In a major win for North Queensland farmers recovering from last month’s floods, the federal and Queensland governments have overhauled disaster funding rules to allow growers to use recovery grants to replant and reseed waterlogged crops—unlocking critical support that was previously out of reach.
The significant changes to extraordinary assistance grants under Category C and D of the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) mean farmers can now:
Replant lost or damaged plants with the same or comparable crops
Purchase plants, seed, seedlings, root and/or tube stock and tissue cultures
Purchase chemicals for weed and/or pest control
Purchase establishment fertilizer
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said that disaster funding will help farmers replant and rebuild their businesses.
“North Queensland farmers can now access grants of up to $75,000 to help them feedstock, repair damage and now replant," Minister McAllister said.
“We have worked closely with the Queensland Government to ensure North Queensland farmers are supported as they move into recovery.
“This package will give farmers security and confidence to get back on their feet and continue to produce great Australian agricultural products.”
Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said for the first-time primary producers can use these grants to get their crops back in the ground and start working towards harvest and recovery.
“Growers asked, we’ve listened, and worked with the Federal Government to make this change so producers can put the assistance toward the best way forward for their operation," Mr Perrett said.
“The Crisafulli Government gets regional and rural Queensland, and we’ve got primary producers’ backs when it comes to working with the Albanese Government on support for producers in times of need.
“I encourage all growers to contact the Queensland Rural Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) for guidance about what this new assistance means for their operations."
Queensland State Recovery Coordinator Andrew Cripps says this is a game changer for growers who’ve lost crops and want to get back to production as soon as possible.
“This has been a structural problem in the disaster recovery framework for primary producers for a long time,” he said.
“I'm delighted we have been able to achieve this reform for impacted farmers and land holders recovering from this flood event,” Mr Cripps said.
Photo credit: CANEGROWERS
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