Farmers in the Launceston local government area struggling under the weight of repairs following the June floods now have further financial relief available to help them recover.
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The joint federal and state funding extension of $10,000 grants will see eligible primary producers in the Launceston local government area able to access the funding previously made available in the Break O’Day, Central Coast, Central Highlands, Kentish, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Latrobe, and Waratah-Wynyard municipalities.
Member for Bass Sarah Courtney announced the disaster assistance extension on Thursday morning at St Leonards Picnic Grounds on the banks of the North Esk river.
“These funds play an important role in supporting farming families and their communities to get back on their feet,” Ms Courtney said.
“This funding is made possible through a state-Commonwealth relationship, the natural disaster relief and recovery arrangements allow farmers to apply for this funding and we’re really delighted that we now have nine local government areas that can apply for this funding.”
Ms Courtney said the state government was “keen to see any farmers that are eligible to put their hands up” for the funding grants.
She said that while there had been a six-month delay since the floods to the announcement of funding made available in the Launceston area, the good weather and dry season now meant farmers had an opportunity to repair dams, pumps and fences with the $10,000 grants.
“There are quite complex rules around the application process and the Launceston local government area has a range of river systems which adds to the complexities,” she said.
“Seventy farms in the Launceston local area have been impacted by floods and if we look at the geography … they are all impacted by quite different flood events, so … the complexity of these arrangements did mean it’s taken six months.”
These funds play an important role in supporting farming families and their communities to get back on their feet.
- Sarah Courtney
Minister for Justice Michael Keenan said the recovery funding was available under the Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
“Our priority is always to ensure that those in the community most affected by natural disasters can access the assistance they need,’’ Mr Keenan said.
For more information on clean-up grants for primary producers, call 6777 2233.
