It is hard to believe the industry was facing hardships from drought only two years ago sourcing feed supplies and reducing livestock numbers to keep the wheels turning and now a Natural Disaster Declaration is in place for the Tenterfield Shire, Forbes Shire, Bathurst, Lachlan Shire, Moree Plains, Blue Mountains, Cowra, Blayney, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Cobar, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Narrabri, Port Macquarie, Hastings, Upper Hunter, Warrumbungle and Weddin LGAs in response to flooding events from Tuesday, 9 November onwards.
A heartfelt thank you to all the farms that have already assisted neighbours with relocation of horses and livestock.
We wish to advise members effected that support is available to eligible NSW primary producers, loans and natural disaster transport subsidies through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority. Information on loans is available here and transport subsidies can be applied for here.
There is also assistance available for people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply). For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
The Australian Banking Association is encouraging people affected by current floods to talk to their bank as soon as possible. Many banks are offering a range of services to help farmers and small businesses, these can include:
- A deferral of scheduled loan repayments
- Waiving fees and charges, including break costs on early access to term deposits
- Debt consolidation to help make repayments more manageable
- Restructuring existing loans free of the usual establishment fees
- Deferring interest payments on a case-by-case basis
- Offering additional finance to help cover cash flow shortages
- Deferring upcoming credit card payments
- Increasing emergency credit card limits.
Further information can be found on the ABA website here.
Please stay safe and reach out if evacuation assistance is needed relocating horses from effected areas or accessing support services.
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