Cotton Australia is working with state and local authorities to help Queensland grower’s access emergency flood relief, while the banking sector has also stepped up to offer relief packages. Recent flooding has impacted much of Queensland, particularly in the Murgon and Biloela districts, with damage to farms in the following cotton-producing shires:
-Banana Shire Council -North Burnett Regional Council
-South Burnett Regional Council
-Southern Downs Regional Council -Toowoomba Regional Council
-Western Downs Regional Council -Goondiwindi Regional Council
Farmers and rural business owners in flood-affected areas can access assistance through Category B provisions of the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) program. Assistance includes freight subsidies of up to $5000 and access to concessional loans of up to $250,000.
Cotton Australia, in conjunction with other agribusiness groups, is supporting the Queensland Government's application to access higher levels of support in Category C provisions of the NDRRA, which includes emergency cash grants of up to $25,000.
Earlier this week it was announced that Category B relief was declared for Goondiwindi Regional Council area, and escalated to Category C for North Burnett shire.
