Disaster assistance available for flood affected farmers

Financial assistance and support services are now available for farmers beginning the recovery process following damage caused by widespread flooding in the north of the state.

Farmers in the Burdekin, Burke, Carpentaria, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Croydon, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, McKinlay, Richmond, Townsville, Winton and Whitsunday council areas have access to a range of disaster assistance including loans, freight subsidies and recovery grants of $75,000.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Find below a list of disaster assistance available to Queensland farmers and the relevant contact details.

Disaster Assistance (Primary Producers) Loans

Concessional interest rate loans to assist primary producers whose assets have been significantly damaged by an eligible disaster, to recover and return to viable operations.
Contact Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946 or qrida.qld.gov.au.

Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loans Scheme for Primary Producers

Concessional interest rate loans to primary producers who have suffered a significant loss of income as a result of an eligible disaster by providing the essential working capital required to continue business operations.
Contact Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946 or qrida.qld.gov.au.

Freight Subsidies for Primary Producers

To assist primary producers impacted by an eligible disaster with the transport of livestock, fodder or water for livestock, building, fencing equipment or machinery to the primary producer’s home property.
Contact Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 3224 8832 or daf.qld.gov.au.

Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants – Primary Producers

Grants for primary producers who have suffered direct damage caused by an eligible disaster. Grants are aimed at covering the cost of clean-up and reinstatement, but not at providing compensation for losses.
Contact Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946 or qrida.qld.gov.au.
What clean-up and reinstatement costs can I claim?
- purchasing and freighting of fodder or salvaging crops or feed for stock;
- use helicopters to deliver fodder drops to stranded livestock including:
  - the hire costs of a helicopter used to deliver fodder drops to stranded livestock;
  - the costs of fuel associated with the use of an applicant’s helicopter to deliver fodder drops;
  - the costs as invoiced by a Local Government Authority for the use of a helicopter to deliver fodder drops
- maintaining the health of livestock;
- removing and disposing of debris, damaged goods, materials including injured or dead livestock;
- purchase of replacement livestock (note – concessional loans of up to $250,000 also available)
- hiring or leasing equipment (eg. generators), cost of fuel or other materials used to; clean premises, property or equipment or to immediately resume operations;
- repairing or replacing fencing on the property;
- repairing, reconditioning or replacing essential plant or equipment;
- paying additional wages to an employee to assist with clean-up work.
What sort of evidence do I need to claim these costs?
- For initial grant applications up to a total of $5,000 you simply require evidence of the direct damage and clean-up expenses, for example the use of photographs, estimates and quotations.
- In these early stages, if you also have tax invoices and official receipts available, they can be supplied.
- Please note for claims over the initial grant amount of $5,000, full evidence of payment for clean-up and reinstatement costs will be required for all grant funds received (i.e. including the initial $5,000).
- So it’s important to try and retain as much evidence of damage and expenditures from the start. By doing so it will assist with processing and reimbursing your eligible costs when you’re ready to apply.