Assistance
Programs
Queensland have had a signifi cant impact on individuals, small businesses
and primary producers.
Federal and State Government responses to the crisis have been swift
and a wide range of funding initiatives have been launched, to compliment
already existing programs.
We have compiled a guide detailing all the funding programs that are
available to those affected by the fl oods. We have listed the grants and
loans according to whether they are being funded by the Federal or State
Government, then by their relevance to individuals, small business or
primary producers. For information on schemes being offered by local
councils, please contact your council directly.
The guide also refers to some of the existing drought funding programs.
While this may seem a strange fi t, these programs actually offer assistance
in ‘exceptional circumstances’ and these circumstances have now been
broadened to include the recent fl oods.
For more detail on your eligibility for any of the schemes or to make an
application, please contact the relevant department or program provider,
whose details we have listed at the bottom of each program.
2. Federal . . . 5
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment . . . 5
Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy . . . 6
Australian Taxation Offi ce – Flood Assistance . . . 7
3. Queensland . . . 8
Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal Emergency Assistance . . . 8
Structural Assistance Grant . . . 9
Essential Household Contents Grant . . . 10
Personal Hardship Assistance . . . 11
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant . . . 12
Mortgage Relief Loan . . . 13
Brisbane City Council – Financial Assistance . . . 14
Special Disaster Flood Assistance – Small Businesses . . . 15
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance – Small Business . . . 16
Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) – Small Business . . . 17
Special Disaster Flood Assistance – Primary Producers . . . 18
Freight Subsidies – Primary Producers . . . 19
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance – Primary Producers . . . 20
Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) – Primary Producers . . . 21
Drought Recovery Scheme . . . 22
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements . . . 23
4. New South Wales . . . 24
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme – Household Contents and Structural Repairs . . . 24
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Stamp Duty Relief) – Motor Vehicles . . . 25
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants) – Small Businesses . . . 26
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Loans) – Small Business and Primary Producers . 27
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant – Small Business . . . 35
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy Support – Small Businesses . . . 36
Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) – Small Businesses . . . 37
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant – Primary Producers . . . 38
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy Support – Primary Producers . . . 39
Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) – Primary Producers . . . 40
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant – Not-For-Profi t Organisations . . . 41
Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) – Not-For-Profi t Organisations . . . 42
Community Recovery Fund . . . 43
6. South Australia . . . 44
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies (ECIRS) – Small Businesses . 44
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies (ECIRS) – Primary Producers . 45
7. Tasmania . . . 46
Clean Up and Assistance Grants – Small Businesses . . . 46
Clean Up and Assistance Grants – Primary Producers . . . 48
1. Summary Matrix
The programs under each region are sorted alphabetically.
Funding Programs
Individual
Small Business Primary Producer
Other Grant Loan
Loan Subsidy
Other
Federal
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment P P
Australian Taxation Offi ce – Flood Assistance P P
Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy P P P
Queensland
Brisbane City Council – Flood Assistance P P
Drought Recovery Scheme P P
Essential Household Contents Grant P P
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant P P
Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) – Primary Producers P P
Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) – Small Business P P
Freight Subsidies – Primary Producers P P
Mortgage Relief Loan P P
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance – Primary Producers P P
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance – Small Business P P
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements P P
Personal Hardship Assistance P P
Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal P P
Special Disaster Flood Assistance – Primary Producers P P
Special Disaster Flood Assistance – Small Businesses P P
Structural Assistance Grant P P
New South Wales
Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme – Sporting Clubs P P P
Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Loans) – Not-for-Profi t Organisations P P
Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Transport Subsidies) – Primary Producers P P
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme – Household Contents and Structural Repairs P P P
Funding Programs
Individual
Small Business Primary Producer
Other Grant Loan
Loan Subsidy
Other
Victoria
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant – Not-For-Profi t Organisations P P
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant – Primary Producers P P
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant – Small Business P P
Community Recovery Fund P P
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy Support – Primary Producers P P
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy Support – Small Businesses P P
Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) – Not-For-Profi t Organisations P P
Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) – Primary Producers P P
Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) – Small Businesses P P
Personal Hardship Grants – Emergency Grant P P
Personal Hardship Grants – Re-Establishment Grant P P
Personal Hardship Grants – Temporary Living Grant P P
South Australia
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies (ECIRS) – Primary Producers P P
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies (ECIRS) – Small Businesses P P
Tasmania
Clean Up and Assistance Grants – Charities and Non-Profi t Organisations P P
Clean Up and Assistance Grants – Primary Producers P P
2. Federal
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
Individuals
Funding Amount: Up to $1,000
Overview
A payment to assist people adversely affected by the heavy rainfall, storm damage and associated flooding that began in November 2010 and continued in January 2011 in the state of Queensland.
Who Can Apply
Payments of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child will be made if: • A person was seriously injured.
• A person is the immediate family member of an Australian killed as a direct result of the disaster.
• A person’s principal place of residence has been destroyed.
• A person’s principal place of residence has sustained major damage.
• A person is unable to gain access to their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more.
• A person is stranded in their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more. • A person’s principal place of residence was without electricity, water, gas, sewerage
services or another essential service for at least 48 hours (a utility failure) and the utility failure was caused by damage to public or private infrastructure.
• A person is a principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above.
Closing Information
Claim forms must be lodged before 4 July 2011.
Provided By
Name: Centrelink Phone: 180 22 66
Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy
Individuals & Small Business
Overview
This subsidy will assist employees, small business persons, and farmers who have had a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding and severe weather that began from 29 November 2010 and continued in January 2011 in the states of QLD, NSW, Victoria, SA and WA.
Who Can Apply
A claimant will be eligible where he/she:
• Derives an income from an area affected by the disaster or resides in an area affected by the disaster.
• Is 16 years of age, or older, and is not a dependent child.
• Is either an Australian resident and living in Australia for the period he/she is receipt of the Subsidy.
• Or a foreign national, living or working in Australia at the time of the disaster and for the period of time he/she is in receipt of the Subsidy.
• Has experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the disaster and can show evidence supporting this within 28 days.
