New QRIDA manager for north west and gulf will be available

Ms Christeson has joined QRIDA in the Cloncurry office and is ready to help primary producers across the North West with both their flood recovery and help achieve their longer term rural business goals.

Ms Christeson can walk clients through the range of disaster assistance available from QRIDA for primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations affected by the north Queensland flooding earlier this year.

Special Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants can help producers get back on their feet with up to $75,000 available for primary producers and up to $50,000 available for small businesses and non-profit organisations.

For a primary producer who has fully utilised the $75,000 grant, he or she may be eligible for further assistance under the Australian Government's $300 million North Queensland Restocking, Replanting and On-farm Infrastructure Grant scheme.

This co-contribution grant of up to $400,000 can help primary producers rebuild their businesses in their own time and in their own way.

Looking longer term, if a producer is interested in purchasing his or her first property, buying into the family business, expanding, diversifying or improving on-farm infrastructure, they can ask Ms Christeson about the low interest First Start and Sustainability Loans.

QRIDA has also helped clients kickstart their career in agriculture with First Start Loans.

Fifth-generation grazier, Nathan Warnock used a First Start Loan to purchase his first block of land when he was 19 years old and now at 23 he is well on his way to building a successful beef grazing enterprise.

Attendees are encouraged to make sure they catch Ms Christeson at the Richmond Field Days to find out more about how QRIDA can help them kick start their agricultural career or help to rebuild and enhance their current rural operations.