Time to speed up disaster support

The NSW Government has ramped up efforts to process disaster assistance applications in a step forward for farmers affected by recent flood, storm and cyclone events in the state.

Last Thursday, the Minns Government announced it would double the number of staff processing disaster assistance applications for primary producers by the end of the week.

NSW Farmers Oyster Committee Chair Brandon Armstrong said many farming families have disaster assistance had been far too long coming for many farming families in the Hunter, North and Mid North Coasts.

“Be it dairy and beef farmers, or oyster growers, or anyone in between, the impacts of successive flood and storm events in NSW have been no less than catastrophic, and there’s a long road to recovery still ahead,” Mr Armstrong said.

“Our farming families have waited long enough, and it’s time disaster assistance gets to where it’s needed, so farmers can get back on their feet.

“Fodder, freight, cleanup and a long list of other costs are bearing down heavily on the farming families who have been affected by these events, and the process to apply for disaster assistance has been complex, slow and difficult for many.”

Farmers were encouraged to contact the NSW Government’s Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or at rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au if they had questions about disaster support, their eligibility, or their application for disaster assistance grants. The Rural Financial Counselling Service can also assist with applications for disaster assistance