New flood support for Etheridge Shire and community organisations

Further disaster assistance is now available to boost flood recovery in Etheridge Shire and help not-for-profits in 13 Queensland local government areas.

Disaster Recovery Grants up to $75,000 for primary producers and $25,000 for small businesses, disaster loans up to $250,000 for small businesses, emergency fodder assistance for farmers, and primary producer industry support have all been activated to help the Etheridge community bounce back following recent devastating flooding.

Additionally, impacted not-for-profits in Etheridge and the LGAs of Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Central Highlands, Flinders, Isaac, Livingstone, Mackay, McKinlay, Richmond, Townsville, Whitsunday, and Winton can apply for disaster loans up to $100,000.

These concessional loans will provide grassroots organisations in with vital cashflow to support their recovery and help them return to regular operations.

Other new support measures extended by the Australian and Queensland Governments include disaster loans and freight subsidies for primary producers in Livingstone Shire, and Disaster Recovery Grants for producers in Isaac and Mackay.

All assistance is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

There are 46 LGAs currently receiving DRFA assistance in response to the North Queensland Monsoon Trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, which have combined to bring record rains to large parts of the state since Christmas.

On top of this, more than $66 million in extraordinary assistance packages have been developed for primary producers, small businesses, flood clean-up and mental health support.

Primary producers wanting more details about accessing disaster grants and loans should visit the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website at www.qrida.qld.gov.au or by phoning 1800 623 946.

Information about freight subsidies is available on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 25 23.