What’s Happening?
Primary producers affected by the 2025 North and Far North Tropical Low are being urged to seek recovery assistance.
The Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants program remains open for eligible producers who sustained direct damage during the disaster.
Funding can support clean-up, repairs, livestock replacement and other work needed to restore affected agricultural businesses.
Producers must be located within one of the declared disaster areas across North and Far North Queensland.
Applications can be lodged through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority website.
Why It Matters
The disaster damaged farms, infrastructure, livestock operations and cultivated land across several North Queensland communities.
Recovery work can be costly, particularly when producers must continue managing normal business expenses and daily farming demands.
Department of Primary Industries Acting Deputy Director-General, Agriculture, Peter Donaghy said the grants could cover several practical recovery costs.
“Up to $75,000 is available to assist eligible producers with expenses such as repairing cultivation, replacing damaged fencing, restocking, and other recovery costs directly associated with the disaster,” Mr Donaghy said.
The assistance gives affected producers financial support to restore operations and complete work caused directly by the tropical low.
Local Impact
Eligible producers are located within the declared disaster areas of Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Charters Towers and Flinders.
The declared areas also include Townsville, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island, Tablelands, and Yarrabah.
Applications close on Friday, 14 August 2026, leaving affected producers limited time to gather documents and lodge their claims.
The tropical low occurred between 29 January and 28 February 2025, affecting communities across North and Far North Queensland.
Mr Donaghy encouraged producers who suffered direct damage to apply before the deadline.
“With applications closing on 14 August 2026, I encourage all eligible producers who have sustained direct damage from the event to submit their applications as soon as possible,” Mr Donaghy said.
By the Numbers
- Up to $75,000 is available for eligible clean-up, repair, restocking and reinstatement expenses linked to the disaster.
- Ten declared council areas are covered, including Townsville, Burdekin, Cairns, Cassowary Coast and Charters Towers.
- The eligible disaster period covered 31 days, from 29 January until 28 February 2025.
Zoom In
Industry Recovery and Resilience Officers are available to help producers understand the program and complete their applications.
Officers can assist with eligibility requirements, supporting documents and information needed before a claim can be submitted.
“We know that navigating recovery assistance can sometimes be challenging, particularly while managing day-to-day demands,” Mr Donaghy said. “That’s why producers are encouraged to connect with their local Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer if they need support understanding eligibility requirements, gathering documentation, or completing their application.”
This support may be useful for producers who are unsure whether their losses qualify or which documents must accompany an application.
Zoom Out
Some primary producers in Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Flinders Shire Council may qualify for separate disaster assistance.
That support covers damage caused by the Queensland Monsoon Trough, Cyclone Koji, Cyclone Narelle and Severe Weather event.
The separate event period ran from 24 December 2025 until 24 April 2026.
Producers in those areas are encouraged to review every available assistance measure before lodging an application.
Checking both programs may help affected producers access the support linked to each disaster and its related damage.
What To Look For Next?
Eligible producers have until 14 August 2026 to complete their applications and provide the required supporting documents.
Industry Recovery and Resilience Officers will continue helping producers who need guidance before the program closes.
Eligibility criteria, program guidelines and applications are available through QRIDA’s Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants page.
Contact details for local officers are available through the Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer program on Business Queensland.