• Is not currently (at the time of lodgement) receiving another income support payment or pension (such as Age Pension, Newstart Allowance, service pension from the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or Exceptional Circumstances Income Relief Payment). • Where a member of a couple, the claimant must qualify in their own right.
Eligible Activities
Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy consists of ex-gratia payments equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance, as detailed below:
• Single $469.70 per fortnight.
• Single with dependent child $508.20 per fortnight. • Partnered $424 (each) per fortnight.
• Under 21 (from 29 November 2010 to 31 December 2010) $377 per fortnight. • Under 21 (from 1 January 2011) $388.70 per fortnight.
• 16-20 year old, single with dependent child $508.20 per fortnight.
Main Assessment Criteria
May need to show proof of birth or proof of arrival in Australia, or, any other approved documents.
You will also need to provide evidence supporting the claimed loss of income within 28 days of claiming, for example, pay slips from an employer, bank statements showing previous bank deposits from an employer, a letter from the employer, BAS statements, income tax returns, or other account documents identifying cash flow.
Closing Date: 28 February 2011
Provided By
Australian Taxation Offi ce – Flood Assistance
Small Business
Overview
The ATO recognises that businesses in flood affected areas may need more time to meet their lodgment and payment obligations.
If your business address is in Queensland (one of the identified flood affected postcodes listed on the ATO website) or the Tweed area, the ATO will automatically defer the lodgment and payment dates for December monthly activity statements from the original due date of 21 January 2011 to 21 February 2011.
Applicants will not need to apply for a deferral. If deferrals to later dates have already been approved, they will still apply.
Closing Information
Lodgement and payment dates for December monthly activity statements are deferred from the original due date of 21 January 2011 to 21 February 2011.
Provided By
Name: Australian Tax Office Phone: 1800 806 218
3. Queensland
Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal Emergency
Assistance
Individuals
Overview
The Queensland Government launched a disaster relief appeal on 29 December 2010 to help those affected by wide spread flooding throughout the state.
The Australian public, business community and all levels of government have given generously to the appeal, which will initially focus on helping individuals and families who are experiencing hardship from the impacts of this natural disaster.
Eligible applicants will receive $2,000 per adult (18 years of age and over) $1,000 per dependent child (under 18 years of age).
Who Can Apply
Flood affected individuals and families are eligible to apply.
Main Assessment Criteria
Applicants (their partner and/or children) may be eligible for an Emergency Assistance payment if:
• The damaged residence was their home that they lived in (principal place of residence) at the time of the fl ooding, regardless of whether they own or rent the property
(e.g. a house, unit, caravan or other dwelling).
• The damaged residence was fl ooded internally above the level of the fl oor in the living areas (e.g. lounge room, rumpus, dining room, kitchen or bedrooms) making their home uninhabitable.
• They will fi nd it hard to recover from the impact of the fl oods without fi nancial assistance.
Closing Information
Applications are advised to lodge their claim as soon as possible.
Closing Date: 31 March 2011
Provided By
Name: Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal Distribution Committee Phone: 180 22 66
Structural Assistance Grant
Individuals
Funding Amount: Up to $14,200
Overview
The grant may be available to property owners whose homes have been damaged by the disaster. The home must be uninsured for this disaster event, owned by the applicant and their sole place of residence at the time of the disaster. The grant provides a contribution towards repair of the residence to a habitable and secure condition.
Who Can Apply
Assistance is available to individuals and families who have been flooded in Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Mackay, Maranoa, Moreton Bay, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs council areas.
Eligible Activities
This grant is a means tested once-off payment of up to $10,500 per individual, and up to $14,200 for a couple/family, less amounts paid as an Emergent Assistance Grant and/or Essential Household Contents Grant.
Provided By
Name: Queensland State Government Phone: 1800 173 349
Essential Household Contents Grant
Individuals
Funding Amount: Up to $5,120
Overview
This grant may be available to people who own essential household contents that have been lost or damaged in the disaster and who do not have contents insurance. This grant is a means tested once-off payment of up to $1,705 per adult, up to a maximum of $5,120 for a couple/family.
Who Can Apply
Assistance is available to individuals and families who have been flooded in Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Mackay, Maranoa, Moreton Bay,
Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs council areas.
Eligible Activities
Eligible household contents may include cooking utensils, clothing, bedding and linen, floor coverings, essential furniture and white goods and food lost due to storm damage. The grant assists with the repair or replacement of essential items and maximum limits apply for individual items.
Provided By
Name: Queensland State Government Phone: 1800 173 349
Personal Hardship Assistance
Individuals
Funding Amount: Up to $780
Overview
Personal Hardship Assistance may be available to individuals and families who do not have the capacity to meet immediate, unexpected basic costs for food, clothing, medical supplies or accommodation caused by the disaster.
Who Can Apply
Assistance is available to individuals and families who have been flooded in Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Mackay, Maranoa, Moreton Bay, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs council areas.
Eligible Activities
This grant is a non-means tested once-off payment of $170 per person, up to a maximum of $780 for a family of five or more.
Provided By
Name: Queensland State Government Phone: 1800 173 349
Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant
Individuals
Funding Amount: Up to $5,000
Overview
Uninsured home owners may be eligible for a joint State/Federal Government grant to refund the cost of safely reconnecting electricity, gas, water, sewage services and septic systems damaged by flooding.
The program provides up to $200 per service for safety inspections by accredited inspectors, and if deemed necessary, up to $4,200 to meet the cost of reinstalling services to Australian Standards by qualified tradespeople, after home inundation. Grants are available to residents in disaster areas declared after 29 November 2010. These include: Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer, Mackay, Maranoa, Moreton Bay, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset,
South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs council areas.
Who Can Apply
The grant is income tested, with the upper income limits being $704 gross per week for a single adult, increasing by $51 per week per dependant or $930 per week for a couple, increasing by $51 per dependant. A reduced grant may be available if your income does not exceed these amounts by more than $40 per week.
Assets must also be less than $6,135 for a household or $25,101 if you are a pensioner, excluding the value of your home, furniture and a motor vehicle.
People who have already been assessed and granted an Essential Household Grant or Structural Assistance Grant since 29 November 2010 are automatically eligible.
