NSW Farmers President James Jackson has welcomed the federal government’s Recovery Assistance announcement, but says targeted grant support is needed for flood-hit farmers.
“We are calling on state and federal governments to provide targeted one-off payments to help people hit by the sudden impact of this disaster so there’s some initial safety net for people cleaning up and repairing those private roads and fences that have been washed away,” Mr Jackson said.
“Farmers and communities have been heavily impacted by these recent floods, and while we welcome the support offered thus far there is a clear need to help our farmers recover.”
While the Recovery Assistance announcement will give income support to people who have lost work as a result of the floods, farmers are unlikely to qualify because of the nature of their businesses.
“Farmers only get paid when they sell their produce, so all that money spent preparing for harvest is now gone and there’s no way to get it back,” Mr Jackson said.
“The structure of farming businesses is such that you outlay a lot of money to sow crops, fertilise them, and get them ready to harvest – every one of these costs come out of your pocket up front.
“Under the current Natural Disaster Declarations there are only concessional loans available to farmers, but they need immediate financial support like any other business.”
