You can report damage by contacting your industry association. Various industry organisations and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) are collecting data for primary producers. This data will be collated and reported through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Assistance is managed by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and QRIDA:

• DAF – 13 25 23
• QRIDA – 1800 623 946

For details on Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and QRIDA officers in your area, use the postcode search on the home page.

If a primary producer is not in an area where Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) assistance is available but has suffered significant damage from a natural disaster, they can apply for an Individual Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration. Freight subsidies can be applied for under an IDSP declaration.

To obtain an IDSP declaration, contact Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) – 13 25 23.

Category A – Standard assistance measures:

• Counter Disaster Operations
• Personal Hardship Assistance scheme

Category B – Standard assistance measures:

• Restoration of Essential Public Assets (councils)
• Freight Subsidies (primary producers)
• Concessional loans (primary producers, small business, not-for-profits)

Category C – Standard assistance measures:

• Recovery grants (primary producers small business, not-for-profits)

Category D – Standard assistance measures:

• Enhanced concessional loans, other ‘one off’ programs.

Both Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and QRIDA will receive a large amount of applications throughout this process so extra staff has been called upon to assist. DAF and QRIDA aim to process applications as quickly as possible and it’s suggested you call DAF or QRIDA to check on the status of your application.

There are several phone support services as well that urge people to use these as they recovery from the disaster.

• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
  See Beyond Blue’s guide to looking after yourself following a disaster HERE.
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Country Call Back – 1800 54 33 54

Following a disaster many employers may be concerned about the availability of work for casual and permanent staff members. As an employer, you have an obligation to ensure your current employees are kept as informed as possible of the status of their positions with your business during this uncertain time. Employees need to be aware that it may be a possibility that the loss of production may result in the loss of their jobs.

If it is not viable to keep your employees employed, and you have exhausted all other options to try and keep your employees on, redundancy will be your final option. Both permanent and casual employees are entitled to final pays, including redundancy payouts. There are several terms and conditions around these circumstances which employers need to be aware of.

To find out more:

• See Fairwork Australia’s fact sheet on employment conditions during natural disasters and emergencies HERE.
• See information on redundancy HERE.
• Or call Susie Butterworth of GROWCOM on 07 36203 813 or email [email protected]