Provided By
Name: Department of Communities Phone: 1800 173 349
Email: [email protected] Web: www.communities.qld.gov.au
Mortgage Relief Loan
Individuals
Funding Amount: Loan up to $20,000
Overview
The program offers short-term assistance to people experiencing difficulties with their home loan repayments. These difficulties may be as a result of unemployment, accident, illness or some other crisis.
Mortgage Relief is an interest free loan that must be repaid. The loan is repayable over a 10-year term.
However, repayments are not required for the first 12 months. After that, applicants will be required to make regular monthly repayments, in addition to maintaining their regular home loan repayment.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for a Mortgage Relief Loan, applicants must meet the following requirements: • Applicants must have suffi cient equity in your home to provide security for any
assistance given.
• The value of your mortgage must be less than $344,000.
• Applicant must be an owner-occupier and have every intention of maintaining ownership. • Applicants can not own any other real estate.
• Applicants must be fi nancially distressed and in danger of losing their home.
• A change in the applicants’ circumstances must have caused the level of the their home loan repayments to exceed 30% of their gross household income.
• Applicants must have taken all reasonable steps to meet their liabilities, and be able to demonstrate that they have been making home loan repayments of more than 30% of your gross household income.
• Applicants must complete an application form and give written authorisation for their home lender and other creditors to disclose information concerning their fi nancial affairs to the Department of Communities. This authority will continue until the Mortgage Relief loan is repaid.
Closing Information
Applications are open on an ongoing basis.
Provided By
Name: Department of Communities Phone: 1300 654 322
Email: [email protected] Web: www.housing.qld.gov.au
Brisbane City Council – Financial Assistance
Individuals
Funding Amount: Rebate of up to $100
Overview
Due to the recent flood event, Brisbane ratepayers will be provided with the following financial relief:
• Flood victims will receive an extra 30 days to pay rates bills.
• All Brisbane ratepayers in fl ood affected homes will receive a $100 rebate on their water charge so that they can use the water needed to clean up after the fl ood.
• Council will not operate parking meters nor enforce timed parking zones and parking bays for 30 days in fl ood affected areas.
Flood affected residents must contact their service providers to arrange extensions on any other bills.
Who Can Apply
Residents of the Brisbane City Council are eligible to apply.
Closing Information
Please contact the Brisbane City Council or utilities provider for specific closing dates.
Provided By
Name: Brisbane City Council Phone: 07 3403 8888
Special Disaster Flood Assistance
– Small Businesses
Small Business
Funding Amount: Up to $25,000
Overview
Grants of up to $25,000 are available to assist eligible small businesses as follows: • Initial claim: up to $5,000 to assist you with immediate early recovery (subject to future
QRAA audit).
• Subsequent claim: up to $20,000 to recover costs that you have paid in order to repair direct fl ood damage.
Who Can Apply
As a small business, to be eligible for the grant you must:
• Own (whether as sole owner, in partnership or as a private company) a small business. • Have been engaged in your small business, in the prescribed November and December
2010 fl ood disaster area and have suffered direct damage as a result of the fl ood event. • Intend to re-establish your small business enterprise.
• Be responsible for meeting the costs you are claiming.
To apply for assistance for direct damage caused by flooding in November and December 2010, you must be located in specified local government areas.
Eligible Activities
As a small business, the assistance enables you to cover the costs associated with cleaning and restoration activities including:
• Purchasing, hiring or leasing plant, equipment or materials to clean or resume business activities.
• Clearing or disposing of debris and damaged goods or injured or dead livestock. • Repairing buildings or fi ttings in buildings other than houses.
• Leasing temporary premises.
• Engaging a person to clean or conduct a safety inspection of premises. • Paying additional wages to an employee to assist with the clean-up and
restoration work.
Provided By
Name: QRAA
Phone: 1800 623 946
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance
– Small Business
Small Business
Funding Amount: Loan up to $250,000
Overview
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery arrangements provide concessional loans to small business owners whose buildings, plant and equipment or stock have been significantly damaged by an eligible natural disaster and who are unable to obtain commercial
finance, but who nevertheless have sound prospects of long term viability.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible to receive assistance, applicants must: • Be a sole owner, partnership or proprietary company.
• Have sustained substantial damage to buildings, plant, equipment or stock as a result of an eligible natural disaster.
• Demonstrate inability to repair or replace the damaged assets or cannot return to viable operations from own resources without this assistance.
• Demonstrate that they have used up all liquid assets and normal credit sources. • Demonstrate they have taken reasonable precautions to avoid or minimise loss or
damage from the disaster.
• Demonstrate that with the assistance of this loan there are reasonable prospects of re-establishing the business on a viable basis.
• Demonstrate they are responsible for the cost of essential repairs or replacement of the damaged assets and as a result has had liquidity severely affected.
Eligible Activities
Assistance is available in the form of concessional loans for re-establishing the viable operation of the business, including doing any of the following:
• Repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment. • Repairing or replacing buildings.
• Supplying stock for up to one month to replace lost stock and to maintain liquidity of the business.
Main Assessment Criteria
The amount of loan assistance is based on QRAA’s assessment of the applicant’s financial position, including any amount recovered under an insurance policy, and must not be more than the amount of the net loss to the business caused by the eligible natural disaster. Provided By Name: QRAA Phone: 1800 623 946 Email: [email protected] Web: www.qraa.qld.gov.au
Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies)
– Small Business
Small Business
Funding Amount: Up to $100,000
Overview
The Exceptional Circumstances loans aim to assist small businesses that are in financial difficulty due to their dependence on farming enterprises in an exceptional circumstance area and who have had long-term prospects of viability had exceptional circumstances not happened.
The support will facilitate one or more of the following strategies: • Improvements in business viability.
• Business continuity. • Debt restructuring.
Assistance will be provided as an interest subsidy for new or existing commercial loans.
Who Can Apply
The applicant must:
• Own (whether sole owner, in partnership or as a private company) and operate a small business.
• Have owned the small business for at least two years.
• Demonstrate that the small business derives 70% or more of its business turnover from providing goods and services to farming enterprises in an Exceptional Circumstance declared area.
• Demonstrate that the small business is located in a relevant town and is dependent on farming enterprises for all parts of its business turnover.
