Queensland flood FAQs: Support for producers

Have you or someone you know been affected by the recent flooding in central and western Queensland? These frequently asked questions (FAQs) have been compiled to help you determine the next steps.

My property has been affected by flooding. What should I do now?

• Check livestock: Managing diseases and health concerns in animals after a flood
  • Contact your local vet if animals have been found sick or injured.
  • Keep livestock away from areas that have been spoilt with floodwater from stockyards or other areas that had a high build-up of manure and urine.
  • Monitor lactating cows and ewes as environmental mastitis is caused by mud and bacteria.
  • If it is necessary to humanely kill livestock to prevent suffering, follow this guide from Business Queensland: Humane killing of injured livestock.
• Inspect hay and grain for water damage or toxic mould growth. Pasteurellosis, salmonellosis and botulism are bacterial diseases caused by ingesting contaminated feed or water that may become more prevalent after a flood.
• Understand where toxic weeds may be present and assess if livestock have access. If possible implement a weed controlprogram and attempt to restrict livestock from areas where toxic plants may be present.
• Assess damage to fences and consider impact on
• Report damage: Queensland DPI Agriculture Disaster Impact Survey
• Access emergency fodder: contact your local council, as certain local government areas (LGAs) may have access to a Coordinated Emergency Fodder Support package.

What financial support can I access?

• Primary producers in eligible LGAs may be able to access –
  • freight subsidies of up to $5,000 per property to move essential materials such as fodder, building and fencing materials, machinery and animals for restocking
  • disaster assistance loans up to $250,000
  • essential working capital loans up to $100,000.
• The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) provides free rural financial counselling to farmers, fishing enterprises, forestry growers and harvesters, and small, related businesses who are suffering financial hardship.
• The Farm Household Allowance provides money for basic living expenses to eligible farm families experiencing hardship.
• The Queensland and Federal Governments have $75,000 exceptional assistance grants for eligible primary producers.

Who can I talk to about my mental health?

• MLA’s Wellbeing and disaster recovery hub has several mental health contacts listed. If you’re thinking about self-harm or experiencing a personal crisis, get in touch with Lifeline:
  Call: 13 11 14 (open 24 hours)
  Text: 0477 131 114 (5pm – 11pm Queensland time)
  Live online chat (6pm – 11pm Queensland time).