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9 January 2024.

Information and links for assistance for producers impacted by ex-TC Jasper and SEQ severe storms. 

ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper

  • Further financial recovery assistance, including $75,000 grants, is now available for eligible primary producers impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, commencing 13 December 2023.  Visit QRIDA or call 1800 623 946 for more information and to check if your enterprise is eligible.
  • A series of pop-up Community Recovery Hubs will activate from 2 January 2024 across impacted areas to provide advice and support for primary producers.
  • DAF will have a presence at the Community Recovery Hubs in Mareeba, the Daintree and Innisfail to help producers find the right support and advice on financial assistance and how to apply, crop recovery and animal health, as well as mental health and wellbeing support, and free financial counselling.
  • Producers who experience losses or damage to their property are encouraged to fill in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Disaster Impact Survey to help the Queensland Government and industry quickly assess the regions for financial recovery assistance.
  • Producers should keep records of any impacts, including date-stamped photos (which most cameras do automatically). This will inform eligibility for assistance. Producers will need to assess and document damages and losses from this event to submit a claim.
  • Search DAF’s information on recovery and assistance for producers or call us on 13 25 23. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Learn how to meet your general biosecurity obligation to prevent spread of pests and diseases after flooding.

Financial assistance – ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper

  • Further financial recovery assistance, including $75,000 grants, is now available for eligible primary producers impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, commencing 13 December 2023.  
  • Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants of up to $75,000. The maximum total grant is $75,000. Initial application/s up to the total amount of $10,000 is available to support an initial claim. Evidence of the direct damage is required such as photographs and quotations, tax invoices or official receipts. Subsequent application/s up to the total amount of $65,000 is available to support subsequent claims for which full evidence of payment is required. Complete applications are assessed in order of receipt and QRIDA may request further information to help assess an application. Contact QRIDA on 1 800 623 946 or via qrida.qld.gov.au
  • Disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000 for eligible producers to repair or replace damaged assets like plant and equipment, to repair premises, or to replace stock and maintain liquidity. Contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946 or via qrida.qld.gov.au
  • Essential working capital loans: Up to $100,000 for eligible producers to allow for the continuation of operations, including paying wages, rents or rates, purchasing items such as fuel, fodder and water, or for the transportation of livestock and produce. Contact QRIDA on 1 800 623 946 or via qrida.qld.gov.au
  • Freight assistance: Up to $5,000 for eligible primary producers to assist with movement of stock, feed, machinery, fuel, water, and building or fencing materials. Contact DAF on 13 25 23 or daf.qld.gov.au
  • Affected smaller scale producers and agriculture supply chain businesses are also able to access small business support.
  • Assistance and support available to eligible people in disaster activated areas include:   
    • personal hardship assistance
    • reconnection of essential services (e.g. electricity, gas, water, sewerage)
  • The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free rural financial counselling to farmers, fishing enterprises, forestry growers and harvesters, and small related businesses who are suffering financial hardship.
  • Search DAF’s information on recovery and assistance for producers or call us on 13 25 23. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Southeast Queensland Severe Storms

  • DAF is working closely with government and industry to assess impacts to agribusinesses.
  • Financial recovery assistance is now available for primary producers impacted by the Christmas Night Southeast Queensland Severe Storms, commencing 24 December 2023.
  • Producers who experience losses or damage to their property are encouraged to fill in DAF’s Disaster Impact Survey to help the Queensland Government and industry quickly assess the regions for financial recovery assistance.
  • Producers should keep records of any impacts, including date-stamped photos. This will inform eligibility for assistance. Producers will need to assess and document damages and losses from this event to submit a claim. For further information or advice for primary producers contact 13 25 23.

