Media Releases
27 July 2009 - QRAA Board tours Central Queensland and Northern Burnett regions
The QRAA Board will take to the roads of regional Queensland from 29-31 July when they visit customer properties in the Central Queensland and Northern Burnett regions as part of the Board’s mid-year regional tour to see first hand how the financial support from QRAA has assisted producers to increase the productivity, profitability and sustainability of their enterprises.
QRAA Chief Executive Officer, Colin Holden said the trip to the region will incorporate the monthly QRAA Board meeting and highlights the Board’s ongoing commitment to its rural and regional customers.
“The aim of the trip is to ensure QRAA Board members remain informed of the changing needs and concerns affecting our rural and regional customers,” Mr Holden said.
Scheduled visits will take place at cattle, dairy, feedlot, stud beef and lucerne properties located in the Moura, Theodore, Monto and Biloela regions, as well as a commercial fisher operating out of Gladstone. Customers have all accessed financial assistance to help recover from extreme climatic conditions, including drought or improve the long time viability of their operations.
“Property owners have used finance from QRAA’s Productivity Loans, which includes Development, First Start and Resource Management Loans of up to $500,000. Development Loans have been used to purchase additional property, assist with the installation of underground irrigation mains, irrigation pumps, centre pivot irrigators and the construction of storage sheds for produce,” he said.
Customers have also utilised finance from Resource Management Loans to improve their land management practices including reducing the impact of stock on riverbank environments, increasing the utilisation of pastures and planting leucuena.
“Many producers in the region have also received Exceptional Circumstance interest subsidy from QRAA and the Board will observe how this support has assisted producers to implement recovery activities on their enterprises following the previously dry conditions.
Mr Holden said QRAA prides itself on its ability to offer rural Queensland the highest standard of personalised service and has Client Liaison Officers based in Bundaberg, Innisfail, Kingaroy, Longreach, Mackay, Rockhampton, Roma and Toowoomba.
“Our Rockhampton and Bundaberg Client Liaison Officers, Brendan Hamilton and Mark Barrett are available to assist customers in the Central Queensland and Northern Burnett region with their applications and provide support and information about QRAA’s programs and services,” Mr Holden said.
“This personalised service is leading to a better understanding of QRAA’s assistance programs and services, with more people aware of our low interest rate of 4.23% fixed for one year, 5.09% fixed for three years and 5.79% fixed for five years and no fees and charges.
For further information about QRAA’s Board visit to the Central Queensland and Northern Burnett regions, or for details on the QRAA’s range of programs and services, please contact Freecall 1800 623 946 or visit www.qraa.qld.gov.au.