Federal government announces $100 million in grants for North Queensland flood relief, but farmers say it's not enough

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The federal government has announced $100 million in grants for flood-affected North Queenslanders, offering financial relief to primary producers and small business operators. However, some farmers say the support falls short, with concerns it won’t be enough to cover the extensive damage and losses.

Transcript

00:00Flooding has decimated Matthew Papin's cane farm at Ingham, costing him hundreds of thousands

00:09of dollars.

00:10I'm 52 years old and the fourth generation on this property and I've never seen damage

00:17that what we've got.

00:18The Commonwealth has launched an extra $100 million in disaster relief, with grants up

00:24to $25,000 available for each eligible primary producer and small business owner.

00:31Queenslanders are tough and they are resilient and I saw that with my own eyes, but that

00:37doesn't mean they can be left on their own.

00:41For Mr Papin, it barely scratches the surface.

00:44We're not in a good position anymore as farmers, so I really believe that what we've been offered

00:52already is not enough.

00:54Trucks delivering vital supplies have been left stranded, with the Bruce Highway between

01:00Ingham and Cardwell closed to all traffic at the Seymour River.

01:04In Townsville, the Premier kick-started a flood appeal, with the state government chipping

01:09in $1.5 million to charities including Lifeline and Give It.

01:14If you do have any capacity to help a region that's really been smashed hard, go to one

01:20of those five charities or go to a local charity that you know and trust and make a

01:24contribution.

01:25Even if it's small, you don't realise the difference it will make.

01:28If a donation is funded, 100% of the funds are used to purchase those items locally.

01:35We do this so we can stimulate local businesses and local economies.

01:39For Mr Papin and other Ingham locals, the clean-up is far from over.

01:44There's some areas, Brooke, that are still underwater and it's been 13 days.

Category

Transcript

Recommended