The latest flood recovery support from the Federal and State Governments will provide loans and grants to impacted farmers, small businesses, and community organisations.
The Federal and State Government have made available a suite of initiatives to help flood-affected primary producers, small businesses, and community groups in the Scenic Rim, that face a massive clean-up operation in the aftermath of the ongoing floods.
Financial help is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz welcomed the inclusion of farmers, small businesses and community groups in the DRFA assistance and said it would be welcome news to Scenic Rim residents.
“We know from previous weather events and natural disasters that extending the assistance to farmers and small businesses, through concessional loans and grants – we are able to get them back on their feet sooner and ease the burden.
“This package provides Council with $1 million for immediate clean-up activities, makes $75,000 in grants available for affected primary producers, $50,000 grants for affected small businesses and not-for-profit organisations and $20,000 for sport and community clubs,” Mr Buchholz said.
State Member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause welcomed the further support that will see primary producers access freight subsidies of up to $5,000 for the movement of stock, feed, machinery, fuel, water and fencing materials.
“In addition, flood affected communities in the Scenic Rim can now access grants of up to a maximum of $900 for a family of five or more and up to $180 per person to eligible people experiencing financial hardship because of the floods.
“The latest support package includes concessional loans up to $250,000 and essential working capital loans of up to $100,000 to help kick-start the recovery of impacted primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations,” Mr Krause said.
DRFA low interest loans as well as freight subsidies for eligible primary producers are now available in 17 LGAs: Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba.
The grant payments are being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for eligible applicants in the 19 local government areas of Brisbane, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
This DRFA assistance is in addition to assistance already available for cases of personal hardship, as well as for councils and agencies for counter disaster operations and the reconstruction of essential infrastructure.
More information: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance/eligibility-apply/seq-flooding-february-2022
