QRAA officials have met with clients, industry representatives and financial service providers in Longreach to secure first-hand feedback on the issues facing Queensland agriculture, and the financial needs of producers.
QRAA chief executive officer Cameron MacMillan said the three day trip in May provided the board with an invaluable opportunity to listen and learn, and see the tangible benefits of QRAA administered loans.
“Longreach producers have been doing it tough, particularly over the past four years,” Mr McMillan said.
“They have showed incredible resilience through the persisting drought and wild dog issues.
“QRAA has been pleased to be able to meet the need for low interest rate finance to assist the sustainability of agriculture businesses, succession planning and purchase of new primary production enterprises.”
The QRAA board met with several graziers who have accessed funds from QRAA to build exclusion fences.
“With loans up to $1 million available and interest rates as low as 2.71 per cent, partnering with QRAA to improve productivity makes good financial sense.” Mr MacMillan said.
He said QRAA’s low interest loans have no set up fees, no exit fees, no hidden costs and joint lending with banks is available, making them an attractive option for graziers looking to improve their productivity and profitability.
QRAA client liaison officer for the Longreach area, Bradley Whittington, said during the past five financial years, QRAA has supported Longreach and Central Western Queensland with:
- $23.7m in first start loans.
- $20m in drought and drought recovery concessional loans.
- $17.1m in sustainability loans.
Administered by QRAA, the drought and drought recovery concessional loans scheme are initiatives of the Federal Government. The first start and sustainability loans are initiatives of the Queensland Government’s Primary Industry Productivity Enhancement Scheme.
For details of assistance available, contact QRAA on 1800 623 946, or www.qraa.qld.gov.au
