Disaster Assistance Expanded To Support More Burdekin Farmers

Cyclone Jasper left a lasting mark on cane-growing regions across the Burdekin, including Giru, where widespread flooding and erosion in December 2023 caused significant setbacks for local farmers. Many are still recovering, with some forced to replant entire paddocks and stabilise creek banks to protect their operations into the future. The latest changes to disaster funding eligibility may offer long-awaited relief for those working to rebuild.

More Queensland primary producers will now be eligible for vital support under the joint Commonwealth–State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), following a significant change to how farming income is defined.

Under the amended guidelines, income from agricultural support services such as cane harvesting, contract mustering, artificial insemination, cattle droving and other similar services will now be considered part of a farming operation. This means many producers previously excluded from assistance—because they relied on a mix of on-farm and off-farm ag-related work—can now access grants, concessional loans, and freight subsidies after natural disasters.

Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the changes would benefit local producers across the state every year, especially following a devastating 2024–25 disaster season.

“Agriculture is vital to every Australian, and when our producers suffer, we all do,” Minister Perrett said.

“These are men and women putting food on our tables, and in times of disaster, it’s vital all support avenues are available to them.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the Australian Government had worked closely with Queensland to ensure the DRFA reflects how modern farming operates.

“These agricultural support services are essential for sustaining small-scale operations. This change will give more farmers confidence that help will be there when they need it most,” Minister McBain said.

Federal Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Anthony Chisholm, said the reforms would make a real difference in remote regions hit hard by summer storms and flooding.

“Queensland farmers are resilient, but they deserve meaningful support when disaster strikes. This is a commonsense reform to ensure no producer is left behind,” he said.

Importantly, the new eligibility rules apply retrospectively to disasters in early 2025. Any primary producer who was previously deemed ineligible is encouraged to contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946 to find out what the changes mean for them.

The move follows strong advocacy from industry bodies including CANEGROWERS and the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, who had been calling for a more inclusive approach to disaster support.

CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan welcomed the announcement at the 2025 FNQ Field Days in Mareeba, describing it as “a smart, sensible fix that brings disaster recovery support into line with how modern farms actually operate.”

“This is about making sure no grower falls through the cracks,” Mr Galligan said.

“Many farming families rely on both growing and contracting income to stay viable—it’s never made sense to exclude them.”

The reform builds on several recent wins for the sugarcane industry. Earlier this year, CANEGROWERS secured the inclusion of replanting costs in disaster grants, helped deliver extended application deadlines following Cyclone Jasper, and successfully advocated for increased funding caps of up to $75,000 for growers worst affected by summer floods.

“These are tangible outcomes that make a real difference on the ground,” Mr Galligan said.

“We’ll keep working to ensure disaster support keeps pace with the realities of farming in Queensland.”

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NFF CEO Troy Williams, Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett, NFF Chair David Jochinke, CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan and Membership Engagement and Innovation Manager Matt Kealley. Photo supplied: CANEGROWERS

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