Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan has welcomed an additional $100 million for primary producers worst-hit by bushfires.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Farm, fish and forestry businesses will now be able to apply for up to $75,000 in grants to help pay for essentials like fodder and water or rebuilding fences and horticultural netting.
"I am pleased the Federal Government has elevated its support to bushfire-affected primary producers as they really need our help to rebuild after these devastating bushfires," he said.
"This new funding, combined with the $15,000 grants for farmers announced back in November, brings the total the Federal Government is distributing to eligible producers to $90,000, an amount I think will start to make a difference to each property's recovery.
"It can be used to pay for a raft of recovery actions like rebuilding property infrastructure not covered by existing insurance policies, veterinary fees and waste disposal.
Further details of exactly how this new $100 million funding will be administered will be made in coming days.
It will be administered by the relevant State Governments through the existing Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and forms part of the $2 billion commitment the the Government has made to help communities start to recover from the bushfires.
Importantly, the definition of primary producer under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements has been extended so producers like beekeepers and private foresters will be eligible to apply.
For more information on the Federal Government Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants Program call 1800 900 090.