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Qld and NSW Govts release flood assistance packages

Beef Central, 08/02/2012

The Queensland and New South Wales Governments have outlined further details of State and Federal assistance packages available to primary producers and small businesses affected by flooding.

In Queensland grants of up to $25,000 are available, while in NSW grants of up to $15,000 can be accessed Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

Details for both states are: 

QUEENSLAND – $25,000 grants available for SWQ producers, small businesses and not for profits

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin yesterday welcomed the Prime Minister's approval of Category C assistance of grants up to $25,000 for communities in South West Queensland affected by flooding.

Mr Mulherin said the Premier wrote to the Prime Minister on Sunday requesting the assistance for the regional council areas of Balonne, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Maranoa, Murweh and Paroo.

"Eligible primary producers, small businesses and not for profit organisations in these areas will now be able to apply for the grants up to $25,000," Mr Mulherin said.

"Flooding has occurred at levels above historical records in river systems in these areas and there is significant damage to many small businesses and agriculture enterprises.

"These grants are designed to enable community recovery for those severely affected by disaster events.

"This targeted assistance will go a long way in helping these small businesses, primar y producers and not for profit organisations repair essential infrastructure so they can get their businesses back up and running as soon as possible."

Mr Mulherin said Campbell Newman has made an embarrassing gaff calling for this assistance for primary producers affected by the SW floods on Monday, a day after the Premier had written to the Prime Minister.

"This is an embarrassingly slow response by Mr Newman and shows how out of touch he is with producers in South West Queensland," Mr Mulherin said

"Mr Newman pretends to care about the bush but he sacked all his front bench West of Moggill.

"Mr Newman is simply not aware of what is happening out west.

"Mr Newman's Brisbane centric attitude has again highlighted his ignorance on rural Queensland.

"While Mr Newman's playing politics the Government is getting on with the job and providing the assistance people in South West Queensland need," he said.

Mr Mulherin said Ca tegory C assistance of grants up to $25,000 are now available from QRAA in two tiers:

•Tier 1 – grants of up to $5,000 to assist primary producers, small businesses and not for profit organisations with immediate early recovery (subject to future QRAA audit)
•Tier 2 – grants of up to $20,000 to recover costs that the primary producer, small businesses and not for profit organisations have paid in order to repair direct flood damage.

For further information on levels of assistance available please contact QRAA on Freecall 1800 623 946 or at www.qraa.qld.gov.au

NEW SOUTH WALES: Flood victims urged to call RAA for assistance

Farmers and small businesses affected by flooding in the Gwydir, Moree and Narrabri areas are urged to contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) to obtain advice on their eligibility to receive grants of up to $15,000 under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.

NSW RAA General Manager, Steve Griffith, said grants are available to eligible applicants to put towards flood clean-up and restoration costs.

“Grants of up to $15,000 are available to primary producers and small businesses in the Gwydir, Moree and Narrabri Local Government Areas,” Mr Griffiths said.

“To be eligible, the majority of the applicant’s income must be earned from their farm or small business.

“The grants are for reimbursement of immediate business cleanup and restoration costs.

“Applications can be received and approved before the expenditure is incurred.

“I urge potential applicants to call the RAA on 1800 678 593 to clarify their eligibility and find out about the application and payment procedure.”

Mr Griffiths said additional staff with natural disaster relief experience had been recruited to assist with the processing of applications.

“Our objective is that an initial assessment will be completed within two weeks of receipt of an application,” he said.

“By calling the NSW RAA flood victims can get the process underway almost immediately, ensuring that grants are received as soon as possible.”

Further information is available at www.raa.nsw.gov.au

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