IN A MEDIA statement this afternoon Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and NSW Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant announced that recovery grants are now available to assist eligible primary producers in Lismore and Tweed who have been severely affected by the recent North Coast floods.
Minister Keenan said assistance is being provided through the Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
“Our governments have recognised that primary producers in Lismore and Tweed were significantly impacted by the North Coast floods, and have acted swiftly to provide additional assistance to ensure they have the support they need to recover as quickly as possible,” Mr Keenan said in the media statement.
“Importantly, the recovery grants being announced today are on top of the low interest rate loans and freight subsidies that have already been made available to affected farmers.”
Minister Grant said the North Coast floods have caused more than $20 million worth of damage to the primary production sector in Tweed and Lismore.
“Last week I visited primary producers in the region to see the damage firsthand. This additional assistance will help the farmers hardest hit to get their properties back up and running as quickly as possible,” Mr Grant said.
“The grants being announced today will help eligible farmers with their recovery by funding clean-up and reinstatement activities, including salvaging crops, replacing pasture, purchasing fodder and repairing damaged equipment and machinery.”
“Further Category C applications for primary producers and small businesses are being prepared and will be submitted to the Commonwealth shortly.”
Read tomorrow’s print edition for more information on the Tweed cane quality and harvest.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for a recovery grant, primary producers in Lismore and Tweed should contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit raa.nsw.gov.au.
Further information on disaster assistance is available at disasterassist.gov.au and emergency.nsw.gov.au.