Financial assistance – Southeast Queensland Severe Storms

  • Disaster assistance loans of up to $250,000 for eligible producers to repair or replace damaged assets like plant and equipment, to repair premises, or to replace stock and maintain liquidity. Contact QRIDA on 1 800 623 946 or via qrida.qld.gov.au
  • Essential working capital loans: Up to $100,000 for eligible producers to allow for the continuation of operations, including paying wages, rents or rates, purchasing items such as fuel, fodder and water, or for the transportation of livestock and produce. Contact QRIDA on 1 800 623 946 or via qrida.qld.gov.au
  • Freight assistance: Up to $5,000 for eligible primary producers to assist with movement of stock, feed, machinery, fuel, water, and building or fencing materials. Contact DAF on 13 25 23 or daf.qld.gov.au
  • LGA eligibility: City of Gold Coast, Scenic Rim Regional Council and Logan City Council.

General health and safety information and links

Flood risks for animals and crops

  • Flooding increases the risk of animals becoming ill.
  • Tick and mosquito-borne diseases are of particular concern.
  • Keep an eye out for signs of illness including:
    • parasites
    • plant poisoning
    • foot diseases
    • infectious diseases such as botulism
    • clostridial (mainly blackleg) and leptospiral (lepto) infections
    • vector-transmitted diseases such as three-day sickness.
  • If it’s flooded forget it goes for farms too. Mud on vehicles is one of the most common ways pests and diseases are spread onto and between farms. Avoid sightseeing or entering flooded farms, unless it’s an emergency, and if you do have to enter the farm contact the owner and follow on-farm biosecurity procedures. Ensure you ‘come clean and leave clean’ and don’t spread plant and pest diseases.
  • Contact your local council for assistance with animal carcass disposal following declared natural disasters. Your local council can provide advice on animal carcass disposal.
  • Any deceased animals must be disposed of safely. Human health concerns, work health and safety precautions and environmental impacts must be considered.
  • More information about caring for animals in natural disasters is available

 Use DAF resources to help recover your business

  • If your crops or animals have been affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, there’s steps you can take to help your business recover.

Recover your crops by:

Remember, animals may become ill after the recent rainfall and flooding with tick and mosquito borne disease of particular concern.

Keep an eye out for signs of illness including:

If you need advice visit our website or call 13 25 23.

Food safety advice for fresh produce exposed to floodwater

After major weather events it is important to consider potential contamination leading to risks to public health. In the case of flooding, there is the risk of both chemical and microbiological contamination of crops – especially where the edible portion is grown on or close to the ground (e.g. root vegetables, leafy vegetables, melons).

Contamination may originate from runoff, sewage, or manure, and contain rotting vegetative matter, dead animals, and debris. Growers are reminded to exercise common sense when assessing the safety and suitability of their crops for human consumption. If in doubt, dispose of it. For produce that has not come into contact with flood waters, a thorough risk assessment should be undertaken to ensure it is safe to enter the food supply chain. For more information, the International Fresh Produce Association has developed some Food Safety Guidelines for handling fresh produce exposed to flood water. 

General disaster assistance and contacts

For the latest storm, flood, cyclone warnings and emergency alerts (see ‘warnings’) visit https://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings

Follow your local council dashboard for emergency news, road closures and updates on evacuation centres and support services: https://www.disaster.qld.gov.au/our-partners

Need help in your language? Free translation services are available: https://www.qld.gov.au/help/languages

For the latest recovery assistance and list of disaster activated areas visit QRA https://www.qra.qld.gov.au/disaster-funding-activations/activations

Mental health and wellbeing support

Mental health and wellbeing support is available to people impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and the Southeast Queensland Severe Storms:

Royal Flying Doctor Service Far North Mental Health and Wellbeing service, phone 40 400 444 or email MHadmin@rfdsqld.com.au

Mental health services available near you https://www.qld.gov.au/health/mental-health/help-lines/services

Lifeline Farmer to Farmer on 1800 936 229

Royal Flying Doctor Service Mental Health and Wellbeing on the Land guide

Queensland Health Tackling Regional Adversity through Integrated Care program, delivering clinicians in rural communities

Rural Aid free counselling and wellbeing mental health program

Stay Afloat for affected aquaculture enterprises