The Department of Environment, Land and Water has revealed that more than 1,500 primary producers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Niran are to receive a land rent reprieve.
Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart said more than $213,000 worth of land rent due between 1 March and 30 August would be automatically deferred for up to six months.
Mr Stewart said the State’s $60 billion food and fibre industry was important not only Queensland, but all of Australia.
“Primary producers on leased State land in Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, Mareeba and Tablelands areas won’t have to pay their land rent until 1 September,” the Minister said.
“Many primary production lease, licence and permit holders in these affected areas are doing it tough financially and emotionally as they recover from not only property damage, loss of income and businesses including crops and livestock, but also COVID-19.”
He said farmers on pastoral leases in the region would now have one less thing to worry about.
“To make this process as easy as possible, eligible landholders have had their rent automatically deferred, they don’t have to do anything further to take up this offer of assistance,” Mr Stewart said.
“This is practical assistance to help ease the financial burden on cyclone-affected leaseholders as they make the first steps on the road to recovery.”
He said landholders still suffering hardship after this deferral period could seek further hardship assistance by applying online.
