In these past months Queenslander's have experienced 3 extreme weather events leaving little of the state unscathed and many still reeling. The Western Qld flooding event, the North Qld and Far North Qld Tropical Low and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred left flooding greater than the size of Texas across our state. Whilst the impact on the southwest is devastating; north Queensland continues to see a lot of issues since the beginning of January when the rain began. In the first week of February, Townsville received almost it's entire annual rainfall, and rain didn't stop there. Although a lot of our members won't ask for help, we must not forget that there are still producers in the north struggling to get access in and out of properties, have restricted or 'no' crop re-planting taking place, and have limited stock movements and supply chain access issues, exacerbated by high demand for inputs.
The full extent of damage and the stock losses in the North of QLD is still unknown. AgForce thanks the government for Category D declaration and wants to remind producers to register for QRIDA funds.
The road, rail and bridge network access remains' challenging following 120mm of rain in the past week, which further compounds the already damaged infrastructure network. The north's major roads like the Bruce Highway are in a bad state and getting worse due to the need to continue using this crucial network. Road user risks are increasing, and safety is a major concern. The Woodstock-Guru Road remains under water. The Hinchinbrook, Cassowary, Charters Towers and Hughenden Shires all have huge amounts of roads in despair, with limited access.
Rural, regional and remote Queensland have limited access to machinery, resources, contractors, and workers to help with road repairs, and with all the devastation across the state, one wonders how long before the north can get back on its feet. Queenslanders are tough, but this weather event could take months, even years before they recover.
Recovering from a disaster is tough - both financially and emotionally. If you're struggling, please reach out to your Regional Manager for a chat if you are feeling the stress of this disaster. Support is available, and you are not alone.
📞 TIACS: Free professional mental health support - 0488 846 988
📞 Lifeline: 24/7 crisis support - 13 11 14
📞 Beyond Blue: Mental health support - 1300 22 463
If your primary production business has been impacted by any of the QLD floods, financial assistance is available! QRIDA has helpful guides to ensure you have all the right documents for your Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant application.
📥 Download the guides here: 👉 Forms & downloads | Queensland Rural and Industry
Primary producers affected by the North and Far North Tropical Low between 29 January and 28 February 2025 have access to several financial assistance options to aid in their recovery:
Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants:
- Grants up to $75,000: Available to cover costs associated with clean-up and reinstatement. Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants - North and
- Initial Grant: Up to $5,000 can be accessed immediately with evidence of direct damage (e.g., photographs, quotations). Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants - North and
- Subsequent Grant: An additional amount up to $70,000 is available upon providing full evidence of payment for recovery expenses. Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants - North and
- Disaster Assistance Loans:
- Loans up to $250,000: Low-interest loans to assist with re-establishing normal operations by covering costs such as repairing or replacing damaged equipment, purchasing livestock, or meeting carry-on requirements like rent and rates. Disaster Assistance Loans | Queensland Rural and Industry
- Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loans:
- Loans up to $100,000: Designed to assist with essential working capital expenses including paying salaries or wages, creditors, rent, or purchasing goods essential for the business. Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan |
