Media Releases
21 April 2010 - QRAA tours Maranoa/South-West Queensland: financial assistance for flood and drought recovery
QRAA representatives are touring Maranoa/South-West Queensland over the next two weeks offering information on financial assistance available to assist with flood and drought recovery efforts.
General Manager Program Delivery Services, Tony O’Dea said QRAA’s visit to the region will provide support to regional communities as they recover from significant climatic conditions.
“QRAA representatives will be available to meet face-to-face with primary producers and small business owners in the Maranoa/South-West region to provide information on QRAA’s range of products and services,” Mr O’Dea said.
“This includes financial assistance to assist with both flood and drought recovery as well as Productivity Loans which aim to boost an enterprise’s productivity, profitability and sustainability.”
Mr O’Dea said a QRAA representative will accompany the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) mobile office team during Primary Industries Week as it travels to St George, Roma, Charleville and Quilpie.
“The mobile office unit, which brings support services to regional communities, will have specialist staff and industry representatives on board,” Mr O’Dea said.
“In addition, QRAA will be joining with Rural Financial Counselling Service Queensland and Centrelink from 27-29 April to provide a series of free information seminars on a range of industry issues including profitability, sustainability, flood assistance and drought assistance.
“The seminars will be held at Quilpie, Thargomindah, Eulo, Cunnamulla and Augathella.”
Financial assistance available for eligible primary producers and small business owners includes:
Special Disaster Flood Assistance Grants
Grants up to $25,000 to assist with cleaning up, restoration and repairs to properties and businesses
o initial claim of up to $5,000 to assist with immediate recovery
o subsequent claim of up to $20,000 to recover costs paid to repair direct flood damage (proof of expenditure must be provided).
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance Loans
Loans of up to $250,000 (4.00 per cent interest rate) to assist with recovery and re-establishment of the business/enterprise following the flood event.
Productivity Loans
Development, First Start and Resource Management Loans up to $500,000 at fixed interest rates of 5.66 per cent for one year, 6.08 per cent for three years and 6.43 per cent for five years. No fees and charges for the life of the loan and flexible repayment terms.
Exceptional Circumstances interest subsidy
Interest subsidy support up to $100,000 to contribute towards interest payments on new or existing commercial loans (up to a maximum of 80 per cent of loan interest payments). Program expires 15 June 2010.
Drought Recovery Loans
Loans up to $200,000 for primary producers to cover costs associated with planting a post drought crop or restocking. Program expires 30 June 2010.
QRAA representatives will be available at the following locations:
Town | Location | Date | Time |
St George | DEEDI mobile office (bus) | Tue 20 April | 10am–2pm |
Roma | DEEDI mobile office (bus) | Wed 21 April | 7am–11am |
Charleville | DEEDI mobile office (bus) | Thur 22 April | 10am–2pm |
Quilpie | DEEDI mobile office (bus) | Fri 23 April Tue 27 April | 12pm–4pm
|
Thargomindah | Information Session | Tue 27 April | 3:30pm–5:30pm |
Eulo | Information Session | Wed 28 April | 9am–11am |
Cunnamulla | Information Session | Wed 28 April | 3pm–5pm |
Augathella | Information Session | Thur 29 April | 12pm–2pm |
Mr O’Dea said QRAA will be rescheduling Exceptional Circumstances temporary offices in the Maranoa/ South-West region to be held during May to assist with drought assistance applications before the approaching June deadlines. The locations will include St George, Surat, Tara, Meandarra, Quilpie and Cunnamulla.
For further information about QRAA’s programs and services, please contact Freecall 1800 623 946 or visit www.qraa.qld.gov.au.