• Demonstrate under normal circumstances, the applicant spends at least 75% of labour on the small business or, if the applicant is also an owner of a farming enterprise; and obtains at least 50% of applicants total business turnover from the small business. • Demonstrate that the small business is in fi nancial diffi culty because of the impact of
exceptional circumstances on farming enterprises in an exceptional circumstance area. Applications for 2011 are currently open to organisations in the following areas of Queenslands Gulf Region: Carpentaria Shire south of the Norman River, the Carron River and Rocky Creek, and east of M Creek, north of the Burketown Road and east of the McAllister Mail Run and the Burke Development Road, and Croydon Shire west of the Pelham and Richmond Roads.
Main Assessment Criteria
Please contact administrator to begin the application process.
Closing Information
Applications for assistance in Queenslands Gulf Region has two periods for funding submissions. The first period closes on 9 February 2011, and the second period
Special Disaster Flood Assistance
– Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Up to $25,000
Overview
This special relief measure made under agreement between the Commonwealth and State Governments on 3 January 2011 is designed to assist primary producers pay for costs arising out of direct damage from flooding caused by heavy rains between November 2010 and January 2011.
Grants of up to $25,000 are available to assist eligible primary producers as follows: • Initial claim: up to $5,000 to assist you with immediate early recovery (subject to future
QRAA audit)
• Subsequent claim: up to $20,000 to recover costs that you have paid in order to repair direct fl ood damage.
Who Can Apply
As a primary producer, to be eligible for the grant you must: • Be a primary producer.
• Have been engaged in your primary production enterprise, in the prescribed November and December 2010 fl ood disaster area and have suffered direct damage as a result of the fl ood event.
• Intend to re-establish your primary production enterprise. • Be responsible for meeting the costs you are claiming.
To apply for assistance for direct damage caused by flooding in November and December 2010, you must be located in specific local government areas. Primary producers in these areas that have suffered direct damage and who have generated more than 50 per cent of their income from their businesses are eligible to apply.
Eligible Activities
The assistance enables the primary producer to cover the costs associated with cleaning and restoration activities including:
• Purchasing, hiring or leasing plant, equipment or materials to clean or resume business activities.
• Clearing or disposing of debris and damaged goods or injured or dead livestock. • Repairing buildings or fi ttings in buildings other than houses.
• Leasing temporary premises.
• Engaging a person to clean or conduct a safety inspection of premises.
• Paying additional wages to an employee to assist with the clean-up and restoration work. • Repairing or reconditioning essential plant or equipment.
• Repairing roads, fences and dams and other essential infrastructure.
• Repairing or restoring fi elds and purchasing fodder or saving crops or feed for livestock. • Replacing lost or damaged stock (other than livestock).
• Maintain the health of livestock or poultry.
Provided By
Name: Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority Phone: 1800 623 946
Freight Subsidies – Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Subsidy up to $5,000
Overview
Freight subsidies of up to $5,000 per disaster event are available for eligible primary producers located within a disaster-declared area under joint Commonwealth/State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), or where a primary producer has a current Independent Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration.
Who Can Apply
Freight subsidy assistance is available to any primary producer who owns, share-farms or leases a property and carries on the business of primary production, provided they are classified by the Australian Taxation Office as a primary producer.
Eligible Activities
Depending on the nature of the disaster and the damage that has occurred, freight subsidies in disaster-declared areas, or where producers have an IDSP declaration, will be made available for the movement of materials such as:
• Emergency fodder
• Building, fencing materials, machinery and equipment movements • Animals purchased for restocking
• Water • Fuel
A maximum distance of 1,000 kilometres applies.
Main Assessment Criteria
Individual primary producers suffering extensive property damage are invited to contact the Queensland Department of Primary Industries to arrange for an IDSP inspection by a Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) officer.
Closing Information
Applications for subsidies must be submitted to the Brisbane Head Office within six months of the movement.
Provided By
Name: Department of Primary Industries Phone: 132 523
Email: [email protected] Web: www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance
– Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Loan up to $250,000
Overview
The purpose of assistance under the scheme is to assist in meeting the needs of primary producers affected by an eligible natural disaster of substantial magnitude, to recover from the disaster.
Who Can Apply
Applicants who are eligible include, but are not limited to, those who are: • In working occupation of their property.
• Have used up all liquid assets and normal credit sources to normal credit limits. • Considered viable with the assistance provided.
• Have taken reasonable precautions to minimise or prevent the disaster.
Eligible Activities
Finance can be obtained for requirements including the following: • Restocking
• Replanting, restoring or re-establishing affected areas • Sustenance
• Essential property operations
• Payment of rent or rates, or costs of repair • Replacement of farm buildings
Provided By
Name: QRAA
Phone: 1800 623 946
Email: [email protected] Web: www.qraa.qld.gov.au
Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies)
– Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Up to $100,000
Overview
Subsidies will assist affected primary producers if, had exceptional circumstances not happened, the primary production enterprises carried on by the producers would have long term prospects of profitability and sustainability. It will assist affected primary producers to recover from the effects of these exceptional circumstances.
The support will facilitate one or more of the following strategies: • Improvements in productivity, including for recovery purposes. • The provision of carry-on fi nance.
• Debt restructuring.
Interest rate subsidies are provided at up to 50% of the interest payable on new and existing loans for the first year of an Exceptional Circumstance declaration and at up to 80% in the second and subsequent years.
Who Can Apply
The applicant must:
• Occupy the land and spend at least 75% of the their labour and obtain at least 50% of the their income, from the enterprise.
• Have been a primary producer for at least two years.
• Demonstrate that the enterprise is in fi nancial diffi culty because of the exceptional circumstances
• Have a business assessment of the enterprise carried out by a suitably qualifi ed
assessor to be eligible to receive a cumulative total of $300,000 or more to demonstrate that the enterprise is viable.
Applications for 2011 are currently open to organisations in the following areas of Queenslands Gulf Region: Carpentaria Shire south of the Norman River, the Carron River and Rocky Creek, and east of M Creek, north of the Burketown Road and east of the McAllister Mail Run and the Burke Development Road, and Croydon Shire west of the Pelham and Richmond Roads.
Main Assessment Criteria
Please contact administrator to begin the application process.
