While the State Government anticipates a $1 billion economic injection thanks to the floods boosting agricultural output, in the short-term it is facing a clean up bill to ensure farmers can hit the ground running.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin held a phone hook-up on Friday with AgForce, the Queensland Farmers' Federation and senior DEEDI staff to map out the next steps in flood assistance for primary producers.
"It is impossible for people to move around their properties to assess the situation but we are expecting a lot of infrastructure damage and there will be stock losses," Mr Mulherin said.
"I am already aware that a lot of the irrigation infrastructure around St George is underwater."
The State Government is offering concessional loans for small business and primary producers, as well as freight subsidies for primary producers for the local government areas of Balonne Shire Council; Barcoo Shire Council; Blackall-Tambo Regional Council; Bulloo Shire Council; Diamantina Shire Council; Maranoa Regional Council; Murweh Shire Council; Paroo Shire Council; Quilpie Shire Council; and Western Downs Regional Council.
Assistance includes:
Concession al loans of up to $250,000 at 4 per cent from QRAA (for primary producers and small business);
Based on circumstances the loans could be interest only for the first two years, no fees and charges for the life of the loan and repayment terms of up to seven years; and
Freight subsidies from DEEDI of up to $5000 being 50pc of the freight cost for the movement of foodstuffs; building/fencing materials; restocking of livestock as a result of the event; fodder; machinery/equipment; and fuels (for primary producers only);
"QRAA also advises that it is able to consider the deferral of repayments on existing loans of primary producers and small business in the flood affected areas," Mr Mulherin said.
Primary producers who believe they have been affected by this event but are outside of the above Shires can apply for an Individually Disaster Stricken Property declaration (IDSP) through the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Mr Mulherin said there would be aerial inspections involving two helicopters in the coming days.
"They'll be flying over worst affected areas and assessing infrastructure damage and possible stock losses," he said.
Agforce president John Cotter said some graziers in the worst hit areas had been unable to move sheep and cattle to higher ground and AgForce has been working with state and local government to monitor animal welfare concerns with aerial surveillance.
"Hundreds of farming families are flooded in on their properties but they are focusing on the long-term benefits of this rain," Mr Cotter said.
"Our members are telling us that the full dams and grass that will grow in areas which may not have seen decent rain for 10 years is worth the short-term inconvenience and expense."
Cotton Australia chief executive officer Adam Kay said the industry would work with local producers in the St George, Dirranbandi and Theodore areas to assess flood impact on the multi-million dollar crop.
"The industry will be a looking to measure the impact on the current crop of around 16,000 hectares in the affected areas with picking due to start in the next few weeks," Mr Kay said.
"Damage to critical irrigation infrastructure and vital water management assets will also be closely monitored.
"Cotton Australia will continue to liaise closely with DEEDI and Minister Mulherin over the coming days and weeks and will be informing growers of any assistance that can be provided."
* For more information on concessional loans contact QRAA on freecall 1800 623 946 or the QRAA website, or for more information on freight subsidies from DEEDI call the Business Information Centre on 13 25 23