Queensland farmers have begun the process of rebuilding and recovery from the recent damage inflicted by Tropical Cyclone Debbie and the associated flooding. The scale of the damage has been extensive from north Queensland to northern NSW.
An up to date, regional and industry specific breakdown of Queensland’s agricultural impact is available HERE.
Queensland Farmers’ Federation President Stuart Armitage welcomed the activation of Category B disaster assistance for primary producers in the Central highlands, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Isaac, Lockyer Valley, Logan and Scenic Rim. These regions join the already declared Mackay and Whitsunday.
Details on Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRAA) support payments available can be found HERE.
“In coordination with industry members, QFF has already swung into action and is ready to again play a key role facilitating support and communication between government and industry,”
“It is essential that impacted farmers collect and pass information to their industry associations that quantifies the extent of the damage to their businesses,”
“This information is used to ensure appropriate recovery processes are implemented. Regardless of the impact felt, all information is fed into the whole of agricultural sector impact assessment.”
Primary producers are encourage to make contact with one of the following peak industry association groups: AgForce, CANEGROWERS, Cotton Australia, Flower Association, Growcom, Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland (NGIQ), Pork Queensland Inc, Queensland Chicken Growers’ Association (QCGA), Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO), Queensland United Egg Producers (QUEP) and Timber Queensland.
“QFF has a dedicated farmerdisastersupport.org.au website that provides postcode and industry specific advice for farmers in the aftermath of a natural disaster. The website is a ‘one-stop-shop’ to access information, updates, and to better communicate the sometimes confusing and overwhelming messages in the time after a disaster,” said Mr. Armitage.
“QFF strongly encourage farmers to use this service as it provides financial, industry and mental health support in one place,”
“It will be some time before the full extent of the damage is well understood and in some way quantified, but the initial impacts have been realised,”
“QFF will continue to work closely and constructively with government to ensure the appropriate levels of support are on offer for farmers through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRAA).”
“The journey to recovery is not one taken alone. Industry organisations and QFF are here to assist farmers through this process and are committed to ensuring our sector gets back on its feet.”