DISASTER recovery funds have started to flow in New South Wales and Victoria, with state and federal governments both announcing funding packages today.
The Victorian Government has announced a $75m packaged for drought impacted farmers, with the NSW and Federal Government released ‘category d’ funding grants of up $75,000 for producers impacted by floods on the south coast earlier this year.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the additional funding was overdue for farmers hit hard by successive flood and storm events.
“We’ve heard many stories of extraordinary destruction and devastation from these regions, and it’s good to see this support finally flow to those who really need it,” Mr Martin said.
“These producers and their communities have endured multiple events in an extreme year, and they’ve been left waiting long enough for further help to arrive.”
Mr Martin encouraged eligible producers to access the support as soon as they were able, with a range of other disaster relief assistance also available for those affected.
“We know recovery is still taking up a huge amount of time and effort, but it’s important to make use of the support that’s there to get you back on your feet,” Mr Martin said.
“As well as this new assistance, there’s also a range of other disaster relief supports available, and it’s a good idea to talk to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority to see what’s out there to help you get through these tough times and beyond.”
Drought support for Vic farmer
Vic Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the support was sorely neeeded.
“You can’t overstate how devastating this drought has been to our regional communities and the only certainty we know is the recovery will take years.”
“Genuine support is what’s needed and this announcement is a step in the right direction,” Mr Hosking said.
Highlights of the additional Victorian Government drought support include:
- $35.8m for 12 South West Victoria councils to administer targeted drought relief
- $15m investment for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline
- $2m for the Country Women’s Association to roll out of food and grocery support of up to $1000 per household
- $6.3m to cover the cost of farmer exemptions on government fees and charges, such as livestock transaction fees
- $5.5m for standpipes, emergency and private bores
- $3.5m towards a SouthWest water strategy
- $1m for Catchment Management Authority employment programs
- $5.9m to continue the Look over the Farm Gate program and continue funding of Agriculture Victoria’s farm technical decision making program.
Mr Hosking added it’s the VFF’s expectation that the entirety of funding allocations to local councils is fully and promptly passed onto drought-hit communities without delay.
“Our communities are hurting right now and it’s my expectation that this money goes directly to drought-hit farmers straight away and paid in full. Immediate rate relief is a good example of how that can be done and is something we’ve been calling for,” Mr Hosking said.
Source: NSW Farmers, VFF
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