Grants of up to $25,000 are now available to the worst-hit farmers in targeted areas of the Livingstone Shire after November’s bushfires.
Assistance is being provided under Category C of the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the grants will help farmers get back to work sooner.
“The fires have seriously disrupted the Cobraball community and local fruit growers,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The grants help repair, rebuild, replant and restock sooner rather than later.
“This could repair or replace fencing, hail netting, poly pipes, feed, stock and crops.
“Farmers just want to get back to work as soon as possible and this is a helping hand so they can.
“We will stand by people in Livingston Shire and will make further assistance available if needed.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had seen first-hand the devastation brought on the community in Livingstone.
“I’ve been on the ground meeting with some of these growers and seen the devastating impact of these terrible fires to their livelihoods and community,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
“We want to help these impacted farmers recover quickly, so we’ve activated Category C assistance grants of up to $25,000 to help them through the hard times and allow them to rebuild.
“This is in addition to the DRFA Category B assistance already available, which includes concessional loans of up to $250,000 and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 and freight subsidies of up to $5,000 for the movement of stock, feed, machinery, fuel, water and building/fencing materials.
“We hope this goes some way to assisting those impacted to get back on their feet, and look towards the future.”
For more information on Category C assistance for primary producers in parts of Livingstone Shire, please phone the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946.
For information on the freight subsidies visit daf.qld.gov.au or phone the DAF Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website at www.disaster.qld.gov.au
