The NSW Government is encouraging eligible fire-affected primary producers and landholders in 7 local government areas (LGAs) to access disaster assistance in response to recent and ongoing bushfires in those areas.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and will be administered through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) to help communities and individuals directly affected by the fires.
The assistance measures available through the NSW RAA are:
- Concessional interest rate loans for primary producers and small businesses up to a maximum of $130,000, with interest rates currently set at 1.79%.
- Concessional interest rate loans for non-profit organisations up to a maximum of $25,000, with interest rates currently set at 1.79%.
- Transport subsidies for primary producers of up to 50% of the total freight cost to a maximum of $15,000 per farm enterprise per financial year.
- Donated fodder transport subsidies for the costs of donating and transporting donated fodder to affected properties or storage facilities in a central location up to a maximum distance of 1500 kilometres.
Further information, including guidelines, fact sheets and application forms can be found on the RAA’s websitelaunch or by calling 1800 678 593launch.
Fire-affected farmers and land managers in these LGAs requiring assistance with livestock assessment, animal welfare and veterinary assistance can contact the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647launch to access support.
The 7 LGAs now able to access disaster assistance following this week’s joint Commonwealth-NSW government announcement are:
- Inverell, Kyogle and Tenterfield from 13 October
- Kempsey, Mid Coast and Port Macquarie from 16 October
- Mid-Western from 17 October.
Visit the Department of Primary Industries BushfireHublaunch for more information.
Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“The NSW Government appreciates that many of our farmers are facing another significant natural event and is committed to supporting our producers as they recover once again.
“Natural disaster recovery grants and subsidies will provide immediate relief such clean-up, transport and restoration costs to eligible primary producers, small businesses, and non-profit organisations in the 7 LGAs of Port Macquarie, Mid-Coast, Kempsey, Inverell, Kyogle, Tenterfield and Mid-Western.
“The NSW Rural Assistance Authority will work compassionately with affected producers and I encourage impacted people to reach out and access the assistance available to them.”