THE sugar industry was the hardest hit primary producer during Cyclone Debbie, with 889 growers receiving Natural Disaster Recovery Grants worth over $7 million to assist with clean-up and recovery efforts.
More than 1,815 applications from primary producers based from Bowen to Boonah have been approved, with the total grant payouts exceeding $15.5 million.
Acting Agriculture Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham said a breakdown of approved grant applications showed sugar, beef and horticulture were the main rural industries to have suffered damage and disruption during the cyclone and subsequent flooding.
Tropical Cyclone Debbie crossed the Queensland coast near Airlie Beach on March 28 as a category four system and caused widespread flooding as she moved down the coast.
Dr Lynham said grants of up to $25,000 each were provided to primary producers to help with the clean-up and restoration of enterprises affected by the cyclone.
A total of 496 beef producers have been awarded $4,460,624, 289 people in the horticulture industry received $2,593,242, 54 dairy farmers shared in $521,361 and 18 grain and livestock producers received $233,528.
Another 69 grants totaling $540,433 were awarded to other industries.
Dr Lynham said grant applications for TC Debbie were still open until Friday, January 12 and he urged any producers to finalise any claims as soon as possible.
“In order to receive a grant, affected producers need to have completed and paid for all necessary repairs and recovery work,” Dr Lynham said.
Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) staff will be holding meetings in Bowen and Proserpine from January 8 to 12, and in Boonah on January 9 and 10 to assist with applications.
To make a booking call 1800 623 946.
For more information and resources including the grant guidelines, forms and online application portal, visit www.qrida.qld.gov.au.
