AgForce has welcomed the announcement of the Advisory Board to guide the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency to help farmers, communities and small businesses impacted by recent devastating floods, and has formed a liaison group to assist the board's mission.
The Agency was a key initiative of the Federal Government's flood recovery package, worth up to $2 billion, which offers tax relief, as well as relief from a host of other Government red tape, for flood-affected graziers.
The Advisory Board has been formed to provide expert advice to the Agency to develop a long-term recovery strategy.
AgForce North Regional Director Dominic Burden, who will chair the AgForce North West Floods Liaison Group, said he was happy to hear Prime Minister Scott Morrison's comments that the Federal Government and the Recovery Agency were "in this for the long haul."
"Those comments echo what AgForce has been saying since the Agency was announced," he said.
"AgForce worked to represent industry interests from day one, and we'll continue to advocate on behalf of our members, and for all of the affected grazing industry in the North West for as long as we're needed.
"The recovery from such heartbreaking floods will be a multi-year process," he said.
Mr Burden said he was looking forward to working closely with both the Board and the Agency.
"AgForce has put together a nimble group of people who represent the AgForce Board, our Commodity Boards and our Northern Council – people who live and work in the communities affected by the floods," he said.
"This means we're in a position to work alongside the newly appointed members of the Advisory Board announced by the Prime Minister.
"We will be focussed on supporting the many elements of the recovery process, and representing the very people affected by this unprecedented disaster."
The NQLIRA's Advisory Board held its inaugural meeting in Townsville on 12 March, where they set their priorities for the next three months, including visiting communities most affected by the floods. The Agency website is https://www.pmc.gov.au/domestic-policy/north-queensland-livestock-industry-recovery-agency
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