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Far West Queensland
From 27 March 2007, all producers in the declared area are eligible to apply for Exceptional Circumstances (EC) income support payments and interest rate subsidies.
Agriculture-dependent small business operators who derive 70 per cent of their turnover from agriculture in any EC area are also eligible to apply for assistance.
Note: If your small business: is located in a town that is substantially reliant on farm incomes and has a population of 10,000 or less; and is in an EC area (including prima facie and interim assistance areas); and can demonstrate a significant downturn in income due to the drought, you may be eligible for assistance.
Producers and agriculture-dependent small business operators should not self-assess their eligibility for income support but should call the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.
For more information on interest rate subsidies please contact your state rural assistance authority.
All producers and small business operators should note the following deadlines:
| Applicant | EC Relief Payment expiry | EC Interest Rate Subsidy applications close: |
|---|---|---|
|
Producers |
15 June 2009 |
Year 1: 26 March 2008* |
* A 28-day grace period applies to the closing date for EC Interest Rate Subsidy applications. More information - Media release by former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Area Description
The Far West Queensland area covers those parts of the Longreach and Winton local government shires that are not in an existing Exceptional Circumstances area, and the Boulia local government shire south of the 22nd parallel.
A buffer zone extends 20km for all sides of the declared area that do not abut an EC declared area.
Download the Far West Queensland prima facie declared area map 
PDF [208kb]