Disaster Loans For Flood-affected Farmers And Community

Flood-affected primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits in seven North Queensland areas can now apply for concessional loans to support recovery. The loans have been activated for the local government areas (LGAs) including the Burdekin, and are provided through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Disaster Assistance Loans of up to $250,000, and Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000, are available to eligible operators.

Disaster-hit primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits, can now apply for concessional loans to assist with their recovery from the sustained rains and flooding, and will help re-establish operations by covering costs relating to:

   • Repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment
   • Repairing or replacing buildings
   • Resupplying stock or livestock

Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000 are available to help operators carry on business operations, including paying salaries or wages, creditors, rent or rates.

Primary producers can also access freight subsidies up to $5,000 for the movement of stock, feed, machinery, fuel, water, and building or fencing materials.

“Today, I can announce that we are unlocking the support and the funding needed to assist all those communities that have been impacted by this current wet weather event, which as we know, has caused widespread damage all the way from Yarrabah to down here into the Burdekin,” Dale Last, member for Burdekin stated.

“We are absolutely committed to helping these communities get back on their feet, and we will be on the ground. The Premier has been up in affected areas talking with local governments, talking with impacted residents and businesses, to ensure that we're rolling out the support as fast as we possibly can, and to reaffirm the message, we will be doing everything we can to support our primary producers our small businesses, and our not for profits,” Mr Last said.

“We're here listening. We understand the impact right across the region, but in particular in this region where we're meeting with affected primary industries, be it horticulture, be it cane, be it any other industry that's directly impacted, because we need to be on the ground,” Tony Perret, the Minister of Primary Industries said.

“We understand by listening to those affected primary producers the impact that it's having and how government assistance then needs to flow to be able to make certain that their businesses remain viable in the long term, but particularly in the short term, to get the recovery.” Mr Perret said.

Christian Largo, Chairman of QCAR, (Queensland, Cane Agriculture and Renewables) was hopeful this announcement will give growers the confidence to pick up tools, get out of bed the next day, and start with the cleanup and look forward to their 2025 season.

“We've seen a lot of damage to capital and investments, but probably the main worry at the moment, and the immediate priority, is mental health. It's ensuring that farmers have the support they need to get up out of bed each morning and continue with their livelihoods,” Mr Largo said.

“This will be welcomed by the farming community. It just shows government are out there supporting their constituents and that's what we need from our government at this time,” Mr Largo added.

For loan applications visit the QRIDA website, www.qrida.qld.gov.au, or call 1800 623 946.
Primary producers interested in freight subsidies can contact Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries on 13 25 23 or via www.daf.qld.gov.au.

Dale Last, with Christian Lago, Chair of Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR), and Tony Perrett MP, Minister for Primary Industries. Photo credit: Mark T. Rasmussen

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