Regional MPs urge government to extend looming flood disaster deadlines

After being hit by multiple flood events and a dire shortage of tradies, farmers fear they may miss out on government funding for repair works.

MPs are urging the Queensland government to extend the Disaster Assistance Grants from December 5 2022 for a further twelve months, to give flood victims a chance. Scott Stewart said the deadline had already been extended by several months.

With the land still sodden and contractors hard to come by farmers are struggling to complete flood repair work in time to be eligible for government grants.

Regional MPs are calling on the state government to extend the Disaster Assistance Grants for a further 12 months to give the flood-affected farmers a chance.

Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation project officer Alan Broome said even with an extension to March 2023 many would still struggle to apply.

“I support farmers every day and help them fill out the grant forms,” Mr Broome said.

“People are starting to get nervous.”

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said she has heard from primary producers who are very concerned they will be unable to meet grant deadlines.

Grants of up to $75,000 are available for affected primary producers.

The renovation work must be completed and fully paid for prior to submission.

A shortage of contractors available to work on properties and ongoing flooding have caused delays and left many primary producers unable to get their applications in.

Nanango MP Deb Frecklington said primary producers were very concerned they would be unable to meet grant deadlines.

“Primary producers across the South Burnett, Somerset and northern Gympie regions have been hit hard by multiple floods and continued wet weather this year,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“These ongoing wet conditions have meant they’ve been unable to access damaged paddocks, and the high demand for contractors means long wait times for works to begin.”

Alan Broome said the extension to March 2023 is an improvement but many people may still struggle to apply.

The deadline for the February 2022 to April 2022 flooding was extended and applications for assistance will be accepted until March 10, 2023.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Scott Stewart said the state government backed farmers.

“The extension has been approved because of feedback from the community and the tight market for appropriate tradies and supplies, not because of Mr Perrett’s attempts at playing politics,” Mr Stewart said.

“Agriculture is an essential industry in Queensland and is forecast to contribute $23bn to the Queensland economy this financial year despite the ravages of natural disasters over the last couple of years.”

Scott Stewart said the government backed farmers. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Opposition Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett said there was a shortage of contractors to undertake works.

“These conditions are only worse in the rural communities impacted by disasters,” Mr Perrett said.

“If the Palaszczuk Government listened to Queenslanders they would know that an extension is not only desperately needed, but common sense.

“Give disaster impacted Queenslanders the confidence they deserve,” he said.

For more information on the special disaster assistance recovery grants visit QRIDA.