February 16, 2013
Extra “Category D” disaster assistance has been made available for primary producers in the South Burnett and Gympie regional council areas.
Part of Toowoomba Regional Council area also qualifies for the extra aid.
The State and Federal governments today announced the boost in aid for primary producers who suffered extreme damage as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald.
Primary producers who suffered damage to the extent that previously announced assistance measures will not be enough to restore their business will be able to access a loan and grant package of up to $650,000 under the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Scheme.
Agriculture Minister John McVeigh said the loan included a grant of up to $50,000. The first two years of the loan would be interest-free and no repayments would be required.
“From the third year of the loan, the new record low 1.7 per cent interest rate for disaster loans will initially apply,” Mr McVeigh said.
The arrangements will be equally funded by both the State and Federal Governments.
This assistance is similar to the loans that were provided after the 2011 floods and Tropical Cyclone Yasi.
Mr McVeigh said for the worst impacted areas, an additional package of Category D measures to help with employment, clean-up and recovery was still being negotiated with the Federal Government.
Areas granted the extra assistance are:
- Banana Regional Council (part)
- Bundaberg Regional Council
- Fraser Coast Regional Council
- Gladstone Regional Council
- Goondiwindi Regional Council (part)
- Gympie Regional Council
- Ipswich City Council (part)
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- North Burnett Regional Council
- Scenic Rim Regional Council
- Somerset Regional Council (part)
- South Burnett Regional Council
- Southern Downs Regional Council (part)
- Toowoomba Regional Council (the area south and east of the Gatton-Clifton Road, the Greenmount-Hirstville Road, the Nobby Connection Road, the New England Highway, the Felton-Clifton Road, the Back Plains Road, the Doolan Road, and the Clifton-Pittsworth Road.)
Mr McVeigh said forms for the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Scheme loan package would be available soon at www.qraa.qld.gov.au
- For more information about the Exceptional Disaster Assistance Scheme please contact QRAA on Freecall 1800-623-946.
