Primary producers in flood-affected regions of NSW will soon have access to a range of technical support and recovery advice thanks to the new $13 million Early Needs Recovery Program.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said this program will provide hands-on advice and information to primary producers including site visits, workshops and laboratory testing to help inform their future business decisions.
“We are expecting to see an increase in pest, disease and weed issues as a result of the big wet, so we’re giving primary producers access to tailored management advice on the farm and help them better understand the grants on offer,” Mr Toole said.
“The program will also support the important work of volunteer-based organisations, such as BlazeAid and BackTrack, to help with practical things like replacing fences.
“We’ll continue to stand with our primary producers hard-hit by these floods on the long road to recovery.
“Already, we’ve rolled out a dedicated stock team to help reunite farmers with lost livestock and to coordinate almost 2,500,000 tonnes of emergency fodder, as well as the $75,000 Special Disaster and $25,000 rural landholder grants. This latest investment builds on our commitment to ensure the industry bounces back stronger than ever.”
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said primary industries support about 24,000 jobs across the State’s flood-affected areas of the Northern Rivers, Hunter Valley, Central Coast, Greater Sydney and South East of NSW.
“Many primary producers in flood-affected parts of NSW have spent their careers eradicating pests, diseases and weeds from their properties, so it is critical we support them to ensure this hard work is not reversed due to factors outside of their control,” Mr Saunders said.
“We know our farmers, horticulturalists and other primary producers are still doing it really tough, so it is important for them to know the NSW Government is here to help with initial support to get them back on their feet and eventually flourish and grow for years to come.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Early Needs Recovery Program announced today is targeted assistance, part of the NSW and Commonwealth governments’ $150 million Primary Industry Support Package.
“Issues like pest management, weed control and livestock health can hamper the recovery process for famers which is why it’s vital we deliver this support to best assist their journey of cleaning up and getting re-established,” Ms Cooke said.
Preliminary estimates show the impact of the 2022 floods on the NSW primary sector exceeds half a billion dollars, with more than 30 industries affected.
Primary producers located in the North Coast, Hunter, Greater Sydney and South-East can access the program.
The Early Needs Recovery Program will be administered by Local Land Services and the Department of Regional NSW.
