Drought Relief Available in the Absence of Insurance
Tue, September 11th 2018
The Australian government as well as NSW and Queensland governments have offered assistance to those affected, as outlined below.
Federal Government
The Australian Government provides a number of measures to support manage through and recover from drought including:
• Dairy Support Package
• Farm Household Allowance
• Farm Management Deposits (FMD)
• Taxation measures
• Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)
• Farm Business Concessional Loans Scheme
• Drought Communities Program
• Managing Farm Risk Program
• Enhanced social support
• Pest and weed management
Click here for further information on how to access Federal Government drought relief assistance
NSW
The NSW Government has announced a $500 million Emergency Drought Relief Package to help farmers manage the effects of the current drought, including three major elements:
• $190 million for Drought Transport Subsidies;
• $100 million to cut the cost of farming by waiving fees and charges
• $150 million to bolster the Farm Innovation Fund (FIF) infrastructure program.
The package also includes funding for:
• Counselling and mental health;
• Critical services in regional communities including transporting water and drought related road upgrades and repairs; and,
• Animal welfare and stock disposal.
Click here for further information on how to access drought relief in NSW
Queensland
The Queensland government’s Drought Relief Assistance scheme includes a package of measures including freight subsidies for the transport of fodder, water and livestock and the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate. Other support available includes:
• Financial counselling services
• Pest animal and weed management in drought-affected areas
• Land rent rebates
• Water fee relief
• Transport-related drought assistance
• Community and family assistance including counselling, mental health and healthcare
• Transport concessions and school transport allowance
Click here for further information on how to access drought relief in Queensland