More than $100 million in financial assistance has been delivered to flood-affected primary producers, small business owners and non-profit organisations following the North and Far North Queensland Monsoon Trough earlier this year.
This assistance is part of more than $260 million provided to date under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in response to the floods.
The Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants are administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk commended the exceptional job of QRIDA staff, who have reviewed and approved 1719 recovery grant applications from primary producers, 655 from small businesses, and 89 from non-profits since the floods hit.
“I always say we work best when we work together,” the Premier said.
“These grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers and up to $50,000 for small business and non-profit organisations are supporting the immediate and long-term recovery of our regional communities in the face of this large-scale disaster.
“In addition, QRIDA has also approved 46 Disaster Assistance Loans totalling $6,151,693, including 14 for primary producers and 32 for small business, as well as three Exceptional Disaster Assistance Loans (Category D) for $2,850,000.
“The Queensland Government will continue to work closely with the Commonwealth and local governments to support Queenslanders recovering, reconnecting and rebuilding following the monsoon trough.”
Cameron Dick, Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, said the floods that swept across Queensland in January and February this year caused widespread devastation from the Far North to the South Australian border.
“Queensland’s cattle producers were among the most impacted, with stock losses estimated at more than 500,000 head of cattle,” Mr Dick said.
“To date, more than $90 million has been provided to primary producers to support their ongoing recovery from the floods.
“Additionally, small business owners have received more than $9 million and non-profit organisations have received more than $1 million in financial support.
“This is on top of more than $33 million in personal hardship assistance paid out to support more than 116,000 people.”
The closing date for Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant applications has been extended to 29 November 2019. The Disaster Assistance Loans remain open to applications until 30 June 2021.
QRIDA administers financial assistance to disaster affected primary producers, businesses and non-profit organisations under the joint Commonwealth-Queensland Government funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018.
