Grants changes allow north Queensland farmers to re-establish crops

Ground-breaking changes to disaster assistance funding will, for the first time ever, allow flood impacted north Queensland farmers to get their crops back in the ground and start working towards harvest.

In a welcome boost to their recovery, eligible farmers can now access grants of up to $75,000 for replanting, fertilizing and other activities to re-establish crops destroyed by the recent flood emergency.

The significant changes to extraordinary assistance grants under Category C and D of the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) will help farmers replant and rebuild their businesses.

Farmers can now:

• Replant lost or damaged plants with the same or comparable crops
• Purchase plants, seed, seedlings, root and/or tube stock and tissue cultures
• Purchase chemicals for weed and/or pest control
• Purchase establishment fertilizer.

As was previously the case, primary producers can also use the disaster funding to feed stock and repair damage. 

This package will give farmers security and confidence to get back on their feet and continue to produce great Australian agricultural products.

Primary producers are encouraged to contact the Queensland Rural Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) for guidance about what this new assistance means for their operations.

Queensland State Recovery Coordinator Andrew Cripps says this is a game changer for growers who’ve lost crops and want to get back to production as soon as possible.

“This has been a structural problem in the disaster recovery framework for primary producers for a long time,” Mr Cripps said.

“I'm delighted we have been able to achieve this reform for impacted farmers and land holders recovering from this flood event.”

For more details or to apply, affected primary producers should visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au or call 1800 623 946.