27 April, 2017

Assistance for North Coast flood victims

Recovery grants have been announced for NSW banana growers impacted by recent severe flooding and damaging winds caused by ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie.

Amounts of up to $15,000 are available for primary producers in the Tweed Shire and $10,000 for those in the Lismore City local government area, to cover clean-up and restoration costs.

Applications must be submitted by 27 October, 2017.

The Category C grants have been made available through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) program and are funded by both the State and Federal governments.

The grants are designed to compensate primary producers and small businesses that have suffered direct damage as a result of last month’s floods for clean-up, removal of debris, disposal of dead livestock, replacement of pasture and fertiliser, repairs and further restoration.

The funding does not provide compensation for losses such as destroyed crops, sprays or chemicals, loss of income, damage to dwellings, vehicles, mulch and fuel.

All claims for assistance will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. They must be lodged with the NSW Rural Assistance Authority by the closing date, with tax invoices or receipts dated after 28 March, 2017 for damages incurred.

Worst affected NSW growers also have access to Category B natural disaster funding, which means access to concessional interest rate loans of up to $130,000 and freight subsidies.

For further information on the recovery grants phone 1800 678 593 or email rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au. Details are also available on the link below:

https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/natural-disaster-relief/grants-information-and-application-forms/north-coast-floods-primary-producer