Australian government announces loans for cyclone-affected farmers
Queensland Agriculture Minister and Minister for Rural Economic Development, Bill Byrne, said the most significant agricultural impacts were damage to horticulture crops, irrigation equipment and sugar cane crops.
Mr Byrne said that, based on initial damage reports, joint State and Federal Category B assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) had been activated for producers in the Whitsunday and Mackay Regional Council areas.
"We want to help producers recover quickly, so we've activated Category B assistance, which includes concessional loans of up to $250,000, essential working capital loans of up to $100,000, and freight subsidies of up to $5,000," Mr Byrne said in a statement.
"We're keen to assist however we can. People need to know that they're not alone, there is assistance.
"Over the coming days, we will work with the Government to ascertain what the level of damage is and where that assistance will be best targeted," North regional manager Paul Burke said.
source: abc.net.au
