A land rent reprieve has been extended to an additional five council areas in North and Far North Queensland, deferring an extra $1.4 million in payments.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the reprieve now applies to 18 councils areas with more than $6 million worth of land rent due between 1 March and 30 November now being automatically deferred for up to nine months.
The new shires covered by the extension are Burke, Croydon, Etheridge, Torres and Torres Strait Island Regional Council, which have been affected by drought and flood.
"Now affected landholders in these shires also won't have to pay their land rent bill until 1 December 2019," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"We want to make sure all affected communities have access to the support they need while they plan their road to recovery."
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the latest extension provided land rent relief to another 371 landholders.
"Overall more than 3,600 landholders will benefit from the land rent reprieve," Mr Furner said.
"Land rent bills can be upwards of $60,000, hopefully it is one less thing they need to worry about."
The assistance applies in 18 local government areas from Winton in central Queensland to Cook in the Far North. The council areas are: Burdekin Shire, Burke Shire, Carpentaria Shire, Cook Shire, Charters Towers Regional, Cloncurry Shire, Croydon Shire, Douglas Shire, Etheridge Shire, Flinders Shire, Hinchinbrook Shire, McKinlay Shire, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire, Richmond Shire, Townsville City, Torres Shire, Torres Strait Island Regional Council and Winton Shire.
Landholders do not need to do anything further to take up offer: it is automatic.
Landholders can seek further extensions post 1 December 2019 if they need it by applying online www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/state/rents/deferring/
