Date Time Flood assistance extended to Southern Downs primary producers Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities The Honourable Mark Furner Disaster assistance has been extended to help primary producers in the Southern Downs recover, following the heavy rainfall and flash flooding that drenched Southern Queensland in late March. Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said DRFA Category B assistance, including low interest loans and freight subsidies, has been activated to help affected primary producers on their road recovery in the local government area of Southern Downs Regional Council.