Assistance dealing with floods

The Federal Government has announced additional assistance measures to support dairy farms impacted by floods and severe weather. Grants of up to $75,000 are now available for affected dairy farms in both QLD and NSW. This assistance is regardless of previous assistance given for other recent flooding events and importantly includes assistance for labour costs.

Dairy Australia in conjunction with state governments and local service providers are facilitating a range of on-farm consultations to help dairy businesses with a range of technical issues, accessing government funding and long term business planning. Please contact your local Subtropical Dairy extension officer (see contact details at the end of the eNews) for more information. Resources for dealing with floods and wet weather can be found here.

QLD and NSW Damage Survey

To better allocate aid and recovery, it is vital to identify on-farm impacts from flood waters, heavy rainfall and exposure. When reporting, please include flood-related losses such as stock and fodder, damage to crops, pastures, fencing and other farm infrastructure. This will guarantee the state government understands the extent of the damage and its regional distribution. Details such as these will further assist government agencies to direct resources and help to the most appropriate regions.

Report flood damage here:

NSW: Natural Disaster Assessment – NSW DPI (arcgis.com)
QLD: DAF Natural Disaster Impact Survey (arcgis.com)

 

Search the latest technical resources for flood and natural disaster impact management on the Dairy Australia website.

 

 Queensland

Financial Assistance

Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants are now available to directly assist small businesses, primary producers and non-profits directly impacted by Southeast Queensland’s Rainfall and Flooding.

Grants of up to $75,000 are available to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace fencing and other costs associated with the recovery process.

The maximum grant amount is $75,000 which is available through two applications.

    • An initial $15,000 is available to support an initial claim. Evidence of direct damage is required: photographs, quotations, tax invoices or official receipts.
    • A subsequent amount of up to $60,000 is available thereafter for which full evidence of payment is required.

Applicants need to show they are an eligible primary producer within the declared disaster area and demonstrate they have suffered direct impact from the disaster.

For more information on assistance and eligibility, please visit: Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants – South East Queensland Rainfall and Flooding

Freight Subsidies

Eligible primary producers can apply for a freight subsidy of up to $5,000 per property to move essential materials such as fodder, building and fencing materials, machinery, and animals for restocking.

For more information: Freight subsidies for disaster affected primary producers

Essential Working Capital Loan

Eligible primary producers can apply for concessional loans to continue the normal operation of their enterprise.

For more information: Disaster Assistance (Essential Working Capital) Loan

 

Disaster recovery for livestock farms

Find advice for livestock farms that have been affected by a natural disaster, including:

    • Managing cattle after a natural disaster
    • Animal welfare
    • Parasite problems in animals after a flood
    • Vector transmitted disease
    • Infectious animal disease issues
    • Risk of plant poisoning after a flood
    • Foot disease in animals

Please visit: Disaster recovery for livestock farms

Flood-affected producers who need assistance with sick or injured animals can contact the vet hotline on 1800 621 918.

Community hubs have been opened across Queensland with representatives from community organisations including Lifeline, Red Cross and Salvation Army to help ease the burden on flood affected people.

The community recovery hubs will open from 9am – 5pm, seven days a week at:

    • Caboolture: Learning and Business Centre, 4 Hasking Street, Caboolture
    • Redcliffe: Webb Hall, Redcliffe Showgrounds Scarborough Road, Redcliffe
    • Gympie: Gympie Civic Centre, 32 Mellor Street, Gympie.

New South Wales

Financial Assistance Available

Assistance is now being provided to 45 local government areas in NSW through jointly funded commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Primary producers recovering from floods can receive support with the Special Disaster Grant (SDG) of up to $75,000.

Flood affected primary producers are encouraged to apply for the special disaster grants to access financial assistance as soon as possible. Once approved, an initial $15,000 is provided upfront, with a further $60,000 in financial assistance available thereafter upon submission of valid tax invoices.

