Support announced for grants, loans, freight subsidies for Charters Towers and Flinders Shire LGAs

Further assistance has been announced for primary producers and rural landholders in the Charters Towers and Flinders regions to assist with the clean-up and replacement of stock. DETAILS >

6/02/2025: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with Queensland Premier David Crisafulli and Minister for Emergency Management and Cities Jenny McAllister visit the Ollera Creek Bridge, north of Townsville following flooding in Far North Queensland. Picture: PMO

Further assistance has been announced for primary producers and rural landholders in the local government areas of Charters Towers and Flinders Shire.

Recovery grants, concessional loans and freight subsidies are available to primary producers, with grants available to rural landholders in the areas.

The assistance is being provided to help with the clean-up, repair of equipment, replacement of stock, loss of income and ensuring the continuing of operations.

The grants are to support eligible rural landholders or lessees of at least 10 hectares who sustained direct damage due to the floods, but are not eligible for primary producer assistance.

The support is jointly funded by the state and federal governments through the Commonwealth State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Police have released vision following a search and rescue near Charters Towers on Friday night, January 26. Three off-road vehicles went recreational driving to observe storm effects, when they became stranded due to rising flood waters. Picture Queensland Police

An additional 17 councils are now also eligible for disaster support after the recent flooding event for emergency repairs and the rebuild of damaged roads including Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Croydon, Diamantina, Flinders, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Longreach, McKinlay, Northern Peninsula Area, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Winton, and Wujal Wujal Councils.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said the floods had a “profound impact” on a number of councils, primary producers and land holders across North, Far North and Western Queensland.

Thursday February 6. Heavy rain causes flooding in North Queensland. The Prime Minister will visit Ollera Creek where the Australian Defence Force is delivering a temporary bridge structure to support rescue efforts. Member for Kennedy Bob Katter with the PM Anthony Albanese, Premier David Crisafulli, Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAlister and Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy. Picture: Evan Morgan

“As we understand the full extent of damage from this flooding event, we are moving quickly to activate appropriate support for these communities,” she said.

“Recovery can take time and our government is here for the long haul.”

Disaster Recovery Minister Ann Leahy said the scale of the weather event has been devastating.

Councils in impacted areas have been working around the clock as they tackle the challenge of serving their communities under very difficult circumstances. I know primary producers and landholders are also feeling the full effects,” she said.

“North Queensland knows that the state and Commonwealth governments are working hard to get the affected communities the support they need.”

Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy, flanked by Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) CEO Alison Smith and Hinchinbrook Shire Council Deputy Mayor Mary Brown, who is also president of the Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce. The trio were speaking outside the council headquarters in flood-ravaged Ingham on Tuesday. Picture: Cameron Bates

• A total of thirty councils are now activated for DRFA assistance in response to the North and Far North Tropical Low weather event: Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Burdekin, Cairns, Carpentaria, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers, Cloncurry, Cook, Croydon, Diamantina, Douglas, Etheridge, Flinders, Hinchinbrook, Hope Vale, Kowanyama, Longreach, McKinlay, Northern Peninsula Area, Palm Island, Pormpuraaw, Richmond, Tablelands, Townsville, Whitsunday, Winton, Wujal Wujal, and Yarrabah.
• Disaster Recovery Grants up to $25,000, Disaster Assistance Loans up to $250,000 and Essential Working Capital Loans up to $100,000 will allow primary producers to re-establish and maintain operations, while freight subsidies up to $5,000 can be applied for to move stock and supplies.
• Eligible rural landholders can apply for grants up to $10,000 for their clean-up efforts and the reinstatement of any primary production conducted on their property.
• For primary producer grants and loans, and rural landholder grants, visit the QRIDA website, www.qrida.qld.gov.au, or call 1800 623 946.
• Applications for freight subsidies can be made via Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries on 13 25 23 or at www.daf.qld.gov.au.

Originally published as Support announced for grants, loans, freight subsidies for Charters Towers and Flinders Shire LGAs