Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education
The Commonwealth and New South Wales governments continue to deliver on their commitment to primary producers who were impacted by severe storms and widespread flooding that occurred in February and March 2021, with Rural Landholders Grants of up to $10,000 available.
Minister for National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the provision of financial support was essential to ensure the long-term recovery of affected communities.
“As the severity of the aftermath of the floods last year became apparent, the Commonwealth and NSW Governments committed $400 million in additional funding,” Minister McKenzie said.
“As part of this initiative, more than $25 million was committed to providing assistance for rural landholders who did not qualify for other programs already in place to support primary producers – like the Special Disaster Grant or the Supply Chain Support Grant.”
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the extension of the Rural Landholders Grants would make a difference to farmers and producers across the State.
“I am encouraging any primary producer who holds 10 or more hectares of land and earns $20,000 or more from primary production to make the most of this financial assistance,” Ms Cooke said.
“Primary producers are reeling from the compound impact of natural disasters, so it’s vital that we work together with the Commonwealth Government and ensure they can recover over the long-term.”
New South Wales Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales Dugald Saunders acknowledged the far reaching impact of the weather event and the crucial need for targeted recovery initiatives.
“The Rural Landholders Grant is the first of its kind and has allowed landholders who would normally not qualify for the primary producer or small business grants to access recovery funds,” Mr Saunders said.
“This program is unique in that it acknowledges the diversity of primary production and provides for those who may otherwise have missed out based on eligibility criteria.”
To date, nearly 500 applications have been received by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA).
Impacted landholders now have until 3 March 2022 to lodge an application for the grant of up to $10,000. To be eligible, applicants must hold at least 10 hectares of rural land and earn at least $20,000 from primary production.
