More assistance is on the way for farmers in flood-affected parts of the State, with the NSW and Commonwealth governments announcing a $185 million funding package to help primary producers, fishers and land managers on their road to recovery.
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the funding will provide our State's producers with a much-needed boost to the recovery process and will play a crucial role in protecting supply chains.
"Farmers in NSW have been significantly impacted by these devastating floods, and now that waters have subsided and we're seeing the full extent of the damage, we know there is a very long road ahead," Mr Saunders said.
"Not only will this package support our primary producers in the immediate recovery phase, it will support them into the future to ensure they're able to get back on their feet as quickly as possible."
This funding is part of the broader $742 million package announced by the NSW and Commonwealth governments, and includes:
- $100 million for Critical Producer Grants, which provide rapid support for significantly impacted primary producers;
- $50 million for Primary Industry Recovery and Resilience Grants, which provide targeted funding for medium to longer-term projects that support supply chain efficiencies and recovery and rebuilding efforts; and
- $35 million for Rural Landholder Grants of up to $25,000 for impacted landholders, who are not eligible under existing support mechanisms.
"We know how devastating these floods have been for our primary producers, who are not just dealing with the significant damage to their businesses, but also to their homes and livelihoods," Mr Saunders said.
"This package is just one step in the right direction for what will be an extensive recovery process, and the NSW Government will continue to stand side-by-side with farmers throughout this tough journey."
Since 4 March 2022, the NSW Government has also offered Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000 – including $15,000 available immediately – to eligible primary producers through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
"So far, the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) has received 860 applications and approved more than $12 million in support," Mr Saunders said.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the funding package will help employers and workers rebuild and get back to work.
"The scale of the flooding in many communities across NSW is unprecedented, which is why we are putting equally unprecedented resources into the long-term recovery effort," Ms Cooke said.
