Cotton Australia 30 point Flood Response and Industry Recovery Plan As the transition from urgent flood relief towards long term recovery begins, Cotton Australia continues to deliver its 30 point Flood Response and Industry Recovery Plan which was developed with input from growers at the height of the crisis. Emerging from this was a number of initiatives to assist growers who will struggle to harvest a crop this season, as well as helping our fellow agricultural industries.
Working behind the scenes with government, and in front of the media, we hope to deliver workers and funds to our growers to help them get back on their feet.
For further information about this plan and its progress, please contact your Cotton Australia Regional Manager.
Cotton Flood Fund
Cotton Australia has launched the Cotton Flood Fund, following a number of enquiries from cotton growers about how they could help. In particular, St George farmers had the idea of donating proceeds from a bale of cotton to flood-affected growers and needed a way to make it happen. Cotton Australia swung into action and is currently working out the logistics of how the fund will work, including eligibility criteria, funds allocation and the establishment of a charitable trust to receive monies. Cotton Australia will be coordinating donations from individual growers and cotton businesses. It is expected the funds will be distributed to those growers in most need, in the Macquarie Valley in NSW who were flooded before Christmas and to growers in Emerald, Theodore and on the Darling Downs in Queensland who were flooded early in the New Year.
The Cotton Flood Fund is designed to support these growers to persist in our industry and provide funding for them to replant again next season.
In the meantime, any grower who would like to donate a bale (or more) of cotton or any business wanting to donate to the fund can register their interest by contacting Cotton Australia on (02) 9669 5222.
Category D Assistance for Queensland Growers
The Federal/Queensland governments have finally committed to extending Category D assistance to flood affected cotton communities around Emerald, Theodore and on the Darling Downs. Eligible primary producers can access loans at a concessional rate up to $650,000, with up to $50,000 available as a grant, along with a two year interest and repayment free period.
Applications for Category D assistance can be made by contacting the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA) on 1800 623 946 or by following this link to the QRAA website. This page provides information on Special Disaster Assistance Packages, including "Category D" assistance, as well as detailed guidelines to download. Growers may also find the "Frequently Ask Questions" link on the right hand side useful.
