Details of how primary producers worst-hit by bushfires can apply for the Federal Government's $75,000 recovery grant have been released.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the grant would make a real difference in helping producers recover from the region's recent bushfires.
"We have greatly elevated our support to bushfire-affected regions since the ninth of January when the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund was announced," he said.
"I continue to support communities and businesses hit by these fires across Cowper and I encourage all primary producers affected to look at the guidelines released for the grant today and consider making an application by the July 31 this year.
"I have been assured it is a relatively simple process whereby producers in the five local government areas (LGAs) in Cowper submit photographs showing direct bushfire-related impacts to their property and business.
"The grant funding is being administered by the NSW Government's Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) through the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements between the State and the Commonwealth.
"The funding can be used to pay for things like hiring or purchasing equipment and materials to help with the clean-up or rebuilding, additional labour to help with the recovery, waste disposal and replacing damaged fencing, horticultural netting or plant and equipment."
The five LGAs within Cowper are Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings.
The grant initiative forms part of the $2 billion commitment the Morrison-McCormack Government has made to address the impact of the bushfires.
Importantly, the definition of primary producer under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements has been extended so producers like beekeepers, aquaculturalists and private foresters will be eligible to apply.
Farmers who have off-farm income won't be disadvantaged; the same off-farm income rules for Farm Household Allowance will apply. This means farmers that aren't eligible for Category C payments due to off-farm income rules will still be eligible for up to $75,000 in grant funding to help them normalise their farm business as quickly as possible.
For more information visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/special-disaster-grant-bushfires or call 1800 678 593.
