Early reports point to extensive damage to sugar cane, fruit, vegetable, foliage and intensive animal industry producers after severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie battered the Queensland coast this week.
As the region’s farmers start the painful process of assessing Debbie’s initial impact, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) points out that Category B assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) is now available, along with other aid – see below.
QFF president Stuart Armitage says that, although the initial wind impacts of Cyclone Debbie have passed, the threat to farmers from localised and extensive flooding is far from over.
“The immediately affected region has felt the full brunt of a category 4 cyclone,” he says. “Although it is early days, the region is worth over $1 billion to Queensland’s agricultural production value so it would be fair to assume that the damage will be at least hundreds of millions of dollars.
“Contact with farmers continues to be difficult as many properties remain isolated by flood waters and communication channels via landline or mobile phone are inconsistent.
Armitage says that, as the system moves inland and southward the expected high rainfall will most likely result in flooding in regions that were not initially impacted by the cyclone.
“It is essential that farmers continue to monitor their local situations as flood warnings have been issued for coastal catchments between Gladstone in Queensland and Bellingen in northern New South Wales,” he says.
“QFF is working closely with all agricultural industries and the Queensland and Federal Governments to assess the cyclone’s impact.
“The collaborative effort will continue as the focus shifts towards recovery,” Armitage adds. “QFF is committed to offering support and information to farmers from all industries in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie.”
At the time of writing, the BOM advises that: “Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie is located over inland central Queensland near Rolleston and is slowly tracking southeastwards.
“Widespread cloud with areas of rain and embedded thunderstorms leading to heavy rainfall, flooding and destructive winds continues to affect central and southern districts of Queensland.
“High-level banded cloud is streaming away from this system over southern Queensland and northern NSW.”
QFF will provide regular updates through the farmerdisastersupport.org.au website
Cyclone Debbie recovery support
- Category B assistance under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA)
- DAF freight subsidies of up to $5,000 per property to move materials, such as emergency fodder, restocking, building and fencing materials and machinery and equipment movement to assist in recovery. Call DAF on 13 25 35
- Natural Disaster Loans & Essential Working Capital Loans of up to $250,000 are available through QRAA. Call 1800 623 946