Federal Government provides low-interest loans to those affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia.
Primary producers and small businesses in Queensland affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia now have access to low-interest concessional loans and freight subsidies.
The federal and state funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) has been activated to aid businesses in the local government areas of Banana, Livingstone, North Burnett and Rockhampton.
The program provides low-interest loans and working capital loans along with freight subsidies to help areas affected by natural disasters recover.
“Many producers throughout the region have suffered damage to their properties as well as stock and fodder losses, so it’s crucial to get them some practical help as quickly as possible,” federal infrastructure minister Warren Truss says.
“These concessional loans will help cover the costs of repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure and equipment and replacing lost livestock, while the freight subsidies will help producers move livestock, fodder and other necessary items.”
Truss says the working capital loans will help farmers and small businesses cover the costs of salaries and wages, paying creditors and buying supplies to continue operations.
Federal MP for Capricornia Michelle Landry says ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia will have a long-term impact on central Queensland’s agricultural sector.
“Some of our pineapple, tropical fruit, macadamia and avocado operations have suffered significant damage, as well as an Emu Park gourmet lettuce producer who supplied to Coles and Woolworths, and it’s not just the immediate losses that we are looking at,” Landry says.
“When crops are wiped out, farmers lose mature trees that take years to replace. Some of our primary producers are looking at huge losses and a lengthy recovery period, which will obviously have a flow-on effect on local jobs.”
Marcia hit Queensland on February 20 and largely affected central Queensland.
Information regarding the assistance available can be found on the Federal Government’s Disaster Assist website and the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website.
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