If you require assistance in applying for the grant:

    • Free, confidential assistance is available from your local rural financial counselling service. Please follow the link for more information: Rural Financial Counselling.
      Producers can grant permission to work with your private financial advisor or accountant to assist you. If you are interested, please contact the Rural Assistance Authority team on 1800 678 593.
    • Dairy Australia will be outsourcing consultants to assist in filling out claim forms. If you are unable to access resources such as Rural Financial Counseling to complete the grant application form, please contact Subtropical Dairy extension officer Alana Connolly on 0428 848 890.

For more information, please visit: Special Disaster Grants – NSW Severe Weather & Flooding February 2022 onwards

More financial assistance

Disaster assistance finder, Australian Government payments, additional childcare subsidy, business support, bank and financial counselling available in NSW is available here: Financial assistance

Clean up and Emergency Fodder

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services are aiding landholders and communities with animal welfare-related issues resulting from the floods, including:

    • Animal assessment and veterinary assistance
    • Stock euthanasia and burial
    • Emergency fodder (up to three days’ supply)
    • Emergency stock water (where there is an immediate animal welfare concern)
    • Livestock feeding and management advice
    • Care of animals in evacuation centres

Animal Remains

For current animal disposal advice, please see the following resources.

Information on local recovery activities or advice on pastures, livestock, cropping and environment recovery can be sought from your Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.

Further information

For more information, please visit: Floods and storms (nsw.gov.au)

Emergency Fodder

Landholders, please contact the Agricultural and Animal Service Hotline on 1800 814 647 to register for emergency fodder. Emergency fodder for flood affected livestock is available at the following sites and can be collected once registered landholders have been notified of an allocation:

    • Casino – Primex site – 8:00am-5:00pm Daily
    • Alstonville – McGregor Gourlay, 28 Kays Lane – 8:00am-5:00pm Daily
    • Grafton – McGregor Gourlay, 42 Hyde St, South Grafton – 8:00am-5:00pm Daily

Flood Assistance – other organisations

Drought Angels

This organisation provides relief to primary producers Australia-wide, experiencing financial hardship due to natural disasters – not just droughts. Drought Angels provides financial assistance, food hampers, care packs and personalised support to thousands of farming families.

They are also able to help with feed and transport resources. Other immediate assistance is delivered in the form of food hampers, care packs, pre-paid Mastercard’s, IGA & BP Gift cards.

If you are wanting support, please call 07 4662 7371 or visit: Apply For Assistance – Drought Angels

BlazeAid

BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that assists disaster affected people to clear, repair or replace fences lost on the property as a result of a natural disaster. BlazeAid works with people who are in genuine need of volunteer assistance. This includes those who are not insured or are under-insured for the cost of rebuilding their fences, or where the personal, physical, or financial circumstances of the family are such that they are in need of BlazeAid’s assistance.

Northern NSW

Address: Casino Showgrounds, Summerland Way, Casino
Co-ordinator: Chris Male 0418 745 994
Donations and General Enquiries: Debbie Buttler 0418 990 267
Email: blazeaid.casino@gmail.com

Queensland

        • Biggenden
          Address: Biggenden Showgrounds, Saleyards Road, Biggenden
          Co-ordinator: Bev Holzberger 0477 555 022
          Donations and General Enquiries: Debbie Buttler 0418990267
        • Murgon
          Address: Murgon Showgrounds, 38 MacAlister Street, Murgon Qld
          Co-ordinator: Ron Murphy 0449 825 108
          Donations and General Enquiries: Debbie Buttler 0418990267
        • Woolooga
          Address: Brooyar Station, 83 Brooyar Road, Woolooga (off Bauple-Woolooga Road)
          Co-ordinator: Kerrie 0419 602 259
          Donations and General Enquiries: Debbie Buttler 0418990267

For more information on fencing aid, please visit: How to get Fencing Help

Fodder Donations

Farmers interested in donating fodder, please contact the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

Resilience assistance