NSW farmers get $75K flood relief grants. Dairy groups demand more, urging similar aid for drought-stricken states.
Flood Crisis $75K Relief for Aussie Dairy Farmers
Tackling the daunting clean-up on an unnamed dairy farm at Taree in May following the region’s worst floods in memory. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) Photo by DEAN LEWINS

NSW Unlocks Vital Category D Grants After Intense Lobbying by Agribusiness Leaders.

Flood-ravaged farmers in New South Wales are finally receiving crucial support, with the announcement of Category D disaster assistance grants of up to $75,000. This long-awaited relief package, detailed by the NSW Government, follows weeks of intense pressure and advocacy from key agribusiness groups, including Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), eastAUSmilk, and NSW Farmers. The move is a critical step towards helping producers recover from devastating climate events, offering a lifeline to affected regions like the Hunter and Mid North Coast.

ADF President Ben Bennett lauded the NSW Government’s leadership in securing this “long-overdue support,” emphasizing its vital importance for the region’s dairy farmers and broader agricultural sector. While acknowledging that the $75,000 might fall “well short of the actual impact” of the floods, eastAUSmilk Vice-President Tim Bale echoed appreciation for the contribution. He underscored the severe and protracted consequences of such climate events on crucial aspects of dairy farming, including herd health, milk production, and pasture integrity.

The newly approved grants are designed to provide comprehensive assistance for a range of recovery operations. Farmers can utilize these funds for essential clean-up efforts, purchasing emergency feed for livestock, undertaking vital infrastructure repairs, safely disposing of dead animals, and rebuilding damaged assets. Applications for this critical financial aid are now being processed through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, aiming to streamline the recovery process for hard-hit dairy producers.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin also highlighted that this additional funding was overdue for farmers who have endured not just one, but multiple flood and storm events. The repeated nature of these climate disasters has taken a severe toll on the resilience of Australian dairy farms, making sustained and robust government support indispensable for their survival and recovery. This emphasizes the growing need for proactive disaster management policies within the agribusiness sector.

Beyond the immediate relief for NSW, Australian Dairy Farmers continues its broader advocacy for timely and equitable disaster support across all states and agricultural sectors. ADF is specifically urging the Victorian and South Australian governments to secure similar assistance for their drought-stricken farmers, including targeted measures like fodder freight subsidies. This ongoing push reflects a national plea for consistent and comprehensive support to safeguard Australia’s vital dairy industry and enhance its resilience against climate extremes.

Source: Dairy News Australia: Category D disaster relief for flood-affected farmers

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