November 8, 2023
The Federal and State governments have activated further relief measures for farmers and councils affected by bushfires in southern Queensland.
Primary producers can now apply for concessional interest rate loans to help replace or repair assets that have been significantly damaged by a recognised disaster.
This includes loss of significant income, to recover and return to viable operations.
They can also apply for freight subsidies, to assist with the transport of livestock, fodder or water for livestock, along with building, fencing equipment or machinery to the primary producer’s home property.
The assistance is jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for nine council areas:
- South Burnett Regional Council
- North Burnett Regional Council
- Toowoomba Regional Council
- Western Downs Regional Council
- Southern Downs Regional Council
- Bundaberg Regional Council
- Central Highlands Regional Council
- Gladstone Regional Council
- Maranoa Regional Council
Help is also available for 13 Queensland councils to undertake Counter Disaster Operations including firefighting and recovery operations:
- Balonne Shire Counci,
- Bundaberg Regional Council
- Central Highlands Regional Council
- Goondiwindi Regional Council
- Gladstone Regional Council
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Logan City Council
- Maranoa Regional Council
- North Burnett Regional Council
- Scenic Rim Regional Council
- Sunshine Coast Regional Council
- Toowoomba Regional Council
- Western Downs Regional Council
For more information about Primary Producer and Essential Working Capital Loans, contact the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800-623-946.
For more information about freight subsidies, contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 13-25-23.
