28 November 2025
Rural Landholder Recovery Grants are ensuring disaster-impacted Queensland producers who aren’t full-time primary producers don’t get left behind in recovery.
This is something the Neilsen family can attest to, owning a small cattle and cropping operation that supplements the income they receive from their repair business and other jobs in the South Burnett.
The family was one of the first successful applicants to receive a Rural Landholder Recovery Grant of up to $10,000 from the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) after their farm business was impacted by flooding in 2022.
“We had a fair bit of erosion to our property, so we couldn’t use road access for trucks to get in and out,” the family said.
“We used the grant to get gravel to gain entrance to the driveway. We also carried out maintenance to our property so we can get trucks and tractors in to access the road.
“There were a lot of washouts in the yards and through contour banks and cultivation paddocks that had to be graded and fixed so we could continue our farming.”
The Neilsen family said applying for the grant soon after the floods helped them fast-track their recovery.
“We got the ball rolling straight away. Once there was damage, we tried to get onto it as soon as it dried out so we could be proactive,” they said.
“By having the grant available to assist us with the outlaying costs, it definitely was well worth applying for, and obviously with the cost of living these days, it’s definitely helpful.”
QRIDA Disasters and Drought Manager Sheree Finney said Rural Landholder Recovery Grants of up to $10,000 are available to rural residential properties that do not meet the criteria for primary producer assistance.
“In a nutshell, a rural landholder is a producer who makes some money from a primary industry but doesn’t rely on that to put food on the table,” Sheree said.
“To be approved for a Rural Landholder Recovery Grant, a rural landholder must have also experienced direct damage to their operation as a result of an eligible disaster.”
Sheree said QRIDA’s Rural Landholder Recovery Grants are currently open to applications for the Tropical Cyclone Alfred and Associated Severe Weather and North and Far North Tropical Low events.
“I strongly encourage any landholders impacted by these eligible disasters to get in touch with QRIDA to apply if they have any questions about the grants,” Sheree said.
"Together, QRIDA’s disaster grants and loans for primary producers, and disaster grants for rural landholders are ensuring farm businesses of many sizes can count on QRIDA when it comes to disaster recovery.”
Take it first-hand from the Neilsen family, who, three years on from the floods, have recovered their operation and are now working towards expanding their cattle and cropping business.
“If you get caught in a hard place, it’s worth reaching out and asking for assistance if you need it.”
This assistance is funded by the Australian and Queensland Government to support Queensland communities in their recovery from the eligible disaster.
Visit QRIDA's Rural Landholder Recovery Grants webpage or call 1800 623 946 to find out more information.
