South Burnett and Gympie primary producers and small businesses now have access to more flood assistance.
Low-interest loans and freight subsidies are now available for these applicants in the aftermath of the May floods that affected south-east Queensland.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the new assistance was being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to help businesses and landholders with the clean-up and recovery operations.
“Heavy rainfall throughout May has put further strain on many local businesses and primary producers through the Gympie and South Burnett regions, hampering recovery efforts from the previous two floods and causing further challenges,” Mr O’Brien said.
“While this May flood was not as significant as this year’s earlier floods, its timing was truly devastating for many Wide Bay producers and small businesses who were just beginning to rebuild.
“Although we cannot undo the damage or replace lost stock and crops, these payments will go some way towards assisting during this extremely challenging time, and I will continue to fight to ensure Wide Bay gets every assistance possible to aid flood recovery and resilience.”
DRFA low-interest loans of up to $250,000 and freight subsidies of up to $5,000 for eligible primary producers are available in LGAs including Gympie and South Burnett, while DRFA low-interest loans of up to $250,000 are also available for small businesses in Gympie.
DRFA assistance has also been extended to local councils including the Fraser Coast, Gympie, and South Burnett to assist with repairs to essential infrastructure.
For more information on assistance available to primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or free call 1800 623 946.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website at www.qra.qld.gov.au.
