More than 3000 landholders in drought and flood-ravaged north Queensland will get a $5 million-plus land rent reprieve.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the matter was raised with her during a recent inspection of North-West Queensland.
“Our graziers have been through very trying times,” the Premier said.”They’ve been in drought and now a natural disaster of this scale means they’ve been hit again.
“$5 million worth of land rent due between 1 March and 30 November will automatically be deferred for up to nine months.
“We’re doing what we can to help and I also asked Agriculture Minister Mark Furner to continue to visit North West communities this week to ensure they are getting what they need.”
Mr Furner said affected landholders would not have to pay their land rent bill until 1 December 2019.
“We understand recovering from severe weather events can take its toll financially and emotionally,” Mr Furner said.
“Landholders’ land rent bills can range from $500 to around $16,000.
“Practical help for landholders is our priority with the community recovery effort underway.
“This assistance is designed to help people get back on their feet and hopefully it is one less thing they need to worry about.”
The assistance applies in 13 local government areas from Winton in central Queensland to Cook in the Far North. The council areas are: Burdekin Shire, Carpentaria Shire, Cook Shire, Charters Towers Regional, Cloncurry Shire, Douglas Shire, Flinders Shire, Hinchinbrook Shire, McKinlay Shire, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire, Richmond Shire, Townsville City and Winton Shire.
Landholders do not need to do anything further to take up offer: it is automatic.
Landholders can seek further extensions past 1 December 2019 if they need it by applying online www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/state/rents/deferring/
