The Queensland Government has released a grant to assist Queensland primary producers recover following the Southeast Queensland Rainfall and Flooding event from 22 February to 7 March 2022.

Eligibility
To be able to access this grant funding, applicant must:

1. Hold an Australian Business Number;
2. Own a primary production business located within one of the following disaster areas and have suffered direct damage as result of the disaster:

• Brisbane City Council
• Fraser Coast Regional Council
• Gladstone Regional Council
• Gold Coast City Council
• Goondiwindi Regional Council
• Gympie Regional Council
• Ipswich City Council
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Logan City Council
• Moreton Bay Regional Council
• Noosa Shire Council
• North Burnett Regional Council
• Redland City Council
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Somerset Regional Council
• South Burnett Regional Council
• Southern Downs Regional Council
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Toowoomba Regional Council

3. Be responsible for meeting the costs claimed in the application; and
4. Intend to re-establish the primary production business in the disaster area
5. Applicants may also be eligible for the grant if both apply:

• The primary production business is located outside of the defined disaster area but is operated at least sometimes on a regular basis in the area; and
• Plant or equipment of the primary production business situated in the disaster area has been damaged because of the disaster.

This grant can assist impacted primary production enterprise with the following:

• Engaging a tradesperson to conduct a safety inspection of damage to a property, premises, or equipment;
• Purchasing, hiring, or leasing equipment or materials to clean a property, premises, or equipment;
• Employing a person to clean a property, premises, or equipment if –
  • The cost would not ordinarily have been incurred in the absence of the eligible disaster; or
  • The cost exceeds the cost of employing a person to clean the property, premises or equipment that would ordinarily have been incurred in the absence of the eligible disaster;
• Removing and disposing of debris or damaged goods and material;
• Repairing a building or repairing or replacing fittings in a building if the repair or replacement is essential for resuming operation of the primary production business;
• Purchasing, hiring, or leasing equipment or materials that are essential for immediately resuming operation of the primary production enterprise; and
• Any of the following:
  • Repairing or reconditioning essential plant or equipment;
  • Repairing or replacing fencing on a property, other than to the extent, the cost may be recovered under other assistance;
  • Purchasing fodder, other than to the extent, the cost may be recovered under other assistance;
  • Maintaining the health of livestock;
  • Replacing the dead livestock;
  • Repairing or restoring fields;
  • Salvaging crops, grain, or feed;
  • Replacing lost or damaged plants in the replacement is essential for immediately resuming operation of the primary production business;
  • Replacing essential water that has been used for firefighting; and
  • Carting water.
    

Eligible applicants can access up to $75,000 in assistance via two payments:

1. An initial amount of up to $15,000 is available to support. Photographs, quotations, tax invoices and official receipts are required to support the initial application; and

2. An amount of up to $60,000 is available to support subsequent claims when full evidence of payment is provided.

Applications for the grant close 5 September 2022.

If you would like further information in relation to the above grant funding program or if you would like assistance in applying for this grant, please contact Naomi Green on 07 4688 8400.

These times are extremely tough and challenging for many people and businesses and it is now more important than ever to reach out for support when you need it. Contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.