Aust, Qld govts help flood-affected businesses
The Federal and Queensland state governments have announced extra assistance for small businesses and primary producers affected by the flood crisis.
Grants of up to $25,000 will be made available in 13 local government areas of Banana, Barcaldine, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Lockyer Valley, North Burnett, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Western Downs, and Woorabinda.for clean-up and recovery efforts.
"This targeted financial assistance will help them minimise their economic losses as they embark on the very difficult recovery period that lies ahead and help business start trading as soon as possible," Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in a joint statement with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.
The category C assistance can be used to "help primary producers with cleanup, removal of debris, disposal of dead livestock and further restoration without which production and viability could be disrupted beyond the next season."
It will also help pay for urgent fodder drops for stranded livestock.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin MP also announced additional natural disaster assistance for primary producers and small businesses in 23 flood-affected local government areas across Queensland.
Concessional interest rate loans of up to $250,000 for primary producers, as well as freight subsidies of up to $5,000, are available in Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Gladstone, Goondiwindi, Isaac, Lockyer Valley, Longreach, Maranoa, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Woorabinda and Western Downs.