THE QUEENSLAND and federal governments are offering primary producers in flood-affected areas a $5000 subsidy to move stock, feed, machinery and other necessities.
The Australian government and the Queensland government are providing the assistance through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Forty-one local government areas have access to DRFA support in response to the current monsoonal rainfall and flooding experienced across northern and central Queensland.
Federal minister for emergency management Murray Watt said the assistance measures would support North Queenslanders with their immediate recovery from the floods.
“With some northern residents currently cut off by floods, we’re activating these support measures to help them through this tough stretch,” Mr Watt said.
“This financial assistance is going straight to Queenslanders in need and will allow them to get back on their feet after floodwaters subside.
“Freight subsidies of up to $5000 are also being extended to primary producers in heavily impacted areas like Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee and Mount Isa, so they can keep the wheels of their businesses turning.”
Queensland minister for fire and emergency services Mark Ryan said the floods experienced by the region were record-breaking.
“More than 530 millimetres fell across the Nicholson, Gregory and Leichardt River catchments and we have water getting into places that haven’t been touched in generations,” Mr Ryan said.
“These additional support measures we’re announcing today will help some of our most remote Queensland residents and the primary producers that operate in these parts.
“We’ll continue working closely with the federal government to keep support coming for flood-impacted communities across Queensland, and I thank all our frontline services for their ongoing efforts in response to this severe weather.”