Closing Information
Applications for assistance in Queenslands Gulf Region has two periods for funding submissions. The First Period closes on 9 February 2011, and the Second Period closes
Drought Recovery Scheme
Primary Producers
Now available to primary production enterprises affected by the recent floods
Funding Amount: Loan up to $200,000
Overview
The objective of the scheme is to assist primary producers who are carrying on primary production enterprises in drought affected areas to recover from the impacts of the drought.
The purpose of support is to enable applicants to:
• Plant or invigorate crops by assisting them to buy chemicals, fertiliser, fuel, seed or seedlings (crop materials).
• Restock by assisting to purchase stock.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible, an applicant must:
• Own or occupy land, and carry on a primary production enterprise on the land, in a drought affected area.
• Demonstrate that the current net value of the land is not greater than $2 million. • Demonstrate that they occupy the land and spend the majority of their labour on the
primary production enterprise:
a) as a leaseholder, owner or sharefarmer.
b) as a member or employee or a company, trust or partnership. • Ordinarily obtain the major source of income from the enterprise.
• Have sound prospects for commercial viability, and the ability to service the loan, in the long term.
• Have exhausted all liquid assets and lines of credit QRAA considers suitable. • Demonstrate a fi nancial need for the assistance.
Eligible Activities
QRAA can provide the financial assistance needed to cover the costs associated with these activities, including the purchase of:
• Seed • Seedlings • Chemicals • Fertiliser • Fuel
These loans can also assist with the purchase of breeding stock or other livestock to enable post drought restocking.
Closing Information
Applications for Drought Recovery Loans are to be received by QRAA by 30 June 2011.
Provided By
Name: QRAA
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements
Queensland Local Councils
Overview
This program aims to help councils restore local infrastructure in the wake of a natural disaster.
Who Can Apply
Queensland local councils are eligible to apply.
Eligible Activities
Restore public assets to their pre-disaster standard as quickly as possible, so that people in affected areas can get on with rebuilding their lives.
Main Assessment Criteria
Where Councils use regular Council workers to undertake emergent or restorative works, the wages for this work are not eligible under the NDDRA guidelines. This includes normal salaries and wages for Council staff on the permanent payroll. Only extraordinary costs beyond these standard salaries or wages are eligible and can continue to be claimed under NDRRA. This includes costs such as overtime and allowances of Council staff, backfilling staff deployed to response operations, and engagement of consultants, contractors, or commercial entities.
Provided By
Name: Department of Infrastructure and Planning Phone: 07 3222 2398
Email: [email protected] Web: www.smartservice.qld.gov.au
4. New South Wales
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme – Household
Contents and Structural Repairs
Individuals
Overview
The program provides disaster relief grants to eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household items have been destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster. People with limited financial resources and no insurance may be eligible for assistance for essential household items and structural repairs to the home.
1. Structural Repairs
Assistance may be provided to make essential structural repairs to a principal place of residence. The principal place of residence is the home where lived at most of the time. Assistance is not provided for repairs to other areas of the property, such as damage to fences, pools, sheds or garages.
2. Household Contents
Eligible essential household items are those required for normal daily life, such as bedding and essential electrical items (e.g. refrigerator, washing machine, stove). Applications are accepted on a case by case basis and there is no definitive minimum or maximum amount of funding available.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for assistance you must:
• Be a low-income earner and meet an income and assets test.
• Demonstrate that the affected home is your principal place of residence. • Not be covered by insurance.
• Be able to demonstrate that the damage was caused by the disaster. • Lodge the application within four months of the disaster occurring.
Closing Information
Applications will be accepted up to four months after the date of the disaster damaged.
Provided By
Name: Community Services Phone: 1800 018 444
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Stamp Duty Relief)
– Motor Vehicles
All
Overview
Stamp duty relief may be provided on the replacement of motor vehicles written off due to loss caused by a declared disaster.
The amount of assistance is a refund of duty payable, or the lower of either of the following:
• The stamp duty paid on the replacement of a vehicle that has been written off due to a declared disaster.
• The insurance excess payment for the vehicle that has been written off where the stamp duty of the replacement vehicle is covered by insurance.
Once approved, the Office of State Revenue will reimburse by cheque the amount of duty paid.
Who Can Apply
Vehicle owners (private and commercial).
Eligible Activities
For the owner to be eligible for assistance, the vehicle must be comprehensively insured and written off due to damage caused by a declared disaster that occurs in NSW.
Repayment may only be made for duty paid in NSW.
Main Assessment Criteria
Refunds may be provided for up to five years after the date of payment of the stamp duty on a replacement vehicle.
Closing Information
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Provided By
Name: The Office of State Revenue Phone: 1300 139 814
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants)
– Small Businesses
Small Business
Funding Amount: Up to $15,000
Overview
To provide grants to small businesses which have suffered direct damage as a result of the November – December 2010 and January 2011 flooding in New South Wales, for clean-up, removal of debris and restoration to assist business to continue or commence trading.
This grant is not intended to replace the need for insurance, and is not intended to provide compensation for losses. All claims for assistance will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Who Can Apply
Eligible small businesses which have suffered direct damage and which: • Have less than 20 full time (or equivalent) employees.
• Are a registered business, partnership or sole trader. • Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Have suffered direct damage to their premises and/or tools of trade (e.g. equipment/ plant) and the essential cost of repair or replacement are the applicant’s responsibility. • Are intending to re-establish within the Disaster Declared Local Government Area. • Were conducting business in the Disaster Declared Local Government Area prior to and
including the date of the event, or are business enterprises in the development phase (e.g. premises being prepared but trading had not yet commenced).
Eligible Activities
The recovery grant is designed to cover the cost of clean-up and restoration to assist small businesses which have suffered direct damage as a result of a natural disaster, to enable businesses to continue or commence trading as soon as possible where the impact on the sector has been particularly severe, also to assist with the costs of relocation to temporary premises in cases where immediate re-opening of damaged premises is not possible.
Closing Date: 30-06-2011
Provided By
Name: NSW Rural Assistance Authority Phone: 1800 678 593
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Loans) – Small
Business and Primary Producers
Small Business & Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Loan up to $130,000
Overview
This assistance is available to primary producers and small business operators in NSW who are in a declared natural disaster area and have been affected by flood/fire/storm damage or any other declared natural disaster.
