Flood assistance for Primary Producers

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
05/03/2010
Flood assistance for Primary Producers

Primary Industries and Rural and Regional Queensland Minister Tim Mulherin held a phone hook-up today with AgForce, the Queensland Farmers' Federation and senior DEEDI staff to map out the next steps in flood assistance for primary producers.

Mr Mulherin said: "The rain could result in an injection of $1 billion into Queensland's regional economy, however in the meantime a lot of people are impacted by the immediate problem of flooding.

"A huge area of the south west is covered in water and there are properties that have never been inundated before that are under water.

"The towns of Charleville and Roma have been hard hit and there are real concerns about expected record flood levels in St George over the coming weekend.

"It is impossible for people to move around their properties to assess the situation but we are expecting a lot of infrastructure damage and there will be stock losses."

"I am already aware that a lot of the irrigation infrastructure around St George is underwater.

The Minister said the state government appreciated the scale of the problem facing communities and producers and was on the ground offering a range of support.

Concessional Loans for Small Business and Primary Producers and Freight Subsidies for Primary Producers have been approved for the Local Government areas of Balonne Shire Council; Barcoo Shire Council; Blackall-Tambo Regional Council; Bulloo Shire Council; Diamantina Shire Council; Maranoa Regional Council; Murweh Shire Council; Paroo Shire Council; Quilpie Shire Council; and Western Downs Regional Council.

Assistance includes:

*Concessional loans of up to $250,000 at 4% from QRAA (for primary producers and small business)

*Based on circumstances the loans could be interest only for the first two years, no fees and charges for the life of the loan and repayment terms of up to seven years

*Freight subsidies from DEEDI of up to $5,000 being 50% of the freight cost for the movement of foodstuffs; building/fencing materials; restocking of livestock as a result of the event; fodder; machinery/equipment; and fuels (for primary producers only)

"QRAA also advises that it is able to consider the deferral of repayments on existing loans of primary producers and small business in the flood affected areas."

Primary producers who believe they have been affected by this event but are outside of the above Shires can apply for an Individually Disaster Stricken Property declaration (IDSP) through the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.

"QRAA has an officer based in Roma and a temporary officer will be based in Charleville next week."

"The Department of Communities has set up one-stop shops in Roma and Charleville and will set up another one in St George next week.

"All will have a DEEDI staffer on site to provide advice and we will continue to work closely with industry groups throughout this emergency response.

The Minister said there would be aerial inspections involving two helicopters in the coming days.

"They'll be flying over worst affected areas and assessing infrastructure damage and possible stock losses," he said.

Agforce president John Cotter said: "Just as people in flooded towns have received water damage to their homes and businesses, many rural properties have also been damaged.

"Farmers have experienced extensive infrastructure losses as the floods leave damaged fences, roads, dams and buildings in their wake.

"Some graziers in the worst hit areas were unable to move sheep and cattle to higher ground and AgForce is working with state and local government to monitor animal welfare concerns with aerial surveillance.

"Hundreds of farming families are flooded in on their properties but they are focusing on the long-term benefits of this rain.

Our members are telling us that the full dams and grass that will grow in areas which may not have seen decent rain for 10 years is worth the short-term inconvenience and expense."

Cotton Australia Chief Executive Officer Adam Kay said the industry would work with local producers in the St George, Dirranbandi and Theodore areas to assess flood impact on the multi-million dollar crop.

"The industry will be a looking to measure the impact on the current crop of around 16,000 hectares in the affected areas with picking due to start in the next few weeks.

"Damage to critical irrigation infrastructure and vital water management assets will also be closely monitored.

"Cotton Australia will continue to liaise closely with DEEDI and Minister Mulherin over the coming days and weeks and will be informing growers of any assistance that can be provided."

Minister Mulherin said DEEDI will compile an impact assessment to help guide the relief and recovery efforts.

"During the recovery period DEEDI will organise flood recovery workshops and farm financial counsellors will be available," Mr Mulherin said.

For more information on concessional loans contact QRAA on Freecall 1800 623 946 or the website www.qraa.qld.gov.au for more information on freight subsidies from DEEDI call the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23

Permanent Link: Flood assistance for Primary Producers
Publish Date: 06 Mar 10