Miscellaneous Financial Issues
Farm Management Deposits (FMDs)
– earlier access to funds for FMD holders in EC declared
areas, without loss of taxation benefits.
Job Search Support - for redundant
rural workers in drought affected areas.
Individuals who have been made redundant, or are facing
redundancy, as a result of the drought can be given access
to Job Search support services. Such services are available
through Job Network members and Centrelink offices.
http://www.workplace.gov.au and http://www.centrelink.gov.au/
Drought Force – this extension
of the Work for the Dole programme enables people who are
laid off as a result of the drought and other suitably skilled
people from the local area, the opportunity to lend a hand
on drought affected properties or to work on community projects
in EC declared areas.
Drought Force is delivered by Community Work Coordinators
who are listed at http://www.workplace.gov.au
Personal Counselling –
telephone counselling in all drought affected areas and face-to-face
counselling in EC declared areas. Contact Centrelink Drought
Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16 or web sites
http://www.facs.gov.au
“Just Ask” –
a mental health telephone information service for people living
in rural areas. Local call 1300 13 11 14
“Toolkit for getting through the
Drought” - free publication available through
Lifeline http://www.lifeline.org.au/
content/drought.pdf
Declared Drought Area Incentive
– employers who hold current Drought Area certificates
may attract additional incentives for employing new apprentices
or recommencing new apprentices .
Contact local New Apprenticeships Centre on 1800 639 629
or web site http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au
Apiary Site Permit Relief –
provides site fee payment options to apiarists in drought
declared shires. Contact local DPI&F Forestry, Call Centre
on 132523
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Electricity Tariff Relief –
allows for the waiving of fixed charge components of electricity
tariffs, and the deferral of payment of irrigation pumping
charges in drought declared areas. Call Energex Call Centre
131253 or Ergon Call centre 131046.
More information at http://www.dme.qld.qov.au/Energy
Feedlink – an electronic
trading site for producers and suppliers seeking to buy and
sell stockfeed and supplements. Call DPI Drought Hotline on
1800 025 656 or go to web site http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/business
Queensland DPI Drought Hotline
– referral service providing information to callers
seeking drought relief assistance measures or advice. Call
1800 025 656.
Rural Family Support Services
– to provide a range of assistance to families experiencing
crisis due to drought conditions.
Crisis Care: call 1800 177 135, Parentline: call 1300 301
300, Kids Helpline: call 1800 551 800.
Transport Concessions –
assistance for drought declared producers includes payment
options for vehicle inspection fees, drought road train permits
and increased vehicle height limit when transporting machine
baled hay. Families that drive their children to school or
connect with a school bus may be eligible for an increase
in the school transport allowance.
Information and applications through Queensland Transport
Call centre on 132 380. or at http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/
Drought Rates Rebate Scheme – A rebate of 50% is available for eligible primary producers who have paid their Local Government rates issued between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2008. Producers in Exceptional Circumstance declared areas of Queensland who are receiving Exceptional Circumstance Relief Payments from Centrelink, are urged to apply. Contact QRAA on 1800 623 946
or go to their web site
www.qraa.qld gov.au/productitem
Irrigators Fixed Water Charges Rebate Scheme – A rebate of up to $10,000 p.a. is available for eligible irrigators for invoices issued in 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 in areas where there is, or has been, low water availability of 20% or less.
Contact QRAA on 1800 623 946
or go to their web site
www.qraa.qld gov.au/productitem
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