Farmers and small businesses affected by the Townsville floods now have until the end of February next year to apply for Category C grants under the jointly funded Commonwealth-Queensland Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

It's important that we’ve extended the application deadline and ensure all those in need can get a welcome boost.

$75,000 grants are available to farmers and $50,000 business grants are available in the Townsville area.

The money can be used to rebuild things like fences and sheds that were heavily damaged in the floods.

We’re fully getting behind farmers and business because they employ thousands of people across Northern Queensland.

In addition to the DRFA grants, affected primary producers can alsoaccess the Commonwealth’s Restocking, Replanting and On-farm Infrastructureco-contribution grants of up to $400,000, administered by the North QueenslandLivestock Industry Recovery Agency (NQLIRA).

For information on DRFA assistance grants contact the Queensland Ruraland Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946 or visithttp://www.qrida.qld.gov.au

Information on grants administered by NQLIRA is available atwww.nqlira.gov.au

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on theAustralian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.auand the Queensland Government’s Disaster Management website atwww.disaster.qld.gov.au.