There is no question the farming communities of rural and regional NSW are resilient and stoic in the face of adverse conditions – be they seasonal or market driven.
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However, the devastating seasonal conditions of the last two years have stretched that resilience and stoicism to its limits in some regions.
I have visited much of drought-stricken NSW, including some parts where farmers are experiencing the longest period of rainfall deficiency on record.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals government has allocated more than $30 million to temporary emergency assistance measures since November 2013, to support our drought-affected primary producers and regional communities.
For the first time, these emergency assistance measures included a waiver of Local Land Services rates, from January 1, 2014 to 30 June 2014.
Unfortunately, due to the increased demand on the emergency drought support package, this waiver was reduced from 12 months to six months, to ensure more targeted relief measures could be delivered to those farmers in greatest need.
Another issue we faced was that a number of primary producers outlaid capital to install crucial water infrastructure, but did not lodge an application prior to the popular $21 million Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate becoming fully subscribed.
To address this problem, the NSW Government has committed further money to fund its contribution to the program for all applications received prior to July 4, 2014, for work completed on or before June 30, 2014.
On 1 July this year the new national drought program commenced, which sees the NSW government’s role shift towards helping primary producers prepare for drought and administering a number of Commonwealth government assistance measures.
The NSW government’s temporary emergency assistance measures concluded on June 30 2014, ahead of the commencement of the new national drought program.
Looking to the future, we have allocated more funding to the Rural Support Worker program and the Farm Innovation Fund, which provides primary producers with long-term loans at concessional interest rates for on-farm drought preparedness activities.
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has boosted staff numbers at the Rural Assistance Authority to ensure timely administration of the large amount of applications received for emergency assistance measures.
The RAA and Local Land Services administer a number of Australian Government programs, including the $100 million Drought Concessional Loans Scheme, the Farm Finance Concessional Loans Scheme and pest management programs.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries continually invests in and facilitates the latest research and development into programs which support drought preparedness, like drought-tolerant cereal and pasture varieties.
The NSW government also produces the monthly Seasonal Conditions Report – a valuable resource to assist primary producers to manage seasonal conditions.
I recognise that these measures only go so far in helping those primary producers deal with drought, which is insidious in nature and has an ability to pervade almost all aspects of life in our rural and regional communities.
The NSW government has established the independent and expert Regional Assistance Advisory Committee, which will continue to provide ongoing advice and recommendations on seasonal conditions and support programs.
For information on NSW government support measures and advice on how to best manage seasonal conditions, visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au; www.raa.nsw.gov.au; www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ agriculture/emergency/drought.
- KATRINA HODGKINSON MP, Minister for Primary Industries and Assistant Minister for Tourism and Major Events
