Disaster Recovery Grants uplift brings hope to SEQ producers
South-east Queensland primary producers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred have received a significant boost, with the Queensland and Australian Governments agreeing to increase Disaster Recovery Grants up to $75,000.
Destruction caused by Alfred when the cyclone made landfall in March has been immense for the region's primary industries, with major damages to infrastructure, equipment and crops.
The funding, provided under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), will be critical to help farmers repair and replace assets, rebuild fencing and replant crops.
Increasing the grant cap from $25,000 to $75,000 will see producers recover faster and will protect local businesses and jobs.
The uplift brings available funding for SEQ and Fraser Coast in line with Disaster Recovery Grants for primary producers impacted by the northern and western floods earlier this year.
In passing the increased cap, the Australian and Queensland Governments acknowledge the prolonged devastation caused by the first cyclone to cross the coast in south-east Queensland for 50 years.
Primary producers in the following local government areas can apply for grants in response to Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Brisbane, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba.
Primary producers looking to apply can visit the QRIDA website, with applications open till 2 April 2026.
In total, $80 million worth of Disaster Recovery Grants are available for primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
This is part of extraordinary assistance totalling $265 million delivered under the DRFA for Alfred recovery.
Other DRFA support available to impacted primary producers includes disaster loans up to $250,000 and freight subsidies up to $5,000.
Loans can also be applied for through www.qrida.qld.gov.au. For freight subsidies phone the Department of Primary Industries on 13 25 23.