NSW primary producers affected by bushfire can now apply for the Special Disaster Grant of up to $75,000 to help pay for immediate clean-up costs and repairs to infrastructure.
The Grant is available through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority and deliver funds directly into fire ravaged rural and regional communities.
The immediate injection of funds enables primary producers to jump-start the rebuild of their business, and assists fire affected beef and lamb producers, horticulturists, dairy farmers, oyster growers, apiarists, viticulturalists and foresters.
Who can apply?
The Special Disaster Grant of up to $75,000 is available to eligible primary producers within any of the Local Government Areas that have been declared since August 31.
To be eligible for the grant, you must:
- Be a primary producer.
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the disaster.
- Have a primary production enterprise located in the defined area for the eligible disaster that has suffered direct damage as a result of the eligible disaster.
- Have been engaged in carrying on the primary production enterprise when affected by the eligible disaster.
- Have lodged an application on or before July 31, 2020.
- Intend to re-establish the primary production enterprise.
What can I claim?
A total of $75,000 per affected property can be claimed by eligible primary producers to help with costs associated with immediate clean-up and repairs to infrastructure. This is a grant and not a loan, meaning you don't need to repay the funds.
Eligible claims for the grant may include:
- Hiring, leasing or purchase of equipment and/or materials to undertake clean-up and additional labour costs
- Disposing of damaged goods and injured or dead livestock, including associated costs.
- Repairing farm buildings (if the building is essential for resuming primary production operation), repairing or replacing fencing and horticultural netting.
- Reconditioning/repairing essential plant and equipment, including repairing damage to, or replacing, water tanks, de-silting dams, water reticulation systems, forestry equipment, aquaculture and fishing equipment.
- Salvaging (but not replacing) crops, grain, feed, fertiliser and timber.
- Health assessment, treatment and maintenance for livestock, poultry and aquaculture.