Joint media release: More assistance for flood-impacted primary producers

Acting Prime Minister of Australia, Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP
Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Dominic Perrottet MP
Minister for Emergency Management, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, Minister for Flood Recovery, the Hon Steph Cooke MP
New South Wales Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Western New South Wales, the Hon Dugald Saunders MO

---

There is now additional support for flood-affected primary producers in NSW, as part of the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Recovery grants to help with the immediate clean-up and recovery costs and to repair extensive damage have been increased from $25,000 to up to $75,000 for primary producers. Rural landholders can now also apply for grants of up to $10,000.

The grants are available in all the local government areas (LGAs) that have been disaster declared since 14 September. A full list of eligible LGAs is available on the NSW Rural Assistance Authority’s (RAA) Declared Natural Disasters webpage. 

Primary producers are encouraged not to self-assess and should consult with their local Rural Financial Counselling Service or apply for the scheme so that the RAA can determine eligibility. 

For more information, or to lodge an application, visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au or call the RAA on 1800 678 593. If you are a farmer or a member of the community requiring an emergency response regarding livestock or animals, call 1800 814 647.

Quotes attributable to the Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

Once again as rivers rise our thoughts are with the people of NSW who have been doing it tough dealing with the devastating impact this event is having on local farming communities. 

Our heart goes out to primary producers across flood impacted areas of New South Wales who have sustained significant damage to infrastructure and loss to their crops.

The Australian Government is working closely with the NSW Government to ensure increased financial support is provided when and where it is needed so people can start to repair the damage to their properties.

Quotes attributable to New South Wales Premier, Dominic Perrottet:

Our priority is making sure those impacted are back on their feet as quickly as possible, which is why we’re providing them with immediate access to funding to support their recovery and help repair damage to their properties. 

The NSW Government will continue to provide support and assistance to all of those affected by these devastating floods, while ensuring we build back stronger than before. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Management, Senator Murray Watt:

I have spoken to a number of farmers and growers who have been hit hard by the current severe weather, many at a critical time in their season.

The combined effects of the slow-moving water, prolonged periods of inundation in western and central NSW and ongoing rainfall have resulted in significant agricultural impacts. That means some crops are unable to be harvested due to water logging, resulting in a longer term financial loss.

These grants will support farmers with their immediate needs and I would encourage anyone who’s been impacted to get in touch with their local Rural Financial Counselling Service and see what help is available.

Quotes attributable to New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery, Steph Cooke:

In the 65 days since this flood emergency began, farmers and farming communities in 70 local government areas have been impacted.

The widespread impact of this flooding means we’re simultaneously in the response and recovery phases, and we’re doing everything possible in partnership with the Commonwealth to provide financial assistance.

This funding will help kickstart the clean-up and rebuilding effort for flood-affected farmers and landholders, many of whom haven’t been able to fully recover from previous storms and floods.

Quotes attributable to New South Wales Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western New South Wales, Dugald Saunders:

Throughout the course of this year, primary producers and regional communities have been tested again and again by the excessive rain and catastrophic floods which have severely depleted production capacity.

This onslaught has had a major impact on the incredible food and fibre that we see all year round and now we need to stand together and support the individuals and businesses that our State has become so reliant on.

Access to the $75,000 Primary Producer grants and $10,000 Landholder Grants is critical to help farmers throughout the rebuilding and recovery process.