Extraordinary assistance for Southern Downs Primary Producers
16 July 2021
Primary producers in Southern Downs can now access Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Grants of up to $75,000 to support their recovery journey from the floods that hit the region in late March. The Australian Government is committed to providing support to the communities facing ongoing challenges as a result of the 2019 monsoon event.
Assistance is being provided through Category C of the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the DRFA assistance was in addition to the freight subsidies and concessional loans support already available in the Southern Downs local government area.
“The floods in Southern Queensland in late March had a significant impact on primary producers in the Southern Downs region and we are supporting, individuals, businesses and communities in recovery,” Minister McKenzie said.
“It’s been a challenge for those farmers who have been battling years of drought to then get hit by floods, leading to a significant loss of income for many, as well as stock losses and major damage to infrastructure.
“These extraordinary assistance grants will help those producers most severely impacted get back on their feet, and is a sign of our commitment to ensuring impacted communities receive all the support they need to recover,” she said.
Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the grants were a welcome boost for Southern Downs farmers.
“The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries staff worked closely with the primary producers in the area to ensure they were able to access these special disaster assistance grants,” Mr Furner said.
“The activation of the $75,000 grants means Southern Downs joins the neighbouring Goondiwindi local government area in being able to access this funding.
“The Queensland and Commonwealth governments are committed to working with farmers and supporting them until they are able to get back on their feet.
“Agriculture is a vital part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan, so this assistance will play an important role in helping flood-impacted producers get back to what they do best.”
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website at www.qra.qld.gov.au.
For more information on grants for primary producers, visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or call 1800 623 946. For information on freight subsidies, visit www.daf.qld.gov.au or contact the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
