NSW Farmers has welcomed the expansion of the $10,000 bushfire grants to small businesses in 13 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The Federal Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud and NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, announced that the additional eligible LGAs include Armidale, Bellingen, Cessnock, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Kyogle, Mid-Western, Oberon, Singleton, Tenterfield and Walcha.
“NSW Farmers thanks Government for the disaster assistance funding to date and the rapid response in processing the Natural Disaster Grant applications,” NSW Farmers President James Jackson said.
“The Department of Primary Industries has reported that around $70 million in Special Disaster Grants have been approved in the last three months. This has done a lot to ease the difficult task of clean up and initial repair.”
“Many of the farms affected by the fires are small businesses that rely on maintaining the supply of produce to consumers and actively contribute to the re-establishment of regional economies.”
“The $10,000 small business grants come when farmers are in a better positon to plan for the future and consider improvements to farm infrastructure following rainfall in many parts of NSW.”
To be eligible, businesses must have experienced a 40 percent drop in revenue over a three month period, compared to last year, because of the bushfires.
This announcement follows the NSW Government’s $5000 grants to aid in the replacement and repair of boundary fences next to National Parks and Crown Lands.
“Farmers across NSW produce some of the highest quality and safest food and fibre in the world. It is highly sought after and the financial support that the Natural Disaster Grants have provided will help ensure local food and fibre security for the long term.”