• Funding by way of a loan is available for essential working capital – the amount required to continue farming operations for the next 12 months from the date of the disaster or until the next major income is received.
• Replacement and repair of damage caused to the property and associated improvements not covered by insurance.
Assistance does not cover costs unrelated to the farming enterprise or commitments overdue at the time of the disaster, such as; trading accounts, lease or hire purchase instalments, interest on borrowings or loan repayments.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible you must:
• Earn the majority of your GROSS income from primary production. • Be in working occupation of the farm.
• Conduct your farming activities on a rural property within a Local Government Area that has been declared a natural disaster.
• Be in urgent and genuine need of fi nancial assistance. (NOTE: In assessing this criteria the Authority will take into account all cash reserves, investments, undrawn overdraft balances plus loans with redraw facilities)
• Demonstrate that if the required assistance were obtained commercially, your farming enterprise would be placed in fi nancial diffi culty.
• Demonstrate that your farming enterprise has long-term viability.
• Demonstrate that your farming enterprise has the capacity to repay the loan sought. • Provide security, acceptable to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority.
• Lodge an application within six months of the date of the natural disaster.
Provided By
Name: NSW Rural Assistance Authority Phone: 1800 678 593
Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants)
– Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Up to $15,000
Overview
The scheme provides grants to primary producers who have suffered direct damage as a result of the November – December 2010 and January 2011 flooding in New South Wales, for clean-up, removal of debris, disposal of dead livestock and further restoration. This grant is not intended to replace the need for insurance, and is not intended to provide compensation for losses such as destroyed crops. All claims for assistance will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Who Can Apply
Eligible primary producers who have suffered direct damage and who: • Have a right or interest in the land used for the purpose of a farm enterprise. • Derive the majority of their individual gross income from the farm enterprise.
• Are registered with the Australian Taxation Offi ce as a primary producer, and have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Have suffered direct damage as a result of November – December 2010 and January 2011 fl ooding in New South Wales. This may be damage to farm buildings, crops, pasture, stock, fencing and/or tools of trade (e.g. equipment/plant) and the essential cost of repair or replacement are the applicant’s responsibility.
• Were conducting a primary production business in a Disaster Declared Local Government Area prior to and including the date of the event.
• Have established or are intending to re-establish the primary production enterprise. Eligible primary producers can be individuals, partnerships, trusts or companies, operating commercially.
Eligible Activities
Eligible costs for primary producers include damage to: • Farm buildings
• Crops and/or pastures
• Livestock husbandry needs and/or removal of dead stock • Fodder purchases
• Fencing
• Equipment and/or plant • Infrastructure
Closing Date: 30 June 2011
Provided By
Name: NSW Rural Assistance Authority Phone: 1800 678 593
Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Transport
Subsidies) – Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Up to $15,000
Overview
Applicants can apply for transport subsidies of up to 50% on the carriage of livestock and fodder, to a maximum of $15,000.
Who Can Apply
Primary producers are eligible to apply.
Eligible Activities
Applications can be made to claim a rebate on: • Road Transport of stock.
• Road Transport of fodder . • Road Transport from agistment.
Provided By
Name: NSW Department of Primary Industries Phone: 1800 814 647
Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Loans)
– Not-for-Profi t Organisations
Not-for-profit organisations
Funding Amount: Loan up to $25,000
Overview
Loans with terms of up to five years at a concessional fixed rate may be provided to not-for-profit (NFP) organisations for the restoration of essential facilities, equipment or other assets damaged or destroyed as a direct result of a declared disaster. These funds may also be directed towards temporary storage or leasing of alternate premises.
Who Can Apply
NFP voluntary community supported organisations with services delivered at the local level. The NFP must not operate for the profit or gain of its individual members and any profit made by the organisation goes back into the operation of the organisation to carry out its purpose and is not distributed to any of its members.
An NFP must demonstrate all of the following: • Evidence of registration or incorporation as an NFP.
• The NFP must have suffered damage to facilities or equipment or other assets arising directly from a declared disaster event.
• The NFP does not have the fi nancial capacity to pay the costs from its own funds or reserves.
• The NFP must satisfy the coordinating agency that it has the fi nancial capacity to repay the loan.
Provided By
Name: NSW Treasury Phone: 1800 678 593
Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme
– Sporting Clubs
Sporting Clubs
Funding Amount: Up to $12,000
Overview
A special scheme is available to assist sporting clubs in meeting the costs of restoration of essential club facilities that have been damaged or destroyed. The assistance is made available to those clubs which do not have the financial capacity to meet restoration costs from their own resources, but which have the capacity to repay any loan that may be granted.
Under these arrangements the maximum assistance available is $12,000, including a grant of up to $2,000 and the balance (up to maximum of $10,000) in repayable loan with interest at the rate of 2.77 % per annum.
Claims must be lodged within six months of the declared disaster event.
Who Can Apply
Sporting and recreation clubs and associations. The range of sporting and recreational clubs that are eligible is broad. If there is uncertainty about the status of an applicant, Treasury may contact the Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation to request supporting documents or request further documentation from the applicant to support its status.
This finance is available to those unable to obtain assistance through normal channels.
Eligible Activities
To be eligible, a club must be in a situation where it has incurred costs as a result of the disaster, which are not recoverable through insurance, and it does not have the financial capacity to pay the costs from its own funds or reserves.
Provided By
Name: NSW Treasury Phone: 1800 678 593
5. Victoria
Personal Hardship Grants – Emergency Grant
Individuals
Funding Amount: Up to $1,067
Overview
Emergency Grants provide assistance to meet immediate basic needs only and are designed to cover expenses such as clothing, food, personal items, appropriate shelter and specific one-off transport costs.
They are available to people who have had their principal place of residence affected by an emergency, either through damages or loss of property.
The amount of each Emergency Grant is based on need. The maximum household entitlement is $1,067. This is calculated at a maximum of $427 per adult and $213 per child.
Eligible Activities
Emergency Grants are discretionary payments, and although they are not income tested, they are based on the needs of the applicant which must be demonstrated through an assessment process. They are also intended for incidents of a particular nature.
Needs eligible for Emergency Grants include: • Temporary accommodation.
