Cotton Australia has welcomed the New South Wales Government’s $500 million Drought Assistance Package for farmers in the state.
The package includes $190 million for drought transport subsidies, $150 million to boost the Farm Innovation Fund infrastructure program, and $110 million to reduce farming costs by waiving fees and charges.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay says the assistance package is a boost for drought-affected cotton growers in NSW.
“We welcome the assistance package announced this week by Minister Niall Blair and the NSW Government, and we thank them for their support of those on the land,” Mr Kay says.
“The commitment to waive fixed water charges is welcome news for cotton growers, who will now be able to save thousands of dollars at a time when drought means irrigators have either no, or very little, water allocation.”
Mr Kay says without good rain, the drought’s impact on rural communities is expected to continue.
“This coming cotton season’s production forecast is less than half of what was grown last season,” he says.
“This reality means the drought will continue to bite in our rural communities unless good rain arrives. All assistance that can be provided will be gratefully received by those doing it tough on the land.”
For further information, irrigators can visit: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub/emergency-drought-relief-package
