in western Queensland affected by these floods gets the help they need to get back on track,” Minister Leahy said.
“We’ve been communicating daily with councils, producers and communities to understand impacts on the ground and what assistance is required.
“Recovering from flooding takes time, but by activating this funding fast we are making sure the process can move swiftly.”
Primary producers can contact QRIDA ( www.qrida.com.au ; 1800 623 946) for disaster loans, and Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries ( www.daf.qld.gov.au ; 13 25 23) for freight subsidies.
Residents of Barcoo, Bulloo, Quilpie and Winton Shires can check their eligibility for personal hardship and apply via www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp or by phoning 1800 173 349.
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/102294