• Food. • Clothing.
• Items necessary for health and hygiene. • Essential personal items.
• Repair to structure or essential items (refrigerator, clothing, bedding etc).
Incidents eligible for Emergency Grants can include: • Bushfi res
• Single household fi res • Floods
• Severe windstorms • Earthquakes
Provided By
Name: Department of Human Services Phone: (03) 9843 6000
Personal Hardship Grants – Temporary Living Grant
Individuals
Funding Amount: Up to $8,650
Overview
Temporary Living Expenses Grants assist households with the cost of temporary accommodation and living expenses when a principal place of residence is unfit to live in or inaccessible for more then one week.
The amount of each Grant is determined through an interview that is based on a needs assessment and income test.
Depending on the size of a household, a Temporary Living Expense Grant may be available up to a maximum of $865 per week, for a total of up to $8,650.
Eligible Activities
Temporary Living Expenses Grants may assist with needs such as: • Temporary accommodation.
• Food. • Clothing.
• Items necessary for health and hygiene. • Essential personal items.
• Repair to structure or essential items (refrigerator, clothing, bedding etc).
Main Assessment Criteria
Temporary Living Expenses Grants are subject to an income test. Affected households where weekly income does not exceed the upper income threshold are eligible to apply. These grants are also based on a needs assessment and are intended for specific incidents including: • Bushfi res • Floods • Severe windstorms • Earthquakes Provided By
Name: Department of Human Services Phone: (03) 9843 6000
Personal Hardship Grants – Re-Establishment Grant
Individuals
Funding Amount: Up to $17,300
Overview
Re-Establishment Grants assist with the re-establishment of a household’s principal place of residence.
The amount of each Grant is determined through an interview that is based on a needs assessment and income test.
The Re-Establishment Grant has two components. A maximum of up to $8,650 may be available for repairs to structural damage to a residence and up to $8,650 may be available to replace essential household contents such as furnishings and electrical goods.
Eligible Activities
Re-Establishment Grants may assist with:
• Repair of structural damage to the principal place of residence. • Replacement or repair of essential household contents.
Main Assessment Criteria
Re-Establishment Grants are subject to an income test. Affected households where weekly income does not exceed the upper income threshold are eligible to apply. These grants are also based on a needs assessment and are intended for specific incidents including: • Bushfi res • Floods • Severe windstorms • Earthquakes Provided By
Name: Department of Human Services Phone: (03) 9843 6000
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant – Small Business
Small Business
Funding Amount: Up to $25,000
Overview
The Clean-Up and Restoration Grant of up to $25,000 provides a one-off grant to small businesses who have suffered direct physical damage as a result of the floods in Victoria for clean-up, removal of debris and business restoration. Any grant for clean-up work that is subsequently covered by an insurance claim is to be repaid.
All claims for assistance will be assessed on a case by case basis and must be accompanied by 30 day invoices to support the expenditure claimed.
Who Can Apply
Small businesses must have an ABN, employ less than 20 full time (or equivalent) employees and have suffered direct damage to premises, tools of trade, equipment, plant or stock as a result of the floods.
The owner/operator must derive at least 51% of his/her income from the business and contribute a significant part of his/her time to the business. This means that in normal circumstances the business represents the applicant’s major income source.
Evidence of property ownership (rates notice) or a copy of a lease agreement should be lodged with the application.
Eligible Activities
The Clean-Up and Restoration Grant can assist with a range of measures including: • Clean-up costs including hire of equipment, materials and external labour.
• Removal and disposal of debris and damaged goods and materials. • Restoration of business activity.
• Payment for tradespersons to conduct safety inspections.
• Essential repairs to internal fi ttings e.g. fl oor coverings, electrical re-wiring.
• Hire/lease costs for equipment essential to the immediate resumption of your business. • Replacement of lost equipment.
• Leasing of temporary premises.
• Replacement of stock which is essential to the immediate resumption of trading. • Repairs to buildings (other than housing).
Closing Date: 31 July 2011
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy
Support – Small Businesses
Small Business
Funding Amount: Interest subsidy up to $100,000
Overview
Essentially assistance is for small businesses that would normally be considered viable but which, due to Exceptional Circumstances are experiencing financial difficulties and are in need of assistance.
The support will facilitate one or more of the following strategies: • Improvements in business viability.
• Business continuity. • Debt restructuring.
The total amount of support payable in each EC year for a business may not exceed $100,000 or part thereof if the EC period is less than 12 months.
Who Can Apply
A small business that derives at least 70% of its normal turnover from the provision of goods or services for farming activities in Exceptional Circumstances (EC) areas, or operates in towns that are substantially reliant on farmer income, have less than 10,000 population and are located in an EC area may apply for EC Interest subsidy.
Eligible Activities
A subsidy is available based on the interest payable on, and associated costs of, borrowings supplied by a commercial institution, vendor or by private arrangements.
Closing Information
The closing date for applications is 31 March 2011, except for Central and East
Gippsland (revised) which closes on 30 April 2011. A 28 day grace period may apply to each closing date.
Provided By
Name: Rural Finance Phone: (03) 5448 2600
Email: [email protected] Web: www.ruralfinance.com.au
Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans)
– Small Businesses
Small Business
Funding Amount: Loan up to $200,000
Overview
Concessional loans are available to eligible small businesses whose properties have suffered direct damage as a result of the floods between August 2010 and January 2011 or damage caused by hail during November 2010 in Victoria.
Who Can Apply
Applicants may be sole owners, partnerships or owners of private companies where the major portion of their income is derived from the business and who substantially devote their time and capital to the conduct of the business.
Eligible Activities
Finance can be considered for small businesses that are assessed to be in need of concessional financial assistance as a result of direct damage caused by the August 2010 to January 2011 floods or November 2010 hail.
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that the business has reasonable prospects of trading profitably in the future including a capacity to service borrowings. Each case will be assessed on its merits.
Main Assessment Criteria
Any application for loan assistance will have regard for insurance recoveries and the financial resources available to affected applicants. Loans will generally be limited to $200,000. Adequate security will be required for any lending. Application fees will not apply.
