{"id":23978,"date":"2013-02-16T19:59:37","date_gmt":"2013-02-16T09:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=23978"},"modified":"2020-09-28T11:35:26","modified_gmt":"2020-09-28T01:35:26","slug":"more-flood-assistance-announced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2013\/02\/16\/more-flood-assistance-announced\/","title":{"rendered":"Category D Flood Aid Announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

February 16, 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Extra “Category D” disaster assistance has been made available for primary producers in the South Burnett and Gympie regional council areas.<\/p>\n

Part of Toowoomba Regional Council area also qualifies for the extra aid.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the third year of the loan, the new record low 1.7 per cent interest rate for disaster loans will initially apply,\u201d Mr McVeigh said.<\/p>\n

The arrangements will be equally funded by both the State and Federal Governments.<\/p>\n

This assistance is similar to the loans that were provided after the 2011 floods and Tropical Cyclone Yasi.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Areas granted the extra assistance are:
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