Provided By
Name: Rural Finance Phone: (03) 5448 2600
Email: [email protected] Web: www.ruralfinance.com.au
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant
– Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Up to $25,000
Overview
The Clean-up and Restoration Grant of up to $15,000 provides a one-off grant to primary producers who have suffered direct damage as a result of the September 2010 floods in Victoria, for clean-up, removal of debris, animal welfare and business restoration.
Any grant for clean-up work that is subsequently covered by an insurance claim is to be repaid.
All claims for assistance are assessed on an individual basis and must be accompanied by 30 day invoices to support the expenditure claimed.
Who Can Apply
Primary producers must have suffered direct damage as a result of the floods. This may include repairs or clean up associated with damage to farm buildings, crops, pasture, stock, fencing, plant and equipment. Loss of income is not an eligible item.
An eligible primary producer is one who is registered as a primary producer with the Australian Tax Office, has an ABN and:
• Has a right or interest in land for the purpose of primary production.
• Contributes a signifi cant part of his/her labour and capital to the farming enterprise. • Derives more than 51% of his/her individual income from the farming enterprise. This
means that in a normal year the farm represents the applicant’s major income source.
Eligible Activities
The Clean-up and Restoration Grant can assist with a range of measures including: • Clean-up costs including hire of equipment, materials and external labour.
• Removal and disposal of debris and damaged goods and materials. • Restoration of business activity.
• Payment for tradespersons to conduct safety inspections. • Repairs to buildings (other than housing).
• Fencing not covered by any other assistance. • Health maintenance for livestock.
• Purchase of fodder (not covered by other assistance). • Reconditioning/repairing essential plant and equipment.
• Hire/lease costs for equipment essential to the immediate resumption of farming. • Replacement of lost equipment.
Closing Date: 31 July 2011
Provided By
Name: Rural Finance Phone: (03) 5448 2600
Email: [email protected] Web: www.ruralfinance.com.au
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy
Support – Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Interest subsidy up to $500,000
Overview
Essentially assistance is for farmers who rely primarily on farming for their livelihood and who would normally be considered profitable in the long term, but due to exceptional circumstances are in financial difficulty and in need of assistance.
A subsidy is available based on the interest payable on, and associated costs of, borrowings supplied by a commercial institution, vendor or by private arrangements. Support will be provided where loans are provided on commercial terms, at arms length and at a competitive interest rate with that which is generally applicable to the type of loans being subsidised.
The total amount of interest subsidy payable for Exceptional Circumstances support may not exceed $100,000 per applicant in any twelve month period, or cumulative support of $500,000 over five years.
Who Can Apply
Any farmer whose property is located within a declared Exceptional Circumstances (EC) area may apply for EC Interest Subsidy Support.
Eligible Activities
The support will facilitate one or more of the following strategies: • The provision of carry on fi nance.
• Improvements in productivity including for recovery purposes. • Debt restructuring.
Main Assessment Criteria
Main assessment criteria, among others, include:
1. The producer must be located within an Exceptional Circumstances area. 2. The enterprise is in fi nancial diffi culty due to exceptional circumstances.
3. Without support under these guidelines the farm would not have the capacity to achieve or maintain sustainable long-term profi tability.
4. The farming operation has been profi table in the past and has the potential to return to profi tability in the future.
5. The farm is of commercial scale.
6. The farmer is primarily reliant on this activity for his/her livelihood. 7. The applicant is able to demonstrate a need for fi nancial assistance.
Closing Information
The closing date for applications is 31 March 2011 except for Central and East
Gippsland (Revised) which closes on 30 April 2011. A 28 day grace period may apply to each closing date.
Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans)
– Primary Producers
Primary Producers
Funding Amount: Loan up to $200,000
Overview
Concessional loans are available to eligible primary producers whose properties have suffered direct damage as a result of the floods between August 2010 and January 2011 or damage caused by hail during November 2010 in Victoria.
Any application for loan assistance will have regard for insurance recoveries and the financial resources available to affected applicants.
Who Can Apply
Loans can be considered for commercial scale primary producers who have
suffered losses as a result of direct damage to their property, crops, pasture, stock, fencing, plant and equipment and who are assessed to be in need of concessional financial assistance.
Each case will be assessed on its merits.
Eligible Activities
Loans may be made for the replacement of lost or damaged structures, livestock, fodder and equipment as well as essential working capital finance to assist the recovery process.
Main Assessment Criteria
Primary producers will need to demonstrate that the majority of their time and capital is devoted to the farming operation and in normal circumstances the major portion of their income is derived from farming.
The farming business should have reasonable prospects of returning to profitable trading including a capacity to service borrowings.
Provided By
Name: Rural Finance Phone: (03) 5448 2600
Email: [email protected] Web: www.ruralfinance.com.au
Clean-Up and Restoration Grant – Not-For-Profi t
Organisations
Not-for-profit Organisations
Funding Amount: Up to $25,000
Overview
This program provides a one-off grant of up to $15,000 to Not for Profit Organisations who have suffered direct physical damage as a result of floods between August 2010 and January 2011 or damage caused by hail during November 2010 in Victoria for clean-up, removal of debris and business restoration. Any grant for clean-up work that is subsequently covered by an insurance claim is to be repaid.
All claims for assistance will be assessed on a case by case basis and should be accompanied by 30 day invoices to support the expenditure claimed.
Alternatively in principle approval may be sought before expenditure is committed but invoices will be required before payment is made.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible, an organisation must be an incorporated charity or not-for-profit organisation. A not-for-profit organisation may be eligible if it:
• Has suffered direct and signifi cant damage as a result of the fl oods between August 2010 and January 2011 or hail damage during November 2010, and
• Is unable to effect the necessary repairs or replacements from their own resources, and • Has exhausted alternative sources of assistance.
Eligible Activities
The Clean-up and Restoration Grant can assist with:
• Clean-up costs including hire of equipment, materials and external labour. • Removal and disposal of debris and damaged goods and materials.
• Payment for tradespersons to conduct safety inspections.
• Essential repairs to internal fi ttings e.g. fl oor coverings, electrical re-wiring. • Leasing of temporary premises.
• Repairs to buildings (other than housing).
• Reconditioning/repairing essential plant and equipment.
Closing Date: 31 July 2011
Provided By